cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pinpointing crash-consistency bugs in the HPC I/O stack: a cross-layer approach

We present ParaCrash, a testing framework for studying crash recovery in a typical HPC I/O stack, and demonstrate its use by identifying 15 new crash-consistency bugs in various parallel file systems (PFS) and I/O libraries. ParaCrash uses a "golden version" approach to test the entire HPC I/O stack: storage state after recovery from a crash is correct if it matches the state that can be achieved by a partial execution with no crashes. It supports systematic testing of a multilayered I/O stack while properly identifying the layer responsible for the bugs.
Analog of Ground Water in East-Central New Mexico

A study, utilizing an electric resistor-capacitor analog model, has been made to determine the adequacy of the ground water supply for the approximate 60,000 acres now irrigated in Portales Valley, New Mexico. Results indicated that over 60% of the irrigated area will be without sufficient water by the year 2010 unless an additional supply is found. A proposed plan to import water from a well field outside the project area was investigated. The aquifer underlying the project area would be utilized as a distribution system. Although some small areas would become deficient, the supply of water from the well field would be sufficient to sustain irrigation in nearly all the area now under irrigation until at least the year 2010.
Megacystic-microcolon-hypoperistalsis syndrome and anechoic areas in the fetal abdomen

Abstract Diagnosis of congenital anomalies by ultrasound requires considerable skill and advanced equipment. A case of megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome is presented and criteria are suggested for use in categorization of various ultrasound findings to isolate the defect to a major organ system. Identifying the involved system should aid in the differential diagnosis.
Central Bank Independence in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Analysis, 1960-1989

Central banks are instrumental to shaping and implementing monetary policy in both industrial and developing countries. They affect exchange rates, interest rates, and the success of private banks within their home country. Today, the world economy is becoming more globalized with the passing of each day, so international financial flows are very important to both developing and developed countries. Central banks, when allowed a degree of independence in policymaking, aid in formulating monetary policy that promotes economic stability within their respective countries, and create an atmosphere friendly for foreign investment. A vast amount of research has been devoted to investigating autonomy of central banks in developed countries and factors that affect their autonomy. This study aims to examine the behavior of central banks in subSaharan Africa and to determine what political factors affect central bank independence in sub-Saharan African countries?
Preparation of Ormetoprim-Sulfadimethoxine-Medicated Discs for Disc Diffusion Assay

Abstract Romet (a blend of ormetoprim and sulfadimethoxine) is a type A medicated article for the manufacture of medicated feed in the catfish industry. Recently, the commercial manufacture of ormetoprim–sulfadimethoxine susceptibility discs was discontinued. Ormetoprim–sulfadimethoxine discs were prepared at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine Aquatic Diagnostic Laboratory according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The performance of the laboratory-prepared discs was compared with that of commercially prepared discs in disc diffusion assays with 23 field isolates of Edwardsiella ictaluri. The a priori limits of agreement for the laboratory-prepared ormetoprim–sulfadimethoxine discs were ±5 mm of the zones for the commercial discs. The resulting zones of inhibition ranged from 33 to 50 mm and from 35 to 52 mm for the laboratory-prepared and commercially prepared discs, respectively. The data comparing the two sets of discs were analyzed to determine th...
Art/Artefact/Commodity: Installation design and the exhibition of Oceanic things at two New York museums in the 1940s

This article documents some of the experimentation in museum installation designs for the exhibition of non-Western objects during the 1930s and 1940s. This is a period in which ethnographic artefacts were being displayed as artworks in natural history museums and in which the exhibition of such objects in art museums drew on techniques characteristic of not only natural history museums, but also commercial urban window displays (which were themselves enjoying a period of dazzling exuberance). The article focuses on one collection of Pacific Islands objects now housed at the Buffalo Museum of Science and on the installation designs of Rene d’Harnoncourt and Trevor Thomas. It responds to the provocation of Alfred Gell’s influential writings on art and agency, specifically, his conception of art as entrapment and enchantment—his claim that artworks captivate, and thus exert a kind of (secondary) agency on people (patients).
From ideals to institutions : institutional entrepreneurship in Mexican small business finance

This paper analyzes the creation of the market for small business credit in Mexico, which presents a rare opportunity to explore the mechanisms of institutional entrepreneurship. The paper analyzes successful and unsuccessful attempts to activate small business lending to determine the organizational, structural, and personal aspects that allowed certain groups of individuals and not others to succeed. The paper proposes that, contrary to conventional thought, institutional change is not rare because institutional entrepreneurs are scarce. In fact, they are quite prevalent. What keeps most institutional entrepreneurs hidden from view is preference falsification, or the distinction that institutions function through the coordination of common beliefs, while private beliefs can diverge wildly. A central challenge of institutional entrepreneurship, therefore, is the transformation of the private beliefs of a few into common beliefs that can support new institutions. The paper argues that institutional entrepreneurship, while common, seldom succeeds because it entails a sequence of relatively unlikely events, including the recognition of an opportunity, the execution of organizational experiments, and the creation of public knowledge. Each stage of institutional entrepreneurship requires a combination of personal and structural qualities that are rarely found in a single individual, which explains why so few of them succeed.
Chapter 17 Biotransformation and excretion: Quantitative studies of tissue metabolism

