cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental Models of Primitive Cellular Compartments: Encapsulation, Growth, and Division

The clay montmorillonite is known to catalyze the polymerization of RNA from activated ribonucleotides. Here we report that montmorillonite accelerates the spontaneous conversion of fatty acid micelles into vesicles. Clay particles often become encapsulated in these vesicles, thus providing a pathway for the prebiotic encapsulation of catalytically active surfaces within membrane vesicles. In addition, RNA adsorbed to clay can be encapsulated within vesicles. Once formed, such vesicles can grow by incorporating fatty acid supplied as micelles and can divide without dilution of their contents by extrusion through small pores. These processes mediate vesicle replication through cycles of growth and division. The formation, growth, and division of the earliest cells may have occurred in response to similar interactions with mineral particles and inputs of material and energy.
Myanmar experiences in sanitation and hygiene promotion: lessons learned and future directions.

Recent activities in connection with the National Sanitation Week (NSW) and Social Mobilisation for Sanitation and Hygiene have contributed to a significant increase in access to sanitary means of excreta disposal, from 45% in 1997 to 67% in 2001. Handwashing with soap and water after defecation has also increased from 18% in 1996 to 43% in 2001. Success is attributable to high level political commitment, state or division level action and community mobilisation by village level authorities. Multi-level efforts such as mass media, planning workshops, training sessions and house-to-house visits by village authorities and health officials have raised greater awareness of sanitation and hygiene issues and led to construction of latrines on a self-help basis. The challenge ahead is to give greater attention to the 'hard to reach' who live in less accessible areas and are more resistant to change. The 2002 NSW has accordingly given special emphasis to activities in 73 of 324 townships where 50% or more of the ...
Influence of oxygenation and carbon dioxide on the growth ofRhizobium meliloti in a fermenter

A decrease in dissolved O2 from 90% to 50% saturation in a fermenter adversely affected both blomass production ofRhizobium meliloti ATCC 9930 and viable cell number, although oxygen was never limiting. Lower amounts of dissolved oxygen, or accidental decreases in dissolved oxygen concentration, also caused appreciable acidification of the culture broth, which was the result of CO2 accumulation in the medium. Adding CO2 to the aeration gas mixture affected both biomass production and mean generation time in proportion to the CO2 concentration; the effect on viable cell number was less pronounced.R. meliloti may be considered as a microorganism moderately sensitive to CO2. GoodR. meliloti growth requires, among other things, not only sufficient aeration (oxygenation) but also good ventilation of the CO2 evolved during the fermentation.
Electronic mechanism of critical temperature variation in RBa_2Cu_3O_(7− δ)

We have performed systematic studies of the trend of the critical temperature T_c due to both Madelung site potential difference between in-plane oxygen and copper sites ΔV_M and interlayer effect in the optimally doped 123 superconductors RBa_2Cu_3O_(7−δ). ΔV_M is found to decrease with the increase of the trivalent rare-earth ionic radius r_(R^(3^+)). This change enhances the next-nearest-neighbor hopping integral t′, which results in the experimentally observed increase of T_c with r_(R^(3^+)). The coherent interlayer single-particle hopping t_⊥ has a more profound effect than t′ on the nearly linear trend of T_c as a function of r_(R^(3^+)). These results reveal the importance of the electronic origin of the rare-earth ionic size effect on T_c in this family.
Visualization of tobacco mosaic virus within infected cells.

SummaryElectron micrographs of sections cut through tobacco leaves infected with tobacco mosaic indicate that the virus is often present in fibrous masses associated with chloroplasts which are severely affected. Virus can clearly be seen in the cytoplasm of the diseased cells sometimes as single filaments. The nuclei seem unaltered by the infective process and have appeared free of virus. The great length of these filaments, much in excess of 2800A, indicates an end-to-end arrangement of the rods in situ.
Observational Evidence Against Birefringence Over Cosmological Distances

We show that recent radio and optical observations of polarized radiation from well-resolved high redshift quasars and radio galaxies rule out the cosmological rotation of the plane of polarization claimed recently by Nodland and Ralston [Phys. Rev. Lett. 78, 3043 (1997)]. A least squares fit to the radio data has a slope only 2% of their claimed effect.
Imaging of Triathlon Injuries

Injuries in triathletes are common and are mostly overuse injuries. Rotator cuff tendinitis is the most common complaint from swimming, but the incidence of tendinopathy and rotator cuff tears on magnetic resonance imaging is comparable in triathletes without and with shoulder pain. Cycling injuries are mainly to the knee, including patellar tendinosis, iliotibial band syndrome, and patellofemoral stress syndrome, and to the Achilles tendon and the cervical and lumbar spine. Running is associated with most injuries in triathletes, during both training and racing, causing the athlete to discontinue the triathlon. In addition to knee injuries from running, triathletes may also develop foot and ankle, lower leg, and hip injuries similar to single-sport distance runners. Some injuries in triathletes may be mainly symptomatic during one of the three sports but are exacerbated by one or both of the other disciplines.
The Role of Ethical Ideology in Workplace Deviance

