cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a phosphomonoesterase from Brucella abortus.

Abstract Brucellae are facultative intracellular bacterial pathogens that reside primarily in cells of the reticuloendothelial system. The high-speed supernatant obtained after centrifuging a suspension of Brucella abortus that had been frozen-thawed and sonicated contained abundant phosphomonoesterase activity, determined by using 4-methylumbelliferylphosphate as the substrate; this enzyme was purified 2,900-fold (yield, 570%) by chromatography on DE-52 cellulose and hydroxylapatite columns and high-performance liquid chromatography-gel filtration. The native enzyme had a molecular mass of 120,000 daltons (+/- 10,000 daltons), as determined by gel filtration chromatography, and resolved into two bands (60,000 and 66,000 daltons) when subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The B. abortus phosphomonoesterase had the following properties: pH optimum, 6.0 to 6.5; isoelectric point, 3.0; substrate specificity, 5'-AMP greater than 3'-AMP greater than 3'-GMP greater than 5'-GDP greater than 5'-CDP greater than 5'-CTP greater than 5'-UPT greater than phosphotyrosine greater than phosphoserine greater than phosphothreonine. The Km for 5'-AMP was 0.37 mM. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and myo-inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate were poor substrates for the B. abortus enzyme. The phosphomonoesterase did not inhibit superoxide anion production by human neutrophils stimulated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. The phosphomonoesterase may be one of the bacterial enzymes in the pathway leading to the production of adenine, which is secreted by B. abortus and blocks the activation of neutrophils.
A new Thysanophora

Thysanophora striatispora is described as a new species of the genus. It is distinctive in that the spores have pronounced ridges running longitudinally down the spore giving it a fluted appearance in section. Sympodial proliferation of the conidiophore although present is not well developed in this species.
Tests of the ribosomal editing hypothesis: amino acid starvation differentially enhances the dissociation of peptidyl-tRNA from the ribosome.

Abstract Starving Escherichia coli for amino acids affected the dissociation of peptidyl-tRNAs from ribosomes. The frequency of dissociation of specific peptidyl-tRNA families responded differently to starvation for different amino acids rather than uniformly to the general condition of starvation. These results are interpreted in terms of the ribosomal editing hypothesis Menninger 1977. Starvation for some aminoacyl-tRNAs resulted in more opportunities for other aminoacyl-tRNAs to err, providing a greater amount of erroneous peptidyl-tRNA to be dissociated by the ribosomal editor. The details of the response of particular peptidyl-tRNA families to particular amino acid starvations show that a tRNA less able to decode correctly as an aminoacyl-tRNA is more likely to dissociate from the ribosome after peptide transfer. Many of the errors of translation thought previously to be rare may not have been detected in completed proteins because the ribosomal editor is most active against them. The results can also be interpreted as a specific regulatory response to amino acid starvation by a ribosome forced to pause during translation of non-essential proteins at codons whose aminoacyl-tRNAs are limiting, a model known as translational triage.
Triangular form for bounded linear operators

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to show that if T is a bounded linear operator on a complex Hilbert space, whose spectrum can be “sufficiently divided” (this class of operators includes spectral operators and operators with totally disconnected spectrum), then T may be decomposed into the sum of a normal operator and a quasinilpotent operator. This generalizes Schur's lemma, which guarantees that any complex n × n matrix may be put into upper triangular form. Furthermore, a generalization of the decomposition of a Riesz operator into the sum of a compact normal operator and a quasinilpotent given by T. T. West ( Proc. London Math. Soc. (3) , 16 1966, 131–140) is obtained.
Popular gymnastics and the military spirit in Germany, 1848-1871.

Over the course of the nineteenth century, a popular nationalist movement developed in the German states that had gained considerable strength by 1871, the year of unification. The German gymnastics association movement was one of the main forms in which popular nationalism was organized. It was started by Friedrich Ludwig Jahn early in the nineteenth century as a means to train young Germans to fight the French occupation. Gradually, it developed into a movement that sought to unify Germany, a project that was not, at first, supported by the German states. The movement was also guided by liberal and, especially before the revolution of 1848, democratic principles, and in this sense, too, was at odds with the reigning political system in Central Europe.
Size changes associated with metal adsorption onto modified bone gelatin beads

Significant quantities of heavy metals will adsorb onto modified bone gelatin beads. As this adsorption occurs, the bead can undergo a substantial volume change. Research has shown that the equilibrium bead diameter was a function of the solution pH and the ion concentration in the solution. Here, we demonstrate that under certain conditions, the volume of the beads that absorbed the metal was only 35% of the bead volume when no metal was adsorbed. By taking advantages of these size changes, a fluidized-bed separator can be operated such that natural segregation of loaded beads occurs. This phenomenon may facilitate the design of continous separators for the recovery and concentration of heavy-metal-contaminated waters. These concepts are demonstrated using Cu(2+) adsorption onto such beads.
Improved AdS/QCD Model with Matter

We study an improved AdS/QCD model at finite temperature and chemical potential. An ansatz for the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ function for the boundary theory allows for the derivation of a charged dilatonic black hole in bulk. The solution is asymptotically Reissner-Nordstr\"om-${\mathrm{AdS}}_{5}$ in the UV and ${\mathrm{AdS}}_{2}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathbb{R}}^{3}$ in the IR. We discuss the thermodynamical aspects of the solution. The fermionic susceptibilities are shown to deviate from the free fermionic limits at asymptotic temperatures despite the asymptotically free nature of the gauge coupling at the boundary. The Polyakov line and the temporal and spatial string tension dependence on both temperature and chemical potential are also discussed.
Response of cultured chick heart cells to changes in ionic environment.