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses two particular pharmacologic problems in Parkinson disease, which are investigated with stable isotope labeled levodopa. It presents the rational for applying stable isotope technology over other existing pharmacologic methods. Levodopa infusion studies examining response to increasing infusion rates indicate that once clinical improvement is noted in advanced Parkinson disease, the magnitude of that response cannot be improved by simply increasing the levodopa infusion rate. The peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa to dopamine after sole levodopa administration is responsible for significant side effects, which include nausea, vomiting, and potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Carbidopa blocks this peripheral conversion by acting as a competitive inhibitor of dopa decarboxylase. As it does not cross the blood-brain barrier, there is no interference with central decarboxylation of levodopa to dopamine. Thus, the effect of carbidopa when coadministered with levodopa is to substantially reduce systemic side effects of levodopa and make more systemic levodopa available for central conversion to dopamine.
Breaking family ties: taxon sampling and molecular phylogeny of chromodorid nudibranchs (Mollusca, Gastropoda)

Johnson, R. F. (2010). Breaking family ties: taxon sampling and molecular phylogeny of chromodorid nudibranchs (Mollusca, Gastropoda). —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 137–157. Although researchers have debated the monophyly of the diverse chromodorid nudibranchs (Chromodorididae) for over 100 years, the monophyly of this family has not been properly tested. Recent morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies have added to the debate, but have not used appropriate methods to resolve this issue. I investigate how outgroup choice and taxon sampling influences tree topology and in turn the recovery of chromodorid monophyly. As a demonstration of these potential methodological problems, I then present phylogenies resulting from different taxon-sampling schemes using the same molecular data. Taxon sampling has a strong influence on the resulting phylogenies. With comprehensive taxon sampling and outgroup selection, Cadlina is not a member of the Chromodorididae. The chromodorid nudibranchs without Cadlina are monophyletic and possibly sister to the Actinocyclidae. Additionally, I found, for the first time, support for most current family groupings in the Doridoidea. I propose a new classification in which Cadlina is not considered a member of the Chromodorididae. Instead, I resurrect the family name Cadlinidae to include the genera Cadlina and Aldisa.
Effects of cholesterol feeding on primate serum lipoproteins. III. The change in high density lipoprotein components.

Abstract Sooty mangabey (Cercocebus atys) monkeys had a lower serum HDL cholesterol concentration than any other Old World monkey species reported. In addition, they had a higher serum Lp(a) concentration than other species. The mangabeys were fed a cholesterol-fat diet for 5 weeks. HDL2 and HDL3 amounts were determined from the two peaks apparent upon analytical ultracentrifugation. In the first 1–3 weeks, 13 of the 14 mangabeys increased 30% (mean) in total HDL, this increase occurring only in the HDL2 fraction. After 5 weeks, HDL and HDL2 decreased markedly. During the cholesterol feeding, HDL3 continually decreased in flotation rate, indicating it was either smaller and/or denser. HDL2 and HDL3 separated well on molecular sieving agarose columns during the diet period, whereas a single symmetrical elution peak was found for chow-fed HDL. Thus on a cholesterol-fat diet, HDL2 and HDL3 increased in difference in molecular size.
A perspective on integrity mechanisms

Accepting the common viewpoint that integrity is concerned with information modification rather than information disclosure or information availability, the author considers two views on what nondiscretionary controls are needed for information integrity: (1) Clark and Wilson's view that some separate mechanisms are required for enforcement of integrity policies, disjoint from those of the Orange Book (TCSEC), and (2) Gasser's view that techniques to protect against information modifications are almost always the same as (or a subset of) techniques to protect against information disclosure. The author agrees with the Clark-Wilson view, in which integrity requires nondiscretionary access-control mechanisms other than label-based mandatory controls. He lists his objections to Gasser's view. >
A Chemical Equilibrium Model for Natural Waters

This paper reviews the present status of the Pitzer chemical equilibrium model, which can be used to characterize the one-atmosphere activity coefficients of ionic and non-ionic solutes in natural waters as a function of temperature and ionic strength. The model considers the ionic interactions of the major seasalt ions (H, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Sr, Cl, Br, OH, HCO3, B(OH)4, HSO4, SO4, CO3, CO2, B(OH)3, H2O) and is based on the 25 °C model of Weare and co-workers. The model has been extended by a number of workers so that reasonable estimates can be made of the activity coefficients of most of the major seasalt ions from 0 to 250 °C. Recently coefficients for a number of solutes that are needed to determine the dissociation constants of the acids from 0 to 50 °C (H3CO3, B(OH)3, H2O, HF, HSO 4 - , H3PO4, H2S, NH 4 + etc.) have been added to the model. These results have been used to examine the carbonate system in natural waters and determine the activity of inorganic anions that can complex trace metals. The activity and osmotic coefficients determined from the model are shown to be in good agreement with measured values in seawater. This model can serve as the foundation for future expansions that can examine the activity coefficient and speciation of trace metals in natural waters. At present this is only possible from 0 to 50 °C over a limited range of ionic strengths (<1.0) due to the limited stability constants for the formation of the metal complexes. The future work needed to extend the Pitzer model to trace metals is discussed.
Cluster stability scores for microarray data in cancer studies.

