cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
El Niño and the History of Eastern Pacific Reef Building

Abstract The intense 1982-83 El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event significantly raised sea surface temperature devastating eastern Pacific coral reefs. In the aftermath of this disturbance, slow recovery has led to extensive reef erosion. The death of corals and the subsequent reef erosion have stimulated a reevaluation of the history and the causes for the small, low diversity reefs of the eastern Pacific. Today's eastern Pacific reefs differ markedly in size and species composition and richness from this region's past reefs and other present-day Pacific reefs. The closure of the Panamanian isthmus in the Plio-Pleistocene marked a deterioration in the reef building environment in the eastern Pacific. With this seaway closed, the modern Pacific surface circulation developed, and the components necessary for the ENSO events came together. The termination of the Pacific-Atlantic exchange coincided with the beginning of glacial-interglacial cycles. Since the closure of the Panamanian seaway and the onset of the glacial cycles, the eastern Pacific has faced two different climatic states that restricted reef growth and development: one during glacial periods with cool waters and lowered sea-levels and the other during interglacial periods with higher sea-levels, warmer waters, and ENSO events. During this latest high sea-level stand, between 18 to 65 ENSO events of the 1982-1983 magnitude may have disturbed the eastern Pacific. An uplifted reef at Urvina Bay, Galapagos Islands provides an opportunity to determine how eastern Pacific reefs develop during sea-level high stands. Here, recurrent intense ENSO events start the coral communities on a cycle of death, erosion, and recolonization stunting long-term reef growth. ENSO events, acting in concert with other physical and biological forces, have prevented the buildup of a substantial reef-framework. During the transition to inter-glacial times, melting ice raised sea-level and improved the environmental conditions for coral-reef growth enabling coral recruits to colonize the shelf. In the western and central Pacific, where reefs survived subaerial exposure, corals colonized and built new reefs on these antecedent structures enabling carbonate accumulation to continue. Whereas in the eastern Pacific, where small reefs eroded during low sea-level stands, recruits had to settle on basaltic or other consolidated outcrops rather than on previous carbonate build-ups. New recruits face not only harsh reef building conditions (e.g., upwelling and intense grazing) but recurrent intense and lethal ENSO events. After coral mortality, bioerosion removed much of the coral build-up. This repeated process prevents the coral community from increasing in diversity or developing to a resistant structure that can withstand erosion after death. Thus, one generation's growth is not transferred to the next, and large, persistent reef frameworks are not constructed.
FRACTAL CONCEPTS IN AGGREGATION AND GELATION: AN INTRODUCTION

This review talk is a follow-up to review talks delivered by the author at the December 1982 Santa Barbara meeting and the August 1983 Exxon meeting. At that time, many workers in this field characterized a class of aggregates by a single parameter–the fractal dimension df–which is the slope of a log-log plot of cluster mass vs. length scale (cluster radius). Now at least nine separate cluster parameters are found to be linear when plotted against cluster radius on log-log paper. Accordingly, there are at least nine different fractal dimensions in use at the present time. The situation is reminiscent of critical phenomena just before Widom and Kadanoff introduced scaling relations: there were then a vast number of seemingly independent critical exponents. Accordingly, we also review some of the newly-emerging relationships between these fractal dimensions.
INSIGHT Study Maternal Return to Work and Infant Weight Outcomes

Abstract Objective Maternal return to work within 12 weeks of delivery is associated with poor child health and development. However, little is known about the impact of return to work on the risk of child obesity. We examined whether timing of maternal return to work is associated with rapid infant weight gain from 0 to 6 months and weight-for-length at 1 year. Methods Secondary data analysis of 279 mother-newborn dyads from the Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on Healthy Trajectories Study, a randomized controlled trial evaluating a responsive parenting (RP) intervention. Rapid infant weight gain from 0 to 6 months was assessed using conditional weight gain (CWG) scores. Infant weight-for-length was calculated using World Health Organization reference values. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) examined whether infant weight outcomes differed by timing of maternal return to work (≤12 weeks vs >12 weeks after delivery). Moderation by study group (RP intervention vs safety control) and mediation by breastmilk feeding were examined in ANOVA models. Results Among 261 mothers, approximately one half (n = 130) returned to work within 12 weeks. Compared with infants of mothers who returned to work after 12 weeks, infants of mothers who returned to work within 12 weeks had greater CWG scores from 0 to 6 months (P = .006) and were heavier at 1 year (P = .05). These associations were not moderated by study group or mediated by breastmilk feeding. Conclusions Maternal return to work within 12 weeks was associated with rapid infant weight gain in the first 6 months and greater weight-for-length at 1 year, although the mechanisms to explain our findings are unclear.
Characterizing RNA stability genome-wide through combined analysis of PRO-seq and RNA-seq data

