cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An immunologically-inspired autonomic framework for self-organizing and evolvable network applications

Network applications are increasingly required to be autonomous, scalable, adaptive to dynamic changes in the network, and survivable against partial system failures. Based on the observation that various biological systems have already satisfied these requirements, this article proposes and evaluates a biologically-inspired framework that makes network applications to be autonomous, scalable, adaptive, and survivable. With the proposed framework, called iNet, each network application is designed as a decentralized group of software agents, analogous to a bee colony (application) consisting of multiple bees (agents). Each agent provides a particular functionality of a network application, and implements biological behaviors such as reproduction, migration, energy exchange, and death. iNet is designed after the mechanisms behind how the immune system detects antigens (e.g., viruses) and produces specific antibodies to eliminate them. It models a set of environment conditions (e.g., network traffic and resource availability) as an antigen and an agent behavior (e.g., migration) as an antibody. iNet allows each agent to autonomously sense its surrounding environment conditions (an antigen) to evaluate whether it adapts well to the sensed environment, and if it does not, adaptively perform a behavior (an antibody) suitable for the environment conditions. In iNet, a configuration of antibodies is encoded as a set of genes, and antibodies evolve via genetic operations such as crossover and mutation. Empirical measurement results show that iNet is lightweight enough. Simulation results show that agents adapt to dynamic and heterogeneous network environments by evolving their antibodies across generations. The results also show that iNet allows agents to scale to workload volume and network size and to survive partial link failures in the network.
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction in adults

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJ) in adults is more common than generally appreciated. It may mimic other diseases and may be associated with abdominal pain, hypertension, and recurrent pyelonephritis. Diagnosis and surgical correction were frequently delayed with an average duration of symptoms of 3.2 years for 31 adult patients. Only 4 adults (13%) were diagnosed at the time of their initial onset of symptoms. Nephrectomies were performed on 24 per cent of renal units. Accessory lower pole renal vessels were found in 52 per cent of the adults with UPJ obstruction, twice the rate found in children. Intravenous digital subtraction angiography and diuretic radionucleotide renography should be considered in the evaluation of an adult patient with a UPJ obstruction because of the high rate of accessory vessels. If accessory vessels are present on the contralateral side, especially postnephrectomy, there is heightened concern for the remaining kidney and close follow-up with ultrasonography is recommended.
Nonlinear beam-dynamics calculations with an illustrative example

Nonlinear beam-dynamics calculations are described that account for space-charge and image-charge effects. The calculation technique is explained and, as an illustration, is applied to two elements in an intense beam-combining funnel: an rf rebuncher and an rf deflector. For the case of the rebuncher, the calculations make use of the cylindrical symmetry of the device. For the deflector, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional calculations are performed. Emittance growth is analyzed for both the rebuncher and the deflector. For the rebuncher, a technique is proposed that considerably reduces the emittance growth.
Immigrants at the Mississippian polity of Cahokia: strontium isotope evidence for population movement

Abstract Archaeologists have long debated the role of regional interaction in the 11th to 14th centuries at the Mississippian polity of Cahokia. Architectural styles, exotic materials, and cultural objects provide indirect evidence for cultural interaction and ethnic and social diversity; however, identifying the movement of individuals (rather than materials) is key to our growing understanding of the population history that enabled the formation of this unique polity. This study is the first to use strontium isotope analysis (87Sr/86Sr) of human tooth enamel to identify immigrants at Cahokia. Modern and archaeological fauna were used to establish a baseline “local” range of strontium isotope ratios for the American Bottom region surrounding Cahokia. Teeth from individuals interred in diverse mortuary locations, including mounds, within this region were analyzed and compared to the local strontium isotope range to identify individuals of non-local origin. One-third of all individuals analyzed were identified as non-local, and the range and variability of their strontium ratios suggests multiple places of origin. The correlation of isotopic data with available biological and mortuary evidence allows us to examine the role of migration in the history of this Mississippian polity.
Imbalance Response of a Test Rotor Supported on Squeeze Film Dampers

Squeeze film dampers (SFDs) provide vibration attenuation and structural isolation to aircraft gas turbine engines which must be able to tolerate larger imbalances while operating above one or more critical speeds. Rotor-bearing-SFD systems are regarded in theory as highly nonlinear, showing jump phenomena and even chaotic behavior for sufficiently large levels of rotor imbalance. Yet, few experimental results of practical value have verified the analytical predictions. A test rig for measurement of the dynamic forced response of three-disk rotor (45 kg) supported on two cylindrical SFDs is described. The major objective is to provide a reliable data base to validate and enhance SFD design practice and to allow a direct comparison with analytical models. The open-ends SFD are supported by four-bar centering structures, each with a stiffness of 3.5 MN/m. Measured synchronous responses to 9000 rpm due to various imbalances show the rotor-SFD system to be well damped with amplification factors between 1.6 and 2.1 while traversing cylindrical and conical modes critical speeds. The rotor amplitudes of motion are found to be proportional to the imbalances for the first mode of vibration, and the damping coefficients extracted compare reasonably well to predictions based on the full-film, open-ends SFD. Tight lip (elastomeric) seals contribute greatly to the overall damping of the test rig. Measured dynamic pressures at the squeeze film lands are well above ambient values with no indication of lubricant dynamic cavitation as simple theoretical models dictate. The measurements show absence of nonlinear behavior ofthe rotor-SFD apparatus for the range of imbalances tested.
Positioning the practitioner-researcher: Five ways of looking at practice

