cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Postlogarithmic phase metabolism of sporulating microorganisms: III. Breakdown of arginine to glutamic acid

Abstract During growth of Bacillus licheniformis , the biosynthesis of arginine proceeds from glutamic acid via ornithine and other intermediates typical of prokaryotic systems. In contrast, when the growth of this microorganism ceases and cells initiate sporulation, arginine is no longer synthesized from glutamic acid, but is degraded. An arginase is induced, converting arginine to ornithine. Part of the ornithine is then used in the biosynthesis of the peptide antibiotic, bactracin. The remainder is oxidized to glutamic acid, part of which is subsequently converted to CO 2 . The activities of the two enzymes responsible for the conversion of ornithine to glutamic acid, ornithine Δ-transaminase and Δ 1 pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase, are increased at least 10-fold in extracts of sporulating cells when compared with extracts from vegetative cells.
Validating the microsoft hypervisor

Efforts to validate the Microsoft Hypervisor – a low-level program that partitions a real MP machine into a a number of virtual MP pachines – has led to some interesting formal methods developments. We'll survey some of these, including – new algorithms for “optimal” stateless search and symbolic stateless search; – techniques to make stateless search practical for shared memory programs, including efficient shared memory instrumentation and optimal trace replay using breakpoints; – new techniques for model-based test generation, including the use of symbolic execution to eliminate redundancy and methods to handle invisible internal nondeterminism; – formal models of the x86/x64 TLB and cache systems; – verification of algorithms for efficient MP TLB virtualization, which has uncovered subtle design bugs; – formal analyses of memory sharing between mutually distrustful partitions, which has revealed some surprising cache attacks; – techniques for eliminating inductive constructs in first-order verification; – techniques for specifying and reasoning about C code.
PHOTOPRODUCTION OF phi MESONS FROM CARBON AT 1800 MeV.

We have measured the cross section for photoproduction of $\ensuremath{\phi}$ mesons at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} by 1800-MeV photons. Approximately 165 $\ensuremath{\phi}'\mathrm{s}$ were observed, yielding a cross section $\frac{d\ensuremath{\sigma}}{\mathrm{dt}}=(0.75\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.17)$ \ensuremath{\mu}b/Ge${\mathrm{V}}^{2}$/nucleon for $|t|=0.175$ Ge${\mathrm{V}}^{2}$. This value is consistent with a "vector-dominance" prediction using ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{0}$ photoproduction data, SU(3) coupling constants, and a quark-model prediction for the $\ensuremath{\rho}$- and $\ensuremath{\phi}$-nucleon cross sections.
Polymicrobial Diseases of Animals and Humans

Polymicrobial diseases in animals and humans are induced by polyviral infections, polybacterial infections, polymicrobial infections involving viruses and bacteria, polymicrobial infections involving fungi and parasites, and polymicrobial infections as a result of microbe-induced immunosuppression. They are serious diseases whose etiologic agents are sometimes difficult to diagnose and treat. Five common mechanisms of disease pathogenesis exist. First, physical, physiologic, or metabolic abnormalities and stress predispose the host to polymicrobial disease. Second, one organism induces changes in the mucosa that may favor the colonization of others. Third, microorganisms or their products trigger proinflammatory cytokines to increase the severity of disease, reactivate latent infections, or favor the colonization of other microorganisms. Fourth, organisms may share determinants among each other, which give them the ability to damage tissue. Finally, one organism can alter the immune system, which allows the colonization of the host by other microorganisms. Many areas of study in polymicrobial diseases are in their infancy, and the author hopes that this chapter will stimulate interest and work in this evolving field.
Nitrosative stress induces DNA strand breaks but not caspase mediated apoptosis in a lung cancer cell line

Key steps crucial to the process of tumor progression are genomic instability and escape from apoptosis. Nitric oxide and its interrelated reactive intermediates (collectively denoted as NOX) have been implicated in DNA damage and mutational events leading to cancer development, while also being implicated in the inhibition of apoptosis through S-nitrosation of key apoptotic enzymes. The purpose of this study was to explore the interrelationship between NOX-mediated DNA strand breaks (DSBs) and apoptosis in cultured tumor cell lines.
Quasi-ML hop period estimation from incomplete data

Given a noisy sequence of (possibly shifted) integer multiples of a certain period, it is often of interest to estimate the period (and offset). With known integer regressors, the problem is classical linear regression. In many applications, however, the actual regressors are unknown; only categorical information (i.e., the regressors are integers) and, perhaps, loose bounds are available. Examples include hop timing estimation, pulse repetition interval (PRI) analysis, and passive rotating-beam radio scanning. With unknown regressors, this seemingly simple problem exhibits many surprising twists. Even for small sample sizes, a proposed quasi-maximum likelihood approach essentially meets the clairvoyant CRB at moderately high SNR - the latter assumes knowledge of the unknown regressors. This is quite unusual, and it holds despite the fact that our algorithm ignores noise color. We outline analogies and differences between our problem and classical linear regression and harmonic retrieval, and corroborate our findings with careful simulations.
Human Carboxyhemoglobin at 2.2 Å Resolution: Structure and Solvent Comparisons of R-State, R2-State and T-State Hemoglobins

