cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Symptom cluster and physical activity in relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis

We compared the explanatory power of two symptom clusters that consisted of either three or five symptoms as correlates of physical activity in individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS; N = 218). The data were primarily analyzed using covariance modeling in Mplus 3.0. A symptom cluster of fatigue, depression, and pain had a moderate, negative relationship with physical activity, and this relationship was comparable in magnitude with a symptom cluster of fatigue, depression, pain, perceived cognitive dysfunction, and poor sleep quality. The relationships were attenuated after controlling for exercise history and neurological impairment. Such findings further support the consideration of a narrowly defined cluster of three symptoms as an independent correlate of physical activity in persons with RRMS. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 33:398–412, 2010
Caffeine Consumption Questionnaire: A Standardized Measure for Caffeine Consumption in Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students (N=691) were given the 1992 Caffeine Consumption Questionnaire of Landrum and provided information on age, sex, and year in school. A subset (n = 168) of those completing the questionnaire were also given the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire of Horne and Ostberg. Analysis indicated that the average intake of caffeine was roughly 1,600 mg, i.e., a range from 13 mg to 21,840 mg per week. Older students consumed more caffeine than younger ones, and students with an Evening personality preference consumed more caffeine in the evening and nighttime hours than those with a Morning personality preference. These results are discussed in the context of other caffeine studies. Caffeine consumption is an important issue, and a consistent measurement system should be used by various researchers testing different populations.
Apparent absence of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors from hamster brown adipocytes.

Abstract The possible presence of α adrenergic control of lipolysis and cyclic AMP production in brown adipocytes of hamsters was studied in adipocytes isolated from interscapular, subscapular, cervical and axillary regions of normal male hamsters maintained at 25°C. Lipolysis activated by either 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine or isoproterenol was unaffected by the presence of the α adrenergic selective agonists clonidine and methoxamine. Similarly, accumulation of cyclic AMP in response to β-receptor stimulation, alone or in combination with a methyl xanthine, was unaffected by clonidine or methoxamine. In contrast, both lipolysis and cyclic AMP accumulation in brown fat cells were effectively suppressed in the presence of nicotinic acid, prostaglandin E1 or N6-phenylisopropyl adenosine. Accumulation of cyclic AMP in response to the mixed agonist norepinephrine was not influenced when cells were exposed to the alpha adrenergic blocking drugs yohimbine or tolazoline. These observations suggest that alpha-2 adrenergic receptors which are present on hamster white fat cells and control production of cyclic AMP and lipolysis are absent from hamster brown adipocytes. On the other hand, brown fat cells of this species appear to respond to a number of other inhibitory compounds in a manner not markedly different from that of white adipocytes.
Integrating economic and hydrologic interdependence in reservoir management.

The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal allocation of reservoir water among competing uses (hydroelectric power generation, lake recreation and urban and rural water supply). An optimization model using nonlinear programming is developed to optimally allocate reservoir water among these uses. It is not unusual to optimize the values for flood control, hydroelectric generation, and urban and rural water uses, and to determine recreation values as a residual. Furthermore, if recreation values are considered, it may be in the form of constraints that maintain reservoir water levels within a specified range. In contrast, this study develops a model in which the recreational benefits depend explicitly on lake water levels, while the flood control capacity of the reservoir is maintained through upper bounds on the lake level. A mass balance equation is used to determine the water levels and volumes in the lake for each month over a twelve-month period. The General Algebraic Modeling System with MINOS is used to solve this model. The results indicate that the total economic benefits for Lake Tenkiller could be increased by directly including recreational values in the model, and maintaining lake water levels at near-normal levels that maximize the number of summer visitations. The optimal allocation of Lake Tenkiller water among competing uses also satisfies the equimarginal principle. That is, the marginal value of water at the lake in each month is the same for the last unit of water used for hydroelectric, recreational, or urban and rural water uses. Use of this type of modelling framework would assist policymakers or reservoir managers in reallocation of reservoir water and in calibrating several policy scenarios.
Nitric oxide synthase activity has limited influence on the control of Coccidioides infection in mice.

