cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review: Ina-Maria Greverus, Sharon MacDonald, Regina Romhild, Gisela Welz & Helena Wullf (Eds.) (2002). Stability Upon Shifting Ground: Review Note of Shifting Grounds: Experiments in Doing Ethnography

Der Band von GREVERUS et al. ist als Review zu "Shifting Grounds: Experiments in Doing Ethnography" erschienen, einer Ausgabe des Anthropological Journal on European Cultures. GREVERUS et al. beschaftigen sich mit der Geschichte und den Implikationen von Ethnographie als einer Methodologie, die in verschiedenen akademischen Disziplinen von Bedeutung ist, wobei sie den Autoren von "Shifting Grounds" ihre Anerkennung zollen fur die unterschiedlichen Arten des dort beschriebenen "doing ethnography". Indem Korper als Gegenstand der Ethnographie verstanden und untersucht werden, an denen Leben und Geschichten zum Ausdruck kommen, beschaftigt sich dieser Beitrag mit den unterschiedlichen Reaktionen der Autoren und Autorinnen auf experimentelle und performative Ethnographie unter Bezugnahme auf bedeutsame aktuelle Fragen innerhalb der Anthropologie. Anknupfend sowohl an die anthropologische als auch an die historische Wende der Ethnographie werden in GREVERUS et al. Fragen der Mobilitat von Feldarbeit, von Zeit, Raum, Multi-Lokalitat, von Tourismus und Tradition/Kultur diskutiert. "Shifting Grounds" gewahrt dabei nicht nur Einblicke in die ethnographische Praxis, es eroffnet auch neue Wege des "doing ethnography". URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0503175
β-Galactosidase from Termination and Deletion Mutant Strains

beta-Galactosidase fragments were isolated from strains of Escherichia coli with mutations in the lacZ gene. The polypeptide obtained from a termination mutant (lacZNG125) appeared to be the intact gene product, containing the first half of the beta-galactosidase amino acid sequence. From an internal deletion mutant strain (lacZU163), an aggregate was obtained of several partially degraded polypeptides. Each of these was smaller than predicted from genetic data for the fragment. Introduction of the lacZU163 mutation into a protein degradation-deficient strain (Deg(-)) resulted in the protection of the amino-terminal region of the protein. Some of the BrCN peptides from the U163 polypeptides were separated and identified. From such experiments it was shown that in both Deg(-) and Deg(+) strains the COOH-terminal region is rapidly degraded. This indicates that the complete gene product of lacZU163 has not been detected. The use of genetically defined enzyme fragments in studying structure-function relationships and in determination of primary structure is discussed.
Nonintegral and integral folding crystal growth in low‐molecular mass poly (ethylene oxide) fractions. III. Linear crystal growth rates and crystal morphology

Correlations of the linear crystal growth rates with the change in crystal morphology for poly(ethylene oxide) (MW 3000) and α,ω-methoxy-poly (ethylene oxide) (MW 3000) fractions have have been established over a wide range of supercooling
The biogeography of plant reproduction: potential determinants of species’ range sizes

Aim A major biogeographical hypothesis, the ‘niche-breadth’ hypothesis, explains species range sizes based on the extent of a species’ niche (e.g. diversity of habitats occupied; range of environmental conditions tolerated). An alternative hypothesis explains range sizes using metapopulation theory (e.g. colonization dynamics; dispersal ability). Both niche breadth and colonization ability may be related to plant species’ reproductive characteristics. We evaluate both hypotheses by examining the relationship of plant range size to mating system and genomic structure (ploidy status). Location Western North America. Methods Using a data set of 60 taxa in the genus Clarkia (Onagraceae), we use three analytical techniques to examine the effect of reproductive characteristics on range size. We conduct cross-species analyses of present-day taxa to examine both mating system and polyploidy in relation to range size. We also conduct a phylogenetically independent contrasts analysis (using caic software) on the relationship of mating system to range size in diploid species. Third, we compare closely related taxon pairs that differ in mating system as an alternative method to control for phylogeny. Results Polyploid species have significantly larger ranges compared with diploid species. When considering only diploid taxa, no significant relationship is found for mating system in both cross-species and phylogenetically independent contrasts analyses. The diploid pairwise analysis, comparing only the range sizes of direct sister taxa with alternative mating systems, does show a relationship, with outcrossing species having larger ranges than self-fertilizing species. Main conclusions We argue that genetic diversity, colonization ability, or a combination of both factors may influence plant species’ range sizes. The significant pairwise analysis suggests that both the independent contrast and the cross-species analysis may be confounded by polytomies of species at the terminal nodes of the phylogeny, indicating the importance of comparing the results of multiple analytical techniques. We propose that the range sizes of self-fertilizing species have a bimodal distribution, obscuring the effect of mating system on range size, and that a broader survey of plant taxa will resolve the two modes from that of the outcrossing species. Lastly, polyploid species appear to show significantly larger range sizes than diploid species, irrespective of mating system.
News Accuracy: Some Findings on the Meaning of Errors