Background A potential benefit of profiling of tissue samples using microarrays is the generation of molecular fingerprints that will define subtypes of disease. Hierarchical clustering has been the primary analytical tool used to define disease subtypes from microarray experiments in cancer settings. Assessing cluster reliability poses a major complication in analyzing output from clustering procedures. While most work has focused on estimating the number of clusters in a dataset, the question of stability of individual-level clusters has not been addressed.
Bound state energy of a Coulomb impurity in gapped bilayer graphene

Application of a perpendicular electric field induces a band gap in bilayer graphene, and it also creates a ``Mexican hat'' structure in the dispersion relation. This structure has unusual implications for the hydrogen-like bound state of an electron to a Coulomb impurity. We calculate the ground state energy of this hydrogen-like state as a function of the applied interlayer voltage and the effective fine structure constant. Unlike in the conventional hydrogen atom, the resulting wave function has many nodes even in the ground state. Further, the electron state undergoes ``atomic collapse'' into the Dirac continuum both at small and large voltage.
Combustion Control and Diagnostics Sensor Testing in a Thermal Barrier Coated Combustor

The combustion control and diagnostics sensor (CCADS) continues to be developed as an in-situ combustion sensor, with immediate application to natural gas fired turbines. In-situ combustion monitoring is also expected to benefit advanced power plants of the future, fueled by coal-derived syngas, liquified natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, or hydrogen blend fuels. The in-situ monitoring that CCADS provides can enable the optimal operation of advanced, fuel-flexible turbines for minimal pollutant emissions and maximum efficiency over the full operating range of an advanced turbine. Previous work has demonstrated CCADS as a useful sensor for in-situ monitoring of natural gas combustion, including detection of important combustion events such as flashback and lean blowoff, in experimental combustors without thermal barrier coatings (TBC). Since typical TBC materials are electrical insulators at room temperature, and CCADS operation requires conduction of electrical current to the walls of the combustor, a TBC on the combustion liner was identified as a potential barrier to CCADS operation in commercial application. This paper reports on CCADS experiments in a turbulent lean premixed combustor with a yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thermal barrier coating on the combustor wall. The tests were conducted at 0.1 MPa (1 atm), with a 15V excitation voltage on the CCADS electrodes. The results confirm that for a typical thermal barrier coating, CCADS operates properly, and the total measured average resistance is close to that of an uncoated combustor. This result is consistent with previous materials studies that found the electrical resistance of typical TBC materials considerably decreases at combustor operating temperatures.
New gas mixture improves performance of 3He neutron counters

Abstract Count-rate capability, spatial resolution, and photon discrimination of position-sensitive, proportional neutron counters were improved by using a detector gas mixture of 65% 3 He and 35% CF 4 . These improvements, relative to previously used 3 HeXe CO 2 mixtures, were due to the larger electron drift velocity, greater stopping power for the protons and tritons of the 3 He(n, p) reaction, and smaller photon cross section of the HeCF 4 mixtures.
Municipal Responses to Fiscal Stress

This study examines officials' reactions to the fiscal constraints facing Wisconsin municipalities in 2004. Using survey response data coupled secondary demographic and financial data, our findings...
Effect of sample preparation on the amounts of α-pinene and verbenone extracted from rosemary

Abstract Volatile compounds were obtained from fresh leaves of rosemary by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), super-critical fluid extraction (SFE) and steam distillation. It was found that the ratio of α-pinene to verbenone depended on the method of preparation of plant material, and that the yield of verbenone was largest from ground leaves, while the amount of α-pinene was greatest in whole leaves. The transformation of α-pinene to verbenone is thought to be the cause for the differences in the relative amounts of these two major components.
Altered yolk structure and reduced hatchability of eggs from birds fed single doses of petroleum oils

Yolk deposited by Japanese quail was abnormal for 24 hours after the oral administration of a single capsule containing 200 milligrams of bunker C oil. Both the structure and the staining properties of the yolk were affected. Fewer eggs were laid during the 4 days after dosing, compared to controls, and hatchability was drastically reduced. Hatchability returned to normal in 4 days. Three other reference oils also affected yolk structure. Canada geese given 2 grams and chickens given 500 milligrams of bunker C oil produced eggs with abnormal yolk rings.
Left Atrial Mass: Thrombus Mimicking Myxoma

