cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maximum likelihood estimation of phylogeny using stratigraphic data

The stratigraphic distribution of fossil species contains potential information about phy- logeny because some phylogenetic trees are more consistent with the distribution of fossils in the rock record than others. A maximum likelihood estimator of phylogeny is derived using an explicit mathematical model of fossil preservation. The method assumes that fossil preservations within lineages follow an independent Poisson process, but can be extended to include other preservation models. The performance of the method was examined using Monte Carlo simulation. The perfor- mance of the maximum likelihood estimator of topology increases with an increase in the pres- ervation rate. The method is biased, like other methods of phylogeny estimation, when the rate of fossil preservation is low; estimated trees tend to be more asymmetrical than the true tree. The method appears to perform well as a tree rooting criterion even when preservation rates are low. We suggest several possible extensions of the method to address other questions about the nature of fossil preservation and the process of speciation and extinction over time and space.
Functional response ofChrysopa carnea [Neur: Chrysopidae] larvae feeding onHeliothis virescens [Lep.: Noctuidae] eggs on cotton in field cages

The functional response of 3rd instarChrysopa carnea (Stephens) larvae feeding on 4 densities ofHeliothis virescens (F.) eggs was determined on caged cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).C. carnea larvae had a mean search rate of 1.08×10−5 ha/predator-day or 0.11 row-m/predator-day.
Secondary reactions during CO hydrogenation on zeolite-supported metal catalysts: influence of alkali cations

The effect of neutralizing cations on the secondary reactions of the primary products from CO hydrogenation over ion-exchanged zeolite-supported Ru catalysts was investigated using zeolites with different alkali cations (Li/sup +/, Na/sup +/, K/sup +/, Rb/sup +/, Cs/sup +/). The transformation of olefins (propylene and butene) on the zeolites without the metal, under conditions similar to those used for CO hydrogenation, was also studied in order to understand the effect of the various constituents of the support, i.e., the Broensted acid sites generated during catalyst preparation and the alkali cations, on possible secondary reactions of the primary olefinic products. It was established that secondary acid-catalyzed reactions of these primary products can play a major role in shaping product selectivity during CO hydrogenation over zeolite-supported catalysts. Depending on the concentration and the strength of the acid sites, various competitive reaction paths can be observed for the transformation of the olefinic compounds. These include isomerization, oligomerization, polymerization, and cracking. The strength of the acid sites was found to be strong function of the nature of the neutralizing alkali cations remaining in the zeolite. The presence of Li/sup +/ produced the strongest acid sites resulting in more oligomerization over LiHY than even HY.more » Acid site strength decreased with the molecular weight of the alkali cation used.« less
Iron transport in Francisella in the absence of a recognizable TonB protein still requires energy generated by the proton motive force

The mechanism of iron transport in Francisella is still a puzzle since none of the sequenced Francisella strains appears to encode a TonB protein, the energy transducer of the proton motive force necessary to act on the bacterial outer membrane siderophore receptor to allow the internalization of iron. In this work we demonstrate using kinetic experiments of radioactive Fe3+ utilization, that iron uptake in Francisella novicida, although with no recognizable TonB protein, is indeed dependent on energy generated by the proton motive force. Moreover, mutants of a predicted outer membrane receptor still transport iron and are sensitive to the iron dependent antimicrobial compound streptonigrin. Our studies suggest that alternative pathways to internalize iron might exist in Francisella.
Operational Method or Circuit Analysis

For that broad group of electrical engineers not familiar with Heaviside's operational method and its value in the analysis of electrical circuits, this article presents briefly some of the fundamental characteristics of the method and explains how it is applied; its application is illustrated by the formulation of operational equations for a few typical circuits. Although intended primarily to impart only the fundamentals of the subject to an engineer who has had ordinary mathematical training, it is hoped that the article also may serve as an introduction and guide to further study.
1156 SHORT-COURSE AEROSOLIZED RIBAVIRIN (Rib) FOR RESPI RATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV) INFECTION

From 12/83 thru 3/84, 30 children 1-33 months of age were enrolled in a study of Rib therapy for RSV lower respiratory tract infection. 20 patients (pts) received Rib and 10 placebo (plac). There were no significant differences between the groups in chronological or gestational age or in days ill prior to admission. Among pts with pneumonia, 17% of 6 plac pts and 64% of 11 Rib pts had multiple lobes involved (p=0.06). Plac pts received 42.25-94.75 hrs of aerosol therapy (mean 58.62), while Rib pts received 36.35-95.6 hrs (mean 55.74). 77% of all pts were discharged within 5 days of starting treatment. Severity of illness was evaluated daily using a visual scale of 0 (normal) to 4+ (most severe). Rib pts initially had a mean severity score 0.5 higher than plac pts. By Day 2 the rate of improvement was significantly greater than plac pts (p=.007); by Day 3 this difference in group improvement rates was even more substantial (p= .001). By Day 5, Rib pts showed 33% improvement in number with rales, while no improvement was noted in plac pts (100% still had rales). The rate of improvement in O2 saturation from first to last day of treatment was statistically significant for only Rib pts (p=.02). On Day 3, 13 (65%) Rib pts vs 5 (50%) plac pts shed ≤0.5 logs/ml of virus in nasal washes. No side effects or toxicity were associated with aerosol therapy. A short course of Rib treatment (~3 days) proved safe and beneficial.
Effects of Various Topical Fluorides on Subsequent Mineralization and Dissolution of Enamel

