cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study of the Performance of the 3,600-Horsepower New Haven Electric Locomotives

IN June 1938, the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad placed in operation six new 3,600-horsepower a-c d-c passenger locomotives of the same general type as the ten 2,800-horsepower engines which were put in service in 1931, but incorporating numerous improved features to give considerably increased performance to meet the more exacting demands of modern high-speed transportation.
Demeter at Auschwitz: The Use of Mythology in Primo Levi's IL SISTEMA PERIODICO

Il sistema periodico can be read as Primo Levi's symbolic memoirs. In all these stories, he creates analogies between chemical elements and his life, thereby unifying through narrative his different selves: student, chemist, Holocaust survivor, writer. In three stories, Levi expands his symbology to embrace classical mythology. These connections serve as a universalizing gesture that informs our understanding of Levi's life lessons. “Vanadio” takes its name from the Norse goddess Vanadis and provides a symbol for the imperfection of memory and literature. “Cerio” references the Roman goddess Ceres and the Greek goddess Demeter, which give depth to the theme of denial Levi portrays through Alberto and his mother. In “Uranio,” the myths of Uranus and Cadmos shed light on Bonino's narrative. In each case, the mythical stories symbolize the difficulty of arriving at and portraying truth in life and literature.
Tectonic evolution of the Salton Sea inferred from seismic reflection data

The Salton Sea is an evolving pull-apart basin located between the San Andreas and Imperial faults in Southern California. Seismic and geological data reveal a rapidly subsiding southern sub-basin that is bounded by a hinge zone to the north, and northwest-dipping normal faults to the south. Oblique extension across strike-slip faults causes subsidence and leads to the formation of pull-apart basins such as the Salton Sea in southern California. The formation of these basins has generally been studied using laboratory experiments or numerical models1,2,3,4. Here we combine seismic reflection data and geological observations from the Salton Sea to understand the evolution of this nascent pull-apart basin. Our data reveal the presence of a northeast-trending hinge zone that separates the sea into northern and southern sub-basins. Differential subsidence (>10 mm yr−1) in the southern sub-basin suggests the existence of northwest-dipping basin-bounding faults near the southern shoreline, which may control the spatial distribution of young volcanism. Rotated and truncated strata north of the hinge zone suggest that the onset of extension associated with this pull-apart basin began after ∼0.5 million years ago. We suggest that slip is partitioned spatially and temporally into vertical and horizontal domains in the Salton Sea. In contrast to previous models based on historical seismicity patterns5, the rapid subsidence and fault architecture that we document in the southern part of the sea are consistent with experimental models for pull-apart basins1.
A direct FTIR method for identifying functional groups, in size segregated atmospheric aerosols

Abstract A direct method for characterizing organic material in atmospheric aerosols has been devised. Size segregated particulates, collected on ZnSe disks, were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The FTIR spectra were used to identify compound classes present in the aerosols; the distribution of functional groups varied with particle size and depended on whether the aerosol was collected at a primary or secondary receptor site.
Design and implementation of a single system image operating system for ad hoc networks

In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of a distributed operating system for ad hoc networks. Our system simplifies the programming of ad hoc networks and extends total system lifetime by making the entire network appear as a single virtual machine. It automatically and transparently partitions applications into components and dynamically finds them a placement on nodes within the network to reduce energy consumption and to increase system longevity. This paper describes our programming model, outlines the design and implementation of our system and examines the energy efficiency of our approach through extensive simulations as well as validation of a deployment on a physical testbed. We evaluate practical, power-aware, general-purpose algorithms for component placement and migration, and demonstrate that they can significantly increase system longevity by effectively distributing energy consumption and avoiding hotspots.
Evaluating the College Sophomore Problem: The Case of Personality and Politics

College sophomores feature prominently in social scientific research but are frequently criticized for providing unrepresentative, invalid, and unreliable data. Using the case of personality and politics, the present authors evaluated those critiques, concluding that college sophomores are not representative of the general adult population on all 5 factors of personality. Despite this limitation, analyses show that the relationship between personality and political opinions is virtually identical for college students and a comparison group of adults. Further, a range of reliability statistics suggests that college students provide reliable data on personality. College students are not a panacea for the problems of participant recruiting, but they should not be discounted as unreliable and invalid, either. In many cases, the so-called "college-sophomore problem" is not a problem.
Birdsong “Transcriptomics”: Neurochemical Specializations of the Oscine Song System

