cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wheat chromosome 2D carries genes controlling the activity of two DNA-degrading enzymes.

DNA-degrading enzymes of 24.0 kDa and 27.0 kDa were observed to have different activities in two common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, ‘Wichita’ and ‘Cheyenne’. A substrate-based SDS-PAGE assay revealed that these two enzymes were much more active in ‘Wichita’ than in ‘Cheyenne’. Genes controlling the activities of these two enzymes were localized on chromosome 2D by testing DNA-degrading activities in reciprocal chromosome substitution lines between ‘Wichita’ and ‘Cheyenne’. While the allele on ‘Wichita’ chromosome 2D stimulated the activities of the 24.0- and 27.0-kDa enzymes in Cheyenne, the allele on ‘Cheyenne’ chromosome 2D did not reduce the activities of the 24-kDa and 27-kDa enzymes in ‘Wichita’. Whether these genes code for the DNA-degrading enzymes themselves or for factors that regulate the enzyme activities remains unknown.
Risky business: Sexuality education and research in U.S. schools

The authors explore recent efforts to push sexuality education and research for and about young people out of U.S. public schools. Their analysis focuses on two recent local instances in Lubbock, Texas, where young people unsuccessfully argued against abstinence-only education and for comprehensive instruction, and in Fairfax County, Virginia, where school administrators and school board members unsuccessfully tried to add questions about sexual behavior to an existing survey of risk behavior. These and other local debates reflect broader understandings of sexuality as a site of risk and schools as sites of protection from risk. The authors resist this understanding and argue that the real risk lies in failing to equip and support young people in their sexual lives. The article concludes with recommendations for how, first, to resist impoverished perspectives of sexuality as only risk and youth as only vulnerable and, second, to acknowledge young people’s subjectivity and embodiment.
A proteomic analysis of secretory proteins of a pre-vacuolar mutant of Candida albicans.

Abstract S. cerevisiae mutants lacking VPS4 missort several vacuolar proteins to the extracellular space, including carboxypeptidase (CPY), vacuolar protease A (PrA), and vacuolar protease B (PrB). In addition, certain soluble secretory proteins, such as invertase and acid phosphatase, are missorted from the pre-vacuolar compartment (PVC) to the general secretory pathway prior to exocytosis. Although little is known about sorting of proteins via the PVC in Candida albicans, we have previously demonstrated that the C. albicans vps4Δ null mutant missorts PrA and CPY extracellularly, but fails to secrete the aspartyl proteases Sap2p and Sap4–6p. To further define the role of C. albicans VPS4 in the trafficking of pre-vacuolar proteins, we have used 2 dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry techniques to study soluble proteins in the supernatants of planktonic cultures obtained from the C. albicans vps4Δ mutant compared to control strain DAY185. Results indicated that lack of VPS4 results in a decrease of canonically secreted proteins whilst having a limited effect on non-canonically secreted extracellular proteins. Four canonically secreted proteins (Cht3p, Pra1p, Mp65p and Sun41p) were identified as reduced in the supernatants from the mutant strain. We also indentified two other major consequences of lack of VPS4, likely associated with secretion defects: altered branching and biofilm formation.
Extending satellite remote sensing to local scales: land and water resource monitoring using high-resolution imagery

The potential of high-resolution IKONOS and QuickBird satellite imagery for mapping and analysis of land and water resources at local scales in Minnesota is assessed in a series of three applications. The applications and accuracies evaluated include: (1) classification of lake water clarity (r 2 =0.89), (2) mapping of urban impervious surface area (r 2 =0.98), and (3) aquatic vegetation surveys of emergent and submergent plant groups (80% accuracy). There were several notable findings from these applications. For example, modeling and estimation approaches developed for Landsat TM data for continuous variables such as lake water clarity and impervious surface area can be applied to high-resolution satellite data. The rapid delivery of spatial data can be coupled with current GPS and field computer technologies to bring the imagery into the field for cover type validation. We also found several limitations in working with this data type. For example, shadows can influence feature classification and their effects need to be evaluated. Nevertheless, high-resolution satellite data has excellent potential to extend satellite remote sensing beyond what has been possible with aerial photography and Landsat data, and should be of interest to resource managers as a way to create timely and reliable assessments of land and water resources at a local scale.
UPTAKE OF MAMMALIAN CHROMOSOMES BY MAMMALIAN CELLS.

