cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contribution of bradykinin receptor dysfunction to abnormal coronary vasomotion in humans

Abstract OBJECTIVES The aim of our study was to investigate coronary vascular kinin receptor function in patients with atherosclerosis or its risk factors. BACKGROUND Although acetylcholine (ACH) is used as a probe for testing vascular function in vivo, endogenous bradykinin (BK) regulates resting and flow-mediated epicardial tone. METHODS In 53 patients with mild atherosclerosis or its risk factors and 9 control subjects, endothelium-dependent vasomotion was tested with intracoronary ACH (30 μg/min) and BK (62.5 ng/min and 4 μg/min), and endothelium-independent function with sodium nitroprusside. Metabolic vasodilation was assessed during cardiac pacing (n = 19). Correlation with serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels and the ACE insertion/deletion genotype was performed. RESULTS There was progressive impairment in ACH-mediated microvascular dilation with increasing numbers of risk factors (p = 0.025, analysis of variance). By contrast, BK- and sodium nitroprusside-mediated microvascular dilation was similar in all groups. Similarly, there was no correlation between epicardial coronary responses to ACH and BK; segments that constricted or dilated with ACH had similar dilator responses with BK. Bradykinin, but not ACH-mediated vasomotion, was depressed in epicardial segments that constricted with pacing. Finally, epicardial BK responses were depressed in patients with high ACE levels and in those with the ACE DD genotype. CONCLUSIONS Endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis appears to be receptor-specific, involving the muscarinic receptor with relative sparing of the kinin receptor pathways. Abnormal reactivity of epicardial coronary arteries during physiologic stress is better represented by BK and not by ACH responses. Bradykinin activity and, hence, physiologic coronary vasomotion appears to be influenced by serum ACE levels and the ACE insertion/deletion genotype.
Structural and functional characterization of a new recombinant histidine-tagged acyl coenzyme A binding protein (ACBP) from mouse

Abstract Acyl coenzyme A binding protein (ACBP) has been proposed to transport fatty acyl CoAs intracellularly, facilitating their metabolism. In this study, a new mouse recombinant ACBP was produced by insertion of a histidine (his) tag at the C-terminus to allow efficient purification by Ni-affinity chromatography. The his-tag was inserted at the C-terminus since ACBP is a small molecular size (10 kDa) protein whose structure and activity are sensitive to amino acid substitutions in the N-terminus. The his-tag had no or little effect on ACBP structure or ligand binding affinity and specificity. His-ACBP bound the naturally occurring fluorescent cis -parinaroyl-CoA with very high affinity ( K d = 2.15 nM), but exhibited no affinity for non-esterified cis -parinaric acid. To determine if the presence of the C-terminal his-tag altered ACBP interactions with other proteins, direct binding to hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF-4α), a nuclear receptor regulating transcription of genes involved in lipid metabolism, was examined. His-ACBP and HNF-4α were labeled with Cy5 and Cy3, respectively, and direct interaction was determined by a novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) binding assay. FRET analysis showed that his-ACBP directly interacted with HNF-4α (intermolecular distance of 73 A) at high affinity ( K d = 64–111 nM) similar to native ACBP. The his-tag also had no effect on ACBPs ability to interact with and stimulate microsomal enzymes utilizing or forming fatty acyl CoA. Thus, C-terminal his-tagged-ACBP maintained very similar structural and functional features of the untagged native protein and can be used in further in vitro experiments that require pure recombinant ACBP.
Does gender shape women's access to college programs in US state prisons?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to apply a feminist perspective to the crisis in prison higher education in the US by exploring whether gender shapes access to on‐site, non‐occupational college programs in state prisons differently for women than for men.Design/methodology/approach – The paper utilized a content analysis of official US state departments of correction websites and an email survey of state directors of education.Findings – Findings show that while both women and men had little access to on‐site, non‐occupational college programming in the 2005‐2006 academic year, women in state prison had slightly greater access than men.Research limitations/implications – Theoretical implications of the findings include the importance of focusing a gender lens on correctional education programming, as well as the importance of extending analysis beyond gender alone towards an analysis of the intersections of gender, race, and class inequalities on access to prison higher education.Practical implicat...
The development of conceptual and rote recall skills among school age children.