When I considered research in my practice as a supervisor of teachers working inside a juvenile correctional facility, I sought ways to explore aspects of my personal experience. Heeding Reason's (1994) call for ‘critical subjectivity’ in attending to the ground on which one stands, I suggest that it is possible, by craning my neck or standing on tiptoe, as it were, to change positions, if not to leave the ground entirely. In this article I seek to capture a moment in the process of action research – a moment that occurs before engaging with others in collaborative sense-making in our joint practice. I explore my experience in this moment through five different perspectives: subjective embodiment in the practice; reflection on the practice; frames of reference; relevant and emergent theories; and personal stakes in the matter. While this effort falls within the realm of firstperson inquiry as discussed by Reason and Marshall (2001), Torbert (2000), and Reason and Torbert (2001), it also has elements of se...
Chiral cyclodextrin-modified microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography

Cyclodextrin (CD)-modified microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) or CD-MEEKC has not previously been applied to the area of chiral separations. Herein, the results of investigations of various microemulsions with CD additives are presented. Two different microemulsions are explored: an ethyl acetate sodium dodecyl sulfate microemulsion, and a chiral dodecoxycarbonylvaline (DDCV) microemulsion. Each microemulsion is paired separately with a neutral CD (hydroxypropyl-β-CD) and an anionic CD (sulfated-β-CD). In addition, the chiral DDCV microemulsion is investigated in both the R- and S- form. By varying simple parameters such as buffer system, applied voltage, surfactant enantiomer, and type of cyclodextrin, dramatic improvements in the chiral separations were noted. Resolution was found to be highly dependent on buffer identity and concentration, and somewhat dependent on whether the CDs used were randomly or highly sulfated. Under optimized conditions, the resolution ranged from 0.8 to 4.8, with plate counts ranging from 4000 to 26 000. Additionally, S- and R-levetiracetam, which had never before been enantioseparated via capillary electrophoresis (CE) methodologies, were separated in less than 8 min, with a resolution of 1.1.
Classroom context, school engagement, and academic achievement in early adolescence.

Classroom context and school engagement are significant predictors of academic achievement. These factors are especially important for academically at-risk students. Grounded in an ecological systems perspective, this study examined links between classroom context, school engagement, and academic achievement among early adolescents. We took a multidimensional approach to the measurement of classroom context and school engagement, incorporating both observational and self-reported assessments of various dimensions of classroom context (instruction quality, social/emotional climate, and student–teacher relationship) and school engagement (psychological and behavioral engagement). Using data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, we tested whether school engagement mediated the link between classroom context and academic achievement among 5th grade students, and whether these pathways were the same for students with previous achievement difficulties identified in 3rd grade. Participants included 1,014 children (50% female) in 5th grade (mean age = 11). The majority of the participants were white (77%) and 23% were children of color. Results indicated that psychological and behavioral engagement mediated the link between classroom context and academic achievement for students without previous achievement difficulties. However, for students with previous achievement difficulties psychological and behavioral engagement did not mediate the link between classroom context and academic achievement. These results suggest that improving classroom quality may not be sufficient to improve student engagement and achievement for students with previous achievement difficulties. Additional strategies may be needed for these students.
Gender and Environmental Concerns in the Middle East

The effect of gender on environmental concern among samples of college students in the Middle East is examined in this article. The current study investigates gender’s influence on environmental awareness, degree of support for efforts to solve environmental problems, and willingness to make personal contribution to solve environmental problems. Data were obtained from the Unit for Community and Environmental Studies in the SSRC at Mississippi State University. To achieve the objectives of this study, Factor Analysis and multiple regressions were used. In line with the literature, the results indicate inconsistent and unclear effect of gender on levels of concern about the environment in the Middle East.
Ta waves mimicking infero-lateral ST elevation during an exercise stress test

Ta waves mimicking infero-lateral ST elevation during an exercise stress test Joseph Hippensteel, MD, a,⁎ Bettina Heidecker, MD, b Nora Goldschlager, MD a Department of Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA b Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA c Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
The decomposition of H2O on oxygen-covered pt(111): Thermal and vibrational excitation effects