Ventricles from 11-day-old chick embryonic heart were disaggregated by elastase and the component cells cultured on glass in maintenance medium containing 10 μc of P32. After 48 hours incubation at 37°C the medium was removed, the cells rinsed and exposed to a phosphate-free test solution for two hours. During this period samples of the test medium were removed for counting and spectrophotometric analysis. Cells incubated in solutions lacking amino acids or vitamins or serum components lost phosphate at essentially the same rate as in the complete culture medium; furthermore such cells lost very small amounts of nucleotide materials. Cells incubated in 0.16 M NaCl lost phosphate and nucleotides rapidly; the addition of either K+ or Ca+2 or Mg+2 reduced phosphate and nucleotide loss and cells in balanced saline media containing all four cations, retained phosphate and nucleotides at essentially the same level as in the complete medium. These results show that primary isolated chick heart cells can be maintained for short periods in physiological saline solutions without injury and that saline balance in short term studies is a primary factor in maintaining these cells in an uninjured state.
A permutation alternative and other test procedures for spatially correlated data in one-way anova

Research in many disciplines involves data with spatially correlated observations. Spatial dependence violates the independent errors assumption required for techniques such as the standard one-way analysis of variance for a completely randomized design. The testing methodology within the correlated errors approach has not been investigated within a spatial context. For one-way fixed effects analysis of variance, a permutation test and tests associated with the correlated errors approach are investigated through simulation. No single test was superior with respect to both power and size but the standard Wald F test and a simple adjustment to it performed well overall.
Connexin expression and cell coupling fail to reverse the v-src transformed growth characteristics of a Cx43-/- cell line.

Gap junctions, composed of connexins, have been shown to suppress transformation in a variety of malignancies and transformed cell types. In addition, transforming factors such as the src oncogene have been shown to directly phosphorylate some connexins (e.g., Cx43) and inhibit coupling. To investigate the role of gap junctions in cell transformsation by v-src, we utilized a clonal cell line derived from Cx43 knockout mice (KoA) that was immortalized, but not transformed. Transfection by v-src induced a marked transformed phenotype characterized by growth in low serum and anchorage-independent conditions. Subsequent transfections by Cx43, Cx32 or vector alone were then tested for their effects on growth. Activity of pp60v - src was confirmed in all transfectants as well as the ability of pp60v - src to phosphorylate Cx43 in several clones. Despite the documented effect of pp60v - src on Cx43 channel closure, modest coupling was still retained in many of the Cx43 and Cx32 transfectants. However, none of th...
Intensity-dependent absorption in semiconductors

Laser calorimetry has been used to study intensity-dependent absorption processes in semiconductors at 1.06 and 1.318 μm. New measurements of two-photon absorption and two-photon-excited free carriers are reported. Saturation of the one-photon absorption has been observed and evidence is presented for a pulse width dependence of the two-photon absorption.
Toward agent-based process systems engineering: proposed framework and application to non-convex optimization

Agent-based computer systems are surprisingly effective at solving complex problems. Built by combining autonomous computer routines, or agents, with low-bandwidth communication capabilities, these systems typically perform significantly better than the individual routines operating alone. One source of this improvement lies in the cooperative collaboration among the individual agents that compose the system. This work proposes a modular framework for implementing agent-based systems for engineering design. Using a variety of different algorithmic agents, the key ideas are highlighted by identifying multiple identical global optima for a non-convex optimization problem with numerous local minima. The results show that inter- and intra-agent collaboration have a significant impact on system performance. Further, the system can be parallelized with little or no penalty. By observing and analyzing the interactions among individual agents, we gain insights that will aid in the development and management of a conceptual design system for truly hard and large problems.
Bats of Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas: community composition, abundance, and seasonal acivity

ABSTRACT. Basic natural history information is lacking for many bats, especially for bats of the Texas Panhandle. We examined community composition, relative abundance, and seasonal activity of bats in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas, using 3 survey methods (mist net, roost surveys, and acoustic monitoring) between July 2006 and May 2009. Twelve species of bats were captured or observed, with the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis), canyon bat (Parastrellus hesperus), and big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) being the most common. Acoustic calls of 2 additional species, most likely the California myotis (Myotis californicus) and big free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops macrotis), were also recorded. The Brazilian free-tailed bat was captured year-round, and an evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis), uncommon in the area, was captured. This study increases our understanding of the occurrence, abundance, and seasonality of bats in the Texas Panhandle.
Terpolymerization of propylene oxide and vinyl oxides with CO2: copolymer cross-linking and surface modification via thiol–ene click chemistry