Acid-etched surfaces of enamel were given topical applications of neutral NaF, acid NaF, APF, and SnF2 solutions (about 1% F in each). After a four hour delay following topical application, the surfaces were mineralized in a calcium phosphate solution and then subjected to acid dissolution. Fluoride released from the enamel surfaces was measured during mineralization and subsequent acid dissolution. Results of both processes, and the fluoride released during both processes, indicate that a neutral NaF gave the best results.
Physical Interaction between Two Varicella Zoster Virus Gene Regulatory Proteins, IE4 and IE62

Abstract Transfection assays demonstrate that the varicella zoster virus (VZV) immediate-early 62 (IE62) protein is a major transactivator of VZV gene expression, whereas a second immediate-early protein, IE4, can act as a major coactivator of transactivation mediated through IE62. To test whether IE62 and IE4 interact physically, we performed several protein–protein interaction assays. Coimmunoprecipitation analyses using VZV-infected cell lysates as well as purified protein mixtures demonstrate that IE62 and IE4 form stable complexes in solution under stringent salt conditions. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay protein–protein interaction assays and maltose-binding protein capture assays demonstrate that IE62 binds IE4 in a concentration- and dose-dependent manner. Far Western blot analyses show that IE4 binds to an undermodified form of IE62, and the use of calf intestinal phosphatase and protein kinases suggests that the interaction with IE4 is dependent on the phosphorylation state of IE62. An IE4 binding domain on IE62 has been mapped using a set of truncated IE62 fusion peptides. Collectively, these results imply a direct and specific physical interaction between IE4 and less-phosphorylated forms of IE62. These data have implications for virion assembly, as well as for the regulation of gene expression in VZV-infected cells.
Growth, welfare and optimal trade taxes: a fallacy of composition

Abstract Optimal export taxation rules out the possibility of immiserizing growth in a two-country world. Thus, productivity increases in the exporting sector must be welfare improving. This paper shows that in a multicountry world such reasoning commits a fallacy of composition. Simultaneous growth of exporting nations can lead to welfare losses in the presence of unilaterally optimal export taxes. Also, optimal export taxes can decline in response to such growth. This result further strengthens the possibility of perverse welfare movements. Thus, standard policy recommendations of increasing productivity in the exporting sector may lead to unintended and self-defeating outcomes.
Triple dye and staphylococcal infections.

We would like to mention an alternative method for the prevention of colonization of the umbilicus by staphylococcal organisms to the one proposed by Johnson et al. (Pediatrics 58:354, September 1976). Several years ago, as a response to recommendations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to discontinue routine total bathing of newborns with hexachlorophene, we studied alternative methods for the care of newborn infants. Despite the use of plain or green soap for infant bathing and scrupulous attention to hand washing with hexachlorophene by nursery personnel, an increased incidence of staphylococcal colonization and infection was seen in our nursery.
Economic Frustration and Sexual Assault in Large American Cities

Frustration-Aggression Theory suggests that alleviating economically generated frustration can reduce violent crime. The present multivariate analysis suggested differences in the amount of welfare assistance to the poor had a relatively strong negative relationship to the variation in reported rates of sexual assault among 142 large American cities.
Strength in Networks: Employment Rights Organizations and the Problem of Co-Ordination

In recent decades, alternative organizations and movements — ‘quasi-unions’ — have emerged to fill gaps in the US system of representation caused by union decline. We examine the record of quasi-unions and find that although they have sometimes helped workers who lack other means of representation, they have significant limitations and are unlikely to replace unions as the primary means of representation. But networks, consisting of sets of diverse actors including unions and quasi-unions, are more promising. They have already shown power in specific campaigns, but they have yet to do so for more sustained strategies. By looking at analogous cases, we identify institutional bases for sustained networks, including shared information platforms, behavioural norms, common mission and governance mechanisms that go well beyond what now exists in labour alliances and campaigns. There are substantial resistances to these network institutions because of the history of fragmentation and autonomy among both unions and quasi-unions; yet we also identify positive potential for network formation.
On Strömberg′s Spline-Wavelets

Abstract We provide a simple representation of Stromberg′s wavelets which was studied in [J. Stromberg, in "Conference on Harmonic Analysis in Honor of A. Zymund" (W. Beckner, Ed.), Wadeworth International Group, Belmont, CA, 1983]. This representation enables us to compute those wavelets efficiently. We point out the multiresolution approximation associated with this wavelet and the connection with Chui-Wang′s cardinal spline wavelet. A generalization of Strombergs wavelet is also given.
Information characteristics and their impact on system performance: framework and case study in distributed production control

