cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Point mutation in the exoplasmic domain of the erythropoietin receptor resulting in hormone-independent activation and tumorigenicity

The receptors for erythropoietin and other cytokines constitute a new superfamily. They have no tyrosine-kinase or other enzyme motif and their signal-transducing mechanism is unclear. Here we describe two classes of activating mutations in the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR). A single point mutation in the exoplasmic domain enables it to induce hormone-independent cell growth and tumorigenesis after expression in nontumorigenic, interleukin-3-dependent haematopoietic cells. A C-terminal truncation in the cytoplasmic domain of the EPOR renders the receptor hyperresponsive to erythropoietin, but is insufficient to induce hormone-independent growth or tumorigenicity. The activating point mutation retards intracellular transport and turnover of the receptor. These alterations in metabolism and tumorigenicity caused by the EPOR with activating point mutations are similar to those observed in erythropoietin-independent activation of the wild type EPOR by association with gp55, the Friend spleen focus-forming virus glycoprotein.
Spectrally Shaped DS---CDMA with Dual Sideband Combining for Increased Diversity on Dispersive Fading Channels

A new modulation scheme is proposed in this paper. This scheme uses sinusoidal chip waveforms to shape the spectrum of a direct sequence spread spectrum (DS-SS) signal such that the transmitted signal has two distinct spectral lobes, one from a lower sideband (LSB) and the other from an upper sideband (USB). By properly selecting the frequency of the sinusoidal chip waveforms, the two sideband signals can be made to undergo independent fading in a dispersive fading channel. These two independent sideband signals, when combined at the receiver, provide diversity gain. Our analysis and simulation results show that the bit error ratio (BER) performance of the proposed scheme is superior to that of the equivalent DS-SS system that uses conventional rectangular chip waveforms for severely faded channels.
A hydrodynamically correct thermal lattice Boltzmann model

A three-dimensional lattice-Boltzmann model which yields correct hydrodynamics at the Navier-Stokes level of the Chapman-Enskog expansion requires a minimum of 26 velocities. We present results for a model with one additional velocity, determined by maximizing the equilibrium entropy. For compressible Rayleigh-Benard convection the model is more accurate but considerably less stable, than a previous, approximate 21-speed model.
Determining the elastic constants of hydrocarbons of heavy oil products using molecular dynamics simulation approach

Abstract We have performed a molecular dynamics study in order to verify the assumption that saturated hydrocarbons can be characterized by generalized Hook׳s law using the fourth rank tensor of elastic constants. In this study normal paraffins were treated as crystals of hexagonal symmetry. Thus, we obtained original numerical values of Young׳s modulus and Poisson׳s ratio in both anisotropic and isotropic planes and the values of the shear modulus at three different temperatures. Negative Poisson׳s ratio of n-paraffins is of a particular interest. The author believes that auxetic behavior of saturated hydrocarbons is the result of their liquid-crystalline nature. Another remarkable point is the non-linear elasticity of n-paraffins detected in a wide temperature range. This provides an additional experimental confirmation of the phase transition process of hydrocarbons earlier reported in scientific works. We have shown that the matrix of elasticity of a particular heavy petroleum product can be estimated using the elastic parameters of the n-paraffins obtained. The numerical values of five independent elastic constants are directly proportional to the composition of a heavy petroleum product. The simplified representation of the composition can be defined by a few saturated hydrocarbons with different carbon numbers. The numerical results obtained in this research may be useful for those interested in heavy petroleum fractions rheology as well as those who perform numerical studies in petroleum hydrodynamics and acoustics.
Evaluation of two bacterial delivery systems for in-situ remediation of PAH contaminated sediments

Intention, Goal and Background Contaminated sediments represent a significant, worldwide environmental problem since they contain a mixture of different xenobiotics and heavy metals. The presence of mixed contamination presents a unique set of obstacles for remediation efforts. Often sediment remediation occurs as an ex-situ application (i.e., after dredging) in an attempt to minimize some of the problems. However, dredging poses it’s own issues. It does not address contaminated water and often material is not completely removed thereby leaving a long-term residual contamination source in the waterway.
Steered Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Kinesin Detachment from the Microtubule Surface

The effects of timescale and force transducer stiffness on kinesin detachment from the microtubule surface, as represented by the alpha-beta tubulin dimer, have been investigated using Steered Molecular Dynamics (SMD) simulations. By decreasing the pulling speed and using a softer spring in the SMD simulation, a kinesin detachment force in the range of 100 to 150 pN is obtained. This result is in better agreement than previous SMD calculations with experimental measurements of the detachment force obtained using optical traps and atomic force microscopy.Moreover, the differences between the simulated and experimentally measured kinesin detachment forces may be attributed to the experimental configuration a microbead attached to an 80 nanometer coiled-coil stalk. The stalk acts as a long moment arm on the neck liner of kinesin, thus causing underestimation of the actual detachment force at the kinesin-microtubule interface by a factor of 5 to 7. Taking into account the effect of the moment arm, the experimental results suggest an actual stall force for kinesin-microtubule binding in the range of 60 to 150 pN. This range of forces brackets the detachment force calculated in the SMD simulations.It was also noted that different mechanisms of kinesin detachment from the tubulin dimer are observed for different selected values of the SMD pulling parameters. Specifically, at low pulling speed and for a soft spring stiffness, the detachment process reveals conformational changes that involve the translocation and rotation of the kinesin head as well as the switch II region. Switch II has been identified as the main binding region between kinesin and the microtubule surface.
VI AN APPROACH TO FORMING A RELIGION CURRICULUM 1