Abstract The functions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity in protection against microbial insults are still controversial. In this study, we explored the role of iNOS in protection against Coccidioides infection in mice. We observed that wild type (WT) and iNOS −/− mice showed similar percent survival and fungal burden in their lungs at days 7 and 11 after intranasal challenge with Coccidioides . Vaccinated WT and iNOS −/− mice revealed comparable fungal burden in their lungs and spleen at 7 and 11 days postchallenge. However, at 11 days the non-vaccinated, iNOS-deficient mice had significantly higher fungal burden in their spleen compared to WT mice. Additionally, higher numbers of lung-infiltrated neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells were observed in WT mice at day 11 postchallenge compared to iNOS −/− mice. Moreover, no difference in numbers of T, B, NK or regulatory T cells, or concentrations of selected cytokines and chemokines were detected in lungs of both mouse strains at 7 and 11 days postchallenge. Although iNOS-derived NO production appears to influence the inflammatory response and dissemination of the fungal pathogen, our results suggest that iNOS activity does not play a significant role in the control of coccidioidal infection in mice and that other, still undefined mechanisms of host protection are involved.
Partial volume effect of cingulum tract in diffusion-tensor MRI

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) represents a promising tool for the early diagnosis of certain brain diseases. Many DTI studies have compared differences in local diffusivity in specific region-of- interest (ROI) between patient and control groups to find possible disease markers. However, local diffusivity results may be influenced by partial volume effects (PVE), particularly in small white matter tracts that border grey matter tissue. Here, we investigated the influence of PVE on local diffusivity measurements in a small but critical white matter tract, the cingulum. Results demonstrated significant variability in PVE that contribute to local diffusivity in the cingulum. Our results highlight the need for careful consideration of PVE when computing diffusivity of small tissues.
Doppler Effects and Hypervelocities of 3C 279 Sources

Rerent interpretations of radio interferometric experiments on 3C 279 as due to a symmetric double source which apparently separate at a speed of ten times that of light1 pose at least two questions. Does the Doppler effect exist at superluminal velocities? What mechanism gives rise to such velocities? It is possible to discuss some aspects of the first question within the framework of ordinary physical principles to a great extent without depending too much on a revision of the usual views of space and time. In discussing the second question, I make a proposal for modifying ideas on dimensionality in order to account for the hypervelocities.
AXAF VETA-I mirror ring focus measurements

The AXAF VETA-I mirror ring focus measurements were made with an HRI (microchannel plate) X-ray detector. The ring focus is a sharply focused ring formed by X-rays before they reach the VEAT-I focal plane. It is caused by spherical aberrations due to the finite source distance and the despace in the VETA-I test. The ring focus test reveals some aspects fo the test system distortions and the mirror surface figure which are difficult or impossible to detect at the focal plane. The test results show periodic modulations of the ring radius and width which could be caused by gravity, thermal, and/or epoxy shrinkage distortions. The strongest component of the modulation had a 12-fold symmetry, because these distortions were exerted on the mirror through 12 flexures of the VETA-I mount. Ring focus models were developed to simulate the ring image. The models were compared with the data to understand the test system distortions and the mirror glass imperfection. Further studies will be done to complete this work. The ring focus measurement is a very powerful test. We expect that a similar test for the finally assembled mirror of AXAD-I will be highly valuable.
Altered secretion of kidney lysosomal enzymes in the mouse pigment mutants ruby-eye, ruby-eye-2-J, and maroon

Melanosomes and lysosomes share structural and biosynthetic properties. Three mouse pigment mutants, ruby-eye, ruby-eye-2-J, and maroon, have abnormally high concentrations of kidney lysosomal enzymes. Concentrations of kidney nonlysosomal enzymes and of liver and serum lysosomal enzymes are normal. By light microscopy the mutants have normal kidney lysosome morphology. It does not appear that the mutant genes cause an increased rate of production of lysosomes since the increased kidney β-glucuronidase concentration is not accompanied by a corresponding increase in rate of synthesis. The common defect in all mutants is a decreased rate of secretion of lysosomal enzymes from kidney into urine. Eight mouse pigment mutants are now known which affect both melanosome and lysosome function. They should serve as useful models for the study of the biogenesis, structure, and processing of these and other subcellular organelles.
929 THE RED CELL VOLUME DISTRIBUTION WIDTH (ROW) AND THE DIAGNOSIS OF IRON DEFICIENCY

The distribution of, red cell volume, now is displayed in histogram from on many commercial hematology instruments. Measured as coefficient of, variation, and reported as RDW, the heterogeneity of, distribution of, red cell size (anisocytosis) has become a useful means of, classifying anemias in adults. Norms for the RDW, and its diagnostic, utility, have, not ban established in the pediatric population. Hemoglobin (Hb), red cell indices (RDW), and erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) were obtained in infants 6 mos, 9 mos and 12 mos of, age. In children with a Hb >11.0, an MCV of, >72 fl and an EP of, <30 μg/dl the RDW's were: In contrast, in 12 month old infants with EP of mote than 30 μg/dl, hemoglobins 10.2-13.5 g/dl, the RDW mas significantly higher, averaging 17.32. The. increase in ROW correlated with the increase in EP (r = 0.81) and identified patients with iron deficiency white, the hemoglobin or the MCV was still within the normal range. The RDW is a useful means of identifying patients with iron deficiency and distinguishing patients with microcytosis due to thalassemia trait from those with iron deficiency.
Modified technique to extract malpositioned or migrated self-expanding stents from the esophagus and stomach