Terpolymerization reactions of epoxides bearing vinyl groups, propylene oxide and carbon dioxide catalyzed by binary and bifunctional (salen)Co(III) complexes have provided polycarbonates of various compositions depending on the feed ratios of the epoxide monomers. Fineman–Ross analysis of these polymerization reactions revealed reactivity ratios for propylene oxide (PO)/vinyl oxide (VIO)/CO2 of rPO = 3.74 and rVIO = 0.224 at 25 °C which reflect both the binding constants of the epoxides to the cobalt center as well as the rate constants for the ring-opening process. Less discrimination of epoxides was noted when carrying out the process using PO/allyl glycidyl ether (AGE)/CO2, where the reactivity parameters were rPO = 0.755 and rAGE = 0.876 at 25 °C. In order to enhance the polycarbonate's mechanical and thermal properties the terpolymers from PO/AGE/CO2, where the vinyl pendant groups are more randomly distributed in the polymeric material, were cross-linked via thiol–ene chemistry using two different thiols, ethylene glycol bis(3-mercaptoproionate) and pentaerythritol tetrakis(mercaptoacetate). FT-Raman spectroscopy provided evidence that successful cross-linking has occurred. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measurements on these terpolymers were performed as a function of the cross-link densities. Cross-linked films derived from the tetradentate cross-linker displayed a 50% increase in rubbery modulus between 50% and 100% CC bond conversion; concomitantly, the Tg increased with increasing cross-link densities. In addition, the cross-linked films with 25% CC bond conversion were reacted with N-acetyl-L-cysteine and 2-(Boc-amino)ethanethiol, and confirmed by FTIR and XPS, to provide surface functionalized films containing carboxyl or amine groups for various applications.
Acidic Sol−Gel Polymerization of TEOS: Effect of Solution Composition on Cyclization and Bimolecular Condensation Rates

For batch sol−gel polymerization of TEOS in acidic ethanol solutions, we report kinetic trends over a wide range of initial solution compositions that yield homogeneous gels. We find in these systems the prevalence of extensive nonrandom cyclization over a wide composition range. We unambiguously monitor the formation of various well-defined silicate oligomers early in the reaction to quantify the competing processes of cyclization and bimolecular condensation. We introduce a new kinetic model that is substantially modified from previously used random branching models in order to account for cyclization reactions. As do previous models, this model allows first-shell substitution effects on condensation rate constants, but it does not rely on mean field site kinetics. The dimerization rate constant varies strongly with pH in a manner consistent with a reaction mechanism involving ionized intermediates. It also decreases mildly with the water concentration experienced during reaction. Higher condensation ra...
Nature of the native-defect ESR and hydrogen-dangling-bond centers in thin diamond films

The [ital X]-band ESR of thin diamond films deposited from a mixture of 99.5% H[sub 2] and 0.5% CH[sub 4] is compared to those of films similarly prepared from D[sub 2]-CD[sub 4] and H[sub 2]-[sup 13]CH[sub 4] mixtures. Main line and satellites at [plus minus]7.2 G are unaffected by annealing at [ital T][le]1100 [degree]C, but their intensity is reduced upon annealing at [similar to]1500 [degree]C. Since the satellites are absent from the deuterated films, they are attributed to newly identified dangling-bond H centers, possibly on internal surfaces, but more plausibly embedded in the bulk. This is consistent with the [sup 13]C relaxation rate, which indicates a uniform distribution of paramagnetic centers.
Motion compensation of AUV-based synthetic aperture sonar

To date, ocean-going synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) systems have been deployed exclusively in a configuration where the sonar instrument is housed in a towed body that receives power from and exchanges information with the vessel to which it is attached. Meanwhile, recent years have witnessed the beginnings of maturity with respect to both SAS and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) technologies. In order to move away from the towed sonar paradigm, the Coastal Systems Station has recently taken delivery of and begun using the first AUV-based SAS. The AUV was manufactured by Blue n Robotics and the sonar used on this vehicle is the existing CSS LF/HF SAS. This transition is not without its challenges, however, as the operation and dynamic behavior of an AUV is different from that of a towed body. In general, the AUV configuration makes the problem of unwanted platform motion more severe and more difficult to solve. This paper discusses motion compensation in the context of initial evaluations of the performance of the CSS AUV-based SAS system.
An in vitro coupled transcription-translation system from Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract We have developed a Staphylococcus aureus cell-free system that is capable of directing DNA-dependent synthesis of proteins. The staphylococcal plasmids pE194 and pSK.265 were used to characterize this system. The in vitro system was found to direct the synthesis of the appropriate proteins predicted from the nucleotide sequence of the plasmids. As is the case in vivo, low levels of the inducer, erythromycin, promoted the synthesis of the pE194-encoded ribosomal RNA methyltransferase in the in vitro system.
Resolving Conflict: A Response to Martin and Cheng (2006)