A 31-year-old woman underwent elective transthoracic echocardiography for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, which showed a large left atrial mass. A two-dimensional echocardiogram showed a large left atrium mass. Subsequent transesophageal echocardiography showed a 3 cm x 3 cm circular mass with smooth contours. The differential diagnosis included myxoma versus thrombus, but because of morphology and mobility of the mass, it was difficult to differentiate one from the other. The patient had been on chronic coumadin therapy for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. An operation was performed and the intracardiac mass resected. On pathologic examination the mass was diagnosed as an organized thrombus. A brief review of the literature has been presented to discuss the differential diagnosis of the mass in the left atrium.
Functional Vocalizations by an African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus)

An African grey parrot, after 26 months of speech training, has acquired a verbal vocabulary consisting of three color adjectives, two phrases for describing shape, 9 nouns, and functional use of the word “no”. The parrot is capable of correctly combining these vocalizations so as to identify proficiently, request, and/or refuse more than 30 objects by means of verbal labels.
Absolute stability of a class of nonlinear systems containing distributed elements

Abstract The method due to Popov is extended to yield sufficient conditions of absolute stability for a class of systems which involves one nonlinear element. The conditions are expressed in the form of an inequality similar to the original Popov condition.
On the composition of the lunar interior

There is now abundant geophysical and geochemical evidence suggesting that the moon has a thick plagioclase rich outer shell. This is most easily explained by early and extensive melting of a CaO and Al_2O_3 rich moon followed by fractional crystallization involving plagioclase flotation. Melilite is probably an important constituent of the interior. This model explains the seismic velocities, the mean density, and the moment of inertia of the moon. The moon is 73–88% high-temperature condensate.
Decomposition and coordination methods for constrained optimization

Decomposition and coordination methods based on the utilization of the Lagrangian generalized gradients in multilevel control structures have been developed successfully to handle the class of constrained optimization problems with nonseparable performance indices. Introducing proper intervention parameters, the overall problem is decomposed into a group of lower-dimensional constrained problems. A class of three-level control structures is thus proposed to coordinate the local solutions via two coordinating levels. While the first coordinating level is basically designed to adjust the state and control constraint violations, the second coordinating level is responsible mainly for manipulating the subsystems interactions in different ways. Salient features, advantages, and limitations of the developed control structures are pointed out.
Computed tomographic appearance of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in adults

Two cases of adult pulmonary alveolar proteinosis are presented with emphasis on the computed tomographic findings in both cases. Each patient demonstrated a pattern of diffusely increased lung density on both standard radiographic and computed tomographic examinations of the lung. There was no evidence of adenopathy, pleural effusion, or cardiomegaly in either patient. The diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis was established in both patients by open lung biopsy. The optical microscopy and electron microscopy examinations of the biopsy material in each instance demonstrated marked filling of the alveoli with periodic-acid-Schiff-positive material and intraalveolar lamellar bodies. The diagnosis of sarcoid was entertained prior to the open lung biopsy in one patient, a young adult black male. Although the computed tomographic appearance was similar in each case and of no value in the diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, it was helpful in assessing the extent of the disease within the lung.
Psychiatric OSCE performance of students with and without a previous core psychiatry clerkship.

Objective The OSCE has been demonstrated to be a reliable and valid method by which to assess students' clinical skills. An OSCE station was used to determine whether or not students who had completed a core psychiatry clerkship demonstrated skills that were superior to those who had not taken the clerkship and which areas discriminated between clerkship completers and noncompleters. Methods One hundred thirty-six students took a 48-item, fourth-year OSCE with one psychiatry station. Sixty-three (46%) had already completed psychiatry, and 70 (51%) had not, with three unknown. Students were to take histories, perform mental status examinations, assess dangerousness, and propose the differential diagnosis and treatment plans. Results Nine items differed significantly between completers and noncompleters, six concerning phenomenology and mental status and three concerning differential diagnosis. There were no differences regarding history, communication skills, or recommended interventions. Conclusion Students may learn history taking, communication, and treatment planning in many settings. However, for the mental status examination, phenomenology, and differential diagnosis, completing a psychiatry clerkship was associated with better OSCE performance.
RESPONSE OF A BENDING–TORSION COUPLED BEAM TO DETERMINISTIC AND RANDOM LOADS

Abstract The response of a beam coupled in bending and torsion to deterministic and random loads in investigated by using the normal mode method. The loading on the beam may be either concentrated or distributed over its length. The deterministic load is assumed to be varying harmonically, whereas the random load is assumed to be Gaussian, having both stationary and ergodic properties. A general analytical theory is developed, and is applied to a cantilever aircraft wing for which there is substantial coupling between the bending and torsional modes of deformation. Numerical results for the dynamic flexural and torsional displacements are presented and discussed.
Sex differences in the steroidogenic and respiratory electron transport chains in the rat adrenal cortex

