cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of acceptor stem base pairing on tRNA(Trp) aminoacylation and function in vivo.

The role of acceptor stem base pairs in determining the identity of Escherichia coli tRNA(Trp) was examined by complementation of an E. coli strain containing a temperature-sensitive tRNA(Trp) gene (trpTts) and by monitoring aminoacylation levels in vivo. All derivatives of tRNA(Trp) containing substitutions at the first 3 base pairs in the acceptor stem complemented the trpTts mutation at the nonpermissive temperature (42 degrees C). However, three acceptor stem derivatives (tRNA(Trp)/C1.G72, tRNA(Trp)/C2.G71, and tRNA(Trp)/A3.U70) required overexpression for growth at 42 degrees C. Northern analysis of these derivatives following acid/urea gel electrophoresis showed no defects in tRNA aminoacylation at the nonpermissive temperature. Instead, these tRNAs appear to be defective in translation. This was suggested by the weak opal suppressor activities of the corresponding tRNA(UCATrp) derivatives. These results demonstrate that the three terminal acceptor stem base pairs do not contribute to the identity of tRNA(Trp). Substitution of the C1.A72 base pair in a methionine initiator tRNA containing the tryptophan anticodon and discriminator base (tRNA(CCAfMet)/G73) with A1.U72, the base pair found in tRNA(Trp), or G1.C72 resulted in the conversion of these tRNAs into tryptophan-inserting elongator tRNAs in vivo. However, changes to U1.A72 or C1.G72 in tRNA(CCAfMet)/G73 resulted in misaminoacylation and/or defects in translation. Our data indicate that the A1.U72 base pair is a context-dependent, negative identity element of tRNA(Trp).
Evaluating an Assessment Tool for Undergraduate Social Work Education: Analysis of the Baccalaureate Educational Assessment Package

The Baccalaureate Education Assessment Package (BEAP) was developed to assist undergraduate social work educators with program evaluation. The package consists of 6 instruments for student, graduate, and employer feedback and addresses questions related to program processes and curriculum. The BEAP objectives include assisting baccalaureate social work programs with meeting accreditation assessment standards and providing a national database for comparative purposes. In 2001, approximately 30% of baccalaureate programs nationwide were using the package. A review of assessment literature is provided, and the package is evaluated using a checklist of characteristics of good assessment.
A novel five-transistor (5T) sram cell for high performance cache

A novel five-transistor (5T) static memory cell is presented for applications in high-speed, low-power cache. The 5T design in 0.18mum bulk CMOS exhibits 57% faster operation speed, a 12% reduction in power, and a 6% reduction in area with respect to the standard 6T cell design
CAN ONE MEASURE PRECISE HEAT CAPACITIES WITH DSC OR TMDSC? A study of the baseline and heat-flow rate correction

During a prior study of gel-spun fibers of ultrahigh-molar-mass polyethylene, a substantial error was observed on calculating the heat capacity with a deformed pan, caused by the lateral expansion of the fibers on shrinking during fusion. In this paper, the causes of this and other effects that limit the precision of heat capacity measurements by DSC and TMDSC are explored. It is shown that the major cause of error in the DSC is not a change in thermal resistance due to the limited contact of the fibers with the pan or the deformed pan with the platform, but a change in the baseline. In TMDSC, the frequency-dependence is changed. Since irreversible changes in the baseline can occur also for other reasons, inspections of the pan after the measurement are necessary for precision measurements.
Iatrogenic complications related to the use of Herrick Lacrimal Plugs.

Abstract Purpose To report a series of lacrimal complications associated with a specific type of lacrimal plug (Herrick Lacrimal Plug; Lacrimedics Incorporated, Rialto, CA.) Design Retrospective, noncomparative case series and survey. Methods Members of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery were asked to submit personally treated cases of patients referred for treatment of complications after placement of a Herrick Lacrimal Plug. Main outcome measures Failure of the device to be removed by simple lacrimal irrigation. Results The clinical courses of 41 patients were analyzed. Patients ranged in age from 19 to 81 years, and all had symptomatic epiphora related to the presence of the lacrimal plug. Several interventions were used to treat lacrimal obstruction. Nasolacrimal duct probing with irrigation was used in 15 lacrimal systems, whereas six systems were probed and subsequently stented with silicone tubing. Eyelid margin cutdown was used in eight cases. Balloon dacryoplasty was performed in three systems, dacryocystorhinostomy in 18 instances, and conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy in two patients. Conclusions The Herrick lacrimal occlusion device sometimes cannot be removed by simple irrigation and is capable of inducing permanent, irreversible, symptomatic lacrimal drainage system obstruction.
Probing deep weathering in the Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory, Pennsylvania (USA): the hypothesis of nested chemical reaction fronts in the subsurface