More than 300 local news stories from two West Coast dailies were reviewed for accuracy by the persons who had been reported on. Accuracy rates in this study generally replicate those found previously. The closer the acquaintanceship between the newsmaker and anyone on the news staff, the less likely an error will be perceived by the newsmaker. Close acquaintanceship also appears to ameliorate the impact of errors on the newsmaker. So-called subjective and objective errors do not appear to be distinguishable by their seriousness.
Synthetic oil from coal—the economic impact of five alternatives for making hydrogen from coal and steam

While large-scale liquefaction is approximately 10 to 15 years from fruition, its economic implications are important to assess. This study evaluates the effect of several hydrogen production configurations on the cost of syncrude produced by a general catalytic liquefaction process. The five cases analyzed were: partial oxidation of coal at 44.7,500, and 1000 psia; partial oxidation of char at 1000 psia; and, partial oxidation of process-derived vacuum bottoms at 1000 psia. Material balances for all cases were based on a total coal consumption of 25,000 tons per stream day (TPSD). This study shows that increasing the pressure of partial oxidation from 44.7 to 1000 psia reduces the oil cost by 10 percent. The incremental savings in going from 500 to 1000 psia is only two percent, which may make this increase marginal. The inclusion of a pyrolysis plant, in all cases, resulted in more costly oil. At the highest pressure, coal and vacuum bottoms, Cases 1 aand V, yielded syncrude of comparable cost. No attempt was made to quantify the advantages associated with the vacuum bottoms case, such as less sulfur and nitrogen in the syncrude product, which is also lighter. Operating advantages associated with the elimination of the filtrationmore » step in the liquefaction plant, and lock hopper feeding of coal would produce added benefits for Case V, which have not been included in these cost estimations. Finally, the least costly hydrogen was produced by partial oxidation of coal at 1000 psia.« less
Legal proceedings, reforms, and emerging issues in child sexual abuse cases

Criminal and civil proceedings are outlined for cases of intrafamilial child abuse. Statutory reforms and court decisions in the area of sex abuse are reviewed, citing their potential beneficial and harmful effects on both offenders and victims. Finally, the roles of children and mental health experts in court proceedings are discussed. Language: en
A Classroom Demonstration of the Primacy Effect in the Attribution of Ability

The activity described in this paper gives students firsthand experience with the primacy effect that occurs when individuals make judgments about the ability of other people. The exercise serves as a springboard for discussion and' as a useful vehicle for exploring some key issues related to experimental design as well as attribution theory.
Steady state and time-resolved fluorimetry of benzo(a)pyrene in liposomes and microsomes☆

Abstract Comparisons of the steady-state fluorescence signals of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) in liposomes and in microsomes indicate that BP molecules involved in the formation of excimers emitting around 520 nm may be the primary species being oxidized during the first 30 min of metabolism. Moreover, these excimers seem to be kinetically differentiable from BP molecules in other locations in the membrane. Since excimers can be formed only when BP molecules are close together, this implies that the metabolizing BP molecules are more likely on the membrane surface than in the midplane region.
GABA : a dominant neurotransmitter in the hypothalamus

To study the organization and distribution of the inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter GABA in the medial hypothalamus, we used a postembedding immunocytochemical approach with colloidal gold. Quantitative analysis showed that half (49%) of all synapsing boutons studied were immunoreactive for GABA, based on immunogold staining of the suprachiasmatic, arcuate, supraoptic, and paraventricular nuclei. This was corroborated with pre-embedding peroxidase immunostaining with antisera against glutamate decarboxylase, the GABA synthetic enzyme. These data suggest that GABA is the numerically dominant neurotransmitter in the hypothalamus, and emphasize the importance of inhibitory circuits in the hypothalamus. Serial ultrathin sections were used to reconstruct GABA immunoreactive boutons and axons in three dimensions. With this type of analysis we found less morphological heterogeneity between GABA immunoreactive boutons than with single ultrathin sections. Single sections sometimes showed boutons containing only small clear vesicles, and other with both clear vesicles and small dense core vesicles. However, with serial sections through individual boutons, dense core vesicles were consistently found at the periphery of the pre-synaptic GABA immunoreactive boutons, suggesting probable co-localization of GABA with unidentified peptides in most if not all boutons throughout the hypothalamus. A positive correlation was found between the density of small clear vesicles and the intensity of immunostaining with colloidal gold particles. GABA immunoreactive axons generally made symmetrical type synaptic specializations, although a small percentage made strongly asymmetrical synaptic specializations. Vesicles in GABA immunoreactive boutons were slightly smaller than those in non-reactive boutons. Synaptic efficacy is related to the position of the synapse on the post-synaptic neuron. While the majority of GABA immunoreactive axons made synaptic contact with dendrites, the distribution of GABA immunoreactive synapses on somata and dendrites was the same as would be expected from a random distribution of all boutons. No preferential innervation of cell bodies by GABA immunoreactive terminals was found. Serial ultrathin sections showed that a GABA immunoreactive axon would sometimes make repeated synaptic contacts with a single postsynaptic neuron, indicating a high degree of direct control by the presynaptic GABAergic cell. Other immunoreactive axons made synaptic contact with a number of adjacent dendrites and cells, suggesting a role for GABA in synchronizing the activity of hypothalamic neurons. Based on the density of immunogold particles per unit area, varying concentrations of immunoreactive GABA were found in different presynaptic boutons in the hypothalamus.
Limited effect of recombinant porcine interleukin-12 on porcine lymphocytes due to a low level of IL-12 beta2 receptor.