Chromosomes isolated from mouse leukemia L1210 cells were taken up by mouse macrophages, HeLa cells, and rat embryo fibroblasts following simple exposure in vitro. The process, which resembles pinocytosis or phagocytosis, was traced by autoradiography of chromosomes prelabeled with thymidine-H3, and by staining techniques and phase contrast microscopy. During the first six hours, the uptake of chromosomes was restricted to the cytoplasm, but there was some evidence of penetration into the nucleus after 16 and 26 hours of exposure. Treatment of rat fibroblasts with glucose and insulin markedly enhanced the uptake of chromosomes, whereas iodoacetate inhibited their penetration.
Characteristics of head and neck cancer patients referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in the United States for management.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to report the characteristics of patients with head and neck cancer, excluding cutaneous malignancies, referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in the United States for management. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of all head and neck cancer patients referred to the senior author's oral and maxillofacial surgery practice over 12 consecutive months. Data were extracted from the patients' comprehensive record and included demographics, social history, site, histologic diagnosis, staging, treatment, and referral patterns. Results A total of 90 patients, 51 men and 39 women (male-female ratio, 1.3:1), with a mean age of 64.4 years (range, 32-91 years) were referred with head and neck cancer, excluding skin cancer, over the 12-month period and were included in the study. Regarding ethnicity, 88.8% of the patients were white, 11.1% African American, and 1.1% Asian. Most of the patients, 84.4%, were referred from within the state, but only 21.1% of these resided within the metropolitan area of the senior author's practice. Of the patients in the study population, 95.5% had either private or state-provided/federally provided insurance. Social history showed that 59.9% of patients were current or past smokers, 31.1% were nonsmokers, and 8.8% were smokeless tobacco users, and only 18.8% admitted to alcohol use. Approximately 80% of patients were initially evaluated by a general dentist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, or periodontist, and 93% of referrals were from other oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Over 90% of lesions were located in the oral cavity, and only 6.6% were oropharyngeal primary cancers. Squamous cell carcinoma made up 89% of the lesions, whereas minor salivary gland and metastatic carcinomas comprised the other 11%. At the time of diagnosis, 64.4% of the lesions were early stage (I/II) and 35.6% were late stage (III/IV). Analysis of treatment modalities showed that 87.8% underwent surgery, excluding biopsy, as part of their therapy. Of these, 83.5% were treated with surgery only, whereas the others received both surgery and some form of adjuvant therapy. Five patients were treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy. Conclusion Our results suggest that patients referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgery practice for management of head and neck cancer are different from those described in previous reports regarding demographics, social history, site, and stage of disease at diagnosis and treatment. This finding may be explained by the unique referral pattern for oral and maxillofacial surgeons treating head and neck cancer.
Wireless capsule endoscopy detects small bowel ulcers in patients with normal results from state of the art enteroclysis.

Wireless Capsule Endoscopy Detects Small Bowel Ulcers in Patients With Normal Results From State of the Art Enteroclysis
Enron, a Perceived Crisis in Public Confidence, and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002

In the spring of 2002 Congress passed and President Bush signed the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA), the first major piece of campaign reform legislation since the early 1970s. While momentum for reform had been growing since the mid-1990s, without the Enron scandal and its potential threat to public officials, additional support to overcome the procedural barriers and opposition from the Republican leadership in both the House and Senate would have been difficult to overcome. In addition, Bush Administration ties to Enron had the effect of demobilizing the president on the issue, making it virtually impossible for him to veto a bill he fundamentally opposed. The Enron scandal provided the “window of opportunity” needed by reform-oriented elites to pass a controversial and far-ranging law that was not a high priority on the public's agenda. The end result is a law, pending a Supreme Court ruling on its constitutionality, that has the potential to alter fundamentally how electoral campaigns are funded and conducted.
Recoil collisions as a portal to field-assisted ionization at near-uv frequencies in the strong-field double ionization of helium

We explore the dependence of the double ionization of the He atom on the frequency of a strong laser field while keeping the ponderomotive energy constant. As we increase the frequency we find that the remarkable ``fingerlike'' structure for high momenta recently found for $\ensuremath{\omega}=0.055\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{a.u.}$ persists for higher frequencies. At the same time, at $\ensuremath{\omega}=0.187\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{a.u.}$, a new X-shaped structure emerges for small momenta that prevails in the correlated momenta distribution. The role of this structure as a signature of the frequency dependence of nonsequential double ionization is discussed.
Synthesis of salicylate dendritic prodrugs

A small drug molecule, salicylic acid, has been converted into well-defined dendritic macromolecules. The mono-disperse nature of these materials may be clearly shown by NMR and GPC. A third generation salicylic acid dendrimer contains sixty salicylic acid residues, which make up its core, branches, and periphery. Individual salicylic acid moieties in the dendrimer are connected to one another via hydrolyzable diester linkages.
Expanding the scope of leadership training in medicine.

All physicians take a leadership role at some point in their career-some exert influence in their practices and communities as informal leaders, and others hold formal leadership roles to which they are appointed or elected. These formal leadership roles convey power to those individuals who hold such positions. Formal leadership, however, is limited in its influence unless it is accompanied by a series of personal and interpersonal competencies that characterize both formal and informal leaders.Many physicians who do not hold formal leadership roles will be called on to provide (or will wish to provide) informal leadership at various times in their careers. Both formal and informal leaders should be trained in the personal and interpersonal competencies necessary for effective leadership to advance the principles-driven and values-oriented goals inherent in the health care enterprise.In this article, the author defines leadership and describes the characteristics of formal and informal leaders, then discusses the types of leadership and the power derived from different leadership roles. He concludes by arguing in favor of expanding the scope of leadership training to include informal as well as formal leaders.
Ultracapacitors Based on Graphene/MWNT Composite Films