Abstract The reaction of water and oxygen on Pt(111) was studied over a 130–142 K temperature range using SSIMS. The decay of the H 3 O + ion signal was used to determine the kinetics of the reaction. A second order rate law gives a very good fit to the experimental data. An activation energy ( E a = 10.2 ± 0.8 kcal mol −1 ) and a preexponential factor ( A = 6.9 × 10 −1±1.4 cm 2 molecules −1 s −1 ) are obtained from an Arrhenius plot of the bimolecular rate constant. Exciting the O-H stretching mode of adsorbed water produced no detectable increase in the reaction rate over the temperature range 130 T
Connections between physics and economics for Tokamak fusion power plants

A simplified physics, engineering, and costing model of a tokamak fusion reactor is used to examine quantitatively the connection between physics performance and power-plant economics. The material contained herein was generated as part of a broader study of the economic, safety, and environmental impact of fusion based on a range of confinement schemes, fusion fuels, blanket/shield configurations, power-conversion schemes, and commercial end products. Only a DT-fuelled tokamak reactor that produces electricity through an intermediate heat exchange and a conventional thermal-electric conversion cycle is considered; a self-cooled lithium-metal blanket with vanadium-alloy structure, steel shield, and superconducting magnets is used for all cases studied. An optimistic extension of Troyon scaling is applied to a high-elongation (κ = 2.5) and low-safety-factor (q ψ =2.3) plasma with β=0.1 and efficient (I φ P CD =0.2 A/W) current drive. This 1200-MWe (net) power plant provides an economically competitive base case with which to compare other approaches to tokamak fusion power. The base case chosen for comparisons represents an optimistic extrapolation of present tokamak physics and technology. Troyon scaling with a coefficientβ B φ a/I φ equal to 0.04 is applied; the impact of an ad hoc but pessimistic scaling that diminished the Troyon coefficient with plasma elongation was also examined. Additionally, a constant current-drive efficiency, ϒ=nI φ R T /P CD =0.2 A/W, atT=10 keV plasma temperature is assumed; although representing an aggressive R&D target relative to present experience, the realization of bootstrap currents for the basecase, and especially for the second-stability-region tokamak, can significantly reduce this problem. The impact and reoptimization for a constant normalized current-drive efficiency, ϒ=nI φ R T/P CD, was also examined. Although the focus of this study has been the optimistic basecase tokamak, comparisons are made with tokamaks based on (a) operation in the second-stability region (β=0.2, increased aspect ratio, reduced elongation), (b) super high-field but low-beta operation, (c) very low aspect ratio and highly elongated spherical torus, and (d) a direct application of the present database using a long-pulsed, low-beta tokamak. The economic impact of a range of base-case parameters and operating variables is examined, including current-drive efficiency, beta, stability limits, advanced magnets, economy of scale, blanket/shield lifetime, blanket thickness, and plant lead time. It is found that a range of tokamak options, relative to the optimistic base case selected for this study, may provide economically competitive power plants. Areas where physics and technology advances are needed to achieve this attractive end product are quantitively elucidated for all tokamak options considered.
The development of laser spark emission spectroscopy for the characterization of ash deposits

Laser spark emission spectroscopy (LASS) is being developed as an in situ, real time monitor for elemental composition of ash deposits formed during coal combustion processes. The analytical technique uses a high-energy pulsed laser to form a high-temperature plasma from a small quanity of the surface material. Optical emission line intensities are then recorded and analyzed to characterize the elemental constituents of the material. Sensitivity and linearity of the method are demonstrated for binary sodium/calcium sulfate deposits prepared on metallic substrates. Observed intensity ratios for sodium and calcium are found to correlate very well with deposit composition. LASS has also been used to qualitatively characterize complex ash deposits prepared by the combustion of pulverized coals in a pilot-scale combustor. Differences in composition related to coal type are monitored by comparing relative emission intensities for calcium, aluminum and iron. Examination of the ash deposit at a location on the probe for two different orientations relative to the main combustion flow reveals changes in composition that can be related to differences in the mechanism of deposition. Several instrument-related issues remain to be addressed in the study of ash deposits including the following: factors which influence the choice of analytical wavelengths; self-absorption of some emission lines; preferential vaporization of atomic species during plasma formation; variations in energy coupling and resultant temperature of the laser-induced plasma; optimum apparatus configuration for detection and resolution of complex emission spectra; and methods of data analysis.
Experimental investigation of short steel columns with localized corrosion

Abstract To investigate the effect of corrosion on the axial capacity of steel bridge piles, a total of 13 H-shaped short columns were tested under monotonic axial load. The columns were machined to simulate different degrees and patterns of corrosion. The remaining axial capacity of the deteriorated members was assessed. To simulate the corrosion, webs and flanges were milled near the mid-height of the columns to reduce their thicknesses. The experimental results were compared to the axial capacities predicted by the design provisions of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). The results of this study indicate that the degree of flange corrosion is the single factor that has the most significant effect on the column capacity. Other factors, including unsymmetry of the corrosion pattern or reduction of the flange width had a minor influence on the capacity. The results also indicate that, among the design methods considered, the effective width method recommended by AISI provides the best prediction of the capacity of severely deteriorated steel columns.
Children Who Have Received No Vaccines: Who Are They and Where Do They Live?