Abstract The cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a key molecule in the regulation of CD4+T cell development and specifically potentiates T helper 1 responses in mouse and man. However, biological effects mediated by IL-12 have not been well defined in pigs. Herein, recombinant porcine IL-12 (rPoIL-12) was expressed in a swine poxvirus system as a biologically active heterodimer and used to stimulate bovine or swine lymphoblast cells. After 3 days of incubation, only bovine blasts were responsive to the rPoIL-12 treatment as monitored by cell proliferation in several independent trials. Similarly, i.m. administration of rPoIL-12 in the hind leg of 3-week-old pigs indicated a reduction in the number of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) producing lymphocytes isolated from inguinal lymph nodes. The porcine IL-12R beta2 (IL-12Rβ2) sequence was cloned and results generated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrated that the expression of IL-12R on porcine blasts as measured by the relative levels of IL-12Rβ2 mRNA was less than that in bovine blasts and are in agreement with the reduced proliferation response of swine blast cells to rPoIL-12 treatment. Real time PCR analysis demonstrated that after PBMC stimulation, bovine blasts had an 11-fold increase in IL-12Rβ2 mRNA levels while porcine blasts had almost no change. These data support a mechanism for IL-12 stimulation in swine inconsistent with that observed in conventional models.
EFFECTS OF THE SYMBIOTIC RED ALGA HYPNEOCOLAX STELLARIS ON ITS HOST HYPNEA MUSCIFORMIS (HYPNEACEAE, GIGARTINALES)1

The presence of the “symbiotic” red alga Hypneocolax stellaris Borgesen was found to substantially reduce the growth rate of Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) Lamouroux. The growth rate of injected field material was 40% less than unifected thalli. Likewise, the growth rate of host thalli infected in the laboratory was reduced 70% compared to uninfected thalli. Neither the quantity nor quality of carrageenan extracted from Hypnea musciformis was directly affected by the presence of Hypneocolax stellaris. In a mariculture system the presence of a symbiotic alga on its host would be expected to reduce the host's growth rate and thereby lower its economic potential.
Practice in Search of a Paradigm: Language Rights, Linguistic Citizenship and Minority Language Communities in Senegal

Appropriate models for understanding the dynamics of language use in society are essential to effective language policy and planning. Particularly in African contexts, such models must speak to the unique features of multilingual environments, and they must account for the differences in prestige and value which occur between languages in these contexts. Two paradigms of language and identity that are under discussion in Africa today are the language rights and linguistic citizenship paradigms. These two paradigms describe the social and political aspects of minority language use in very different ways. This paper examines various aspects of these two models, using data gathered on six local language communities in Senegal, West Africa. It explores the applicability of the two models to the realities of these communities and their national context, and offers observations regarding the utility of the two for framing the language development task in sub-Saharan Africa.
Numeric analyses of the roles of gas phase and liquid phase UV photochemistry in conventional and immersion 193 nm lithography

We examine the consequences of 193 nm photochemistry of air and water on resist compositions during exposure. The analysis uses a detailed quantitative kinetic model based on available literature mechanistic data and constructed with in-house simulation tools. In conventional 193 nm lithography, both oxidation of the resist polymer due to the UV photolysis of molecular oxygen, and film interaction with strong acids, formed by photo-oxidation of nitrogen and sulfur species in ambient air, have been proposed to lead to degraded resist imaging. We assess the extent to which such reactions can occur under typical lithographic process conditions, and find that while oxidation is minimal, acid deposition into the top of the resist film is significant and can spread over distances of millimeters. Immersion lithography using 193 nm radiation utilizes a layer of highly purified, degassed water as an index-matching fluid. When water is exposed to 193 nm light, short-lived chemical intermediates are produced by two pathways, neutral and ionic. A quantitative evaluation of this photochemistry during lithographic immersion exposure shows that neither type of intermediate nor photolyzed, leached photoacid generator molecules lead to significant water composition changes, so resist impacts are not likely to be marked. Organic immersion fluids may undergo significant photolysis, however there are insufficient experimental data to assess any potential impacts at this time.
Cognitive Effects of Marijuana-Reply

