cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial and temporal variation of a defoliating plant disease and reduction in yield

Abstract The impact of foliar damage caused by diseases or insects on the yield of a crop depends on the spatial and temporal variation of the damage over the growing season. A two-dimensional numerical simulation model for predicting the spread and development of an aerially dispersed fungal disease was developed, using a stochastic representation of spore dispersal and deposition. The impact of plant damage over a season on final yield was estimated using a relationship between plant growth and the cumulative radiation intercepted by healthy leaves. The model was used to predict yield loss due to late blight in fields of inoculated potato plants. Measurements of solar radiation intercepted by the plant canopy were described well by Beer's law with an extinction coefficient K =0.75. For a defoliating disease such as late blight, the model predicted greater yield loss for epidemics characterized by steep spatial gradients and strongly aggregated damage than for epidemics in which damage was distributed uniformly throughout the field.
Reinforcing rhythms in the sleeping brain with a computerized metronome.

Sleep has many inherent benefits, including an important role in memory consolidation. In this issue of Neuron, Ngo et al. (2013b) demonstrate that appropriately timed sounds delivered during sleep can invigorate electrophysiological oscillations conducive to memory stabilization.
Modification of valinomycin-mediated bilayer membrane conductance by 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-2-methylbenzimidazole

The compound, 4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-2-methylbenzimidazole (TMB), has been found to markedly modify the steady-state valinomycin-mediated conductance of potassium (K+) ions through lipid bilayer membranes. TMB alone does not contribute significantly to membrane conductance, being electrically neutral in solution. In one of two classes of experiments (I), valinomycin is first added to the aqueous phases then changes of membrane conductance accompanying stepwise addition of TMB to the water are measured. In a second class of experiments (II), valinomycin is added to the membrane-forming solution, follwed by TMB additions to the surrounding water. In both cases membrane conductance shows an initial increase with increasing TMB concentration which is more pronounced at lower K+ ion concentration. At TMB concentrations in excess of 10−5 m, membrane conductance becomes independent of K+ ion concentration, in contrast to the linear dependence observed at TMB concentrations below 10−7 m. This transition is accompanied by a change of high field current-voltage characteristics from superlinear (or weakly sublinear) to a strongly sublinear form. All of these observations may be correlated by the kinetic model for carriermedicated transport proposed by Lauger and Stark (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 211:458, 1970) from which it may be concluded that valinomycin-mediated ion transport is limited by back diffusion of the uncomplexed carrier at high TMB concentrations. Experiments of class I reveal a sharp drop of conductance at high (>10−5 m) TMB concentration, not seen in class II experiments, which is attributed to blocked entry of uncomplexed carrier from the aqueous phases. Valinomycin initially in the membrane is removed by lateral diffusion to the surrounding torus. The time dependence of this removal has been studied in a separate series of experiments, leading to a measured coefficient of lateral diffusion for valinomycin of 5×10−6 cm2/sec at 25°C. This value is about two orders of magnitude larger than the corresponding coefficient for transmembrane carrier diffusion, and provides further evidence for localization of valinomycin in the membrane/solution interfaces.
Material properties of the human cranial vault and zygoma.

The material properties of cortical bone from the diaphyses of long bones (e.g., the femur and tibia) vary by direction, such that bone is stiffer and stronger along its long axis. This configuration improves the abilities of these structures to resist axial compressive loads coupled with bending. As in long bones, cortical bone from the cranial vault is subject to mechanical loads from various orofacial functions and the contraction of attached muscles. However, experimental studies suggest that the resulting bone strains are at least an order of magnitude smaller than those found in the midshafts of the femur or tibia. The characteristics of the three-dimensional elastic properties of cortical bone are largely unexplored in regions of low bone strain, including the cranial vault, in which little is known regarding cortical structure and function. In the present study we examined variations in the cortical microstructure and material properties of the bone of the human cranial vault, including the parietal, frontal, temporal, and occipital bones. A facial bone, the zygoma, was also included to contrast the properties of the cranial vault with another craniofacial intramembranous bone that experiences larger strains. Cortical specimens from the outer cortical plate of the cranial vault were removed from 15 frozen human crania. We measured cortical thicknesses and densities, and determined the primary direction of stiffness within the bone specimens prior to ultrasonic testing to determine their elastic properties. There were statistically significant differences in elastic properties between bones and, in some cases, sites within bones, which for most variables were clustered by bone or region. In striking contrast to this pattern, elastic moduli in the direction of primary stiffness were larger in cortical regions underlying muscle attachments than in regions without muscle attachments. Few sites in the cranial vault or zygoma showed a consistent orientation of the material axes among individuals, although specimens from many regions had directional differences similar to those in cortical bone from the mandible, femur, or tibia. Anat Rec Part A 274A:785–797, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reinvestigation of the iodocyclization of 4,5,7-tri-O-benzyl-3-(N-benzylacetamido)-1,2,3-trideoxy-d-gluco-hept-1-enitol: unexpected formation of a 1,3-imino-heptitol derivative