Martin and Cheng (2006) report the results of an experiment aimed at disentangling the effects of association strength from those of competition on performance on a verb generation task. Their experiment is situated at the center of a putative debate regarding the function of the left inferior frontal gyrus in language processing (see, e.g., Wagner, Pare-Blagoev, Clark, & Poldrack, 2001). Following in this tradition, Martin and Cheng purport to contrast two processes—selection between competing representations and controlled retrieval of weak associates—that we argue can be reduced to the same mechanism. We contend that the distinction between competition and association strength is a false dichotomy, and we attempt to recast this discussion within a Bayesian framework in an attempt to guide research in this area in a more fruitful direction.
Electronic spectroscopy of the A˜1A″↔X˜1A′ system of CDCl

Abstract We report fluorescence excitation and single vibronic level emission spectra of the A ˜ 1 A ″ ↔ X ˜ 1 A ′ system of CDCl in the 500–740 nm region, measured under jet-cooled conditions using a pulsed discharge source. A total of 29 cold bands involving the pure bending levels 2 0 n (n = 2–11), C–D stretching fundamental ( 1 0 1 ), and combination bands 2 0 n 3 0 1 (n = 2–10), 2 0 n 3 0 2 (n = 9), 1 0 1 2 0 n (n = 2–8), and 1 0 1 2 0 n 3 0 1 (n = 7) were observed; most of these are reported here for the first time. Rotational analysis typically yielded band origins and rotational constants for both isotopomers (CD35Cl, CD37Cl). The derived A ˜ 1 A ″ vibrational intervals are combined with previous studies at lower energy to determine excited state barriers to linearity for the 2n, 2n31, and 112n progressions. The A ˜ 1 A ″ state C–D stretching frequency (2229.6 cm−1) is determined here for the first time, in excellent agreement with ab initio theory. Following our observation of new bands in this system, we obtained single vibronic level (SVL) emission spectra which probe the vibrational structure of the X ˜ 1 A ′ state up to ∼8000 cm−1 above the vibrationless level. The total number of X ˜ 1 A ′ and a ˜ 3 A ″ levels observed is more than twice that previously reported, and a complete set of Dunham parameters was determined for the X ˜ 1 A ′ state of CD35Cl and CD37Cl. Comparisons with previous experimental and recent high level ab initio studies are reported. Our results shed new light on the vibrational structure of the X ˜ 1 A ′ , A ˜ 1 A ″ , and a ˜ 3 A ″ states of CDCl, and, more generally, spin–orbit coupling in the monohalocarbenes.
Comparison of eating patterns between dietetic and other college students

Abstract Because applicants being interviewed for admission to a coordinated undergraduate program in dietetics frequently reported concerns about their eating patterns, we designed a study to determine whether female college students with a major in dietetics have eating patterns that differ from those of female students in other majors. The sample of 119 junior and senior female students at a midwestern university were majoring in dietetics, home economics education, or the social science/humanities. Students recorded the frequency of their eating behaviors on an eating pattern questionnaire. Dietetic majors reported significantly more positive eating habits than did the social science/humanities majors. However, dietetic majors also reported a greater frequency of vomiting after overeating than did home economics education majors. Twenty percent of the dietetic majors indicated some degree of vomiting after they stuffed themselves. This was in contrast to the combined total of approximately four percent for the other two majors. Implications are offered for educators in dietetic programs.
Acute toxicity effects of mercury and other heavy metals on HeLa cells and human lymphocytes evaluated via microcalorimetry

Abstract We have developed a microcalorimetric bioassay for acute toxicity based on heat evolution from intact cells. A reduction in heat production by cells reflects the inhibition of various biochemical reactions which constitute the cell's metabolic processes. For ten toxicants, including the heavy metals Hg, Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr, V, and As, we have measured the concentrations that are 50% effective (EC50) in inhibiting heat evolution in tissue-cultured HeLa cells and in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. These data are compared with results of other acute toxicity tests and with microcalorimetric studies of heat evolution in the chemiluminescent bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum. This comparison indicates that heat production may be the optimum measure of cellular metabolism for instrumental toxicological purposes since it reflects the sum of cellular metabolic processes and since it detects diffferential sensitivities of various cell types to toxicants. We have further studied effects of one heavy metal, mercury, on cell plasma membrane proteins using fluorescence photobleaching recovery (FPR) methods. Mercury induces formation of large membrane protein aggregates which disrupt cell function. FPR results suggest that, even at very low Hg concentrations, small aggregates form rapidly and increase in size causing, within one hour, measureable reductions in protein lateral diffusion.
Status Quo Preferences and Disputes Short of War

This paper suggests that the importance of preferences for the international order extend beyond the conditions proposed by power transition theory. Specifically, a dissimilarity of preferences for...
Identification of cell wall antigens associated with a large conjugative plasmid encoding phage resistance and lactose fermentation ability in lactic streptococci