Ethical ideology is predicted to play a role in the occurrence of workplace deviance. Forsyth’s (1980) Ethics Position Questionnaire measures two dimensions of ethical ideology: idealism and relativism. It is hypothesized that idealism will be negatively correlated with employee deviance while relativism will be positively related. Further, it is predicted that idealism and relativism will interact in such a way that there will only be a relationship between idealism and deviance when relativism is higher. Results supported the hypothesized correlations and idealism and relativism interacted to predict organizational deviance. Idealism was a significant predictor of interpersonal deviance, but no interaction was found.
Word Frequency Effects in Priming Performance in Young and Older Adults

The present study examined word frequency effects on implicit priming in older adults compared with younger adults. In Experiment 1 participants performed a spelling test consisting of primed and unprimed homophones (e.g., mourning) and nonhomophones (e.g., militant). Older adults spelled more unprimed, low-frequency homophones than did younger adults, suggesting that there are age-related differences in base-rate spelling of lower frequency homophones. Experiment 2 involved a word-fragment completion task that primed both high- and low-frequency words. Young adults showed larger priming effects for low-frequency words, whereas older adults showed smaller and similar priming effects for high- and low-frequency words. Experiment 3 replicated the finding that word frequency has no effect on priming performance in older adults on a word-fragment completion task. These studies found differential word frequency effects on priming performance between young and older adults.
On a difference equation with periodic coefficients

We study the second order nonlinear difference equation where the coefficients A n , B n are positive and periodic with the same period k, k = 2 or k = 3. The special case when A n = 1 has been completely investigated by G. Ladas et al. Here we extend their results to the general case.
A decomposition of gallai multigraphs

An edge-colored cycle is rainbow if its edges are colored with distinct colors. A Gallai (multi)graph is a simple, complete, edge-colored (multi)graph lacking rainbow triangles. As has been previously shown for Gallai graphs, we show that Gallai multigraphs admit a simple iterative construction. We then use this structure to prove Ramsey-type results within Gallai colorings. Moreover, we show that Gallai multigraphs give rise to a surprising and highly structured decomposition into directed trees.
Small-scale link characteristics and applications to erosion modeling

Flow path link characteristics of small-scale surface drainage networks are examined using 426 links obtained from erosion plot data. Link lengths and drainage areas varied considerably in the data set. The distribution of link lengths was well represented by a log-normal probability density function. Regression equations were developed to predict link drainage area as a function of link length. Flow path networks were predicted by combining link characteristics with the topology defined by an infinite topologically random network. Bifurcation, length, and area ratios of these networks are in good agreement with previously reported observed values. The usefulness of this approach in modeling soil erosion is illustrated by coupling the network algorithm with soil detachment and transport relationships.
Nicolai Hartmann and the Metaphysical Foundation of Phylogenetic Systematics

When developing phylogenetic systematics, the entomologist Willi Hennig adopted elements from Nicolai Hartmann’s ontology. In this historical essay I take on the task of documenting this adoption. I argue that in order to build a metaphysical foundation for phylogenetic systematics, Hennig adopted from Hartmann four main metaphysical theses. These are (1) that what is real is what is temporal; (2) that the criterion of individuality is to have duration; (3) that species are supra-individuals; and (4) that there are levels of reality, each of which may be subject to different kinds of law. Reliance on Hartmann’s metaphysics allowed Hennig to ground some of the main theoretical principles of phylogenetic systematics, namely that the biological categories—from the semaphoront to the highest rank—have reality and individuality despite not being universals, and that they form a hierarchy of levels, each of which may require different kinds of explanation. Hartmann’s metaphysics thereby provided a philosophical justification for Hennig’s phylogenetic systematics, both as a theory and as a method of classification.
Suboptimal policy determination for large-scale Markov decision processes, Part 1: Description and bounds

This paper is the first of two papers that present and evaluate an approach for determining suboptimal policies for large-scale Markov decision processes (MDP). Part 1 is devoted to the determination of bounds that motivate the development and indicate the quality of the suboptimal design approach; Part 2 is concerned with the implementation and evaluation of the suboptimal design approach. The specific MDP considered is the infinite-horizon, expected total discounted cost MDP with finite state and action spaces. The approach can be described as follows. First, the original MDP is approximated by a specially structured MDP. The special structure suggests how to construct associated smaller, more computationally tractable MDP's. The suboptimal policy for the original MDP is then constructed from the solutions of these smaller MDP's. The key feature of this approach is that the state and action space cardinalities of the smaller MDP's are exponential reductions of the state and action space cardinalities of the original MDP.
Having Arrived: Dimensions of Educational Success in a Transitional Newcomer School

This article examines a program for newly arrived, non-English-speaking immigrant children in a major California city. Focusing on students of Mexican and other Latino origin, I explore the local model of success and ask, How is student success defined and fostered? This study lays the ethnographic foundation for a comparison between settings for first-generation students. The research demonstrates how a nurturing setting, a culturally flexible teaching approach, linguistic and cultural validation, and a valued spatial environment can contribute to newcomer students' success and educational confidence. Further, it addresses both the personal and political tensions that can arise when such programs are physically separate and distant from the “home” or neighborhood school.
A Brownian dynamics study of the interaction of Phormidium cytochrome f with various cyanobacterial plastocyanins.