One hundred eighty children from Grades K, 5, and 9 performed a recall task within one of four instructional conditions: serial recall; standard free recall; labeling free recall; labeling cued recall. The task required that Ss view and recall items from three successively presented sets of categorized pieture stimuli. Controls were imposed upon the associatice relatedness of items within sets so as to minimize the occurrence of associative responding during recall. The clustering data showed that kindergarten and fifth grade children are able to use conceptual skills to effectively mediate recall, but fail to effect these skills on a spontaneous basis in free recall. The results were discussed in line with the hypothesis that young children fail to engage in planful cognitive activity in recall tasks.
An efficient solution for determining location and size of buffer stocks

Abstract An automated transfer line is a production system which is susceptible to failure and breakdowns. Any failure of one workstation usually disables the entire line resulting in the loss of production and decline in the system efficiency and reliability. To overcome this difficulty, the insertion of buffer stock( s) in the transfer line is proposed. This process requires a complete technical and economic analysis. In the literature, this analysis was conducted by analytical and traditional simulation methods. This paper utilizes the Monte Carlo simulation as the basis of analysis to a switch assembly transfer line. Extensive data were gathered to develop downtime distribution in hours, downtime probability distribution, and downtime cumulative probability distribution. These data were used to calculate the line efficiency and actual average production rate under the current operations. A complete analysis was performed to determine the optimum locations of buffer stocks. The introduction of two buff...
Suicidal ideation and attitudes toward suicide.

Although hopelessness and depression are known risk factors for suicide, most individuals who are hopeless or depressed never make a suicide attempt. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that college students’ (n = 230) attitudes toward suicide (the degree to which they see it as an acceptable option under some circumstances) would moderate the link between both hopelessness and depressive symptoms and their levels of suicidal ideation. This moderation hypothesis was supported, but only among men. Specifically, among men, levels of hopelessness and depressive symptoms were significantly related to suicidal ideation among only those with relatively positive attitudes toward suicide.
Theoretical considerations in formulating sociodental indicators

Abstract This paper explores the utility of sick role theory in the development of sociodental indicators. Parsons' sick role model and modifications to the theory by Freidson, Mechanic, Twaddle and Davis are presented within the context of literature reviews on contemporary sociodental and sociomedical indicators. The paper suggests that the social impact of oral conditions should be conceptualized in terms of disruptions in role functioning. Further, initial research should address the basic issue of how oral conditions relate to sick role behavior. Finally, sociodental indicators should be integrated with sociomedical measures to determine the relative impact of oral conditions within the framework of systemic chronic and acute conditions.
Coherent optical tomographic microscope

Abstract A new microscopic procedure for imaging three-dimensional semitransparent specimens with coherent fflu-mination is described. The procedure employs multiple "views" of the specimen, obtained by illuminationvia monochromatic plane waves having different directions of propagation, to generate a high quality imageof the three-dimensional complex index of refraction proffle of the specimen using the reconstruction algo-rithms of diffraction tomography (DT). The theory and hardware implementation of such a "tomographic"microscope are described and the concept is compared to conventional optical microscopy, confocal scan-ning microscopy, and to other tomographic based optical microscopic concepts that have been employed in the past. 1. Introduction Optical microscopy of three dimensional semitransparent objects is usually performed by first slicing thethick specimen into thin sections and then separately imaging the thin sections so as to obtain an overallimage of the three-dimensional internal structure of the object. Such a procedure suffers from a numberof drawbacks such as the difficulty of obtaining high quality thin sections that are truly representative ofthe internal structure of the object and the inapplicability of using such an approach on live, biologicalspecimens. The requirement that thick samples be sectioned prior to viewing in a conventional opticalmicroscope is due to the very poor image quality that results when viewing three dimensional objects withsuch instruments. This poor image quality is caused by the unavoidable high degree of spatial coherence
Evidence of strain-induced phase separation in isopropyl azodicarboxylate modified polybutadiene

Polybutadiene (BR) has been modified by reaction with isopropyl azodicarboxylate (IAD). The reaction is quite efficient -- resulting in a structure in which there are pendant hydrazoester groups dangling from the BR backbone. The cohesive strength and autohesion of BR are increased by the IAD modification. It is proposed that this polymer is capable of strain-induced phase separation -- a mechanism of self-reinforcement. Evidence for this is the appearance of a new strain-induced thermal transition in the DSC scan of this material.
Theoretical and observed travel times for New Zealand deep earthquakes

Abstract The hypothesis has been advanced elsewhere (Mooney, 1970), based upon observed frequencies in seismic arrivals, that a low-velocity low-Q region exists in the upper mantle beneath a portion of New Zealand, but is absent elsewhere in the country. The present paper examines theoretically whether this distinction should manifest itself in travel time anomalies. The predicted dependence of travel-time residuals upon focal depth (from 100 to 300 km) and upon epicentral distance (from 0° to 4°) is shown by graphs. The results are compared with observational data grouped into eight geographical regions. I conclude that (a) the general trend of the observed residuals vs distance is consistent with the theoretical predictions, both for stations which are underlain by the hypothesised low-velocity region and for those which are not, (b) the amplitude of the observed distance dependence is substantially greater than that predicted, showing that other factors such as lateral variations in velocity must be pr...
A device for the automatic regulation of backing pressure in vacuum systems