Context. Each year 2.1 million children 19 to 35 months of age are undervaccinated. Among these are children who have received no vaccinations. Unvaccinated children are at increased risk of acquiring and transmitting vaccine-preventable diseases. Objectives. To assess whether the characteristics of children with no vaccinations differ from those of undervaccinated children, to monitor trends in the numbers of unvaccinated children, and to identify states with high rates and counties with large numbers of unvaccinated children. Design. A nationally representative probability sample of children 19 to 35 months of age was collected annually between 1995 and 2001. Vaccination histories were ascertained from children9s medical providers. Undervaccinated children had received ≥1 dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, polio, measles, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, or varicella vaccine but were not fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated children were children who were reported as having no medical providers and having received no vaccinations or children whose medical providers reported administering no vaccinations. Participants. A total of 151 720 children sampled between 1995 and 2001, 795 of whom were unvaccinated. Results. Undervaccinated children tended to be black, to have a younger mother who was not married and did not have a college degree, to live in a household near the poverty level, and to live in a central city. Unvaccinated children tended to be white, to have a mother who was married and had a college degree, to live in a household with an annual income exceeding $75 000, and to have parents who expressed concerns regarding the safety of vaccines and indicated that medical doctors have little influence over vaccination decisions for their children. Unvaccinated children were more likely to be male than female. Annually, ∼17 000 children were unvaccinated. The largest numbers of unvaccinated children lived in counties in California, Illinois, New York, Washington, Pennsylvania, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, and Michigan. States that allowed philosophical exemptions to laws mandating vaccinations for children as they entered school had significantly higher estimated rates of unvaccinated children. Conclusions. Unvaccinated children have characteristics that are distinctly different from those of undervaccinated children. Unvaccinated children are clustered geographically, increasing the risk of transmitting vaccine-preventable diseases to both unvaccinated and undervaccinated children.
Cisplatin, VP-16-213 and MGBG (methylglyoxal bis guanylhydrazone) combination chemotherapy in refractory lymphoma, a phase II study.

In an effort to improve the treatment of patients with refractory or recurrent lymphoma, we developed a protocol using cis-platinum combined with two other agents of known efficacy in these disorders but with differing side effects: VP-16 and MGBG. Twenty-six eligible patients were treated with this regimen. There were 15 men and 11 women with a median age of 54 years (22–73), and performance status of 1 (0–3). Their diagnoses were Hodgkin's disease 5 and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL] 21 which included 11 with diffuse histocytic lymphoma [DHL]. The median number of chemotherapy regimens was 2 (1–5); 12 also received radiotherapy. Twenty patients are evaluable for response: 15 NHL and 5 Hodgkin's disease. Three patients, all of whom had DHL entered complete remission (20%) with a median time to treatment failure of 7 1/2 months. Six NHL (40%) and one Hodgkin's disease (20%) patients entered a partial remission. There were three early deaths: one due to progressive disease, one to acute respiratory failure, and one with disease status undocumented. Toxicity included leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, alopecia, renal failure, profound peripheral neuropathy, and hypersensitivity vasculitis. Treatment was stopped because of the latter two. These agents are non-crossresistant with doxorubicin-containing regimens. The drugs are possibly synergistic and modestly active with moderate to severe toxicity.
Transport properties of cellulose acetate osmotic membranes

Diffusion and distribution coefficients of water and sodium chloride have been measured in cellulose acetate osmotic membranes. These coefficients have been found to vary with the degree of acetylation of the cellulose ester. The diffusion coefficient of water varies from 5.7 × 10−6 to 1.3 × 10−6 cm.2/sec., and the diffusion coefficient of salt varies from 2.9 × 10−8 to 3.9 × 10−11 as the acetyl content is increased from 33.6 to 43.2 wt.-%. A homogeneous diffusion model is proposed which describes the observations in terms of Fick's law.
La Vigilia Italo-Americana: Revitalizing the Italian-American Family Through the Christmas Eve “Feast of the Seven Fishes”

This article ethnographically examines the symbolic importance of seafood and its ritualized consumption in demarcating ideals of “authenticity” and “intangible heritage” in the famed Italian-American Christmas Eve feast, La Vigilia. The Vigilia is a rite of intensification intended to revitalize a community in a climate of schism and “acculturation,” and a rite of incorporation for integrating American spouses into the family's heritage. While continually transforming as participants entertain new culinary understandings, cultivate “Americanized” tastes, and integrate spouses into the ritual, the practices of selecting, preparing, and ritually consuming the Vigilia's food serve to maintain traditional gender roles, reinforce ethnic bonds through commensality, and denote “authenticity” through taste preferences. Suggesting that authenticity is conveyed not through a particular object or its taste, but rather through intangible processes, the author argues that the Vigilia feast becomes a central means of ...
Clinical experience with the PLDL-1 (Pigmented Lesion Dye Laser) in the treatment of pigmented birthmarks: a preliminary report