In Reply. —We certainly agree with Drs Scheier and Botvin that heavy marijuana users might have antecedent neuropsychological and behavioral deficits to a greater degree than occasional marijuana users and that this phenomenon could account for the differences observed in our study. In fact, we address this question in detail in our article. However, our analyses controlling for verbal IQ and reported Scholastic Aptitude Test scores both suggested that premorbid deficits were unlikely to account for the differences in cognitive functioning observed. Further, we were unable to detect clear differences between even the heaviest and the lightest marijuana users on a number of psychological and behavioral measures. 1 Similarly, in the other large recent study of the residual cognitive effect of marijuana, 2 an analysis using test scores obtained years earlier, prior to marijuana use, also suggested that premorbid deficits could not account for the findings. Thus, the burden of
Statistical Models Of A Priori Information For Image Processing

A probabilistic formulation of several statistical models of the a priori source information is presented with maximum entropy analysis on individual source element behavior and Bernoulli counting process on source strength correlation. The maximum likelihood and maximum entropy image restoring of Frieden is shown to be a special case of these models when each source element has a uniform probabilistic distribution with all of them having the same constrained distribution range in treating data as a likelihood constraint. A maximum a posteriori probability analysis of incorporating both the a priori source and data information into account is extensively studied. Iterative imaging algorithms are derived by employing the expectation-maximization technique of Dempster et al. These algorithms are applied to computer generated and experimental radioisotope phantom imaging data. Improved images are obtained, compared to that of standard maximum likelihood algorithms of Shepp et al and Lange et al.
Lower hybrid heating of ionospheric ions due to ion ring distributions in the cusp

The stability of H(+) and H(++) ring distributions which have been observed downflowing into the cusp on the DE and S3-3 satellites is examined in the context of the feedback of those instabilities on plasma of ionospheric origin consisting of (H(+) and O(+). Lower hybrid waves are excited by the ring distributions in three distinct phases of wave-particle interaction: linear growth, trapping, and quasi-linear diffusion.The latter phase accounts for most particle heating. Including background O(+) and/or a He(++) ring introduces new modes not present in a pure H(+) plasma which play an important role in heating heavier ions. O(+) is heated significantly more by a He(++) ring than a H(+) ring of comparable energy density. It is suggested that lower hybrid waves generated by downflowing ion ring distributions play a role in energizing ion conics in the cusp.
Procion yellow: a marker dye for outer segment disc patency and for rod renewal.

Abstract When Procion Yellow is injected into the vitreous cavity of eyes of living animals, it does two things: (1) it stains the length of the outer segment of cones and, (2) it stains only the new-forming basal lamellae of rod outer segments. Thus it is possible to discriminate rods from cones by color difference and to monitor the renewal of rod outer segment by observing the stained leaflets move toward the sclera as new, unstained lamellae form.
Four fluorochromes for the demonstration and microfluorometric estimation of RNA

Microfluorometric estimates of total RNA were made in selected test material stained with berberine sulfate, acridine orange, and Hoechst 33258. These measurements were compared with those obtained with propidium iodide, which is known to interact only with double-stranded nucleic acids. It was observed that all of the fluorochromes, including propidium iodide, yielded very similar patterns of fluorescence in the various types of material tested. In isolated thymocyte and hepatocyte nuclei stained with either propidium iodide or Hoechst 33258 at pH 2, it was evident that RNA could be estimated only indirectly by measuring the amount of fluorescence before and after extraction with RNase. It was apparent that the total fluorescence of small thymocyte nuclei was affected much less by RNase extraction than that of 2c hepatocyte nuclei. Attempts to obtain direct estimates of RNA by exposing the preparations to DNase were not successful: the fluorescence of thymocyte nuclei dropped almost to zero, and hepatocyte nuclei could no longer be assigned to distinct ploidy classes. In addition, since the highly condensed chromatin of thymocyte nuclei was stained much more prominently than the looser chromatin of hepatocyte nuclei with Hoechst 33258, it was apparent that this fluorochrome — when used at pH 2 — has potential usefulness as a “probe” of organizational differences in chromatin.
An extended normalized cuts method for real-time planar feature extraction from noisy range images

This paper presents a new method for extracting planar features from noisy range data. The method encodes the local geometric information (surface normals) and global spatial information (coordinates) of 3D data points into an Enhanced Range Image (ERI) which is then clustered into a number of homogeneous groups, called Super Pixels (SPs). The Normalized Cuts (NC) method is employed to the graph built on the SPs and groups the SPs into planar segments. The ERI coding enhances object surfaces and edges while its sensitivity to surface normals is suppressed by the NC measure that takes into account the spatial information of SPs in computing the edge weights of the graph. A binary matrix is constructed to represent the spatial and similarity relationships among the planar segments. We then employ a search algorithm on this matrix to merge homogenous planar segments. The proposed approach is compared with a representative plane segmentation method in various indoor environments and the results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method. In this paper, rang data are captured from a 3D imaging sensor—the Swissranger SR-3000.
Product formation in chemically-reacting turbulent jets

Results from experiments performed in a newly-constructed High Pressure Combustion Facility are presented. The experiments described here are designed to address Reynolds number effects on turbulent mixing and entrainment, and flame length in an axisymmetric, gas-phase turbulent reacting jet, in particular, over a large range of Reynolds numbers.
Selenium inhibition of the neoplastic transformation in preneoplastic mammary cell populations

