cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
5-HT3 Signaling Alters Development of Sacral Neural Crest Derivatives That Innervate the Lower Urinary Tract

The autonomic nervous system derives from the neural crest (NC) and supplies motor innervation to the smooth muscle of visceral organs, including the lower urinary tract (LUT). During fetal development, sacral NC cells colonize the urogenital sinus to form pelvic ganglia (PG) flanking the bladder neck. The coordinated activity of PG neurons is required for normal urination; however, little is known about the development of PG neuronal diversity. To discover candidate genes involved in PG neurogenesis, the transcriptome profiling of sacral NC and developing PG was performed, and we identified the enrichment of the type 3 serotonin receptor (5-HT3, encoded by Htr3a and Htr3b). We determined that Htr3a is one of the first serotonin receptor genes that is up-regulated in sacral NC progenitors and is maintained in differentiating PG neurons. In vitro cultures showed that the disruption of 5-HT3 signaling alters the differentiation outcomes of sacral NC cells, while the stimulation of 5-HT3 in explanted fetal pelvic ganglia severely diminished neurite arbor outgrowth. Overall, this study provides a valuable resource for the analysis of signaling pathways in PG development, identifies 5-HT3 as a novel regulator of NC lineage diversification and neuronal maturation in the peripheral nervous system, and indicates that the perturbation of 5-HT3 signaling in gestation has the potential to alter bladder function later in life.
Making Medicines Accessible: Alternatives to the Flawed Patent System

The flaws of the modern medicine patent system are widely decried. The current system fails to develop medicines to address the health needs of the global poor and creates a platform for unaffordable pricing of the medicines that exist. But even the harshest critics of the patent paradigm recognize the need to provide incentives for vigorous research and development of new medicines. Many alternatives have been proposed. Some are already in operation at limited levels. But these alternatives are poorly understood, even in the global health community. This article provides a brief review of the grievous defects in the medicine patent system, and then summarizes the alternatives. Some of these approaches work within the existing patent framework, aiming to improve it. Others would radically change the financing of medicine research and development.
Pulse Echo Technique to Determine Bondline Reflection Coefficients

Using reflection coefficients to obtain bond strengths and other bondline characteristics has been proposed by previous researchers(1,2). For configurations where the bondline of interest is well separated from the specimen surface and adjacent boundaries, measuring the reflection coefficient using broadband, pulse-echo, ultrasound can be done by processing the bondline echo taken directly from the A-scan. For configurations where the bondline is close to a parallel surface however, reverberations in the layer between the bondline and surface will cause successive bondline echoes to overlap in the A-scan, so that individual echoes can not be processed to determine the reflection coefficient directly. This paper presents a technique for processing the A-scan to obtain the desired reflection coefficient for the case when the bondline is near a surface.
An error analysis of the multirate method for power system transient stability simulation

This efficient application of any numerical integration method depends on accurate estimation of the local truncation error to govern step size control. In this paper, the local truncation error of the multirate method using the forward Euler integration is derived leading to the calculation of the optimal step ratio. The techniques of applying multirate method in power systems are discussed. By implementing the multirate method in a practical power system example, the multirate strategies are proved to be efficient compared with traditional simulation methods.
Effect of nanopaper coating on flexural properties of a fire-treated glass fiber reinforced polyester composite

Rapid re-launch aerospace vehicles require materials with high specific strength to withstand thermal shock associated with repeated re-entry. Glass fiber reinforced polyester (GRP) composites have rapidly become preferred for high value structural components requiring high specific strength. Their ability to sustain high tensile and impact loads has allowed them to be used as light-transmitting panels and fuselages. Due to service conditions, heat flux strongly alters mechanical properties with exposure time. The effect of including a thermal-barrier coating, in the form of a carbon nanopaper, on the monotonic flexural properties of a GRP composite is analyzed. A series of three-point bend experiments was performed on specimen-sized samples of composites subjected to various levels of heat fluxes across numerous exposure times. Analysis of these experiments reveals trends in the deformation mechanisms of these materials near failure. Correlations of flexural modulus and critical load are used to develop ...
prune/Killer of prune: a conditional dominant lethal interaction in Drosophila.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the prune/Killer of prune (KPN) lethal interaction of Drosophila melanogaster. Immunoblot analysis of prune protein expression using a polyclonal anti-prune antibody demonstrated the presence of prune at all stages of development of Drosophila melanogaster. Maximum accumulation of prune protein occurred during pupal and adult stages. The smallest quantity of prune protein relative to total protein was present during the third larval instar stage, the stage during which prune/Killer of prune animals die. Several methods are employed in order to determine which tissues in the larvae are sensitive to the prune/Killer of prune lethal condition and which of these is responsible for the death of the entire organism. One method is simply to determine the tissues in which both prune and abnormal wing discs (AWD)/KPN proteins are expressed. Because AWD is expressed in most tissues of the third instar larvae and because very small amounts of prune protein are required to rescue the prune/Killer of prune interaction, any conclusion based on this method would require verification by another method. Another method, the yeast GAL4 targeted expression system, is being employed to reproduce the prune/Killer of prune lethal genotype in a subset of tissues in an otherwise viable animal.
Studies on the Respiratory Chain-linked Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Dehydrogenase: XVII. REACTION SITES OF PIERICIDIN A AND ROTENONE