Abstract The rate at which RNA molecules are degraded is a key determinant of cellular RNA concentrations, yet current approaches for measuring RNA half-lives are generally labor-intensive, limited in sensitivity, and/or disruptive to normal cellular processes. Here we introduce a simple method for estimating relative RNA half-lives that is based on two standard and widely available high-throughput assays: Precision Run-On and sequencing (PRO-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Our method treats PRO-seq as a measure of transcription rate and RNA-seq as a measure of RNA concentration, and estimates the rate of RNA degradation required for a steady-state equilibrium. We show that this approach can be used to assay relative RNA half-lives genome-wide, with reasonable accuracy and good sensitivity for both coding and noncoding transcription units. Using a structural equation model (SEM), we test several features of transcription units, nearby DNA sequences, and nearby epigenomic marks for associations with RNA stability after controlling for their effects on transcription. We find that RNA splicing-related features, including intron length, are positively correlated with RNA stability, whereas features related to miRNA binding, DNA methylation, and G+C-richness are negatively correlated with RNA stability. Furthermore, we find that a measure of predicted stability based on U1 binding sites and polyadenylation sites distinguishes between unstable noncoding and stable coding transcripts but is not predictive of relative stability within the mRNA or lincRNA classes. We also identify several histone modifications that are associated with RNA stability after controlling for their correlations with transcription. Together, our estimation method and systematic analysis shed light on the pervasive impacts of RNA stability on cellular RNA concentrations.
Money for me and money for friend: An ERP study of social reward processing in adolescents and adults

ABSTRACTPeer relations during adolescence contribute significantly to the development of socio-cognitive skills and pro-sociality. The current study probed the characteristics of adolescent socio-c...
Two New Candidates for Basic Constituents

In Physics I, Aristotle introduces matter as the substratum of substantial change. Since it satisfies the Categories criterion of a subject not said of something else, it seems a candidate for a basic constituent. De Anima’s taking form to be the cause of being of an individual candidate makes it another candidate for a basic constituent. Since everything else depends on individual composites, everything else will now depend on substantial forms for its being. Individual composites can also seem to be compounds that depend for their existence on one or more their components, matter, and form. None of this is decisive. But a reexamination of substance is in order, and Zeta can be understood to undertake it.
Improving QoS for Global Dual-Criticality Scheduling on Multiprocessors

Mixed-criticality system is a popular model for reducing pessimism in real-time scheduling while providing guarantee for critical tasks in presence of unexpected overrun. However, it is controversial due to some drawbacks. First, a single high-criticality job overrun leads to the pessimistic mode for all high-criticality tasks and consequently resource utilization becomes inefficient. Second, all low-criticality tasks are dropped in high-criticality mode, although they are still needed. These two issues have been addressed in several recent works, which are mostly focused on uniprocessor scheduling. In this work, we attempt to tackle these two issues in multiprocessor scheduling for dual-criticality systems. A deferred switching protocol is introduced so that the chance of switching to high-criticality mode is significantly reduced. Moreover, a service preserving technique is developed such that all low-criticality tasks can continue to execute in high-criticality mode. Further, the two techniques are unified into a single framework. Schedulability of these methods is studied so that the Quality-of-Service is improved with guarantee of satisfying all deadline constraints. The effectiveness of the proposed techniques is confirmed through simulations.
Blumer, Herbert (1900–1987)

Herbert Blumer is the founding father of the unique social psychological perspective called ‘symbolic interactionism.’ The foremost student of George Herbert Mead, he translated Mead's philosophy into a theory of self, society, and interaction that has come to be known as the ‘symbolic interactionist perspective’ in contemporary U.S. sociology.
Thinking about computational thinking: Origins of computational thinking in educational computing

AbstractAn educational team founded by Seymour Papert at MIT has developed an evolving series of computing environments designed to facilitate computational thinking. Papert outlined the goal of de...
Extramural Research Updates Move Online.