Abstract An addition to a conventional two-stage vacuum system is described which allows operation with the forepump off for extended periods of time, thus providing vibration-free conditions. A thermocouple gauge, ballast tank, and isolation valve are placed between the forepump and the diffusion pump, and circuitry provided to monitor the vacuum level, and turn the pump on or off as required. Details of the installation for an RCA EMU4 electron microscope are given.
The time course and durability of predictive inferences

Abstract The latency to pronounce a probe word has been used as an index of whether or not inferences about highly predictable events are drawn during reading. Using this index. Potts, Keenan, and Golding (1988, Journal of Memory and Language , 27, 399-415) failed to find evidence for predictive (forward) inferencing. Using the same index, we (1) replicated the Potts et al. finding, (2) found that the predictive condition produced significant priming in pronouncing the probe when the probe was presented immediately after the predictive sentence, (3) demonstrated an absence of such priming when the probe was delayed by an interval not filled with additional text input, and (4) found significant priming regardless of when the probe was presented when the sentence format increased processing difficulty. These results are taken as support for the view that predictive inferences are temporarily drawn and subsequently deactivated. With more difficult material, deactivation of predictive inferences may either be delayed or prevented. The mechanisms of such deactivation are discussed in light of the results.
Superoxide radical production after phorbol ester stimulation in neutrophils of aged donors

Abstract Superoxide anion radical production was studied in purified neutrophils of young and old donors after stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate to determine whether phorbol-stimulated activation of NADPH-oxidase was altered by aging. Superoxide radical production of neutrophils of healthy ambulatory edlerly (mean age 73 years) was increased compared to young adult controls. Expressed as nmol superoxide/min/mg protein, however, old cells were no different from young. Neutrophils of the edlerly contained nearly 20% more protein/cell than young cells, yet neutrophil diameter and volume were not increased in the old cells. Binding affinity and maximum binding capacity of 3H-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate were similar in young and old neutrophils. Maximum binding capacity was similar whether expressed on a per cell or per mg protein basis. Although others have suggested that initial plasma membrane events leading to superoxide radical production are diminished in aging cells, these studies show that intracellular phases of the mechanisms leading to superoxide radical production are maintained. Superoxide production rate per cell is increased in older persons, associated with a higher protein content per cell but not larger cell size.
Thin films of non-stoichiometric perovskites as potential oxygen sensors

Abstract Thin films of non-stoichiometric perovskites of general formula ABO 2.5 + x have been grown, on sapphire substrates, by the technique of pulsed laser ablation/deposition. The structural properties of the films upon exposure to atmospheres of various oxygen pressures, at elevated temperatures, have been determined by X-ray diffraction; they show changes which correlate with those found for bulk powder samples. For the material SrFeO 2.5 + x , with 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.5, pressure-composition isotherms reveal several pressure ranges over which structural changes occur. By monitoring the changes in physical properties that accompany the bulk chemical changes, this system can be exploited to provide a thin-film sensor, the structural changes of which are specific to oxygen.
Combining hand assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with cystoscopic circumferential excision of the distal ureter without primary closure of the bladder cuff--is it safe?

Purpose: We have previously described our technique of combining HAL-NU using early ureteral ligation with simultaneous cystoscopic circumferential excision of the distal intramural ureter without primary closure of the bladder cuff. We report the oncological sequelae in patients who underwent HAL-NU using our technique of complete ureteral removal.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all patients who underwent HAL-NU from April 1999 through July 2004. Cystograms were performed 1 week postoperatively in all patients. Pathological findings were reviewed. Cystoscopy was performed every 3 months to assess bladder recurrences. Upper tract imaging was performed postoperatively and then annually. The locations of recurrence and need for adjuvant treatment were assessed.Results: A total of 49 patients with an average age of 67 years underwent HAL-NU. Gravity cystography confirmed that bladder defects had completely sealed at 1 week in all patients. Mean followup was 10.6 months (median 10, range 1...
Increase of Pallor and Fluorescein-filling Defects of the Optic Disc in the Follow-up of Ocular Hypertensives Measured by Computerized Image Analysis

In 24 ocular hypertensive patients, two optic disc fluorescein angiograms were obtained a mean of 3.9 years apart. Using computerized image analysis, we measured the area of pallor and the fluorescein-filling defect area within the disc and the fluorescein circulation parameters representing the filling rates of optic disc, choroid, and retinal vessels. The results indicated that increase in pallor and fluorescein-filling defect areas, as well as a slowed filling rate of the retinal veins, correlated with glaucomatous progression.
Overcoming residual interference in mental set switching: Neural correlates and developmental trajectory