Abstract An improved estimate from Scatchard plots of the number of specific binding sites of the electron transport particle for 14C-piericidin A gives a value of 2 moles of inhibitor bound per mole of calculated NADH dehydrogenase content. The affinity of these two specific binding sites for piericidin A is very similar, since the binding curve is a smooth hyperbola and the Scatchard plot is linear. The two sites may be distinguished, however, by their unequal contribution to the inhibition of NADH oxidation. This is shown by the sigmoidicity of the curves relating inhibition of NADH oxidase, NADH-coenzyme Q reductase, and energy-linked NAD reductase activities to piericidin concentration. The inhibition of NADH oxidase and energy-linked NAD reductase activities but not of NADH-coenzyme Q reductase activity are partially reversed by washing of inhibited particles with bovine serum albumin. Hence both specifically and unspecifically bound piericidin contribute to the inhibition of the first two activities while only specifically bound inhibitor is involved in the block of external coenzyme Q reduction. The titration curve for inhibition of NADH oxidase by rotenone is more complex, apparently because of the contribution of inhibition at unspecific sites. The number of specific binding sites for piericidin may be reduced to near 1 per mole of NADH dehydrogenase by treatment of the electron transport particle with mercurials and by dissociation into the component complexes with bile salts. The results are discussed in terms of the location of the binding and inhibition sites of rotenone and piericidin in the respiratory chain and of the possible participation of NADH dehydrogenase itself and other membrane components in the binding of these inhibitors.
Decomposition of Beta Titanium

Precipitation processes leading to drastic property changes are a frequent occurrence in titanium alloys containing large amounts of the retained high temperature β phase. In order to establish the kinetics and nature of these precipitation processes, a series of Ti-V alloys was studied. Time-temperature-transformation diagrams were obtained for 12.5 and 15 pct V-Ti alloys. These diagrams consisted of two intersecting C-shaped curves: one in the high temperature region for the equilibrium transformation β→α+β, and another at lower temperatures depicting the formation of the meta stable transition phase, ω. Presence of the transition phase retarded the precipitation of the equilibrium a phase. Deformation of retained β resulted in the formation of the ω phase. Reversion and retrogression phenomena of the transition phase were observed. A negative temperature coefficient of resistance was found in quenched alloys containing from 15 to 20 pct V.
Computational simulation of Spheromak plasma heating

The examination of spheromak plasma heating provides a logical bridge between the present-day experimental studies of compact torus formation and the futuristic conceptual studies of the spheromak and moving ring reactors. In the near term, the work helps in understanding the temperature clamping in experiments and provides some insight into how to overcome this obstacle (e.g., via impurity cleanup). In the longer term, the work also provides some insight into other possible temperature clamping problems (i.e., soft beta limit and resistive interchange) and allows us to propose and study methods for overcoming them.
JHU/APL Experiments in Tokenization and Non-word Translation

In the past we have conducted experiments that investigate the benefits and peculiarities attendant to alternative methods for tokenization, particularly overlapping character n-grams. This year we continued this line of work and report new findings reaffirming that the judicious use of n-grams can lead to performance surpassing that of word-based tokenization. In particular we examined: the relative performance of n-grams and a popular suffix stemmer; a novel form of n-gram indexing that approximates stemming and achieves fast run-time performance; various lengths of n-grams; and the use of n-grams for robust translation of queries using an aligned parallel text. For the CLEF 2003 evaluation we submitted monolingual and bilingual runs for all languages and language pairs and multilingual runs using English as a source language. Our key findings are that shorter n-grams (n=4 and n=5) outperform a popular stemmer in non-Romance languages, that direct translation of n-grams is feasible using an aligned corpus, that translated 5-grams yield superior performance to words, stems, or 4-grams, and that a combination of indexing methods is best of all.
Spectrum of Weighted Composition Operators Part III: Essential Spectra of Some Disjointness Preserving Operators on Banach Lattices

We describe essential (in particular Fredholm and semi-Fredholm) spectra of operators on Banach lattices of the form T = wU, where w is a central operator and U is a disjointness preserving operator such that its spectrum σ(U) is a subset of the unit circle.
GLOBAL SEXUAL DEVIANCY: LEARNING FROM AMERICA’S MISTAKES

Sexual Deviancy is a global issue, and efforts to standardize treatment have produced programs that do not support cultural understanding and sensitivity. With the rise of sexual offenses around the world, and the demand for public safety, sex offender treatment programs must be examined before countries without treatment and management programs adopt the ones currently being implemented. In order to gain a better understanding on a global scale, the perceived effectiveness of sex offender treatment programs in the United States and Japan was evaluated by administering a questionnaire to a sample of the general population and by interviewing mental health professionals in order to discover if treatment modalities exist that would provide cross-cultural utility. The results suggest a need for further research on and implementation of sex offender treatment approaches that would be more effective than current programs. Results also revealed continued beliefs in sex offender myths, and a perceived ineffectiveness of current sex offender management laws.
Statistically rigorous analysis of imaging SIMS data in the presence of detector saturation