Ultracapacitors are promising candidate for alternative energy storage applications since they can store and deliver energy at relatively high rates. In this work, we integrated large area CVD graphene with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to fabricate highly conductive, large surface-area composite thin films used as electrodes in ultracapacitors. Uniform, large area graphene layers were produced by CVD on copper foils and were chemically modified. Chemically shortened MWNTs, ranging in length of 200~500 nm, were deposited by dropping on graphene layers. Graphene/MWNT composite films with different thicknesses were obtained. The surface morphology was investigated by SEM. The results demonstrated relatively dense and homogeneous net nanostructure. The measurements of cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are conducted to determine its performance of graphene/MWNT film structures.
Kinetics and transport effects in the dehydration of crystalline potassium carbonate hydrate

The reaction kinetics and physical transport processes governing the thermal dehydration of solid K/sub 2/CO/sub 3/.3/2H/sub 2/O particles were investigated. Isothermal reaction rate data were gathered using a thermogravimetric balance in which narrowly-sized K/sub 2/CO/sub 3/.3/2H/sub 2/O crystals were dehydrated under a water vapor atmosphere at different pressures and temperatures. The magnitudes of the heat and mass transfer resistances external to and within the solid product were estimated from solutions off the relevant pseudosteady-state transport equations. In the temperature range 320 to 358 K, the vacuum dehydration of K/sub 2/CO/sub 3/.3/2H/sub 2/O crystals smaller than 710 ..mu..m (-25 + 30 mesh) are accurately modeled by the spherical shrinking-core equation for the chemical rate control regime. In the presence of water vapor, external heat transfer to the particles was sufficient to prevent significant self-cooling; heat and mass transfer resistances within the particles were negligible. The activation energy for K/sub 2/CO/sub 3/.3/2H/sub 2/O dehydration is approximately 91 kJ/mol in vacuum; the reaction becomes extremely slow at relative pressures (P/P/sub eq/) > 0.35. 23 references, 3 figures, 8 tables.
Local Government Capacity Building A Structured Group Process Approach

A discussion of the use of structured group process techniques to enhance local legislative policy development and leadership is presented. Three group process techniques-Nominal Group Technique, Delphi, and Interpretive Structural Modeling—are presented in some detail and related to local legislative capacity building. Finally, the techniques are placed in the context of a case study in which group process techniques are used to assist a local legislative council in developing a policy-action strategy for several substantive local issues.
You Can't Think and Hit at the Same Time: Neural Correlates of Baseball Pitch Classification.

Hitting a baseball is often described as the most difficult thing to do in sports. A key aptitude of a good hitter is the ability to determine which pitch is coming. This rapid decision requires the batter to make a judgment in a fraction of a second based largely on the trajectory and spin of the ball. When does this decision occur relative to the ball’s trajectory and is it possible to identify neural correlates that represent how the decision evolves over a split second? Using single-trial analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) we address this question within the context of subjects discriminating three types of pitches (fastball, curveball, slider) based on pitch trajectories. We find clear neural signatures of pitch classification and, using signal detection theory, we identify the times of discrimination on a trial-to-trial basis. Based on these neural signatures we estimate neural discrimination distributions as a function of the distance the ball is from the plate. We find all three pitches yield unique distributions, namely the timing of the discriminating neural signatures relative to the position of the ball in its trajectory. For instance, fastballs are discriminated at the earliest points in their trajectory, relative to the two other pitches, which is consistent with the need for some constant time to generate and execute the motor plan for the swing (or inhibition of the swing). We also find incorrect discrimination of a pitch (errors) yields neural sources in Brodmann Area 10 (BA 10), which has been implicated in prospective memory, recall and task difficulty. In summary, we show that single-trial analysis of EEG yields informative distributions of the relative point in a baseball’s trajectory when the batter makes a decision on which pitch is coming.
Environmental Conditions and the Occurrence of Exertional Heat Illnesses and Exertional Heat Stroke at the Falmouth Road Race

Context: The Falmouth Road Race is unique because of the environmental conditions and relatively short distance, which allow runners to maintain a high intensity for the duration of the event. Therefore, the occurrence of exertional heat illnesses (EHIs), especially exertional heat stroke (EHS), is 10 times higher than in other races. Objective: To summarize the occurrence and relationship of EHI and environmental conditions at the Falmouth Road Race. Design: Descriptive epidemiologic study. Setting: An 11.3-km (7-mile) road race in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Patients or Other Participants: Runners who sustained an EHI while participating in the Falmouth Road Race. Main Outcome Measure(s): We obtained 18 years of medical records and environmental conditions from the Falmouth Road Race and documented the incidence of EHI, specifically EHS, as related to ambient temperature (Tamb), relative humidity, and heat index (HI). Results: Average Tamb, relative humidity, and HI were 23.3 ± 2.5°C, 70 ± 16%, and 24 ± 3....
Le palimpseste et le roman africain: le cas des romans Xala de Sembène Ousmane et La grève des bàttu d"Aminata Sow Fall