The effect of dietary selenium on the tumor-producing capabilities of primary hyperplastic alveolar nodules (HAN) of the mammary gland of BALB/c mice was examined directly using a transplantation assay. The tumor-producing capabilities of primary HAN exposed to 2.0 ppm dietary selenium was decreased 57% compared to the tumor-producing capabilities of HAN exposed to 0.2 ppm dietary selenium. This degree of inhibition compared well with the 60% inhibition of mammary tumorigenesis when the mice were exposed to supplemental selenium during the entire tumorigenic period. The examination of primary hyperplastic alveolar nodules was a more accurate assessment of the responsiveness of the preneoplastic state than using established nodule outgrowth lines since the latter exhibited a greater degree of variability in response to selenium-mediated inhibition of growth and the mean response of numerous nodule outgrowth lines was not as great as seen in the primary HAN. These results indicate that selenium is an effective inhibitor of the neoplastic transformation in preneoplastic cells as well as the formation of preneoplastic cells.
Comparative genomics of the sperm mitochondria-associated cysteine-rich protein gene

The sperm mitochondrial cysteine-rich protein (SMCP) is a rapidly evolving cysteine- and proline-rich protein that is localized in the mitochondrial capsule and enhances sperm motility. The sequences of the SMCP protein, gene, and mRNA in a variety of mammals have been compared to understand their evolution and regulation. SMCP can now be reliably identified by its tripartite structure including a short amino-terminal segment; a central segment containing short tandem repeats rich in cysteine, proline, glutamine, and lysine; and a C-terminal segment containing no repeats, few cysteines, and a C-terminal lysine. The SMCP gene is located in the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC), a large gene cluster that functions in forming epithelial barriers. Similarities in chromosomal location, molecular function, intron-exon structure, and protein organization argue that SMCP originated from an EDC gene and acquired spermatogenic cell-specific transcriptional and translational regulation and a novel cellular function in sperm motility. The SMCP 5' UTR and 3' UTR contain conserved elements and uORFs that may function in cytoplasmic regulation of gene expression, and the levels of SMCP mRNA in human are much lower than in other mammals, a feature of male-biased expression. The evolution of SMCP has been accompanied by changes in the sequence, number, and length of repeat units, including three alleles in dogs. The major proteins associated with the mitochondrial capsule, SMCP and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, provide outstanding examples of changes in cellular function driven by selective pressures on sperm motility, an important determinant of male reproductive success.
A Simple Spore Trap

WHEN studying an air-borne plant pathogenic fungus, it is often desirable to determine whether the spores of the organism are present in the atmosphere at particular times. When accurate data suitable for statistical analysis are required, the use of apparatus such as the Hirst1 spore trap is desirable. However, lack of funds or the absence of need for elaborate data may preclude such a purchase. The alternative would seem to consist of placing suitably treated microscope slides in a fixed position—a method known to be relatively inefficient. In seeking a compromise, the following spore trap was designed.
Evaluating motion graphs for character animation

Realistic and directable humanlike characters are an ongoing goal in animation. Motion graph data structures hold much promise for achieving this goal; however, the quality of the results obtainable from a motion graph may not be easy to predict from its input motion clips. This article describes a method for using task-based metrics to evaluate the capability of a motion graph to create the set of animations required by a particular application. We examine this capability for typical motion graphs across a range of tasks and environments. We find that motion graph capability degrades rapidly with increases in the complexity of the target environment or required tasks, and that addressing deficiencies in a brute-force manner tends to lead to large, unwieldy motion graphs. The results of this method can be used to evaluate the extent to which a motion graph will fulfill the requirements of a particular application, lessening the risk of the data structure performing poorly at an inopportune moment. The method can also be used to characterize the deficiencies of motion graphs whose performance will not be sufficient, and to evaluate the relative effectiveness of different options for improving those motion graphs.
Evaluation of a hand-held neutron detector for usability, design and comfort

Seven male first responders were surveyed about the usability, design, and comfort of a hand-held commercially available neutron detector. The primary goal of the questionnaire was to identify the positive and negative features, and evaluate what could be enhanced on new detectors. Some of the negative features found on the detector were that it was heavy, unbalanced, too big, and difficult to handle while wearing gloves. The first responders couldn't use the controls well while wearing gloves and the force required for the use of the controls is too hard. Using the recommendations given by the first responders, a future hand-held neutron detector will be designed and studies will be conducted after constructing several different physical prototypes.
Co-culture induces alignment in engineered cardiac constructs via MMP-2 expression