For the past 10 years, the NIEHS Division of Extramural Research and Training (DERT) has used the Extramural Update page in Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) as a vehicle to communicate with the scientific community about new program initiatives, updates on NIH policy, programmatic accomplishments, leadership changes, and future directions at NIEHS. Highlights from past columns include: Research programs Programs featured in the Extramural Update have included Superfund, Environmental Health Sciences Core Centers, Children’s Centers, Parkinson’s Disease Collaborative Centers, and the Worker Education and Training Program. Newly developed programs described have included the DISCOVER Program, Outstanding New Environmental Scientists (ONES), and Oceans and Human Health. Community outreach and education programs Descriptions of the various education and outreach programs involved in translating research findings for different target audiences—including community organizations, health care professionals, and health decision makers—have highlighted the positives outcomes of these efforts. World Trade Center and Hurricane Katrina responses NIEHS and grantees have worked together to respond to environmental and public health needs resulting from these catastrophic events. New initiative planning from DERT retreats The extramural community was provided with a window into the research planning and priority-setting processes within DERT and NIEHS. The Division announced areas of research that were of interest to NIEHS in order to help guide potential applicants. Grantee and trainee recognitions Significant awards and honors attained by NIEHS grantees and trainees were communicated, such as the Karen Wetterhahn awards and NIEHS MERIT recipients. During the summer of 2007, NIEHS will launch a totally redesigned and updated website that will include a modern look, easier navigation, and new features to enhance its usability. DERT will use the new website to continue its communication with the extramural community. The change of venue will provide DERT with greater flexibility to respond more quickly to emerging events and issues of importance to the extramural community. The additional flexibility will also enable DERT to expand the content of the Extramural Update web page. As this change takes effect, look to the NIEHS website for the latest information and developments in extramural research that you have been used to seeing in the Extramural Update section of EHP. DERT wishes to thank the staff at EHP for the decade-long collaboration that has enhanced the visibility of DERT, its staff members, and its scientific programs and accomplishments. The Division looks forward to continuing its collegial and collaborative relationship with the journal in other areas of mutual benefit.
Herbicide resistance in turfgrass: a chance to change the future?

Herbicide resistance has for decades been an increasing problem of agronomic crops such as corn and soybean. Several weed species have evolved herbicide resistance in turfgrass systems such as golf courses, sports fields, and sod production—particularly biotypes of annual bluegrass and goosegrass. Consequences of herbicide resistance in agronomic cropping systems indicate what could happen in turfgrass if herbicide resistance becomes broader in terms of species, distribution, and mechanisms of action. The turfgrass industry must take action to develop effective resistance management programs while this problem is still relatively small in scope. We propose that lessons learned from a series of national listening sessions conducted by the Herbicide Resistance Education Committee of the Weed Science Society of America to better understand the human dimensions affecting herbicide resistance in crop production provide tremendous insight into what themes to address when developing effective resistance management programs for the turfgrass industry.Nomenclature: Annual bluegrass, Poa annua L.; goosegrass, Eleusine indica L. Gaertn; corn, Zea mays L.; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr
A structural basis for lithium and substrate binding of an inositide phosphatase

Inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphatase (INPP1) is a prototype member of metal-dependent/lithium-inhibited phosphomonoesterase protein family defined by a conserved three-dimensional core structure. Enzymes within this family function in distinct pathways including inositide signaling, gluconeogenesis, and sulfur assimilation. Using structural and biochemical studies, we report the effect of substrate and lithium on a network of metal binding sites within the catalytic center of INPP1. We find that lithium preferentially occupies a key site involved in metal-activation only when substrate or product is added. Mutation of a conserved residue that selectively coordinates the putative lithium-binding site results in a dramatic 100-fold reduction in the inhibitory constant as compared with wild-type. Furthermore, we report the INPP1/inositol 1,4-bisphosphate complex which illuminates key features of the enzyme active site. Our results provide insights into a structural basis for uncompetitive lithium inhibition and substrate recognition and define a sequence motif for metal binding within this family of regulatory phosphatases.
Eat to live: A physician’s perspective on the powerful role of food in a faithful life:

Desperately seeking greater health of mind, body, and spirit, communities face confusing and conflicting narratives. The Church owns an opportunity to serve as a guide, revealing the intimate linka...
Graph Signal Processing over Multilayer Networks -- Part I: Foundations and Spectrum Analysis

Signal processing over single-layer graphs has become a mainstream tool owing to its power in revealing obscure underlying structures within data signals. For generally, many real-life datasets and systems are characterized by more complex interactions among distinct entities. Such complex interactions may represent multiple levels of interactions that are difficult to be modeled with a single layer graph and can instead be captured by multiple layers of graph connections. Such multilayer/multi-level data structure can be more naturally modeled and captured by a high-dimensional multi-layer network (MLN). This work generalizes traditional graph signal processing (GSP) over multilayer networks for analysis of such multilayer signal features and their interactions. We propose a tensor-based framework of this multilayer network signal processing (M-GSP) in this two-part series. Specially, Part I introduces the fundamentals of M-GSP and studies spectrum properties of MLN Fourier space. We further describe its connections to traditional digital signal processing and GSP. Part II focuses on several major tools within the M-GSP framework for signal processing and data analysis. We provide results to demonstrate the efficacy and benefits of applying multilayer networks and the M-GSP in practical scenarios.
Computational investigation of enhanced properties in functionalized carbon nanotube doped polyvinyl alcohol gel electrolyte systems.