The three-dimensional structure and associated solvent of human carboxyhemoglobin at 2.2 A resolution are compared with other R-state and T-state human hemoglobin structures. The crystal form is isomorphous with that of the 2.7 A structure of carboxyhemoglobin reported earlier [Baldwin (1980). J. Mol. Biol. 136, 103-128], whose coordinates were used as a starting model, and with the 2.2 A structure described in an earlier report [Derewenda et al. (1990). J. Mol. Biol. 211, 515-519]. During the course of the refinement, a natural mutation of the alpha-subunit, A53S, was discovered that forms a new crystal contact through a bridging water molecule. The protein structure shows a significant difference between the alpha and beta heme geometries, with Fe-C-O angles of 125 and 162 degrees, respectively. The carboxyhemoglobin is compared with other fully ligated R-state human hemoglobins [Baldwin (1980). J. Mol. Biol. 136, 103-128; Shaanan (1983). J. Mol. Biol. 195, 419-422] with the R2-state hemoglobin [Silva et al. (1992). J. Biol. Chem. 267, 17248-17256] and with T-state deoxyhemoglobin [Fronticelli et al. (1994). J. Biol. Chem. 269, 23965-23969]. The structure is similar to the earlier reported R-state structures, but there are differences in many side-chain conformations, the associated water structure and the presence and the position of a phosphate ion. The quaternary changes between the R-state carboxyhemoglobin and the R2-state and T-state structures are in general consistent with those reported in the earlier structures. The location of 238 water molecules and a phosphate ion in the carboxyhemoglobin structure allows the first comparison of the solvent structures of the R-state and T-state structures. Distinctive hydration patterns for each of the quaternary structures are observed, but a number of conserved water molecule binding sites are found that are independent of the conformational state of the protein.
Sporadic apnea : paradoxical transformation to eupnea by perturbations that inhibit inspiration

We speculate that sporadic apneas may be initiated and terminated by stochastic neural perturbations arising within or impinging upon the respiratory oscillator. A curious situation can then arise in which tiny perturbations that inhibit inspiration, paradoxically stimulate breathing. The plausibility of the hypothesis is supported by numerical analysis of a noisy attractor-cycle oscillator, and in studies of a preterm sleeping infant with sporadic apnea; low-level vibratory stimulation transformed the irregular apneic rhythm to eupnea.
Complex hydrodynamics in heated and shocked conditions

Abstract In inertial confinement fusion double-shell designs, the inner shell experiences heating that can amplify non-uniformities and consequently enhance mixing, which degrades capsule performance. Recent OMEGA experiments study the time-dependent evolution of mix under heated and shocked conditions. In each experiment, a cylindrical Be tube was filled with a layered system of a BeCu disk and low-density CH foam. The BeCu disks were machined with a multi-mode perturbation representative of the target surface roughness present in ICF capsules. The targets were heated from one end using a hohlraum and subsequently shocked using direct-drive from the opposite end. X-ray radiography was used to quantitatively diagnose the transmission profiles of the disk/foam interface. We focus primarily on an assessment of the applicability of the radiation transport models available in the RAGE (Radiation Adaptive Grid Eulerian) hydrodynamics code. These include grey diffusion, several types of multi-group diffusion, and a new frequency-dependent source capability that addresses the NLTE nature of the laser energy deposition.
Person–Situation Interaction in Adaptive Emotional Functioning

Two studies applied a person–situation model to examine the effect of emotional affordances of situations. Participants rated their emotional functioning as more extensive in situations classified as being high in emotional affordance than those classified as low in emotional affordance. Participants who scored higher on the individual difference characteristic of emotional intelligence were more interested in entering high emotional affordance situations than were individuals lower in emotional intelligence, and participants who scored higher on emotional intelligence were rated by others as being more successful in high emotional affordance situations than individuals lower in emotional intelligence. These results provide preliminary evidence that the interaction between emotional intelligence and situations may influence emotional functioning.
Structural and electronic properties of nitrogen doped fourfold amorphous carbon

Abstract We use first principles methods to investigate the effects of nitrogen incorporation in fourfold amorphous carbon. Nitrogen concentrations between 1.5% and 10% are examined and the dopant effects on coordination, band structure and vibrational modes are discussed. We find that nitrogen substitution leads to small relaxations, and that nitrogen atoms cluster in order to preserve a state free gap as seen in experiments.
Possible Influences of Volcanic Dust Veils or Changes in Solar Luminosity on Long-term Local Temperature Records

Abstract Two external forcing functions are examined in their relationship to temperature records at individual locations. Postulated changes in solar luminosity, deduced from sunspot structure, and the dust veil hypothesis are separately considered as possible linear forcings of surface temperature. Changes in solar luminosity appear to give a marginally better correlation with temperature records than the dust veil hypothesis, but each hypothesis alone only amounts for ∼2% of the year-to-year variance at individual locations on the average. The hypothesis of linear external forcing of temperature appears to be a better hypothesis for the continental interiors than for the oceans. Although both hypotheses have been used to successfully explain many of the observed features of variations in the average Northern Hemisphere surface temperatures, such knowledge does not greatly aid in the explanation of temperature variations on the local scale.
Effects of Chemisorption on the Surface Composition of Bimetallic Catalysts