Abstract The judicious use of information is critical to the effective design and operation of intelligent systems such as flexible factories. Three key attributes of information are sufficiency, efficiency, and timeliness. We examine the impact of these parameters on system effectiveness through analytic models and simulation studies.
How to Perform a Critically Appraised Topic: Part 1, Ask, Search, and Apply

OBJECTIVE. This article outlines the first three steps involved in performing a critically appraised topic for studies of diagnostic tests: Ask, formulate a question; Search, search the literature; and Apply, apply a level of evidence to the retrieved literature. CONCLUSION. Critically appraised topics provide a structured approach to formulating a clinical question, effectively searching the literature, assigning a level of evidence to the obtained literature, appraising the literature, and making recommendations for clinical practice.
Safe Food: Care Labeling for Perishable Foods

Unsafe food handling is a current problem as indicated by the estimated high frequency of foodborne illnesses. Previous studies have found a low level of consumer awareness of food safety principles and the frequent use of high-risk practices in food preparation and storage. An interview schedule was designed to elicit information on household food handling practices and to test the po tential usefulness of both simple and more informative care directions on pack ages and in recipes. One hundred people who usually prepared the meals in each household were interviewed in one state. The sample responses indicated that cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods, inadequate cooking, and unsafe holding temperatures were frequent practices. For those foods for which an incorrect practice was chosen in response to the question, there was significant improvement in the choice made after simple care directions had been added to the label or to the recipe. A more informative label resulted in significant change only for one product. Respondents mentioned food labels and adver tisements most frequently as good ways to distribute information.
Data weaving: scaling up the state-of-the-art in data clustering

The enormous amount and dimensionality of data processed by modern data mining tools require effective, scalable unsupervised learning techniques. Unfortunately, the majority of previously proposed clustering algorithms are either effective or scalable. This paper is concerned with information-theoretic clustering (ITC) that has historically been considered the state-of-the-art in clustering multi-dimensional data. Most existing ITC methods are computationally expensive and not easily scalable. Those few ITC methods that scale well (using, e.g., parallelization) are often outperformed by the others, of an inherently sequential nature. First, we justify this observation theoretically. We then propose data weaving - a novel method for parallelizing sequential clustering algorithms. Data weaving is intrinsically multi-modal - it allows simultaneous clustering of a few types of data (modalities). Finally, we use data weaving to parallelize multi-modal ITC, which results in proposing a powerful DataLoom algorithm. In our experimentation with small datasets, DataLoom shows practically identical performance compared to expensive sequential alternatives. On large datasets, however, DataLoom demonstrates significant gains over other parallel clustering methods. To illustrate the scalability, we simultaneously clustered rows and columns of a contingency table with over 120 billion entries.
Measurement of long-range 1H-1H dipolar couplings in weakly aligned proteins.

Measurement of 1H−1H dipolar couplings in macromolecules, weakly oriented by a dilute liquid crystalline medium, is generally limited to the largest such interactions. By removing dipolar couplings to nearest neighbors, either by decoupling, deuteration, or both, more remote interactions become accessible. The approach is demonstrated for measurement of amide−amide interactions in the proteins calmodulin and ubiquitin and permits observation of direct dipolar couplings between protons up to 7 A apart. Quantitative evaluation of 1H−1H dipolar couplings measured in ubiquitin shows excellent agreement with its solution structure.
Choline Availability During Embryonic Development Alters the Localization of Calretinin in Developing and Aging Mouse Hippocampus

Abstract Choline availability in the diet during pregnancy alters fetal brain biochemistry with resulting behavioral changes that persist throughout the lifetime of the offspring. In the present study, the effects of dietary choline on the onset of GABAergic neuronal differentiation in developing fetal brain, as demarcated by the expression of calcium binding protein calretinin, are described. In these studies, timed-pregnant mice were fed choline supplemented, control or choline deficient AIN-76 diet from day 12-17 of pregnancy and the brains of their fetuses were studied on day 17 of gestation. In the primordial dentate gyrus, we found that pups from choline deficient-dams had more calretinin protein (330% increase), and pups from choline supplemented-dams had less calretinin protein (70% decrease), than did pups from control-dams. Importantly, decreased calretinin protein was still detectable in hippocampus in aged, 24-month-old mice, born of choline supplemented-dams and maintained since birth on a co...
Effect of Coleus size and variegation on attack rates, searching strategy, and selected life history characteristics of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract Twenty-four-hour attack rates and the search strategy of third instar Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) attacking 1 to 16 third instar Planococcus citri Risso (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) were measured on green and yellow-variegated Solenostemon scutellarioides (L.) Codd (= Coleus blumei (Bentham)) (Labiatae) plants of different sizes. Selected life history characteristics of C. montrouzieri fed different amounts of P. citri as prey from third instar to adults were also examined. On average, predators attacked 1 to 4 mealybugs, depending on the number of mealybugs and plant size. There was no effect of plant color on attack rates. Attack rates were positively related to prey density, whereas the estimated area searched by predators was inversely related to prey density. Analyses suggest that leaf area was the plant characteristic that most affected attack rates. Predators fed few prey had a decrease in body weight and survival. The implications for the use of C. montrouzieri in biological control are discussed.
Post-deposition processing of low temperature PECVD silicon dioxide films for enhanced stress stability