1Many of the ideas contained in this article were first presented in a paper delivered at the Theology Institute of the 1963 Liturgical Week, Philadelphia, August 19, by the author
On critical trees labeled with a condition at distance two

An L(2,1)-labeling of a graph is an assignment of nonnegative integers to its vertices so that adjacent vertices get labels at least two apart and vertices at distance two get distinct labels. A graph is said to be @l-critical if @l is the minimum span taken over all of its L(2,1)-labelings, and every proper subgraph has an L(2,1)-labeling with span strictly smaller than @l. Georges and Mauro have studied 5-critical trees with maximum degree @D=3 by examining their path-like substructures. They also presented an infinite family of 5-critical trees of maximum degree @D=3. We generalize these results for @l-critical trees with @D>=4.
DOES FOCAL LATE GADOLINIUM ENHANCEMENT AT THE RIGHT VENTRICULAR INSERTION POINTS MATTER IN RISK STRATIFICATION FOR SUDDEN DEATH IN HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with extensive late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is a novel marker for increased risk for sudden death in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) presumably due to ventricular tachyarrhythmias emanating from areas of replacement fibrosis. Of particular
The preparation of novel metal-rich transition-metal sulfides and selenides by high-temperature techniques

Abstract The techniques used for the preparation of metal-rich chalcides by high-temperature techniques are discussed. The two newest metal-rich compounds, two ternary metal-rich sulfides with novel structures, are described.
On the dynamic behaviour of a class of homogeneous continuous stirred tank polymerization reactors

Abstract The steady state and dynamic behaviour of two typical vinyl polymerizations (polymethylmethacrylate and polystyrene with AIBN) carried out in a CSTR has been analyzed. Both the cases of constant and dynamically varying initiator concentration were treated for a wide range of reactor operating conditions. The results show that multiple steady states are possible even under isothermal conditions, but only unstable limit cycles appear possible for the systems studied.
The growth and formation of ocular dominance columns by deflected optic fibers in goldfish.

Abstract In juvenile goldfish the simultaneous regeneration into tectum of ‘host’ and ‘deflected’ optic fibers was studied as a function of time after surgery. The host fibers, i.e. those normally innervating tectum were severed by a large incision made across anterior dorsal host tectum. The deflected fibers were those surgically redirected from the opposite ‘donor’ tectum and inserted into this same incision. These deflected fibers were those which normally innervate the posterior dorsal quadrant of donor tectum and in number were about 10–15% of contralateral fibers. At 13–80 days postoperatively either host or deflected fibers were labeled by an intraocular injection of tritiated proline followed by autoradiography 18 h later. At 13–14 days host and deflected fibers both filled the optic laminae in the anterior half of dorsal tectum but were largely absent from the posterior half. By 28–33 days, deflected fibers had grown through the anterior half of tectum showing little or no termination labeling there and both host and deflected fibers had invaded the posterior half of dorsal tectum. In the main optic lamina of dorsal posterior tectum, both sets of fibers overlapped extensively. Over the next 30 days, however, these fibers gradually separated from each other to form eye dominance columns, i.e. alternating columnar zones of host fiber and deflected fiber innervation. Thus regeneration mimics the sequence of overlap followed by segregation found in the normal ontogeny of mammalian cortex. Several other features of reinnervation were noteworthy. The surgical procedure caused fibers, particularly the transplanted ones, to initially enter non-optic tectal layers and even tegmentum. However, fibers quickly turned into optic lamina so that within a few hundred micrometers of the incision site, nearly all label was in the optic layers. Some deflected fibers also invaded lateral tectum, even though the host optic innervation of this region was left intact. This label remained for up to 80 days but retained a fasciculated appearance. A few host fibers grew back along the deflected fibers into donor tectum and by 30 days had spread throughout its dorsal posterior quadrant, the region denervated by the deflection. Virtually all of this label was eliminated by 60 days, and this region was instead innervated by optic fibers from neighboring regions of donor tectum.
Adding MEMS feedback to behavioral smoking cessation therapy increases compliance with bupropion: A replication and extension study