Abstract Twenty patients aged between 2 years and 17 years (mean 9 years) with pigmented birthmarks, mainly of the head and neck, were treated with the PLDL-1 laser (Pigmented Lesion Dye Laser—Candela Corporation, Wayland, Massachusetts, USA) which emits light with a wavelength of 510 nanometers and a pulse duration of 300±50 nano-seconds. Nine patients (45%) showed excellent results after a test-patch was performed. Two patients (10%) showed some lightening of colour after initial test-patch. Six patients (30%) showed no improvement and 3 patients (15%) showed some hyperpigmentation at the test-patch sites which had not disappeared at 6 months follow-up. There was no change in the clinical behaviour at 6 months follow-up and no evidence of scarring was encountered.
Structure and Function of a Fungal Adhesin that Binds Heparin and Mimics Thrombospondin-1 by Blocking T Cell Activation and Effector Function

Blastomyces adhesin-1 (BAD-1) is a 120-kD surface protein on B. dermatitidis yeast. We show here that BAD-1 contains 41 tandem repeats and that deleting even half of them impairs fungal pathogenicity. According to NMR, the repeats form tightly folded 17-amino acid loops constrained by a disulfide bond linking conserved cysteines. Each loop contains a highly conserved WxxWxxW motif found in thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) type 1 heparin-binding repeats. BAD-1 binds heparin specifically and saturably, and is competitively inhibited by soluble heparin, but not related glycosaminoglycans. According to SPR analysis, the affinity of BAD-1 for heparin is 33 nM±14 nM. Putative heparin-binding motifs are found both at the N-terminus and within each tandem repeat loop. Like TSP-1, BAD-1 blocks activation of T cells in a manner requiring the heparan sulfate-modified surface molecule CD47, and impairs effector functions. The tandem repeats of BAD-1 thus confer pathogenicity, harbor motifs that bind heparin, and suppress T-cell activation via a CD47-dependent mechanism, mimicking mammalian TSP-1.
Bracketing and Stabilization: Interventative Steps in Counseling the Suicidal Client:

After a brief review of the descriptive literature on crisis theory, the author suggests that its stress on the rapid establishment of “cognitive re-structuring” of a client's perceptions is inappropriate for work with many types of suicidal clients. A discussion of the pathological nature of suicide follows which indicates the generally poor or defensive ego-functioning level of suicidal clients at the moment of initial crisis contact. Bracketing and stabilization are suggested as alternative means by which to rapidly effect an increased client ability to get a grasp on own orientations and perspectives of need and time. Stress on client's ability to control is also seen as an important initial counseling step. People upon whom this theory is based are adolescents yet it could apply to adults as well.
Nonmedical use of prescription opioids among adolescents: subtypes based on motivation for use

The purpose of this study was to advance our understanding of nonmedical use of prescription medications by identifying the distinguishing characteristics of 2 subtypes of adolescent nonmedical users of prescription opioids that have been previously described. A Web-based, self-administered survey was completed by 2,597 7th-12th grade students. Sensation-seeking nonmedical users were best characterized by rule breaking and aggressive behaviors and possible substance dependence. Medical users and nonmedical self-treating users were best characterized by somatic complaints, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and history of sexual victimization.
Experience with the manufacture of zircon inserts without precalcining the raw materials

An investigation and testing in service showed that it is possible in principle to make resistant zircon goods from coarse zircon concentrate (TsMTU 2002-47) in admixture with concentrate corresponding to TsMTU 4469-54, without pretreatment and firing.
1320 MATERNAL SMOKING AND BODY COMPOSITION IN THE NEWBORN

This study explores the relationship between maternal cigarette smoking and body composition of the newborn as reflected by anthropometric indices of subcutaneous fat and lean body mass. Subjects were 285 healthy, singleton, Caucasian, term infants whose mothers were either smokers (N=109, smoked before and during pregnancy) or nonsmokers (N=176, smoked neither before or during pregnancy). Mothers who smoked were younger (mean 22 vs 24 years, p<.05) but did not differ from nonsmokers in parity, height, prepregnant weight, weight gain in pregnancy, or length of gestation. Infants of smokers were 235 gm lighter (p<.001), 1 cm shorter (p<.001), and had smaller head circumferences (p<.05), arm circumferences (p<.001), and arm circumference/head circumference ratios (p<.01). Ponderal indices were similar. Calculated cross-sectional nonfat areas of the upper arm were also reduced (p<.001). Maternal smoking did not affect in utero fat deposition, as estimated by the cross-sectional fat area of the upper arm and biceps, triceps, subscapular, and abdominal skinfold thickness measurements. We conclude that the reduction in birthweight associated with maternal smoking is primarily a reduction in lean body mass.
Effects of caloric restriction are species-specific.