Background Vocal learning is a rare and complex behavioral trait that serves as a basis for the acquisition of human spoken language. In songbirds, vocal learning and production depend on a set of specialized brain nuclei known as the song system. Methodology/Principal Findings Using high-throughput functional genomics we have identified ∼200 novel molecular markers of adult zebra finch HVC, a key node of the song system. These markers clearly differentiate HVC from the general pallial region to which HVC belongs, and thus represent molecular specializations of this song nucleus. Bioinformatics analysis reveals that several major neuronal cell functions and specific biochemical pathways are the targets of transcriptional regulation in HVC, including: 1) cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions (e.g., cadherin/catenin-mediated adherens junctions, collagen-mediated focal adhesions, and semaphorin-neuropilin/plexin axon guidance pathways); 2) cell excitability (e.g., potassium channel subfamilies, cholinergic and serotonergic receptors, neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptors); 3) signal transduction (e.g., calcium regulatory proteins, regulators of G-protein-related signaling); 4) cell proliferation/death, migration and differentiation (e.g., TGF-beta/BMP and p53 pathways); and 5) regulation of gene expression (candidate retinoid and steroid targets, modulators of chromatin/nucleolar organization). The overall direction of regulation suggest that processes related to cell stability are enhanced, whereas proliferation, growth and plasticity are largely suppressed in adult HVC, consistent with the observation that song in this songbird species is mostly stable in adulthood. Conclusions/Significance Our study represents one of the most comprehensive molecular genetic characterizations of a brain nucleus involved in a complex learned behavior in a vertebrate. The data indicate numerous targets for pharmacological and genetic manipulations of the song system, and provide novel insights into mechanisms that might play a role in the regulation of song behavior and/or vocal learning.
Concurrent data structures and actor programming under the Matroshka model

In the late panel session, Maurice Herlihy questioned whether the Actor model [1] could implement wait-free shared queue. Processes are guaranteed to complete queue operations in a finite amount of steps even if other processes may fail at arbitrary points. Consequently, the queue may not have an implementation based on mutual exclusion, but may be implemented with non-trivial atomic operations. Gul Agha did not provide a method for implementing such an abstraction, but argued that the techniques used to implement the wait-free queue would also apply to implementing the Actor model.The Matroshka model (described in the position statement "A Uniform Object Model for Parallel Programming" within these proceedings and [2]) can implement both wait-free queues and the Actor model of computation.
Strong Coulomb correlation and lattice effects on de Haas-van Alphen oscillation

Abstract In the metallic regime of strongly correlated systems, we study the influence of (1) Coulomb correlations, (2) the periodic potential, and (3) the electron-phonon interaction on the de Hass-van Alphen (dHvA) effect. For simplicity, we use the one-band Hubbard Hamiltonian as a model for strongly correlated systems and calculate their contributions on the dHvA effect as a function of hole doping concentration, x. First, Coulomb correlation effects are estimated within the context of the renormalized band structure by following the almost localized Fermi liquid approach. Second, electrons moving on the periodic potential in a magnetic field is described by a series of magnetic subbands called Hofstadter spectrum. In contrast to Landau levels, this spectrum depends nonlinearly on fields, and the energy gap between two adjacent magnetic subbands depends on x. These differences lead to the x dependent saw-tooth wave form for the magnetization curve in two dimensions. Finally, the screened electron-phonon coupling constant is self-consistently estimated by including both the renormalized band structure and the dynamical screening contributions. The coupling constant depends on x because Coulomb correlations progressively suppress charge fluctuations as x is decreased. In the copper oxides, these three effects are expected to be present, and they lead to the enhancement of cyclotron mass as x is decreased and, thereby, change both the amplitude and frequency of the dHvA oscillation. We discuss the feasibility of observing these effects in the copper oxides.
Practice guidelines on NAFLD.

To The Editor: I read with interest the practice guidelines on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD),1 in which the authors fail to reference the association between high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and NAFLD. The intake of HFCS, a combination of glucose and fructose, has increased over time and parallels both the obesity and NAFLD epidemics.2 Numerous studies demonstrate that the mechanism by which HFCS causes NAFLD is due to fructose. In animal models, fructose causes steatosis and fibrosis3,4 by either increasing hepatic lipogenesis, causing activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase,5 activating inflammatory pathways,6 or up-regulating the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP).7 In humans, excessive fructose intake can lead to increased hepatic lipid deposition, greater insulin resistance, and hypertriglyceridemia.8 NAFLD patients have been found to drink more HFCS soft drinks compared with healthy controls.9 A retrospective analysis of 341 NAFLD adults found that those consuming high fructose diets had more fibrosis than those consuming low fructose diets.10 A prospective controlled trial with histologic endpoints is needed to define the amount of HFCS safe for NAFLD patients and to determine the extent to which fructose contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD. However, there are currently sufficient data to recommend that NAFLD patients refrain from excessive consumption of HFCS.
Beyond measurement: The pattern is the thing

Perhaps cognitive and brain imaging measures have been pushed almost as far as they can go in helping diagnose or understand AD. Their value may increase with the development of better models of the disease and the addition of new types of measurements to the armamentarium (e.g., eye-tracking, olfactory, and dermatoglyphic evaluations). Together they may lead to a more precise definition of the “AD pattern.”
Isotype-specific regulation of human lymphocyte production of immunoglobulins by sustained exposure to vasoactive intestinal peptide.