Abstract The NIS-mediated iodocyclization of 4,5,7-tri-O-benzyl-3-(N-benzylacetamido)-1,2,3-trideoxy- d -gluco-hept-1-enitol gave unexpectedly a 1,3-imino-heptitol derivative, namely 2-O-acetyl-N-benzyl-4,5,7-tri-O-benzyl-1,3-dideoxy-1,3-imino- d -glycero- d -ido-heptitol. This compound is a new example of a rare class of azetidine imino alditol derivatives which have interesting properties such as glycosidase inhibitors. The physical and spectral data for this imino heptitol were essentially identical to those reported for 2,6-anhydro-4,5,7-tri-O-benzyl-3-(N-benzylacetamido)-3-deoxy- d -glycero- d -ido-heptitol, a derivative of C-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α- d -glucopyranosyl)methanol obtained from the same precursor [Lay, L.; Nicotra, F.; Panza, L.; Verani, A. Gazz. Chim. Ital.1992, 122, 345–348]; these findings cast doubts on the structure reported for the latter product.
The Relationship of Spectral Line Intensity to the Weight of Sample Vaporized with the Laser Microprobe

Emission spectra excited by the laser microprobe are less subject to the influence of the matrix than when excitation is by conventional modes such as a dc arc. Statistical correlations show that the measured spectral line intensity is a function of the weight of material vaporized when the laser is used. Several important factors must be considered to obtain such results with the laser. The size and dimensions of the laser craters (pits) must be carefully measured to determine concentrations since the crater sizes vary from material to material. Crater dimensions may be determined relatively easily by optical microscopy and serve as a method of standardization among materials. The laser energy must be carefully focused to produce a crater which is essentially conical. This not only facilitates microscopic measurements but insures complete sample vaporization. Also, the amount of material deposited around the crater (and probably not reaching the spark discharge) is shown to be minimal in most cases.
Monomial maps on P2 and their arithmetic dynamics

Abstract We say that a rational map on P n is a monomial map if it can be expressed in some coordinate system as [ F 0 : ⋯ : F n ] where each F i is a monomial. We consider arithmetic dynamics of monomial maps on P 2 . In particular, as Silverman (1993) explored for rational maps on P 1 , we determine when orbits contain only finitely many integral points. Our first result is that if some iterate of a monomial map on P 2 is a polynomial, then the first such iterate is 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, or 12. We then completely determine all monomial maps whose orbits always contain just finitely many integral points. Our condition is based on the exponents in the monomials. In cases when there are finitely many integral points in all orbits, we also show that the sizes of the numerators and the denominators are comparable. The main ingredients of the proofs are linear algebra, such as Perron–Frobenius theorem.
THE MAKING OF A TELECOURSE – GOVERNMENT BY CONSENT: A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

This paper prepared for presentation at the Southwestern Social Science Association Annual Convention, March 28‐31, 1990. The purpose of this article is to explore the development and production of a college‐level telecourse in United States government and make preliminary evaluation of its validity. Currently used in eighty‐seven colleges, it is anticipated that more than 300 colleges and universities will utilize this telecourse by January 1991.
PVT Measurements for Toluene in the Near-Critical and Supercritical Regions†

The PVT relationships of toluene were measured in the near-critical and supercritical regions. Measurements were made using a constant-volume piezometer immersed in a precision thermostat. The volume of the piezometer VPT was corrected for both temperature and pressure expansions. The temperature was measured with a 10 Ω platinum resistance thermometer (PRT-10) with an uncertainty of 10 mK. Pressure was measured by means of a dead-weight gauge with an uncertainty of (0.0015 to 0.002) MPa. Uncertainties of the density measurements are estimated to be (0.05 to 0.10)%, depending on the experimental pressure and temperature. The volume of the piezometer VPT was calibrated using a reference fluid (water) with well-known PVT properties at various temperatures and pressures. Measurements were made along various near-critical and supercritical isotherms between (591 and 673) K at pressures from (4 to 36) MPa. The measured PVT data for toluene were compared with values calculated from equations of state and previo...
Best strategies for global HCV eradication

Worldwide eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is possible through a combination of prevention education, universal clinical and targeted community screening, effective linkage to care and treatment with promising new direct-acting antiviral drug regimens. Universal screening should be offered in all healthcare visits, and parallel community screening efforts should prioritize high-prevalence, high-transmission populations including injection drug users, prison inmates and those with HIV/HCV co-infection. Increasing awareness of HCV infection through screening, improving treatment uptake and cure rates by providing linkage to care and more effective treatment, and ultimately combining education efforts with vaccination campaigns to prevent transmission and reinfection can slow and eventually stop the 'silent epidemic'.
Relationship of perioperative hyperglycemia and postoperative infections in patients who undergo general and vascular surgery.