Abstract Mental set switching is a key facet of executive control measured behaviorally through reaction time or accuracy (i.e., ‘switch costs’) when shifting among task types. One of several experimentally dissociable influences on switch costs is ‘task set inertia’, conceptualized as the residual interference conferred when a previous stimulus–response tendency interferes with subsequent stimulus processing on a new task. Task set inertia is thought to represent the passive decay of the previous stimulus–response set from working memory, and its effects decrease with increased interstimulus interval. Closely spaced trials confer high task set inertia, while sparsely spaced trials confer low task set inertia. This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study characterized, for the first time, two opposing brain systems engaged to resolve task set inertia: 1) a frontoparietal ‘cortical control’ network for overcoming high task set inertia interference and 2) a subcortical-motor network more active during trials with low task set inertia. These networks were distinct from brain regions showing general switching effects (i.e., switch > non-switch) and from other previously characterized interference effects. Moreover, there were ongoing maturational effects throughout adolescence for the brain regions engaged to overcome high task set inertia not seen for generalized switching effects. These novel findings represent a new avenue of exploration of cognitive set switching neural function.
Heat flux measurements at the sun image of the California institute of technology lens-type solar furnace

Abstract Flux profiles of the sun image were measured at the focus of the California Institute of Technology lens-type solar furnace using NRDL water-cooled radiometers. A maximum flux value of 220 cal per sec per sq cm was recorded when the direct solar radiation received at the furnace site was 1.04 cal per min per sq cm. Under these conditions, the furnace operating efficiency was found to be 47.2 per cent. The losses of 52.8 per cent are ascribed to transmission losses in the lenses, reflectivity losses at the mirrors, the geometrical imperfection of the individual lenses and mirrors, and lack of perfect superposition of the nineteen sets of images.
Agent behavior architectures a MAS framework comparison

Advances in agent technology depend on improving frameworks for building and supporting agent societies. Experience suggests that first generation multi-agent systems fall short of providing a rapid prototyping development environment for the systematic construction and deployment of agent-oriented applications. While at least sixty different agent systems have been implemented, few efforts have been made to use them as case studies for building second-generation multi-agent systems. In this study we focus on evaluating the agent behavior execution units of FIPAOS, JADE, and Zeus with the intention of extracting reusable design elements to build a second-generation system.
Spontaneous and evoked potentials from dissociated epithelial cells of Hydra

ALTHOUGH intracellular recording from excitable cells has a thirty-year history, such recording from coelenterate tissue has only recently been achieved1–4. Mechanical dissociation of previously separated endodermal and ectodermal epithelial layers of Hydra produces a preparation permitting intracellular recording from identifiable classes of cells (Fig. 1). Elicited and spontaneous potentials occur in the cells of both epithelial layers. We have recorded small rhythmically occurring pulses from endodermal cells with positive resting potentials; large spikes from ectodermal cells with negative resting potentials, and regularly occurring membrane oscillations from both types of cells.
SU-FF-I-64: Shielding Practice for Volume CT Scanner

Purpose: To report our experience concerning in‐room scatter and shielding for a wide coverage multi‐slice scanner. Our aim is to inform the medical physics community that special attention must be paid to the protocols used when performing scatter measurements and to the assumptions made when preparing shielding plans. Methods and Materials: A Victoreen 450B‐RYR ionization chamber and a RadCal 180 cc scatter probe were used to perform a shielding survey. Parameters of 140 kVp and 400 mAs were set. The largest collimation available, 80 mm coverage, was selected. A helical scan was prescribed. In‐room scatter measurements were performed with the Victoreen 450B‐RYR ionization chamber, RadCal probe, and an RTI solid‐state R100 dose probe. Both helical and axial modes of acquisition were tested for collimations of 80 mm and 40 mm coverage. The vendor's phantom, the FDA CTDI body phantom and a thorax phantom were used. Results: The shielding survey revealed that two walls, from below 6 feet to the ceiling line, failed the goal for an uncontrolled area (100 mrem/yr). Readings indicated that the dose was 2∼10 times the limit. The ceiling readings, 2∼15 times the limit, also failed. In‐room scatter measurements revealed that scatter to multiple points are more than doubled when a helical scan is prescribed as compared to an axial scan. Furthermore, the thorax phantom generated 1.4 times more scatter than the FDA CTDI body phantom. Conclusions: Radiation protection for volume scanners requires special attention. It is vital to consider differences in the scatter generated by axial and helical scanning modes. Scatter measured during helical acquisition is more clinically relevant. Choosing a phantom that best mimics the clinical scenario is important. Shielding planners for this type of unit should carefully consider ceiling shielding and wall shielding that extends beyond 7 ft.
Integration of a coherent optical receiver with adaptive image rejection capability

This paper describes a coherent detection receiver (CDR) with adaptive image rejection capability which is also compatible with existing monolithic integrated optics and MMIC technology. It details the component selection and circuit layout tradeoffs that were considered for the design and fabrication of the CDR in monolithic IC format. An optical `half receiver' IC with waveguides, phase shifter, 3 dB coupler, and balanced mixer diodes has been constructed and tested. Measurements and results for this chip are given and discussed. An initial design and simulated results for the microwave (intermediate frequency) IC are also given and discussed.
Attacking the sacred cows