Abstract Exposure of lymphocytes to nanomolar to micromolar concentrations of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) for 1 to 3 days only modestly suppressed or enhanced the production of IgA and IgM, but not IgG. The effects of twice daily additions of 10 −12 to 10 −7 mol/L VIP for up to 18 days on pokeweed mitogen- stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from normal human subjects was examined by quantifying the production of IgG, IgM, and IgA. The maximum suppression of IgG by 10 −9 mol/L VIP was 79% ± 33% (mean ± SD) (range, 41 % to 97%; p p −10 to 4 × 10 −9 mol/L VIP. Suppression of IgM production by 10 −9 mol/L VIP was significant and was observed first on day 5 and persisted through day 14. VIP did not alter IgA production or affect the proliferation or viability of PBMCs. The production of IgE by interleukin-4 stimulated PBMCs was enhanced consistently in two subjects but not in two other subjects. The duration of exposure to nanomolar concentrations of VIP is thus a critical determinant of its immunoregulatory effect, as manifested by late suppression of production of IgG and IgM and concurrent enhancement of production of IgE in some subjects.
Dietary variety stimulates appetite in females but not in males

Male and female college students ate as much as they wished of either one or three of their favorite ice cream flavors. Females who were allowed to consume three flavors ate more ice cream than those who could only eat one flavor. By contrast, ice cream consumption by males was unaffected by the number of flavors available. Human females have stronger inhibitions about eating than males, but these inhibitions can be overridden by presentation of a variety of palatable foods, especially when satiety mechanisms are already operating, as at the end of a meal.
Intermittent absent end diastolic velocity of the umbilical artery: antenatal and neonatal characteristics and indications for delivery

AbstractObjective: To check whether there is a difference in indications for delivery, antepartum and neonatal characteristics in intermittent absent end diastolic velocity (iAEDV) compared to persistent absent or reversed end diastolic velocity (pA/REDV).Methods: A retrospective study of 109 patients with iAEDV or pA/REDV from 19 to 39 weeks. The delivery indication was classified as maternal or fetal. The primary antepartum and maternal characteristics were age, parity, AMA, chronic hypertension, PEC, thrombophilia, lupus, diabetes, smoker, placenta previa, gestational age (GA) at diagnosis of IUGR and/or SGA, GA at diagnosis of elevated S/D, iAEDV or pA/REDV, GA at delivery, minimal/absent variability day of delivery, BPP ≤ 6 prior to delivery. The primary neonatal outcomes were birth weight, arterial cord pH, neonatal demise, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage and length of stay in the NICU.Results: Fetuses with iAEDV were diagnosed with an elevated S/D at a later GA (29.6 vs. 27.5...
U2AF65 adapts to diverse pre-mRNA splice sites through conformational selection of specific and promiscuous RNA recognition motifs

Degenerate splice site sequences mark the intron boundaries of pre-mRNA transcripts in multicellular eukaryotes. The essential pre-mRNA splicing factor U2AF(65) is faced with the paradoxical tasks of accurately targeting polypyrimidine (Py) tracts preceding 3' splice sites while adapting to both cytidine and uridine nucleotides with nearly equivalent frequencies. To understand how U2AF(65) recognizes degenerate Py tracts, we determined six crystal structures of human U2AF(65) bound to cytidine-containing Py tracts. As deoxy-ribose backbones were required for co-crystallization with these Py tracts, we also determined two baseline structures of U2AF(65) bound to the deoxy-uridine counterparts and compared the original, RNA-bound structure. Local structural changes suggest that the N-terminal RNA recognition motif 1 (RRM1) is more promiscuous for cytosine-containing Py tracts than the C-terminal RRM2. These structural differences between the RRMs were reinforced by the specificities of wild-type and site-directed mutant U2AF(65) for region-dependent cytosine- and uracil-containing RNA sites. Small-angle X-ray scattering analyses further demonstrated that Py tract variations select distinct inter-RRM spacings from a pre-existing ensemble of U2AF(65) conformations. Our results highlight both local and global conformational selection as a means for universal 3' splice site recognition by U2AF(65).
Spin-dependent hot electron transport in Co/Cu thin films

Hot-electron transport in Co/Cu/Co trilayer films has been studied in the energy range from 1.0 to 2.0 eV using ballistic electron magnetic microscopy. Both the spin-dependent attenuation lengths of Co and the cumulative polarizing effects of spin-dependent tunneling and transmission across a Co/Cu interface have been determined. For very thin (a few \AA{}) Co layers, the latter effects result in a weakly majority-spin polarized electron beam above $\ensuremath{\sim}1.3\mathrm{eV}$ and a minority-spin polarized beam below $\ensuremath{\sim}1.2\mathrm{eV}$. For thicker Co layers the transmitted beam is always majority-spin polarized.
Stable isotope dilution analysis of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid in amniotic fluid: Contribution to the prenatal diagnosis of inherited disorders of leucine catabolism