Abstract High rate plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited (PECVD) silicon dioxide films are attractive for multichip module (MCM) applications, but the incorporation of various hydrogen-related impurities in these films and the resulting stress instabilities make their properties less than desirable. Annealing of such films was performed in different ambients at temperatures significantly below the oxide densification temperature. The changes in the bonding nature and stress of these films, as a result of annealing, and during aging were studied. A considerable shift in the Si–O characteristic peaks and a decrease in the full width at half maxima (FWHM) of the Si–O stretching peak were observed for films annealed in nitrogen or a steam-nitrogen ambient at atmospheric pressure. During subsequent aging, these films showed negligible change in these parameters indicating their stability. Whereas, the films which were annealed in the chamber following deposition without breaking vacuum did not exhibit any appreciable change in Si–O peak position and FWHM during annealing but a very large change in these parameters during subsequent aging indicating their worst stability. Similar results were obtained from a stress stability study on these films. The results of this study suggest that moisture, which diffuses into the film during aging and/or annealing reacts with strained Si–O bonds and forms silanol (Si–OH). During annealing, the silanol reacts to reconstruct Si–O bonds and releases water as a by-product, thus the reason for the improvement in film quality is that the strain of the newly-formed Si–O bonds is much less than the strain of the original Si–O bonds.
The Melanocortin 3 Receptor: A Novel Mediator of Exercise-Induced Inflammation Reduction in Postmenopausal Women?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether resistance exercise training-induced reductions in inflammation are mediated via melanocortin 3 receptor expression in obese (BMI 32.7±3.7) women (65.6±2.8&#x2009;yrs) randomized to either a control (𝑁=11) or resistance training group (𝑁=12). The resistance trained group performed resistance training 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Resting blood samples were collected before and after the training intervention in both resistance trained and control groups. Resistance training upregulated melanocortin 3 receptor mRNA by 16-fold (𝑃=.035) and decreased monocyte count, without changing leukocyte number, body composition, or body weight. Resistance trained individuals exhibited increased sensitivity to inflammatory stimuli, whereas control individuals exhibited no change. While there was no change in whole blood tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA between the groups, whole blood interleukin 10&#x2009;mRNA was higher in the resistance trained group following the intervention period. In summary, it appears that resistance training may modulate melanocortin 3 receptor expression, providing a possible mechanism for the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise training.
Identification of a VLDL-induced, FDNPVY-independent internalization mechanism for the LDLR

The low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) binds to and internalizes lipoproteins that contain apolipoproteinB100 (apoB100) or apolipoproteinE (apoE). Internalization of the apoB100 lipoprotein ligand, LDL, requires the FDNPVY807 sequence on the LDLR cytoplasmic domain, which binds to the endocytic machinery of coated pits. We show here that inactivation of the FDNPVY807 sequence by mutation of Y807 to cysteine prevented the uptake of LDL; however, this mutation did not prevent LDLR-dependent uptake of the apoE lipoprotein ligand, β-VLDL. Comparison of the surface localization of the LDLR-Y807C using LDLR-immunogold, LDL-gold and β-VLDL-gold probes revealed enrichment of LDLR-Y807C-bound β-VLDL in coated pits, suggesting that β-VLDL binding promoted the internalization of the LDLR-Y807C. Consistent with this possibility, treatment with monensin, which traps internalized LDLR in endosomes, resulted in the loss of surface LDLR-Y807C only when β-VLDL was present. Reconstitution experiments in which LDLR variants were introduced into LDLR-deficient cells showed that the HIC818 sequence is involved in β-VLDL uptake by the LDLR-Y807C. Together, these experiments demonstrate that the LDLR has a very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-induced, FDNPVY-independent internalization mechanism.
False recognition after a right frontal lobe infarction: Memory for general and specific information

Abstract We previously reported a case study of a man with right frontal lobe damage, BG, who showed extraordinarily high false alarm rates on remember-know recognition tests (Schacter, D. L. et al., Neuropsychologia, 1996, Vol. 34, pp. 793–808). Experiment 1 extends his high false alarm rate to yes-no recognition tests. BG typically gives false ‘remember’ responses on remember-know tests, and this pattern was uninfluenced when he was asked to explain the basis for his ‘remember’ responses (Experiments 2 and 3). When BG was given a semantic encoding task, he stopped giving ‘remember’-based false alarms (Experiment 4). Signal detection analyses revealed that BG had a discrimination deficit and an abnormally liberal response bias (especially for ‘remember’ responses) in most conditions. Overall, BG's high false alarm rate is interpreted as reflecting an over-reliance on the general similarity between a test item and the study episode.
Effect of Acute Ethanol on Release of Endogenous Adenosine from Rat Cerebellar Synaptosomes