Brownian dynamics simulations were used to study the role of electrostatic forces in the interactions of cytochrome f from the cyanobacterium Phormidium laminosum with various cyanobacterial plastocyanins. Both the net charge on the plastocyanin molecule and the charge configuration around H92 (H87 in higher plants) are important in determining the interactions. Those plastocyanins (PCs) with a net charge more negative than −2.0, including those from Synechococcus sp. PCC7942, Synechocystis sp. 6803, and P. laminosum showed very little complex formation. On the other hand, complex formation for those with a net charge more positive than −2.0 (including Nostoc sp. PCC7119 and Prochlorothrix hollandica) as well as Nostoc plastocyanin mutants showed a linear dependence of complex formation upon the net charge on the plastocyanin molecule. Mutation of charged residues on the surface of the PC molecules also affected complex formation. Simulations involving plastocyanin mutants K35A, R93A, and K11A (when present) showed inhibition of complex formation. In contrast, D10A and E17A mutants showed an increase in complex formation. All of these residues surround the H92 (H87 in higher plant plastocyanins) ligand to the copper. An examination of the closest electrostatic contacts shows that these residues interact with D63, E123, R157, D188, and the heme on Phormidium cytochrome f. In the complexes formed, the long axis of the PC molecule lies perpendicular to the long axis of cytochrome f. There is considerable heterogeneity in the orientation of plastocyanin in the complexes formed.
An improved parallel algorithm that computes the BFS numbering of a directed graph

Abstract This paper presents a parallel algorithm that computes the breadth-first search (BFS) numbering of a directed graph in O(log2n) time using M(n) processors on the exclusive-read exclusive-write (EREW) parallel random access machine (PRAM) model, where M(n) denotes the number of processors needed to multiply two n x n integer matrices over the ring ( Z , +, x) in O(log n) time. The best known bound for M(n) is O(n2.376) (Coppersmith and Winograd, 1987). The algorithm presented in their paper uses fewer processors than the classical algorithm for BFS that employs matrix powering over the semiring (dioid) ( N , min, +), using O(log n) time and O(n3) processors on the concurrent-read concurrent-write (CRCW) model, or using O(log2 n) time and n3⧸log n processors on the EREW model.
Wireless Image Transmission for AUV Applications

Underwater images are useful for researching the characteristics of the environment and its inhabitants. Using the underwater acoustic modems along with an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), images can be transmitted from a camera mounted on the AUV to a modem. A real-time implementation was done to transmit and receive images underwater using the AquaSENT acoustic modems. An image was extracted from a streaming web cam, resized, and split into individual packets which were capable of being transmitted by a modem. Once these packets were received by another modem, they were reconstructed to display the original image. The packet sizes that were transmitted were varied in a controlled test bed with shallow water. The preliminary results show that packets were generally fully received, and the transmitted image was identical to the received image.
Corrigendum to “Spectral line parameters including temperature dependences of air-broadening for the 2←0 bands of 13C16O and 12C18O at 2.3 μm” [J. Mol. Spectrosc. 276–277 (2012) 33–48]

Other terms in Eq. (2) were defined in Ref. [1] but are included here for the convenience of the reader: mi = wavenumber (in cm ) of a transition; v0 = band center (in cm , equal to G0 G00); E00 = the lower state energy (in cm ); T0 = the temperature of the absorbing gas, which in the present case is the reference temperature of 296 K; Sv = the vibrational band strength in cm/molecule at 296 K; Si = line intensity (in cm/ molecule at 296 K); Li = the Honl-London factors; C2 = the second radiation constant = 1.4387 when line positions and lower state energies are in cm , T in Kelvin and the molecular mass is in amu. Qr = lower state rotational quantum partition function at temperature T0 (296 K), (224.074297 for CO and 112.464588 for CO). The F factors have already been given by Eq. (3) in Ref. [1]. Please note that all of the intensity values reported in tables and figures of Ref. [1] were generated using the correct form of Eq. (2) including the statistical weight. The authors especially thank Gang Li and Iouli Gordon at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge MA for pointing out this omission.
NMR signal loss from turbulence: Models of time dependence compared with data.