The time has come to review the traditional methods of prescribing exercise programs for persons who have arthritis. For years, we as health care providers have based our decisions on early research, a small number of subjects, and anecdotal experience. Evolution of technical advances and scientific thought now enables us to investigate old traditions or sacred cows to determine if they should continue to exist. The author discusses several of the beliefs that are prevalent among today's practitioners.
Distributed source term analysis, a new approach to nuclear material inventory verification

The Distributed Source-Term Analysis (DSTA) technique is a new approach to measuring in-process material holdup that is a significant departure from traditional hold-up measurement methodology. The DSTA method is a means of determining the mass of nuclear material within a large, diffuse, volume using passive neutron counting. The DSTA method is a more efficient approach than traditional methods of holdup measurement and inventory verification. The time spent in performing DSTA measurement and analysis is a fraction of that required by traditional techniques. The error ascribed to a DSTA survey result is generally less than that from traditional methods. Also, the negative bias ascribed to γ-ray methods is greatly diminished because the DSTA method uses neutrons which are more penetrating than γ-rays.
In vivo development of adipose tissue following implantation of lipid-depleted cultured adipocyte.

Abstract The monolayer culture of isolated and disaggregated adipocytes from rat omental and perirenal sites, gave rise to a population of fibroblast-like cells, usually devoid of lipid inclusion. Similar fibroblast-like cells have been obtained in cultures of adipose tissue stromal cells and are thought to be undifferentiated adipocyte stem cells. Although the adipocyte-derived fibroblasts were morphologically indistinguishable from culture-derived fibroblasts of other origins, upon autoimplantation into the splenic bed they regained the lipid inclusion and developed again into adipose tissue. The findings suggest that the transformation of adipose cells into fibroblast-like cells is reversible modulation and not a dedifferentiation into the adipose tissue stem cell. This work also substantiates the increasingly recognized heterogeneity of fibroblasts.
Characterization of Red Tide Aerosol on the Texas Coast.

The Gulf of Mexico red tide, caused by the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (= Gymnodinium breve), occurs almost annually and has adverse economic and health effects. Exposure of people to sea spray containing aerosolized brevetoxins (PbTxs, polyether brevetoxins produced by K. brevis) causes irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Anecdotal reports suggest that exposed individuals can experience respiratory irritation and exacerbation of existing respiratory illnesses. There has been no systematic study of human exposure to red tide aerosols. In the fall of 2000, during a red tide episode on the Gulf Coast near Corpus Christi, Texas, we sampled at the Marine Science Institute (MSI) at Port Aransas on 25 October. Between 26–27 October we sampled at the Texas State Aquarium (TSA) near Corpus Christi. Two Hi-Vol samplers equipped with a filter and a five-stage impactor gave low concentrations of PbTxs, requiring us to develop methods to improve the minimum detection limit. An LC/MS/MS technique was used combining an HPLC and the API 365 MS/MS. PbTx-2 and PbTx-3 were detected at the TSA sampling location; however, PbTx was not detected in the samples from the MSI. The concentration of PbTx-2 was 1.5–4.9 ng m–3 but was much lower for PbTx-3. The ratio of PbTx-2 to PbTx-3 was 8.7 ± 5.2. During the highest exposure period (26–27 October), PbTx-6 was also detected. No one reported respiratory symptoms at the MSI, whereas at the TSA, several field study workers reported symptoms including nose and throat irritation, and itchy skin. A high-volume impactor was used to aerodynamically classify the particles into different size fractions. PbTx-2 was detected in all samples taken at the TSA; however, PbTx-3 was detected only between 26–27 October when the PbTx concentration was high. The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) was 7–9 mm with a relatively narrow size range (geometric standard deviation [GSD] about 1.6). In this study, much lower airborne concentrations of PbTx, 1.6–6.7 ng m–3 were reported, along with a few incidents of upper respiratory symptoms. Although the number of seven workers was too small for statistical analysis, the reported symptoms were consistent with no to low exposure at the MSI and detectable exposures at the TSA. This suggests that at lower environmental concentrations of about 2–7 ng m–3,exposure to PbTx could result in upper respiratory symptoms. This is consistent with the particle size measurement.
Characterization of a Specific Arabinosyltransferase Activity Involved in Mycobacterial Arabinan Biosynthesis