The effects of pharmacologically relevant concentrations of ethanol on the release of endogenous adenosine from rat cerebellar synaptosomes were investigated. Release was conducted for 5, 10, 30, or 60 s after which time the incubation medium (containing the released adenosine) was rapidly separated from the synaptosomal membranes by vacuum filtration. The adenosine content of the filtrate was measured by HPLC-fluorescence detection. Both basal and KCl-stimulated adenosine release consisted of an initial rapid phase, for the first 10 s, that was followed by a relatively slower phase. Basal endogenous adenosine release was estimated as 199 +/- 14 pmol/mg protein/5 s. Potassium (chloride) increased adenosine release from the basal level to 433 +/- 83 pmol/mg protein/5 s. Ethanol caused a dose-dependent increase of adenosine release. The interaction between dilazep and ethanol indicates that ethanol-stimulated release does not involve the dilazep-sensitive transport system. The results support previous findings that indicate that cerebellar adenosine is involved in the mediation of ethanol-induced motor disturbances in the rat.
Noise in InSb double-injection space-charge-limited diodes

Noise measurement in InSb double-injection space-charge-limited diodes shows that, at frequencies ω ≫ 1/τ, where τ is the lifetime of the carriers, the noise can be represented approximately by thermal noise of the high-frequency conductance g.
A statistical framework for testing the causal effects of fetal drive.

Maternal genetic and phenotypic characteristics (e.g., metabolic and behavioral) affect both the intrauterine milieu and lifelong health trajectories of their fetuses. Yet at the same time, fetal genotype may affect processes that alter pre and postnatal maternal physiology, and the subsequent health of both fetus and mother. We refer to these latter effects as ‘fetal drive.’ If fetal genotype is driving physiologic, metabolic, and behavioral phenotypic changes in the mother, there is a possibility of differential effects with different fetal genomes inducing different long-term effects on both maternal and fetal health, mediated through intrauterine environment. This proposed mechanistic path remains largely unexamined and untested. In this study, we offer a statistical method to rigorously test this hypothesis and make causal inferences in humans by relying on the (conditional) randomization inherent in the process of meiosis. For illustration, we apply this method to a dataset from the Framingham Heart Study.
Breast cancer detection: Experience in a suburban community

Six hundred sixty-nine breast biopsies performed at the Methodist Hospital of Southern California and the Arcadia Outpatient Surgery Center during 1987 and 1988 were reviewed. Three hundred twenty-eight biopsies were performed for clinical indications (lump, thickening, or nipple discharge). Three hundred forty-one biopsies (51%) were peformed because of mammographic abnormalities, and required preoperative x-ray localization. Of the 341 localized biopsy specimens, 261 were varieties of fibrocystic mastopathy, fibroadenoma, papilloma, or hyperplasia. An additional 31 cases showed atypical ductal or lobular hyperplasia. One hundred fifty-one breast cancers were detected in this series of 669 breast biopsies. One hundred two (68%) of these were detected as a result of a clinical finding, and 49 were detected as a result of mammographic abnormalities (a 32% incidence of occult breast cancers). Among the 341 x-ray localization biopsies performed, breast cancer was detected in 14%.
Heat and α1-adrenergic responsiveness in human skeletal muscle feed arteries: the role of nitric oxide.

Increased local temperature exerts a sympatholytic effect on human skeletal muscle feed arteries. We hypothesized that this attenuated α1-adrenergic receptor responsiveness may be due to a temperat...
Renal Transplantation into a Diverted Urinary System—Is it Safe in Children?

Purpose: Historically surgeons caring for children with urinary diversion for bladder outlet obstruction have routinely performed undiversion before renal transplantation. We hypothesized that patients undergoing transplantation into a diverted system would have outcomes similar to those undergoing transplantation into a normal bladder. We review the outcomes of patients with and without diversion undergoing kidney transplantation at our institution.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively studied a cohort of children undergoing renal transplant between 1993 and 2006. Patients whose etiology of end-stage renal disease was either obstructive uropathy or renal dysplasia were included. Patients with less than 5 years of followup were excluded from the analysis. Four groups were assembled, ie controls with renal dysplasia and no history of obstructive uropathy undergoing transplant (group 1), patients with obstructive uropathy not diverted at transplant (group 2), patients with obstructive uropathy diverted ...
Design of hard water stable emulsifier systems for petroleum- and bio-based semi-synthetic metalworking fluids.