This paper reviews theoretical models of nuclear magnetic resonance signal loss due to turbulence in the presence of a magnetic gradient and presents measurements of signal loss from pipe flow as a function of echo time. The models all treat homogeneous turbulence as a random velocity superimposed on a steady velocity. Theoretical signal losses were calculated using previous hot wire anemometry data from dynamically similar air flow. Theoretical pipe cross sections were partitioned into nine concentric homogeneous regions with distinct turbulent diffusivities and intensities. Experimental pipes were 0.95 and 5.0 cm diameter with average water velocities of 1 m ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ providing Reynolds numbers of 12 000 and 55 000. Magnetic gradient strengths ranged from 0.01 to 0.04 G ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$; echo times ranged from 24 to 120 ms. The models that include the decay of the velocity autocorrelation with time (i.e., consider that turbulence appears more diffusive as the observation time increases) fit the data better than those that do not.
Direct vasoconstriction and endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Mechanisms of acetylcholine effects on coronary flow and arterial diameter in patients with nonstenotic coronary arteries.

An endothelium-dependent vasodilator response to acetylcholine has been described recently in patients with coronary artery disease. Those studies determined responses only of large epicardial arteries. Our study was designed to determine the integrated effects of acetylcholine on epicardial diameter, coronary flow, and vascular resistance. Patients (n = 64) with nonstenotic epicardial coronaries underwent coronary angiography with simultaneous recording of coronary flow velocity using a 3F subselective Doppler catheter. Measurements of epicardial arterial cross-sectional area (ECA), velocity, estimated flow (velocity times area), and vascular resistance were made before and after bolus administration of acetylcholine (100 micrograms i.c.). Similar measurements were made after papaverine (12-15 mg i.c.), a nonendothelium-dependent vasodilator. Acetylcholine resulted in a reduction of ECA of 19 +/- 3%, whereas papaverine increased ECA by 9 +/- 2%. Estimated flow increased 69 +/- 12% after acetylcholine and 147 +/- 12% after papaverine. Resistance fell after both agents (acetylcholine, -17 +/- 13%; papaverine, -61 +/- 2%). Transvascular resistance fell after acetylcholine in all but five patients. These patients had dramatic epicardial artery constriction (40 +/- 8% decrease in ECA). The effect of acetylcholine on both ECA and resistance was blocked by atropine (1 mg i.c.). Nitroglycerin (300 micrograms i.c.) resulted in epicardial dilatation (7.5 +/- 2.8%) in the same patients in whom acetylcholine caused constriction (-11.2 +/- 3.1%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Multiple weighted cellular automata

Presents a complete design method for inhomogeneous cellular automata capable of generating BIST patterns with multiple weight sets at a test per clock rate. The method achieves 100% stuck-at fault coverage of detectable faults for almost all combinational benchmark circuits having random pattern resistant faults. The authors also present data showing the overall speed up relative to test per scan methods. >
The Submergence Tolerance Regulator SUB1A Mediates Crosstalk between Submergence and Drought Tolerance in Rice

Submergence and drought are major constraints to rice (Oryza sativa) production in rain-fed farmlands, both of which can occur sequentially during a single crop cycle. SUB1A, an ERF transcription factor found in limited rice accessions, dampens ethylene production and gibberellic acid responsiveness during submergence, economizing carbohydrate reserves and significantly prolonging endurance. Here, we evaluated the functional role of SUB1A in acclimation to dehydration. Comparative analysis of genotypes with and without SUB1A revealed that SUB1A enhanced recovery from drought at the vegetative stage through reduction of leaf water loss and lipid peroxidation and increased expression of genes associated with acclimation to dehydration. Overexpression of SUB1A augmented ABA responsiveness, thereby activating stress-inducible gene expression. Paradoxically, vegetative tissue undergoes dehydration upon desubmergence even though the soil contains sufficient water, indicating that leaf desiccation occurs in the natural progression of a flooding event. Desubmergence caused the upregulation of gene transcripts associated with acclimation to dehydration, with higher induction in SUB1A genotypes. SUB1A also restrained accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in aerial tissue during drought and desubmergence. Consistently, SUB1A increased the abundance of transcripts encoding ROS scavenging enzymes, resulting in enhanced tolerance to oxidative stress. Therefore, in addition to providing robust submergence tolerance, SUB1A improves survival of rapid dehydration following desubmergence and water deficit during drought.
How Competent are Competencies

Competencies have become ubiquitous in not only human services administration but also in related contexts. These include the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accredit...
Toward Scalable Benchmarks for Mass Storage Systems

This paper presents guidelines for the design of a mass storage system benchmark suite, along with preliminary suggestions for programs to be included. The benchmarks will measure both peak and sustained performance of the system as well as predicting both short- and long-term behavior. These benchmarks should be both portable and scalable so they may be used on storage systems from tens of gigabytes to petabytes or more. By developing a standard set of benchmarks that reflect real user workload, we hope to encourage system designers and users to publish performance figures that can be compared with those of other systems. This will allow users to choose the system that best meets their needs and give designers a tool with which they can measure the performance effects of improvements to their systems.
Treatment of Hypertension: Lower Is Better, or Is It?