Les romans Xala de Sembene Ousmane et La greve des Battu d"Aminata Sow Fall mettent en scene quelques uns des personnages les plus memorables de l"Afrique postcoloniale en proie a des crises individuelles mais dont l"impact se fait sentir partout dans la communaute. A la difference des etudes deja faites sur ces romans qui se concentrent sur leur thematique, dans cet essai, je propose d"examiner le processus de creation litteraire qui unit les deux romans dans un jeu intertextuel. Les relations palimpsestiques entre ces deux romans mettent en valeur la dimension esthetique, souvent mise a l"ecart, de la litterature africaine.
SOURCE TRACKING IN THE HUDSON CANYON EXPERIMENT

In the Hudson Canyon experiment, a broadband source, transmitting simultaneously in four frequencies, moved in range at a constant depth and bearing. Using broadband matched-field processing we demonstrate that the source can be localized and tracked. Incoherent broadband approaches for matched-field processing, based on the averaging of ambiguity surfaces obtained with the narrowband Bartlett and Minimum Variance processors, are compared to a new coherent variant. Localization is very successful when either the incoherent or coherent Bartlett estimator is used. The Minimum Variance processor performance in determining the source location is very poor in the incoherent case but improves significantly with the introduction of the coherent scheme.
Electron Microscopy of the Ectoplasm and Infraciliature of Spirostomum ambiguum

SYNOPSIS. A study of the ectoplasm and infraciliature of Spirostomum ambiguum has been made with light and electron microscopy. Proceeding from the exterior, the cortex is described as the highly structured ectoplasmic portion of Spirostomum consisting of ectoplasmic ridge components and ectoplasmic furrow components. The pellicle invests the ectoplasmic ridges, ectoplasmic furrows, cilia, and adoral membranelles. Electron micrographs show that the cell surface is bounded by two membranes, for the most part parallel. The outer one is continuous with the unit membrane of each cilium; the course of the inner membrane has not been determined in areas bearing cilia. The ridge components are: (i) a collection of fibrils called peripheral ectomyonemes, situated beneath the inner membrane of the cell surface, oriented parallel with the organism's longitudinal axis and following the peripheral contours of each ridge; (ii) distinct rows of tubular fibrils which form a longitudinal bundle called lateral ectomyonemes, situated in the lower portion of each ridge and oriented parallel to its spiral course; (iii) cytoplasmic matrix suspending and surrounding components (i) and (ii). Mitochondria and unidentified electron-opaque oval-shaped or round bodies called X-bodies are dispersed in the ectoplasmic ridges but they also occur in the endoplasm; therefore, they are considered to be transient inclusions instead of constituents of the ridges. The furrow components are: (i) the body cilia and adoral membranelles; (ii) the kinetosomes; (iii) root fibrils, called kinetodesmal strands, of the adoral membranelles; (iv) cytoplasmic matrix suspending and surrounding the furrow components. A trabecular band of randomly oriented filaments, called the endomyoneme is described as possibly the structure called M-band by Randall and Jackson, 1958, and contractile fibrillar system by Yagiu and Shigenaka, 1963. It is suggested that collections of distinct fibrils in Spirostomum be called fibrillar complexes. Acceptance of this suggestion will lead to the designation of four distinct fibrillar complexes in heterotrichs; all four complexes have been described or mentioned in previous studies. Some findings of previous investigators are discussed and confirmed (especially pertaining to Randall and Jackson, also Yagiu and Shigenaka, cited above). Inferences from these independently derived findings are discussed.
Preconditioning decreases Bax expression, PMN accumulation and apoptosis in reperfused rat heart.

Objective: Recent studies suggest that ischemic preconditioning (IPC) inhibits myocardial apoptosis after ischemia and reperfusion. This study tested the hypothesis that IPC reduces ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial apoptosis by inhibiting neutrophil (PMN) accumulation and altering expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. Methods: Eighteen rats were subjected to 30 min of left coronary artery occlusion followed by 180 min of reperfusion with IPC (5 min ischemia and 10 min of reperfusion, n =10) or without IPC ( n =8). Myocardial apoptosis was detected histologically using the terminal transferase UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and confirmed by DNA ladder on agarose gel electrophoresis. PMN accumulation was detected immunohistochemically with anti-rat CD18 antibody (WT3) and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins was analyzed using Western blot assay. Results: IPC significantly decreased TUNEL positive cells (% total nuclei) in the ischemic zone from 28.6±2.8 to 3.4± 0.9 ( P <0.05), consistent with the absence of DNA ladders in the IPC group. IPC significantly attenuated PMN accumulation (cells/mm2 myocardium) in the ischemic zone from 243±19 to 118±19 ( P <0.05). By regression analysis, there was a significant correlation between TUNEL positive cells and accumulated CD18 positive PMNs in the ischemic zone ( r =0.8, P <0.001), which was shifted downward by IPC. Densitometrically, IPC significantly attenuated the ischemia/reperfusion-upregulated expression of Bax protein in the ischemic zone from 204±57% in the control group to 76±7% ( P <0.05), while the expression of Bcl-2 was not different from the non-ischemic zone in either group. Conclusion: These data suggest that ischemic preconditioning may reduce myocardial apoptosis by inhibiting PMN accumulation and down-regulating expression of Bax.
The influence of age and size on temporal mate signalling behaviour.