This article addresses two questions: (1) ‘can caloric restriction (CR) extend the life spans of all species of experimental animals’, and (2) ‘is CR likely to slow the human aging process and/or extend the human life span?’ The answer to the first question is clearly ‘no’, because CR decreases the life span of the housefly, Musca domestica, and fails to extend the life span of at least one mouse strain. The answer to the second question is unknown, because human CR has not yet been shown either to increase or curtail the human life span. However, recent efforts to develop insect models of CR have been unsuccessful and/or relatively uninformative, so any insights regarding the relationship between CR and human aging are more likely to arise from studies of established, mammalian models of CR.
Chromium (III) binding to serum proteins, specifically siderophilin

Abstract 1. 1. Tracer and 1 μg/100 g body weight levels of 51Cr(III), given by stomach tube as hexaaquo chloride to rats, were at the highest level in the blood 1 h following administration. They subsequently decreased logarithmicly to 20% of the peak value after 24 h. 2. 2. Over 99% of the 51Cr in blood was associated with the non-cellular component. 3. 3. When given in vivo about 90% of the “carrier-free” 51Cr in the serum was found to be attached to the β-globulin fraction upon paper electrophoresis. 4. 4. Serum labelled in vitro with tracer amounts of 51Cr contained about 70% of the isotope in the β-globulin fraction. 5. 5. Starch-gel electrophoresis and subsequent autoradiography of serum labelled with trace amounts of 51Cr and/or 55Fe demonstrated that the 51Cr was located with the siderophilin in a patern similar to that of 55Fe. When siderophilin was precipated from 51Cr-labelled human serum, 80% of the isotopes was present in the precipitate. 6. 6. After application of excessive amounts of Cr(III) or Fe(II), a relative increase of the percentage of bound chromium at the expense of the β-globulin fraction was seen in all other serum protein fractions. 7. 7. Chromium (CrCl3 · 6H2O), added in vitro to serum interfered with the subsequent color formation due to the addition of iron to siderophilin. This interference occurred only at near saturation levels.
Role of a hisU gene in the control of stable RNA synthesis in Salmonella typhimurium.

We have previously reported a fivefold reduction in expression of the ilvGEDA operon in a hisU mutant (hisU1820) originally isolated as a histidine regulatory mutant that exhibited derepressed (deattenuated) expression of the his operon. More recently, we have reported that a unitary explanation of the effect of this mutant on amino acid control is complicated by the observation of relaxed control of stable RNA synthesis during carbon/energy source downshifts. In the present study, we report the results of an analysis of the relaxation in control of RNA synthesis in relation to the accumulation of the guanosine polyphosphates, ppGpp and pppGpp. Unexpectedly, we observed that, despite the inability to restrict RNA accumulation upon carbon/energy downshifts, this mutant formed ppGpp at the normal rate. Further, the evidence clearly indicates that the defective control of RNA in this hisU mutant is not owing to an alteration in the spoT gene and that the relA-mediated RNA control is unaltered. However, relaxed RNA synthesis in hisU is suppressed by hyper-elevated levels of ppGpp; thus, an inverse correlation between RNA accumulation and ppGpp level during carbon/energy downshifts is still demonstrable in the hisU mutant. These data led us to the observation that the increased accumulation of stable RNA upon a carbon/energy downshift is apparently the consequence of a hisU-conferred increase in RNA stability.
OPA 90 and the Shipowner

ABSTRACT OPA 90 is significantly impacting the business of U.S. and international tanker owners engaged in the U. S. trades. This paper delineates the affected segments of the oil shipping industry, the salient regulatory elements stemming from OPA 90, the financial and operational impacts that result, and the strategic choices open to shipowners. Regulatory areas addressed include liability and compensation, financial responsibility, new ships, existing vessels, and vessel response plans. Strategic issues and action items are suggested for individual owners and industry groups.
Saudi Arabia's fiscal options: 1986–1992

Abstract Fluctuating and declining oil revenues after 1982 have meant that Saudi Arabian planners have had to revise their long running development strategy. Instead of high growth, industrial diversification, and rapidly increasing standards of living, the government's main concerns now center on how best to utilize the country's dwindling oil revenues to generate positive overall rates of economic growth while at the same time meeting to the fullest extent possible the basic needs of the majority of the population. The purpose of this paper is to examine the fiscal dilemmas that volatile and declining oil revenues are likely to pose over the remaining part of the 1980s, and up to 1992. In particular an assessment is made of the magnitude of the tradeoff between increased government expenditure (and thus growth) and the size of the country's outstanding portfolio of foreign assets. Using an optimal control macroeconomic model of the economy, and likely assumptions concerning oil markets, the economy will be hard pressed to maintain existing standards of living without completely depleting its foreign portfolio by 1992. On the other hand, if the country is willing to accept modest reductions in growth and development, it may be possible to preserve a portion of its portfolio for future contingencies.
Flavonoid Evolution: An Enzymic Approach