See related article, pp 326–332 Although there is no disagreement that antihypertensive treatment improves clinical outcomes, the blood pressure (BP) level for optimal benefit remains unclear. Among individuals without apparent cardiovascular disease, progressively lower BP levels are associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes down to a level of at least 115/75 mm Hg1; however, in the very large group of patients with comorbidities such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, and peripheral arterial disease, there is debate about how low BP should be reduced. A critically important concern relates to the adequacy of myocardial perfusion at these lower BP levels because data from multiple observational-type studies have suggested an increase in cardiac ischemic events at these lower levels (Figure).2–5 This is an issue because many of these patients also have coronary microvascular dysfunction, which could potentiate any harmful effects associated with very low BP. Figure. The figure illustrates a disproportionate increase in the hazard for adverse outcomes among patients with low systolic blood pressure who have concomitant peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease. Adapted from Bavry AA et al2 with permission of the publisher. Copyright © 2010, American Heart Association, Inc. A provocative report in this issue provides coronary flow data to assess the impact of antihypertensive BP level.6 Before addressing this novel study, …
Uncommon Cutaneous Neoplasms of the Head and Neck

This article concentrates on the less-common cutaneous malignancies such as merkel cell, atypical fibroxanthoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, microcystic adnexal carcinoma, and sebaceous carcinoma. The clinical and histopathologic descriptions of each, most current and emerging etiologies, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and prognosis are discussed.
Response to Bryan Roberts: A new perspective on T violation

Abstract It is surprising that the fundamental, microscopic laws of Nature are not invariant under time reversal. In his article, Three Merry Roads to T - Violation , Dr. Bryan Roberts provided a succinct summary of the theoretical frameworks normally used to interpret the results of the experiments that established this fact. They all rely on the detailed structure of quantum mechanics. In this ‘response’ to Dr. Robert׳s talk, I will show that these experiments can be interpreted using a much more general framework. Consequently, should quantum mechanics be eventually replaced by a new paradigm, e.g., because of quantum gravity, these experiments could still be used to argue that the microscopic laws violate T invariance.
From Individual Acquisition to Cultural-Historical Practices in Multicultural Teacher Education

Due to poor school performance among significant numbers of minority students in U.S. schools, many parents, educators, and policymakers now look to teacher education programs (TEPs) to prepare preservice teachers more effectively for student diversity. Unfortunately, although multicultural TEPs and courses have been in existence for quite some time, we know very little about the nature of teacher learning and development and the conditions that promote teacher learning for student diversity in both preservice courses and field experiences. Moreover, we know little about what program components improve learning experiences for culturally and linguistically diverse students. In this article, we propose a reconceptualization of multicultural teacher education. For this purpose, we summarize basic principles of cultural-historical theory that must be considered by teacher educators who prepare preservice teachers for student diversity. We also discuss how cultural-historical theory can inform research design...
The role of holistic paradigms in handwritten word recognition

The holistic paradigm in handwritten word recognition treats the word as a single, indivisible entity and attempts to recognize words from their overall shape, as opposed to their character contents. In this survey, we have attempted to take a fresh look at the potential role of the holistic paradigm in handwritten word recognition. The survey begins with an overview of studies of reading which provide evidence for the existence of a parallel holistic reading process,in both developing and skilled readers. In what we believe is a fresh perspective on handwriting recognition, approaches to recognition are characterized as forming a continuous spectrum based on the visual complexity of the unit of recognition employed and an attempt is made to interpret well-known paradigms of word recognition in this framework. An overview of features, methodologies, representations, and matching techniques employed by holistic approaches is presented.
Interactions Between Photopic Visual Mechanisms Revealed by Mixing Conditioning Fields

The luminances of conditioning fields that are necessary to reduce the visibility of a previously suprathreshold test flash to an increment threshold are determined for each of two conditioning fields of different color. Normalizing each of these luminances to 1.0, subthreshold amounts (e.g., 0.8, 0.6, etc.) of one field component are preset by the experimenter; the subject then adjusts the other component until threshold is again attained. In an eye for which the adaptive state is controlled by the action of light upon only one spectral class of photopic mechanism, the normalized luminance sum must always equal 1.0. We find however that this sum is consistently less than 1.0, indicating a supersummative interaction of adaptive effect between two or more different mechanisms.
Design of Posture and Activity Detector (PAD)

In recent years, there has been much research and development of wearable devices using accelerometers for studying physical activity. Previously, we have described the development of the Posture and Activity Detector (PAD). After demonstrating success with PAD, we were motivated to improve the design by taking the device one step further and implementing all of these components on a single printed circuit board, adding a few additional features to make the system more flexible, and custom-designing an outer case. We have continued our efforts in improving PAD with respect to software development as well as making PAD more physically robust and mass producible. In this paper, the specifications for PAD will be outlined including its hardware and software components, and clinical research applications.
Essentials of a Mineral Mixture for Pigeons