This study was conducted to replicate and extend initial positive findings on the usefulness of a Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) to assess pill-taking behavior and enhance compliance with bupropion for smoking cessation. Participants (N=55) received MEMS bottles containing bupropion-SR (150 mg) to be taken twice daily for 7 weeks. For participants randomly assigned to the Enhanced Therapy group (n=27), weekly individual smoking cessation therapy sessions included an additional 10 min of MEMS feedback and compliance enhancement counseling using CBT techniques. The Usual Care group (n=28) received weekly individual smoking cessation sessions only. Compliance outcomes included total doses taken and number of doses taken within the prescribed time interval. Results indicated significantly higher compliance over time for the Enhanced Therapy group. Smoking abstinence rates did not differ between the two groups, although results from the pooled sample analysis showed a significant association between level of medication compliance and abstinence status at treatment weeks 3 and 6. Incorporating MEMS-based compliance interventions into smoking pharmacotherapy trials is recommended.
THE INFLUENCE OF INDUSTRIAL STRAY CURRENTS ON THE MEASUREMENT OF EARTH POTENTIALS AND THEIR ELIMINATION

Simultaneous observations of electrical earth-potentials along parallel measuring lines offer a simple but useful method to study telluric and stray-current potentials. Different correlation-factors between the records of both observation points can help to separate telluric from industrial stray-current potentials. A method is suggested to eliminate disturbing impulses of stray currents from continuous telluric current recordings as those made at observatories. The influence of stray currents can also be eliminated from potential readings of an artificial current as applied in geoelectric measurements with the four-point-method. The elimination is possible by a simultaneous observation of the stray-current potentials on an equipotential line of the artificially generated field. The recording examples show an appreciable improvement of the signal-noise ratio without increase in the current. The method is useful for geoelectrical prospecting in areas which are contaminated by industrial noise. Zusammenfassung Gleichzeitige Registrierungen von elektrischen Erdpotentialen zwischen zwei parallel orientierten Elektrodenauslagen bieten eine einfache und brauchbare Methode, tellurische und vagabundierende Stromfelder zu untersuchen. Unterschiedliche Korrelationsfaktoren zwischen beiden Beobachtungspunkten konnen eine Trennung der tellurischen von vagabundierenden Strompotentialen ermoglichen. Ein Verfahren wird aufgezeigt, welches die Elimination storender Impulse vagabundierender Strome, die bei zunehmender Zivilisation des ofteren auftreten, von tellurischen Stromregistrierungen ermoglicht. Der Einfluss vagabundierender Strome kann auch von Potentialregistrierungen kunstlich erzeugter Stromfelder eliminiert werden, wie sie bei geoelektrischen Messungen mit der Vier-Punkt-Methode durchgefuhrt werden. Die Elimination wird durch gleichzeitige Beobachtung der vagabundierenden Strompotentiale auf einer Aquipotentiallinie des kunstlich erzeugten Feldes ermoglicht. Die Registrierbeispiele zeigen eine betrachtliche Verbesserung des Sigiial-Stor-Verhaltnisses ohne Erhohung des kunstlichen Stroms. Das Verfahren lasst sich in Gebieten anwenden, die von vagabundierenden Stromen stark verseucht sind.
Error estimation procedure for plate bending elements

The elemental errors are identified through the use of an element formulation procedure based on physically interpretable strain-gradient interpolation functions. The use of this notation allows these errors to be eliminated using rational arguments. The discretization errors are identified by comparing the finite-element solution to a smoothed superconvergent solution. The errors thus identified are used to guide an adaptive mesh refinement procedure that produces improved results
Human Fetal Adrenal Cell Responses to ACTH and Pituitary Extracts

Human fetal adrenal tissues were studied in dispersed cell suspensions prepared by collagenase digestion;triplicate aliquots were incubated for 2 hours; control cells were compared to cells stimulated with 3 dilutions of ACTH and compared to responses from cells stimulated with 3 dilutions of 2 fractions prepared from human pituitaries (“A” and “B”). Crude fraction A contained FSH, LH and TSH; B contained ACTH, MSH and other peptides. 4 specimens with single adrenal weights of 128 mg, 243 mg, 488 mg and 915 mg were studied. Incubation medium was analyzed for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) and corticoids (C). Unstimulated C secretion was similar in all weights (137 ± 63 pg/ml/100,000 cells); DHAS secretion was variable but increased with increasing size (16 ng/ml to 56 ng/ml/100,000 cells). ACTH caused dose-related proportionate increases in both DHAS and C in all; pit. frx “A” gave greater DHAS responses than ACTH in the 243 mg adrenal: DHAS:C ratio of 233:1 for ACTH and 7051:1 for “A.” However, this was not found in the more mature 915 mg gland (311:1 for ACTH and 191:1 for “A”). “B” reacted like ACTH. We conclude that (a) the developing fetal adrenal shows changing responses to different stimuli, perhaps reflecting changes in receptor response, number or discrimination, and (b) pituitary extract “A” may contain an androgen stimulator effective at variable stages of development.
Structured three-dimensional co-culture of mesenchymal stem cells with chondrocytes promotes chondrogenic differentiation without hypertrophy

