cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential regulation of thyrotropin subunit apoprotein and carbohydrate biosynthesis by thyroid hormone.

The regulation of TSH apoprotein and carbohydrate biosynthesis by thyroid hormone was studied by incubating pituitaries from normal and hypothyroid (3 weeks post-thyroidectomy) rats in medium containing [14C]alanine and [3H] glucosamine. After 6 h, samples were sequentially treated with anti-TSH beta to precipitate TSH and free TSH beta, anti-LH beta to clear the sample of LH and free LH beta, then anti-LH alpha to precipitate free alpha-subunit. Total proteins were acid precipitated. All precipitates were subjected to electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, which were then sliced and assayed by scintillation spectrometry. In hypothyroid pituitaries plus medium, [14C]alanine incorporation in combined and free beta-subunits was 26 times normal (P less than 0.001) and considerably greater than the 3.4-fold increase seen in total protein (P less than 0.05); combined and free alpha-subunits showed no specific increase in apoprotein synthesis. [3H]Glucosamine incorporation in combined alpha- and beta-subunits in hypothyroid samples was 13 and 21 times normal, respectively, and was greater than the 1.9-fold increase in total protein (P less than 0.05); free alpha-subunit showed no specific increase in carbohydrate synthesis. The glucosamine to alanine ratio, reflecting relative glycosylation of newly synthesized molecules, was increased in hypothyroidism for combined alpha-subunits (P less than 0.001), but not for combined beta-subunits, free alpha-subunits, or total proteins. In summary, short term hypothyroidism selectively stimulated TSH beta apoprotein synthesis and carbohydrate synthesis of combined alpha- and beta-subunits. Hypothyroidism also increased the relative glycosylation of combined alpha-subunit. Thus, thyroid hormone deficiency appears to alter the rate-limiting step in TSH assembly (i.e. beta-subunit synthesis) as well as the carbohydrate structure of TSH, which may play important roles in its biological function.
Dual-mechanical-port electric machines-concept and application of a new electric

In this article, the various possible structures of a dual mechanical port (DMP) electric machine are explored and operation features discussed. Further, dynamic modeling of the DMP electric machine is presented. In particular, the salient features and suitability of DMP machine to hybrid electrical vehicles (HEVs) are discussed.
NF-κB as a potential therapeutic target in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Summary The family of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) transcription factors is intimately involved in the regulation of expression of numerous genes in the setting of the inflammatory response. Since inflammatory processes play a fundamental role in the damage of articular tissues, many in vitro and in vivo studies have examined the contribution of components of the NF-κB signaling pathways to the pathogenesis of various rheumatic diseases, in particular, of osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Inflammation, cartilage degradation, cell proliferation, angiogenesis and pannus formation are processes in which the role of NF-κB is prominent. Consequently, large efforts have been devoted to the study of the pharmacologic modulation of the NF-κB pathways. These studies have employed currently available therapeutic agents including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, nutraceuticals and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, as well as novel small molecule inhibitors targeted to specific proteins of the NF-κB pathways. In addition, promising strategies such as improved antisense DNA therapy and RNA interference have been examined with encouraging results. However, since NF-κB also plays a crucial beneficial role in normal physiology and technical problems for effective gene therapy still remain, further research will be needed before NF-κB-aimed strategies become an effective therapy for joint diseases, such as OA and RA.
Visualization of Recombinational DNA Repair at the Single-Molecule Level

We can visualize steps of recombinational DNA repair at the single-molecule level. Detection of first involves optical trapping of an individual dsDNA molecule that is attached to a polystyrene bead, and subsequent visualization by fluorescence microscopy. Protein, or protein action, is detected by attachment of an extrinsic fluorophore directly to our favorite protein. Using this approach, we have been visualizing the action of DNA motor proteins, such as RecBCD enzyme and Rad54 protein, and also of the DNA strand exchange proteins, RecA and Rad51 proteins. Visualization of individual RecA nucleoprotein filaments was achieved using a functional fluorescent RecA protein. Using this same approach, we have visualized assembly of human Rad51 nucleoprotein filaments. Although Rad51 nucleoprotein filament assembly occurs by a similar nucleation and growth mechanism, some characteristics differ: notably, the rates of nucleation and the extent of filament growth. Finally, we have examined how the a BRC repeat of BRCA2 protein affects Rad51 nucleoprotein filament dynamics. We discovered that one BRC repeat is sufficient to modulate RAD51-DNA interaction in two opposing, but functionally reinforcing ways: targeting RAD51 to ssDNA and prohibiting RAD51 nucleation onto dsDNA. The significance of these results in terms of control of Rad51 nucleoprotein assembly will be discussed.
Approximation in a continuous model of computing