Recently, functionalized carbon nanotubes (fCNTs) were shown to increase the mechanical strength, thermal stability, and ionic conductivity in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based gel electrolytes (GE) for Zn ion batteries. However, questions remain about the origin of the property enhancement and the interactions between components of GEs. In this work, we employ density functional theory calculations to analyze the interactions between fCNT, PVA, and Zn ions. CNTs with increasing numbers of carboxyl (–COOH) functional groups and PVA chains with varying lengths were studied. We found that increasing the number of –COOH on the CNTs enhanced the adsorption energies (Eads) of PVA, and Eads also increased as the number of monomers increased. We then modelled the coordination of a Zn ion in fCNT–PVA complexes. Our results suggest that strong fCNT–PVA interactions contribute to the enhanced mechanical strength, while the enhanced ionic conductivity is partly owing to weak Zn adsorption.
Positive selection and horizontal gene transfer in the genome of a male-killing Wolbachia.

Wolbachia are a genus of widespread bacterial endosymbionts in which some strains can hijack or manipulate arthropod host reproduction. Male killing is one such manipulation in which these maternally transmitted bacteria benefit surviving daughters in part by removing competition with the sons for scarce resources. Despite previous findings of interesting genome features of microbial sex ratio distorters, the population genomics of male-killers remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we uncover several unique features of the genome and population genomics of four Arizonan populations of a male-killing Wolbachia strain, wInn, that infects mushroom-feeding Drosophila innubila. We first compared the wInn genome to other closely related Wolbachia genomes of Drosophila hosts in terms of genome content and confirm that the wInn genome is largely similar in overall gene content to the wMel strain infecting D. melanogaster. However, it also contains many unique genes and repetitive genetic elements that indicate lateral gene transfers between wInn and non-Drosophila eukaryotes. We also find that, in line with literature precedent, genes in the Wolbachia prophage and Octomom regions are under positive selection. Of all the genes under positive selection, many also show evidence of recent horizontal transfer among Wolbachia symbiont genomes. These dynamics of selection and horizontal gene transfer across the genomes of several Wolbachia strains and diverse host species may be important underlying factors in Wolbachia's success as a male-killer of divergent host species.
A Scalable Approach to Balanced, High-Dimensional Clustering of Market-Baskets

This paper presents Opossum, a novel similarity-based clustering approach based on constrained, weighted graph-partitioning. Opossum is particularly attuned to real-life market baskets, characterized by very high-dimensional, highly sparse customer-product matrices with positive ordinal attribute values and significant amount of outliers. Since it is built on top of Metis, a well-known and highly efficient graphpartitioning algorithm, it inherits the scalable and easily parallelizeable attributes of the latter algorithm. Results are presented on a real retail industry data-set of several thousand customers and products, with the help of Clusion, a cluster visualization tool.
Workshop IV - The Failure of Cognitive Science in the Courseware Marketplace: If We're So Damned Smart, Why Aren't We Rich?

The Clinton administration has made great efforts to promote a next-generation learning industry in the United States, but the goal has been elusive. The most visible results so far are 1) a plethora of expensive reports that restate subsets of the published literature on learning technology and reflect primarily the perspective of the various authors, 2) a variety of interesting media exercises (Net Day, Cyber Ed, etc.), and 3) a variety of large scale hardware-dissemination exercises (Tech Corps, TIIAP, Goals 2000). With the exception of a measurably improving internet infrastructure, all this activity has not brought us markedly closer to a commercially viable and self perpetuating next-generation learning industry. Why not? I believe we are already in possession of an important component for such an industry - a workable engineering discipline for the principled implementation of consistently effective courseware. I don’t argue that research on the optimization of courseware should stop. Further advances in this area are certain to occur as research proceeds. What I am claiming is that a documented approach already exists for engineering courseware that roughly doubles the effectiveness of today’s best mainstream courseware. Research on cognitively based tutoring systems, often called Intelligent Tutoring Systems, has generated the new approach. Development methods for current-generation ITSs are sufficiently mature to support routine application. These methods are derived directly from cognitive science, but the mainstream courseware industry has failed to adopt the methods.
Computer Simulations of Mechanochemical Coupling in a Deforming Domain: Applications to Cell Motion

The coordinated response of cytoskeletal components resulting in the polarization and Chemotaxis of crawling cells is likely to require the asymmetric distribution of signal molecules. The asymmetrically distributed Signals are thought to locally regulate protrusive and/or contractile force generation in the cytoskeleton. The author’s previous research [4, 5] involves computational Simulation of the cytoskeleton as a dynamic network of immersed nodes connected by passive and active force-generating elastic elements. This paper describes recent progress toward incorporating reaction-diffusion-advection (RDA) equations for intracellular signaling into the exist-ing mechanical model. A general method using Voronoi diagrams for solving the RDA equations on an irregularly shaped, nonconvex deforming domain is described. Test runs indicate that the method is a promising tool for this class of problems as well as for modeling signaling and mechanical interactions among many cells. The incorporation of this method into the existing mechanical model, as well as future implementation of the same method for modeling multicellular interactions, is discussed.
Predictors of Using Mental Health Services After Sexual Assault