Objective: Evaluate the association of perioperative hyperglycemia and postoperative infections (POI) in patients who had undergone general surgery. Background: Intensive glucose control leads to less postoperative infections (POI) in critically ill surgical patients, but the relationship of hyperglycemia and POI in a general surgical population remains unknown. Methods: A retrospective study of 995 patients who had undergone general and vascular surgery investigated the association of perioperative acute hyperglycemia and risk of 30-day POI over an 18-month period. The primary predictor of interest was postoperative glucose (POG). Bivariate analyses determined the association of each independent variable with POI. Factors significant at P Results: In bivariate analyses, preoperative blood glucose (P = 0.012), POG (P = 0.009), age (P = 0.002), diabetes (P = 0.04), American Society of Anesthesia Classification (ASAC) (P 200 mg/dL (OR = 1.8, (1.4–2.5)). Conclusion: The increased risk of POI and length of hospitalization posed by postoperative hyperglycemia is independent of diabetic status and needs further evaluation to assess for possible benefits of postoperative glycemic control in patients who have undergone general surgery.
Creative Productivity Among Secondary School Students: Combining Energy, Interest, and Imagination:

This qualitative research study focuses upon 18 highly creative/productive secondary school students. Creative/ productive behavior is examined by studying characteristics of youths who pursued and completed investigations based on their interests. The data sources were the family, the school, and the student. Methods of investigation included document analysis, questionnaires, and a student interview. Reflecting on experiences in their respective programs for the gifted, students revealed insights into the ways they obtained ideas for their projects, how their interest in their investigations was sustained, and what they learned from their efforts.
Genomic organization of the simian virus 40-adenovirus 7 hybrid virus, PARA(cT), that encodes a nuclear transport defective simian virus 40 T antigen

The genomic organization of the simian virus 40 (SV40)-adenovirus (Ad)7 hybrid virus, PARA(cT), was examined. A deletion of approximately 5529 bp of Ad7 DNA extends from 78.8 map units to 94.0 map units and is replaced by an SV40 DNA insert of 3809 bp. The left-hand end of the insertion begins at SV40 nucleotide 5168, 5 bp upstream of the ATG initiation codon for T-ag synthesis. The sequence extends counterclockwise through the T-ag encoding sequences and into SV40 late region DNA. Most of the late region DNA has been removed in a deletion between nucleotides 2464 and 301. One of the 72-bp repeats has also been deleted. The right-hand end of the SV40 DNA insert is at nucleotide 4366. Thus, a portion of the SV40 DNA early region is repeated at both ends of the insert (nucleotides 5168-4366).
Moscow-Rome-Havana: A Film-Theory Road Map

OCTOBER 139, Winter 2012, pp. 97–116. © 2012 October Magazine, Ltd. and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These quotations—from the celebrated Soviet pioneer of avant-garde documentary; the Italian writer and filmmaker most commonly associated with his contributions to Neorealist cinema; and one of the leaders of the Cuban Institute of Film Art and Industry, respectively—come from filmmakers from
In vivo evidence for a circadian rhythm in membranes of Gonyaulax

IT has been suggested that rhythmic oscillations in membranes are the underlying mechanism for endogenous circadian rhythms1,2 To support this suggestion, periodic oscillations in membranes of organisms displaying circadian rhythmicity must first be demonstrated. Rhythmic oscillations associated with membranes have been observed in the spontaneous firing of the optic nerve of Aplysia3 and in the transmembrane potential of the pulvini of Samanea4. It is not clear if these membrane-associated rhythms are a function of specialised cells, or are basic phenomena of circadian rhythms. The only membrane-associated rhythm described in a unicellular organism so far is that of a circadian rhythm in particle distribution of one of the membranes of Gonyaulax polyedra5. We have now investigated the rhythmic changes in the membrane potential of G. polyedra. We used the method of Hoffman and Laris6, in which fluorescent cyanine dyes are used to monitor the membrane potential in vivo of cells not amenable to the insertion of microelectrodes, in this case because of their small size and lack of a central vacuole. Our results suggest a temporal reorganisation of one of the membranes of Gonyaulax with circadian time.
Overview of flexible electronics from ITRI's viewpoint

Flexible electronics covers a wide spectrum of applications including flexible display, flexible solar cell, printed RFID, flexible lighting and others. Currently, it has been estimated that there are about 1500 worldwide research units working on various aspects of flexible electronics. Market analysis estimates the revenue of flexible electronics can reach 30 billion USD in 2017 and over 300 billion USD in 2028. Region-wise, the research activities in Europe cover a wide range of topics – from materials, process, to system and applications. In the US, research is primarily driven by military applications. Asian companies invest heavily in flexible display.
A temperature-modulated probe for potential measurements within electron beams

This probe, which is the most succesful of several types tried, uses a temperature-modulated tungsten emitter within the 0.050-inch diameter cylindrical probe sheath. The sensing area is a small hole near the tip of the sheath. Since this probe provides the electrons necessary for its operation, it is unaffected by other electrons--either primary or secondary. Likewise it can be used in an evacuated region with other electrons absent.
Characterization of Dominant Negative Arrestins That Inhibit β2-Adrenergic Receptor Internalization by Distinct Mechanisms