Weathering is both an acid-base and a redox reaction in which rocks are titrated by meteoric carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2). In general, the depths of these weathering reactions are unknown. To determine such depths, cuttings of Rose Hill shale were investigated from one borehole from the ridge and four boreholes from the valley at the Susquehanna Shale Hills Observatory (SSHO). Pyrite concentrations are insignificant to depths of 23 m under the ridge and 8–9 m under the valley. Likewise, carbonate concentrations are insignificant to 22 and 2 m, respectively. In addition, a 5–6 m-thick fractured layer directly beneath the land surface shows evidence for loss of illite, chlorite, and feldspar. Under the valley, secondary carbonates may have precipited. The limited number of boreholes and the tight folding make it impossible to prove that depth variations result from weathering instead of chemical heterogeneity within the parent shale. However, carbonate depletion coincides with the winter water table observed at ~20 m (ridge) and ~2 m depth (valley). It would be fortuitous if carbonate-containing strata are found under ridge and valley only beneath the water table. Furthermore, pyrite and carbonate react quickly and many deep reaction fronts for these minerals are described in the literature. We propose that deep transport of O2 initiates weathering at SSHO and many other localities because pyrite commonly oxidizes autocatalytically to acidify porewaters and open porosity. According to this hypothesis, the mineral distributions at SSHO are nested reaction fronts that overprint protolith stratigraphy. The fronts are hypothesized to lie subparallel to the land surface because O2 diffuses to the water table and causes oxidative dissolution of pyrite. Pyrite-derived sulfuric acid (H2SO4) plus CO2 also dissolve carbonates above the water table. To understand how reaction fronts record long-term coupling between erosion and weathering will require intensive mapping of the subsurface. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semiconductor surface structures

Abstract In this article, we indicate the status of our current understanding of semiconductor surface geometries. We review the various experimental and theoretical structure determination techniques which have been developed and evaluate their performance on semiconductor surfaces. We survey the atomic geometries of non-polar and polar surfaces of compound semiconductors and specify the current state of understanding of Si surfaces. Finally we indicate the atomic geometries of semiconductor interfaces.
Delivering nanomedicine to solid tumors

Recent advances in nanotechnology have offered new hope for cancer detection, prevention, and treatment. While the enhanced permeability and retention effect has served as a key rationale for using nanoparticles to treat solid tumors, it does not enable uniform delivery of these particles to all regions of tumors in sufficient quantities. This heterogeneous distribution of therapeutics is a result of physiological barriers presented by the abnormal tumor vasculature and interstitial matrix. These barriers are likely to be responsible for the modest survival benefit offered by many FDA-approved nanotherapeutics and must be overcome for the promise of nanomedicine in patients to be realized. Here, we review these barriers to the delivery of cancer therapeutics and summarize strategies that have been developed to overcome these barriers. Finally, we discuss design considerations for optimizing the delivery of nanoparticles to tumors.
Genetic diversity of butternut (Juglans cinerea) and implications for conservation

The management of threatened and endangered species can be improved by understanding their patterns of genetic diversity and structure. This paper presents the results of the first analysis of the population genetics of butternut (Juglans cinerea L.) using nuclear microsatellites. Butternut once was an economically and ecologically valuable hardwood, but now its numbers are rapidly decreasing throughout its native range in eastern North America. By genotyping butternut trees (n = 157) from five populations at seven highly polymorphic loci, we determined that the remaining genetic diversity for the species is considerably higher than previously estimated (mean HE = 0.75). Populations were nearly genetically homogenous (FST = 0.025), with no evidence of isolation by distance. These results indicate that butternut retains a large amount of genetic diversity, and that it is not too late to implement strategies to conserve local butternut populations.
Outflow Angles, Bulk Lorentz Factors, and Kinematics of Outflows from the Cores of Active Galactic Nuclei

Outflow angles and bulk Lorentz factors for 43 sources that have proper motions (compiled by Vermeulen and Cohen in 1994) are computed on the basis of Doppler factors and observed apparent motions in the plane of the sky. These estimates of outflow angles and bulk Lorentz factors are discussed along with their agreement with orientation unified models of active galactic nuclei. Intrinsic (i.e., rest frame) brightness temperatures computed by using the inverse Compton and equipartition Doppler factors are discussed along with their relevance to the inverse Compton catastrophe. Intrinsic luminosity densities and luminosities are presented, and the role of systematic errors is discussed. These studies are carried out using a sample of 100 compact radio sources that was compiled by Ghisellini and coworkers in 1993. Error estimates for previously computed inverse Compton Doppler factors and equipartition Doppler factors are presented for these sources, along with a few updates of these Doppler factor estimates.
Structure–Activity Relationships of Melanocortin Agonists Containing the Benzimidazole Scaffold

The melanocortin system has been implicated in regulating various physiological processes including pigmentation, energy homeostasis, obesity, steroidogenesis cardiovascular, and exocrine gland function. The five melanocortin receptors that belong to the super family of G protein-coupled receptors are stimulated by naturally occurring agonists. The aim of this research was focused on the design, synthesis, and pharmacological characterization of melanocortin ligands that contain the 1,2,5-trisubstituted benzimidazole scaffold. A series of benzimidazole analogues, with three points of diversity at positions 1, 2, and 5, were designed, synthesized, pharmacologically assayed at the mouse melanocortin receptors MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R and resulted in ligands possessing a range of agonist activity from nm to no stimulation at up to 100 microM concentrations. This study demonstrates that the benzimidazole structure template can be appended with key melanocortin agonist amino acids for the design melanocortin receptor agonist ligands.
A note on barometric pressure and behavior in Drosophila pseudoobscura.