Abstract We have investigated the effect of hydrogen chemisorption on the surface composition of bimetallic RhPt catalytic clusters using the bond order metal simulation model. The differences in adsorption energies of hydrogen on Rh and on Pt for one monolayer of hydrogen are obtained by scaling the values for single-hydrogen adsorption, predicted by non-self-consistent electron density functional theory, until the results for surface segregation data from nuclear magnetic resonance are reproduced. We find the best fit with energy differences of −8.19 and −12.75 kJ/mol for three- and fourfold fcc hollow sites, respectively, in excellent agreement with the recent calorimetric measurements of −6 kJ/mol for the average heat of adsorption. In the presence of hydrogen, our cluster surfaces are Rh-rich, especially for the fcc(100) faces, completely reversing the segregation of Pt to the surface of the bare cluster.
Boundaries of Schizoaffective Disorder: Revisiting Kraepelin

Importance Established nosology identifies schizoaffective disorder as a distinct category with boundaries separating it from mood disorders with psychosis and from schizophrenia. Alternative models argue for a single boundary distinguishing mood disorders with psychosis from schizophrenia (kraepelinian dichotomy) or a continuous spectrum from affective to nonaffective psychosis. Objective To identify natural boundaries within psychotic disorders by evaluating associations between symptom course and long-term outcome. Design, Setting, and Participants The Suffolk County Mental Health Project cohort consists of first-admission patients with psychosis recruited from all inpatient units of Suffolk County, New York (72% response rate). In an inception cohort design, participants were monitored closely for 4 years after admission, and their symptom course was charted for 526 individuals; 10-year outcome was obtained for 413. Main Outcomes and Measures Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and other consensus ratings of study psychiatrists. Results We used nonlinear modeling (locally weighted scatterplot smoothing and spline regression) to examine links between 4-year symptom variables (ratio of nonaffective psychosis to mood disturbance, duration of mania/hypomania, depression, and psychosis) and 10-year outcomes. Nonaffective psychosis ratio exhibited a sharp discontinuity—10 days or more of psychosis outside mood episodes predicted an 11-point decrement in GAF—consistent with the kraepelinian dichotomy. Duration of mania/hypomania showed 2 discontinuities demarcating 3 groups: mania absent, episodic mania, and chronic mania (manic/hypomanic >1 year). The episodic group had a better outcome compared with the mania absent and chronic mania groups (12-point and 8-point difference on GAF). Duration of depression and psychosis had linear associations with worse outcome. Conclusions and Relevance Our data support the kraepelinian dichotomy, although the study requires replication. A boundary between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia was not observed, which casts further doubt on schizoaffective diagnosis. Co-occurring schizophrenia and mood disorder may be better coded as separate diagnoses, an approach that could simplify diagnosis, improve its reliability, and align it with the natural taxonomy.
Acute Myocardial Infarction Length of Stay and Hospital Mortality Are Not Associated with Language Preference

BACKGROUND Language barriers between patients and providers may influence the process and quality of care.
Bloch mode analysis of transmission through periodic slit arrays in finite thickness metallic slabs

Abstract . The Bloch modes of a periodic slit array in a metallic slab are identified, then used to investigate the transmission of light through sub-wavelength slits residi ng in a finite-thickness slab. Specifically, the Bloch mode method is used here to study Fabry-Perot-like resonances within individual slits, in conjunction with the onset of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) resonances and in the vicinity of the Wood anomalies. Although the results largely agree with our earlier numerical simulations obtained with the Finite-Difference-Time-Domain (FDTD) method, there are indications that the FDTD method has difficulty with convergence at an d around resonances; the points of agreement and disagreement between the two methods are discussed in the present paper. When the period p of the slit array is comparable to (or somewhat below) the incident wavelength o , the Bloch mode method requires only the 10-20 lowe st-order modes of the slit array to achieve stable solutions; we find the Bloch mode method to be an effective tool fo r studying dielectric-filled apertures in highly conductive hosts.
Observing single nanoparticle collisions at an ultramicroelectrode by electrocatalytic amplification.

The collisions of single platinum nanoparticles at an ultramicroelectrode were observed electrochemically by their characteristic current−time transients for a particle-catalyzed reaction. A single event is characterized by the current generated by an electrocatalyzed reaction of an indicator species (proton, hydrogen peroxide) present in solution. Since the indicator reaction does not occur at the selected ultramicroelectrode and can involve a high concentration of indicator species with a much larger diffusion coefficient than the nanoparticle, large amplification (10 orders of magnitude or more) in the current occurs. Every collision produces a unique current−time profile that can be correlated with the particle size, the particle residence time, and the nature of the particle interaction with the electrode surface. Applications to studying heterogeneous kinetics at single nanoparticles, determining particle size distributions, and as a very sensitive electroanalytical technique are suggested.
4f photoemission from Ce clusters and disordered reaction products at Ce/Si and Ce/GaAs interfaces