Arrestins have been shown to act as adaptor proteins that mediate the interaction of G protein-coupled receptors with the endocytic machinery. In this study, the role of arrestin-3 in receptor internalization was investigated by constructing different arrestin-3 minigenes that could potentially act as dominant negative inhibitors of arrestin function. Expression of arrestin-3 proteins containing amino acids 1–320 or 201–409 resulted in the inhibition of β2-adrenergic receptor internalization in HEK-293 cells by approximately 40%. Both of these arrestins were diffusely localized within the cytoplasm of transfected cells, were unable to mediate redistribution of receptors to clathrin-coated pits, and did not localize to coated pits in either the presence or absence of receptor and agonist. Arrestin-3(1–320), but not arrestin-3(201–409), bound to light-activated phosphorylated rhodopsin with an affinity comparable with that of wild-type arrestin-3. In contrast, expression of arrestin-3 proteins composed of only the clathrin binding domain, arrestin-3(284–409), and arrestin-3(290–409) resulted in the constitutive localization of these arrestins to coated pits. Arrestin-3(284–409) and arrestin-3(290–409) acted as dominant negative inhibitors of wild-type arrestin function, inhibiting receptor internalization by 70 and 30%, respectively. Carboxyl-terminal deletions of arrestin-3 retained the ability to promote internalization until residues amino-terminal to amino acid 350 were deleted, suggesting that residues in this region also compose part of the clathrin binding domain in addition to the major binding site between residues 371–379. These studies characterize at least two distinct mechanisms, competition for either receptor or clathrin binding, by which dominant negative arrestins inhibit receptor internalization and further define residues within arrestin-3 that constitute the clathrin binding domain.
Teacher expectations and underachieving gifted children

This article examines how teacher expectations can contribute to gifted underachievement. Self‐fulfilling prophecy, perceptual bias, and accuracy are reviewed as three ways in which teacher expectations relate to classroom performance. The evidence suggests that a teacher's low expectations for a child can create a climate that encourages underachievement. Underachievement may also occur when teachers inappropriately assign lower grades to gifted children who fail to follow classroom behavioral norms. Recommendations are made for limiting the negative influence of teacher expectations and for enhancing their positive impact.
Status of the national synchrotron light source upgrade

The demands for real-time control, data acquisition and display from accelerators of the National Synchrotron Light Source have exceeded the capabilities of the computer control system designed in 1978. In January 1985, a workshop on control systems was held at Brookhaven, one of the purposes of which was to provide impetus and design goals for an upgrade of the NSLS control system. The resulting design is described and its status reported.
Physiological properties of the innervated and denervated neuromuscular junction of hibernating and nonhibernating ground squirrels.

Abstract The physiological status of the neuromuscular junction of hibernating and nonhibernating 13-lined ground squirrels was studied to determine whether or not the metabolic changes during hibernation would alter the muscle's response to denervation. It was anticipated that the observations might clarify some aspects of the trophic interrelationship between nerve and muscle. The properties of innervated muscles were not significantly altered after the animals entered hibernation. The strength of contraction, speed of contraction, and resting membrane potential remained unchanged. In addition, extrajunctional sensitivity to acetylcholine did not develop. Because the muscles are inactive during hibernation, we conclude that muscle activity alone does not maintain the physiological properties of muscles. Denervation of muscles from nonhibernating animals resulted in loss of neuromuscular transmission, cessation of miniature end-plate potentials, partial muscle membrane depolarization, and appearance of extrajunctional sensitivity to acetylcholine. In contrast, muscles whose nerves were transected during the hibernating state showed unimpaired neuromuscular transmission and normal miniature end-plate potentials. However, the muscle became partially depolarized, indicating that the regulation of the resting membrane potential is under neurotrophic control and is not influenced solely by the release of acetylcholine (which had remained unchanged). The denervated muscles of hibernating animals did not develop extrajunctional sensitivity to acetylcholine; this probably reflects the low rate of protein turnover in tissues maintained at the low (7°C) body temperature of hibernating animals. Transection of the sciatic nerve of hibernating animals produced histologically demonstrable retrograde changes in the motor neurons of the lumbar spinal cord. It thus appears that hibernation does not adversely affect certain fundamental functions of the nervous system, such as transmission of nerve impulses, anterograde transmission of neurotrophic influences, and the retrograde transmission of signals which initiate the cell body's reaction to injury.
A Novel Mode for Integrin-mediated Signaling: Tethering Is Required for Phosphorylation of FAK Y397