Background and Aim: Various methods have been used to remove self expandable stents (SES) because of either malposition or migration. The main difficulties encountered in such situations are the anatomic obstacle of the lower and upper esophageal sphincters as well as risk of mucosal injury during removal. Methods: We describe a modified approach using an esophagogastroduodenoscope (EGD) in combination with a foreign body hood protector, rat tooth forceps and snare allowing for successful SES removal from the upper gastrointestinal tract in four cases. Results: In all cases, the SES were successfully removed from upper gastrointestinal tract using this technique. No complications were noted after extraction. Conclusion: The foreign body hood protector combined with rat tooth forceps/snare technique is a safe and effective alternative to previously described methods for extraction of SES from the upper gastrointestinal tract. This method may be applicable for the removal of other such objects within the endoscope's reach.
Phase reconstruction/unwrapping from amplitude for diffracted waves using a perturbation solution for the wave equation

A scheme is presented to recover the phase of a diffracted wave from the knowledge of its amplitude. The Helmholtz wave equation is utilized to relate the phase and amplitude of a diffracted wave; this relationship is the basis of a perturbation solution for the phase function. Signal processing issues associated with the implementation of the scheme are discussed. Applications of the method in certain phase reconstruction/unwrapping problems are shown. >
Mechanisms of epigenetic memory

Although genetics has an essential role in defining the development, morphology, and physiology of an organism, epigenetic mechanisms have an essential role in modulating these properties by regulating gene expression. During development, epigenetic mechanisms establish stable gene expression patterns to ensure proper differentiation. Such mechanisms also allow organisms to adapt to environmental changes and previous experiences can impact the future responsiveness of an organism to a stimulus over long timescales and even over generations. Here, we discuss the concept of epigenetic memory, defined as the stable propagation of a change in gene expression or potential induced by developmental or environmental stimuli. We highlight three distinct paradigms of epigenetic memory that operate on different timescales.
Focus Issue: Tuning in to the Ion Channel

In this second Focus Issue in an ongoing series of articles on the regulation and function of ion channels, Science 9s STKE presents four articles that highlight various aspects of ion channel function. A Review by Faundez and Hartzell concerns the functions of intracellular chloride channels in endosomes and related organelles, concluding with an intriguing scenario whereby chloride channels in the membranes of synaptic vesicles could help determine their neurotransmitter content. A Perspective by DeCoursey on the functions of ion channels in phagocytes critically evaluates the possible contributions of proton channels and large-conductance calcium- and voltage-activated potassium channels to phagosomal destruction of microbes. Trauner and Kramer discuss various examples of metabolic regulation of potassium channels, speculating that other classes of potassium channels may be similarly subject to regulation by various small metabolites. Wolf discusses recent research implicating the TRPM7 "chanzyme" in magnesium homeostasis, research that has turned our previous concepts of the regulation of magneisum homeostasis upside down.
The 1,2 hydrogen shift: a common vehicle for the disappearance of evanescent molecular species

Studies of the 1,2 hydrogen shift in carbenes, nitrenes, and vinylidenes are reviewed. The key role of this isomerization in these unstable intermediates in organic reactions is elucidated. Isomerization possibilities of the as yet unidentified H/sub 2/CN/sup +/ in the formation of HCN and HNC in interstellar space is discussed. The photodissociation of formaldehyde is explained on the basis of an unstable intermediate, hydroxycarbene. 94 references are cited. (BLM)
Restructurable controls for aircraft

Future aircraft with highly sophisticated controls are likely to have multiple interdependent failure modes which will be difficult for the pilot to recognize. Such failures may lead to unanticipated sequences of events from which the pilot cannot intuitively recover. Advances in the state-of-the-art in failure detection, failure identification, and control system technology suggest it may be feasible to detect and identify potentially catastrophic failures in flight controls and to restructure the controls in real time to execute a safe landing. Two accidents are reviewed, one in which the pilot successfully restructured the controls and one in which he did not, but for which a solution existed. The problem requirements and potential theoretical techniques which apply are also discussed.
Rumblings of a Distant Drum

The Strong Vocational Interest Blank (SVIB) was showing great evocative validity during career counseling, decades-long predictive validity, and wide relational fertility, opening the door to theories describing the social mechanisms that bring about an assortative mating between individuals and occupational fates when, out of the blue, the SVIB was suppressed. First the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII) and then today's Strong Interest Inventory (SII) were offered as its increasingly inadequate replacements. Apparently, sales had replaced science as the value guiding the changes made with each new test. Even so, why the classic SVIB was made the object of a book-burning by a university press remains an inexplicable atrocity. Can this outrage be now, belatedly, undone?
Scattering of phonons from a high-energy grain boundary in silicon: Dependence on angle of incidence