We present a new strategy for analyzing imaging time-of-flight SIMS data sets affected by detector saturation. Rather than attempt to correct the measured data to remove saturation, we incorporate the detector behavior into the statistical basis of the analysis. This is performed within the framework of maximum a posteriori reconstruction. The proposed approach has several advantages over previous techniques. No approximations are involved other than the assumed model of the detector. The method performs well even when applied to highly saturated and/or single-scan data sets. It is statistically rigorous, correctly treating the underlying statistical distribution of the data. It is also compatible with Bayesian methods for incorporating prior knowledge about sample properties. An efficient iterative scheme for solving the proposed equations is presented for the case of the bilinear model commonly used in analyses of SIMS data. The correctness of the approach and its efficacy are demonstrated on synthetic data sets. The method is found to perform better than a widely-used data-correction method used in combination with alternating-least-squares Multivariate Curve Resolution analysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Histone H4 acetylation by immunohistochemistry and prognosis in relapsed acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL)

Summary Histone H4 acetylation was examined by immunohistochemistry in patients with acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) in first relapse. Univariate and multivariate models identified correlates of complete remission (CR) and overall survival (OS). No variables were associated with achievement of CR. In multivariate analysis, weak histone H4 acetylation [Hazard Ratio (HR) 2·20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·93–5·23, P = 0·07], shorter interval from diagnosis to relapse ( 24 months) (HR 1·82, 95% CI 1·20–2·75, P = 0·005), and central nervous system involvement (HR 3·43, 95% CI 1·31–8·99, P = 0·01) were independent poor prognostic factors for OS. These data provide a rationale for the use of histone deacetylase inhibitors in the treatment of relapsed ALL.
Value of static venous pressure for predicting arteriovenous graft thrombosis.

Value of static venous pressure for predicting arteriovenous graft thrombosis Background Static venous pressure elevation has been shown to have both high sensitivity and high specificity for hemodialysis arteriovenous (AV) graft venous anastomosis stenosis. However, it is not known how well static venous pressure elevation predicts subsequent AV graft thrombosis. Methods Monthly static venous pressure measurements were made during two consecutive dialysis sessions in all patients with a functioning upper extremity AV graft in two hemodialysis units during a 16-month period. Static venous pressure was normalized to systolic blood pressure and corrected for the height difference between the AV graft and the dialysis machine pressure transducer to yield the static venous pressure ratio (SVPR). Results Fifty-four patients (38%) had a thrombotic event during the study period and thus were labeled as clotters. Among the clotters, SVPR just prior to thrombosis was 0.51 ± 0.16 (mean ± SD), and mean time to thrombosis following an elevated SVPR (≥0.4) was 118 ± 106 days. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated using the sensitivities and specificities of a range of SVPR values for access thrombosis within one, two, three and four months. The areas under the curve (AUCs) for the ROC curves ranged from 0.557 to 0.638, reflecting the absence of SVPR values with both high sensitivity and high specificity for access thrombosis. An increase in SVPR over time was not a better predictor of access thrombosis than absolute SVPR. Conclusion Static venous pressure measurement is not an optimal screening test for identifying AV grafts at risk for thrombosis.
Changes in the Denaturation Characteristics of Collagen Induced by Bacterial Collagenase Preparations

A differential scanning calorimetric procedure adapted from the literature was used to study the effects of collagenase on the thermal behavior of collagenous material. Two different preparations of the enzyme and two sources of collagen were used. The samples were treated in the same fashion as in the published procedure, and were found to have similar decreases in their denaturation enthalpies. However, the previously reported decrease in denaturation temperature of collagenase-treated material was not duplicated in any sample. Alternate interpretations of the previous results are presented.
Venus upper atmospheric CO, temperature, and winds across the afternoon/evening terminator from June 2007 JCMT sub-millimeter line observations