I investigated how male size, condition and age influence both time spent calling and how signals are apportioned throughout the night (i.e. temporal calling pattern) in the Texas field cricket, Gryllus integer. I quantified male calling time and temporal calling pattern using an electronic apparatus that continuously monitored male calling/noncalling behaviour throughout the night. Male condition, measured using the residuals from an allometric regression of male mass on overall body size, did not explain any variation in either time spent calling or temporal calling pattern. However, some intrapopulation variation in time spent calling and temporal calling pattern was explained by differences in male size and age. Large males called more often than small males. Young and very old adult males called significantly less often than middle-age males. As males aged they initiated calling earlier in the evening, probably increasing their susceptibility to parasitism by the tachinid parasitoid Ormia ochracea. Overall, age and size differences explained 10–40% of signalling variation in male G. integer.  2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Formative Evaluation of a Men’s Health Center

We describe an innovative approach for evaluating a men's health center. Using observation and interview, we assessed patient flow, referral patterns, patient satisfaction, and perceptions of the services' usefulness. Student assistants designed evaluation tools, hired and trained research assistants, supervised data collection, interacted with city and center officials, analyzed data, and drafted a report. To ensure patient confidentiality and anonymity, we designed an innovative observation system. The men had unique perceptions of family, requiring culturally sensitive approaches to engage them in the study. Of patients reporting to the center, 20.3% received referral services. Average satisfaction level was 5.2 (scale = 1-10). Perceived benefits to the family for 23% of respondents included cost savings, improved access, and higher service quality.
Determining the camera response from images: what is knowable?

An image acquired by a camera consists of measured intensity values which are related to scene radiance by a function called the camera response function. Knowledge of this response is necessary for computer vision algorithms which depend on scene radiance. One way the response has been determined is by establishing a mapping of intensity values between images taken with different exposures. We call this mapping the intensity mapping function. In this paper, we address two basic questions. What information from a pair of images taken at different exposures is needed to determine the intensity mapping function? Given this function, can the response of the camera and the exposures of the images be determined? We completely determine the ambiguities associated with the recovery of the response and the ratios of the exposures. We show all methods that have been used to recover the response break these ambiguities by making assumptions on the exposures or on the form of the response. We also show when the ratio of exposures can be recovered directly from the intensity mapping, without recovering the response. We show that the intensity mapping between images is determined solely by the intensity histograms of the images. We describe how this allows determination of the intensity mapping between images without registration. This makes it possible to determine the intensity mapping in sequences with some motion of both the camera and objects in the scene.
Determination of the intrinsic proton binding constants for poly(amidoamine) dendrimers via potentiometric pH titration

Protonation of fourth-generation poly(amidoamine) dendrimers terminated with hydroxyl and amine functional groups has been studied by potentiometric pH titration. The titration data are analyzed using a multishell structural model and a Frumkin adsorption isotherm to approximate proton- dendrimer binding equilibria. Site-to-site correlation is ignored, and counterions are treated according to the standard Debye-Huckel theory. This analysis yields two binding parameters: the intrinsic proton binding constant and a constant that characterizes the strength of electrostatic interactions among occupied binding sites. For the hydroxyl-terminated dendrimers, the internal tertiary amines have an average binding constant (pK ) 6.30) 1-2 pH units lower than the value expected for a single, isolated binding site. This shift in pK is attributed to a hydrophobic microenvironment within the dendrimer interior. In contrast, no significant shift has been observed in the binding constant (pK ) 9.23) for the peripheral primary amines in the amine-terminated dendrimer because the microenvironment around the primary amines is more hydrophilic. The strength of electrostatic interactions obtained from titration data is 3 times (primary amines) and 8 times (tertiary amines) smaller than the calculated values based on the multishell model. We hypothesize that the diminished interaction strength results from ion pairing between bound protons and counterions. In addition to the Debye-Huckel contribution from mobile ions, ion pairing provides extra Coulomb charge screening.
Plasma impedance probe analysis with a finite difference time domain simulation