The common model for integrin mediated signaling is based on integrin clustering and the potential for that clustering to recruit signaling molecules including FAK and src. The clustering model for transmembrane signaling originated with the analysis of the EGF receptor signaling and remains the predominant model. The roles for substrate-bound ligand and ligand occupancy in integrin-mediated signaling are less clear. A kinetic model was established using HT1080 cells in which there was a linear relationship between the strength of adhesion, the proportion of alpha5beta1 integrin that could be chemically cross-linked, and the number of receptor-ligand bonds. This graded signal produced a similarly graded response measured by the level of specific phosphorylation of FAK Y397. FAK Y397 phosphorylation could also be induced by antibody bound to the substrate. In contrast, clustering of alpha5beta1 on suspended cells with either antibody to beta1 or by clustering of soluble ligand bound to alpha5beta1 induced the phosphorylation of FAK Y861 but not Y397. There were no differences in signaling when activating antibodies were compared with blocking antibodies, presence or absence of ligand. Only tethering of alpha5beta1 to the substrate was required for induction of FAK Y397 phosphorylation.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Origins of DNA Replication Play No Role in the Regulation of Flanking Promoters

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) exhibits altered gene regulation in neuronal compared to nonneuronal tissues. It has been hypothesized that initiation of DNA synthesis at the viral origins of replication (oriS and oriL) is a critical step in the upregulation of transcriptional activity of flanking divergent promoters, thereby increasing productive gene expression in neurons. Notably, oriS is flanked by the immediate-early (IE) ICP4 and ICP22/47 promoters, and oriL is flanked by the early (E) UL29 and UL30 promoters. To test this hypothesis further, a series of constructs were generated in which these promoters were placed upstream of luciferase genes. In addition, DNA replication origins were deleted in the context of these promoter constructs. All cassettes were recombined into the viral genome of HSV type 1 strain KOS at a site distal to its native origins. Recombinant reporter expression was monitored in vitro and in vivo to determine the role of viral origins of DNA replication in the regulation of their flanking promoters. Reporter gene expression was unaffected by the presence or absence of oriS or oriL, with the exception of a twofold increase in ICP22/47 promoter activity in the absence of oriS. DNA synthesis inhibitors resulted in a decrease of both IE- and E-promoter activity in primary cells but not continuous cell cultures. Reporter activity was readily assayed in vivo during acute infection and reactivation from latency and was also sensitive to DNA synthesis inhibitors. In all assays, reporter gene expression was unaffected by the presence or absence of either oriS or oriL. These data support the requirement of DNA synthesis for full viral gene expression in vivo but suggest that the origin elements play no role in the regulation of their flanking promoters.
Prophylactic Antifungal Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit

Antifungal prophylaxis is regularly used during treatment of patients with some cancers, as subgroups with high rates of invasive fungal infections are readily identified; for these patients, prophylaxis has been shown to be of value. High-risk liver transplant recipients also benefit from antifungal prophylaxis. Although the idea of extending this concept to the prevention of candidal infections in the larger population of critically ill patients who are seen in the intensive care unit (ICU) and who do not have neutropenia is attractive, implementation of this strategy is difficult because of the widely varying characteristics of patients in the ICU. Two studies have shown the benefit of such prophylaxis, but the benefit was shown only in selected groups of patients who had an unusually high risk for invasive candidiasis. Although the concept is sound, broad-scale implementation of antifungal prophylaxis would be premature and costly, both financially and with regard to resistance and toxicity. Investigations are needed to define and prove the utility of predictive tools for the identification of patients in the ICU who would benefit from prophylaxis.
HISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF CONGENITAL and ACQUIRED CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION

Of 180 autopsied cases in children, of which 85 infants were less than one month of age, seven cases of cytomegalovirus infection are described here. Two patients died of congenital cytomegalovirus infection with generalized cytomegalic inclusion disease and one of them was associated with leukemoid mononucleosis. Five cases, 2,8 per cent of 180 cases, were acquired cytomegalovirus infection with localized lesions of cytomegalic cells in the lungs, incidentally found at postmortem examination. The youngest case of acquired cytomegalovirus infection was one month of age. These spontaneous pulmonary infectious changes early in life, associated occasionally with cytomegalic cells in the vascular wall, may suggest that the lung is one of the initial sites of the acquired cytomegalovirus infection preceeding viruria or elevation of antibody titer at later period of life.
Relativism and the Social Scientific Study of Medicine

Does the social scientific study of medicine require a commitment to relativism? Relativism claims that some subject (e.g., knowledge claims or moral judgments) is relative to a background (e.g., a culture or conceptual scheme) and that judgments about the subject are incommensurable. Examining the concept of success as it appears in orthodox and nonorthodox medical systems, we see that judgments of success are relative to a background medical system. Relativism requires the social scientific study of medicine to be value free in the sense that a medical system must be described without evaluating its elements. When social scientists do evaluate the successfulness of a nonorthodox medical system, they give a crucial role to the nonorthodox conception of success. This strategy does not vitiate value-freedom and it entails a relativism about success. The social scientific study of medicine, therefore, does require relativism in the form of a relativism about success.
Malory's "Tale of Balin" Reconsidered