Abstract In order to begin to analyze the gene products encoded by phage resistance plasmids in lactic streptococci, we identified phage-resistance plasmids by screening resistant strains from commercial starter cultures for the ability to carry out unselected cotransfer, by conjugation, of phage resistance with lactose fermentation ability (lac + ). In this fashion, we identified a large (90 kilobases) plasmid, pCLP51R, that encodes the lac + marker, resistance to a lytic phage called LP10G (1pr − ), high-frequency conjugal donor ability (hft + ), and clumpy growth of host bacteria in broth culture (clu + ). The mechanism of resistance conferred by this plasmid appears to involved interference with a step in the phage replication cycle that occurs after the initial attachment of the phage. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cell surface extracts of isogenic strains, carrying or lacking pCLP51R, combined with immunoblotting analysis, showed that there were several plasmid-related differences in the banding pattern of low molecular weight proteins and that the plasmid resulted in production of several unique antigenic polypeptides in the size range of 15–30 kd, as well as modification of chromosomally encoded antigens to different molecular weight forms.
Brief “response prevention” in a novel place can facilitate avoidance extinction

Abstract Three experiments in which rats learned an active avoidance response and were then confined for a brief period in the shock chamber (response prevention) prior to extinction testing are presented. Control groups of rats were confined for equal time periods in other locations. Response prevention reliably facilitated extinction. Groups confined in novel or fear-eliciting locations also showed facilitated extinction, but groups confined in familiar locations did not. Results are discussed in relation to fear-reduction, competing-response, and species-specific-defense-reaction (SSDR) explanations for the effect of response prevention, and are shown to be most consistent with the SSDR hypothesis.
Engineering of metal-clad optical nanocavity to optimize coupling with integrated waveguides

We propose a cladding engineering method that flexibly modifies the radiation patterns and rates of metal-clad nanoscale optical cavity. Optimally adjusting the cladding symmetry of the metal-clad nanoscale optical cavity modifies the modal symmetry and produces highly directional radiation that leads to 90% coupling efficiency into an integrated waveguide. In addition, the radiation rate of the cavity mode can be matched to its absorption rate by adjusting the thickness of the bottom-cladding layer. This approach optimizes the energy-flow rate from the waveguide and maximizes the energy confined inside the nanoscale optical cavity.
Stiffness-matrix condition number and shape sensitivity errors

This paper derives an error magnification index for assessing the sensitivity of the displacement field to errors in the load vector. It is shown that the error magnification index is less conservative than the stiffness-matrix condition number and that, for some cases, no error magnification occurs even when the condition number is very high. The proposed index was used to calculate the derivatives of beam response to changes in the beam structural parameters, using a semianalytical method. It is shown that the proposed index discriminates well between the calculation of the derivative with respect to length, which is very sensitive to errors, and the calculation of the derivative with respect to cross-sectional height, which is not sensitive.
Ensemble quantum computing by NMR spectroscopy: product operators, pseudopure states, and an implementation of quantum error correction

Quantum computers are able to operate on coherent superpositions of states, and to isolate a single global property of the set of computed quantities via interference. In principle, this permits them to solve certain problems exponentially faster thana classical computer, but not one has yet succeeded in implementing a true quantum computer on more than two quantum bits. Recently, however, it has been found that an ensemble of independent and identical quantum computers can perform mots of the same feats than a single quantum computer could, while at the same time bringing massive classical parallelism to bear on its computations. Such an ensemble quantum computer can be realized, to a limited extent, by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on ordinary liquids at room temperature and pressure. This simple implementation depends on special kinds of mixed states, called pseudo-pure states, whose preparation entails a loss of signal that is exponential in the number of spins. While this would appear to limit such an implementation to ca. 8-10 spins in the foreseeable future, NMR spectroscopy has now permitted the first experimental demonstrations of all the basic features of quantum computing. We claim, moreover, that the product operator formalism, on which the theory of NM R spectroscopy is based, provides an efficient framework within which to analyze algorithms and decoherence effects in quantum computing more generally. This is illustrated by presenting our recent experimentally implementation of a quantum error correcting code.
Referral patterns to a university-based cardiac rehabilitation program

Referral rates to our cardiac rehabilitation program among patients hospitalized for coronary heart disease were computed over an 18-month period. Only 8.7% of eligible patients were referred, suggesting that more education targeting physicians, patients, and insurers is needed and barriers to participation must be systematically addressed.
MNN Auger spectrum of uranium

Experimental measurements of the electron-excited $\mathrm{MNN}$ Auger spectrum of uranium are presented over the energy range 2-3 keV. Unambiguous identification of the nine strong $\mathrm{MNN}$ lines involving initial ${M}_{4}$ or ${M}_{5}$ holes is made by varying the electron excitation energy and through comparison of observed transitions with predicted energies and intensities. Agreement between experiment and theory is generally very good with the exception of the ${M}_{4}{N}_{5}{N}_{6,7}$ transition, which is anomalously weak.
Benefits of vectorization in optical tomography