Sweeping frequency plasma impedance probes have been flown on recent sounding rocket missions and also on the International Space Station. These plasma impedance probes have been used to 1) Characterize the low latitude ionosphere. 2) Study the descending layers in the E-region. 3) Measure the electron temperature, density, and electron-neutral collision frequency within mid-latitude spread F and 4) Measure the ambient plasma properties around the international Space Station. The impedance of the electrically short monopole, dipole or patch antenna used in these missions is determined by generating sweeps of radio frequency voltages between 200 kHz and 20 MHz as the spacecraft travels through the ionospheric layers and measuring the current at the probe input terminals. The impedance data is analyzed using a Plasma Fluid Finite Difference Time Domain (PF-FDTD) model developed at the Utah State University. In this study, the results of the PF-FDTD simulations are compared with the measured data obtained from the Sudden Atomic Layer (SAL) mission, which was launched as a part of the COQUI II campaign from Puerto Rico on 19th February, 1998 at 2009 LT. The parameters that were to be determined were the electron plasma frequency, electron gyro frequency and the ambient magnetic field in the altitude range of 90 – 115 Kms.
Laparoendoscopic Single-site Nephrectomy Compared with Conventional Laparoscopic Nephrectomy: A 5-year, Single-surgeon Experience

Abstract Background Conventional laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) is the gold standard approach for nephrectomy. An advance in minimally invasive nephrectomy is laparoendoscopic single-site nephrectomy (LESS-N). Objective To compare 5-yr experience and outcomes of LESS-N to LN. Design, setting, and participants Retrospective, case-control, single-surgeon series of 47 LESS-N cases matched in a 1:2 fashion by age, indication, and tumor size to 94 LN controls. LESS-N procedures were performed between August 2007 and February 2012 and LN procedures between December 1999 and 2009. Intervention LESS-N or LN. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Categorical variables were compared by χ 2 analysis, and continuous variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. Results and limitations There were significantly more female patients (66% vs 46%; p = 0.023) and a significantly lower median body mass index (24kg/m 2 vs 28kg/m 2 ; p p = 0.9), change in hematocrit (5.6% vs 4.8%; p = 0.661), change in creatinine (0.18mg/dl vs 0.49mg/dl; p = 0.18), analgesic use (morphine equivalents) (18.4 vs 17.5; p = 0.81), or intraoperative complication rates (6.4% vs 2.1%; p = 0.20). Length of stay was shorter (49h vs 70h; p = 0.017) and estimated blood loss was lower (56ml vs 137ml; p = 0.002) for the LESS-N group. Over a mean follow-up of 3 yr, postoperative complications (12.8% vs 7.4%; p = 0.30), disease-free survival (95.8% vs 87.5%; p = 0.384), and overall survival (91.7% vs 95.8%; p = 0.123) were not significantly different. The most significant limitation of this study is the retrospective design. Conclusions This series demonstrates that LESS-N is safe and durable in properly selected patients; however, multi-institutional randomized trials are required to confirm benefits.
Why Does the Heart Beat? The Discovery of the Electrical System of the Heart

Why does the heart beat? This question—known as the myogenic versus neurogenic theory—dominated cardiac research in the 19th century. In 1839, Jan Evangelista Purkinje discovered gelatinous fibers in the ventricular subendocardium that he thought were muscular. Walter Gaskell, in 1886, demonstrated specialized muscle fibers joining the atria and ventricles that caused “block” when cut and found that the sinus venosus was the area of first excitation of the heart. By examining serial embryologic sections, Wilhelm His, Jr, showed that a connective tissue sheet became a bundle connecting the upper and lower cardiac chambers, the bundle of His. Sunao Tawara traced the atrioventricular (AV) bundle of His backward to find a compact node of fibers at the base of the atrial septum and forward where it connected with the bundles of cells discovered by Purkinje in 1839. Tawara concluded that this “AV connecting system” originated in the AV node, penetrated the septum as the His bundle, and then divided into left an...
Oxygen-mediated Inactivation of Peptide Deformylase

Peptide deformylase catalyzes the removal of the N-formyl group from newly synthesized polypeptides in prokaryotes. Its essential character and unique presence in prokaryotes make it an attractive target for antibacterial chemotherapy. However, purification and characterization of the peptide deformylase have remained a major challenge because this enzyme is extraordinarily labile under a variety of conditions (t1/2 ∼1 min at room temperature). In this work, we show that this unusual instability is because of oxidation of the catalytic Fe2+ ion of the deformylase into catalytically inactive Fe3+ ion by atmospheric oxygen. Oxidation of Fe2+ is accompanied by the conversion of O2 into a yet unidentified reactive species, which covalently modifies the deformylase protein, most likely by oxidizing cysteine-90, a ligand residue of the Fe2+ ion, into a cysteine sulfonic acid. Enzymatic exclusion of O2from the deformylase assays renders the deformylase highly stable under otherwise identical conditions. An improved, readily reproducible purification procedure has been developed that produces approximately 10 mg of pure, fully active Fe2+ deformylase from a liter of cells. In addition, active peptide deformylase can be reconstitutedin vitro from the denatured deformylase.
FD-TD analysis of Vivaldi flared horn antennas and arrays