We use molecular-dynamics simulation to elucidate phonon scattering from the high-energy $\ensuremath{\Sigma}29$ twist grain boundary in silicon. In particular, we have computed the dependence of energy transmission through the grain boundary on the wavelength and angle of incidence. Transmission through the grain boundary is found to be predominantly a function of the incident phonon frequency. In agreement with previous results, modes with wave vectors perpendicular to the grain-boundary plane exhibit relatively large energy-transmission coefficients. However, as the wavelength decreases and frequency increases, the energy transmission through the interface tends to sharply decrease. To develop a comprehensive picture of elastic phonon scattering, we have studied longitudinal-acoustic, transverse-acoustic, and some longitudinal-optical modes. By considering a simple theory that relates the energy-transmission coefficients to the Kapitza conductance, we are able to make a quantitative prediction based on detailed transmission probabilities. Predictions obtained using this model are relevant for comparison to both the classical (i.e., high-temperature) and quantum (i.e., low-temperature) regimes. We discuss the temperature dependence of the Kapitza conductance and suggest avenues of inquiry including experimental verification.
Carotenoids in the retina and lens: possible acute and chronic effects on human visual performance.

Abstract One of the recognized specialities of the primate fovea is the existence of a yellow macular pigment (MP) that is composed of the hydroxy-carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. Although it appears that all humans have some quantity of these pigments within their retina, foveal concentrations tend to vary quite dramatically. This wide individual variability has prompted questions regarding possible functional consequences. At least two major nonexclusive hypotheses regarding the function of MP have been proposed. The “protection hypothesis” has received the most attention and is based on the possibility that MP could reduce the cumulative effects of damage due to light and oxygen and retard the development of age-related eye disease. The “acuity hypothesis” states that MP could improve visual resolution by absorbing short-wave light, which is easily scattered and poorly focused. In this article, we review evidence that lutein and zeaxanthin could improve human visual performance through both acute optical effects at the site of the retina and by maintaining health and functional integrity of the retina and crystalline lens.
Rural Poverty in Ecuador: Assessing Local Realities for the Development of Anti-poverty Programs

Abstract This paper examines how the inhabitants of four poor communities in the rural Ecuadorian highlands perceive poverty and conceive of strategies to overcome it. While seemingly similar with respect to location, market access, ethnicity, and access to health care and primary schools, the four communities are quite heterogeneous, particularly with respect to educational achievement, basic services, supply, and access to productive resources such as land. Nevertheless, perceptions of poverty vary relatively little, and coping strategies build uniformly on temporary migration, increased female and child labor, and decreased consumption. Practical solutions for poverty reduction include credit and training. Community characteristics are also important in determining individual preferences. Rural anti-poverty policies for Ecuador (and possibly other Andean countries), can build on such similarities among heterogeneous communities.
Advanced Imaging in Equine Dental Disease

Dental and sinus disorders are relatively common and of major clinical importance in equine medicine. Advanced diagnostic imaging has become an integral part of equine veterinary medicine. Advanced imaging has progressed the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of dental- and sinus-related diseases. As a clinician, it is important to realize the value of advanced diagnostic imaging. Although computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are both significantly more expensive compared with other diagnostic tools, the financial cost of inaccurate diagnosis and treatment can often result in higher overall costs.
Whose self is it anyway? Self-aspect control moderates the relation between self-complexity and well-being.

Abstract Greater self-complexity refers to the extent that one’s self-concept is comprised of many and relatively differentiated self-aspects. Although some research has found that those greater in self-complexity fare better physically (e.g., fewer illnesses) and psychologically (e.g., less depression) when experiencing stress, other studies have reported another pattern of data (e.g., greater self-complexity predicts greater depression). In the current work, two studies found support for a moderating variable in this latter pattern, self-aspect control. Specifically, for those who perceived relatively little control over their self-aspects, being greater in self-complexity predicted worse physical and psychological outcomes. Study 2 tested alternative explanations and supported an interpretation that perceptions of control over one’s multiple selves, in particular, moderated the relation between self-complexity and well-being.
Lifetime measurements to test the coexistence of spherical and deformed shapes in $sup 72$Se

Mean lives of the 4$sup +$ to (12$sup +$) yrast states in $sup 72$Se populated in the reaction $sup 58$Ni($sup 16$O,2p) were extracted from a line- shape analysis of the Doppler-broadened lines. The results strongly support the interpretation of the crossing of states built on near-spherical and deformed shapes in the yrast cascade. A least-squares fit of a collective Hamiltonian to the experimental data yielded a potential energy surface with spherical and strongly deformed prolate minima. (AIP)
An alternative solution to a problem on self-stabilization