Both steroid 11 beta-hydroxylation and cholesterol side chain cleavage occur in the mitochondria of adrenocortical cells and they require reducing power in the form of NADPH. There are direct sources of NADPH in rat adrenal mitochondria but another potential source of NADPH is the energy-linked transhydrogenase reaction. This suggests that there is a relationship between the steroidogenic and respiratory chains. We have elaborated upon this relationship by exploring the expression of cytochrome c oxidase (CO) and cytochrome P-45011 beta. We have studied the regulation of one mitochondrial-encoded (COII) and one nuclear-encoded (COIV) subunit. Normal, untreated male rats had higher basal levels of activity of CO in adrenal (255%) and liver (144%) mitochondria, compared to normal, untreated female rats. They also had increased COII (300% and 138%) and COIV (300% and 135%). Cytochrome P-45011 beta levels, however, were lower (48%) in adrenal mitochondria of male rats than those of female rats. Androgen treatment of male rats caused an increase in the activity of CO in the mitochondria of the adrenal gland with the levels being 171% of the corresponding controls. This increase in activity paralleled an increase in the levels of COII and COIV in the adrenal as measured by Western analysis. In contrast, adrenal cytochrome P-45011 beta levels were lower (68%). Androgen treatment caused no significant change in the levels of mRNA's for COII and COIV whereas cytochrome P-45011 beta mRNA was significantly lower than normal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Matching teaching strategies to learning style preferences

Abstract This article analyzes three widely used learning styles inventories (4MAT System, McCarthy, 1987; Dunn's LSI, 1992a & 1992b; and Renzulli and Smith's LSI, 1998) and matches them to the most compatible teaching strategies. Tables are provided to summarize the characteristics of left/right brain hemispheric learners and assist teachers in selecting the most appropriate teaching strategies. Examples of lessons are presented that illustrate how teachers may encourage bilateral learning by integrating both brain hemispheres and combining teaching strategies. To help teachers determine their students’ learning preferences, there are suggestions for selecting and designing learning styles inventories. Finally, practical implications of training teachers to address learning styles preferences is discussed.
Microbial Strain Prioritization Using Metabolomics Tools for the Discovery of Natural Products

Natural products profoundly impact many research areas, including medicine, organic chemistry, and cell biology. However, discovery of new natural products suffers from a lack of high throughput analytical techniques capable of identifying structural novelty in the face of a high degree of chemical redundancy. Methods to select bacterial strains for drug discovery have historically been based on phenotypic qualities or genetic differences and have not been based on laboratory production of secondary metabolites. Therefore, untargeted LC/MS-based secondary metabolomics was evaluated to rapidly and efficiently analyze marine-derived bacterial natural products using LC/MS-principal component analysis (PCA). A major goal of this work was to demonstrate that LC/MS-PCA was effective for strain prioritization in a drug discovery program. As proof of concept, we evaluated LC/MS-PCA for strain selection to support drug discovery, for the discovery of unique natural products, and for rapid assessment of regulation ...
Student-Specified versus Instructor-Specified Projects: A Comparison of Outcomes

Microcomputer systems (EGRE 364) is an introductory level course that addresses basic concepts of computer organization, microprocessor instruction sets and architectures, assembly language programming, the function of computer memory and I/O subsystems. The course culminates in group design projects based on the Atmel family of microcontrollers. Historically, students propose and write the specifications for the projects that their self-selected group will implement. For the past two years, students have been given pre-specified "canned" projects from which to choose. This paper discusses course outcomes under two different formats.
Effects of a protein- and tryptophan-deficient diet upon complex maze performance

Previous reports have suggested that protein and tryptophan deprivation might be associated with decreased mental functioning. To provide additional relevant data, two groups of rats—one protein- and tryptophan-deprived and one reared normally—were tested for learning ability in a modified Hampton Court maze. Analysis indicated that protein and tryptophan deprivation did not result in inferior maze performance.
Percutaneous drainage of subperiosteal abscess: a potential treatment for osteomyelitis.

Objective Intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage are the accepted methods of treating osteomyelitis complicated by abscess formation. The objective of this study was to determine whether percutaneous drainage of subperiosteal abscess is a potential treatment for osteomyelitis.
Aquatic Versus Terrestrial Feeding Modes: Possible Impacts on the Trophic Ecology of Vertebrates

On the basis of experimental work, a clear dichotomy in design of the feeding mechanism between aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates has been found. The aquatic medium combined with suction and the hydrodynamic tongue offer an unparalleled array of prey capture opportunities for aquatic vertebrates. In the terrestrial feeding model, prey capture and prey processing require a precise functional design to match the nature of the prey. It is proposed that this dichotomy in basic design would result in fundamental differences in the aquatic and terrestrial paradigms in vertebrate ecology. Four hypotheses and their respective supporting evidence are presented: (1) Increased opportunism, more extensive prey switching and food overlap are prevalent in aquatic systems; (2) Convergent evolution which is so pervasive in terrestrial feeding systems is uncommon among aquatic vertebrate feeding systems; (3) Competition is relaxed and character displacement is absent in aquatic vertebrate feeding systems; and (4) Patterns of diversity in aquatic vertebrate feeding systems defy the terrestrial paradigm.
Analysis of factors that influence the sensitivity of spores of Bacillus subtilis to DNA damaging chemicals.