Summary Mycobacterium smegmatis strains that contain inactivated EmbA or EmbB proteins are unable to synthesize terminal Araβ1→2Araα1→5(Araβ1→2Araα1→3)Araα1→5Araα1→(Ara 6 ) motif in the cell wall polysaccharide arabinogalactan. Instead, the mutants contain a linear Araβ1→2Araα1→5Araα1→5Araα1→(Ara 4 ) motif, suggesting that these proteins are involved in the synthesis or transfer of the disaccharide Araβ1→2Araα1→ to an internal 5-linked Ara. Therefore, we synthesized a linear Araβ1→2Araα1→5Araα1→5Araα1→5Araα1→ with an octyl aglycon as an arabinosyl acceptor in cell-free assays. A facile assay was developed using the chemically synthesized glycan, membrane, and particulate cell wall as the enzyme source, and 5-phosphoribose diphosphate pR[ 14 C]pp as the arabinose donor. The result s unequivocally show that two arabinofuranosyl residues were added at the tertiary →5Araα1→ of the synthetic glycan. This activity was undetectable in strains of M. smegmatis where embB or embA had been genetically disrupted. Normal activity could be restored only in the presence of both EmbA and EmbB proteins.
Impact of surf breaks on home prices in Santa Cruz, CA.

The growing field of 'surfonomics' attempts to document surfing's economic contribution to local and regional communities, as well as the consumer surplus that surf breaks provide to millions of surfers. To date, no research has examined the extent to which the value of surf breaks is capitalized into home prices. This study uses the hedonic price method with data from three distinct beach-adjacent neighbourhoods in Santa Cruz, CA, USA, to estimate whether proximity to surf breaks leads to higher home values. The authors find that, after controlling for proximity to the beach, ocean views, the specific characteristics of the homes and neighbourhood effects, proximity to surf breaks is a statistically significant contributor to overall home value. A home that is right next to a surf break is valued on average at approximately US$106,000 more than an equivalent home a mile away.
An electrostatic suspension method for testing spark breakdown, ignition, and quenching of powders

Abstract An innovative electrostatic suspension method, referred to as EPS (electrostatic particulate suspension), is used for testing the spark breakdown, ignition, and quenching characteristics of small volume powder suspensions. A highly uniform steady-state suspension is generated between high voltage do parallel plate electrodes that can be ignited with a spark discharge from a high-speed, moving electrode or by pulse discharge from a Ruby or YAG laser. The design methodology and characteristic suspension times are reviewed. Bulk powder resistivities 9 ω m are recommended for generating a suspension. With cohesive powders such as fine coal it may be necessary to augment the EPS method with acoustic vibration. To demonstrate the utility of the EPS method, representative data for coal, aluminum, and copper powders are presented. Specific results are discussed in the following studies: (I) Spark breakdown of a (inert) copper powder in air, (II) Minimum ignition energy (MIE) of aluminum-oxygen-nitrogen/carbon dioxide mixtures at near-quenching conditions, (III) Wall quenching of coal-air and aluminum-air mixtures, and (IV) Inert particle quenching with copper particle-propane-air mixtures .
Bumpy Rides: Modeling the Dynamics of Chemotactic Interacting Bacteria

Recent advances in synthetic biology have brought the fantasy of having synthetic multicellular systems working at nanoscale closer to reality. Indeed, such systems consisting of networked biological nanomachines have a great potential for many novel applications like environmental monitoring and healthcare. In this paper, we consider dense networks of interacting bacteria capable of monitoring and treating diseases that affect microscopic regions in the human body. Towards this end, we propose a modeling approach for capturing the dynamics of such dense populations of interacting bacteria and estimate their performance for diagnostic and drug delivery purposes. Consequently, our approach can be used to identify various design trade-offs for dense networks of bacteria and design predictable and reliable synthetic multicellular systems.
Bootstrap by Sequential Resampling.

Abstract This paper examines resampling for bootstrap from a survey sampling point of view. Given an observed sample of size n, resampling for bootstrap involves n repeated trials of simple random sampling with replacement. From the point of view of information content, it is well known that simple random sampling with replacement does not result in samples that are equally informative (see Pathak (1964) Ann. Math. Statist. 35, 795–808; Biometrika 51, 185–193). This is due to the randomness in the number of distinct observations that occur in different bootstrap samples. We propose an alternative scheme of sampling sequentially (with replacement each time) until k distinct original observations appear. In such a scheme, the bootstrap sample size becomes random as it varies from sample to sample, but each sample has exactly the same number of distinct observations. We show that the choice of k = (1 − e−1)n∼0.632n has some advantage, stemming from the observation made by Efron (1983, J. Am. Statist. Assoc. 78, 316–331) that the usual bootstrap samples are supported on approximately 0.632n of the original data points. Using recent results on empirical processes, we show that main empirical characteristics of the sequential resampling bootstrap are asymptotically within the distance of order ∼n −3 4 of the corresponding characteristics of the usual bootstrap.
Developmental changes in mental rotation