In large 3-D finite element optical tomography problems, computation times for forward and adjoint solutions and for calculation of sensitivities can become prohibitive. Parallelization of computer codes can be used to obtain speedups approaching the number of processors employed, but parallel codes and computer systems can be difficult and expensive to develop and maintain. We show that by employing highly vectorized code that takes advantage of pipelining capabilities in the microprocessor we achieve dramatic speedups for forward and adjoint sensitivity calculations on a single processor microcomputer, and that these speedups actually increase as the problem size increases. Our vectorized implementations involve replication of large amounts of data and are thus memory intensive, however we effectively remove memory constraints by using domain decomposition to control the use of virtual memory. We show that global matrix assembly for a large (98,304 element) mesh is speeded up by a factor of 6.5 and adjoint sensitivity calculations of emission fluence with respect to fluorescence absorption are speeded up by a factor of 502 on a single-processor 2.2 GHz Pentium IV.
Combining Temperature and Force to Study Folding of Single RNA Molecules

Nucleic acids can be unfolded either by temperature, such as in UV melting, or by mechanical force using optical tweezers. In UV melting experiments, the folding free energy of nucleic acids at mesophilic temperatures are extrapolated from unfolding occurring at elevated temperatures. Additionally, single molecule unfolding experiments are typically performed only at room temperature, preventing calculation of changes in enthalpy and entropy. Here we present temperature controlled optical tweezers suitable for studying folding of single RNA molecules at physiological temperatures. Constant temperatures between 22°C and 42°C are maintained with an accuracy of 0.1°C, whereas the optical tweezers display a spatial resolution of ∼1 nm over the temperature range. using this instrument, we measured the folding thermodynamics and kinetics of a 20-base-pair RNA hairpin by force-ramp and constant force experiments. Between 22oC and 42oC, the hairpin unfolds and refolds in a single step. Increasing temperature decreases the stability of the hairpin and thus decreases the force required to unfold it. The equilibrium force, at which unfolding and refolding rates are equal, drops ∼1 pN as temperature increases every 5oC. At each temperature, the folding energy can be quantified by reversible work done to unfold the RNA and from the equilibrium constant at constant forces. Over the experimental temperature range, the folding free energy of the hairpin depends linearly on temperature, indicating that ΔH is constant. The measured folding thermodynamics are further compared with the nearest neighbor calculations using Turner's parameters of nucleic acid folding energetics. Values of ΔS are comparable, however, ΔH from the two approaches are significantly different. The origin of such a difference will be further discussed.
Concept of a miniature atomic sensor

We present preliminary results of our research program towards multi-axis quantum acceleration sensors in a compact package, using Bloch oscillations of matter waves to provide large momentum transfer. The projected performance is discussed. We demonstrate the first Mach-Zehnder atom interferometer in which a cavity mode is used for addressing the atoms.
Civility as rhetorical enactment: The John Ashcroft “debates” and Burke's theory of form

This essay analyzes Senate debate over the nomination of John Ashcroft for Attorney General using Kenneth Burke's theory of form in an effort to understand how (in)civility is created through the argumentative process. Personal attacks are nearly always rhetorically justified by senators who make them: Senators carefully create and then satisfy an appetite for incivility. This conclusion indicates that the norm of civility constrains floor rhetoric, but that civility needs to be rethought as a rhetorical enactment in relation to multiple audiences, rather than simply as a set of unwritten rules. Such an approach foregrounds audience fragmentation as an influence on Congressional speech and conceptualizes civility as a rhetorical choice made by speakers within the constraints of normative behaviors.
Dipolar Ordering and Quantum Dynamics of Domain Walls in Mn-12 Acetate

We find that dipolar interactions favor ferromagnetic ordering of elongated crystals of ${\text{Mn}}_{12}$ acetate below 0.8 K. Ordered crystals must possess domain walls. Motion of the wall corresponds to a moving front of Landau-Zener transitions between quantum spin levels. Structure and mobility of the wall are computed. The effect is robust with respect to inhomogeneous broadening and decoherence.
Design of an Infinite-Swept-Wing Glove for In-Flight Discrete-Roughness-Element Experiment

The Subsonic Aircraft Roughness Glove Experiment is an in-flight experiment designed to meet the NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation project requirements. The goal of the experiment was to demonstrate the discrete-roughness-element technology to delay transition on a swept wing at transport-relevant conditions and subject to crossflow instability. In this paper, a redesign of that experiment is described for a different aircraft (Gulfstream-IIB), meeting the same requirements, but using a new methodology that promotes infinite-swept-wing flow on the glove test article. The new glove has the designation TAMU-0706. Increasing the demonstrated capabilities of both natural laminar flow and discrete roughness elements is a large step toward practical laminar flow on transport aircraft. Moreover, the infinite-swept-wing flow methodology not only increases the effective test region of the wing glove, but is well adapted for code-validation studies of discrete roughness element and other laminar-flow-contro...
Spatial memory deficits in aged rats: contributions of monoaminergic systems.