Sexual assault increases the risk for psychopathology. Despite the availability of effective interventions, relatively few victims who need treatment receive care in the months following an assault. Prior work identified several factors associated with utilizing care, including ethnicity, insurance, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Few studies, however, have examined predictors of treatment utilization prospectively from the time of assault. The present study hypothesized that White racial status, younger age, being partnered, having health insurance, having previously received mental health treatment, and having more PTSD and depression symptoms would predict utilization of care in the 6 months postassault. This was examined in a sample of 266 female sexual assault victims with an average age of 26.2 years, of whom 62.0% were White and 38.0% were African American assessed at 1.5 and 6 months postassault. Available information on utilizing care varied across assessments (1.5 months, n = 214; 3 months, n = 126; 6 months, n = 204). Significant predictors included having previously received mental health treatment (OR = 4.09), 1 day depressive symptoms (OR = 1.06), and having private insurance (OR = 2.24) or Medicaid (OR = 2.19). Alcohol abuse and prior mental health care were associated with a substantial increase in treatment utilization (OR = 4.07). The findings highlight the need to help victims at risk obtain treatment after sexual assault.
Re‐Evaluating Evidence for Past Population Trends and Predicted Dynamics of Yellowstone Grizzly Bears

Sampling effort and demographic assumptions may powerfully shape conclusions about the status of endangered species. We re-examined data sets that suggest recent increases, and hence relative safety from future extinction, of the grizzly bear population inhabiting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), one of the best studied large carnivore populations in the world. We find that inadequate attention to increasing observation effort and also to the life history characteristics of bears is likely to have substantially influenced past analyses of the population's trajectory. We conclude that the GYE grizzly has probably increased far less than generally believed, but also that past analyses have been too inaccurate to allow any firm conclusions about the dynamics or status of this population. The problems we illustrate here apply to many other threatened species and suggest the need for more careful consideration of observation processes that can shape our perceptions of species’ history and status.
Functional polymers and sequential copolymers by phase transfer catalysis, 3. Syntheses and characterization of aromatic poly(ether sulfone)s and poly(oxy-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) containing pendant vinyl groups†

A method for the syntheses of α,ω-dibenzyl aromatic poly(ether sulfone)s (PSU) and poly(oxy-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene) (POP) containing pendant vinyl groups is presented. The first step of the synthetic procedure involves the chloromethylation of PSU and POP to provide polymers with chloromethyl groups. POP, containing bromomethyl groups, was obtained by radical bromination of the methyl groups. Both chloromethylated and bromomethylated starting materials were transformed into their phosphonium salts, and then subjected to a phase transfer catalyzed Witting reaction to provide polymers with pendant vinyl groups. A PSU, containing pendant ethynyl groups, was prepared by bromination of the PSU, containing pendant vinyl groups, followed by a phase transfer catalyzed dehydrobromination. Differential scanning calorimetry of the thermal curing of the polymers containing pendant vinyl and ethynyl groups showed that the curing reaction is much faster for the polymers containing vinyl groups. The resulting network polymers are flexible when the starting polymer contains pendant vinyl groups, and very rigid when it contains pendant ethynyl groups.
Clinical, radiological, and genetic similarities between patients with Chiari Type I and Type 0 malformations.

Object Although Chiari Type I (CM-I) and Type 0 (CM-0) malformations have been previously characterized clinically and radiologically, there have been no studies focusing on the possible genetic link between these disorders. The goal of this study was to identify families in whom CM-0 and CM-I co-occurred and to further assess the similarities between these disorders. Methods Families were ascertained through a proband with CM-I. Detailed family histories were obtained to identify first-degree relatives diagnosed with CM-0. Several criteria were used to exclude individuals with acquired forms of CM-I and/or syringomyelia. Individuals were excluded with syndromic, traumatic, infectious, or tumor-related syringomyelia, as well as CM-I due to a supratentorial mass, hydrocephalus, history of cervical or cranial surgery unrelated to CM-I, or development of symptoms following placement of a lumbar shunt. Medical records and MR images were used to characterize CM-I and CM-0 individuals clinically and radiologica...
Evaluation of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Therapeutics for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Various neurodegenerative diseases are associated with aberrant gene expression. We recently identified a novel class of pimelic o-aminobenzamide histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors that show promise as therapeutics in the neurodegenerative diseases Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) and Huntington’s disease (HD). Here, we describe the various techniques used in our laboratories to dissect mechanisms of gene silencing in FRDA and HD, and to test our HDAC inhibitors for their ability to reverse changes in gene expression in cellular models.
Prolegomena to argumentation

(1932). Prolegomena to argumentation. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 224-248.
Varied Meanings and Engagement in School Mathematics: Cross-Case Analysis of Three High-Achieving Young Adolescent Girls