Metalworking fluids (MWFs) increase productivity and the quality of manufacturing operations by cooling and lubricating during metal forming and cutting processes. Despite their widespread use, they pose significant health and environmental hazards throughout their life cycle. An obvious environmental improvement to MWF technology would be to improve the lifetime of the fluid while utilizing more environmentally friendly and less energy-consuming materials without compromising existing performance levels. This investigation focuses on the design of mixed anionionc:nonionic emulsifier systems for petroleum and bio-based MWFs that improve fluid lifetime by providing emulsion stability under hard water conditions, a common cause of emulsion destabilization leading to MWF disposal. Experimental conditions were designed to evaluate the impact of emulsifier structural characteristics (straight chain, branched tail, branched head) and the molar ratios of anionic to nonionic surfactant and oil to total surfactant...
A culture-based method for determining the production of secreted protease inhibitors

We have developed a culture-based method for determining the production of secreted protease inhibitors. The assay utilizes standard proteolysis detection plates to support microbial growth followed by infiltrating the plate with a protease and subsequently detecting the remaining protein by trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitation, or by bromocreosol green (BCG) or Ponseau S (PS) staining. The presence of a protease inhibitor can be observed in the form of a protected zone of protein around the protease inhibitor-producing strain. Using the protease inhibitors α-2-macroglobulin, aprotinin, leupeptin, and bestatin and the primary and secondary forms of Photorhabdus luminescens in combination with the protease trypsin, we were able to demonstrate that the assay is specific for the cognate inhibitor of the protease and for bacteria secreting protease inhibitors. In addition, when casein-containing plates were used, the size of the diffusion zone was inversely correlated with the molecular weight of the inhibitor allowing a relative estimation of the protease inhibitor molecular weight. This assay is useful for detecting the presence of microbial secreted protease inhibitors and may reveal their production by microorganisms that were not previously recognized to produce them.
The Plural Executive Redux

Abbott, Philip. Strong Presidents: A Theory of Leadership. Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Press, 1996. Pp. x, 281. $20.00, softbound. Bennett, Anthony J. The American President's Cabinet: From Kennedy to Bush. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1996. Pp. xvi, 263. $45.00, hardbound. Gregg, Gary L. II. The Presidential Republic: Executive Representation and Deliberative Democracy. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 1997. Pp. xii, 243. $57.50, hardbound; $22.95, softbound. Warshaw, Shirley Anne. The Domestic Presidency: Policy Making in the White House. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1997. Pp. x, 229. $29.75, softbound.
Single-step and coupled-channels calculations of pion inelastic scattering

We discuss, in a collective framework, single-step and coupled-channels distorted-wave calculations for inelastic scattering of pions from nuclei. Two frequently used codes are compared and contrasted.
A new method for segmentation of noisy, low-contrast image sequences

We propose a new method for segmenting noisy image sequences in a way that imposes consistency between neighboring segmentations in the sequence. Our method uses a statistical model composed of a spatial Markov random field model and a temporal Markov chain model. Results from segmenting sequences of microscopy images of growing silicon nanowires using the proposed model and method show significant improvement over segmenting the sequences using 2D segmentation.
Symmetric Polynomials of Random Variables Attracted to an Infinitely Divisible Law

LetX i,n′ i=1, ...n be a triangular array in the domain of attraction of a Levy processX(t). Then the symmetric polynomial of orderk in theX i,n′ $$\sum\limits_{1 \leqq i_1< i_2< \ldots< i_k \leqq [nt]} {X_{i_1 ,n} X_{i_2 ,n} \ldots X_{i_k ,n} ,}$$ converges weakly to thek th order multiple integral with respect toX(t). Also, sums of powers of theX i,n converge jointly to the variations of the processX(t).
Characteristics of the three-person conversation

Three Ss were assigned a task of conversing about a number of stimulus words, for one half hour per stimulus word. The conversations were tape-recorded and transcribed, and the words of each S in each conversation were categorized according to a preestablished system which permits one or two content categories to each word. Profiles of content for each speaker in each conversation were then constructed, and correlated with each other. It was found that content profiles of separate speakers within the same conversation were most highly correlated of all the profiles. Next highest correlations were between speakers in separate conversations where the separate conversations were about stimulus words judged to be psychologically similar. Lowest correlations were between speakers in separate conversations where the stimulus words were judged to be psychologically unrelated. The study did not reveal significant individual differences in predilection for content across all conversations. This suggests that topic of conversation and social conformity override individual differences in content.
Clinical use of blood transfusion devices.

THE QUALITY and variety of medical instruments has grown dramatically in the past 30 years. This growth has been proportional to the clinical usefulness of these instruments and our reliance upon them. Transfusion devices have generally kept pace with the rest of medicine in this regard; for the first half of this century, transfusionists were primarily concerned with the overwhelming problems of collection, storage and compatibility. Many of the recent advances in transfusion medicine have resulted from improvements in our technology as well as our increased understanding of the underlying biology. The history of the field, both recent and past, has been well reviewed. 1-3 Many devices are now established in clinical transfusion medicine; new ones appear ready to make the transition from the laboratory bench to the bedside. These devices include: blood filters, warmers, pumps, automated cell processors, blood irradiation units, and sterile connecting devices. Some established technology, such as plastic bags and rotators for platelet storage, will not be discussed; neither will apheresis technology.
Halothane decreases the rate of production of cerebrospinal fluid. Possible role of vasopressin V1 receptors.