This paper summarizes a detailed computational study of Vivaldi flared horn antenna designs including single element, double element crossed-pair subarray elements, and linear arrays using the finite-difference time-domain (FD-TD) method. FD-TD, which numerically solves Maxwell's time dependent curl equations, accounts for the complex geometrical and electrical characteristics associated with this antenna design and array implementation. Validations have been made relative to a moment method (MM) model of an electrically large linearly tapered slot antenna. Also, good correlation is shown to exist in the primary features of the antenna patterns between computed and measured data for all cases. This work has achieved a number firsts for the FD-TD methodology. It represents the first "exact" computational model of a single quad Vivaldi slot antenna; the first "exact" computational model of a phased array of Vivaldi quad elements; and the first FD-TD model to demonstrate grating lobes for a phased array antenna of any sort. Lastly, this research represents an extensive study of the largest grid-based antenna models conducted to date. >
Mining the Internet for Career Information: A Model Approach for College Students:

This article examines the impact of the Internet on the provision of career information and describes the development of a career and educational information web site. Three models for linking career assessment to career information are evaluated: Print-based, Computer-Assisted Career Guidance systems, and Internet-based. The design of Career Exploration Links is described in detail as a case study in organizing career and educational information on the Internet and guiding a diverse college student population toward accessing this information in meaningful ways. This case demonstrates a number of advantages that underlie the Internet-based model as a vehicle for linking career assessment with career information.
Shuttle small payloads: how to fly shuttle in the "Faster, cheaper, better" world

With "faster, cheaper, better" pervading the requirements for present spacecraft designs, the Shuttle Small Payloads Project offers unique access to users of the Space Shuttle. "Payloads of Opportunity", such as Hitchhikers, combine for manned spaceflight customers the advantages of ground commanding and telemetry with quick turnaround and low-cost. This paper presents the capabilities of the Hitchhiker carrier systems. It also discusses typical ground integration and mission operations services available to Hitchhiker customers.
Cyclic variation in heart rate during sleep in four recordings of up to 13 years in elderly adults

To characterize changes in nighttime cyclic variation in HR (CVHR) with advancing age in older adults, CVHR was quantified for N=56 adults with 2 Holter recordings 5 yrs apart (CHS1 and CHS 2) in the cardiovascular health study (CHS) and 2 overnight polysomnograms 5 yrs apart in the sleep heart health study (SHHS1 and SHHS2) using MatLab. Baseline age was 71plusmn3 yrs. The number of CVHR events was also normalized to time in bed (CVHR index). CVHR index did not change across recordings, but males had higher values (p=0.009). Mean HR increase during CVHR was similar in the first 3 recording but declined on the last (p<0.02). CVHR duration increased, but CHS1 vs. CHS2 and SHHS1 vs. SHHS2 were NS (rest, p<0.007). We conclude that CVHR is frequent at night in older adults, but results suggest an age-related trend towards decreased magnitude and longer durations of HR arousals, possibly due to the aging of the autonomic nervous system.
A Metacognitive Perspective on the Cognitive Deficits Experienced in Intellectually Threatening Environments

Three studies tested the hypothesis that negative metacognitive interpretations of anxious arousal under stereotype threat create cognitive deficits in intellectually threatening environments. Study 1 showed that among minority and White undergraduates, anxiety about an intelligence test predicted lower working memory when participants were primed with doubt as compared to confidence. Study 2 replicated this pattern with women and showed it to be unique to intellectually threatening environments. Study 3 used emotional reappraisal as an individual difference measure of the tendency to metacognitively reinterpret negative emotions and found that when sympathetic activation was high (indexed by salivary alpha-amylase), women who tended to reappraise negative feelings performed better in math and felt less self-doubt than those low in reappraisal. Overall, findings highlight how metacognitive interpretations of affect can undermine cognitive efficiency under stereotype threat and offer implications for the situational and individual difference variables that buffer people from these effects.
Geostrophic Volume Transport in High Eddy-Energy Areas of the Kuroshio Extension and Gulf Stream

Abstract Three new deep hydrographic sections taken in July 1980, May 1981 and May 1982, between 29–41°N along 152°E across the high eddy-energy area of the Kuroshio Extension are used to compute the relative geostrophic transport as a function of depth. The mean eastward geostrophic transport relative to the bottom through this section is 57×106 m3 s−1 (≡57 Sv). These sections were occupied across an array of ten moorings deployed from mid-1980 to mid-1982. Using the 22-month average directly measured currents at 1200 and 4000 m depth for reference levels in the least-square sense, the absolute transport during the 1980–82 period is estimated to be 31±16 (×108 m3 s−1) to the west. This lower bound on the uncertainty of the net transport estimate is based on the uncertainty of the measured mean currents. At 55°W, we use July 1976 and July 1977 deep hydrographic sections to compute the bottom-relative geostrophic transport across the high eddy-energy area of the Gulf Stream. Between 42 and 32°N, it is 32 S...
Effects of herbivory by Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) larvae on four woody ornamental plant species.