During a study ofDrosophila mating behavior we observed unexpected changes in performance under ostensibly identical experimental conditions. We related the behavior during the 17 days of the experiment to changes in ambient humidity and barometric pressure. Humidity had no significant effect, but reduced barometric pressure was found to be associated with reduced mating activity (R2=0.29,P<0.025), accounting for close to 30% of the variation in total number of matings.
Cell-Cell Adhesions and Cell Contractility Are Upregulated upon Desmosome Disruption

Desmosomes are perturbed in a number of disease states – including genetic disorders, autoimmune and bacterial diseases. Here, we report unexpected changes in other cell-cell adhesion structures upon loss of desmosome function. We found that perturbation of desmosomes by either loss of the core desmosomal protein desmoplakin or treatment with pathogenic anti-desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) antibodies resulted in changes in adherens junctions consistent with increased tension. The total amount of myosin IIA was increased in desmoplakin-null epidermis, and myosin IIA became highly localized to cell contacts in both desmoplakin-null and anti-Dsg3-treated mouse keratinocytes. Inhibition of myosin II activity reversed the changes to adherens junctions seen upon desmosome disruption. The increased cortical myosin IIA promoted epithelial sheet fragility, as myosin IIA-null cells were less susceptible to disruption by anti-Dsg3 antibodies. In addition to the changes in adherens junctions, we found a significant increase in the expression of a number of claudin genes, which encode for transmembrane components of the tight junction that provide barrier function. These data demonstrate that desmosome disruption results in extensive transcriptional and posttranslational changes that alter the activity of other cell adhesion structures.
Lyapunov-Based Range Identification For Paracatadioptric Systems

Many applications require the interpretation of the Euclidean coordinates of features of a 3-D object through 2-D images. In this paper, the relative range and the Euclidean coordinates of an object or camera undergoing general affine motion are determined for paracatadioptric imaging systems via a nonlinear observer. The nonlinear observer asymptotically determines the range information provided that the motion parameters are known. The observer is developed through a Lyapunov-based design and stability analysis, and simulation results are provided that illustrate the performance of the state estimator. The contributions of this paper are that the developed observer: (1) can be applied to both affine and nonaffine systems; (2) can be used for both the fixed and moving camera configurations; (3) is continuous; and (4) yields an asymptotic result.
Characterization of tamoxifen stimulated MCF-7 tumor variants grown in athymic mice.

The non-steroidal antiestrogen tamoxifen (TAM) is successfully used to treat all stages of breast cancer in both pre- and postmenopausal women. Unfortunately, most women treated with TAM eventually develop resistant tumor recurrences which require intervention with a second-line endocrine therapy, or cytotoxic chemotherapy if the recurrence is completely endocrine insensitive. There is evidence that some recurrences may in fact be TAM stimulated. MCF-7 human breast cancer cells grown as solid tumors in athymic mice chronically treated with TAM reproducibly develop a TAM stimulated phenotype (Osborneet al., Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol 23: 1189-1196, 1987; Gottardis and Jordan, Cancer Res 48: 5183-5187, 1988; Osborneet al., J Natl Cancer Inst 83: 1477-1482, 1991; Wolfet al., J Natl Cancer Inst 85: 806-812, 1993). Tumors of this type may provide a useful model for a subset of therapeutic failures in the clinic. Therefore, we have extensively studied this model in an attempt to define the mechanism or mechanisms leading to TAM stimulated growth. In this paper we describe the characteristics of 4 TAM stimulated MCF-7 tumor variants. All of these tumors are growth stimulated by TAM, but vary in their response to estradiol (E2) treatment, and grow poorly in placebo treated hosts. All tumor variants express estrogen receptor (ER) RNA and protein, which at the RNA level appear to be down regulated by TAM, and to a greater extent by E2. All tumors also express epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) RNA, which is down regulated by TAM, and further down regulated by E2. However, among the tumor variants analyzed, ER and EGFR levels appear to be inversely related. Further, despite the expression of ER by all 4 TAM stimulated tumor variants, E2 induction of progesterone receptor expression is very weak or entirely absent.
Video Manipulation Techniques for the Protection of Privacy in Remote Presence Systems

Systems that give control of a mobile robot to a remote user raise privacy concerns about what the remote user can see and do through the robot. We aim to preserve some of that privacy by manipulating the video data that the remote user sees. Through two user studies, we explore the effectiveness of different video manipulation techniques at providing different types of privacy. We simultaneously examine task performance in the presence of privacy protection. In the first study, participants were asked to watch a video captured by a robot exploring an office environment and to complete a series of observational tasks under differing video manipulation conditions. Our results show that using manipulations of the video stream can lead to fewer privacy violations for different privacy types. Through a second user study, it was demonstrated that these privacy-protecting techniques were effective without diminishing the task performance of the remote user.
Plasma inorganic iodide, a chemical regulator of normal thyroid function.