Interest in computing continuous functions arises in our case from the need for a model of computing applicable to economic models, which typically are formulated in terms of real variables and continuous functions. One standard way to study the task of computing a continuous function is to approximate the function on a finite grid and to analyze the resulting tinite computing problem. This introduces a gap between the computation analyzed and the desired analysis. Generally results may depend on the particular approximation chosen as well as on the function we are really interested in. A complete analysis should therefore in some way separate and identify those results due to approximation and those intrinsic to the underlying continuous function. Our approach is to formulate a model of continuous computing which permits direct analysis of computing continuous functions. This ap preach raises the question, How do the results obtained from a continuous model relate to results obtained from finite models, the models of “real” computing? This paper addresses that question in the context of a particular model of continuous computing and its underlying finite state analog, McCulloch-Pius networks. We note three properties that a model of continuous computing should have in order to be applicable to economic models:
Characteristics of the Background Emission Spectrum From a Miniature Inductively-Coupled Plasma

Abstract The spectral characteristics of the background radiation emitted by a miniature inductively-coupled plasma (i.c.p.) are carefully examined and methods for reducing undesirable features discussed. The complex nature of the background emission spectrum for the mini-i.c.p. indicates that careful line selection criteria and background correction procedures should be employed. Extending the torch coolant tube to the bottom of the region being observed in the plasma proved to be the most effective method for reducing undesirable spectral band features. Acute changes in background emission levels with r.f. power and nebulizer gas flow rates emphasize the need for careful control of these parameters to achieve high precision. Comparison between mini-i.c.p. and conventional i.c.p. spectra reveals the basic similarity of the two sources.
The Evolution of Therapy for Patients With Stage IIIA (N2) Lung Cancer

This is a demonstrable case report and discussion of recent trends in neoadjuvant therapy for patients with locally advanced stage IIIA (N2) non-small cell lung cancer.
Effects of complete tail bud extirpation on early development of the posterior region of the chick embryo.

The tail bud was completely extirpated down to the yolk from 65 embryos at stages 13-17 to determine whether the posterior part of the noto-chord originates from the tail bud or from a more anterior region (i.e., prospective notochordal region). About 40% of the 44 surviving embryos developed near-normal tails, containing a localized defective region beginning near the base of the tail and extending a short distance posteriorly, about 15% developed truncated, cone-shaped tails, containing a defective region beginning near the base of the tail and extending towards the tip, and about 45% developed short, ventral tail remnants, containing a localized defective region beginning near the base of the tail and extending a short distance posteriorly. The tail was absent in only one embryo. These differences were probably due primarily to variation in the amount of healing and regeneration that occurred, and were independent of the stage at which the operation took place. The tail region has a tremendous capacity for regeneration since a near-normal tail frequently developed. The location of the beginning of the defective region near the base of the tail suggests that the tail bud primarily gives rise to tail structures. All embryos had neural tube defects, about 30% developed large, midline somites within the defective region, and about 25% developed an ourenteric outgrowth. The notochord was always normal within the defective region. These results are consistent with the view that the tail bud contributes cells to the posterior part of the neural tube, but not to the notochord.
Computational issues in solid boundary evaluation

Abstract Boundary representation is an attractive formalism for describing the geometry of three-dimensional solid objects, providing a complete and explicit enumeration of the contiguous surface elements constituting their bounding surfaces. The computational procedure whereby boundary representations are derived from informationally complete but implicit input specifications for solids (e.g., a sequence of Boolean operations acting on elementary solid primitives) is known as boundary evaluation. Recent research in boundary evaluation has emphasized the topological adjacency relationships defined by the surface elements of a boundary file, which furnish an organized data structure for storing and accessing boundary information. However, the issues of the computational procedures by which these surface elements are actually derived and their formal mode of representation have been largely neglected. Consequently, reliable boundary evaluation has not made significant progress beyond polyhedral and quadric surface objects. The basic computational problem in boundary evaluation is the reliable determination of surface intersections. The surface elements participating in a boundary file are known as trimmed surfaces, since one can imagine them as being cut out of unbounded analytic parent surfaces along intersection curve segments. The issues of surface intersection computation and trimmed surface representation are thus intimately coupled, and their consistent treatment is the key to reliable boundary evaluation. In this paper we survey the available procedures for computing surface intersections, representing trimmed surfaces, and processing solid boundary representations, and briefly describe a novel trimmed-surface formulation which adopts a unified, systematic approach to the boundary evaluation problem. The focus is on the reliable computation and representation of individual trimmed surface elements, rather than data structures for expressing their topological adjacencies or the processing and applications of boundary files per se. Since boundary evaluation is usually not an end in itself, however, we describe elementary interrogation functions which form the basis for real applications.
Energy-Efficient Processor for Blind Signal Classification in Cognitive Radio Networks