Abstract Age-dependent changes in monoaminergic systems and their relationship to senescent memory decline were investigated in 4- and 25–26-month-old, female, Fischer 344 rats. Spatial memory performance was tested on an 8-arm radial maze, and levels of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid, serotonin (5-HT) and metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were measured in brain areas which contribute to memory function — basal forebrain cholinergic nuclei, subfields of the hippocampus, frontal and entorhinal cortex — and in monoaminergic cell body areas. The performance of aged subjects was significantly impaired as compared to young subjects, and alterations of 20–60% in monoamine and metabolite levels were measured in specific brain areas of aged rats. Decreased NE levels were found in basal forebrain nuclei and cortical areas but not hippocampal subfields of aged rats. Changes in the 5-HT system were present in hippocampal, cortical and basal forebrain sites. Changes in the DA system were the most pervasive with aged rats showing decreased DA and/or metabolites in several basal forebrain nuclei, cortical areas, and the hippocampus. Aged rats showed 50% decreases of monoamines in locus coeruleus and substantia nigra and 30% decreases in the dorsal raphe nucleus. Some but not all of the changes correlated with memory performance. The present results in rats support evidence that age-dependent changes in monoaminergic function in discrete brain sites contribute to senescent memory decline and suggest that monoaminergic-cholinergic interactions within basal forebrain nuclei may be important in this decline.
The prevention of tissue necrosis with a levarterenol-adrenolytic mixture.

Abstract 1. 1. Solypertine, 1-(2-anisyl)-4-{2-[3-(5,6, methylenedioxyindolyl) ]-ethyl} piperazine, possesses a high degree of adrenolytic activity that is comparable to that of phentolamine. 2. 2. Experimental studies in rabbits demonstrate that solypertine protects against levarterenol-induced tissue damage. The optimal ratio appears to be 2:1 (4 micrograms of levarterenol and 2 micrograms of solypertine base per milliliter). This ratio afforded the least tissue damage with the lowest relative possible concentration of the adrenolytic. 3. 3. Tissue protection after levarterenolsolypertine (2:1 ratio) was superior to that after levarterenol-phentolamine (2:1 ratio). 4. 4. Cardiovascular studies in dogs suggest that solypertine used at the optimal ratios will not interfere with the systemic cardiovascular activity of levarterenol. 5. 5. It appears that levarterenol-solypertine mixtures, used at the 2:1 ratio, will permit the use of levarterenol by intramuscular and subcutaneous injection as well as by the established procedure of intravenous infusion.
QoI Resistance in Fusicladium carpophilum Populations from Almond in California and Evaluation of Molecular Resistance Mechanisms.

Abstract Disease management failures have been reported in California for almond scab caused by Fusicladium carpophilum following quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) applications. Resistance in the pathogen populations was found to be common and at high incidence in the major almond-growing regions beginning in 2003, 4 years after registration of azoxystrobin on this crop. Two levels of azoxystrobin resistance, moderate and high, were identified with 50% effective concentration (EC50) values between 0.15 and 10 μg/ml or >40 μg/ml, respectively. Reference isolates collected before resistance was detected had EC50 values <0.05 μg/ml. High-resistance was associated with a G143A mutation in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. For the less commonly found moderately resistant isolates, no mutations in the gene were detected between codons 122 and 212. Using primers targeting the G143A mutation or the cytochrome b gene of all F. carpophilum isolates in quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses, the fre...
Engineering progress on the fully automated photon-counting SLR2000 satellite laser ranging station

SLR2000 is an autonomous and eyesafe single photon-counting satellite laser ranging station with an expected single shot range precision of about one centimeter and a normal point precision better than 3 mm. The system will provide continuous 24 hour tracking coverage. Replication costs are expected to be roughly an order of magnitude less than that of current manned systems, and the system will be about 75% less expensive to operate and maintain relative to the current manned systems. Computer simulations have predicted a daylight tracking capability to GPS and lower satellites. Computer and hardware simulations have demonstrated the ability of our current correlation range receiver and autotracking algorithms to extract mean signal strengths as small as 0.0001 photoelectrons per pulse from solar background noise during daylight tracking. The initial SLR2000 system concept was developed in 1994 [1], and the technical approach was refined in later years [2]. However, significant funding for the project was not provided by NASA until August 1997. During the first year of funding, prototypes of several "enabling' components, without which the system is not feasible, were successfully developed. These include: (1) a sensitive, high speed, quadrant microchannel plate photomultiplier; (2) a moderate power microlaser transmitter; (3) a "smart" meteorological station; (4) a high speed range gate generator; and (5) a high speed, high resolution event timer. Once the key specifications on these advanced components were largely met and system feasibility had been established, attention then turned to the detailed engineering design and procurement of more conventional elements of the system such as the shelter and protective dome, arcsecond precision tracking mount, telescope, and optical transceiver. The principal challenge during this second phase was to keep prototype fabrication and replication costs as low as possible to meet our cost goals. Prototypes of the various SLR2000 components and subsystems have either been developed or are well into the detailed design! build phase. The system is scheduled to conduct field tests in the 2000-2001 time frame. The primary driver for schedule is a fixed level of funding available each year to support SLR2000 development. A fairly detailed engineering overview of the SLR2000 system was presented approximately one year ago at the 1 1th International Workshop on Laser Ranging in Deggendorf, Germany, and has recently been published in the Workshop Proceedings [31. In addition, the SLR2000 project maintains a web site at the following URL address: http://cddisa.gsfc.nasa.gov/920_3/slr2000/slr2000.html Thus, only a brief overview of engineering status and a summary of recent developments (i.e. within the past year) on the various subsystems will be given here. The reader is referred to earlier publications [1-3] for more detail on the overall system.
Hirschsprung's disease: outcome and how to follow-up