Abstract Previous studies by Platt (1951) on the composition of mineral mixtures used in feeding pigeons indicated that a mixture of 85% oyster shell (baby chick size), 10% charcoal (baby chick size) and 5% common salt was as satisfactory for squab production as one in which these materials were supplemented with granite grit, bone meal, powdered gentian, anise seed, sulphur and Venetian Red. The use of oyster shell alone was found to be unsatisfactory, resulting in a decrease in the number and weight of squabs reared to market age and an increase in the percentage of unmarketable squabs. Studies were continued on the subject in an effort to ascertain the really essential elements of a mineral mixture for pigeons. In view of the fact that oyster shell alone had not proven satisfactory, a trial was set up supplementing 95% oyster shell with (a) 5% salt; (b) 5% granite grit; and (c) …
Oxidative stress and severe walking disability among older women.

Abstract Background Oxidative stress has been implicated in sarcopenia and the loss of muscle strength with aging, but the relationship between oxidative stress and decrease in muscle strength and physical performance has not been well characterized. Serum protein carbonyls are markers of oxidative damage to proteins and are caused by oxidative stress. Methods Serum protein carbonyls were measured at baseline and compared with a decrease in walking speed and development of severe walking disability (inability to walk or walking speed Results After adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking, and chronic diseases, log e protein carbonyls (nmol/mg) were associated with a decrease in walking speed over 36 months ( P =.002). During follow-up, 154 women (28.2%) developed severe walking disability. After adjusting for the same potential confounders, log e protein carbonyls were associated with incident severe walking disability (hazards ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.98, P =.037). Conclusion High oxidative stress, as indicated by oxidative damage to proteins, is an independent predictor of decrease in walking speed and progression to severe walking disability among older women living in the community.
Search for Rare Muon Decays with the Crystal Box Detector

A search with the Crystal Box detector shows no evidence for the lepton-family-number-nonconserving decays ..mu -->..e..gamma.., ..mu -->..e..gamma gamma.., or ..mu -->..eee. The search provides upper limits for the branching ratios of GAMMA(..mu -->..e..gamma..)/GAMMA(..mu -->..evv-italic-bar) ..e..gamma gamma..)/GAMMA(..mu -->..evv-italic-bar) ..eee)/GAMMA(..mu -->..evv-italic-bar)<3.510/sup -11/ (90% C.L.). In addition, a limit for the emission of a light scalar or pseudoscalar boson in radiative muon decay is given.
California's Punjab Pioneers: Remembering/Claiming Homelands

The exploration here is of "movement and memory," forgetting and remembering, particularly of the constitution and use of memories to reclaim old and new homelands. The material comes from my study of the Punjabi emigrants to California before 1947 and the community they built, and I want to make several theoretical points. First, I want to reinforce the view that social memory is a valuable source of knowledge that should not be devalued in favor of the textual paradigm of knowledge. Second, I want to move away from the notion that the collection of event narratives and life stories is an exercise in "salvage ethnography" or nostalgia, and I want to depart from the remarked emphasis on pleasure in studies of popular culture by investigating social memories of these migrants and their children as a painful and problematic process of identity construction in the U.S. Third, I want to reiterate that looking at "practice"-in this case the constitution and use of memory- is not a stand-in for some objective r...
Conservation of energy analysis of collisional cross-field diffusion

Summary form only given. Cross-field diodes are instrumental in the operation of high-power microwave sources in relativistic magnetrons, magnetically insulated transmission lines for pulsed power systems, and Hull thrusters in space propulsion. These diodes are magnetically insulated in order to prevent electron migration across the gap. In spite of this insulation, many electrons still move towards the anode which leads to pulse shortening and/or excitation of undesired modes. It has previously been shown that the presence of ions in a crossed-field gap increases the electrons excursion toward the anode region. Further work has shown that both electron-electron scattering and ionization of the background species exacerbate this crossed-field migration. In this work, we show that an electron, once scattered or created through an ionizing collision, will move according to the Lorentz force equation and conservation of energy. Using a 1D PIC code we will show that these electrons scattered or created midgap have total energies greater than those injected at the cathode; thus, they are able to penetrate farther into the gap.
Thirteenth Amendment and Freedom: Civil War Context and Contemporary Legal Theory

This is the preface of a narrative history and contextual analysis of the Thirteenth Amendment, slavery and freedom take center stage. Alexander Tsesis demonstrates how entrenched slavery was in pre-Civil War America, how central it was to the political events that resulted in the Civil War, and how it was the driving force that led to the adoption of an amendment that ultimately provided a substantive assurance of freedom for all American citizens. The story of how Supreme Court justices have interpreted the Thirteenth Amendment, first through racist lenses after Reconstruction and later influenced by the modern civil rights movement, provides insight into the tremendous impact the Thirteenth Amendment has had on the Constitution and American culture. Importantly, Tsesis also explains why the Thirteenth Amendment is essential to contemporary America, offering fresh analysis on the role the Amendment has played regarding civil rights legislation and personal liberty case decisions, and an original explanation of the substantive guarantees of freedom for today's society that the Reconstruction Congress envisioned over a century ago.
A Pharmacokinetic Model for the Concentration of Boron-10 in Blood Following Boronophenylalanine-Fructose Administration in Humans