Cardiac tissue engineering has been limited by the inability to recreate native myocardial structural features. We hypothesized that heart cell elongation and alignment in 3D engineered cardiac constructs would be enhanced by using physiologic ratios of cardiomyocytes (CM) and cardiac fibroblasts (CF) via matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-dependent mechanisms. Co-cultured CM and CF constructs were compared to CM-enriched constructs using either basal media or media with a general MMP inhibitor for 8 days. Co-cultured constructs exhibited significantly increased cell alignment (p < 0.0002), which was eliminated by MMP inhibition. Co-cultured constructs expressed substantial active MMP-2 protein that was not present in CM-enriched constructs, increased pro-MMP-2 (p < 0.001), and reduced pro-MMP-9 (p < 0.001) expression. Apoptosis was decreased by co-culture (p < 0.05), independent of MMP inhibition. These results demonstrated that co-culture of CF in physiologic ratios within engineered cardiac constructs improved cell elongation and alignment via increased MMP-2 expression and activation, and also improved viability independent of MMP activity.
VisFiles: the next surge of visualization research

It has been twenty years since the surge of visualization research following the publication of the report on Visualization in Scientific Computing by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) in 1987. Visualization has become a mature discipline, and also an indispensable tool for understanding and communicating vast amounts of information in many fields of study. Now we are seeing a second surge of visualization research. One stimulus is the widespread, day-to-day reliance of the Web, while the other is the continuing advances of scientific supercomputing.
Simulation of nonlinear distributed parameter systems on the connection machine

The recently introduced Connection Machine, CM-2, is a multiprocessor with massive parallelism. Fully expanded, the CM-2 consists of 64K processing elements connected in a hypercube topology. Each processing element contains a single-bit arithmetic and logic unit as well as up to 256K bits of local memory. Operation is in the SIMD mode with a single control unit controlling all the processors. In this paper the application of a quarter CM-2 (16K processing elements) to the simulation of excitable media is described. Excitable media are distributed parameter systems, charac terized by nonlinear partial differential equations, containing distributed sources of energy. Excitable media arise in biological systems (e.g. heart muscles), chemical processes and a variety of other application areas. The implementation of a mathematical model for the heart muscle on the CM-2 permitted the generation of very interesting computational results.
Atomic Transition Probabilities for Visible and Near-Ultraviolet Spectral Lines in CO I

We report the measurement of branching fractions and absolute transition probabilities for 103 Co I spectral lines in the wavelength range between 293 and 1008 nm. Hollow cathode spectra recorded using the Fourier transform spectrometer at the National Solar Observatory are used to determine the branching fractions. An absolute scale is established using recently reported radiative lifetimes from time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence measurements. The results are for the most part in agreement with previously reported measurements but reduce the uncertainties by an average factor of 2.5. Two-thirds of the transition probabilities reported here have uncertainties between ±5% and ±10%. The lines studied in this work connect the low-lying even-parity levels of Co I to odd-parity levels between 28346 and 34134 cm-1.
Keynote paper: Developing knowledge and learning strategies in mobile organisations

As the world becomes more fluid, networked and complex, organisations will continue to be more mobile than ever before. A part of the challenge for future mobile organisations is on how can they better communicate and collaborate within their employees, customers and stakeholders. One technique that can help address this issue is social network analysis. Mobile organisations also need to develop new knowledge and learning strategies, especially as related to recognition and reward systems. The paper will discuss these various considerations.
Impurity scattering and transport of fractional quantum Hall edge states

We study the effects of impurity scattering on the low-energy edge-state dynamics for a broad class of quantum Hall fluids at filling factor \ensuremath{\nu}=n/(np+1), for integer n and even integer p. When p is positive all n of the edge modes are expected to move in the same direction, whereas for negative p one mode moves in a direction opposite to the other n-1 modes. Using a chiral-Luttinger model to describe the edge channels, we show that for an ideal edge when p is negative, a nonquantized and nonuniversal Hall conductance is predicted. The nonquantized conductance is associated with an absence of equilibration between the n edge channels. To explain the robust experimental Hall quantization, it is thus necessary to incorporate impurity scattering into the model, to allow for edge equilibration. A perturbative analysis reveals that edge impurity scattering is relevant and will modify the low-energy edge dynamics. We describe a nonperturbative solution for the random n-chanel edge, which reveals the existence of a disorder-dominated phase, characterized by a stable zero-temperature renormalization-group fixed point. The phase consists of a single propagating charge mode, which gives a quantized Hall conductance, and n-1 neutral modes. The neutral modes all propagate at the same speed, and manifest an exact SU(n) symmetry. At finite temperatures the Su(n) symmetry is broken and the neutral modes decay with a finite rate which varies as ${\mathit{T}}^{2}$ at low temperatures. Various experimental predictions and implications which follow from the exact solution are described in detail, focusing on tunneling experiments through point contacts.
Characteristics and use of personal indexes maintained by scientists and engineers in one university

Interviews with 75 graduate school faculty members in the science and engineering departments at Florida State University have revealed that 46 of the interviewed faculty members maintain personal indexes. The structure of these personal indexes, their size, rate of growth, frequency of use, physical form, and other characteristics are given and discussed.
Physiological evidence that d-aspartate activates a current distinct from ionotropic glutamate receptor currents in Aplysia californica neurons

d-Aspartate (d-Asp) activates an excitatory current in neurons of Aplysia californica. Although d-Asp is presumed to activate a subset of l-glutamate (l-Glu) channels, the identities of putative d-...
CROPPING SPARTINA SALT MARSH FOR SILAGE