Synchrotron radiation photoemission has been used to study the 4f emission from 4f electrons in Ce clusters and disordered reaction products at Ce/GaAs(110) and Ce/Si(111) interfaces. For low Ce coverages on GaAs(110), the reacted interface forms Ce-As local configurations with two 4f-derived features similar to those of bulk CeAs. The shallower 4f peak is located \ensuremath{\sim}1 eV below ${E}_{F}$, indicating that it is not due to fully relaxed 4f holes, consistent with the As p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}Ce 4f charge-transfer screening mechanism. For the Ce/Si interface, small Ce clusters formed at low coverage have only a single 4f peak at -3.3 eV, with no evidence of a second peak nearer ${E}_{F}$. This is attributed to the reduced number of neighboring Ce 5d orbitals for the clusters, apparent stability of the \ensuremath{\gamma} phase relative to the \ensuremath{\alpha} phase (in the ground state), and reducted 5d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}4f charge-transfer screening probability in the photoemission final state. At high coverages, Ce overlayers cover the reacted interfaces, but our results show that the 4f emission near ${E}_{F}$ is not established until \ensuremath{\theta}\ensuremath{\simeq}20 monolayers, suggesting that the 4f-5d hybridization in metallic Ce is long ranged compared with the short-range Ce-4f/As-p hybridization.
The real estate industry and the politics of zoning in San Francisco, 1914–1928

The real estate industry in most large American cities was both for and against the establishment of zoning laws to regulate the use of property and the height and bulk of buildings. One faction of large developers generally favoured zoning laws. Big residential subdividers, the ‘community builders’, wanted public restrictions to control land uses surrounding their high‐income subdivisions. Large commercial developers also supported use‐zoning, but frequently opposed height limitations. Many smaller property interests, ‘curbstoners’, did not favour zoning at first, but once established, set about to manipulate the process to promote speculation as well as more intensive development. Most of the elite bankers, builders and brokers were hostile to urban ‘machine’ politicians and fought to keep the administration of zoning out of their hands. All of these tendencies are well illustrated in San Francisco between 1914 and 1928.
Mariner 9 Ultraviolet Spectrometer Experiment: Morning Terminator Observations of Mars

Mariner 9 ultraviolet morning terminator data indicate the presence of a high, optically thin scattering layer in the equatorial region of Mars extending to 50S. This is consistent with the afternoon terminator results, which showed the presence of a scattering layer for latitudes as far north as 50N. For both types of terminator observations, the magnitude of the reflectivity for large shadow heights and the apparent scale height of the signal are too large to be explained by a homogeneous atmosphere. The terminator observations poleward of 50S were modeled by a homogeneous atmosphere of molecular and particulate scatterers. As the lower atmosphere began to clear from the dust storm, a progressive change was noted in the magnitude of the terminator reflectivity which is attributed to a changing albedo for single scattering. The shape of the morning terminator reflectivity measured as a function of shadow height indicates larger apparent scale heights than were observed in the afternoon. The difference is attributed to an increase in thickness of the scattering layer during the night.
PbSe nanocrystal growth as nanocubes and nanorods on peptide nanotubes via different directed-assembly pathways

Pb-binding TAR-1 peptides (Ile-Ser-Leu-Leu-His-Ser-Thr) were covalently conjugated on a bolaamphiphile peptide nanotube substrate and the precursors of PbSe were incubated at room temperature. This resulted in the growth of highly crystalline PbSe nanocubes on this biomimetic cylindrical substrate. The growth mechanism to generate nanocubes occurs via the directed self-assembly of nanoparticles and then nanoparticle fusion. The peptide conformation and the cylindrical peptide nanotube substrate play important roles in the mesoscopic crystallization of PbSe nanocubes. Changing the buffer for the peptide immobilization process from 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid to phosphate induces a transformation in the nanocrystal shape from nanocube to nanorods. The conformational change of the TAR-1 peptide on the nanotubes due to the change in the buffer seems to be responsible for aggregating intermediate nanoparticles in different directions for the directed fusion and mesoscopic crystallization of PbSe into the different shapes.
Moving for care: findings from the US HIV cost and services utilization Study

This paper examines sociodemographic and HIV-related factors associated with moving post-HIV diagnosis for non-care- and care-related reasons (versus never moving post-HIV diagnosis). Distinctions are made between those who move for informal care only, formal care only, or informal and formal care. Data come from the nationally representative US HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (N=2,864). Overall, 31.8% moved at least once post-HIV diagnosis and 16.3% moved most recently for care. Among those who moved for care, 32.6% moved for informal care only, 26.8% for formal care only, and 40.6% moved for both. Post-HIV diagnosis moves for reasons unrelated to care were less likely among African Americans and older persons, and more likely among those with longer durations positive. Moves for care were less likely among African Americans, older persons, and persons with higher educational attainments, while they were more likely among those with an AIDS diagnosis and longer durations HIV-positive. Among those who moved for care, women and persons with higher incomes were less likely to move for formal or mixed care than informal care only. Given that moving for care may reflect disparities in access to care and unmet needs, additional analyses with more detailed data are warranted.
Symmetry of chloronium ions from ionic reaction of chlorine, chlorine monofluoride gas, and chlorine monofluoride complex with terminal alkenes