Summary Objective This study investigated a novel approach to induce chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). We hypothesized that a structured three-dimensional co-culture using hMSC and chondrocytes would provide chondroinductive cues to hMSC without inducing hypertrophy. Method In an effort to promote optimal chondrogenic differentiation of hMSC, we created bilaminar cell pellets (BCPs), which consist of a spherical population of hMSC encased within a layer of juvenile chondrocytes (JC). In addition to histologic analyses, we examined proteoglycan content and expression of chondrogenic and hypertrophic genes in BCPs, JC pellets, and hMSC pellets grown in the presence or absence of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) following 21days of culture in either growth or chondrogenic media. Results In either growth or chondrogenic media, we observed that BCPs and JC pellets produced more proteoglycan than hMSC pellets treated with TGFβ. BCPs and JC pellets also exhibited higher expression of the chondrogenic genes Sox9, aggrecan, and collagen 2A1, and lower expression of the hypertrophic genes matrix metalloproteinase-13, Runx2, collagen 1A1, and collagen 10A1 than hMSC pellets. Histologic analyses suggest that JC promote chondrogenic differentiation of cells in BCPs without hypertrophy. Furthermore, when cultured in hypoxic and inflammatory conditions intended to mimic the injured joint microenvironment, BCPs produced significantly more proteoglycan than either JC pellets or hMSC pellets. Conclusion The BCP co-culture promotes a chondrogenic phenotype without hypertrophy and, relative to pellet cultures of hMSCs or JCs alone, is more resistant to the adverse conditions anticipated at the site of articular cartilage repair.
The foldability landscape of model proteins

Molecular evolution may be considered as a walk in a multidimensional fitness landscape, where the fitness at each point is associated with features such as the function, stability, and survivability of these molecules. We present a simple model for the evolution of protein sequences on a landscape with a precisely defined fitness function. We use simple lattice models to represent protein structures, with the ability of a protein sequence to fold into the structure with lowest energy, quantified as the foldability, representing the fitness of the sequence. The foldability of the sequence is characterized based on the spin glass model of protein folding. We consider evolution as a walk in this foldability landscape and study the nature of the landscape and the resulting dynamics. Selective pressure is explicitly included in this model in the form of a minimum foldability requirement. We find that different native structures are not evenly distributed in interaction space, with similar structures and structures with similar optimal foldabilities clustered together. Evolving proteins marginally fulfill the selective criteria of foldability. As the selective pressure is increased, evolutionary trajectories become increasingly confined to "neutral networks," where the sequence and the interactions can be significantly changed while a constant structure is maintained.
Contrasting dynamic spin susceptibility models and their relation to high-temperature superconductivity.

We compare the normal-state resistivities \ensuremath{\rho} and the critical temperatures ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ for superconducting ${\mathit{d}}_{{\mathit{x}}^{2}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathit{y}}^{2}}$ pairing due to antiferromagnetic (AF) spin fluctuation exchange in the context of two phenomenological dynamical spin susceptibility models for the cuprate high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ materials, one based on fits to NMR data on Y-Ba-Cu-O (YBCO) proposed by Millis, Monien, and Pines (MMP) and Monthoux and Pines (MP), and the other based on fits to neutron scattering data on YBCO proposed by Radtke, Ullah, Levin, and Norman (RULN). Assuming comparable electronic bandwidths and resistivities in both models, we show that the RULN model gives a much lower d-wave ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ (\ensuremath{\lesssim}20 K) than the MMP model (with ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$\ensuremath{\sim}100 K). We demonstrate that these profound differences in the ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$'s arise from fundamental differences in the spectral weight distributions of the two model susceptibilities at high (g100 meV) frequencies and are not primarily caused by differences in the calculational techniques employed by MP and RULN. Further neutron scattering experiments, to explore the spectral weight distribution at all wave vectors over a sufficiently large excitation energy range, will thus be of crucial importance to resolve the question whether AF spin fluctuation exchange can provide a viable mechanism to account for high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ superconductivity. Limitations of the Migdal-Eliashberg approach in such models will be discussed. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Field recovery of explosive residues using solid-phase microextraction followed by chromatographic analysis

An inexpensive, rapid and sensitive method for the field pre-concentration and subsequent analysis of high explosive residues from solid debris samples and from aqueous samples has been evaluated using solid-phase microextraction. Explosives studied included nitrobenzene, 2-nitrotoluene, 3- nitrotoluene, 4-nitrotoluene, 2,6-dinitrotoluene, 1,3- dinitrobenzene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, trinitrotoluene, 1,3,5- trinitrobenzene, 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2-amino-4,6- dinitrotolene and tetryl.
Semiclassical quantization of doubly excited intrashell resonances of the helium atom