Aims: To elucidate factors influencing the sensitivity of Bacillus subtilis spores to DNA damaging chemicals. Methods and Results: Wild-type spores of B. subtilis made at lower temperatures were more sensitive to the DNA damaging chemicals formaldehyde and nitrous acid than were spores made at higher temperatures, but this was not the case with the DNA alkylating agents ethylmethanesulphonate and methylmethanesulphonate. Spores lacking most DNA protective α/β-type small, acid-soluble proteins (termed α−β− spores) made at lower temperatures were also more sensitive to killing through DNA damage by hydrogen peroxide than were α−β− spores made at higher temperatures. The spore coat, whose composition varies significantly with sporulation temperature, played only a minor role in spore resistance to these DNA damaging agents. Spores made at lower temperatures exhibited higher permeability to the methylamine and germinated more rapidly with the surfactant dodecylamine than did spores made at higher temperatures. Treatment of spores with the oxidizing agent cumene hydroperoxide sensitized the surviving spores to all these DNA damaging agents. The fatty acid composition of the inner membrane of spores made at different temperatures differed significantly, but levels of unsaturated fatty acids in the inner membrane did not influence spore resistance to DNA damaging agents or the sensitization to such agents by prior treatment with cumene hydroperoxide. Conclusions: The higher rates of methylamine permeation across the inner membrane of spores made at lower temperatures and the greater sensitivity of wild-type spores made at lower temperatures to formaldehyde and nitrous acid and of α−β− spores made at lower temperatures to hydrogen peroxide, all agents that must pass through the spore's inner membrane to damage DNA in the spore core, suggest that the permeability of the inner membrane is a significant factor influencing spore sensitivity to these agents. The sensitization of spores to DNA damaging chemicals by pretreatment with an oxidizing agent, a treatment that increases the permeability of the spore's inner membrane, and the more rapid dodecylamine germination of spores made at lower temperatures are consistent with this suggestion. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results in this communication provide new insight into the factors that influence the resistance of spores of Bacillus species to chemicals that kill spores by damaging spore DNA.
Atomic scale conductance induced by single impurity charging.

A scanning tunneling microscope was used to probe electron transport through an alkali doped ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ monolayer crystal on ${\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ grown by the oxidation of NiAl(110). Each individual alkali atom forms a localized complex with the neighboring ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecules. Charging of the complex induces a substantial rise in the current that persists outside the physical dimensions of the complex. This induction of the current rise is characterized by spatially resolved spectroscopy and mapping of the differential conductance ($dI/dV$) in the vicinity of the complex.
Interventional management of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia seen in clinical practice, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Management of AF is challenging due to the modest efficacy of antiarrhythmic drug therapies, some of which have significant adverse effects or toxicity. Nonpharmacological treatment of AF, including AF ablation, has recently evolved as an attractive, efficacious and potentially ‘curative’ therapeutic modality in selected patients. This article reviews various interventional therapeutic options for the management of AF, appropriate patient selection and clinical implications.
Stabilization of morphine tolerance with long-term dosing: association with selective upregulation of mu-opioid receptor splice variant mRNAs

Chronic morphine administration is associated with the development of tolerance, both clinically and in animal models. Many assume that tolerance is a continually progressive response to chronic opioid dosing. However, clinicians have long appreciated the ability to manage cancer pain in patients for months on stable opioid doses, implying that extended dosing may eventually result in a steady state in which the degree of tolerance remains constant despite the continued administration of a fixed morphine dose. Preclinical animal studies have used short-term paradigms, typically a week or less, whereas the clinical experience is based upon months of treatment. Chronic administration of different fixed morphine doses produced a progressive increase in the ED50 that peaked at 3 wk in mice, consistent with prior results at shorter times. Continued morphine dosing beyond 3 wk revealed stabilization of the level of tolerance for up to 6 wk with no further increase in the ED50. The degree of tolerance at all time points was dependent upon the dose of morphine. The mRNA levels for the various mu opioid receptor splice variants were assessed to determine whether stabilization of morphine tolerance was associated with changes in their levels. After 6 wk of treatment, mRNA levels of the variants increased as much as 300-fold for selected variants in specific brain regions. These findings reconcile preclinical and clinical observations regarding the development of morphine tolerance.
Analysis of Effects of Distance Running on Self-Concepts of Elementary Students.