A quantitative assay for 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid in amniotic fluid was developed using D6-3-hydroxyisovaleric acid as an internal standard. 3-Hydroxyisovaleric acid was isolated by liquid partition chromatography and the amount determined by selected ion monitoring, ammonia chemical ionization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the trimethylsilyl derivatives. The concentration of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid in ten normal amniotic fluids was 4.52±1.73 µmol/l. The level was elevated eight-fold in the amniotic fluid from a pregnancy resulting in the birth of a child with biotin-responsive multiple carboxylase deficiency. The stable isotope dilution assay of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid in amniotic fluid is a rapid, sensitive and accurate method for the prenatal diagnosis of this disorder, and may be of value in the prenatal diagnosis of other inherited disorders of leucine catabolism.
Add-on angiotensin receptor blockade with maximized ACE inhibition.

Add-on angiotensin receptor blockade with maximized ACE inhibition. Background Prolonged angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy leads to angiotensin I (Ang I) accumulation, which may "escape" ACE inhibition, generate Ang II, stimulate the Ang II subtype 1 (AT1) receptor, and exert deleterious renal effects in patients with chronic renal diseases. We tested the hypothesis that losartan therapy added to a background of chronic (>3 months) maximal ACE inhibitor therapy (lisinopril 40 mg q.d.) will result in additional Ang II antagonism in patients with proteinuric chronic renal failure with hypertension. Methods Sixteen patients with proteinuric moderately advanced chronic renal failure completed a two-period, crossover, randomized controlled trial. Each period was one month with a two-week washout between periods. In one period, patients received lisinopril 40 mg q.d. along with other antihypertensive therapy, and in the other, losartan 50 mg q.d. was added to the previously mentioned regimen. Hemodynamic measurements included ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABP; Spacelabs 90207), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with iothalamate clearances and cardiac outputs by acetylene helium rebreathing technique. Supine plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone and 24-hour urine protein were measured in all patients. Results Twelve patients had diabetic nephropathy, and four had chronic glomerulonephritis. The mean age (± SD) was 53 ± 9 years. The body mass index was 38 ± 5.7 kg/m 2 , and all except two patients were males. Seated cuff blood pressure was 156 ± 18/88 ± 12 mm Hg. The pulse rate was 77 ± 11 per min, and the cardiac index was 2.9 ± 0.5 L/min/m 2 . Mean log 24-hour protein excretion/g creatinine or overall ABPs did not change. Mean placebo subtracted, losartan-attributable change in protein excretion was +1% (95% CI, –20% to 28%, P = 0.89). Similarly, the change in systolic ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) was 4.6 mm Hg (–5.7 to 14.9, P = 0.95), and diastolic ABP was 1.5 mm Hg (–4.5 to 7.6, P = 0.59). No change was seen in cardiac output. However, there was a mean 14% increase (95% CI, 3 to 26%, P = 0.017) in GFR attributable to losartan therapy. A concomitant fall in plasma renin activity by 32% was seen (95% CI, –15%, – 45%, P = 0.002). No hyperkalemia, hypotension, or acute renal failure occurred in the trial. These results were not attributable to sequence or carryover effects. Conclusions Add-on losartan therapy did not improve proteinuria or ABP over one month of add on therapy. Improvement of GFR and fall in plasma renin activity suggest that renal hemodynamic and endocrine changes are more sensitive measures of AT1 receptor blockade. Whether add-on AT1 receptor blockade causes antiproteinuric effects or long-term renal protection requires larger and longer prospective, randomized controlled trials.
Talking that talk: The language of control, curriculum, and critique

Abstract This article analyzes the classroom discourse of an African American female urban community college teacher as she interacts with her class of predominantly African American students. The analysis, informed by perspectives in the ethnography of speaking perspective, focuses on one register variation commonly known as teacher talk . Three categories of teacher talk are presented: (a) the language of control, (b) the language of curriculum, and (c) the language of critique. This study shows that the teacher's talk drew on the rich language and verbal traditions of the African American community. The teacher employs African American English (AAE) language forms and allows them to coexist alongside Standard English (SE). The analysis of teacher talk shows how the language of curriculum, control, and critique served the tripartite function of communicating cognitive information, establishing and maintaining social relationships, and expressing the speaker's attitudes. The analysis also highlights the significance of sociocultural as well as sociopolitical factors that influence learning and the place of AAE in teaching and learning.
Estrogen Receptor-α Mediates Gender Differences in Atherosclerosis Induced by HIV Protease Inhibitors