Abstract The semiclassical self-consistent field method is applied to the computational of intrashell resonances of the He atom. Results for high-lying states, where quantum calculations are difficult, are accurate to better than 1% despite the fully chaotic nature of the dynamics. Like the exact wavefunction, the self-consistent field wavefunction shows pronounced scarring along the periodic orbit corresponding to an asymmetric stretch motion of the electrons.
Additive effects of mitochondrion-targeted cytochrome CYP2E1 and alcohol toxicity on cytochrome c oxidase function and stability of respirosome complexes

Alcohol treatment induces oxidative stress by a combination of increased production of partially reduced oxygen species and decreased cellular antioxidant pool, including GSH. Recently, we showed that mitochondrion-targeted CYP2E1 augments alcohol-mediated toxicity, causing an increase in reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress. Here, we show that cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), the terminal oxidase of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, is a critical target of CYP2E1-mediated alcohol toxicity. COS-7 and Hep G2 cell lines expressing predominantly mitochondrion-targeted (Mt++) CYP2E1 and livers from alcohol-treated rats showed loss of CcO activity and increased protein carbonylation, which was accompanied by a decline in the steady state levels of subunits I, IVI1, and Vb of the CcO complex. This was also accompanied by reduced mitochondrial DNA content and reduced mitochondrial mRNA. These changes were more prominent in Mt++ cells in comparison with wild type (WT) CYP2E1-expressing or ER+ (mostly microsome-targeted) cells. In addition, mitochondrion-specific antioxidants, ubiquinol conjugated to triphenyl phosphonium, triphenylphosphonium conjugated carboxyl proxyl, and the CYP2E1 inhibitor diallyl sulfide prevented the loss of CcO activity and the CcO subunits, most likely through reduced oxidative damage to the enzyme complex. Our results suggest that damage to CcO and dissociation of respirosome complexes are critical factors in alcohol-induced toxicity, which is augmented by mitochondrion-targeted CYP2E1. We propose that CcO is one of the direct and immediate targets of alcohol-induced toxicity causing respiratory dysfunction.
Web Service Substitution Based on Preferences Over Non-functional Attributes

In many applications involving composite Web services, one or more component services may become unavailable. This presents us with the problem of identifying other components that can take their place, while maintaining the overall functionality of the composite service. Given a choice of candidate substitutions that offer the desired functionality, it is often necessary to select the most preferred substitution based on non-functional attributes of the service, e.g., security, reliability, etc. We propose an approach to this problem using preference networks for representing and reasoning about preferences over non-functional properties. We present algorithms for solving several variants of this problem: a) when the choice of the preferred substitution is independent of the other constituents of the composite service; b) when the choice of the preferred substitution depends on the other constituents of the composite service; and c) when multiple constituents of a composite service need to be replaced simultaneously. The proposed solutions to the service substitution problem based on preferences over non-functional properties are independent of the specific formalism used to represent functional requirements of a composite service as well as the specific algorithm used to assemble the composite service.
Role of caspases in acetaminophen-induced liver injury.

The mode of cell death after acetaminophen (AAP) overdose is controversially discussed. A recent study reported a protective effect of the pancaspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk against AAP toxicity in vivo but the mechanism of protection remained unclear. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to assess if Z-VAD-fmk or the low doses of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) used as solvent were responsible for the protection. Treatment with 10 mg/kg Z-VAD-fmk or diluted DMSO (0.25 ml/kg) for 15 min before but not 2.5 h after AAP prevented the oxidant stress (hepatic glutathione disulfide content; nitrotyrosine staining), DNA fragmentation (anti-histone ELISA, TUNEL assay) and liver injury (plasma ALT activities) at 6 h after administration of 300 mg/kg AAP. Even a lower dose (0.1 ml/kg) of DMSO was partially effective. DMSO pretreatment also attenuated the initial decline in hepatic glutathione levels. On the other hand, 10 μM Z-VAD-fmk was unable to prevent AAP-induced cell death in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. We conclude that Z-VAD-fmk does not protect against AAP-induced liver injury and, therefore, caspases are not involved in the mechanism of AAP-induced liver injury. In contrast, the protection in vivo is caused by the diluted DMSO, which is used to solubilize the inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk. The results emphasize that even very low doses of DMSO, which are generally necessary to dissolve water-insoluble inhibitors, can have a profound impact on the toxicity of drugs and chemicals when metabolic activation is a critical aspect of the mechanism of cell injury.
Using recurrence network approach to quantify nonlinear dynamics of skin blood flow in response to loading pressure

This paper presents a recurrence network approach to quantify dynamic complexity of skin blood flow oscillations (BFO) in response to loading pressure. This approach consists of three processes, including 1) phase space reconstruction by means of time delay embedding, 2) construction of a recurrence matrix that represents neighboring states in phase space, and 3) consideration of the recurrence matrix as an adjacency matrix representing links in a network and the use of clustering coefficients to characterize phase space properties. By using the Lorenz system and real data, we demonstrate that the global clustering coefficient is robust to the embedding parameters. We applied this approach to study skin BFO at baseline and during loading pressure, a causative factor of skin breakdown. The results showed that global clustering coefficients of BFO significantly decreased in response to loading ( &#60;0.05). Moreover, surrogate tests indicated that such a decrease was associated with a loss of nonlinearity of BFO. Our results suggest that the recurrence network approach can practically quantify the nonlinear dynamics of BFO.
Effects of Metyrapone on Reproductive Organs of House Mice