BACKGROUND Circulating vasoactive hormones (e.g., vasopressin) play an important role in the regulation of blood flow to the choroid plexus and the rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production. We tested the hypothesis that halothane decreases CSF production through a vasopressin-related mechanism and examined the related changes in blood flow to the choroid plexus. METHODS Using ventriculocisternal perfusion, CSF production was measured in chloralose anesthetized, normothermic rabbits whose lungs were mechanically ventilated. Rabbits received either 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC; end-tidal) of halothane (added to a preestablished chloralose anesthetic), 0.5 MAC of halothane in the presence of a vasopressin V1 antagonist (iv), or the V1 antagonist alone. In addition, we examined animals in which no intervention was made (time control) and animals subjected to a 25% decrease in mean blood pressure produced by hemorrhage, with and without the V1-antagonist. In a separate series of rabbits, regional and total blood flows to the brain and the choroid plexus were measured using radioactive microspheres. These studies were carried out under similar conditions, except that the effects of end-tidal 0.25, 0.5, and 1 MAC of halothane were examined in each rabbit (each added to a preestablished chloralose anesthetic). RESULTS Under control conditions, blood flow to the choroid plexus averaged 351 +/- 198 ml.min-1.100 g-1 (mean +/- SD) and CSF production averaged 10.1 +/- 1.9 microliters.min.-1. Halothane (0.25, 0.5, and 1 MAC) did not alter choroid plexus blood flow but decreased CSF production by 28 +/- 6% at 0.5 MAC (P < .05). In contrast, 1 MAC of halothane increased total blood flow to the brain by 20 +/- 25% (P < .05). The V1 antagonist, which did not affect production of CSF when given alone, prevented the decrease in CSF production in response to halothane. Hemorrhage decreased blood flow to the choroid plexus but not to the brain, and the V1 antagonist attenuated the decrease in the rate of CSF production by hemorrhage (34 +/- 11% vs. 48 +/- 18%, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Halothane decreases CSF production with no net change in the blood flow to the choroid plexus. Decrease in CSF production appears to be mediated through a vasopressin-related mechanism and not to the blood pressure decrease seen during halothane anesthesia.
Assessing School Choice: A balanced perspective

This article attempts to address the potential advantages and disadvantages of school choice. The author describes why school choice is attractive to parents, but raises concerns among educators. The extent to which choice programmes in the UK and the US attempt to allay these concerns is addressed. The author asserts that there is a dearth of research material adequately testing the effects of choice on academic achievement. He further claims that the nationwide data sets used by researchers probably fail to test whether school choice really enhances the academic achievement of the participants. While the author has doubts about how widespread an effect school choice can have, he believes further research is necessary before one can objectively evaluate the potential benefits that school choice can produce.
Teachers' Instructional Use of Summative Student Assessment Data

This study examines the extent to which classroom teachers self-report using summative assessment data in formative ways to shape instruction. A Web-based survey was administered to elementary, middle, and high school teachers in a large, suburban school district in central Virginia. Teachers reported administering a variety of summative assessments with varying frequency, and analyzing data at the aggregate level, most often using central tendency statistics. Useful methods for disaggregating data by content standards or student subgroups were not as frequently reported. Regardless of the methods of data analysis, a majority of teachers reported using assessment results to evaluate their instructional practice and make adjustments to support student learning. The results suggest, however, that teachers engaged in a cursory analysis of student performance fairly regularly but conduct more in-depth analyses less often. The study raises questions about how teachers can effectively use summative data for ins...
The auditory system of the goldfish (Carassius auratus): effects of intense acoustic stimulation.

Abstract 1. Behavioral investigations were made of the effects of intense pure tone stimulation on auditory thresholds for the goldfish (Carassius auratus). 2. Results indicate that different stimulation frequencies have a different effect on the test frequencies while each of the test frequencies had the same degree of threshold shift after stimulation to each of the stimulation frequencies. 3. Results are interpreted to indicate that the teleost inner ear responds in a relatively complex fashion to different stimulating frequencies and this may indicate some degree of spatial signal analysis in the inner ear.
TRIMming HIV-1's mainsail.

HIV-1 is unable to infect cells from most nonhuman primates. In a recent Nature paper, a cellular protein of monkey cells, TRIM5α, was shown to be responsible for this inhibition.
Spatial and Temporal Controls Target pal-1 Blastomere-Specification Activity to a Single Blastomere Lineage in C. elegans Embryos

The early asymmetric cleavages of Caenorhabditis elegans embryos produce blastomeres with distinct developmental potentials. Here, we show that the caudal-like homeodomain protein PAL-1 is required to specify the somatic identity of one posterior blastomere in the 4 cell embryo. We find that pal-1 activity is sequentially restricted to this blastomere. First, at the 4 cell stage, it is translated only in the two posterior blastomeres. Then, its function is restricted to one of these blastomeres. This second targeting step is dependent on the activities of the posteriorly localized SKN-1 and asymmetrically segregated PIE-1 proteins. We propose that the segregation of PIE-1, combined with the temporal decay of SKN-1, targets pal-1 activity to this posterior lineage, thus coupling the regulation of this conserved posterior patterning gene to asymmetric cell cleavages.
Spatial and temporal effects of wildfire on the hydrology of a steep rangeland watershed