Dijkstra [4, 5] introduced the problem of self-stabilization in distributed systems as an interesting exercise for achieving global convergence through local actions. In [4] he presented three solutions to a specific version of the self-stabilization problem, one of which was proved in [6]. This paper presents an alternative solution of his self-stabilization problem with four-state machines.
Modeling and characterization of interfaces — from an atomistic description to a continuum approach

In this paper, an innovative approach combining continuum mechanics and atomistic simulations is presented to develop a nanomechanics theory for modeling and predicting the macroscopic behavior of nanomaterials. This nanomechanics theory exhibits the simplicity of the continuum formulation while taking into account the discrete atomic structure and interaction near surfaces/interfaces.
ACR: automatic checkpoint/restart for soft and hard error protection

As machines increase in scale, many researchers have predicted that failure rates will correspondingly increase. Soft errors do not inhibit execution, but may silently generate incorrect results. Recent trends have shown that soft error rates are increasing, and hence they must be detected and handled to maintain correctness. We present a holistic methodology for automatically detecting and recovering from soft or hard faults with minimal application intervention. This is demonstrated by ACR: an automatic checkpoint/restart framework that performs application replication and automatically adapts the checkpoint period using online information about the current failure rate. ACR performs an application- and user-oblivious recovery. We empirically test ACR by injecting failures that follow different distributions for five applications and show low overhead when scaled to 131,072 cores. We also analyze the interaction between soft and hard errors and propose three recovery schemes that explore the trade-off between performance and reliability requirements.
Philosophers at the Policy Table: A Theory of Schooling Confronts Real School Reform

Schools are stubborn. Major voices in school reform — theorists and practitioners alike — share the conviction that something deep within schools and schooling defies substantial change. Elliot Eisner refers to the “robust” quality of schools. Barbara Benham Tye speaks of the “deep structure” of schooling. David Tyack and Larry Cuban posit a persistent “grammar of schooling” that comprises what Mary Metz has described as “the real school.”
Pre- and posthospitalization alcoholic arrests in a rural state

Arrest rates of 180 male alcoholics admitted to the Wyoming State Hospital in 1969 were compared with the general Wyoming population during 1965--1973. Results indicated: (1) 67% of the alcoholics had no arrests before or after hospitalization; (2) prehospitalization arrest rates of alcoholics were higher than the general population for robbery, assault, sex offenses, theft, public intoxication, drunk driving, traffic offenses, and vagrancy; (3) following hospitalization, alcoholic arrest rates were reduced significantly in all categories except robbery and embezzlement and fraud; and (4) posthospitalization alcoholic arrest rates were lower than the general population for all offenses except robbery, public intoxication, and DWI.
Conservation and Diversification of Dileucine Signal Recognition by Adaptor Protein (AP) Complex Variants

The clathrin-associated, heterotetrameric adaptor protein (AP) complexes, AP-1, AP-2, and AP-3, recognize signals in the cytosolic domains of transmembrane proteins, leading to their sorting to endosomes, lysosomes, lysosome-related organelles, and/or the basolateral membrane of polarized epithelial cells. One type of signal, referred to as "dileucine-based," fits the consensus motif (D/E)XXXL(L/I). Previous biochemical analyses showed that (D/E)XXXL(L/I) signals bind to a combination of two subunits of each AP complex, namely the AP-1 γ-σ1, AP-2 α-σ2, and AP-3 δ-σ3 hemicomplexes, and structural studies revealed that an imperfect variant of this motif lacking the (D/E) residue binds to a site straddling the interface of α and σ2. Herein, we report mutational and binding analyses showing that canonical (D/E)XXXL(L/I) signals bind to this same site on AP-2, and to similar sites on AP-1 and AP-3. The strength and amino acid requirements of different interactions depend on the specific signals and AP complexes involved. We also demonstrate the occurrence of diverse AP-1 heterotetramers by combinatorial assembly of various γ and σ1 subunit isoforms encoded by different genes. These AP-1 variants bind (D/E)XXXL(L/I) signals with marked preferences for certain sequences, implying that they are not functionally equivalent. Our results thus demonstrate that different AP complexes share a conserved binding site for (D/E)XXXL(L/I) signals. However, the characteristics of the binding site on each complex vary, providing for the specific recognition of a diverse repertoire of (D/E)XXXL(L/I) signals.
Effect of application solvents on heterotrophic and nitrifying populations in soil microcosms