This study assessed the effects of a systematic running program on self-concepts of fifth and sixth grade pupils in a public elementary school. Thirty subjects were randomly chosen from 110 children, and 15 each assigned to the experimental and control conditions. The Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory ( 1 ) was administered prior to running for 7 wk. Each subject ran a minimum of one mile at least three times a week. As some lacked the stamina to run continuously for a distance of one mile they were allowed to stop along the course and proceed after a rest. A log was kept for each subject recording when they checked in and out of the course, as well as how far they ran. Many of the subjects chose to run to school and on weekends, but all were required to run the minimum of three miles a week on the designated course. On completion of the program both groups were retested on the inventory. The means and standard deviations on the preand posttests were computed for both groups. Those values with the results of a general multivariate hypothesis test may be found in Table 1. The pretest means of 51.83 and 53.17 exhibited only minimal differences. However, the difference at posttest was substantial ( M = 65.16, M = 50.50). The mean gain was 13.33 points for the experimental subjects; controls lost 2.5 points. The over-all test indicated a significant difference ( F = 9.15, d f = 2/21, P < .0014) as did the univariate rests. The hypothesis of no difference was accepted for the pretest means ( P < .706) and rejected for the posttest means (P < ,002). Although there were no significant differences in the pretest means, those results were used as covariates in the step-down procedure. For the posttest means Table 1 gives P < .00.
The Politics of Motherhood Revisited

Although abortion has bitterly divided mil lions of Americans for decades, there has hardly been any academic disagreement over the nature of the controversy. A consen sus quickly developed around Kristin Luker's classic study, Abortion and the Politics of Motherhood, first published in 1984.2 No other work on abortion politics has approached its influence. As of this writing it has been cited over one thousand times, far more than any other essay or book on abortion.3 One of Luker's most interesting argu ments is that the pro-life movement is not what it appears because its deepest motives have nothing to do with the fetus. Instead, citizens are drawn to pro-life activism, according to Luker, because legalized abor tion is a referendum on their traditional view of motherhood. Abortion devalues women's traditional roles as homemakers
Primary surgical repair of combined gastroschisis and bladder exstrophy.

The combination of bladder exstrophy and gastroschisis has not been reported previously. The authors describe this rare combination of congenital anomalies, as well as the successful multidisciplinary management of this unusual problem.
Eradication of infectious diseases in heterogeneous populations

Abstract We present a model of infectious diseases in heterogeneous populations, which allows for variable intra- to intergroup contact ratios. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for disease eradication by means of vaccination. Smallpox is used as an illustrative example.
Effect of dietary restriction on partial hepatectomy-induced liver regeneration of aged F344 rats

Abstract Fourteen weeks-old male F344 rats maintained on a reduced calorie diet (60% of ad libitum (AL) food consumption) for 6 weeks or for 14 months did not affect the hepatic cell proliferation in terms of % S phase population, determined by evaluation of DNA synthesis in hepatocytes isolated from either young (5 months) or aged (18 months) rats. However, hepatic basal cellular DNA synthesis estimated by [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation was reduced through acute dietary restriction (DR) in young rats, but increased in aged animals after 14 months restriction. Partial hepatectomy (PH) on aged rats stimulated hepatocyte regeneration and restored some aging-associated biochemical functions, such as drug metabolizing enzyme-dependent xenobiotic metabolic activation which was determined by measuring the formation of carcinogen-DNA adducts. Forty-eight hours after partial hepatectomy, the % of S phase population and the basal nuclear DNA synthesis of hepatocytes isolated from the partial hepatectomized DR-rats were 4- and 2.8-fold, respectively, greater than those of hepatocytes from AL-animals. DR reduced aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) metabolizing enzyme activity and decreased the AFB 1 -DNA adduct formation in young rats treated with AFB 1 . In aged AL-rats, the formation of AFB 1 -DNA adducts diminished to the same level as that of DR-groups and probably was due to the faster decline of drug metabolizing enzymes in aging AL-rats. However, 48 h after PH, the metabolic activation of AFB 1 was restored in AL- and DR-groups which resulted in the increase of AFB 1 -DNA binding by 4.2 and 1.9-fold, respectively. During the liver regeneration of old PH-rats, DR inhibited the AFB 1 -DNA adduct formation after the PH-rats received a single dose of AFB 1 . DR increased benzo[ a ]pyrene (BaP) metabolic activation in both young and aged rats. Aging also decreased BaP-DNA adduct formation in both DR and AL-rats. The increase of BaP-DNA adduct formation in PH-groups was attributed to the restoration of BaP-metabolizing enzyme activity during liver regeneration. The PH-stimulated BaP-DNA adduct formation in AL- and DR-rats was 3.4- and 2.0-fold greater than control aged rats. Our results indicated that the stimulation of PH-induced liver regeneration by DR in aged animals may be attributed to the retardation of aging by DR and the retention of more active biochemical and enzymological functions in old DR-animals.
The kinetics of dissolution of muscovites at 25°C and 1 atm CO2 partial pressure