The effects of chronic administration of metyrapone, a specific adrenal 11beta-hydroxylase inhibitor, were examined on the reproductive organs of house mice. In one experiment, immature (30 days old) mice of both sexes received daily injections of either metyrapone (100 mg/kg) or saline ip for 30 days. In a second experiment, mature mice (90 days old) were treated in like manner either with metyrapone (100 mg/kg) or saline for 21 days. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, mice were killed, fixed in formalin, and organs were weighed and examined by light microscopy. There was significant impairment of ovarian and uterine development in the young female metyrapone-treated mice with the incidence of corpora lutea being reduced 82%. Seminal vesicle and body weights were significantly reduced in juvenile males. Among mature animals, a 14% decrease in adrenal gland weight from adult females was the only signigicant effect of prolonged treatment with metyrapone. These data support the hypothesis that increases in pituitary-adrenocortical function may impair development of reproductive organs in small rodents.
Design criteria for low-level second-harmonic magnetic modulators

Major difficulties are encountered when d-c amplifiers are used to amplify low-level low-frequency signals. These difficulties are mainly problems of zero-drift and noise. One of the most successful techniques in circumventing the drift and noise problems is to convert the low-frequency intelligence to a frequency permitting conventional a-c amplification. The means for accomplishing the frequency conversion have been mainly mechanical: choppers, vibrating capacitors, and similar devices. These devices, by their very nature, must be operated at relatively low sampling rates and are subject to the usual failures of moving equipment.
Patterns of looting in southern Iraq

The archaeological sites of Iraq, precious for their bearing on human history, became especially vulnerable to looters during two wars. Much of the looting evidence has been anecdotal up to now, but here satellite imagery has been employed to show which sites were looted and when. Sites of all sizes from late Uruk to early Islamic were targeted for their high value artefacts, particularly just before and after the 2003 invasion. The author comments that the "total area looted... was many times greater than all the archaeological investigations ever conducted in southern Iraq and must have yielded tablets, coins, cylinder seals, statues, terracottas, bronzes and other objects in the hundreds of thousands".
Liberalize or Not? Societal Conflict, Plural Political Competition, and the Political Economy of FDI Liberalization

While the existing literature suggests political liberalization enhances the freedom of foreign direct investment (FDI), the observation that some countries with more liberal political regimes have more restrictive policies toward direct investment than others remains unexplained. With a theoretical model of plural political competition and empirical evidences gathered from panel data, I argue that the liberalizing effect of political liberty on foreign direct investment hinges on the local factor endowment of the country experiencing democratization. I develop a theory of investment policy formation that takes into account the strategic response from domestic societal actors to redistribution of political power and its impact on FDI liberalization. Consistent with the theoretical prediction, the empirical results show political liberalization is more likely to lead to liberalization of foreign direct investment when the capital–labor ratio in the economy is relatively low.
Does crew resource management training work? An update, an extension, and some critical needs.

Objective: This review provides the state of crew resource management (CRM) training evaluations since the E. Salas, C. S. Burke, C. A. Bowers, and K. A. Wilson (2001) review and extends it to areas beyond aviation cockpits. Some critical evaluation needs in CRM training are also covered. Background: Because of the purported success of CRM training in aviation, other high-consequence domains have begun to implement CRM training for their workforces. However, the true impact of CRM training in aviation and these other domains has yet to be determined. Method: Using D. L. Kirkpatrick's (1976) framework for evaluating training (i.e., reactions, learning, behavior, and organizational impact), we reviewed 28 published accounts of CRM training to determine its effectiveness within aviation, medicine, offshore oil production and maintenance, shipping/maritime, and nuclear power domains. Results: Findings indicate that CRM training generally produced positive reactions from trainees; however, the impact of traini...
Antagonisms, mutualisms and commensalisms affect outbreak dynamics of the southern pine beetle