As part of highly active antiretroviral therapy, protease inhibitor treatment has significantly increased the lifespan of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. Many patients, however, develop negative side effects, including premature atherosclerosis. We have previously demonstrated that in male low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) null mice, HIV protease inhibitors induce atherosclerotic lesions and cholesterol accumulation in macrophages in the absence of changes in plasma lipid levels. We determined that these increases were due to an up-regulation of the scavenger receptor, CD36. In the present study, we examined the effects of HIV protease inhibitors in female LDL-R null mice. Female mice given ritonavir and amprenavir (23 and 10 microg/mouse/day, respectively) developed fewer atherosclerotic lesions than males. Furthermore, peritoneal macrophages isolated from ritonavir-treated females had reduced levels of cholesterol accumulation as compared with males, and CD36 protein levels were increased to a significantly lesser degree in females than in males. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of this gender difference, we examined the effect of genetically removing estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha). In female mice lacking both LDL-R and ERalpha, the protective effect of gender was lost. Additionally, the reduced levels of cholesterol accumulation in macrophages observed in females was reversed. Furthermore, the absence of ERalpha resulted in increased expression of CD36 protein in a macrophage-specific manner in mice treated with ritonavir. These data demonstrate that ERalpha is directly involved in the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in macrophages and plays an important role in the gender differences observed in HIV protease inhibitor-induced atherosclerosis.
Words correct per minute: The variance in standardized reading scores accounted for by reading speed

The measure words correct per minute (WC/M) incorporates a measure of accurate aloud word reading and a measure of reading speed. The current article describes two studies designed to parse the variance in global reading scores accounted for by reading speed. In Study I, reading speed accounted for more than 40% of the reading composite score variance in 4th-, 5th-, and 10th-grade students. In Study II, reading speed accounted for more than 30% of the reading/language arts composite score variance of fourth- and fifth-grade students. Across both studies, when reading speed was combined with words read correctly and converted to WC/M the additional variance accounted for was less than 10% with one exception, fourth-grade students' reading/language arts scores. These findings are consistent with various theories regarding reading speed, provide direction for future researchers, and may assuage those concerned that WC/M is primarily a measure of aloud, accurate word reading (i.e., word calling). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficient repetitive solution of linear equations with varying coefficients

From an analysis of Eq. (6a) and its general solution [Eq. (5)], one can easily find that the functions c = c(ktrj) have their extrema c0(f}) at points k = k0, with points (k0,c0) belonging to curve Q(k,c) = Q [with P(k)^0]. The curves belonging to the family of Eq. (5) and curve c(k0) (double critical points) are shown in Fig. 2. The characteristics of the Eq. (5) curves are listed in Tables 1 and 2. Considering the results obtained by Kounadis, the region of divergence instability can be determined. If c0(rf} is a maximum of Eq. (5), divergence instability occurs in the region 0 7]*. In the case Tj c* is the equivalent of the critical force of a clamped, hinged column. For r j* c0(rf} (Fig. 2 and Table 2).
Craniopharyngioma and Proton Therapy

Abstract Craniopharyngiomas develop in a region of the brain surrounded by numerous critical structures, including the optic pathway, pituitary, hypothalamus, temporal lobes, brainstem, and major intracerebral blood vessels. This complex intracranial environment creates a challenge for radiation dose delivery and carries a risk of significant radiation-induced toxicity. Compared to photon-based radiation therapy, proton therapy allows for a decrease in the radiation dose to uninvolved tissues surrounding the target. Reports on efficacy of proton therapy for craniopharyngioma are comparable to those achieved with photons, with minimal acute effects and a reduction in late effects. The inconstant nature of the cystic component of craniopharyngiomas poses yet another challenge for the radiation oncologist. The optimal technical approach for treating craniopharyngiomas with proton therapy is currently controversial because treatment requires a robust plan that offers high conformality with flexibility to modi...
Beach nourishment and public policy after Hurricane Floyd: where do we go from here?

Abstract This paper examines the public policy and implementation of beach nourishment within the context of the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd. It further examines the deficiencies of current policies impacting decision making. Some of the factors ignored in the decision making are: enhancement of the ecology of the beach, especially in terms of sea turtle nesting grounds; socio-cultural impacts, i.e. cost–benefit analysis of tourism, historical life-way patterns, community tax base; sand source allocation and forward contracting; and the adverse impact of current FEMA disaster insurance policies. The findings indicate a need for major revisions to FEMA's policies, the parameters used for designing nourishment projects, and the need to include other cost/benefits, such as tourism, when scoping the project. Recommended policy changes are included in the concluding section as a basis of discussion — not as definitive procedures.
Research Note: Comparison of Reed-Sedge Peat with Wood Shavings as Bedding for Turkeys

Abstract Three peat sizes and wood shavings were compared as litter for market turkeys. Body weights for male and female turkeys raised on the small size peat (1 to 4 cm3) and wood shavings litters were similar throughout the study. Turkeys (males) raised on large-sized peat litter (4 to 7 cm3) were nonsignificantly lighter at 20 weeks of age (P = .13) and showed increased incidence of swollen foot pads (P
Aggregation and Relevance in Deductive Databases