Abstract Two different dry-ground muscovites were placed separately in deionized water saturated with 1 atm partial pressure of carbon dioxide at room temperature and pressure for about 1000 hr. The carbonic acid formed buffered the bulk solution between 4.6 and 5.1 during the whole time of the experiment. K and Na were rapidly released by a reaction with hydrogen ions in the solution, which is usually attributed to a surface exchange reaction. The cation exchange capacity is close to the amount of K and Na released to the solution. However, measurement of surface areas of the micas both before and after the rapid release of K and Na, indicate that only one third of the cation exchange capacity can be attributed to release from the outer surfaces, whereas two thirds must be attributed to removal from within deeper parts of the structure. Approximately 2.5% of total K and Na from the interlayer regions, 1.5% of Mg from the octahedral sheets, and 0.5% of Si from the tetrahedral sheets were released by the end of the experiment, indicating that dissolution was incongruent in both cases. Si showed the slowest total release rate of all the ions. In the later stages (after 400 hr), the release rate of Si becomes a linear function of time. The linear release rate of Si was found to be 2.4 × 10 −17 mol/cm 2 /sec for the ruby mica, and 2.7 × 10 −17 mol/cm 2 /sec for the green mica. The rate-controlling mechanism in the dissolution of muscovite in the later stages is probably related to the rate of destruction of the tetrahedral sheets (Si-O bonds) which in turn is reflected by the rate of release of Si into the solution.
Formation of iscosahedral AlMn and AlRu by solid state processes

Abstract We have used ion beam mixing and solid state interdiffusion of interdigitated Al/Mn or Al/Ru layers to form icosahedral surface alloys in the solid state. Higher temperatures are required to form the icosahedral phase in AlRu than in AlMn, both with mixing (300 °C vs. 150 °C) and by interdiffusion (400 °C vs. 300 °C). Annealing to higher temperatures produces a transformation to more stable crystalline phases. Formation by these techniques indicates that these icosahedral phases nucleate and grow in the solid state in preference to crystalline phases of lower free energy.
Interleukin-1 system in the materno-trophoblast unit in human implantation: immunohistochemical evidence for autocrine/paracrine function.

Interleukin-1 receptor type I, IL-1 beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and human macrophages were immunohistochemically localized in the villous trophoblast, maternal-trophoblast interphase, and maternal decidua during early human implantation. Immunostaining for IL-1 receptor type I was present in the syncytiotrophoblast and hyperplastic endometrial glands in the maternal decidua. Immunoreactive IL-1 beta was present in the villous cytotrophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast, intermediate trophoblast, and maternal stromal decidual cells. IL-1 receptor antagonist staining was observed in the glandular endometrium of the maternal decidua and in isolated cells located inside the chorionic villi, intervillous space, and maternal decidua. Mature human macrophages, as defined by both CD/68+ and HAM56+, were present in the chorionic villi, maternal blood of intervillous space, and maternal decidua. Co-localization studies demonstrated that macrophages in all of the reported locations also stained for immunoreactive IL-1 ...
How to save the national priorities list from the D.C. Circuit -- and itself

This article considers the National Priorities List (NPL) and its fate at the hands of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. This author describes how the statutory structure of CERCLA, its bureaucratic implementation, and its juducual mistreatment have combined to focus enormous resources on the decisionmaking steps along the way, instead of the actual clean-up. This has contributed to the embarrassingly unproductive system whose reauthorization is now before Congress. 123 refs.
The Transmembrane Domain Region of Nicastrin Mediates Direct Interactions with APH-1 and the γ-Secretase Complex

Nicastrin (NCT) is a type I integral membrane protein that is one of the four essential components of the γ-secretase complex, a protein assembly that catalyzes the intramembranous cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein and Notch. Other γ-secretase components include presenilin-1 (PS1), APH-1, and PEN-2, all of which span the membrane multiple times. The mechanism by which NCT associates with the γ-secretase complex and regulates its activity is unclear. To avoid the misfolding phenotype often associated with introducing deletions or mutations into heavily glycosylated and disulfide-bonded proteins such as NCT, we produced chimeras between human (hNCT) and Caenorhabditis elegans NCT (ceNCT). Although ceNCT did not associate with human γ-secretase components, all of the ceNCT/hNCT chimeras interacted with γ-secretase components from human, C. elegans, or both, indicating that they folded correctly. A region at the C-terminal end of hNCT, encompassing the last 50 residues of its ectodomain, the transmembrane domain, and the cytoplasmic domain was important for mediating interactions with human PS1, APH-1, and PEN-2. This finding is consistent with the fact that the bulk of the γ-secretase complex proteins resides within the membrane, with relatively small extramembranous domains. Finally, hNCT associated with hAPH-1 in the absence of PS, consistent with NCT and APH-1 forming a subcomplex prior to association with PS1 and PEN-2 and indicating that the interactions between NCT with PS1 may be indirect or stabilized by the presence of APH-1.