Feedback from community interactions involving mutualisms are a rarely explored mechanism for generating complex population dynamics. We examined the effects of two linked mutualisms on the population dynamics of a beetle that exhibits outbreak dynamics. One mutualism involves an obligate associa- tion between the bark beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis and two mycangial fungi. The second mutualism involves Tarsonemus mites that are phoretic on D. frontalis (''commensal''), and a blue-staining fungus, Ophiostoma minus. The presence of O. minus reduces beetle larval survival (''antagonistic'') by outcompeting beetle-mutu- alistic fungi within trees yet supports mite populations by acting as a nutritional mutualist. These linked inter- actions potentially create an interaction system with the form of an endogenous negative feedback loop. We address four hypotheses: (1) Direct negative feedback: Beetles directly increase the abundance of O. minus, which reduces per capita reproduction of beetles. (2) Indirect negative feedback: Beetles indirectly increase mite abundance, which increases O. minus, which de- creases beetle reproduction. (3) The effect of O. minus on beetles depends on mites, but mite abundance is inde- pendent of beetle abundance. (4) The effect of O. minus on beetles is independent of beetle and mite abundance. High Tarsonemus and O. minus abundances were strongly correlated with the decline and eventual local extinction of beetle populations. Manipulation experi- ments revealed strong negative effects of O. minus on beetles, but falsified the hypothesis that horizontal transmission of O. minus generates negative feedback. Surveys of beetle populations revealed that reproductive rates of Tarsonemus, O. minus, and beetles covaried in a manner consistent with strong indirect interactions be- tween organisms. Co-occurrence of mutualisms embed- ded within a community may have stabilizing effects if both mutualisms limit each other. However, delays and/ or non-linearities in the interaction systems may result in large population fluctuations.
Endovascular workforce for peripheral vascular disease: current and future needs.

Abstract Background: The current status and future needs of peripheral endovascular utilization and training have not been well defined. This topic is particularly relevant to the future of four specialties: interventional cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, interventional radiology, and peripheral vascular surgery. We attempt to analyze the current numbers of cardiovascular patients and procedures and the numbers of treating physicians and surgeons to make predictions and recommendations for the future. Methods: The numbers of cardiovascular patients and procedures were obtained from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Trend Query web site. The number of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs was obtained with telephone or e-mail contact with the aortic endograft manufacturers. The numbers of different cardiovascular specialists were obtained with contact with different cardiovascular professional societies and the American Board of Specialists via telephone, e-mail, or web site. The numbers of accredited US cardiovascular fellowship programs and first year spots were obtained from the Graduate Medical Education Directory 2000 to 2001. Finally, the numbers of endovascular fellowship programs and first year spots were obtained with contact with the individual programs. Results: The numbers of cardiovascular patients and procedures have risen from 1993 to 1997. This trend is expected to continue as the population ages. Despite the rapid rise of endovascular procedures, the number of open cases has continued to rise as well. However, the number of cardiovascular specialists is predicted to remain stable. Specific numbers and trends are depicted in the manuscript. Conclusion: Our analysis shows that a critical shortage of endovascular trained specialists will exist in the future. More surgeons need to receive endovascular training to meet these future needs. (J Vasc Surg 2002;35:1218-25.)
The uncertain response in humans and animals

There has been no comparative psychological study of uncertainty processes. Accordingly, the present experiments asked whether animals, like humans, escape adaptively when they are uncertain. Human and animal observers were given two primary responses in a visual discrimination task, and the opportunity to escape from some trials into easier ones. In one psychophysical task (using a threshold paradigm), humans escaped selectively the difficult trials that left them uncertain of the stimulus. Two rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) also showed this pattern. In a second psychophysical task (using the method of constant stimuli), some humans showed this pattern but one escaped infrequently and nonoptimally. Monkeys showed equivalent individual differences. The data suggest that escapes by humans and monkeys are interesting cognitive analogs and may reflect controlled decisional processes prompted by the perceptual ambiguity at threshold.
Polyploidy enhances the occupation of heterogeneous environments through hydraulic related trade-offs in Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae).

Summary Plant hydraulic characteristics were studied in diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid cytotypes of Atriplex canescens (Chenopodiaceae) to investigate the potential physiological basis underlying the intraspecific habitat differentiation among plants of different ploidy levels. Populations of A. canescens from different habitats of the Chihuahuan Desert (New Mexico, USA) were analyzed using flow cytometry to determine ploidy levels. Traits related to xylem water transport efficiency and safety against drought-induced hydraulic failure were measured in both stems and leaves. At the stem level, cytotypes of higher ploidy showed consistently lower leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity but greater resistance to drought-induced loss of hydraulic conductivity. At the leaf level, comparisons in hydraulics between cytotypes did not show a consistent pattern, but exhibited high plasticity to proximal environmental conditions related to soil water availability. The results suggest that a trade-off between stem hydraulic efficiency and safety across ploidy levels underlies niche differentiation among different cytotypes of A. canescens. Polyploidization may have been facilitated by environmental heterogeneity related to water availability, and variation in water-related physiology found in the present study suggests an important functional basis for the niche differentiation and coexistence of A. canescens cytotypes in desert environments.
In vitro and in vivo study of temperature increases in the brain due to a neural implant