Agricultural practices may cause contamination of soil and ground water with a combination of organic compounds (pesticides and fuel) and nitrogen fertilizers. In coupled microcosm studies that monitored the mineralization of naphthalene and the nitrification of ammonia, it was observed that the solvent (dichloromethane) used to apply naphthalene to the soil inhibited nitrification, although there was no effect on naphthalene mineralization. Further studies were performed with a series of application solvents: methanol, acetonitrile, trichloromethane, and dichloromethane. Soil and solvent were allowed to equilibrate with ambient air for various times before capping and incubation of microcosms. Results indicated that dichloromethane equilibrated for 5 mins inhibited nitrification for at least 3 weeks relative to the control (water). Acetonitrile and trichloromethane similarly inhibited nitrification. Methanol and dichloromethane equilibrated for 60 mins also significantly delayed nitrification, although to a lesser extent. Inhibition of nitrification was not permanent, and nitrification activity was eventually restored in all systems tested. None of the solvents inhibited mineralization of the added carbon source. These results indicate that special care must be taken to ensure that applications solvents do not affect the activity of sensitive microbial populations, such as the nitrifiers, that may be part of a study.
Task sequence planning in a robot workcell using AND/OR nets

An approach to task sequence planning for a generalized robot manufacturing or material handling workcell is described. Given the descriptions of the objects in this system and all feasible geometric relationships among these objects, an AND/OR net which describes the relationships of all feasible geometric states and associated feasibility criteria for net transitions is generated. This AND/OR net is mapped into a Petri net which incorporates all feasible sequences of operations. The resulting Petri net is shown to be bounded and have guaranteed properties of liveness, safeness, and reversibility. Sequences are found from the reachability tree of the Petri net. Feasibility criteria for net transitions may be used to generate an extended Petri net representation of lower-level command sequences. The resulting Petri net representation may be used for online scheduling and control of the system of feasible sequences. A simulation example of the sequences is described. >
Population relationships of Simulium yahense and Simulium sanctipauli in the Firestone Rubber Plantation at Harbel, Liberia.

Comparative genetic differences for the phosphoglucomutase and trehalase loci were surveyed in larval and adult blackfly populations of the onchocerciasis vectors Simulium yahense Vajime and Dunbar, and S.sanctipauli Vajime and Dunbar. Genotype frequencies for each stage and all populations were at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, indicating that S.yahense and S.sanctipauli remain genetically distinct. S.yahense populations from three different locations were found to be genotypically comparable. The larval population of S.yahense found in closest proximity to a S. sanctipauli population was found to express the phosphoglucomutase allele 1.33, characteristic of S.sanctipauli, with significantly greater frequency than other larval populations of S.yahense. This may constitute evidence of limited genetic introgression of S.sanctipauli with the S.yahense population.
Evaluating for new technology: revising assessment for online education

The same general principles that form the foundation of assessment in the traditional classroom apply to assessment in the online environment. Yet the unique capabilities of the online learning environment make performance assessments increasingly attractive by providing options for types of assessment activities that were previously impossible or too cumbersome. Therefore, the movement to online education requires that educators design new assessment strategies to suit the particular characteristics and capabilities of a new medium.
Development and validation of an electromagnetic distributed power grid model for the 90nm Pentium/spl reg/ 4 processor

In this paper, we show that it is necessary to include the distributed effects of the power grid to accurately model the power supply noise for high frequency microprocessors. We show that high frequency resonances can be entirely missed if such effects are not modeled. Finally we prove the theory with experimental validation on the 90 nm Pentium/spl reg/ 4 microprocessor.
Beyond co-pays and out-of-pocket costs: perceptions of health-related financial burden in managing asthma among African American women.

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this study was to define perceptions of health-related financial burden based on the views of individuals who report these perceptions through qualitative approaches. Methods: Four focus groups were conducted in Southeast Michigan with 26 African American women with asthma, recruited based on maximum variation sampling procedures. A semi-structured interview was employed by facilitators. Coded transcripts were analyzed for themes regarding dimensions of the meaning of financial burden. Results: Major domains of financial burden identified included (1) high out-of-pocket expenses; (2) lost wages from exacerbations, inability to maintain a stable job and stress from making decisions about taking a sick day or coming to work; (3) transport costs; (4) both costs and stress of managing insurance eligibility and correcting erroneous bills. Conclusion: Greater awareness of factors that add to perceptions of financial burden might better equip researchers to develop interventions...
Coenzyme A-free activity, crystal structure, and rational engineering of a promiscuous β-ketoacyl thiolase from Ralstonia eutropha.