Abstract Ionic chlorination of 1H,1H,7H-perfluorohept-1-ene (2) and heptafluoropropyl trifluorovinyl ether (4) with chlorine monofluoride (ClF) gas in aprotic solvent; and alkenes 2, 1H-perfluorohept-1-ene (3E), and 4 with chlorine (Cl2) in protic solvent were investigated. Regiochemical data from SN2-like ring-opening of the intermediate was used to predict the symmetry of the chloronium ion. The chloronium ions from perfluorohydroalkene 2 with two terminal hydrogens were found to be unsymmetrical with positive charge localized on the terminal carbon. However, reaction of ClF(g) with 3E containing a single terminal fluorine atom gave data suggesting a symmetrical chloronium ion. Alkene 4 contains a heptafluoropropyl ether group that stabilizes positive charge on the number-2 carbon and it is reactive enough to give products with the sluggish ClF complex generated in situ. Reactive eletrophiles ClF(g), Cl2(g), or the less reactive ClF complex, give an unsymmetrical chloromium ion with charge localized on the internal number-2 carbon.
Stimulation of Testosterone Production in Vivo and in Vitro in the Male Rhesus Monkey Fetus in Late Gestation

To assess intrauterine fetal testicular function, the carotid or femoral vessels ofrhesus monkey fetuses, 129–145 days gestational age were catheterized following hysterotomy of the mother. The fetus was returned to the uterus, the catheters were exteriorized throughthe mother×s vagina and the pregnancy was allowed to continue. In this chronic preparation, basal levels of testosterone (measured with an RIA with 65% crossreactivity with 5a-dihydrotestosterone) in male fetal serum were 0.85 ± 0.29 (SD) ng×ml. Administrationof a 10 or 100 IU intra-arterial bolus of hCG into the fetal circulation stimulated an increase in fetal serum testosterone levels of 70 and 630%, respectively. Other fetuses were challenged with bolus infusions of 10 and 50 µg of synthetic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). The lower dose caused an increase in serum testosterone concentrations in only one of four fetuses, while thehigher dose resulted in a positive response in all three experiments performed. With this dose, the mean...
Dental trauma and antemortem tooth loss in prehistoric Canary Islanders: prevalence and contributing factors

Differential diagnosis of the aetiology of antemortem tooth loss (AMTL) may yield important insights regarding patterns of behaviour in prehistoric peoples. Variation in the consistency of food due to its toughness and to food preparation methods is a primary factor in AMTL, with dental wear or caries a significant precipitating factor. Nutritional deficiency diseases, dental ablation for aesthetic or ritual reasons, and traumatic injury may also contribute to the frequency of AMTL. Systematic observations of dental pathology were conducted on crania and mandibles at the Museo Arqueologico de Tenerife. Observations of AMTL revealed elevated frequencies and remarkable aspects of tooth crown evulsion. This report documents a 9.0% overall rate of AMTL among the ancient inhabitants of the island of Tenerife in the Canary Archipelago. Sex-specific tooth count rates of AMTL are 9.8% for males and 8.1% for females, and maxillary AMTL rates (10.2%) are higher than mandibular tooth loss rates (7.8%) Dental trauma makes a small but noticeable contribution to tooth loss among the Guanches, especially among males. In several cases of tooth crown evulsion, the dental root was retained in the alveolus, without periapical infection, and alveolar bone was in the initial stages of sequestering the dental root. In Tenerife, antemortem loss of maxillary anterior teeth is consistent with two potential causal factors: (a) accidental falls while traversing volcanic terrain; and (b) interpersonal combat, including traditional wrestling, stick-fighting and ritual combat. Steep-walled valleys (barrancos) and lava fields (malpais) required agile locomotion and occasional vaulting with the aid of a wooden staff. Accidental falls involving facial injury may have contributed to AMTL. Traditional conflict resolution involved competitive wrestling (lucha canaria), stick-fighting (juego del palo), and ritualised contests involving manual combat. These activities made a small but recognisable impact on anterior dental trauma and tooth loss. Inter-personal behaviours of such intensity leave their mark on skeletal and dental remains, thereby providing insight into the lives and cultural traditions of the ancient Guanches. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inbreeding and small population size reduce seed set in a threatened and fragmented plant species, Lupinus sulphureus ssp. kincaidii (Fabaceae)