Blind modulation classification is of vital importance in spectrum surveillance applications and future heterogeneous wireless networks. In standardized wireless systems, modulation classification can be performed through exhaustive search of known signal features. Most commonly used classifiers are based on the detection of cyclostationary features, which are second-order moments of a signal, related to its carrier and symbol rate. However, when the signal parameters are unknown, an exhaustive search for cyclostationary features is energy inefficient due to high computational complexity. In this paper, we present a reconfigurable processor architecture that can blindly classify any linearly modulated signal (M-QAM, M-PSK, M-ASK, and GMSK) in addition to multi-carrier signals and spread spectrum signals. The contributions of this work are twofold. First, we analyze the complexity tradeoffs among different dependent signal processing kernels in order to minimize the total processing time and energy. Second, we optimize the processor architecture by the co-design methodology to enhance block reusability and reconfigurability. The proposed processor has been verified and synthesized in a 40-nm CMOS technology with core area of 0.06 mm2 and power dissipation of 10 mW under 0.9 V supply voltage at 500 MHz. Under a 500 MHz wide-band signal at 10 dB SNR, a complete blind classification process consumes 10.37 μJ to meet 95% of classification accuracy.
Unraveling the causes of radiation belt enhancements

As technology advances, as society in general and scientists in particular become increasingly reliant on the artificial satellites that circle our planet, and as space agencies worldwide are considering new ways to send humans to the Moon and Mars, better understanding of adverse space weather in the Earth's upper atmosphere is crucial. Critical to the success of satellite and manned spaceflight missions will be their ability to pass safely through Earth's Van Allen radiation belts. Energetic charged particles trapped in the radiation belts are a major source of damaging space weather effects not only on spacecraft and astronauts but also on life and society here on Earth, as such enhancements can create false signals in electronics and outages in vital satellite systems. Thus, understanding the physical processes that enhance the electron and ion content of our radiation belts is a timely and pressing issue.
Age and Turnout Among the Newly Enfranchised: Life Cycle versus Experience Effects*

Through comparison of the relationship between age and voter turnout in new and established electorates, this article tests life cycle versus experience-related explanations of political participation. The relationship between age and turnout for the newly enfranchised should resemble that for the previously enfranchised if life cycle forces dominate: turnout increasing with age until peaking in the middle years, then declining with old age. If experience with the vote dominates, the relationship of age to turnout should differ: with new electorates there should be a much smaller difference between the turnout of the young and the middle-aged, peak turnout should occur at an earlier age than for established electorates, drop-off among the elderly should be especially steep, and such differences between the electorates should decline over time after enfranchisement. The evidence examined for new electorates -data spanning 18 national elections in eight countries - shows that the same relationship between age and turnout characterizes new and established electorates. Lack of experience with the vote, or resistance to acquiring new attitudes and behaviour, does not seem to alter appreciably the relationship of age to turnout in new electorates. Implications of this finding for the development of democratic participation and socialization theories of adult change are considered.
10 Evaluation of Unerupted Teeth: Orthodontic Viewpoint

Orthodontists, in evaluating unerupted teeth, must take into consideration the role of such teeth in the overall treatment of malocclusions. Such teeth sometimes may be included in a plan for tooth removal. In certain situations, the possible etiologic factors must be considered, and the treatment plan may be either no treatment; orthodontic treatment alone; surgical treatment alone, or combined orthodontic-surgical management.
Multiple imputation of missing data with ante-dependence covariance structure

Abstract A controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the efficacy effect of a chemical compound in the treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). The data from the trial showed a non-monotone pattern of missing data and an ante-dependence covariance structure. A new analytical method for imputing the missing data with the ante-dependence covariance is proposed. The PMDD data are analysed by the non-imputation method and two imputation methods: the proposed method and the MCMC method.
Comparison of smoking treatments

Differential effects on smoking behavior for three treatments (covert sensitization, self-control, and placebo-attention) were tested after three weekly sessions and a 1 month follow-up. Analysis of the 24 subjects who completed treatment indicated significant smoking reduction over time and a significant interaction between the treatment conditions and time. The results also revealed a dependency between the treatment condition and number of subjects who quit, antecedents of smoking, and follow-up effectiveness. Because of the support for differential treatment effects and the difficulty in selecting meaningful placebo-attention conditions completely devoid of specific treatment effects, the need for internal-control process studies was proposed as an alternative method of assessing particular treatment effects.
Thermal effects of neutralization therapy and water dilution for acute alkali exposure in canines.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the change in temperature of the gastric mucosa and lumen contents when a weak acid or water is used to manage acute alkali exposure. METHODS A prospective in-vivo canine model was used in a university-based animal laboratory setting. Eighteen adult canines weighing 20-25 kg were placed under a surgical plane of anesthesia and a laparotomy was performed. A gastrotomy was then made later ligation of the distal esophagus and proximal duodenum. Separate mucosa and lumen temperature probes were placed. Then 25 mL of room-temperature (24-26 degrees C) 50% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was instilled in the gastric lumen. After 5 minutes, each canine was given treatment. Group 1 (n = 10) was treated with 75 mL of room-temperature orange juice. Group 2 (n = 8) was treated with 75 mL of room-temperature water. Continuous mucosa and lumen temperatures were observed and recorded at baseline and at specified intervals for 35 minutes after the alkali insult. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate the overall temperature profile. Signed-rank tests were used to compare the changes in temperature immediately following neutralization treatment. RESULTS Significant temperature decreases of 1.1 degrees C and 2.1 degrees C were observed for both mucosa (p = 0.002) and lumen (p < 0.001) temperature, respectively, following neutralization therapy with room-temperature orange juice. In the group treated with room-temperature water, significant temperature decreases of 2.1 degrees C for mucosa (p = 0.01) and 2.4 degrees C for lumen (p = 0.01) were observed. Posttreatment temperatures did not exceed baseline for the entire observation period. CONCLUSION Neutralization therapy with room-temperature orange juice or water dilution for acute gastric injuries by liquid alkali does not cause a rise in mucosal or intraluminal temperatures in an in-vivo canine model.
Hypoxia Preconditioning Increases Survival and Decreases Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 4 in Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells Exposed to Lipopolysaccharide:

Abstract Pulmonary or systemic infections and hypoxemic respiratory failure are among the leading causes of admission to intensive care units, and these conditions frequently exist in sequence or in tandem. Inflammatory responses to infections are reproduced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) engaging Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Apoptosis is a hallmark of lung injury in sepsis. This study was conducted to determine whether preexposure to LPS or hypoxia modulated the survival of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs). We also investigated the role TLR4 receptor expression plays in apoptosis due to these conditions. Bovine PAECs were cultured in hypoxic or normoxic environments and treated with LPS. TLR4 antagonist TAK-242 was used to probe the role played by TLR4 receptors in cell survival. Cell apoptosis and survival were measured by caspase 3 activity and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) incorporation. TLR4 expression and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production were also determined. LPS increased caspase 3 activity in a TAK-242-sensitive manner and decreased MTT incorporation. Apoptosis was decreased in PAECs preconditioned with hypoxia prior to LPS exposure. LPS increased TNF-α production, and hypoxic preconditioning blunted it. Hypoxic preconditioning reduced LPS-induced TLR4 messenger RNA and TLR4 protein. TAK-242 decreased to baseline the LPS-stimulated expression of TLR4 messenger RNA regardless of environmental conditions. In contrast, LPS followed by hypoxia substantially increased apoptosis and cell death. In conclusion, protection from LPS-stimulated PAEC apoptosis by hypoxic preconditioning is attributable in part to reduction in TLR4 expression. If these signaling pathways apply to septic patients, they may account for differing sensitivities of individuals to acute lung injury depending on oxygen tensions in PAECs in vivo.
Memory size computation for multimedia processing applications

In real-time multimedia processing systems a very large part of the power consumption is due to the data storage and data transfer. Moreover, the area cost is often largely dominated by the memory modules. The computation of the memory size is an important step in the process of designing an optimized (for area and/or power) memory architecture for multimedia processing systems. This paper presents a novel non-scalar approach for computing exactly the memory size in real-time multimedia algorithms. This methodology uses both algebraic techniques specific to the data-flow analysis used in modern compilers, and also recent advances in the theory of integral polyhedra. In contrast with all the previous works which are only estimation methods, this approach performs exact memory computations even for applications with a large number of scalar signals.
Social Interaction in Young Children: Initiation of Peer Contact:

The means by which 3- to 5-yr.-old children attempt to initiate social contact with a peer, and the success of such attempts, were observed in a number of preschool settings using an event-sampling technique. Initiators showed a significant same-sex preference, and contact attempts were significantly more successful with a same-sex peer than with a cross-sex peer. Boys and girls were equally verbal, but girls differed significantly from boys in using twice as many requests, more questions, and fewer suggestions and bids for attention. The most successful contact attempts involved showing or offering an object or joining into on-going activity.
PDAs and the Library Without a Roof

THE DEVELOPMENT of electronic resources and “virtual libraries” offer many new opportunities for accessing voluminous amounts of information. This project tested the prospect of accessing library information using handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs) equipped with cellular communications capability. The project demonstrated the feasibility of accessing library online public access catalogs (OPACs), commercial online databases, and the Internet without the need to be in a library building, or any building at all. Using this technology, researchers could search electronic information resources while sitting by a serene lake or while roaming the stacks of the library. Other uses of wireless communications in libraries and educational institutions are proposed.
A Comprehensive Review of Catastrophic Faults in PV Arrays: Types, Detection, and Mitigation Techniques

Three major catastrophic failures in photovoltaic (PV) arrays are ground faults, line-to-line faults, and arc faults. Although there have not been many such failures, recent fire events on April 5, 2009, in Bakersfield, CA, USA, and on April 16, 2011, in Mount Holly, NC, USA, suggest the need for improvements in present fault detection and mitigation techniques, as well as amendments to existing codes and standards to avoid such accidents. This review investigates the effect of faults on the operation of PV arrays and identifies limitations to existing detection and mitigation methods. A survey of state-of-the-art fault detection and mitigation technologies and commercially available products is also presented.
A serological study of polyhedral cytoplasmic viruses isolated from amphibia.