ABSTRACT The hypothesis that herbivory by Diaprepes root weevil larvae reduces leaf gas exchange and biomass was tested on buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus L.), Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.), mahogany (Sivietenia mahagoni Jacq.), and pond apple (Annona glabra L). For Surinam cherry, net CO2 assimilation, transpiration, and stomatal conductance, but not internal CO2 concentration (collectively referred to as leaf gas exchange values), were 7–32% higher in noninfested than infested plants. For buttonwood, all four gas exchange values were 10–54% higher for noninfested than infested plants 3 h after infestation with large, seventh-instar larvae. However, by 4 wk after this infestation, net CO2 assimilation, transpiration, and stomatal conductance, but not internal CO2 concentration, were 11–37% higher for infested than for noninfested plants. For mahogany and pond apple, there were few or no significant differences in leaf gas exchange values between infested and noninfested plants. For all species, mea...
Effect of Selective Blockade of β2-Adrener gis Receptors on Portal and Systemic Hemodynamics in a Portal Hypertensive Rat Model

Propranolol, a nonselective β-adrenergic blocker, appears to reduce portal pressures in portal hypertension by reducing portal blood flow. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative role of selective 01- and 82-blocking properties of propranolol participating in portal blood flow reduction. Portal hypertensive rats receiving placebo exhibited elevated portal blood flow of 1.31 ± 0.4 ml/min per g splanchnic tissue and portal pressure of 15.4 ± 0.43 mmHg, with elevated cardiac index of 358 ± 20 mil min per kg. Portal hypertensive rats were divided into groups receiving propranolol nonspecific 8blockade, atenolol selective β 1 -blockade, and ICI 118551 selective β 2 -blockade. Significant (p 1 - and β 2 -adrenergic blockade. Furthermore, ICI 118551 selective β 2 -adrenergic blockade offers portal blood flow and portal pressure reduction independent of reduction in cardiac output, which could be uniquely advantageous in situations where impairment of cardiac compensatory mechanisms might prove deleterious.
Analysis of a Non-Interior Continuation Method Based on Chen-Mangasarian Smoothing Functions for Complementarity Problems

Recently Chen and Mangasarian proposed a class of smoothing functions for linear/nonlinear programs and complementarity problems that unifies many previous proposals. Here we study a non-interior continuation method based on these functions in which, like interior path-following methods, the iterates are maintained to lie in a neighborhood of some path and, at each iteration, one or two Newton-type steps are taken and then the smoothing parameter is decreased. We show that the method attains global convergence and linear convergence under conditions similar to those required for other methods. We also show that these conditions are in some sense necessary. By introducing an inexpensive active-set strategy in computing one of the Newton directions, we show that the method attains local superlinear convergence under conditions milder than those for other methods. The proof of this uses a local error bound on the distance from an iterate to a solution in terms of the smoothing parameter.
Hepatic stem cells and cancers: a pathologist's view

Neil Theise speaks to Georgia Patey, Commissioning Editor: Neil Theise is a diagnostic liver pathologist, adult stem cell researcher and complexity theorist in New York City, where he is a Professor of Pathology at the Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He received his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he also received his training in Anatomic Pathology. Subspecialty training was pursued in gastrointestinal (NYU), liver (Royal Free Hospital) and liver transplant (Mount Sinai, NYC) pathology. His earliest research focus was on defining the premalignant dysplastic nodules in human chronic liver disease. He revised understandings of human liver microanatomy, which in turn, led directly to identification of possible liver stem cell niches and the marrow-to-liver regeneration pathway. He is considered a pioneer of multiorgan adult stem cell plasticity. His publications on these topics in model systems and human liver stem cells have been highlighted on a record five covers of Hepatology.
The Affective Blindness of Evidence Law

Evidentiary rules and practices reveal a folk psychological view of emotion, placing it at odds with reason. Specifically, many substantive and procedural rules of evidence explicitly require jurors to turn off their emotions in favor of rational, so-called “top-down,” executive thinking. In order to make the point that this dichotomy between emotion and reason is simultaneously reflected in our evidence law and also empirically wrong, I will address how emotion is treated in (a) the use of limiting instructions, (b) the exclusion of prejudicial evidence, (c) credibility assessments, (d) sentencing and damages instructions, (e) instructions related to the “heat of passion” theory of voluntary manslaughter, and (f) the excited utterance hearsay exception. In each case I will demonstrate that while the text of the rules may be benign, the way they are interpreted reflects confusion over the role played by both subtle and intense emotion.
Shope Papilloma Virus. II. A Comparison of Several Methods for Purification of the Virus

Four methods for preparation of Shope papilloma virus have been compared. These comprise: (1) alternate centrifugation at low and high speed after grinding with alundum and saline, (2) purification with a fluorocarbon after similar extraction, (3) extraction with the aid of 2-mercaptoethanol and purification by alternate low- and high-speed centrifugation, and (4) extraction with 2-mercaptoethanol followed immediately by centrifugation to equilibrium in CsCI. It is necessary to remove CsCI before chemical analysis, and this has been accomplished by chromatography on Sephadex G-75. After banding, the virus from preparation (4) appears homogeneous in the electron microscope. The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) contents of the preparations were (1) 7.8, (2) 8.3, (3) 8.0, and (4) 11.9 percent of total nucleoprotein. At equal inputs of DNA, there was no significant difference in infectivity of any of the preparations. Method (4) is simpler than the others and results in a higher yield of a homogeneous preparation.