Abstract Willamette Valley upland prairie in western Oregon, USA, has been reduced to less than 1% of its original historic range following European settlement in the 1850s. Lupinus sulphureus ssp. kincaidii (Kincaid's lupine), a threatened species and the primary larval host plant of the endangered Icaricia icarioides fenderi (Fender's blue butterfly), was historically a panmictic metapopulation. Habitat fragmentation may be causing many of the Kincaid's lupine colonies to display typical symptoms of inbreeding depression, such as low seed production. Hand outcrosses on bagged inflorescences significantly increased seed set and seed fitness compared to open pollination and within-colony pollen treatments. Natural seed set was positively correlated with an increase in the number of Kincaid's lupine patches, suggesting that population size limits seed set. An increase in fruit set was positively correlated with Kincaid's lupine raceme number, raceme density, and the number of lupine patches, demonstrating that floral display and population size increase pollinator service. Restoration of Kincaid's lupine populations should consider measures that lessen the effects of inbreeding depression, especially in small, isolated populations, for the long-term persistence of the species.
The relationship of postural sway to sensorimotor function, functional performance, and disability in the elderly

Abstract Objective: To examine the relationship of postural sway to sensorimotor impairment, functional performance, and self-reported disability. Design: Cross-sectional cohort. Setting: Department of Veterans' Affairs Medical Center. Patients: One hundred community-dwelling elderly unable to climb stairs step over step. Main Outcome Measures: Postural sway (area of ellipse and path length, eyes open and closed), sensorimotor (strength, sensation, range of motion, central processing time), functional performance (functional reach, timed gait, mobility skills, endurance), and disability (MOS-SF36, Falls Efficacy Scale [FES]). Results: Postural sway area measures correlated with sensorimotor measures: (1) During eyes-closed conditions, increased sway occurs in individuals with sensory deficits ( p p p p p Conclusions: Measures of postural sway are more likely capturing sensorimotor deficits rather than differentiating functional performance abilities, and the relationship between postural sway and self-reported disability is inconsistent.
Passive Smoke Exposure as a Risk Factor for Airway Complications during Outpatient Pediatric Procedures

Objective Determine if passive smoke exposure (PSE) increases airway complications during outpatient mask anesthesia procedures in children. Methods A prospective cohort of children who underwent surgical procedures under mask anesthesia was studied with the American Thoracic Society children’s questionnaire on environmental and respiratory factors. Double-blinded outcomes with respect to adverse airway events were recorded both intraoperatively and in the recovery room for patients with and without passive smoke exposure. Multivariate comparisons assessing the likelihood of these airway complications were conducted between the PSE and nonexposed groups. Results Of 405 children, 168 (41.5%) had PSE. The incidence of airway complications during anesthesia or postanesthetic recovery was higher for all outcome measures for PSE children (all P ≤ 0.005), except for recovery room breath holding ( P = 0.086). Intraoperative laryngospasm and airway obstruction were 4.9 and 2.8 times more likely with PSE, respectively. Conclusions PSE significantly increases the risk of anesthesia-related airway complications during outpatient pediatric procedures. EBM rating: A-1b
A comparison of data sources for motor vehicle crash characteristic accuracy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of police reports (PRs), ambulance reports (ARs), and emergency department records (EDRs) in describing motor vehicle crash (MVC) characteristics when compared with an investigation performed by an experienced crash investigator trained in impact biomechanics. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, observational study. Ninety-one patients transported by ambulance to a university emergency department (ED) directly from the scene of an MVC from August 1997 to April 1998 were enrolled. Potential patients were identified from the ED log and consent was obtained to investigate the crash vehicle. Data describing MVC characteristics were abstracted from the PR, AR, and medical record. Variables of interest included restraint use (RU), air bag deployment (AD), and type of impact (TI). Agreements between the variables and the independent crash investigation were compared using kappa. Interrater reliability was determined using kappa by comparing a random sample of 20 abstracted reports for each data source with the originally abstracted data. RESULTS: Agreement using kappa between the crash investigation and each data source was 0.588 (95% CI = 0.508 to 0.667) for the PR, 0.330 (95% CI = 0.252 to 0.407) for the AR, and 0.492 (95% CI = 0.413 to 0.572) for the EDR. Variable agreement was 0.239 (95% CI = 0.164 to 0.314) for RU, 0.350 (95% CI = 0.268 to 0.432) for AD, and 0.631 (95% = 0.563 to 0.698) for TI. Interrater reliability was excellent (kappa > 0.8) for all data sources. CONCLUSIONS: The strength of the agreement between the independent crash investigation and the data sources that were measured by kappa was fair to moderate, indicating inaccuracies. This presents ramifications for researchers and necessitates consideration of the validity and accuracy of crash characteristics contained in these data sources.
Domestic Demand for Petroleum in OPEC Countries

The literature on OPEC energy policy has focused primarily on its production and export potential. The rapidly increasing domestic demand for petroleum products in OPEC countries has often been ignored. This study estimates domestic demand for petroleum products by the major OPEC economies and forecasts consumption trends under alternative assumptions regarding economic growth and price deregulation. It concludes that product demand is generally price and income inelastic and thus domestic consumption in OPEC will continue to grow rapidly, even if domestic prices are raised closer to world levels in the near future.
Primary pulmonary meningioma

Primary pulmonary meningiomas are extremely rare. In this article we report one case with benign primary pulmonary meningioma. The literature is reviewed and the clinical manifestations, radiographic findings, and pathologic features are presented.
ICARUS: design and deployment of a case-based reasoning system for locomotive diagnostics