This paper presents an in-depth cross-case analysis of three high-achieving young adolescent girls who had contrasting mathematics learning experiences during the first year of middle school. In particular, this study examines the foundation for their motivation, as well as the dominant mode of learning and academic engagement in relation to three sociocultural factors, family background, the role of peers, and the level of teachers' understanding of the students and instructional support provided. Our data analysis revealed that the three girls possessed motivation structures and learning dispositions that are more or less prone to conceptual or procedural understanding in mathematics. This resulted in a significant variation in the mode of their academic engagement with the subject, and this provided a different set of challenges in each girl's pursuit of higher level of mathematics learning.
Legislator Attitudes toward Policies to Reduce Prison Crowding

This paper examines legislative attitudes toward policies to reduce prison crowding in a state (Indiana) that has a serious prison overcrowding problem. Legislative attitudes were studied through mail surveys of all members of the Indiana General Assembly. A high level of legislative support for the expansion of community corrections and prison construction was found. On the other hand, a return to shorter sentences received little support among the lawmakers. A rudimentary regression analysis of the relationship between legislative characteristics and support for the various strategies to control prison crowding revealed that a variable measuring criminal justice ideology was most strongly associated with legislative attitudes toward prison policy. These findings are also discussed within the present research.
Solar system and galactic influences on the stability of the earth

Abstract In addition to the intrinsic variability of the solar output, there exist a variety of ways in which the stability of the Earth's environment can be affected by the cosmos. The change with time of the shape and orientation of the Earth's orbit and precession of the rotational axis of the Earth caused by the gravitational forces from other members of the Solar System induce predictable variations in the terrestrial climate which can be seen in the geologic record. Encounters of the Solar System with dense interstellar gas clouds can also exert considerable influences on the terrestrial environment as can the occasional nearby explosion of supernovae. However, the most dramatic and, perhaps, the most likely hazards presented to the Earth by the cosmos are from the occasional collisions with substantial asteroids or comets. The energy delivered to the Earth in such an event would be equivalent to 10,000 times the total nuclear weapons stockpile of all nations. Such an event would have, and is thought to have had, enormous consequences for the stability of the biosphere.
An inverse problem of optimum nonlinear state reconstruction for integrai performance criteria

An observer with a known nonlinear measurement transformation is given. The problem is to determine performance criteria for which the given observer is optimum. Algebraic conditions that must be satisfied by a class of scalar performance criteria are obtained. Examples are given to illustrate the properties of related nonlinear, linear, and dual-mode observers.
Modeling cell-to-cell stochastic variability in intrinsic apoptosis pathway

Apoptosis is a cell suicide mechanism that enables metazoans to control cell number in tissues and to eliminate individual cells that threaten the animal's survival. Dependent on the type of stimulus, apoptosis can be propagated by intrinsic pathway or extrinsic pathway. Previously, we have proposed a deterministic model of intrinsic apoptosis pathway which is bistable in a robust parameter region. Cellular networks, however, are inherently stochastic and significant cell-to-cell variability in apoptosis response has been observed at single cell level. In this work, we examine the impact of intrinsic stochastic fluctuations as well as variation of protein concentrations on behavior of the intrinsic apoptosis network. First, Gillespie Stochastic Simulation Algorithm (SSA) of the model is implemented to account for intrinsic noise. Using histograms of steady-state output at varying input levels, we show that the intrinsic noise in the apoptosis network elicits a wider region of bistability. We further analyze the dependence of system stochasticity due to intrinsic fluctuations, such as steady-state noise level and random response delay time, on the input signal. We find however that the intrinsic noise is insufficient to generate significant stochastic variations at physiologically relevant level of molecular numbers. Finally, extrinsic fluctuation represented by variations of two key proteins is modeled and the resultant stochasticity of apoptosis timing is analyzed. Indeed, these protein variations can induce cell-to-cell stochastic variability at a quantitative level agreeing with experiments. Therefore, we conclude that the heterogeneity in intrinsic apoptosis responses among individual cells plausibly arises from extrinsic rather than intrinsic origin of fluctuations.
Quark-parton model for the structure function W 2 of the proton and neutron in their rest systems

The deep-inelastic structure function W/sub 2/ is calculated using the impulse approximation for mass-shell partons in the target-nucleon rest system. Bjorken scaling and the approach to scaling are shown to follow from parton kinematics in the rest system. The partons are identified as quarks and a simple harmonic-oscillator quark model is used to fit the proton and neutron structure functions down to x approx. 0.1. The neutron structure function requires an inherently non-SU(6) quark model based on relative coordinates that we argue should replace shell-model SU(6) quark models that have been used extensively.
Phloem Mobility of Xenobiotics: I. Mathematical Model Unifying the Weak Acid and Intermediate Permeability Theories