Abstract The Venus mesosphere constitutes a highly variable transition region between the zonal rotation of the lower atmosphere and the diurnal circulation of the upper atmosphere. It further serves as the primary photochemical region of the Venus atmosphere. We obtained James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT, Mauna Kea Hawaii) sub-millimeter line observations of mesospheric 12 CO and 13 CO during coordinated space (MESSENGER and Venus Express) and ground-based observations of Venus in June of 2007. Such CO spectra line measurements support temperature, CO mixing ratio, and wind retrievals over the 80–110 km altitude range, encompassing the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere of Venus. Five-point beam integrations were obtained across the observed Venus disk, allowing distinction of afternoon (noon to 6 p.m.) versus evening (6 p.m. to midnight) local times and northern (0–60N) versus southern (0–60S) latitudes. Distinctive diurnal variations (noon to midnight) are retrieved for both temperatures above 95 km and CO mixing ratios above 85 km altitudes. Separate CO line maps obtained on (UT) June 2, 3, 6, and 11 indicate moderate daily variability in afternoon and evening CO mixing ratios (20–50%) and temperatures (5–10 K). Average Venus mesospheric temperatures over this period were 10 K warmer than returned from 1978 to 1979 Pioneer Venus or 2000–01 sub-millimeter measurements, without evidence for the very large temperature inversions indicated by Venus Express SPICAV measurements at 90–100 km altitudes (Bertaux, J.L., Vandaele, A.-C., Korablev, O., Villard, E., Fedorova, A., Fussen, D., Quemerais, E., Belyaev, D., Mahieux, A., Montmessin, F., Muller, C., Neefs, E., Nevejans, D., Wilquet, V., Dubois, J.P. Hauchecorne, A., Stepanov, A., Vinogradov, I., Rodin, A., Bertaux, J.-L., Nevejans, D., Korablev, O., Montmessin, F., Vandaele, A.-C., Fedorova, A., Cabane, M., Chassefiere, E., Chaufray, J.Y., Dimarellis, E., Dubois, J.P., Hauchecorne, A., Leblanc, F., Lefevre, F., Rannou, P., Quemerais, E., Villard, E., Fussen, D., Muller, C., Neefs, E., Van Ransbeeck, E., Wilquet, V., Rodin, A., Stepanov, A., Vinogradov, I., Zasova, L., Forget, F., Lebonnois, S., Titov, D., Rafkin, S., Durry, G., Gerard, J.C., Sandel, B., 2007. A warm layer in Venus’ cryosphere and high-altitude measurements of HF, HCl, H 2 O and HDO. Nature 450, 646–649). Measured Doppler shifts associated with June 2 and 11 12 CO line center absorptions indicate nearly supersonic (200 m/s, Mach 1) afternoon-to-evening (retrograde) circulation; composed of additive subsolar-to-antisolar (SSAS) and zonal retrograde wind components, which are not separable due to the particular observational geometry.
Mortality among arthritics

Abstract It has been suggested that the chronic ingestion of aspirin might lower the incidence of arterial thrombosis in general and coronary artery disease in particular. To evaluate the association between long-term aspirin ingestion and arteriosclerotic heart disease, mortality was determined in a group of chronic aspirin users—persons with rheumatoid arthritis or with osteoarthritis—and compared to the general population. Relative to the general populations of Massachusetts and of the United States, death among arthritics from arteriosclerotic heart disease was more common than expected. Among persons with rheumatoid arthritis, deaths from all causes were increased by 86%. Among persons with osteoarthritis, deaths from all causes were increased by only 11%, suggesting a mortality factor related to the underlying disease as strong or stronger than any effect of the medication taken. The largest relative excesses occurred from deaths due to diseases of the bones and joints, of the gastrointestinal system, and of the respiratory system.
Clinical signs of anesthesia.

The clinical signs of anesthetic depth (heart rate, mean arterial pressure, pupil diameter, pupil reactivity to light, tearing, and eye movement) were correlated with anesthetic dose in healthy young volunteers. During halothane, halothane—nitrous oxide, Forane, or Forane–nitrous oxide anesthesia at normal PaCO2 (controlled ventilation), only hypotension in the first hour of anesthesia correlated with anesthetic dose. After five hours of halothane or halothane–nitrous oxide, blood pressure remained constant as anesthetic concentration increased. During cyclopropane, diethyl ether, and fluroxene anesthesia, only pupillary dilatation and reduced pupil reactivity to light correlated with anesthetic dose. When nitrous oxide was added to halothane, ether, or fluroxene, mean arterial pressure rose and pupils dilated. During halothane–oxygen anesthesia with spontaneous ventilation, the rise in PaCO2 allowed less hypotension and increased heart rate. Tidal volume decreased and respiratory rate increased as anesthesia deepened. During Forane–oxygen anesthesia with spontaneous respiration, mean arterial pressure, tidal volume, and minute ventilation decreased as anesthesia deepened. In healthy surgical patients anesthetized with halothane or Forane only, incision of the skin modified the clinical signs significantly. While surgery continued, this change in clinical signs persisted during Forane anesthesia, but returned to control during halothane anesthesia.
On steady-state nuclear burning in accreting neutron stars

The properties of the hydrogen burning shell in the envelope of an accreting neutron star have been studied for a range of mass accretion rates, neutron star radii, and metal abundances of the accreted matter. It is found that the hydrogen burning shells lie at densities ranging from 105–6×106 gm cm−3. For mass accretion rates in excess ofMc2 hydrogen and helium burn together. ForMc1≲M≲Mc2, the hydrogen burning shell is stabilized by the β limited CNO cycle. Implications of these results to the X-ray burst phenomena are briefly discussed.
Beam polarization at the ZGS

Abstract A description is given of a beam polarimeter constructed for use at the Argonne ZGS and later at LAMPF. Details of the absolute calibration of these polarimeters are described. Conclusions for the absolute beam polarization at the ZGS impact a number of past polarized beam experiments, causing normalization changes in some cases of 8–25%. The normalization of some past pp polarization measurements are also affected by these results.
A Homological Fibration forGl