THE ATTITUDE of many Malory scholars of the 1970s is summed up in Mark Lambert's observation, "After twenty years of investigating unity it is time for us to take the fruit, leave the chaff, and rotate our crops.1 While fresh approaches are welcome, it would be a mistake to assume, as Lambert seems to do, that all the major structural problems brought to light by the debate over unity have been solved. That they have not can be illustrated through a reconsideration of Malory's "Tale of Balin." The tale became a standard topic in the controversy over unity because Eugene Vinaver, in his commentary in the 1947 edition of Malory, used it to typify the author's narrative method generally: unravelling the "interlaced" plot threads of the French sources to produce relatively brief, independent, whole tales. Vinaver argued that Malory dissociates Balin's Dolorous Stroke from the Grail theme, suppresses secondary plots, and achieves a strong central plot in which the tragic ending follows by fatal necessity from the opening events of the tale.2 His critics responded by pointing out that the tale is not truly independent of the rest of the work, for the Dolorous Stroke still motivates Galahad's quest, as in the French sources, and the main plot of "Balin" is still interwoven with others the war between Arthur and Roins, the Tristram story, and the Lot-Pellinore feud.3 Vinaver repeated his views unchanged in his 1967 edition (3:1276-1277), leaving the debate at a standoff, where it has remained.
Genetic Subdivision of Chemosynthetic Endosymbionts of Solemya velum along the Southern New England Coast

Population-level genetic diversity in the obligate symbiosis between the bivalve Solemya velum and its thioautotrophic bacterial endosymbiont was examined. Distinct populations along the New England coast shared a single mitochondrial genotype but were fixed for unique symbiont genotypes, indicating high levels of symbiont genetic structuring and potential symbiont-host decoupling.
A contracting model for flexible distributed scheduling

We are interested in building systems of autonomous agents that can automate routine information processing activities in human organizations. Computational infrastructures for cooperative work should contain embedded agents for handling many routine tasks [9], but as the number of agents increases and the agents become geographically and/or conceptually dispersed, supervision of the agents will become increasingly problematic. We argue that agents should be provided with deep domain knowledge that allows them to make quantitatively justifiable decisions, rather than shallow models of users to mimic. In this paper, we use the application domain of distributed meeting scheduling to investigate how agents embodying deeper domain knowledge can choose among alternative strategies for searching their calendars in order to create flexible schedules within reasonable cost.
Response bias and aging on a recognition memory task

Response bias reflects the decision rule an individual uses when faced with uncertainty on recognition memory tasks. Recent studies indicate frontal regions may mediate response bias performance. One theory of aging also implicates frontal lobe contributions in age-related cognitive changes. This suggests that frontal lobe changes may mediate response bias in older adults. Consistent with this frontal aging hypothesis, we predicted that response bias would become more liberal with age. Methods: Participants were 181 younger (30–49) and 112 older normal adults (751) that were part of the California Verbal Learning Test-second edition (CVLT-2) normative sample (total n 51078). We used parametric measures of discriminability and response bias provided by the CVLT-2 scoring program. Groups were similar in IQ and education. Multi-level regression models were created to examine the effects of moderating variables. The interaction between age and age group significantly predicted response bias. Post hoc analysis indicated that increasing age was associated with more liberal bias in the older but not in the younger group. In the light of reported relationships between frontal regions and both aging and response bias, we hypothesize that frontal changes may be the underlying mechanism explaining the increase in liberal response bias with age. (JINS, 2006, 12, 1–7.)
Characterization of Aspergillus nidulans mutants deficient in cell wall chitin or glucan.

By screening for the osmotically remediable phenotype, mutations in two genes (orlA and orlB) affecting the cell wall chitin content of Aspergillus nidulans were identified. Strains carrying temperature-sensitive alleles of these genes produce conidia which swell excessively and lyse when germinated at restrictive temperatures. Growth under these conditions is remedied by osmotic stabilizers and by N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). Remediation by GlcNAc suggests that the mutations affect early steps in the synthesis of chitin. Temperature and medium shift experiments indicate that the phenotype is the result of decreased synthesis rather than increased chitin degradation and that osmotic stabilizers act to stabilize a defective wall rather than to stabilize the gene product. Two genes, orlC and orlD, which affect cell wall beta-1,3-glucan content were also identified. Walls from strains carrying mutations in these genes exhibit normal amounts of alpha-1,3-glucan and chitin but reduced amounts of beta-1,3-glucan. As for the chitin-deficient mutants, orlC and orlD mutants spontaneously lyse on conventional media but are remedied by osmotic stabilizers. These results indicate that both chitin and beta-1,3-glucan are likely to contribute to the structural rigidity of the cell wall. Images
Strength Changes in the Normal Quadriceps Femoris Muscle as a Result of Electrical Stimulation

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an electronic muscle stimulator in strengthening normal quadriceps femoris muscle without the assistance of simultaneous isometric muscle contraction. The sample consisted of 58 subjects who were randomly divided into three independent groups. One group (n = 19) served as controls; one group (n = 20) underwent daily stimulation of the right quadriceps femoris muscle using a specified protocol; and one group (n = 19) underwent isometric strengthening of the quadriceps femoris muscle using a specified protocol. The mechanical force of isometric quadriceps femoris muscle contraction was recorded weekly for the three groups, and the initial and final values were subjected to an analysis of covariance. The electrical-stimulation and isometric-exercise groups had statistically significant increases in quadriceps femoris muscle torque when compared with the nonexercised controls ( p < .001). The data supported the use of this electronic stimulator as an appropriate device for strengthening skeletal muscle without voluntary effort.
Mutations in the pale aleurone color1 Regulatory Gene of the Zea mays Anthocyanin Pathway Have Distinct Phenotypes Relative to the Functionally Similar TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 Gene in Arabidopsis thaliana