In an earlier communication (Wolff and Chaikoff, 1948) it was shown that the administration of large amounts of iodine temporarily inhibits the capacity of the normal thyroid gland to bind iodine organically. This inhibition appeared to be related to the level of plasma iodine. So long as the concentration of plasma iodine exceeded 20–35γ per cent, no organic binding of iodine occurred in the gland, and only when the concentration fell below this critical range did the gland resume its function of depositing iodine in an organic form. On the basis of these findings it was postulated that the level of plasma iodine is part of a homeostatic mechanism governing hormone synthesis in the normal gland. Thus, when a large amount of iodine is ingested, the prevention of its deposition as organically bound compounds in the thyroid gland keeps the ingested iodine circulating as inorganic iodide, in which form it is readily excreted by the kidney.
TRANSURETHRAL MICROWAVE THERMOTHERAPY FOR BENIGN PROSTATE HYPERPLASIA: SEPARATING TRUTH FROM MARKETING HYPE

Purpose: Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) is being used with increasing frequency by urologists as a minimally invasive therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There are various modifications to this technology, with each manufacturer touting safety and efficacy. We review the rationale of TUMT, as well as the historical safety and efficacy of this approach. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical literature, including peer reviewed articles and abstracts. In addition, we analyzed promotional material distributed by various manufacturers with respect to scientific accuracy. Results: TUMT results in consistent improvement in symptoms and peak urinary flow rate. Symptom improvement ranges between 9 and 11 points, compared to a 6-point improvement in sham treated patients, and peak urinary flow rate increases 3 to 5 ml per second. The degree of coagulation necrosis is different among the various TUMT devices. Although coagulation necrosis is believed to be an important proxy for clinical success, there are few data that correlate this factor with the magnitude of either symptomatic or uroflow improvement. Conclusions: TUMT is a safe and effective therapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH. In addition, there are distinct advantages to each of the devices. However, intense marketing and hyperbole have dominated this segment of the BPH market. Ultimately, the most effective TUMT device can only be determined by direct comparison studies.
Compressive surface strengthening of brittle materials

A theoretical approach has been put forward for predicting the strengthening of materials by the introduction of surface compressive stresses. An approximate technique was used to determine the closure length of a linear surface crack which extends through the compressive surface layer. The stress intensity factor of the partially closed crack was then determined for the case of an applied tensile stress, with the assumption that the residual surface compressive stress was uniform within the surface layer (step function). The analysis shows that the strengthening depends on the magnitude and depth of the compressive surface stress. It is found that partial crack closure decreases the amount of strengthening compared with that predicted for an open crack, and that for large compressive surface stresses the amount of strengthening can saturate.
Ponding on circular membranes

Nonlinear circular membrane responses under partial and full ponding loads have been solved by the fourth-order Runge-Kutta numerical integration and by finite element simulation with good accuracy. Under partial ponding loads, a discontinuity exists in the curvature of the deformed membrane at the fluid boundary while an inflection point forms inside the ponding. An iterative finite element algorithm has also been developed for solving membrane ponding problems where inelastic material response becomes significant. The finite element simulation procedure was proven to be accurate when validated against test data from membrane forming experiments.
B74-5 Computer-Oriented Approaches to Pattern Recognition

The book Computer-Oriented Approaches to Pattern Recognition by W. S. Meisel was recently reviewed very favorably by Prof. Breeding [1]. The review emphasized the wide range of numerical algorithms contained in the book, thus making it a desirable reference for anyone working in mathematical pattern recognition.
Karl Barth and the Historical Jesus