In the BNCT clinical trials currently underway, estimates of normal tissue 10B dose are based on 10B concentration in blood as a surrogate for normal tissue.1,2 Furthermore, in the trials in the USA which use the boronophenylalanine-fructose complex (BPA-F) as the boron delivery agent, a temporally constant tumor to blood uptake ratio of approximately 3.5–4 to 1 is assumed.3, 4, 5 These static tissue to blood uptake ratios, although measured by Coderre et al. 0.5 to 1.5 hours after the end of infusion,6,7 do not represent the dynamic 10B loading and washout behavior expected in these tissues and observed in animal models8 and in PET studies of humans.9,10 We believe that these assumptions do not accurately reflect the real situation and dosimetry. However, these assumptions are unavoidable at the present time due to the difficulty of measuring 10B concentrations in vivo and the fact that measurements of the 10B C-RBEs are referenced to concentrations of l0B in blood rather than in tissue.11,12
A visualization of evolving clinical sentiment using vector representations of clinical notes

Our objective in this paper was to visualize the evolution of clinical language and sentiment with respect to several common population-level categories including: time in the hospital, age, mortality, gender and race. Our analysis utilized seven years of unstructured free text notes from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care (MIMIC) database. The text data was partitioned by category and used to generate several high dimensional vector space representations. We generated visualizations of the vector spaces using Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (tSNE) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). We also investigated representative words from clusters in the vector space. Lastly, we inferred the general sentiment of the clinical notes toward each parameter by gauging the average distance between positive and negative keywords and all other terms in the space. We found intriguing differences in the sentiment of clinical notes over time, outcome, and demographic features. We noted a decrease in the homogeneity and complexity of clusters over time for patients with poor outcomes. We also found greater positive sentiment for females, unmarried patients, and patients of African ethnicity.
Do Modern Bureaucracies Dominate Underdeveloped Polities? A Test of the Imbalance Thesis

This research note analyzes a key premise of the thesis of “institutional imbalance” in less developed nations, the idea that administrative modernity promotes overparticipation in the performance of political and governmental functions. Judgmental data on fifty-seven Latin American, Asian, and African nations suggest that level of administrative development is highly correlated with overparticipation, but in precisely the opposite direction from that predicted in the literature— that is, the relationship is negative. This finding indicates the necessity of reconsidering some of the conventional wisdom of comparative administration.
Inhibition of sham feeding-induced gastric secretion and serum hormonal responses by analogs of (pyro)Glu-His-Gly-OH.

AbstractThe effects of intravenous infusion of analogs of (pyro)Glu-His-Gly-OH on secretion of gastric acid and elevation of serum gastrin and insulin levels induced by sham feeding were evaluated in conscious dogs. Tripeptides (pyro)Glu-3Me-His-Gly-OH, (pyro)Glu-His-D-Ala-OH, D-(pyro)Glu-His-Gly-OH, (pyro)Glu-His-Trp-NH2, (pyro)Glu-His-Gly-NH2, and (pyro)Glu-His-Gly-ethylamide, but not control peptides Glu-His-Pro-OH or Leu-Arg-Phe-OH, significantly suppressed the cephalic phase rise in serum insulin and gastrin as compared to saline-infused controls and lowered these hormonal levels below basal values. Analogs (pyro)Glu-3Me-His-Gly-OH, D-(pyro)Glu-His-Gly-OH, and (pyro)Glu-His-D-Ala-OH also significantly inhibited the gastric acid response to sham feeding. The reductions in gastric acid caused by (pyro)Glu-His-Gly-NH2 or (pyro)Glu-His-Gly-ethylamide were less intense. Statistical analyses of food intake in 86 sham feeding experiments in seven dogs showed that the reduction during the infusion of (pyro)G...
Shape forming high-Tc superconductors

Before the potential of high-temperature superconductors can evolve from the realm of science fantasy to the marketplace of practical reality, materials scientists and engineers must first develop viable methods for fabricating these revolutionary materials into a wide assortment of functional shapes and sizes.
Effects of Kepone® on the sheepshead minnow in an entire life-cycle toxicity test

A life-cycle toxicity test with the estuarine sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) and the insecticide Kepone® (chlordecone) in seawater showed that the maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) lies between 0.074 and 0.12 Μg Kepone/L, based on reduced standard length of progeny at 0.12Μg/L and higher concentrations. The application factor range (MATC/96-hr LC50) for sheepshead minnows exposed continuously to Kepone is from 0.001 to 0.002. Other adverse effects of Kepone exposure were: External signs of poisoning in fish exposed to concentrations ≥0.074Μg/L, fatty degeneration of the liver and histological evidence of vertebral damage in some fish exposed to 0.78Μg/L, reduced growth of parental fish at 0.39 and 0.78Μg/L, reduced fecundity and fertility of eggs at 0.78Μg/L, and reduced survival of embryos produced by fish exposed to 0.78Μg/L. Average bioconcentration factors (concentration in tissue ÷ average measured concentration in water) ranged from 2,600 for 21-day-old juveniles to 7,600 for adult males.
A simple method for the separate measurement of transcobalamins I, II, and III: normal ranges in serum and plasma in men and women.