Abstract Subjects from Grades 3, 4, 6, and college judged whether pairs of stimuli were identical or mirror-image reversals. One stimulus of a pair was presented upright; the other was rotated 0 to 150° from the standard. The pairs were either alphanumeric symbols or unfamiliar, letter-like characters of the type found on the PMA Spatial Ability Test. Response latencies were measured. The primary results were that (a) the speed of mental rotation increased with development, (b) unfamiliar characters were rotated more slowly than alphanumeric characters, by approximately the same amount at each grade, and (c) unfamiliar characters were encoded and compared more slowly than alphanumeric symbols, by an amount that declined with development. The results are discussed in terms of the component processes that underlie developmental change and individual variation in mental rotation skill.
Macrorules for summarizing texts: the development of expertise

The development of the ability to use macrorules for paraphrasing expository texts was examined in a series of three studies. In the first, older high school and college student were able to use sophisticated condensation rules, such as invention and integration, in contrast to the fifth and seventh graders who relied on a more simple copy-delete strategy. In the second study, experts, college rhetoric teachers, outperformed freshman college student in their ability to combine information across paragraphs and in their propensity to provide a synopsis in their own words. Following the consideration of experts, we examined novicesm junior college students who performed on a level set by normal seventh graders, confirming the general impression that such students experience particular problems with critical reading and effective studying.
Large scale preparation of pure phycobiliproteins

This paper describes simple procedures for the purification of large amounts of phycocyanin and allophycocyanin from the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. A homogeneous natural bloom of this organism provided hundreds of kilograms of cells. Large samples of cells were broken by freezing and thawing. Repeated extraction of the broken cells with distilled water released phycocyanin first, then allophycocyanin, and provides supporting evidence for the current models of phycobilisome structure. The very low ionic strength of the aqueous extracts allowed allophycocyanin release in a particulate form so that this protein could be easily concentrated by centrifugation. Other proteins in the extract were enriched and concentrated by large scale membrane filtration. The biliproteins were purified to homogeneity by chromatography on DEAE cellulose. Purity was established by HPLC and by N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. The proteins were examined for stability at various pHs and exposures to visible light.
Proalbumin is bound to the membrane of rat liver smooth microsomes

Summary Rat serum albumin and its immediate biosynthetic precursor, proalbumin, were resolved from rat liver smooth microsomes using two dimensional gel electrophoresis. These polypeptides were identified by considering their charge properties (in first dimensional isoelectric focusing), apparent molecular weights (in second dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), and in situ radio-iodinated peptide fingerprints in comparisons with pure albumin. Tryptic digestion or alkaline-high salt treatment of microsomes did not affect their content of either polypeptide, while 0.05% deoxycholate completely removed proalbumin and decreased albumin. Lactoperoxidase catalyzed radio-iodination of intact microsomes resulted in significant labelling of proalbumin but virtually no labelling of albumin. These results suggest that a short, internal polypeptide segment of proalbumin is exposed on the outer microsomal surface, whereas the bulk of the protein chain is entrapped by the membrane. It is concluded that some, if not all, of proalbumin in liver smooth endoplasmic reticulum is associated with the membrane which may be important for its subsequent processing.
Trajectory Optimization for Dynamic Needle Insertion

Needle based intervention procedures are a common minimally invasive surgical technique. In many of these procedures, the needle can be considered rigid and the tissue deforms and displaces substantially as the needle is advanced to its target. An energy based, fracture mechanics approach is presented to show that the velocity dependence of tissue properties can reduce tissue motion with increased needle velocities. In-vitro test results on porcine heart samples show that the force required to initiate cutting reduces with increasing needle velocity up to a critical speed, above which, the rate independent cutting force of the underlying tissue becomes the limiting factor. In-vivo tests show increased needle speed results in reduced force and displacement for needle insertion into the heart. Results indicate that automated insertion could substantially improve performance in some applications.
Modeling the evolution of motivation

For learning to improve the adaptiveness of an animal's behavior, and thus direct evolution in the way Baldwin suggested, the learning mechanism must incorporate an innate evaluation of how the animal's actions influence its reproductive fitness. For example, many circumstances that damage an animal or otherwise reduce its fitness are painful and tend to be avoided. We refer to the mechanism by which an animal evaluates the fitness consequences of its actions as a “motivation system,” and argue that such a system must evolve along with the behaviors it evaluates. We describe simulations of the evolution of populations of agents instantiating a number of different architectures for generating action and learning in worlds of differing complexity. We find that in some cases, members of the populations evolve motivation systems that are accurate enough to direct learning so as to increase the fitness of the actions that the agents perform. Furthermore, the motivation systems tend to incorporate systematic distortions in their representations of the worlds they inhabit; these distortions can increase the adaptiveness of the behavior generated.
Modulation of p53, ErbB1, ErbB2, and Raf-1 expression in lung cancer cells by depsipeptide FR901228.