Abstract Antisera to FV3, a frog virus of the cytoplasmic polyhedral type, were prepared in rabbits and tested for virus-neutralization and precipitating activity with FV3 and eight other isolates of amphibian viruses of the same morphological type (FV1, FV13, FV16; LT1, LT2, LT3, L4b, and TEV). After appropriate absorption, two strong precipitation bands were formed in Ouchterlony tests with viral antigens prepared from ether-treated extracts of FV3-infected cultures; both bands gave reactions of identity with all nine virus isolates. Rabbit anti FV3 serum had similar neutralizing activity against the four FV viruses and LT1 and TEV virus isolates. Thus the nine isolates were not distinguishable either by virus-neutralization or by immunodiffusion tests with these antisera. In addition, FV1, FV3, LT1 and TEV produced a lethal infection in young Fowler's toads, the gross pathology being similar in each case. The results suggest that these isolates of polyhedral viruses are closely related or represent a single agent which has been obtained from various species in different geographical locations.
Organic and inorganic nutrient effects on growth rate–irradiance relationships in the Texas brown‐tide alga Aureoumbra lagunensis (Pelagophyceae)

Pelagophyte species in the genera Aureococcus and Auroumbra form brown tides in coastal bays that cause food-web disruption and extensive shading of benthic primary producers. Organic nutrients have been suggested as key factors in the origination and persistence of the East Coast (USA) brown-tide alga Aureococcus anophagefferens Hargraves et Sieburth. To evaluate this finding for the Texas brown-tide alga Aureoumbra lagunensis D. A. Stockw., DeYoe, Hargraves et P. W. Johnson, we grew strain TBA-2 with dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN; or ) or dissolved organic nitrogen (DON; urea or glutamate) as the nitrogen (N) source under eight light intensities. Maximum growth rates decreased with N source from (1.0 div · d−1) to (0.48 div · d−1). Neither growth rate efficiency (α) nor Ik varied significantly between N treatments. Both inorganic phosphorus (P) and β-glycerophosphate supported growth. Aureoumbra lagunensis can utilize at least some forms of organic N and P and can use them to persist or grow when inorganic forms become limiting. We found no evidence to support the hypothesis that organic utilization enhances or supplements growth at low light levels.
Effect of adrenal androgens on bone rudiments in organ culture

In man, a temporal relationship exists between rising plasma adrenal androgen concentrations and skeletal maturation. To restudy and extend the in vitro work of Puche & Romano & Howard, we assessed the direct growth-promoting potential of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), its sulfate (DHAS), testosterone (T) and dihydroT (DHT) upon hindleg rudiments of chick embryos and newborn mice grown in organ culture. Our experiments utilized chemically defined and variously enriched media; contralateral limbs in medium alone were controls for those incubated with added steroid. Growth was measured by: wet weight, protein content, alkaline phosphatase activity (AP) and 3H-thymidine incorporation. Added steroid did not accelerate growth of tibiae and femora from 11 and 12-day-old chick embryos cultured for up to 7 days. Pulse-labeling experiments and those using chick frontal bones were also negative. In 4-day-old mice only DHA promoted increased protein content (33.7±0.84 {SE} vs 30.2±3.33 μg/mg, p<0.05) and AP (43.3±3.47 vs 35.6±3.85 μg/mg, p<0.05). In 2-day-old mice DHT increased AP (54.5±7.01 vs 45.3±6.35 μg/mg, p<0.05). Conclusions: (1) No direct effect of added adrenal or gonadal steroid on in vitro growth of avian bone rudiments was demonstrable; (2) in a mammal model, only minimal DHA and DHT effects were demonstrable; (3) thus, androgen-stimulated bone maturation in man may relate to "late" development of androgen receptors or depend upon in vivo intermediary growth factors.
The development of Bridger: A methodological study of research on the use of machine learning in design

Abstract Research is a design activity whose decisions involve the ways in which research is carried out and its results interpreted. These activities comprise what is referred to as research methodology . This paper brings the concepts of capturing design rationale and machine learning to bear on the design of research itself. Therefore, design decisions concerning research must be recorded to allow for understanding feedback and updating of research strategies. In addition, successes as well as failures of research decisions must be reported to facilitate learning about research. This requires a shift in the way research is carried out and reported. This paper illustrates this shift in the context of a specific project on machine learning in design.
The Relationship Between Optimism About Race Relations, Black Awareness, and Attitudes Toward Transracial Adoption