Abstract Locomotives, like many complex modern machines, are equipped with the capability to generate on-board fault messages indicating the presence of anomalous conditions. Such messages tend to be generated in large quantities, and are difficult and time consuming to interpret manually. This paper presents the design and development of a case-based reasoning system for diagnosing locomotive faults using such fault messages as input. The process of using historical repair data and expert input for case generation and validation is described. An algorithm for case matching is presented, along with some results on pilot data.
Development of the dimorphic anthers in Collomia grandiflora; evidence for heterochrony in the evolution of the cleistogamous anther

A modification characterizing all cleistogamous species is reduction in anther size of the CL (cleistogamous or closed) flower. In Collomia grandiflora the CL anther, in addition to being smaller, has only two locules; the CH (chasmogamous or open) flower anther has four locules. As a consequence, there is a modification in CL anther shape. From initially similar primordia, a divergence in histology between the two anther forms appears at archesporial cell differentiation when only two locules are established in the CL anther. The process of form divergence in the two anther types is examined in this study using histological, allometric, and 3-D computer graphic techniques. Allometric data from SEM images demonstrates the equivalence of primordial shapes at anther inception and divergence just prior to archesporial cell division, which signals the onset of sporogenous cell proliferation. Reconstructions of the anthers at archesporial cell division stage revealed differences in external and internal form and size, features unrelated to locule number. Fewer initial archesporial cells and a shorter duration of sporogenous cell proliferation in the CL anther correlates with a smaller anther with 1/10th the number of pollen grains at maturity. The CL anther shows less cell division activity from the time of archesporial cell division and no trace of the intercalary growth which appears during meiosis in the CH anther. The divergent CL anther size and form may be attributed to an earlier onset of abaxial locule differentiation in a smaller primordium which may itself preclude adaxial locule initiation. Heterochrony, or alteration in developmental timing, is proposed as the mode of evolution of the CL from the ancestral CH form.
Analysis of ABET accreditation as a software process

The ABET assessment process is highly complex and is emphasizes the use of assessment to improve programs. Since the process is complex, it has a considerable overhead. This paper will present some models for estimating the added overhead of such assessment. The models can be used to help determine if any other activities must be curtailed because of the increased overhead of assessment. The models suggest which categories of colleges and universities will be affected most adversely by the overhead of the ABET accreditation process.
Experience with percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) in the management of biliary tract disease.

Background: Biliary tract disorders often present significant management difficulties, particularly in patients who are poor surgical candidates. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) is an infrequently utilized alternative that might offer significant therapeutic benefit. We reviewed our experience with the use of this modality as a definitive therapy for biliary tract disorders. Methods: Patient records at the Atlanta VAMC and Emory University hospitals were reviewed. We identified 17 patients who had undergone 25 PTCS interventions between August 1994 and December 1998. The indications for PTCS included dilatation of biliary-enteric anastomoses in four patients, biliary stone removal (with or without lithotripsy) in eight patients, stricturoplasty in four patients, biopsy of suspected biliary neoplasms in seven patients, and removal of obstructing clot in one patient. Most procedures (n= 17) were performed through percutaneous transhepatic tracts (12–18 Fr) that were <1 week old. All tracts were dilated to operating size on the day of the procedure. All patients received periprocedural antibiotics. Results: The interventions were successful in seven of eight stone removals, four of five stricturoplasties, three of four anastomotic dilatations, seven of seven biopsies, and the single clot removal. The only complication involved one episode of hemobilia, requiring angio-embolization of a small branch of the right hepatic artery. Conclusions: PTCS is a safe, useful, and well-tolerated adjunct to the more common endoscopic and surgical techniques for managing complicated biliary tract disorders. Our experience suggests that PTCS can be performed early, without prolonged sequential dilatation of the percutaneous transhepatic tract, and may allow avoidance of operation in high-risk surgical candidates.
Psychological perspectives of sex and aging

Older patients have many assaults on their sexuality. Our culture often discourages sexual interest in older persons. Changes in sexual physiology and the effects of chronic illness and medications can further contribute to negative expectations and can impair sexual performance. The emotional and relational stresses of aging can lead to depression, thus further compounding sexual slowdown. Failure to appreciate psychological factors can result in inappropriate treatment by the physician and actually add to the patient's distress. This report considers the mind/body relationship in sexual performance and offers guidance to the physician in the diagnosis of physical and emotional factors affecting the older person's sexual life.
Liver transplant recipients weaned off immunosuppression lack circulating donor-specific antibodies