About half an acre (0·40 ha) of the salt marsh grass Spartina townsendii (s. l.) was cut from a Bristol Channel marsh using a small tractor modified for use on estuarine marshland. The cut grass was ensiled with molasses in a plastic silo. Chemical analyses were carried out on samples of fresh grass and silage. Silage was fed ad libitum to Halfbred × Suffolk wether sheep. Intake, digestibility values and crude protein content were similar to those of medium quality hay.
Elasto-plastic analysis of axisymmetric structures subject to arbitrary loads by hybrid-stress finite elements

Abstract A semi-analytic finite element method in conjuction with a hybrid-stress functional based on the initial stress approach is presented for elasto-plastic analysis. A three-dimensional solid element based on hybrid-stress model is also implemented for the elasto-plastic analysis. A procedure to compute the non-linear effects in terms of Fourier series in the hybrid-stress model is described. The accuracy and efficiency of the semi-analytic method is evaluated via numerical examples by comparing the solution with a full 3-D solution. The semi-analytic method is observed to be a viable alternative to 3-D analysis in elasto-plastic analysis of axisymmetric structures subject to arbitrary loads.
Gel permeation chromatographic analysis of solubilized lignite asphaltenes and preasphaltenes

Abstract GPC data have been measured for a series of acetylated solvent refined lignite (SRL) asphaltenes and preasphaltenes and model compounds. Two structural parameters, the degree of aromatic condensation ( H aru C ar ) and the molar hydrogen to carbon ratio ( H C ), were employed to correct the molecular weight of the samples for linear molecular size. For the model compounds, H aru C ar was more effective, whereas the SRL materials were better adjusted by H C . The calibration standards deemed most suitable for determination of molecular weight of SRL by GPC are the SRL samples themselves.
Calcium homeostasis, selective vulnerability and Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder of which the core motor symptoms are attributable to the degeneration of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Recent work has revealed that the engagement of L-type Ca 2+ channels during autonomous pacemaking renders SNc DA neurons susceptible to mitochondrial toxins used to create animal models of PD, indicating that homeostatic Ca 2+ stress could be a determinant of their selective vulnerability. This view is buttressed by the central role of mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (linchpins of current theories about the origins of PD) in Ca 2+ homeostasis. Here, we summarize this evidence and suggest the dual roles had by these organelles could compromise their function, leading to accelerated aging of SNc DA neurons, particularly in the face of genetic or environmental stress. We conclude with a discussion of potential therapeutic strategies for slowing the progression of PD.
Improved accuracy moments method for spin-dependent shell model nuclear level densities

Spin- and parity-dependent nuclear level densities (NLD) are widely used to predict reaction rates of interest for nuclear astrophysics, and nuclear-energy and medical-physics applications. Shell model techniques proved to be able to provide accurate NLDs for an increasing number of nuclei. Recently, we proposed an efficient methodology for obtaining NLDs based on the moments method of the statistical spectroscopy. In the present letter we proposed two new improvements to our methodology: i) a correct renormalization of the moments used with the finite-range Gaussians, and ii) an increasing in its accuracy and its efficiency due to an optimal choice of the finite-range cutoff parameter.
Ensuring Flexibility in the CIM Environment

ABSTRACTImplementation and design of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) systems are complex and detailed processes. They require meticulous planning and prior analysis to ensure that a viable and profitable system is developed. One of the most fundamental factors to be considered for a CIM system is the flexibility of the proposed system. Many authors have addressed the issue of system level flexibility and in a variety of ways. Two new categories of flexibility, programming and communications flexibility, are presented along with illustrations of the relative importance of the different categories of flexibility in various situations. A comparison and summary of the relationships between the work of previous authors and this paper is included.
Levels of Arabidopsis thaliana Leaf Phosphatidic Acids, Phosphatidylserines, and Most Trienoate-Containing Polar Lipid Molecular Species Increase during the Dark Period of the Diurnal Cycle.

Previous work has demonstrated that plant leaf polar lipid fatty acid composition varies during the diurnal (dark-light) cycle. Fatty acid synthesis occurs primarily during the light, but fatty acid desaturation continues in the absence of light, resulting in polyunsaturated fatty acids reaching their highest levels toward the end of the dark period. In this work, Arabidopsis thaliana were grown at constant (21°C) temperature with 12-h light and 12-h dark periods. Collision induced dissociation time-of-flight mass spectrometry demonstrated that 16:3 and 18:3 fatty acid content in membrane lipids of leaves are higher at the end of the dark than at the end of the light period, while 16:1, 16:2, 18:0, and 18:1 content are higher at the end of the light period. Lipid profiling of membrane galactolipids, phospholipids, and lysophospholipids by electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry indicated that the monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylcholine classes include molecular species whose levels are highest at end of the light period and others that are highest at the end of the dark period. The levels of phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylserine classes were higher at the end of the dark period, and molecular species within these classes either followed the class pattern or were not significantly changed in the diurnal cycle. Phospholipase D (PLD) is a family of enzymes that hydrolyzes phospholipids to produce phosphatidic acid. Analysis of several PLD mutant lines suggests that PLDζ2 and possibly PLDα1 may contribute to diurnal cycling of phosphatidic acid. The polar lipid compositional changes are considered in relation to recent data that demonstrate phosphatidylcholine acyl editing.
Synthesis and Properties of Cholesteryl Esters Bearing 32- and 16-Membered Crown Ethers