Abstract Social workers in the United States were queried on their attitudes toward transracial adoption (TRA), defined here as African American children being adopted by White parents. An analysis of 363 questionnaires found that optimism about the future of race relations was the most powerful predictor of TRA attitudes. For both African American and White social workers, more optimism about race relations was associated with positive attitudes toward transracial adoption. Among White respondents, optimism about race relations was also related to lower levels of conservatism and higher levels of altruism; among African American respondents, racial optimism was associated with less emphasis on Black awareness. For African American social workers, a stronger commitment to promulgating Black awareness was also associated with less support for TRA. Implications of the findings for social work practice were discussed.
Performance of Mixed-Oxide Fuel Elements to 11 at.% Burnup

Two stainless-steel-clad mixed-oxide fuel elements have been examined after irradiation in EBR-II to a burnup of 11 at.%. The comparison of fuel of low oxygen-to-metal (O/M) ratio (1.94 to 1.97) wi...
A Comparative Analysis of Factors Influencing Smoking Behaviors of College Students: 1963–1987

A questionnaire relating to smoking behavior was developed and administered to 3,786 college students who were attending introductory personal health classes at selected colleges in the state of Oregon during the 1963-64 school year. Analysis of the data was not completed until 1987 (twenty-three years later) at which time the data cards were discovered in storage. During the 1986-87 school year a modified questionnaire was developed and administered to 863 college students attending introductory personal health classes at three of the same four universities that were utilized in the 1963-64 study. The study addressed the smoking behavior of an often neglected population of older adolescents and younger adults over a time period of twenty-three years. Stepwise logistic regression equations were used to determine the set of variables that best accounted for smoking status in 1963-64 and 1986-87. Results indicated that the variables that increased the probability of an individual smoking in 1963-64 did not increase the probability of an individual smoking in 1986-87. The characteristics and behaviors of family members have significantly less influence on the smoking behavior of adolescents and young adults today when compared to adolescents and young adults in 1963-64.
Structural basis of acyl-homoserine lactone-dependent signaling.

Acyl-homoserine lactones are small neutral lipid molecules that bacteria in the Proteobacteria group use to sense and signal their cell density. This signaling process, known as quorum sensing, activates differentiation to diverse community oriented lifestyles within the bacterial population. Since the first description of autoinduction 40 years ago 1 and quorum sensing systems in the light producing gram-negative bacterium Vibrio fischeri 2,3, which is a symbiont of the Hawaiian bobtail squid Euprymna scolopes, much has been learned about the molecular mechanism of signaling in these and many related bacteria (reviewed in 4 and Chapters 5-25 in 5). The primary signals used by gram negative bacteria to sense cell density are acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules, which are composed of a homoserine lactone ring (HSL) with an acyl chain (Figure 1). The acyl-chain length generally varies from C4 to C18 6,7 and this can be modified by a 3-oxo substituent, or in some cases, a 3-hydroxy substituent, a terminal methyl branch, or varied degrees of unsaturation 8. AHLs are synthesized by enzymes known as the AHL synthases 7,9. Once produced, the AHLs diffuse in and out of the cell by passive 10 as well as active transport mechanisms 11. The concentration of AHL eventually reaches a sufficiently high concentration at a given threshold cell number or bacterial “quorum”, and it is then recognized by a receptor protein, which is the second component of the system. The AHLresponsive receptors include a wide variety of transcriptional regulators called “R proteins”, such as LuxR or LasR, which are DNA-binding transcription factors 4,12 and a small family of sensor kinases related to LuxN 13. The binding of the AHL by most of the characterized R-proteins initiates the activation and repression of target genes, and in some cases AHL binding leads to target gene derepression 14-18.
Silicon contamination of polypropylene films from glass reactors in a BCl3 RF cold plasma

Cold plasma chemistry can be used for surface modification and/or grafting of polymeric substrates for enhanced properties. In addition to interaction with the substrate, plasma reactions can also occur at other surfaces confined to the reactor. Contamination of polypropylene (PP) substrates with silicon, originating from the reactor walls in a BCl3 plasma, has been shown to occur based on ESCA measurements and the presence of Si-based compounds in the gaseous phase has been shown by GC-MS and high resolution MS for the plasma generated molecular mixture. The Si incorporation is similar to that found with CF4 plasmas where a shorter treatment time resulted in higher Si incorporation. These results indicate that reactor wall-origin contaminations can accompany plasma treatments, interfere with the the main reaction mechanisms and create serious problems for achieving the desired surface properties.
Two inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme, enalapril and captopril, increase salt appetite of rats.