In this paper we present a technique to optimize queries on deductive databases that use aggregate operations such as min, max, and “largest Ic values.” Our approach is based on an extended notion of relevance of facts to queries that takes aggregate operations into account. The approach has two parts: a rewriting part that labels predica.tes with “aggregate selections,” and an evaluat,ion part. t.hat, makes use of “aggregate selections” to detect that facts are irrelevant and discards them. The rewriting complements standard rewriting algorithms like Magic sets, and the evaluation essentially refines Semi-Naive evaluation.
The contribution of HIV fitness to the evolution pattern of reverse transcriptase inhibitor resistance

All currently recommended anti-retroviral therapy protocols employ reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs). However, mutations within the reverse transcriptase (RT) domain can lead to resistance to these agents and treatment failure. The contribution of the fitness of drug-resistant species to the evolution of RTI resistance has not been elucidated despite its potential implications for therapeutic strategies. In this study we utilized a competitive fitness assay to assess the relative fitness of 13 drug-resistant HIV-1 mutants in the presence and absence of inhibitor. Among these mutants were thymidine analog mutations (TAMs) such as 41L/210W/215Y and 67N/70R/219Q, as well as single mutants such as 103N and 181C that confer high-level resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) such as nevirapine. These studies revealed that 67N/70R and 67N/70R/219Q were fitter than the 70R progenitor species, and the acquisition of 41L by 215Y substantially increased its fitness in the absence of drug. We also observed that 215Y was more fit than 70R and 67N/70R, and that 41L/215Y and 41L/210W/215Y were the most-fit species in the presence of zidovudine. Moreover, 103N was fitter than 181C without nevirapine but less fit with nevirapine. From these studies we conclude that viral fitness contributes substantially to the evolutionary pattern of TAMs suggesting that, as for protease inhibitor resistance, mutations can act in primary (increasing resistance) and secondary (increasing fitness) capacities. We also surmise that drug resistance and fitness are competing forces underlying the emergence of nevirapine resistant mutants 103N and 181C. J. Med. Virol. 78:425–430, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Orishatukeh Faduma and the New Theology

In 1890 the Boston Herald carried the following review of an article entitled “Thoughts for the Times or The New Theology”: “A curiosity is a paper by a native African, Orishatukeh Faduma, on ‘Thoughts for the Times,’ by which he means the new theology. This is the first time that a criticof the new theology has turned up from the dark continent, and is a curious and significant paper. When a native can write like this on subjects in which he has been obliged to educate himself, it means that we are to say nothing more against the intelligence of the African race.” While correct in noting the historical significance of Faduma's efforts, the reviewer's condescension disclosed his failure to appreciate and understand the sophistication and depth of Faduma' theological analysis and agenda. Faduma's critique of elements of the New Theology did not entail his rejection of this controversial theological synthesis which emerged during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Rather, his comments on religion and science, the historicalcritical method, comparative religion, missiology, the historical development of Christianity, and Christian ethics reveal that he essentially shared the theological orientation of its formulators.
Ethnic Group Divisions and Clientelism

In this paper, we explore the relationship between ethnic group divisions and clientelism in competitive party systems. We find that engaging in this mode of partisan mobilization is more widespread in contexts characterized by higher number of politically relevant ethnic groups that are economically unequal and therefore expected to have different preferences. We then speculate about and explore the potential mechanisms behind this relationship and find that the effect of ethnicity on clientelism is at least partially due to politicians’ capabilities to sanction the voters, as well as their willingness and ability to circumvent campaign finance regulations. In addition, we present some evidence that when politicians make a greater clientelistic effort by providing targeted benefits and experts judge these efforts to produce indeed additional votes, there is a higher degree of ethnic mobilization, measured as voting along ethnic lines.
Greatine Synthesis in the Perfused Liver of Normal and X-irradiated Rats∗

The synthesis of creatine from glycocyamine was studied in the perfused liver of normal and whole body x-irradiated rats. No significant difference was found in the ability of the perfused liver to synthesize creatine when normal and x-irradiated rats were compared. It is postulated that radiation-induced creatinuria does not result from an increased synthesis of creatine by the liver, but rather from a decreased utilization of creatine by skeletal muscle. (auth)
Flower choice copying in bumblebees

We tested a hypothesis originating with Darwin that bees outside the nest exhibit social learning in flower choices. Naive bumblebees, Bombus impatiens, were allowed to observe trained bees or artificial bees forage from orange or green flowers. Subsequently, observers of bees on green flowers landed more often on green flowers than non-observing controls or observers of models on orange flowers. These results demonstrate that bumblebees can change flower choice by observations of non-nest mates, a novel form of social learning in insects that could provide unique benefits to the colony.
Deep-level effects on forward characteristics of rectifying contacts on semiconducting diamond