Abstract A simple method for the separate measurement of the unsaturated binding capacity of the three main circulating vitamin B 12 binders, transcobalamins (TCs) I, II, and III, is described. The method involves batch separation of TC I and III from TC II by means of Quso G32, followed by batch separation of TC I from TC III with the use of diethylaminoethyl. The present study provides the first complete comparison of unsaturated TC I, II, and III in serum versus fluoridinated plasma of a single group of normal men versus women. There are consistently higher values in serum, largely due to an in vitro increment of TC III, prevented by NaF. The results are compared with values for some of these parameters obtained by others with the use of different methods, providing a standard for evaluating significance of results by various methods.
Activation Dynamics of Sodium Ion Channel

Voltage gated sodium channels initiate signaling in neurons and other cells which go on to become sensations of pleasure and pain, as well as thoughts and feelings. Sodium channel malfunction has been linked with cardiac arrhythmia, epilepsy, and neuropathic pain. We performed large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of the prokaryotic voltage gated sodium channel to probe dynamics and conformational change of channel activation. In collaboration with experimentalists, we propose a model for binding of batrachotoxin.
Regulation of Secondary Metabolism by the Velvet Complex Is Temperature-Responsive in Aspergillus

Sensing and responding to environmental cues is critical to the lifestyle of filamentous fungi. How environmental variation influences fungi to produce a wide diversity of ecologically important secondary metabolites (SMs) is not well understood. To address this question, we first examined changes in global gene expression of the opportunistic human pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus, after exposure to different temperature conditions. We found that 11 of the 37 SM gene clusters in A. fumigatus were expressed at higher levels at 30° than at 37°. We next investigated the role of the light-responsive Velvet complex in environment-dependent gene expression by examining temperature-dependent transcription profiles in the absence of two key members of the Velvet protein complex, VeA and LaeA We found that the 11 temperature-regulated SM gene clusters required VeA at 37° and LaeA at both 30 and 37° for wild-type levels of expression. Interestingly, four SM gene clusters were regulated by VeA at 37° but not at 30°, and two additional ones were regulated by VeA at both temperatures but were substantially less so at 30°, indicating that the role of VeA and, more generally of the Velvet complex, in the regulation of certain SM gene clusters is temperature-dependent. Our findings support the hypothesis that fungal secondary metabolism is regulated by an intertwined network of transcriptional regulators responsive to multiple environmental factors.
Data Randomization, Partitioning, and Augmentation

Although subsampling, resampling, or otherwise rearranging a given dataset cannot increase its information content, these procedures can sometimes be useful in extracting information. Randomly rearranging the observed dataset, for example, can give an indication of how unusual the dataset is with respect to a given null hypothesis. This idea leads to randomization tests. There are many useful procedures for data analysis that involve partitioning the original sample. Using subsets of the full sample, we may be able to get an estimate of the bias or the variance of the standard estimator or test statistic without relying too heavily on the assumptions that led to that choice of estimator or test statistic. It is often useful to partition the dataset into two parts and use the data in the “training set” or “estimation set” to arrive at a preliminary estimate or fit and then use the data in the “validation set” or “test set” to evaluate the fit. This kind of approach is particularly appropriate when we are unsure of our model of the data-generating process. In actual applications, of course, we are always at least somewhat unsure of our model. If the full dataset is used to fit the model, we are very limited in the extent to which we can validate the model. No matter what we do with a given dataset, we are still left with uncertainty about the relevance of that dataset to future modeling problems. Prediction requires some assumption about the model of the data-generating processes, both the one that yielded the given data and the unseen one for which inferences are to be made. The variance of predictors is called prediction error or generalization error. Obviously, since this involves unseen data and unknown scenarios, there is no way of measuring or estimating this kind of error with any confidence. The use of partitions of the given dataset, however, is one way of getting some feel for the generalization error for scenarios that are somewhat similar to the one that gave rise to the observed dataset. Subsets of the data can be formed systematically or they can be formed as random samples from the given dataset. Sometimes the given dataset is viewed as a set of mass points of a finite distribution whose distribution function is the same as the empirical distribution function of the given dataset. In this case, the data partitioning may be done in such a way that observations may occur multiple times in the various partitions. In most cases, when we speak of “sets” or “subsets”, we mean “multisets” (that is, collections in which items may occur more than once and are distinguished in each occurrence).