F ONE asks Barth what significance the historical Jesus has for Christian faith, the answer will be: the so-called historical Jesus is a construction of historicism which misses the fullness and reality of his life and death by limiting it to that realm of history that can be reconstructed by the historical-critical method (Historie). Jesus, however, belongs to that realm of history in which is executed the eternal will and decree of God (Geschichte). This answer is further supported by Barth's exposition of the anhypostasis of Jesus Christ's human nature. Jesus did not exist as a man separate from the incarnate Son of God, but only as the man Jesus Christ. The humanity of Jesus cannot be considered apart from the divinity, because the divinity is constitutive of this particular, specific man. With this dogmatic' affirmation every neutral, historical-critical approach to the reality of Jesus Christ is rejected as misleading and illegitimate.2 Barth reinforces this position by refusing to use the traditional concepts of exinanitio and exaltatio as descriptions of the temporal succession of Incarnation and subsequent Elevation of Jesus. Even in the humility and obedience of the man Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus is and remains the elevated Lord, the Son of God. Even as in the triumph of Resurrection and Ascension, Christ is and remains the humiliated and obedient man Jesus.3 When viewed from the standpoint of the problem of the historical Jesus much of Barth's theological method appears seriously questionable. Barth holds that Jesus Christ is God's history with man in space and time, known to us through the witnesses of the New Testament, a book written by human men in human words. As a written document the New Testament can be an object of the historical-critical method. But the historical method must be limited to the secondary function only of instrumentally helping to understand the essential nature of the Scriptures as witnesses to God's history with men. Barth refuses to concede to the historical-critical method any possibility or legitimacy of going behind the given canon to understand its historical development. Therefore, Barth obviously cannot and does not speak about the historical Jesus. Any attempt to go behind the given canon to a historical Jesus in Barth's eyes misses the real nature and intention of the New Testament to confess Jesus as the risen Lord. The Scriptures are historical only in their givenness, but not in their participation in the course of history itself. Operating from the base of a dogmatic hermeneutics, Barth posits the actual and essential unity of the New Testament canon. This means that the question of his-
The Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor on the Cyclic Nucleotide System in Pig Epidermis

Incubation of pig skin slices with epidermal growth factor (EGF) caused an increase in intracellular cyclic GMP concentration. A significant increase was found after 1hr of incubation and reached a peak by 6hr. EGF caused no change in the cyclic AMP level nor did it affect epinephrine-induced cyclic AMP responses.
Application of the modified Greenwood and Williamson contact model for the prediction of thermal contact resistance

Abstract The modified Greenwood and Williamson (GW) contact model has been reported to yield good order-of magnitude estimates of the number of contacts and real contact area fraction resulting from the contact of two surfaces. A series of experiments has been performed to ascertain whether the modified GW model can be used to determine the contact parameters required for the prediction of the thermal contact resistance across pressed metal contacts in a vacuum environment. The predicted values of contact resistance agree quite favorably with the measured values. In general, the predicted values are within 25% of the measured values for isotropically rough surfaces, and within 50% for strongly anisotropic surfaces. The utilization of the modified GW model results in only slightly more accurate predictions of the thermal contact conductance across pressed metal contacts than does the utilization of the original GW model. Both the original and the modified GW contact models allow the relatively accurate determination of the contact parameters required for the prediction of the thermal contact resistance across pressed metal contacts in a vacuum environment.
Impact of a family history of colorectal cancer on age at diagnosis, anatomic location, and clinical characteristics of colorectal cancer.

Background: Among the risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC) is a family history of colorectal cancer. Reliable evidence is needed regarding the clinical characteristics of cancer in patients with this history to determine if a change in the diagnostic approach is needed. Aim of the Study: This study set out to determine specific clinical outcomes in patients with CRC with a family history of one first-degree relative with sporadic colorectal cancer compared to control patients with colorectal cancer but without the family history. Methods: We designed a case-control study of colorectal cancer registry data between 1988 and 1999. Patients with a family history of one first-degree relative with colorectal cancer were compared to those without the history with regard to four characteristics: age at cancer diagnosis, anatomic location of the cancer, presence of distal adenomas with proximal cancer, and stage of disease at diagnosis. Results: Nine hundred and twenty-one patients met the inclusion criteria. Family history was positive in 124 patients. The demography of the populations was similar, except for mean age, which was 65 yr for men with a family history and proximal cancer compared to 70 yr for their counterparts without the family history (p=0.03). The anatomic location of the cancer, presence of distal benign neoplasia when the cancer was proximal, and disease stage at diagnosis were not different between the groups. Conclusions: Men with a family history of sporadic colorectal cancer and proximal colon cancer were younger than men without the family history and proximal colon cancer. The overall results do not indicate that a change in the diagnostic approach is needed.
Opioids and rewarding brain stimulation

Abstract Studies are reviewed which demonstrate opioid-induced facilitative effects on self-stimulation to a number of different neuroanatomical sites in the rat brain. Tolerance has not been demonstrated to this facilitation. Evidence is presented to support the contention that these behavioral effects reflect an increase in sensitivity of the neuronal pathways subserving brain stimulation reward. It is proposed that these actions are directly related to the hedonic subjective effects and addiction liability associated with human use of this class of compounds.
Prostaglandin E1 opens the ductus venosus in the newborn lamb.