A passive diffusion model has been developed which simultaneously accounts for the dependence of phloem mobility on permeability and acid dissociation. The model is consistent with the observation that the addition of an acid moiety to an otherwise phloem immobile compound may enhance that compound9s ability to move in the phloem. However, acid trapping in the basic phloem is not the only enhancement factor. Acid functionalization also lowers the effective permeability usually towards its optimum value. The unified theory predicts that for a given acid dissociation constant there is an optimum permeability and conversely for a given permeability there is an optimum dissociation constant.
Effect of Plastic Deformation on the γ-Ray Coloration of NaCl Crystals

Measurements are made at room temperature of the growth of the $F$-band in NaCl crystals, under gamma irradiation in a ${\mathrm{Co}}^{60}$ source of constant intensity. Crystals of different origins, heat treatments, and states of deformation, are examined. While deformation has only a relatively small effect on the colorability in the early stage of $F$-band growth, the effect on the later stage is quite striking. The annealed crystals appear to saturate sharply at a value close to ${10}^{17}$ $F$-centers/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$, except for a small linear increase with time, while the deformed crystals continue to show a high growth rate in the later stage of irradiation. Upon optical bleaching, the deformed crystals show $R$-bands, while undeformed crystals irradiated for the same time show no absorption maxima in the visible range. These and other observations confirm the concept advanced earlier that the first stage is due to vacancies and vacancy clusters present in the crystal prior to irradiation (which are determined by the impurity content of the crystal) while the second stage involves the generation of new vacancies at dislocations.
Specificity of anion exchange mediated by mouse Slc26a6.

Abstract Recently, CFEX, the mouse orthologue of human SLC26A6, was localized to the brush border membrane of proximal tubule cells and was demonstrated to mediate Cl−-formate exchange when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether mouse Slc26a6 can mediate one or more of the additional anion exchange processes observed to take place across the apical membrane of proximal tubule cells. Influx of [14C]formate into Slc26a6-expressing oocytes was inhibited by sulfate, oxalate, and p-aminohippurate (PAH), indicating affinity for these anions. Measurements of uptake of [14C]oxalate, [14C]PAH, and [35S]sulfate indicated that Slc26a6 can mediate transport of oxalate and sulfate but not PAH. Studies of the effect of external anions on [14C]oxalate efflux demonstrated Slc26a6-mediated Cl−-oxalate, oxalate-formate, oxalate-oxalate, and oxalate-sulfate exchange. Two-electrode voltage clamp measurements indicated that Slc26a6-mediated Cl−-oxalate exchange is electrogenic. Intracellular pH recordings demonstrated that Slc26a6 can mediate Cl−-HCO exchange, but Cl−-OH− exchange was not detected. The presence of 100 μm oxalate inhibited the rate of Cl−-HCO exchange by 60%. We conclude that mouse Slc26a6 has affinity for oxalate, sulfate, and HCO in addition to Cl− and formate and can function in multiple exchange modes involving pairs of these anions. In the presence of high oxalate concentrations as found in renal tubular fluid and urine, Slc26a6 may largely function as an electrogenic Cl−-oxalate exchanger.
A model for the analysis of fault-tolerant signal processing architectures

This paper develops a new model, using matrices, for the analysis of fault-tolerant multiprocessor systems. The relationship between processors computing useful data, the output data, and the check processors is defined in terms of matrix entries. Unlike the matrix-based models proposed previously for the analysis of digital systems, this model uses only numerical computations rather than logical operations for the analysis of a system. Algorithms to evaluate the fault detection and location capability of the system are proposed which are much less complex than the existing ones. The new model is used to analyze some fault-tolerant architectures proposed for signal-processing applications.
Low power compact silicon electro-optic modulator

We propose a micron-size planar waveguide silicon electro-optic modulator based on a Fabry-Perot cavity. Both optical and carrier confinement into the cavity region lead to very low dc power consumption for modulation.
Changing preservice teachers' epistemological beliefs about teaching and learning in mathematics: An intervention study

Abstract We investigated a theoretical model including an instructional intervention and systematic processing to account for change in preservice teachers’ epistemological beliefs about teaching and learning in mathematics. General and subject-specific epistemological beliefs and systematic processing were assessed in 161 preservice teachers, randomly assigned to an experimental group whose epistemological beliefs about mathematics were activated and challenged through augmented activation and refutational text or to a control group who read a traditional expository text. The model was partially supported. The treatment group receiving the instructional intervention demonstrated greater change in implicit epistemological beliefs than the control group, and partial support for systematic processing as a mediator of the relationship between general epistemological beliefs and change in specific epistemological beliefs was obtained.
ANDROMONOECY IN ZIGADENUS PANICULATUS (LILIACEAE): SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF SEX ALLOCATION