Abstract Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–specific antibodies (Abs) were examined in 73 clinically stable liver transplant recipients divided into group A ( n = 19; clinically tolerant), group B ( n = 34; undergoing weaning, on minimal immunosuppression), and group C ( n = 20; had failed drug withdrawal or weaning never attempted). Of 19 patients in group A, six (32%) had anti-HLA Abs; none were donor-specific. In contrast, 23 of 34 patients (67%) in group B and nine of 20 patients (45%) in group C exhibited anti-HLA Abs ( p = 0.02). Furthermore, 15 of 19 patients in groups B and C (9/12, p = 0.01 and 6/7, p = 0.01, respectively) exhibited donor-specific anti-HLA Abs. The prevalence of donor-specific HLA Abs was significantly higher in nontolerant patients. Five years after initial evaluation, >90% (18/19) group A patients remained off immunosuppression. One of seven of these patients available for retesting exhibited donor-specific Abs. In group B, two-fourths of 34 patients (12%) weaned successfully were HLA-Ab negative; four patients who experienced rejection while undergoing weaning exhibited anti-HLA Ab initially and at 5 years. Thus, most of the liver recipients off immunosuppression lacked donor-specific alloAbs. The occurrence of these alloAbs should now be examined prospectively in a drug weaning trial.
Revisiting the "problem from hell": Suicide terror in Afghanistan

A hallmark of the resurgence of antigovernment forces in Afghanistan was the mass introduction of suicide terrorist attacks. Between 2005 and 2006, the incidence of suicide bombings increased more than fivefold, marking a sea change in the Afghan conflict. Despite the initial jump in the volume of suicide attacks and the fear of more violence, the number of attacks actually flat-lined while the level of other attacks increased. This study will argue that it is the competency of the attackers employed in Afghanistan, not the politics, technology, or targeting, that best explains the static level of suicide attacks.
Occupational Licensing in a "Competitive" Labor Market: The Case of Cosmetology*

A straightforward model of supply and demand is developed to analyze the regulation of a “Competitive “ industry —cosmetology —with demand shifts representing an enhancement of “quality “ and supply shifts representing restricted entry. Reducedform models are established to estimate both price and quantity shifts, adjusted for the joint determination of cosmetological prices, quantities, and state regulations. Our results reveal a significant net decrease in quantity from the imposition of state occupational regulation in the cosmetology market. Rents to cosmetologists would be on the order of $1.7 billion per year with deadweight losses totaling an additional $111 million per annum under reasonable and conservative assumptions.
Improved Methodologies for Maneuver Design of Aircraft Stability and Control Simulations

With many modern fighter aircraft experiencing unpredicted flight dynamics during flight tests, recent research has focused on developing methodologies for incorporating computational fluid dynamics into the aircraft development process. The goal of this approach is to identify configurations susceptible to stability and control issues early in the design process. Previous research has primarily focused on full aircraft configurations, however, to increase the rate of development the current study focused on a two-dimensional NACA0012 airfoil. The two-dimensional NACA0012 airfoil has the advantage of reducing the computational cost by orders of magnitude compared to full scale aircraft simulations, while still providing complicated aerodynamics at high angles of attack. Computationally predicted lift coefficients from a number of newly developed training maneuvers were used to generate reduced order aerodynamic loads models. For evaluation, these models were compared to generated static and dynamic validation data. Methods of improving both the computational training maneuver and the reduced order modeling approach are suggested.
Sources of helicopter rotor hub inplane shears

Sources of helicopter rotor hub inplane shears are identified using simplified equations and the full aeroelastic analysis code, CAMRAD/JA (Johnson, 1988). Analytical results are obtained for an articulated rotor operating at moderate thrust and high airspeed. It is found that the blade chordwise inplane shear, which includes the aerodynamic component, the Coriolis contribution, and the inertial component, and the hub inplane shears are strongly dependent on the out-of-plane response. The sources of helicopter rotor hub inplane shears lie not only in the inplane response but depend on the flap and elastic flatwise responses/modes.
Measurement of the widths of microwave spectral lines

Abstract The design of a microwave spectrograph constructed for precise measurements of line widths is described. The effects of microwave power, frequency and amplitude of the source modulation, and klystron mode curvature on the apparent widths of the spectral lines are investigated and methods for correcting the change of the widths due to these factors are given. It is found that source modulation by square wave yields more accurate data than by sine wave. From the general theory of frequency modulation in microwave spectroscopy, formulas are derived for the increase of the width due to the source modulation. These equations agree well with experimental results and may be used to calculate the true widths from the apparent widths.
EUPHORBIOID INFLORESCENCES FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE CLAIBORNE FORMATION

Inflorescences from the Claiborne Formation of western Tennessee are remarkably similar to those of the tribe Hippomaneae, subfamily Euphorbioideae, of the Euphorbiaceae. The fossil inflorescences are spikes of bract-subtended cymules of at least three florets each. Florets are composed of at least three stamens. Palynological features of the fossils are also shared by the Hippomaneae. Fossil pollen is tricolporate, prolate (26.9 x 20.6 ,um; P/E = 1.3), with lalongate pores. Exine structure is tectate columellate with a perforate tectum. The exine is reticulate and the muri are conspicuously striate. These specimens represent the first fossil floral evidence of the Euphorbiaceae. It is surprising that inflorescences of the Hippomaneae so modern in aspect existed in the Middle Eocene, since the tribe is universally considered to be one of the most advanced in the family.
NRDA CASE STUDY: THE ARTHUR KILL OIL SPILL1

ABSTRACT The natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) methods used to estimate the damages from the Arthur Kill oil spill employed a transfer methodology. The base-case estimate for use damages was $46,000 and for non-use damages was $525,000.