Thiolases catalyze the formation of carbon-carbon bonds in diverse biosynthetic pathways. The promiscuous β-ketoacyl thiolase B of Ralstonia eutropha (ReBktB) has been utilized in the in vivo conversion of Coenzyme A (CoA)-linked precursors such as acetyl-CoA and glycolyl-CoA into β-hydroxy acids, including the pharmaceutically-important 3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid. Such thiolases could serve as powerful carbon-carbon bond-forming biocatalysts in vitro if handles less costly than CoA were employable. Here, thiolase activity is demonstrated toward substrates linked to the readily-available CoA mimic, N-acetylcysteamine (NAC). ReBktB was observed to catalyze the retro-Claisen condensation of several β-ketoacyl-S-NAC substrates, with a preference for 3-oxopentanoyl-S-NAC over 3-oxobutanoyl-, 3-oxohexanoyl-, and 3-oxoheptanoyl-S-NAC. A 2.0 A-resolution crystal structure, in which the asymmetric unit consists of four ReBktB tetramers, provides insight into acyl group specificity and how it may be engineered. By replacing an active site methionine with an alanine, a mutant possessing significant activity towards α-methyl substituted, NAC-linked substrates was engineered. The ability of ReBktB and its engineered mutants to utilize NAC-linked substrates will facilitate the in vitro biocatalytic synthesis of diketide chiral building blocks from feedstock molecules such as acetate and propionate.
Numerical solution of diffraction problems: a method of variation of boundaries. III. Doubly periodic gratings

We present a new numerical method for the solution of the problem of diffraction of light by a doubly periodic surface. This method is based on a high-order rigorous perturbative technique, whose application to singly periodic gratings was treated in the first two papers of this series [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. A10, 1168, 2307 ( 1993)]. We briefly discuss the theoretical basis of our algorithm, namely, the property of analyticity of the diffracted fields with respect to variations of the interfaces. While the algebraic derivation of some basic recursive formulas is somewhat involved, it results in expressions that are easy to implement numerically. We present a variety of numerical examples (for bisinusoidal gratings) in order to demonstrate the accuracy exhibited by our method as well as its limited requirements in terms of computing power. Generalization of our computer code to crossed gratings other than bisinusoidal is in principle immediate, but the full domain of applicability of our algorithm remains to be explored. Comparison with results presented previously for actual experimental configurations shows a substantial improvement in the resolution of our numerics over that given by other methods introduced in the past.
Smoking Prevalence and Awareness Among Undergraduate and Health Care Students

Approximately 10,000 undergraduates from 12 Texas colleges and universities and 350 health care students completed a Web-based survey assessing the prevalence and awareness of cigarette smoking. There were few differences between health care and undergraduate students on trying smoking or quitting smoking. Health care students reported lower rates of current smoking than undergraduate students, even though both groups demonstrated similar knowledge of tobacco-related health risks. Gender differences are discussed. Findings suggest that tobacco awareness programs should continue to target young adults as an at-risk population, and that health care training programs should place a greater emphasis on tobacco cessation.
Physics and technology challenges of BB factories

The design of a high-luminosity asymmetric B factory leads to physics challenges primarily in the areas of lattice design and the beam-beam interaction. In the first area, the issues are related to the production of low beta /sub v/* values, the separation of the two beams, and the design of the masking system. In the second area, the physics issues are centered around the techniques for optimizing the luminosity for the new parameter regime of asymmetric collisions. Coverage is given to lattice design beam-beam interaction, the RF system and the feedback system. >
A data compression technique for scattered fields from complex targets

A data compression technique to efficiently compress the scattered fields from complex targets is presented. Since at high frequencies the scattered fields from complex radar targets exhibit a highly localized behavior, the data compression technique is based on extracting and then sampling the responses associated with individual scattering mechanisms. The compression technique preserves the angle as well as the frequency variation of individual scattering mechanisms and, thus, leads to small reconstruction error. The proposed technique, however, is a lossy process in the sense that a tradeoff exists between the compression ratio and the data reconstruction error. The smaller the data reconstruction error, the smaller the compression ratio. The effectiveness of the technique is demonstrated by compressing measured scattered fields of a complex target.
Cenozoic Provenance and Sediment Cycling: Hamilton Bank, Labrador Shelf

ABSTRACT Within the context of Cenozoic climatic and glacial history, grain size, mineralogy and sand grain surface textures have been used to investigate sources of glacial drift. Components of Precambrian crystalline bedrock, friable, Hadrynian or younger Double Mer sedimentary rocks, offshore Paleozoic sediments and Tertiary-Quaternary mudstones and sands have been identified in the drift. The sand fraction appears to have evolved through a complex history of several sedimentary cycles beginning with chemical, fluvial and glacial erosion of grains from the Double Mer Formation. There then followed, proglacial silica precipitation on grain surfaces, reworking and Pliocene to Pleistocene deposition in a shallow marine delta. In the late Pleistocene the delta was exumed allowing subaereal weat ering, shallow marine-aeolian reworking, glacial modification and quartz crystal overgrowths to further modify the grains.
Coping with Bullying: What Answers does Children's Literature Provide?.

Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic tool for helping children deal with stressful events. Bullying and peer victimization is commonly experienced by children and has been associated with psychosocial maladjustment. However, research suggests that particular coping strategies may be more or less effective. As stories are one avenue through which children learn about and explore possible coping strategies, this study examined 73 storybooks aimed at children ages 4–11 for bullying type (verbal, physical, and relational), settings in which the bullying occurred and coping strategies used by fictional victims. Assessed coping strategies included nine categories and 26 specific strategies. Results indicated that the most commonly used coping strategy categories included both adaptive (prosocial response, advice seeking, distancing) and maladaptive (revenge-seeking) categories. The most frequently promoted coping strategies were bystander-intervention (16%), befriend-the-bully (15%), trick-the-bully (11%), scare-the ...
The effects of extraneous stimulation on vigilance.

The influence of extraneous stimulation on vigilance performance was investigated by the method of repeated threshold measurement. During part of a 48-min. vigil subjects were required to stand, stretch, and breathe deeply under one condition and to converse with the experimenter during another condition. Performance during the continuing watch improved under both conditions. The results are interpreted as evidence supporting the activation hypothesis of vigilance.
Does Movie Viewing Cultivate Young People's Unrealistic Expectations About Love and Marriage?

The current study examines the association between consumption of media messages by way of movie viewing and genre preference and endorsement of ideals and expectations concerning romantic relationships. A survey of young adults found that viewing preference for both romantic comedies and dramas was significantly and positively correlated with idealized notions of faith that love conquers all, greater expectations for intimacy, and endorsement of the eros love style. However, participants who frequently watched romantic movies did not endorse beliefs in sexual perfection, mindreading, or disagreement disallowance. Results suggest that more mythic romantic ideals may tend to supersede other relational demands.
The Last American Draftees

In 1973 the United States ended a 33-year-old practice of manning its military forces by conscription. The shift to a policy of using only volunteers followed a debate-as old as the nation itself-about the best way to maintain the force. And the debate continues. Opponents of conscription argue that draftees tend to serve only the minimum time required, usually two years, while volunteers are more likely to remain in the force for much longer periods. Length of service is important because more experienced people are needed to fill positions of supervision and leadership and, depending on their occupational specialties, to provide important technical expertise as well. This article provides a 15-year record of two cohorts that entered the Army during the last year of the draft: 157,797 volunteers and 32,288 conscripts. For each group there is evidence about tenure and performance as measured in terms of voluntary and involuntary departures from the Army. (Comparative data for the other three services are ...
Experimental high-speed network

Many existing local area networking protocols currently applied in medical imaging were originally designed for relatively low-speed, low-volume networking. These protocols utilize small packet sizes appropriate for text based communication. Local area networks of this type typically provide raw bandwidth under 125 MHz. These older network technologies are not optimized for the low delay, high data traffic environment of a totally digital radiology department. Some current implementations use point-to-point links when greater bandwidth is required. However, the use of point-to-point communications for a total digital radiology department network presents many disadvantages. This paper describes work on an experimental multi-access local area network called XFT. The work includes the protocol specification, and the design and implementation of network interface hardware and software. The protocol specifies the Physical and Data Link layers (OSI layers 1 & 2) for a fiber-optic based token ring providing a raw bandwidth of 500 MHz. The protocol design and implementation of the XFT interface hardware includes many features to optimize image transfer and provide flexibility for additional future enhancements which include: a modular hardware design supporting easy portability to a variety of host system buses, a versatile message buffer design providing 16 MB of memory, and the capability to extend the raw bandwidth of the network to 3.0 GHz.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Circadian Patterns of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction in the New Millennium

Objective Nearly four decades ago, a circadian pattern of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with a peak in the early morning waking hours was described. The goal of the present study was to determine whether major changes in lifestyle and significant advances in medical therapy have altered this pattern in the intervening years.
Effects of pentobarbital anesthesia on intercostal muscle activation and shortening

Although pentobarbital (PB) is a commonly used anesthetic in animal studies examining respiratory motor control, there are virtually no studies that have examined the differential effects of deepening anesthesia on the activation of the various intercostal muscles. In dogs, anesthetized initially with 25 mg/kg of PB, the effects of additional doses of PB (20 mg) provided every 15 min on intercostal electromyogram (EMG) were monitored. In each animal, peak external intercostal (EI) and levator costae (LC) activation progressively decreased with additional doses of PB and were eventually abolished, at which point peak parasternal (PA) EMG had increased to 127 +/- 13% (SE) of control values; peak diaphragm EMG was unaffected. The reductions in EI activation were associated with progressive reductions in EI muscle shortening that, in turn, were associated with progressive reductions in lateral rib cage expansion. PA shortening was not significantly affected. Similar results were obtained in animals breathing supplemental oxygen. These results indicate that 1) activation of EI and LC compared with PA have divergent responses, with EI and LC decreasing and PA increasing; 2) the fall in EI activation results in decrements in EI shortening and lateral rib cage motion; and 3) anesthetic depth is an important variable that must be controlled in studies assessing intercostal muscle activation.