Current-voltage characteristics of P-doped polycrystalline Si, Au, and Pt contacts on naturally occurring semiconducting
A comparison of the Mercury and Earth magnetospheres: Electron measurements and substorm time scales

The present search for similarities between earth and Mercury plasma electron distribution and large-scale dynamics notes that both spectral shapes are similar to a kappa-distribution. A model distribution of this type which incorporates convective flow is used to simulate the observed plasma electron spectral variations near the Mariner 10-Mercury 1 A event; convection appears to be stronger before, rather than during, the A event, in contradiction to the Baker (1986) convective injection model for Mercury's two relativistic electron flux enhancements. Mercury's postmidnight energetic electron B and B-prime events seem to be multiple onsets in the course of a substorm.
On the Design of Fast Kickers for the ISABELLE Beam Abort System

The ISA beam abort (extraction) system must be highly efficient, in the sense of producing minimum beam loss, and reliable to prevent serious damage to accelerator components by the circulating high-energy beams. Since the stored beams will be debunched, the low-loss requirement can be met only with ultra-thin extraction septa and/or fast-acting kickers. This paper examines the design of the ISA extraction kickers subject to a set of extraction channel constraints and a given maximum working voltage. Expressions are derived for determining system parameters for both a lumped parameter magnet and a delay-line magnet. Using these relationships, design parameters are worked out for several possible system configurations. The paper also describes the construction of a full-scale prototype module of the kicker and summarizes the preliminary test results obtained with the module.
The generation of monoclonal antibodies that bind preferentially to adrenal chromaffin cells and the cells of embryonic sympathetic ganglia

Adrenal chromaffin cells, sympathetic neurons, and small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells are each derived from the neural crest, produce catecholamines, and share certain morphological features. These cell types are also partially interconvertible in cell culture (Doupe et al., 1985a,b; Anderson and Axel, 1986). Thus, these cells are said to be members of the sympathoadrenal (SA) lineage and could share a common progenitor. To investigate the origins of this lineage further, we used the cyclophosphamide immuno-suppression method (Matthew and Patterson, 1983) to generate five monoclonal antibodies (SA1-5) that bind strongly to chromaffin cells, with little or no labeling of sympathetic neurons or SIF cells in frozen sections from adult rats. Competition experiments indicate that these antibodies bind to at least three distinct epitopes in tissue sections. The SA antibodies also label most of the cells of embryonic sympathetic ganglia and adrenal primordia. Labeling of sympathetic ganglia appears as the cells initially coalesce and express high levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Not all TH+ cells in the embryo are SA 1-5+, however; carotid body SIF cells, nodose ganglion TH+ cells, and the transiently TH+ cells in the dorsal root ganglia do not display detectable SA 1-5 labeling. Thus, the expression of these markers for the SA 1-5 lineage is selective. SA antigen expression is hormonally controlled; removal of glucocorticoid and addition of NGF to cultured adrenal chromaffin cells result in the loss of SA 1-5 labeling. These results suggest that the presumed precursors for sympathetic neurons and SIF cells initially express chromaffin cell markers.
Space time block coding with transmitter interference reduction

In this paper, we propose a transmitter based scheme to simultaneously mitigate fading to a desired receiver and cochannel interference to an interference. We focus on downlink transmission at the base station with multiple antennas at transmit and a single receive at the intended and interference receivers. We show how appropriate precoding and space-time coding can be combined to maximize link performance subject to a specified degree of cochannel interference suppression and assuming a limited amount of information at the transmitter. The solution is a multimode beamformer with mode directions and power allocation dependent on the level of the interference mitigation desired. The resulting solution is compared to transmit beamforming and demonstrates performance improvements due to the additional transmit diversity extracted.
Caring for My Abuser: Childhood Maltreatment and Caregiver Depression

Purpose of the Study: This study examined depressive symptoms among adult survivors of childhood maltreatment who provided care to their former abusive/neglectful parents. We also investigated the extent to which four coping styles-problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, positive social support, and negative social support-moderated the association between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms of the caregivers. DESIGN AND METHODS: Among 1,001 filial caregivers from the 2003-2005 wave of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, 18.6% of respondents reported verbal, physical, or sexual abuse in childhood; 9.4% reported neglect in childhood. Ordinary least squares regression models were estimated. RESULTS: Persons who had a history of parental abuse showed significantly more frequent depressive symptoms when providing care to their abusive parent(s) compared with caregivers who had not experienced parental abuse. Those who had been neglected had significantly more frequent depressive symptoms than caregivers who did not report neglect. Additionally, the use of emotion-focused coping was more strongly associated with more frequent depressive symptoms among abused caregivers than among caregivers with no history of abuse. IMPLICATIONS: This vulnerable group of caregivers should be recognized in the development and implementation of support services for family caregivers at the state and national levels. In direct practice settings, when assessing caregiver stress and burden, the history of childhood maltreatment needs to be taken into account. Language: en
COLD-PCR Finds Hot Application in Mutation Analysis