The pale aleurone color1 (pac1) locus, required for anthocyanin pigment in the aleurone and scutellum of the Zea mays (maize) seed, was cloned using Mutator transposon tagging. pac1 encodes a WD40 repeat protein closely related to anthocyanin regulatory proteins ANTHOCYANIN11 (AN11) (Petunia hybrida [petunia]) and TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1 (TTG1) (Arabidopsis thaliana). Introduction of a 35S-Pac1 transgene into A. thaliana complemented multiple ttg1 mutant phenotypes, including ones nonexistent in Z. mays. Hybridization of Z. mays genomic BAC clones with the pac1 sequence identified an additional related gene, mp1. PAC1 and MP1 deduced protein sequences were used as queries to build a phylogenetic tree of homologous WD40 repeat proteins, revealing an ancestral gene duplication leading to two clades in plants, the PAC1 clade and the MP1 clade. Subsequent duplications within each clade have led to additional WD40 repeat proteins in particular species, with all mutants defective in anthocyanin expression contained in the PAC1 clade. Substantial differences in pac1, an11, and ttg1 mutant phenotypes suggest the evolutionary divergence of regulatory mechanisms for several traits that cannot be ascribed solely to divergence of the dicot and monocot protein sequences.
Lipid Synthesis from [U-14C] Glucose in Preimplantation Mouse Embryos in Culture

Mouse embryos were cultured from the 2-cell to the morula stage in a medium containing [U-” C) glucose. Total lipid was extracted and the distribution of radioactivity was determined in the neutral lipid, phospholipid and glycolipid fractions eluted from a siicic acid column and in the individual lipidsseparatedfrom these fractions by thin layer chromatography. The partitioning of radioactivity between a ch!oroformand aqueous phase after alkaline methanolysis of the fractions from sibicic acid column chromatography was alsostudied. Of the totallipid radioactivity, almost 80% was recovered in the neutral lipid fraction. Most of the neutral lipid label was present in the triacybglycerols. The remaining 20% of the total radioactivity was distributed between the phospholipid and glycolipid fractions. Phosphatidylcholine accounted for 68% of the phospholipid radioactivity. The remainder of the phospholipid associated radioactivity was recovered in phos. phatidylethanolamine and in phosphatidylinositob and/or phosphatidylserine. The distribution of label after alkaline methanolysis of the neutral lipid and phosphobipid fractions showed that most of the radioactivity was present in the glycerol backbones and not in the fatty acids of these compounds. The major glycolipids synthesized were cerebrosides,however, evidence was obtained for
A Graph-Dynamic Perspective on Coordinative Structures, the Role of Affordance-Effectivity Relations in Action Selection, and the Self-Organization of Complex Activities

Meaningful parallels exist between the coordinative structures (CSs) involved in planning and controlling complex actions of the body (limbs, torso, head, face, eyes) in service of both mechanical (e.g., manipulation and/or transport of environmental objects) and social (e.g., inter-agent coordination) functions. While early treatments focused on CS state-dynamics and parameter-dynamics, attention has focused more recently on CS graph-dynamics. We describe a coordinative structure graph (CSG) perspective that brings affordances and effectivities into a dynamical systems framework in which a) task-specific perceptual and physical links are created between an agent's end-effectors and environmental objects/surfaces during the graph-dynamics of CSG assembly; and b) these dynamics embed the agent in his/her environmental context such that the agent+environment system functions as a higher-order task-specific unit. Additionally, we describe a 3-tuple formalism for CSs that govern simple, single actions; such 3...
Adding precision tools to the plant biologists' toolbox with chemical genomics.

The scope of our knowledge regarding plant genetic mechanisms and gene functions is rapidly evolving and expanding. This is primarily due to the availability of genetic and genomic methods for investigating model species, such as Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ). To fuel future advances, current
Towards coverage closure: Using GoldMine assertions for generating design validation stimulus

We present a methodology to generate input stimulus for design validation using GoldMine, an automatic assertion generation engine that uses data mining and formal verification. GoldMine mines the simulation traces of a behavioral Register Transfer Level (RTL) design using a decision tree based learning algorithm to produce candidate assertions. These candidate assertions are passed to a formal verification engine. If a candidate assertion is false, a counterexample trace is generated. In this work, we feed these counterexample traces to iteratively refine the original simulation trace data. We introduce an incremental decision tree to mine the new traces in each iteration. The algorithm converges when all the candidate assertions are true. We prove that our algorithm will always converge and capture the complete functionality of an output on convergence. We show that our method always results in a monotonic increase in simulation coverage. We also present an output-centric notion of coverage, and argue that we can attain coverage closure with respect to this notion of coverage. Experimental results to validate our arguments are presented on several designs from Rigel, OpenRisc and SpaceWire.
Novel applications of rapid prototyping in gamma-ray and X-ray imaging