Male rats were orally administered an inhibitor of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), N‐[(S)‐1 ‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐3‐phenylpropyl] ‐1 ‐ala‐1 ‐pro maleate (enalapril, MK‐0421) at dosage levels of 10, 30, and 90 mg/kg·d. After 2–6 wk of dosing, the rats receiving 30 and 90 mg/kg·d produced large numbers of seminal plugs and had lacerated penises due to licking in an attempt to recover urine. Providing 0.9% saline as the source of drinking water prevented this behavior and subsequent lesions. There were no adverse effects on reproductive performance. A subsequent study showed that enalapril at 5 mg/kg·d po and captopril (another ACE inhibitor) at 25 mg/kg·d po increased NaCI intake in rats. Our results with captopril confirm those of Fregly (1980) and Evered and Robinson (1983) and show that both converting‐enzyme inhibitors (enalapril and captopril) increase salt appetite in rats.
Influence of temperature on the growth rate of Skeletonema costatum in response to variations in daily light intensity

Daily light intensities (I o) can vary 10-fold during the winter-spring and late-summer diatom blooms in New England, USA, coastal waters. Laboratory cultures and natural populations incubated in dialysis sacs were examined to determine the time course of growth rate in Skeletonema costatum (Greville) Cleve in response to variations in daily light intensity during two bloom periods in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA. Log-phase cultures of S. costatum require 2 d to attain maximum growth rates at 2°C following transfer to saturating intensities. At 20°C, only 1 d is required. As temperature increases, Detonula confervacea (Cleve) Gran, Thalassiosira nordenskioldii Cleve and Ditylum brightwellii (West) Grunow also exhibit rapid increases in mean daily division rates (K) following transfer to saturating light intensities. Thalassiosira pseudonana Hustedt, however, did not alter the time required to achieve maximum K as temperature varied. Natural populations of S. costatum did not show a well-defined relationship between K and light. Throughout a winterspring bloom, K was limited by low temperatures and exhibited no clear response to variations in I o. A change in K in response to variation in I o may occur on a daily basis during the summer, when temperatures are near 20°C; this has yet to be verified for in situ populations.
Discrimination in Social Science & Medicine?

I prepared the following paragraphs [in italic type] as the beginning of an introduction to a special issue, “Marxist Perspectives in Social Medicine,” for the journal, Social Science & Medicine. The editor-in-chief of that journal, Peter J. M. McEwan, censored these paragraphs, thus publishing an introduction without specific details about the historical development of the special issue. Because this information will help put the special issue in perspective for its readers, I have asked that the censored passages appear in the International Journal of Health Services, which reaches an overlapping international readership. Readers should be aware about this internal editorial controversy within Social Science & Medicine, as well as the difficulties that have been encountered concerning editorial policy.
Bilateral symmetry of biomechanical properties in mouse femora

Bone healing and remodeling are commonly examined in animal models by comparing one femur (experimental) to the contralateral femur (control) with the assumption that they are identical with respect to their biomechanical properties. While past studies have characterized the symmetry in geometrical properties in many types of animal bones, few studies have compared the symmetry in the biomechanical properties. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is symmetry in the mechanical properties of mouse femora. Strain gauges were attached to the posterior surface of the femora of C57BL/6 mice, parallel to the long axis of the bone. The femora were mechanically tested in cantilever bending while strain values were recorded. Moments of inertia, cortical areas, and moduli of elasticity were determined from strains and cross-sectional properties. Mouse femora demonstrated an average strain difference of 0.4% in tension and 1.4% in compression. Elastic moduli differed by 6.6% and 0.9% in tension and compression, respectively, and failure strength differed by an average of 2.0%. Statistical analysis showed there were no significant differences in strain, modulus, or failure load values for the mice, indicating mechanical and geometrical symmetry of mouse femora in cantilever bending.
Trust System Design Optimization in Smart Grid Network Infrastructure

The imposed communication network brings more vulnerabilities to the evolving smart grid. Therefore, defensive techniques such as intrusion detection will need to be deployed in this already complicated system. Deployment and runtime cost due to the defensive trust systems will affect the original function of smart grid system without careful planning and design. This paper is an effort to address this important issue. In particular, the set packing algorithm is used to optimize the placement of the trust nodes of the defensive system in the multiple layer architecture of the smart grid. After the trust nodes are placed, a trust node aware optimal routing algorithm is used to find the least cost routing in the communications of the nodes. Also, an algorithm to identify new trust node(s) is presented to address the fault tolerance requirement of the smart grid system. Simulation results demonstrate that our approach is promising by providing secure, efficient, and reliable communications in the smart grid network.
Corona onset as a design optimization criterion for high voltage hardware

Hardware for use on HV systems is designed to be corona free. Recent hardware design activity has been centered around attempts to increase the corona onset voltage by optimizing the electric field distribution on its surface. Corona onset, however, is not only a function of the surface electric field, but also its rate of decay away from the surface, and the temperature and pressure of the gas in which it is immersed. While corona onset is a better criterion, formulas for predicting it have been validated only for simple geometries. The first goal of this work, then, is to validate corona onset conditions for more practical electrode geometries. The second goal is to determine whether the use of corona onset rather than surface electric field as an optimization criterion can result in hardware with a measurably higher corona onset voltage. To test this idea, two electrodes were designed, one using electric field optimization and the second using corona onset optimization. The corona onset voltage of each electrode was then measured and the results compared with predicted values. It was found that the measured results compared favorably with the predicted values and that the use of corona onset optimization can result in a modest but measurable increase in corona onset voltage.
Post-collection processing of Schirmer strip-collected human tear fluid impacts protein content.