Flavonoid evolution in land plants is discussed from an enzymic point of view, based on the present day distribution of the major subgroups of flavonoids in bryophytes, lower and higher vascular plants. The importance of varied functions in the origin of pathways with a series of sequential steps leading to end-products is considered; it is argued that the initial function is that of an internal regulatory agent, rather than as a filter against ultraviolet irradiation. The basic synthases, hydroxylases, and reductases of flavonoid pathways are presumed to have evolved from enzymes of primary metabolism. A speculative scheme is presented of flavonoid evolution within a primitive group of algae derived from a Charophycean rather than a Chlorophycean line, as a land environment was invaded. Flavonoid evolution was preceded by that of the phenylpropanoid and malonyl-coenzyme A pathways, but evolved prior to the lignin pathway.
Equations and Type Curves for Predicting the Polymerization of Amorphous Silica in Geothermal Brines

The polymerization of dissolved silica in aqueous solutions up to 100/degree/C and containing up to 1 M NaCl has been studied experimentally and theoretically. In this study, the results of this work are presented in a form suitable for practical use in interpreting and predicting the chemistry of silica in geothermal brines. Empirical equations for calculating the rate of molecular deposition of silica on surfaces as a function of silica concentration, temperature, pH, and salinity are presented. Theoretically calculated type curves that depict the decrease of dissolved silica concentration by homogeneous nucleation and particle growth are presented, along with the procedures for using them to predict the course of this process under different conditions. 11 refs.
Induction of sister chromatid exchanges in the central mudminnow following in vivo exposure to mutagenic agents

Abstract Sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) studies using the central mudminnow, Umbra limi, demonstrated its usefulness as a model in vivo system for the detection of genetically active substances (mutagens and/or carcinogens). 5 days following the injection of 500 μg/g of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), SCE rates were found to be quite low in the gills (2.0–3.3 SCEs/metaphase), kidneys (2.6–3.4 SCEs/metaphase), and intestines (3.7–4.5 SCEs/metaphase). However, after i.p. exposure to microgram quantities of methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) or cyclophosphamide (CP), large linear dose-dependent increases in SCE rates were observed in all tissues examined. On a μg/g basis, CP was found to be a 2–4 times more potent inducer of SCE than was MMS. Studies involving the addition of neutral red dye (NR) to the fish's aquarium water revealed that the mudminnow could concentrate the due in its gill and kidney tissues. This dye was found to cause significant increases in SCE rates at water levels of less than 0.1 ppm. However, the concentration of dye in the tissues did not show a correlation with the SCE rate. Possible explanations for this observation are presented in the text. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using a fish such as the mudminnow to investigate cytogenetic consequences of aquatic pollution.
Blade balloon atrial septostomy in patients with severe primary pulmonary hypertension.

Background Patients with severe primary pulmonary hypertension have a poor prognosis, but those with a patent foramen ovale may survive longer. A few reports of clinical improvement after blade balloon atrial septostomy in patients with severe pulmonary vascular disease have appeared. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the effects of blade balloon atrial septostomy on clinical signs and symptoms, hemodynamics, and survival in patients with severe primary pulmonary hypertension. Methods and Results Blade balloon atrial septostomy was performed on 15 children and young adults with severe primary pulmonary hypertension. Despite maximal medical therapy, prior to septostomy all patients had recurrent syncope and 8 had severe right heart failure. Thirteen patients survived the procedure. After blade balloon atrial septostomy, no patient experienced further syncope, and signs and symptoms of right heart failure improved in all New York Heart Association Class IV patients. Within 24 hours af...
Cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation, Ca2+ and calmodulin: possible influences on acyltransferases and pyruvate dehydrogenase activities of rat mammary gland.

Abstract 1. 1. Specific activities of diacylglycerol acyltransferase, glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase and pyruvate dehydrogenase were studied in virgin, pregnant, lactating and involuting rat mammary glands. 2. 2. An inverse relationship was evident between cAMP binding to protein kinase(s) and the activities of the above enzymes in lactating rat mammary glands. 3. 3. Results suggested that free Ca 2+ concentration may also contribute to control of the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase in these glands. 4. 4. However, no consistent change was observed between the activities of these enzymes and cAMP binding in young, pregnant and involuting rat mammary glands. Calmodulin levels paralleled bound Ca 2+ except in lactating rats. 5. 5. Almost all parameters studied peaked on day 8 of lactation.
High-angle grain-boundary junctions in YBa2Cu3O7: Normal-state resistance and 1/f noise