The ductus venosus plays an important role in determining the distribution of umbilical venous blood flow in the fetus. The mechanisms by which blood flow across the ductus venosus are regulated are only partially understood. The following experiments were performed to examine one mechanism by which the ductus venosus may maintain patency. Four lambs had catheters placed in the umbilical vein under inhalational anesthesia. A baseline portal angiogram was performed to assess patency of the ductus venosus. In each lamb, the ductus venosus was closed before the infusion began. The awake lamb then received an infusion of prostaglandin E1 at a rate of 1 mcg/Kg/min for a period of 2-4 hours into the umbilical vein. The portal angiogram was then repeated. In 2 lambs studied at 24 hours of life, the ductus venosus was open following the infusion of prostaglandin E1. In 2 lambs who were studied at 2, 4 or 6 days, the ductus venosus remained closed following the infusion of prostaglandin E1. During the infusion, the sheep breathed spontaneously and showed no overt ill effects. Prostaglandins of the E series may be important in maintaining patency of the ductus venosus as they are in maintaining patency of the ductus arteriosus.
Horizontal Interventricular Septum in Congenital Heart Disease: Surgical Considerations

A patient with complex congenital heart disease associated with a horizontal interventricular septum is described. In addition the ventricles were inverted, both great vessels arose from the left-sided right ventricle in the dextrotransposed position, and he had a ventricular septal defect of the type usually seen in endocardial cushion defect. Correction was performed using a Rastelli type procedure with good hemodynamic results.
Adaptation and natural selection for the masses

Abstract Plan and Purpose in Nature by George C. Williams Weidenfeld and Nicholson Press, 1996. £11.99 hbk (viii +191 pages) ISBN 0 297 81646 2
The retinoblastoma gene product interacts with maintenance human DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferase and modulates its activity

The mammalian DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferase (Dnmt1) is involved in the maintenance of methylation patterns in the genome during DNA replication and development. The retinoblastoma gene product, Rb, is a cell cycle regulator protein that represses transcription by recruiting histone deacetylase (HDAC1). In vivo, histone deacetylase associates with Dnmt1. Here we show that Rb itself associates with human Dnmt1 (hDnmt1) independently of its own phosphorylation status. Methyltransferase activity was co-purified with Rb. The regulatory domain of hDnmt1 binds strongly to the B and C pockets of Rb (amino acids 701–872) and inhibits methyltransferase activity by disruption of the hDnmt1–DNA binary complex. Weak interaction of Rb pockets A and B with Dnmt1 was also observed. Overexpression of Rb leads to hypomethylation of the cellular DNA, suggesting that Rb may modulate Dnmt1 activity during DNA replication in the cell cycle.
Pre-Launch Diagnostics for Launch Vehicles

This paper discusses the opportunities for automating pre-launch fault detection and diagnostics for launch vehicles, by using ground-based computers to analyze data obtained from the pre-launch umbilical during integrated test and launch countdown operations in near-real time. Automation will improve the time to diagnose and isolate failures, which is critical for planned space missions that require multiple coordinated launches. The paper describes a prototype diagnostic system that we are currently developing for Ares I-X and the foundation that will be developed along with the prototype that will lead to certification of a diagnostic system. The prototype diagnostic system will focus on monitoring and diagnosing the Ares I-X first-stage thrust-vector control system and solid rocket motor during pre-launch activities at Kennedy Space Center. It will analyze data from existing sensors using rule-based, model-based, and data-driven algorithms.
Auditory Discrimination and Socioeconomic Status as Correlates of Reading Ability

Relationships between reading achievement and social class membership (SES) were studied, as were relationships between reading achievement and performance on phonemic and non-phonemic auditory discrimination tests. A direct relationship existed between reading achievement and SES. Also, reading achievement measures correlated higher with phonemic auditory assessment than with nonphonemic auditory assessment.
Mrs. Gandhi's Neighborhood: Indian Foreign Policy toward Neighboring Countries

During Indira Gandhi's regime, although India continued to play an important role on the world stage and among the non-aligned nations, regional issues and concerns figured prominently in India's foreign policy. Although it may be difficult to separate the geo-political factors, domestic political developments and Indira Gandhi's personality and style of functioning in the conduct of India's external relations, a state-by-state review of her relations with the states of South Asia would demonstrate interaction between Indira's personality and a host of other factors which influenced India's dealings with her neighbors. It was during Indira Gandhi's prime ministership that Pakistan was reduced in size, Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign state in the East, Sikkim was annexed and absorbed in India and a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation was formed. Indira Gandhi did not initiate all these events, although she played a crucial role in their development. A careful analysis of the period demonstrates (1) that regional relations took place within a well-established Iudo-centric and India-dominant geopolitical context; (2) that Indira Gandhi's personal style of reacting to internal and external threats with massive force had a considerable impact on relations with neighbors; and (3) that India's relations with other South Asian nations during this period depended greatly upon the composition of leadership in the neighboring countries as well as upon Mrs. Gandhi's personality and policies.
Thought self‐leadership: a self‐regulatory approach to diversity management