We examine the impact of post-collection sample handling on the protein composition of human tear samples. In particular, we characterize diffusion-based protein extraction from Schirmer strips. These strips of filter paper membrane are the de facto standard for tear fluid collection and storage, with diffusion-based protein elution off the strip being the most widely reported protein extraction strategy. Nevertheless, the diffusion-based protein elution strategy remains uncharacterized regarding downstream functional protein assays. Here, the time-dependence, concentration-dependence, and repeatability of the diffusion-based protein recovery protocol are characterized. Levels of protein irrecoverable from the Schirmer strip and lost during sample handling are isolated and compared for several major tear proteins. Further, the impact of the Schirmer strip and sample handling on the downstream concentration of proteins ranging in molecular weight, surface charge, and surface hydropathicity is quantified. Diffusion-based protein extraction from Schirmer strips was observed to be protein-dependent. Schirmer strips retained tear proteins to varying extents: 14.2% of lysozyme, 9.5% of human serum albumin, 27.7% of secretory IgA, and 30.9% of mucin 4. Tear protein loss during sample handling ranged from 2% (lysozyme) to 41.2% (mucin 4). Strip retention of protein was observed to be associated with protein molecular weight and hydrophobic surface area. Greater sample handling loss was associated with increased hydrophobic surface area of model proteins. Surface charge or surface hydrophilicity was not significantly associated with protein loss. We therefore conclude that, although diffusion-based processing of Schirmer strip-collected tear samples is widely used, these protocols may result in total post-collection protein loss which is considerable, consistent, and protein-dependent. This loss alters the relative and absolute protein concentrations in the sample. A priori prediction of strip-losses for individual proteins does not appear to be facile, based on cursory knowledge of protein surface properties. Thus, we emphasize “spike and recover” control experiments to determine expected elution profiles for target proteins when using diffusion-based protein sample preparation for Schirmer strip-collected tear fluid.
NEW AND POORLY KNOWN PARACHUTING FROGS (RHACOPHORIDAE: RHACOPHORUS) FROM SUMATRA AND JAVA

Abstract We report on a small collection of parachuting frogs from Sumatra and Java. Three new species are described. Rhacophorus achantharrhena is similar to R. dulitensis and R. prominanus and differs from these species by a suite of characters including morphology of the supratympanic fold, digital webbing, coloration, and morphometrics. These three species are unusual in having white visceral and parietal peritonea. Rhacophorus catamitus is a small species similar to R. angulirostris and differing from this species by having a calcar at the heel and reduced digital webbing. Rhacophorus barisani resembles R. baluensis but differs from this species in color pattern, habitus, webbing of the fingers, and morphology of the dermal appendages. A new specimen of Sumatran R. pardalis is described and compared to the holotype of R. pulchellus. Rhacophorus prominanus is reported from Gunung Rajabasa, Lampung. Two specimens are described and compared to Bornean R. dulitensis and R. prominanus from the Malay Penin...
User modeling in a speech translation driven mediated interaction setting

The paper address user behavior modeling in a machinemediated setting involving bidirectional speech translation. Specifically, usability data from doctor-patient dialogs involving a two way English-Persian speech translation system are analyzed to understand the nature, and extent, of user accommodation to machine errors. We consider user type "categorized along the classes of Accommodating, Normal and Picky " as it relates to the user's tendency to accept poor speech recognition and translation or retry to speak these again. For modeling, we employ a dynamic Bayesian network that can identify the user type with high accuracy after a few interactions of consistent user behavioral patterns. This model can be utilized for the design of machine strategies that can aid a user in operating the device more efficiently.
Obstacle avoidance with sensor uncertainty for small unmanned aircraft

The ability to detect, sense, and avoid obstacles in the environment is a critical capability for autonomous groups of unmanned aircraft. The overall obstacle avoidance problem is typically studied as two or three separate subproblems. Unfortunately, such an approach can lead to unrealistic assumptions being made about the other subsystems or specification of unnecessarily high levels of subsystem performance. In this paper, we present an approach to obstacle avoidance in the context of a multilayered, multi-objective control architecture that considers both the aircraft dynamics and sensor limitations in an integrated framework. Specifically, the concept of reachable sets is extended to include the error model of parallel-baseline, stereovision. An analytical solution is presented for the planar motion of a single unmanned aircraft. In addition, the extension to groups of UAV is introduced.