I describe patterns of sex allocation and gamete packaging in the andromonoecious lily Zigadenus paniculatus. In this species, pistil length was continuously, but bimodally, distributed within plants, and smaller pistils contained fewer mature ovules. In hermaphrodite flowers, ovule number per flower increased with blooming rank in small plants but decreased with blooming rank in large plants. Flowers with pistils less than three-fourths stamen length almost never produced fruits and were classified as males. The pedicel, tepals, stamens, and pistil of hermaphrodite flowers were all heavier than those of males. Hermaphrodite flowers were concentrated on the terminal raceme, males on the lower racemes. In combination with acropetal blooming, this spatial separation of flower types resulted in a seasonal decline in the proportion of open flowers that were hermaphrodite. However, individual flowers were protandrous, so that the population sex ratio, initially strongly male-biased, declined as the season progressed. Hand pollinations showed that plants were self-incompatible. Inflorescence size was positively correlated with bulb size, and plants with large inflorescences had a higher proportion of male flowers. Nutrient supplementation had no effect on inflorescence size, but increased the proportion of hermaphrodite flowers. Nutrientsupplemented plants also began blooming earlier than controls. I discuss these patterns in relation to the adaptive significance of andromonoecious breeding systems.
A Holistic Framework of E-Business Strategy: The Case of Haier in China

This paper proposes a conceptual framework of e-business strategy. It argues that such a framework must be holistic, dynamic and dialectical. This framework will assist both researchers and practitioners regarding the key issues of e-business strategy. Further, a case study of Haier from China reveals that all firms need to learn how to design effective e-business strategies, which should be built on a sound organizational form or business model. The case of Haier also suggests that the local firms from the developing countries need to be creative in formulating e-business strategies so as to operate effectively in the under-developed e-business environment. Strategic alliance is especially critical for the local firms with regard to their e-business success.
Transitory response of confined polymer films subjected to oscillatory shear

Molecular-dynamics simulations were used to study the response of a nanometer thin polymer film to oscillatory shear. Several types of response occur, depending on the amplitude of the shear. At low amplitude, the film deforms elastically. At intermediate ones it deforms plastically. Short-range stress-induced structured crystalline domains occur. This flexible elastic state is very dynamic. The crystalline domains oscillate with the applied stress. In the course of repeated cycling, they slowly increase in size. These mesoscopic domains may account for experimentally observed memory behavior. Ultra-thin polymer films typically possess relaxation times that are orders of magnitudes larger than those of the individual polymers. When oscillated at even higher amplitude, stick-slip is observed. In our constant pressure simulations, the film yields when wall spacing is increased to a value at which the polymer segments can smoothly rearrange and hence relax the internal stress.
Red blood cell and plasma levels of thioridazine and mesoridazine in schizophrenic patients

Thioridazine and mesoridazine levels and levels of thioridazine plus metabolites were determined in plasma and red blood cells (RBC) by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) and spectrofluorometry (SP), respectively, in schizophrenic patients treated with fixed doses of thioridazine. There was wide interpatient variability in RBC:plasma ratios for thioridazine and mesoridazine, a higher ratio of thioridazine to mesoridazine in RBC than plasma, and a higher ratio of GLC total (thioridazine plus mesoridazine), to SP-determined total drug constituents in RBC than in plasma. RBC showed a monotonic increase in drug levels with dose, whereas levels of drug in the plasma began to level off above the 250 mg/day dose. Drug levels 24 h after the acute dose did not predict steady-state blood levels in plasma or RBC.
Wideband VLF electromagnetic bursts on the DE 1 satellite

Wideband VLF electromagnetic bursts are observed on the DE 1 satellite by both the electric and magnetic field sensors in the frequency range of 0.650 kHz to 16.0 kHz. The impulsive signals endure for a relatively short time ({approximately}1s or less) and exist in the frequency range from well below to well above the local gyrofrequency. They are typically found at L > 4 over a {approximately} 40{degree} range of latitudes including the geomagnetic equator and are often accompanied by discrete emissions or a band of hiss. Some observed features are consistent with previous observations of electrostatic plasma waves (Ondoh et al., 1989; Reinleitner et al., 1983); however, the magnetic measurements clearly indicate that the impulsive signals are electromagnetic in nature, a result that has not been reported before. The possibility of spacecraft discharge effects as the cause of these signals is discussed.
Visual ordnance recognition for clearing test ranges

We describe a method for recognizing surface-lying ordnance in test ranges using stereo range information and image edge maps. This method is to be used by an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) surveying the test range for autonomous clearing of ordnance. We concentrate on a particular type of cylindrical ordnance (BLU-97) in current usage in U.S. military test ranges. In order to locate instances of the ordnance, we employ a stereo pair of cameras to be mounted on top of a UGV. Parallel segments corresponding to the occluding contours of the ordnance are detected in the imagery using robust and efficient model extraction techniques. The stereo range data is used to adaptively select the local scale for edge detection and to place constraints on the search space for the parallel segment extraction. Initial tests indicate that robust recognition is possible in near real-time with a low rate of false positives.