Wildfire is a major ecological process and management issue on western rangelands. The impacts of wildfire on hydrologic processes such as infiltration, runoff, and erosion are not well understood. Small-plot rainfall simulation methods were applied in a rangeland wildfire setting to determine post-fire hydrologic response. Infiltration and interrill erosion processes were measured immediately post-fire and one year following the 1999 34400 ha Denio fire in northwestern Nevada. Plot-scale spatial and temporal variability in fire impacts was compared with adjacent unburned areas. An index of water repellency was derived and used to quantify the influence of water-repellent soil conditions on infiltration. Results indicate the impact of the fire on infiltration was localized primarily on coppice microsites directly under shrubs characterized by high surface litter accumulations. Coppice microsites had very uniform fire-induced soil water repellency with 29 of 30 plots exhibiting at least a 10% reduction in initial infiltration with an average 28% reduction. Cumulative erosion was nearly four times higher on burned coppices compared with unburned coppices. The impact of the fire on infiltration and erosion was reduced, but still evident, I year after fire. Significant temporal variability in infiltration between years was observed on both burned and unburned areas, complicating the interpretation of fire impacts and hydrologic recovery following wildfire.
Spectroscopic and Thermochemical Consequences of Site-Specific H-Atom Addition to Naphthalene

Vibronic spectra of doublet−doublet transitions of 1-hydronaphthyl (1ΗΝ), 2-hydronaphthyl (2ΗΝ), and 1,2,3-trihydronaphthyl (THN, tetralyl) radicals have been recorded under jet-cooled conditions. Transitions due to the two C10H9 isomers were identified and assigned based on the choice of radical precursor, visible−visible hole-burning spectroscopy, comparison of observed vibronic transitions with calculation, and photoionization efficiency scans. The latter provided accurate ionization potentials for the three free radicals (IP(1ΗΝ) = 6.570 eV, IP(2ΗΝ) = 6.487 eV, IP(THN) = 6.620 eV, errors ±0.002 eV). A thermochemical cycle is used to extract from these ionization potentials the C−H bond dissociation energy (BDE) of 1HN at the 1-position of 121.2 ± 2 kJ/mol. Using proton affinities of 2ΗΝ and THN calculated at the G3(MP2, CC)//B3LYP/6-311G** level of theory, the corresponding C−H BDEs of 2HN at the 2-carbon (103.6 ± 2 kJ/mol) and of THN at the 3-position (168 ± 3 kJ/mol) are derived. The possible role p...
Design and analysis of linear distributed MIMO relaying algorithms

The use of multiple antennas at both ends of a wireless link, also known as multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless, has been shown to offer significant improvements in the quality of communication in terms of both higher data rates and better reliability at no additional cost of spectrum or power. In this paper, MIMO communication in a wireless network is considered where multiple MIMO source-destination pair terminals simultaneously communicate through a large common set of MIMO relay terminals. With ever increasing demands for tetherless, ubiquitous and high data rate applications, there has been great interest in developing novel decentralised communication methods through distributed relaying techniques to enhance performance and enable more efficient usage of system resources. Distributed MIMO linear relaying techiques are designed that take advantage of local channel state information (CSI) at the relay terminals to simultaneously beamform multiple users' signals to their intended destinations. The merits of distributed MIMO relaying over direct transmissions through the analytical characterisation of the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) statistics in the high and low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regimes are demonstrated and theoretical predictions are verified by numerical simulations. Finally, relay beamforming based on the quantised finite-rate feedback of the channel states is considered and the SIR degradation through Monte-Carlo simulations is quantified.
Shubnikov-de Haas Effect in Dilute Bismuth-Antimony Alloys. I. Quantum Oscillations in Low Magnetic Fields

The Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in the transverse magnetoresistance of Bi-Sb systems were observed at temperatures 1.65, 2.2, and 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for the concentration of Sb ranging 0-1 at.% with a magnetic field (0-10 kG) in the trigonal plane. No apparent spin splitting was observed in this range of magnetic field at these temperatures. The two-band model was found in good agreement with all our results. The change of the extremal cross section $S$ of the Fermi surface was found to be independent of the orientation. To a good approximation, both $S$ and the Fermi energy were found to vary linearly with the Sb concentration in these dilute alloys. Comparisons between other experimental results and our data indicate that certain band parameters should be nonlinear functions of the Sb concentration before the band overlap vanishes.
Multidetector-row CT: economics and workflow

With rapid evolution of multidetector-row CT (MDCT) technology and applications, several factors such as technology upgrade and turf battles for sharing cost and profitability affect MDCT workflow and economics. MDCT workflow optimization can enhance productivity and reduce unit costs as well as increase profitability, in spite of decrease in reimbursement rates. Strategies for workflow management include standardization, automation, and constant assessment of various steps involved in MDCT operations. In this review article, we describe issues related to MDCT economics and workflow.