A chronically implantable, wireless neural interface device requires integrating electronic circuitry with the interfacing microelectrodes in order to eliminate wired connections. Since the integrated circuit (IC) dissipates a certain amount of power, it will raise the temperature in surrounding tissues where it is implanted. In this paper, the thermal influence of the integrated 3-dimensional Utah electrode array (UEA) device implanted in the brain was investigated by experimental measurement in vitro as well as in vivo. The maximum temperature increase due to the integrated UEA system was measured to be 0.067 degC/mW for in vitro and 0.050 degC/mW for in vivo conditions. Lower temperature increases of in vivo measurement are due to convection through the blood perfusion presenting in the living tissues.
Application of Linear Statistical Models to Radar Location Techniques

The theory of linear statistical models is implemented to obtain an algorithm which accurately locates radar sites. True bearing and navigation data are used as input. The linear model developed is adaptable and allows removal of bearing errors that are nonrandom, or systematic. The model may be written in recursive form and used for real-time applications.
THE SMOOTH MUSCLE CELL I. In Vivo Synthesis of Connective Tissue Proteins

These studies have examined the ability of smooth muscle cells from developing aorta of the prepubertal rat to utilize amino acids in the synthesis and secretion of connective tissue proteins. Prepubertal rats, previously given either an alcohol carrier or estradiol-17-beta, were each given an intravenous injection of proline-3H. The animals were sacrificed after 15 and 30 min, and 4 hr. Light and electron microscope radioautographs of the aortic smooth muscle and of the myometrial cells demonstrated that the aortic cells, in both groups of animals, and the myometrial cells, in the estrogen-stimulated animals, took up the proline and rapidly secreted it in both collagen and elastic fibers within 4 hr. In contrast, the myometrial cells of the nonstimulated animal took up relatively small amounts of proline and retained most of the amino acid within the cells. Electron microscope radioautographs demonstrated that the organelles involved in this activity were the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex together with peripheral elements, presumed to be small vesicles. These studies have demonstrated that the smooth muscle cells of the developing aorta and of the estrogen-stimulated myometrium have a capacity to synthesize and secrete proteins associated with the extracellular connective tissue matrix.
A more formal approach to "computer science: principles"

We report on a course, entitled "How Computers Work: Logic in Action", which we have offered the past few years at the University of Oklahoma, and which will be offered soon at the University of Wyoming. Intended for non-CS majors, this course is our answer to the question, What would you teach if you had only one course to help students grasp the essence of computation and perhaps inspire a few of them to make computing a subject of further study? Assuming no prior knowledge of computers or mathematics beyond high school algebra, the course is compatible with the "Computer Science: Principles" approach proposed by the College Board, although it is a significant departure from the pilot courses that are currently following this approach.
Transoral gastric volume reduction for weight management: technique and feasibility in 18 patients.

Abstract Background Endoluminal suturing to reduce the gastric volume might provide an additional option for the treatment of obesity. Potential advantages of a nonoperative endoluminal intervention include less pain, the ability to perform it as an outpatient procedure, and a high level of patient acceptance. The purpose of the present pilot study was to demonstrate the feasibility and procedural safety of transoral gastric volume reduction (TRIM procedure) using the Restore Suturing System in patients with a body mass index of 30–45 kg/m 2 . Successful completion of the procedure and adverse events were evaluated at academic/university hospitals. Methods This was a nonrandomized feasibility study performed at 2 institutions. After institutional review board approval, the patients underwent the TRIM endoluminal gastric plication procedure with the Restore Suturing System (Restore device). Gastric plications were completed to approximate the anterior and posterior gastric walls to achieve restriction of the upper stomach. The number and location of successful plications were recorded, and patients were monitored for complications. The present report described the short-term procedural results (≤24 hours after the procedure) of the studied cohort. Results A total of 18 patients were enrolled in the present study. The TRIM procedure was successfully completed in all patients, with placement of 4–8 plications (average 6 per patient). The average procedure time was 125 ± 23 minutes, and no serious or significant procedure-related complications occurred. After the procedure, common patient complaints were nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. The first 10 patients enrolled were kept overnight according to the study protocol, and the remaining 8 patients were discharged on the day of the procedure. Conclusion Endoluminal suturing using the TRIM procedure and the Restore device was technically feasible, and no serious or significant procedure-related complications were reported. Weight loss, co-morbidity improvement, and durability are under assessment.
The 36% Problem.

Student learning assessments—from the institutional level to Academically Adrift—routinely overlook the ways that plagiarism and cheating may contribute to poor outcome performance. The blind spot is a curious one. Faculty have long warned students that they must complete work honestly if they are to learn. Cognitive research offers good reasons for such warnings: Students are unlikely to improve at skills or retain content unless they think their way through the work. Yet assessors speculating about below-expectation student performance rarely consider the role of academic integrity, and few surveys on teaching effectiveness inquire into integrity policies. Drawing on cognitive and behavioral research, this paper makes a case for giving academic integrity variables more attention in assessments and studies.
Teaching persuasion through personal advocacy

Courses: Public Speaking, Argumentation, Persuasion, Debate.Objectives: Students will further develop their public speaking skills, learn about and use comparative argumentation and value frameworks, develop rebuttal skills, and inspire one another to engage in community projects.