Abstract Definitive treatment of Hirschsprung's disease involves ‘pull-through' surgery, either as a primary procedure or following formation of a preliminary colostomy. Regular follow-up is essential postoperatively as children often have problems with stool frequency, peri-anal excoriation, constipation or even recurrent episodes of enterocolitis. In the long term, 20–30% of children will suffer from significant constipation and/or soiling, and approximately 10% will have such severe problems that they may require re-formation of a stoma. It is essential that parents be given a realistic expectation of outcome. They should be informed from the beginning that a significant number of children require aperients and enemas in the long term, while many experience continence problems extending into adolescence. Nonetheless, the majority of children with Hirschsprung's disease will attain a socially satisfactory bowel habit.
THE EFFECTS OF LOCALLY APPLIED ESTROGEN ON THE PUBIC SYMPHYSIS AND KNEE JOINTc IN CASTRATED MICE1

FOLLOWING puberty a sexual dimorphism of the pelvis develops in mice. At this time the medial ends of the pubic bones at the symphysis in the female undergo partial resorption (Gardner, 1936). During the first pregnancy the ventromedial part of the pubes is resorbed further and an interpubic ligament replaces the symphysial cartilage (Hall, 1947; Crelin, 1954a, 1954b). Similar changes occur in intact females and gonadectomized mice when estrogens are injected (Gardner, 1936; Crelin, 1954b, 1954c). Both the normal and induced pubic bone resorption follow a similar pattern. The cranio-dorsal surfaces of the medial ends of the pubes are affected first. The resorption then continues along the medial margin of each pubic bone in a caudo-lateral direction (Hall, 1950). As this process occurs in estrogen-injected mice all the other bones of the body undergo increased calcification (Gardner and Pfeiffer, 1938, 1943). The injected estrogen also induces a breakdown of the symphysial cartilage and its replacement by...
IRON RADIATION IN TOKAMAK DISCHARGES

Iron ion resonance-line intensity measurements are described as a representative sample of spectroscopic diagnostics of tokamak plasmas. A brief outline of the tokamak discharge characteristics is followed by a description of the spectrometer, and its calibration for absolute intensity measurements in the vacuum ultraviolet wavelength region. Then iron ion resonance lines in the wavelength range 90–360 a, from ionization states FeXV through FeXXIV, are shown as observed in the PLT tokamak. A discussion of the principal excitation processes leading to the emission of these lines in tokamak-type plasmas, and of the appropriate atomic cross-sections and rate coefficients, is then followed by quantitative measurements of these emissions in time and space in a PLT tokamak discharge. The results are interpreted in terms of iron ion concentrations, their behavior in the discharge, and their implications to radiative energy loss, contributions to electrical resistivity, and ion confinement times in the plasma.
Alkali atom chemiluminescence from crossed beams. Reactions of Hg(63P0,2) + alkali halides

Abstract A beam of 6 3 P 0,2 metastable mercury atoms has been crossed by a velocity-selected beam of LiI, NaI, or NaBr and the resulting fluorescence from the Li(2 2 P) or Na(3 2 P) levels has been measured. In this manner, the cross section for reactive production of these excited alkali atoms has been found to decrease rapidly with increasing collision speed, g , ( g = 0 – 1 km/s) although a secondary rise at high g is also observed for LiI.
Effects on food and water intake of the α1-adrenoceptor agonists amidephrine and SK&F-89748

Activation of alpha-1 adrenoceptors, via systemic injection of agonists such as cirazoline and phenylpropanolamine (PPA), reliably suppresses food intake in rats. These effects are thought to result from stimulation of central alpha 1-adrenoceptors within the rat paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN), based on studies in which direct injections of cirazoline, methoxamine, phenylephrine and PPA into PVN suppress food intake. Because relatively few alpha 1-agonists have been tested to date using the systemic route of exposure, the present study examined the effects of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists amidephrine and SKF-89748 on food and water intake. Adult male rats received systemic injections (IP) of either amidephrine (0.025, 0.05, 0.01 mg/kg) or of SK&F 89748 (0.01, 0.02, and 0.04 mg/kg). Amidephrine markedly suppressed food intake (ED50 = 0.49 mg/kg) and water intake (ED50 = 0.50 mg/kg), while SK&F 89748 marginally suppressed food intake (ED50 = 0.37 mg/kg) and was less potent in suppressing water intake (ED50 = 0.76 mg/kg). These results document that systemic injection of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists amidephrine and SK&F 89748 induces anorexia with amidephrine exerting greater potency than SK&F 89748. These results further support the hypothesis that stimulation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors suppresses food intake.
Biology and pathobiology of neuronal development.

Differentiation of neurons within the central nervous system occurs by the combined effects of intrinsic genetic programs and epigenetic stimuli. Disorders causing mental retardation and other abnormalities of higher cortical function arise by disturbances of the normal developmental sequence. MRDD Research Reviews 6:41–46, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.