The cholesteryl esters (3b and 3a) of 5-carboxy-1,3-phenylene-16-crown-5 and 5-carboxy-4,6-dichloro-1,3-phenylene-16-crown-5 show cholesteric liquid crystalline behavior but only upon heating samples that were rapidly cooled from the isotropic melt in the case of 3a and a monotropic phase for 3b. The dichloro compound 3a was formed by treatment of the corresponding acid 2 with SOCl2 first and then cholesterol; it is believed that the SOCl2 was contaminated with SO2Cl2, leading to the chlorination of the aromatic ring. The dichloro compound 3a was structurally characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction. 3a crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121 with unit cell parameters of a = 12.76(4) A, b = 17.511(5) A, and c = 18.213 A. Use of freshly opened SOCl2 produced 3b. The reaction of the acid 2 and cholesterol in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide yielded the acylisourea 4 as the major product (64%) along with 3b (36%) upon treatment with cholesterol. The dicholesteryl ester 9 of b...
Incidence matrices of t-designs

We point out a generalization of the matrix equation NNT=(r− λ)I+λJ to t-designs with t>2 and derive extensions of Fisher's, Connor's, and Mann's inequalities for block designs.
A Critical Role for Pin2/TRF1 in ATM-dependent Regulation INHIBITION OF Pin2/TRF1 FUNCTION COMPLEMENTS TELOMERE SHORTENING, RADIOSENSITIVITY, AND THE G2/M CHECKPOINT DEFECT OF ATAXIA-TELANGIECTASIA CELLS

Cells derived from patients with the human genetic disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) display many abnormalities, including telomere shortening, premature senescence, and defects in the activation of S phase and G2/M checkpoints in response to double-strand DNA breaks induced by ionizing radiation. We have previously demonstrated that one of the ATM substrates is Pin2/TRF1, a telomeric protein that binds the potent telomerase inhibitor PinX1, negatively regulates telomere elongation, and specifically affects mitotic progression. Following DNA damage, ATM phosphorylates Pin2/TRF1 and suppresses its ability to induce abortive mitosis and apoptosis (Kishi, S., Zhou, X. Z., Nakamura, N., Ziv, Y., Khoo, C., Hill, D. E., Shiloh, Y., and Lu, K. P. (2001)J. Biol. Chem. 276, 29282–29291). However, the functional importance of Pin2/TRF1 in mediating ATM-dependent regulation remains to be established. To address this question, we directly inhibited the function of endogenous Pin2/TRF1 in A-T cells by stable expression of two different dominant-negative Pin2/TRF1 mutants and then examined their effects on telomere length and DNA damage response. Both the Pin2/TRF1 mutants increased telomere length in A-T cells, as shown in other cells. Surprisingly, both the Pin2/TRF1 mutants reduced radiosensitivity and complemented the G2/M checkpoint defect without inhibiting Cdc2 activity in A-T cells. In contrast, neither of the Pin2/TRF1 mutants corrected the S phase checkpoint defect in the same cells. These results indicate that inhibition of Pin2/TRF1 in A-T cells is able to bypass the requirement for ATM in specifically restoring telomere shortening, the G2/M checkpoint defect, and radiosensitivity and demonstrate a critical role for Pin2/TRF1 in the ATM-dependent regulation of telomeres and DNA damage response.
Perceptions of children with HIV infection when not told for so long: implications for diagnosis disclosure.

Abstract Introduction: The perceptions of school-aged children with HIV infection about their illness were evaluated in light of parental/guardian communication about the child's diagnosis to clarify guidelines for disclosure. Method: An innovative, qualitative research design using methods of grounded theory and projective drawings involved 12 children and 13 parents/guardians from a West Coast Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trial treatment center. Results: A specific process of interaction between parents/guardians and children, when not told for so long , emerged as the central phenomenon of the study. Parents/guardians kept the children's HIV infection secret for 2 to 8 years after diagnosis. Regardless of disclosure status, the children's drawings and conversations suggested severe emotional distress, disturbed self-image, and social isolation. Parents and guardians were unaware of their children's concerns. Discussion: Although other circumstances of the children's lives contributed to their poor psychosocial adjustment, the long interval of silence about the illness also played a part in their poor adjustment. Parents/guardians did not recognize when their children needed more supportive information. Pediatric clinicians should therefore continually assess children's psychosocial adjustment to guide families through the disclosure process. The use of projective drawing techniques can facilitate this process. J Pediatr Health Care. (2000). 14 , 235–243.