Advances in 3D rapid-prototyping printers, 3D modeling software, and casting techniques allow for the fabrication of cost-effective, custom components in gamma-ray and x-ray imaging systems. Applications extend to new fabrication methods for custom collimators, pinholes, calibration and resolution phantoms, mounting and shielding components, and imaging apertures. Details of the fabrication process for these components are presented, specifically the 3D printing process, cold casting with a tungsten epoxy, and lost-wax casting in platinum.
Attitudinal Correlates of Girls’ Use of Violence in Teen Dating Relationships:

This article explores the applicability of the Theory of Planned Behavior in understanding female perpetrated adolescent dating violence. The Theory of Planned Behavior is intended to predict behavioral intention by examining the actor's perceptions of consequences and rewards associated with the behavior, social acceptability of the behavior, and behavioral control. Previous research on adult populations has found that the planned behavior model is correlated with violent behavior among males (Tolman, Edleson, & Fendrich, 1996), but not females (Kernsmith, 2005). The current study found that the model partially explained the violent behavior of girls, but only perceptions of social norms were significant.
Problems Associated With Life Cycle Studies of a Soil-Inhabiting Organism

Building a simple, distributed-development model of the life cycle of an ectoparasitic nematode requires stage-specific values for stage duration and its standard deviation, survivorship, and fecundity. Direct observation of uniform cohorts of the ectoparasitic nematode, Paratrichodorus minor is not possible. Each female contains at most only two mature eggs at a time, making it difficult to obtain an adequate and uniform cohort of first-stage juveniles (J1). Distributed development of the J1 also complicates the task of obtaining uniform cohorts of all subsequent stages. Soil habitats must be destructively sampled and the target organisms extracted from the soil. This procedure results in greater variation than if the same individuals could be observed over time. Plants were inoculated with an approximately uniform cohort of J1 and destructively sampled at time intervals shorter than the expected duration of the shortest stage. The data included numbers of individuals in each stage at each time step, corrected for the stage-specific extraction efficiency. A simulator was constructed based on a conceptual model of one egg, four juvenile, and the adult female stages (males are rare and were not included). Individuals moved from one stage to the next based on the stage duration, its standard deviation, and the stage survivorship. Two data sets were created from the original data, a first generation only data set and a multiple generation data set. A range of possible values was chosen for each parameter to be estimated. Beginning with J1 all combinations of parameter values were used to generate a predicted data set for the first generation. The predicted and observed values were compared and the combination resulting in the smallest weighted least squares was chosen as the initial best estimate. Each subsequent stage was estimated in the same manner, allowing for minor modifications of previous stage estimates.
Computing the number of acute-care beds within NC Certificate of Need

North Carolina’s Certificate of Need legislation is intended to limit unnecessary growth in the number of acute-care beds throughout the state. In contrast to the current method of computing bed needs based on existing administrative units (counties), we estimate the service area of each acute-care facility using Voronoi diagrams such that the maximum distance from any point in the region to the nearest acute-care facility is minimized. The population in the service area is then used to determine the appropriate bed capacity for the hospital serving that region. The approach is applied to the problem of determining the appropriate number of acute-care beds for each hospital in the state. The discrepancies between the existing hospital sizes and the needed acute-care beds indicate areas where geographical inequities may need attention.
Making Vision 2020 a Reality

Three years ago, the APTA House of Delegates adopted Vision 2020. It is a bold but tangible vision of where the profession of physical therapy sees itself in just 17 years. Our shared vision has united our members, focused our attention on the really important issues, and distinguished our profession among our health care colleagues. Three years ago, the House of Delegates elected me to serve as your President. To serve this profession that all of us love so dearly has been a great honor and a privilege. And to serve as President for the initial years of our quest for Vision 2020 has been an awesome experience for me. During the past 3 years, the House has consistently elected officers and members of the Board of Directors who have brought their talents, tireless commitment, and mature wisdom to lead this Association, to carry out the mandates of our members—to make Vision 2020 a reality. And we have required all their talents for this monumental task. At a retreat in the fall of 2000, your Board of Directors determined that if we are to achieve our Vision—a vision of becoming an autonomous profession—we must focus our efforts on 5 key areas: 1. Professionalism, 2. Direct Access, 3. The Doctor of Physical Therapy, 4. Evidence-Based Practice, and 5. Practitioner of Choice. I'd like to take a few minutes to trace our progress and to share with you my assessment of some of the work yet to be done. 1. Professionalism: At a recent regional caucus of delegates, a vote was taken as to which of the 5 components of the Vision they felt was the key to achieving our Vision. The vote was unanimous—professionalism. The same professionalism that our professors and instructors tried to instill in us from the first days of our professional education. The …