We have investigated the normal-state resistance and the excess low-frequency (1/{ital f}) noise in 45{degree} tilt [001] grain-boundary junctions in YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} thin films. A characteristic temperature dependence of the resistance fluctuations and a linear temperature dependence of the grain-boundary resistance (with a negative temperature coefficient) emerge as common features. These observations are quantitatively compared with a model of many, parallel conduction paths across the boundary, taking into account both temperature-independent and thermally activated transport processes.
The Role of Caring Adults in the Lives of Children of Alcoholics

Longitudinal studies of children of alcoholics in a community context are rare, but are of special interest because they provide the opportunity to study families with alcoholic parents who do not reach clinical settings and with offspring who do not receive professional help. The current study reports on the 65 offspring of alcoholics who participated in the Kauai Longitudinal Study. The extensive data on these analyses included questionnaires and interviews of both children and adults that were collected over a 30-year period. The data showed that individuals who coped effectively with the trauma of growing up in an alcoholic family and who became competent adults relied on a significantly larger number of sources of support in their childhood and youth than did the offspring of alcoholics with coping problems by age 32.
The expression of chloroplast genes during cotton embryogenesis

The expression of chloroplast genes during cotton embryogenesis was followed by measuring hybridization of cloned chloroplast genomic fragments to total RNA immobilzed on membrane filters. RNA was extracted from the cotyledons of cotton embryos at different stages of development ranging from very small embryos (5 mg) to the mature dry seed and from the cotyledons of seeds germinated for several days. The clones used in the hybridization reaction were those for 4 known chloroplast genes and one chloroplast sequence whose protein product is yet to be determined; all are from organisms other than cotton. The results of these dot blot hybridizations show that these genes are expressed as RNA constitutively during embryogenesis and that this expression increased between 5 and 20-fold (depending on the genomic sequence) during germination. In some cases it appears that these genes are expressed at a higher level in very young embryos than in more mature embryos. These results are surprising since cotton cotyledons are not exposed to light during embryogenesis and are not green at any embryonic stage.
Analyzing dynamical circulations in the tropical tropopause layer through empirical predictions of cirrus cloud distributions

We explore the use of nonlinear empirical predictions of thin cirrus for diagnosing transport through the tropical tropopause layer (TTL). Thirty day back trajectories are calculated from the locations of CALIPSO cloud observations to obtain Lagrangian dry and cold points associated with each observation. These historical values are combined with “local” (at the location of the CALIPSO observation) temperature and specific humidity to predict cloud probability using multivariate polynomial regression. We demonstrate that our statistical sample (seven seasons) is sufficient to retrieve the full nonlinear relationship between cloud probability and its predictors and that substantial information is lost in a purely linear analysis. The best cloud prediction is obtained by the two-variable combination of local temperature and humidity, which reflects the close relationship between clouds and relative humidity. However, single-variable predictions involving air parcel histories are better than those based solely on the individual local fields, indicating the existence of reliable dynamical information content within parcel trajectories. Thermal fields are better cirrus predictors during boreal winter than summer primarily due to poor predictions over the Asian summer monsoon region, revealing that the functional relationship over southern Asia differs from the rest of the tropics; in short, TTL cirrus formation over regions of active maritime convection, such as the West Pacific, is thermally dominated, indicating an environment in which in situ cirrus are readily formed, while TTL cirrus of southern Asia is moisture dominated, indicating a more direct connection between convective injection of moisture and thin cirrus.
Design of data networks with spanning tree bridges

The problem of designing LAN-WAN (local-area-network-wide-area-network) computer networks with transparent bridges is addressed. A requirement of transparent bridges is that networks must be configured in a spanning tree topology. Mathematical models of LAN-WAN networks have been developed and an optimization problem formulated. This problem is a nonconvex, nonlinear, mixed integer program. A simulated annealing algorithm is proposed. The algorithm generates sequences of neighboring spanning trees and evaluates design constraints based on maximum flow, bridge capacity, and end-to-end delay. As the annealing temperature parameter is lowered the algorithm moves toward the global optimal solution. Experimental results have shown that LAN-WAN designs using simulated annealing are better than 99.99% of all feasible designs. >
Self-tuned projected cross point - An improved current-mode control technique

Self-tuned projected cross point control for power electronic converters is introduced. Projected cross point control (PCPC) combines the advantages of both analog and digital current-mode control techniques. Despite several advantages, accuracy of the PCPC method depends on the power stage inductor value. However, ferromagnetic characteristics of the inductor core material make the inductor measurement inaccurate. Furthermore, the inductor value is subject to change due to temperature variations or other environmental effects. To overcome the dependence of the PCPC method on the inductor value, self- tuned PCPC approach is introduced in this paper. Unlike the conventional PCPC scheme, self-tuned PCPC method has excellent robustness against the variations of the inductor value. Hence, the average inductor current accurately follows its reference regardless of aging and temperature effects on the power stage inductor. Furthermore, the addition of the self-tuning mechanism does not interfere with the dynamic performance of the conventional PCPC method. Analytical analysis and simulation results show the superior accuracy and transient response of the self-tuned projected cross point control technique.