Discusses the nature of diversity in the work environment and its impact on performance. Examines how organizations have attempted to create an atmosphere in which diverse groups can flourish. Proposes an alternative form of training to help all employees cope with the challenges of a diverse workplace. Suggests that thought self‐leadership is a process which can assist employees in accomplishing goals of wellbeing and high performance. This self‐regulatory form of leadership is built on the premiss that one’s mind has a powerful influence over not just thoughts, but feelings and actions as well. Concludes that thought self‐leadership can be used as a tool to help all employees cope with an ever‐changing work environment and to focus on the positive aspects of a diverse workforce.
Reduced GAP-43 message levels are associated with increased neurofibrillary tangle density in the frontal association cortex (area 9) in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract We previously suggested the hypothesis that defective neuronal plasticity is a major neurobiological deficit causing the dementia of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We used message levels of the growth-associated protein, GAP-43, as a marker of axonal plasticity to examine the hypothesis of defective neuronal plasticity in AD. When all AD cases are combined, the average level of GAP-43 message in area 9 of the AD frontal association cortex was not significantly different from the level in the comparably aged control cortex. Differentiation of AD cases on the basis of neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) density revealed that in AD cases with high tangle density average GAP-43 message level was reduced fivefold relative to levels in AD cases with low NFT density. AD cases with low neurofibrillary tangle density had levels of GAP-43 message that were not significantly different from the levels of normal controls. Differentiation of AD cases on the basis of neuritic plaque density did not indicate as strong a relationship to GAP-43 message level. The association between neurofibrillary tangle density and GAP-43 message level suggests the hypothesis that neurofibrillary tangles may reduce GAP-43 expression. Data of others show a relationship between high NFT density and reduced levels of synaptophysin-like immunoreactivity and reduced cerebral glucose metabolism. These data combine to suggest a set of AD cases with high NFT density, reduced axonal plasticity, reduced synaptic density, and reduced cerebral glucose metabolism—all variables that may be directly related to the functioning of the brain. On the other hand, there also exist AD cases with low NFT density and normal levels of GAP-43 message, synaptophysin-like immunoreactivity, and cerebral glucose metabolism. Yet, these cases are also demented. These results emphasize the heterogeneity of AD cases and the necessity for extensive knowledge of the clinical and pathologic characteristics of the cases in a study sample.
Unified target modeling, validation, and ATR performance evaluation

I propose to incorporate two new kinds of groundtruth and an infrared (IR) target model in a causal automatic target recognizer (ATh) performance evaluation scheme. In principle, this scheme allows for the detailed causal analysis of segmentor performance and avoids the misleading and uninformative aspects of current statistical segmentor performance evaluation techniques. The scheme also allows for the validation and partial construction of IR target models.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Application of a biotyping system and DNA restriction fragment analysis to the study of Serrati marcescens from hospitalized patients

We applied a nine-test biotyping system to the study of 138 Serratia marcescens isolates from 93 patients hospitalized in 33 different hospital bed units. Test reproducibility for a panel of 10 isolates tested in triplicate on 3 separate days was 100%. Overall, the biotyping system delineated 25 strains. In examining strain variation among isolates obtained from multiple anatomic sites over time we found that the same biotype was recovered from tracheal aspirates, urine, wounds, and blood in a given patient and that these strains were carried over time. In general, patients were infected or colonized with their own distinct biotype of S. marcescens. Temporally related isolates from seven surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patients and six unrelated control isolates were typed by biotyping and DNA restriction fragment analysis (RFA). The distribution of biotypes was similar among SICU outbreak and control isolates, with five distinct biotypes among the seven SICU isolates. Each isolate had a different DNA subtype by RFA, confirming the lack of nosocomial transmission of a single strain. These results will be useful in studying the epidemiology of S. marcescens.
Structured coprime factor model reduction based on LMIs

In this paper we discuss dynamic model reduction methods which preserve a certain structure in the underlying system. Specifically, we consider the situation where the reduction must be consistent with a partition of the system states. This is motivated, for instance, in situations where state variables are associated with the topology of a networked system, and the reduction should preserve this. We build on the observation that imposing block structure to generalized controllability and observability gramians automatically yields such state-partitioned model reduction. The difficulty lies in ensuring feasibility of the resulting Lyapunov inequalities, which is in general very restrictive. To overcome this, we consider coprime factor model reduction. We derive an LMI characterization of expansive and contractive coprime factorizations that preserve structure, and use this to build a more flexible method for structured model reduction. An example is given to illustrate the method.
A differential equation for the ambipolar electric field in a multiple‐helicity torsatron