Abstract Given a finite degree field extension E ∣ F of nonfinite fields we show homologically BGl ( E ) can be viewed as the total space of fibration with fibre BGl ( F ). Associated with this fibration is a spectral sequence relating the homology of stable linear groups over field extensions.
A review of recent advances in solid film lubrication

Thin, adherent sputtered MoS2 and ion plated metallic (Au, Ag, Pb) lubricating films are primarily used in precision contacting triboelement surfaces where wear debris formation is critical and high reliability requirements have to be satisfied. Detailed structural and compositional characterization of solid film lubricants is of prime importance. It is this information from the nano–micro–macro level which is needed to interpret and improve the frictional behavior and assure long endurance lives. The purpose of this paper is to summarize in a concise review the solid lubricant film structure and morphology and their effects on the tribological properties of the lubricant systems. The tribological performance of thin lubricating films has significantly advanced through progressive understanding of the film parameters such as adhesion, cohesion, interface formation, nucleation and microstructural growth, critical film thickness and substrate finish, and temperature. Sputtered MoS2 and ion plated Au, Ag, an...
Global optimization of nonlinear least-squares problems by branch-and-bound and optimality constraints

We study a simple, yet unconventional approach to the global optimization of unconstrained nonlinear least-squares problems. Non-convexity of the sum of least-squares objective in parameter estimation problems may often lead to the presence of multiple local minima. Here, we focus on the spatial branch-and-bound algorithm for global optimization and experiment with one of its implementations, BARON (Sahinidis in J. Glob. Optim. 8(2):201–205, 1996), to solve parameter estimation problems. Through the explicit use of first-order optimality conditions, we are able to significantly expedite convergence to global optimality by strengthening the relaxation of the lower-bounding problem that forms a crucial part of the spatial branch-and-bound technique. We analyze the results obtained from 69 test cases taken from the statistics literature and discuss the successes and limitations of the proposed idea. In addition, we discuss software implementation for the automation of our strategy.
Stability analysis & design of hysteretic current-mode switched-inductor buck DC-DC converters

Battery-supplied systems demand fast, power efficient, and compact power supplies. Although linear regulators are quick and small, tiny batteries cannot sustain their losses for long. Pulse-width-modulated (PWM) switchers are considerably more efficient, but also slower. Luckily, hysteretic converters can respond within one switching cycle. Stabilizing the system for maximum speed with a hysteretic inductor-current loop, however, which is not linear, is not straightforward. This paper shows how load dumps delay the response of the hysteretic oscillator that the current loop implements. Knowing the worse-case dump and the delay it causes reveals the lowest output capacitance that maintains stable operation at maximum speed. The converter designed here can therefore recover, as predicted, from 100-mA load dumps in 2 μs with 10 μF and 45° of phase margin.
Emotional investment: An exploration of young adult friends’ emotional experience and expression using an investment model framework

This study examined the utility of the investment model in understanding the experience and expression of emotion in young adult friendships (179 undergraduate students). The results provide support for the utility of the investment model components (i.e., satisfaction, investment, alternative quality, and commitment) in understanding (a) friends’ anger and guilt experiences and (b) the four types of anger expression examined (i.e., integrative assertion, passive aggression, distributive aggression, and non-assertive denial), but the model provided limited support for the four types of guilt expressions examined (i.e., apology–concession, explanations–justification, guilt appeasement, and denial–withdrawal). Support was found for the investment model’s claim that commitment serves a mediating role between the other model components (i.e., satisfaction, investment, and alternative quality) and other relational components.
Optical Properties of InGaN/GaN Quantum Wells with Si Doped Barriers

Optical properties of InGaN/GaN multi-quantum wells with Si doped barriers are studied using cw and time resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectroscopy. The room temperature carrier lifetime depends strongly on the Si doping level in the quantum well barriers, decreasing from 10 ns to 1 ns as the doping level is increased from unintentionally doped to 5×1018 cm-3 (Si:GaN). The shift between the absorption edge and emission peak decreases from 220 meV to 110 meV as the doping is increased. Temperature dependent photoluminescence measurements indicate a higher density of non-radiative centers in the undoped structures.
Is There a Clash of Civilizations? Evidence from Patterns of International Conflict Involvement, 1946-97

This article offers an empirical test of Huntington's thesis in The Clash of Civilizations. Huntington argues that states belonging to different civilizations will have a higher propensity to be involved in international conflict. This effect should be more prominent in the post-Cold War period. The civilization factor should also interact with membership in different Cold War blocs, border contiguity, regime type, and levels of modernization, magnifying or depressing the basic effects of these variables. To test these hypotheses, a logit specification with King and Zeng's solution for rareness of events is used on the Kosimo data. The Kosimo data allow for an extension of the empirical analysis from both a temporal and a substantive point of view. This study shows that state interactions across the civilizational divide are not more conflict prone. The first eight years of the post-Cold War era also fail to give support to Huntington's thesis. Moreover, while the civilization factor modifies the effects of border contiguity and regime type, this is not sufficient to generate conditions under which differences in civilizational heritage are associated with greater risks of conflict.
Telecommunications for development — an addendum