With the rapid development of targeted therapy and personalized medicine, gaining knowledge of the genetic and molecular characteristics of a patient’s tumor has become a crucial step in therapeutic and prognostic decision-making in oncology. A good example is the administration of therapy targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)1 in cancer patients. Several studies have shown that mutations that cause constitutive activation of the KRAS 2 oncogene (v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) predict resistance to anti-EGFR therapy (1)(2)(3), whereas activating mutations in EGFR predict response to therapy and favorable clinical outcome (4)(5). Because of such findings, the clinical demand for mutation testing has exploded recently in cancer diagnostics. The specimens used for molecular testing range from large surgical resections to tiny fine-needle aspiration biopsies to cytology smears. Samples are submitted as either frozen or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, and the percentage of tumor cells varies substantially among different specimens. One of the major challenges that molecular diagnostics laboratories face is to detect mutations in samples with a low percentage of mutation-carrying tumor cells in a background of wild-type nonmalignant cells. The fact that the mutation-detection limit is approximately 20% for the gold standard of Sanger sequencing and approximately 5%–10% for pyrosequencing (6) necessitates implementation of tumor-enrichment strategies for samples with a small tumor component. When tissue sections or smears on …
Effects of Counterions on Molecular Transport Across Liposome Bilayer: Probed by Second Harmonic Generation

The transport rate of an organic cation, malachite green (MG), across a unilamellar bilayer (∼105 nm) of the dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) liposome has been studied by the SHG technique. This is the first time to our knowledge that the effects of anions on molecular cation transport have been observed. Our studies show four results. First, in the presence of sodium chloride (NaCl) or sodium bromide (NaBr), the time constant for transport of MG across the DOPG bilayer increases with the increase in the concentration of the counterion (i.e., Cl- or Br-). Second, with the organic electrolytes, sodium citrate (NaCitrate) and sodium ethanesulfonate (NaEtSO3), the transport rate is independent of the concentration of the counterion (i.e., Citrate- and EtSO3-). Third, at the same counterion concentration, the transport rate depends on the species of the counterion used. The rate of MG transport is the slowest with Cl-, faster with Br-, and the fastest with the two organic counterions, Citrate- and EtSO3-. ...
Parenting Style and Peer Trust in Relation to School Adjustment in Middle Childhood

Fourth grade children (N = 346) reported on their perceptions of their mothers’ acceptance and behavioral control, their own feelings of trust of their friends, and their experiences of stress within the school environment. School record data yielded four indicators of academic achievement: math and reading grades and performance on state-wide standardized tests of math and reading. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the fit of a model linking parenting and peer constructs to school adjustment. The best fitting model indicated that higher levels of maternal acceptance, but not behavioral control, were associated with both lower levels of school stress and higher academic achievement. The association between acceptance and school stress, but not academic achievement, was partially mediated by levels of peer trust.
MMS: A materials management system

The contractor's ability to manage the flow of materials has a great impact on the profitability of the firm. MMS has been developed and is presented in this article: it is an effective, practice-oriented, and automated materials management system. MMS consists of ten modules: (1) project information module, (2) vendor information module, (3) product master list module, (4) reference numbers and description module, (5) bid quantities module, (6) materials ordered module, (7) materials received and invoice verification module, (8) materials used module, (9) submittals management module, and (10) report generator module. The data entered through the first nine modules is accessed through the report generator module to produce the appropriate reports necessary to make effective management decisions and to keep abreast of daily activities. MMS was developed in conjunction with three competent local general contractors (ENR-rated top 400 contractors), and is designed for small- to medium-sized general contract...
Analysis of co-crystallized free phytosterols with triacylglycerols as a functional food ingredient.

Abstract This research focuses on the analysis of mixtures of free phytosterols (FPSs) with fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSO):soybean oil (SO) mixtures as a potential zero-trans substitute for various types of shortenings. Oil binding capacity as well as the thermal, rheological and structural properties of FHSO:SO blends containing 0, 20 and 25 wt.% β-sitosterol or stigmasterol were investigated in this study. Differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD) revealed that co-crystallization of FPSs with FHSO:SO blends occurred. Polymorphic forms were characterized as a mixture of β′ and β for all samples. The addition of FPSs decreased oil loss (OL) of FHSO:SO samples. Melting profiles of the prepared FPS–TAG (triacylglycerol) blends were extended to higher temperatures compared to a commercial shortening. Rheological properties were comparable to those of commercial puff pastry shortening suggesting that FPS–TAG blends may be acceptable for bakery applications. FPSs co-crystallized with FHSO and SO may be a suitable trans-fat free substitute for a number of types of shortening, including puff pastry shortening. The manufacturing of co-crystallized /FPS-TAG matrices will possibly bring large economic benefits as their functionalization can potentially be achieved by using existing simple shear processing.