In a torsatron, the ambipolar electric field is obtained by equating the ion and electron fluxes. This formulation, when solved simultaneously with the density and temperature rate equations, gives continuous electric fields but may lead to the radial derivative of the electric field being discontinuous. This unphysical situation arises from the neglect of the finite orbit deviation from the flux surfaces. If the fluxes are calculated to higher order in inverse aspect ratio to include the finite orbit deviation, then a second‐order differential equation is obtained that will give a continuous first derivative for the electric field.
CHELLO: The Child/Home Environmental Language and Literacy Observation

Abstract The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable tool for measuring the quality of the language and literacy environment in home-based settings. Based on a convergence of research on the ecological and psychological factors associated with early literacy development, the Child/Home Environmental Language and Literacy Observation (CHELLO) was developed to gauge the quality of current practices associated with positive early childhood literacy outcomes. Following the structure of the Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation Scale (ELLCO) [Smith, M., & Dickinson, D. (2002). Early language & literacy classroom observation. Baltimore, MD: Brookes], we developed two interdependent tools: The Literacy Environment Checklist and the Group/Family Observation and Provider Interview. Inter-rater reliability using weighted kappas indicated acceptable reliability. Following this analysis, the CHELLO was administered in 128 home-based settings in four low-income urban areas. Initial evidence of its psychometric properties provided support for internal consistency. Although more research is needed, the CHELLO has the potential to serve as a useful tool for examining the language and literacy environment in home-based settings.
Smooth Goodness-of-Fit Tests for the Baseline Hazard in Cox's Proportional Hazards Model

Abstract For the Cox proportional hazards model, the goodness-of-fit problem of testing whether the baseline hazard rate function λ(·) equals some specified hazard rate function λ0(·) in the presence of incomplete data is considered. Extending Neyman's idea, the goodness-of-fit tests are score tests obtained by embedding λ(·) in a larger family of hazard rate functions developed through smooth and possibly random transformations of λ0(·). But whereas their smooth alternatives were formulated through the density function, my formulation is through the hazard rate function, which is more natural in failure time models where model specification is now done through hazard rates. Furthermore, my smooth alternatives are allowed to be data driven or dynamic. Through this machinery, classes of omnibus, as well as directional goodness-of-fit tests are obtained. Moreover, this machinery provides a theoretically sound method for combining varied directional goodness-of-fit tests into omnibus tests. Some of the resul...
13C NMR spectra of nitroxide radicals

Abstract We have obtained the 13 C NMR spectra of two aliphatic nitroxide radicals. The sign and magnitude of the carbon coupling constants were determined from these spectra.
Newspapers and the Long-Term Implications of Hyperlinking

This study examines the impact of hyperlinks as a mechanism for establishing interorganizational linkages. In specific, this research focuses on the effect of hyperlinks between newspaper organizations and new entrants into the news media community from 1999 to 2006. Through the lens of community ecology, the formation of hyperlinks is show to facilitate information sharing and knowledge exchange. The findings highlight the importance of hyperlinking in the online space, and demonstrate the underlying mechanisms that govern organizational network position over time. Existing organizations that establish ties to new entrants are shown to benefit through an increase in page views. Results demonstrate that early actions in the online news community had a clear and measurable impact on the news media industry. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Concerning the Techniques for Plugging Coning Fluids in Oil Wells

A technique is presented for the determination of the size of a horizontal permeability barrier (plug) that can be displaced from the wellbore suppress cone-fluid production in individual oil wells with coning problems. Details are given concerning the computation of the plug size for any well with known wellbore and completion constants. Also discussed are materials which can be used to create the plugs. Based on literature data and rock stress considerations, plugging by fluid injection is found to be much more practical and general in application than methods based upon hydraulic fracturing technology. Two types of plugging fluids are recommended for injection into the formation as a function of pressure and flow rate conditions. The injected plug-fluid penetrates the reservoir rock surrounding the wellbore to the radial distance given by a predetermined radius of the plug. Predictive calculations show that production of cone-fluid-free oil can be enhanced by as much as 100 percent after a successful plugging job is done using the method presented.
Thermodynamics and civilization: from ancient rivers to fossil fuel energy servants

Civilization can be at least partially determined by climatic constraints upon net primary productivity and heat dissipation from the human body (Kleidon 2009). I discuss how these “metabolic” limitations were historically overcome: first, because large rivers in dry regions provided water to ancient civilizations; second, because fossil fuel energy servants working externally to muscle-limited bodies have produced economic well-being in a number of world areas.
Teamwork in high-risk environments analogous to space

Mountaineering expeditions combine a number of factors which make them potentially good analogs to the planetary exploration facet of long-duration space missions. A study of mountain climbing teams was conducted in order to evaluate the usefulness of the environment as a space analog and to specifically identify the factors and issues surrounding teamwork and 'successful' team performance in two mountaineering environments. This paper focuses on social/organizational factors, including team size and structure, leadership styles and authority structure which were found in the sample of 22 climb teams (122 individuals). The second major issue discussed is the construction of a valid performance measure in this high-risk environment.