Abstract Further comments on the debate concerning the use of telecommunications for development, in response to John H. Clippinger's article ‘Can communications development benefit the Third World?’
Inside the Cult: Religious Innovation and Transmission In Papua New Guinea

Inside the Cult: Religious Innovation and Transmission In Papua New Guinea. Harvey Whitehouse. New York. Oxford University Press, 1995. xiv. 234 pp., figures, maps, tables, bibliography, glossary, index.
Osteoporosis and mandibular bone resorption in the Sprague Dawley rat.

Mandibular bone resorption in normal and osteoporotic rats was measured using standard scintillation techniques for tritiated tetracycline (H3-TC). Thirty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were labeled with H3-TC at 4–9 weeks of age. Ten animals were then sacrificed for baseline radioactivity levels, while 12 experimental animals were given a high protein, low calcium diet, and 12 control animals were given a normal calcium diet. Osteoporotic and normal diets were instituted for 90 days. The results show a significant reduction in the quantity of bone in the experimental group (P<.05) as compared to the control group. In addition, serum samples collected were found to contain significantly elevated (P<.01) alkaline phosphatase level in the experimental group when compared to the control group.
Computer Attitudes and Literacy Assessment: Are Tomorrow's Business Teachers Prepared?

Abstract This study assessed the computer attitudes and computer literacy levels of future business teachers. Data were collected from 83 (approximately 92%) of the prospective business teachers enrolled in a teaching methods course at Missouri's public 4-year universities or colleges during the Spring 1990 semester. The Computer Attitude Scale (CAS) was used to assess subjects' levels of computer anxiety and computer liking, attitudes toward the use of computers in education, and attitudes toward computers as a tool for teachers. The Standardized Test of Computer Literacy (STCL) was used to assess subjects' levels of computer literacy in terms of two variables, computer systems and computer applications. Subjects' computer attitudes were found to be positive. All attitude means were at least 80% of the maximum possible scores. Subjects' computer literacy mean scores, however, were only slightly more than 50% of the maximum possible scores. Recommendations for business teacher education programs are inclu...
Light scattering and light transmittance in intraocular lenses explanted because of optic opacification

Purpose To assess light scattering and light transmittance in intraocular lenses (IOLs) explanted because of optic opacification. Setting John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Design Experimental study. Methods Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) IOLs with snowflake degeneration, hydrophilic acrylic IOLs with different calcification patterns, and 1 calcified silicone IOL explanted from an eye with asteroid hyalosis were studied with gross and light microscopy. Light scattering was measured with an EAS-1000 Scheimpflug camera. Light transmittance was measured with a Lambda 35 UV/Vis spectrophotometer (single-beam configuration with RSA-PE-20 integrating sphere). Analyses were performed at room temperature in the hydrated state and compared with controls. Results The study evaluated 8 PMMA IOLs, 22 hydrophilic acrylic IOLs, and 1 silicone IOL. Light scattering was as follows: 208 to 223 computer-compatible tapes (CCTs) for PMMA IOLs with snowflake degeneration (control = 9 CCTs); 90 to 227 CCTs for calcified hydrophilic acrylic IOLs (controls = 12 to 23 CCTs); 223 CCTs for the calcified silicone IOL (control = 5 CCTs). The mean light transmittance in the visible light spectrum was 81.08% to 97.10% for PMMA IOLs (control = 98.80%); 78.94% to 97.32% for hydrophilic acrylic IOLs (controls = 97.32% to 98.66%); 94.68% for the silicone IOL (control = 97.74%). Conclusion Intraocular lens opacification led to very high levels of light scattering and a potential for decreased light transmittance, which play a role in the development of symptoms such as glare and halos, decreased contrast sensitivity, and eventually decreased visual acuity. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Assisted take-off [My First Job]

I was lucky to be hired straight out of high school by one of the U.S. Air Force's "superlabs," the then-named Rome Air Development Center (RADC) on Griffiss Air Force Base in upstate New York. I was hired as an electronics engineering trainee in the summer of 1984, starting the morning after my high school graduation. RADC (which became Rome Laboratory and is now part of the Air Force Research Laboratory), performed basic research and development in communications, radar, intelligence, and command and control.
On relations between prediction error covariance of univariate and multivariate processes

By using results pertaining to prediction of univariate stationary processes we express Σ, the one-step ahead prediction error covariance matrix of a multivariate procces in terms of its spectral density matrix ƒx. This sheds some light on a problem of Wiener and Masani (1957). Alternatively, by relying on results from interpolation of multivariate processes, we obtain closed-form and applicable formulae for the interpolators and their errors for a stretch of missing values of univariate processes.
Identification of Francisella tularensis genes encoding exported membrane-associated proteins using TnphoA mutagenesis of a genomic library.

Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, is a highly infectious pathogen of humans and animals, yet little is known about the surface proteins of this organism that mediate mechanisms of pathogenicity. lTnphoA was used to generate random alkaline phosphatase gene fusions in a F. tularensis subsp. tularensis (strain Schu S4) genomic library to identify genes encoding exported extracytoplasmic proteins. Eleven genes encoding membrane-associated proteins were identified by this method and their respective signal peptides were characterized. Three of the genes encoded conserved ‘housekeeping’ enzymes, while the other eight genes were unique to F. tularensis, encoding proteins with molecular masses ranging from 11 to 78 kDa as deduced from the amino acid sequences. Two genes putatively encoded lipoproteins based on the presence of characteristic signal peptidase II cleavage sites. Four selected proteins were found associated with outer membranes from Schu S4 and LVS strains by Western blotting. Indirect immunofluorescence of strain Schu S4 cells also showed evidence of protein localization to the outer membrane. Protein database searches produced significant alignments with proteins from other bacteria involved in carbohydrate transport, lipid metabolism, and cell envelope biogenesis, thereby providing clues for putative functions. These findings demonstrated that TnphoA mutagenesis can be used in conjunction with F. tularensis genome sequence data to provide a foundation for studies to identify and define cellular surface protein virulence factors of this pathogen. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Perplexities of treatment resistence in eating disorders

Treatment resistance is an omnipresent frustration in eating disorders. Attempts to identify the features of this resistance and subsequently develop novel treatments have had modest effects. This selective review examines treatment resistant features expressed in core eating disorder psychopathology, comorbidities and biological features. Novel treatments addressing resistance are discussed. The core eating disorder psychopathology of anorexia nervosa becomes a coping mechanism likely via vulnerable neurobiological features and conditioned learning to deal with life events. Thus it is reinforcing and ego syntonic resulting in resistance to treatment. The severity of core features such as preoccupations with body image, weight, eating and exercising predicts greater resistance to treatment. Bulimia nervosa patients are less resistant to treatment with treatment failure related to greater body image concerns, impulsivity, depression, severe diet restriction and poor social adjustment. For those with binge eating disorder overweight in childhood and high emotional eating predicts treatment resistance. There is suggestive data that a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder and severe perfectionism may confer treatment resistance in anorexia nervosa and substance use disorders or personality disorders with impulse control problems may produce resistance to treatment in bulimia nervosa. Traits such as perfectionism, cognitive inflexibility and negative affect with likely genetic influences may also affect treatment resistance. Pharmacotherapy and novel therapies have been developed to address treatment resistance. Atypical antipsychotic drugs have shown some effect in treatment resistant anorexia nervosa and topiramate and high doses of SSRIs are helpful for treatment of resistant binge eating disorder patients. There are insufficient randomized controlled trials to evaluate the novel psychotherapies which are primarily based on the core psychopathological features of the eating disorders. Treatment resistance in eating disorders is usually predicted by the severity of the core eating disorder psychopathology which develops from an interaction between environmental risk factors with genetic traits and a vulnerable neurobiology. Future investigations of the biological features and neurocircuitry of the core eating disorders psychopathology and behaviors may provide information for more successful treatment interventions.
Nanostructure Processing of Hydroxyapatite-based Bioceramics

Nanostructure processing was applied to derive hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite-zirconia bioceramics with ultrafine microstructures and significantly improved mechanical properties for orthopedic and dental implant applications. Despite its attractive bioactivity, hydroxyapatite (HAP) has been limited in applications due to the poor processability and mechanical strength of the conventional material. Through nanostructure processing, high-strength HAP has been obtained by pressure-assisted sintering. To further toughen the HAP matrix, nanocrystalline yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) dispersoids have been introduced during HAP precipitation. The nanostructured HAP and HAP−YSZ composites demonstrated excellent chemical and microstructural uniformity and mechanical properties, compared to conventional coarse-grained systems.
Indian Ocean Rossby waves detected in HYCOM sea surface salinity