Background Histone deacetylases (HDACs) modulate chromatin structure by regulating acetylation of core histone proteins. HDAC inhibitors, such as depsipeptide FR901228 (FK228), induce growth arrest and apoptosis in a variety of human cancer cells by mechanisms that cannot be attributed solely to histone acetylation. This study evaluated the mechanisms by which FK228 mediates apoptosis in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Methods Proliferation and apoptosis were assessed in a panel of NSCLC cell lines that vary in the expression of the growth-regulating proteins p53, pRb, and K-Ras treated with a clinically relevant dose of FK228 (25 ng/mL). Western blot and immunoprecipitation techniques were used to analyze expression of cell-cycle proteins (cyclin A, cyclin E, p53, and p21), signaling-related proteins (ErbB1, ErbB2, and Raf-1), activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), binding of mutant p53 and Raf-1 to heat shock protein (Hsp)90, and acetylation of Hsp90. Results FK228 treatment inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in NSCLC cells expressing wild-type or mutant p53. FK228 treatment led to altered expression of cyclin A, cyclin E, and p21, and to reduced expression of mutant, but not wild-type, p53. FK228-treated cells also were depleted of ErbB1, ErbB2, and Raf-1 proteins, and exhibited lower ERK1/2 activity. FK228 treatment also inhibited the binding of mutant p53 and Raf-1 to Hsp90; this inhibition was associated with acetylation of Hsp90. Conclusions FK228 depletes the levels of several oncoproteins that are normally stabilized by binding to Hsp90 in cancer cells. The resulting ability of FK228 to diminish signal transduction via pathways involving Raf-1 and ERK may contribute to the potency and specificity of this novel antitumor agent.
A framework for adaptive synchronization of distributed simulations

Increased complexity of simulation models and the related modeling needs for global supply chains have necessitated the execution of simulations on multiple processors. While distributed simulation promises reduced complexity (as the result of decomposition), increased parallelism and convenient analysis of geographically distributed systems, it poses a challenging problem: synchronizing the distributed simulation federates. This paper discusses a new discrete event distributed simulation framework, which is designed with two goals in mind: (1) easy and fast development of distributed simulations and (2) efficient adaptive synchronization of simulation processes. This research uses state machine models for the automated synthesis of so called 'local synchronization agents' and an adaptive synchronization algorithm has been developed based on pacing of simulation processes using real-time. Upon completion, this scalable framework is expected to shorten the lead-time to develop distributed simulation systems with reasonable performance characteristics.
Fluoroquinolone resistance among Gram-positive cocci.

Summary Resistance to fluoroquinolones among Gram-positive cocci has emerged as these antimicrobial agents have become extensively used in clinical medicine. Resistance is effected by changes in the bacterial target enzymes DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which reduce drug binding, and by action of native bacterial membrane pumps that remove drug from the cell. In both cases, quinolone exposure selects for spontaneous mutants that are present in large bacterial populations, and which contain chromosomal mutations that alter the target protein or increase the level of pump expression. Resistance among clinical isolates has been greatest in Staphylococcus aureus and particularly among meticillinresistant strains, in which both selection by quinolone exposure and transmission of clonal strains in health-care settings have contributed to high prevalence. Resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae has also emerged in the community. Fluoroquinolone resistance has arisen in multidrug-resistant clones and its prevalence has been especially high in Hong Kong and Spain. Further spread and selection of such resistance could compromise the utility of a valuable class of antimicrobial agents, a point that emphasises the importance of the careful use of these agents in appropriate patients and doses, as well as careful infection-control practices.
Effects of Protease Inhibitors and Antioxidants on In Vitro Survival of Porcine Primordial Germ Cells

One of the problems associated with in vitro culture of primordial germ cells (PGCs) is the large loss of cells during the initial period of culture. This study characterized the initial loss and determined the effectiveness of two classes of apoptosis inhibitors, protease inhibitors, and antioxidants on the ability of porcine PGCs to survive in culture. Results from electron microscopic analysis and in situ DNA fragmentation assay indicated that porcine PGCs rapidly undergo apoptosis when placed in culture. Additionally, a2-macroglobulin, a protease inhibitor and cytokine carrier, and N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant, increased the survival of PGCs in vitro. While other protease inhibitors tested did not affect survival of PGCs, all antioxidants tested improved survival of PGCs (P , 0.05). Further results indicated that the beneficial effect of the antioxidants was critical only during the initial period of culture. Finally, it was determined that in short-term culture, in the absence of feeder layers, antioxidants could partially replace the effect(s) of growth factors and reduce apoptosis. Collectively, these results indicate that the addition of a2-macroglobulin and antioxidants can increase the number of PGCs in vitro by suppressing apoptosis. apoptosis, conceptus, cytokines, growth factors