[1] Rossby waves have been well identified in satellite derived sea surface height (SSH), sea surface temperature (SST) and ocean color observations. Studies of Rossby waves have yet to include sea surface salinity (SSS) as a parameter, largely because presently available in situ measurements of salinity lack sufficient spatial and temporal coverage, and as of now no methods are available for measuring salinity from a satellite. In this paper, we demonstrate that Rossby waves can be observed in SSS in the Indian Ocean by using simulations of the 1/12° global Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). HYCOM results compared favorably to SSS data provided by Argo floats and the World Ocean Atlas 2005 (WOA05) in selected grid boxes in the Indian Ocean. Hovmoller diagrams of HYCOM SSS anomalies and gradient show the distinct westward propagating signature of Rossby waves, with a steeper slope in longitude/time plots further from the equator. The propagation speeds, calculated from a 2D Radon Transform are comparable with new theoretical speeds for Rossby waves. Annual westward propagating signals in the SSS simulations at most of the latitudes in the Indian Ocean coincide with previous studies. We hope that future studies of Rossby waves in SSS using model results and eventually satellite measurements of salinity data will allow a better understanding of Rossby wave dynamics.
Inhibition of PC-3 human prostate cancers by analogs of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH) endowed with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) antagonistic activity.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) stimulates the proliferation and invasiveness of malignant prostatic cells. Receptors for VIP and the closely related growth hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH) show considerable homology and are found in prostatic and other carcinomas. Among various analogs of GH-RH synthesized, JV-1-52 is a non-selective VIP/GH-RH antagonist, whereas JV-1-53 is a VIP antagonist devoid of GH-RH antagonistic effect. In our study, nude mice bearing PC-3 human androgen-independent prostate carcinomas were treated with JV-1-52 or JV-1-53 (20 μg/day, s.c.) for 28 days. Both antagonists produced a similar reduction in tumor volume (62–67%, p < 0.01) and tumor weight (59–62%; p < 0.05) vs. controls and extended tumor doubling-time from 9.1 to about 16 days (p < 0.05). To investigate the mechanisms involved, in another study we compared the effects of JV-1-53 with those of somatostatin analog RC-160. VIP antagonist JV-1-53 reduced tumor weight by 67% (p < 0.01) and suppressed the expression of mRNA for c-fos and c-jun oncogenes by about 34% (p < 0.05), without affecting serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). In contrast, RC-160 (50 μg/day) reduced serum IGF-I by 19% (p < 0.05), but did not significantly decrease tumor weight. mRNA for VIP and high affinity receptors for VIP were detected on PC-3 tumors. Our results suggest that VIP/GH-RH antagonists can inhibit the growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer by abrogating the autocrine/paracrine mitogenic stimuli of VIP. The ability of GH-RH antagonists to block tumoral VIP receptors, in addition to GH-RH receptors, could be potentially beneficial for prostate cancer therapy. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Interaction of organic compounds with calcium carbonate—I. Association phenomena and geochemical implications

Stearic acid and albumin dissolved in distilled water, as well as lipoid and amino acid-containing substances dissolved in seawater, interact with carbonate mineral surfaces. In seawater, these compounds represent 14 per cent of the total dissolved organic carbon which is removed from solution by adsorption processes onto carbonate minerals. The mineral surfaces are saturated with organic carbon after adsorbing 0.1 mg–1.5 mg C/m2, which is the amount of organic matter needed to form a monomolecular layer. Calcite selectively adsorbs 30–75 per cent of the initial concentrations of lipoid material, phospholipids, and amino acid-containing substances. Organo-carbonate associations in seawater appear to reduce reaction rates of inorganic carbonate equilibria and may inhibit reaction entirely if isolation of the mineral by organo-carbonate associations is complete.
Fractal immunology and immune patterning: Potential tools for immune protection and optimization

Fractals are self-similar geometric patterns that are inherently embedded throughout nature. Their discovery and application have produced significant benefits across a wide variety of biomedical applications. Recently, complex physiological systems (e.g., neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular) have been shown to exhibit fractal dimensions that are capable of distinguishing among physiologic function versus dysfunction and, in turn, health versus disease. Additionally, fractal data suggest that the immune system operates under similar patterned relationships, and this is in keeping with the recent findings that immune-based diseases are organized according to specific patterns. This review considers the potential benefits of using fractal analysis along with considerations of nonlinearity, scaling, and chaos as calibration tools to obtain holistic information on immune–environment interactions. The potential uses of both synthetic and artificial immune systems for improved protection of the biological...
Genetic Variation and Association Mapping of Protein Concentration in Brown Rice Using a Diverse Rice Germplasm Collection

ABSTRACT Protein is the second most abundant constituent in the rice grain next to starch. Association analysis for protein concentration in brown rice was performed using a “mini-core” collection, which represents the germplasm diversity found in the USDA rice world collection. Protein concentration was determined in replicated trials conducted in two southern U.S. locations, and association mapping was performed by using 157 genomewide DNA markers. Protein concentration ranged from 5.4 to 11.9% among the 202 accessions. Protein variation owing to accession and accession × location interaction were highly significant. Ample variation was seen within each subpopulation by ancestry, as well as within the 14 geographic regions where the accessions originated. Accessions from Eastern Europe had the highest level of protein. Ten markers on eight chromosomes were significantly associated with protein concentration. Five of these markers occurred near known protein precursor genes or quantitative trait loci, an...
Modeling the sorption of hydrophobic contaminants by aquifer materials. II: Column reactor systems

This is the second of a two-part series describing laboratory investigations and mathematical modeling of the sorption of hydrophobic solutes by aquifer materials. An evaluation is made of several rate and equilibrium models for description of solute sorption as a rational basis for predicting sorption processes in groundwater systems. The first paper presents and compares sorption in completely mixed batch-reactor systems while this paper addresses column-reactor systems. The results show that accurate representation of the sorption process can be obtained with either a dual-resistancc diffusion model or an equilibrium/first-order sorption rate model. Changes in velocity of the fluid phase affect the magnitude of fitted model parameters, but changes in concentration have negligible influence on these parameters.