cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ribavirin Induces Polyamine Depletion via Nucleotide Depletion to Limit Virus Replication

Common antivirals include nucleoside or nucleotide analogs with base prodrugs. The antiviral ribavirin, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved nucleoside antimetabolite, halts guanine production, mutagenizes viral genomes, and activates interferon signaling. Here, we find that ribavirin induces spermidine-spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SAT1), a polyamine catabolic enzyme. Polyamines are small, positively charged molecules involved in cellular functions such as transcription and translation. Previous work showed that SAT1 activation and polyamine depletion interfere with RNA virus replication. We show ribavirin depletes polyamines via SAT1, in conjunction with its known mechanisms. SAT1 transcripts, protein, and activity are induced in a dose-dependent manner, which depletes polyamine levels and reduces viral titers. Inhibition of SAT1 activity, pharmacologically or genetically, reduces ribavirin's effectiveness against three virus infection models. Additionally, ribavirin-mediated polyamine depletion results from nucleotide pool depletion. These data demonstrate another mechanism of ribavirin that inform its clinical effectiveness, which may provide insight for improved therapies.
One-Bit Radar Processing for Moving Target Detection

Target parameter estimation is a key problem in radar signal processing. In this paper, we put forward a novel approach to estimate the moving target parameters from the associated one-bit sampled data with time-varying thresholds, where one-bit samples are produced by comparing the signal of interest with a threshold level at a very high rate. We show that as the length of the transmit sequence increases, the performance of the proposed algorithm enhances to the point that it reaches that of the case of having the data with infinite precision-thus demonstrating great potential for one-bit techniques in radar signal processing applications.
El FMLN de El Salvador y las restricciones sobre el gobierno de izquierda

The 1992 Salvadoran peace accords brought only a superficial version of democracy that remained largely unresponsive to the population. In 2009 the left-wing opposition party, the FMLN, won the presidential elections. However, despite winning some notable progressive reforms, it did not seek, much less achieve, a radical break with the neoliberal policies of prior administrations. Drawing from personal interviews, journalistic reports, polls, academic studies, and official and nongovernmental reports, I argue that the FMLN’s shift away from revolutionary socialism is attributable to several factors: a political and media terrain that still heavily favors the right, the continued influence of the United States government, and private investors’ control over the economy. These forces can also help explain the limitations on progressive governments in other countries.
Mortality from other malignancies in bladder cancer survivors.

4589 Background: Other-cause mortality represents a considerable proportion of overall long-term mortality in bladder cancer (BC) patients who underwent curative radical cystectomy (RC). Other mali...
Asian American Perspectives: From Microaggressions to Microprogressions, How Small Choices Can Make a Big Difference in the Dance Classroom

Microaggressions have a pervasive presence in everyday interactions in the United States (Sue et al. 2007a, 2007b). Our human exchanges are steeped in racism with phrases such as, “When I see you, ...
Prenatal phthalate exposures and autism spectrum disorder symptoms in low-risk children.

Abstract Background Prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals has been associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms in some, but not all, studies, but most research has not accounted for other childhood behavior problems. Objectives To evaluate the specific associations of prenatal phthalate exposures with ASD symptoms in children (ages 3–6) accounting for other behavior problems, and to assess sex differences in these associations. Methods We measured phthalate metabolites in prenatal urine samples. Mothers completed the Social Responsiveness Scale-2nd edition (SRS-2) to assess child ASD symptoms and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to assess general behavior problems. We assessed associations of the sum of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites, monobutyl phthalate, mono-isobutyl phthalate, and monoethyl phthalate (mEP) with ASD symptoms, adjusting for other behavior problems, using linear regression models (n=77). Results Most associations were null, and the sample size limited power to detect associations, particularly in the stratified analyses. After adjusting for internalizing and externalizing problems from the CBCL, ASD symptoms increased for each doubling of prenatal mEP concentration among boys only. Conclusions Further investigation of maternal prenatal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and ASD symptoms while adjusting for other behavioral problems is warranted.
Capsular polysaccharide correlates with immune response to the human gut microbe Ruminococcus gnavus .

Active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often coincides with increases of Ruminococcus gnavus, a gut microbe found in nearly everyone. It was not known how, or if, this correlation contributed to disease. We investigated clinical isolates of R. gnavus to identify molecular mechanisms that would link R. gnavus to inflammation. Here, we show that only some isolates of R. gnavus produce a capsular polysaccharide that promotes a tolerogenic immune response, whereas isolates lacking functional capsule biosynthetic genes elicit robust proinflammatory responses in vitro. Germ-free mice colonized with an isolate of R. gnavus lacking a capsule show increased measures of gut inflammation compared to those colonized with an encapsulated isolate in vivo. These observations in the context of our earlier identification of an inflammatory cell-wall polysaccharide reveal how some strains of R. gnavus could drive the inflammatory responses that characterize IBD.
An Epidemiologic Study Evaluating Therapies for Bovine Mastitis

Our study examined the utilization and effectiveness of different therapies for the treatment of naturally occurring mastitis.
Driver Drowsiness Detection Using Deep Learning

The drowsiness of a person driving a vehicle is the primary cause of accidents all over the world. Due to lack of sleep and tiredness, fatigue and drowsiness are common among many drivers, which often leads to road accidents. Alerting the driver ahead of time is the best way to avoid road accidents caused by drowsiness. There are numerous techniques to detect drowsiness. In this paper, we have put forward a deep learning-based approach to detect the drowsiness of the drivers. We have used convolutional neural networks, which is a class of deep learning. We used the Face and Eye regions for detecting drowsiness. We have used the Closed Eye in the Wild dataset (CEW) and Yawing Detection Dataset (YawDD). We achieved an average accuracy of 96%.
Racial/ethnic equity in substance use treatment research: the way forward.

Background Opioid use and opioid-related overdose continue to rise among racial/ethnic minorities. Social determinants of health negatively impact these communities, possibly resulting in poorer treatment outcomes. Research is needed to investigate how to overcome the disproportionate and deleterious impact of social determinants of health on treatment entry, retention, drug use and related outcomes among racial/ethnic minorities. The current commentary provides recommendations that may help researchers respond more effectively to reducing health disparities in substance use treatment. We begin with recommendations of best research practices (e.g., ensuring adequate recruitment of racial/ethnic minorities in research, central components of valid analysis, and adequate methods for assessing effect sizes for racial/ethnic minorities). Then, we propose that more NIDA research focuses on issues disproportionately affecting racial/ethnic minorities. Next, techniques for increasing the number of underrepresented racial/ethnic treatment researchers are suggested. We then recommend methods for infusing racial/ethnic expertise onto funding decision panels. This commentary ends with a case study that features NIDA's National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN). Conclusions The proposed recommendations can serve as guidelines for substance use research funders to promote research that has the potential to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in substance use treatment and to increase training opportunities for racial/ethnic minority researchers.
Neuromarketing, Ethics, and Regulation: An Exploratory Analysis of Consumer Opinions and Sentiment on Blogs and Social Media

Since its emergence, neuromarketing has generated multiple debates about its uses and misuses, the ethics of this highly sensitive data technique, and the lack of regulation for consumer protection. To explore how consumers perceive neuromarketing, a content analysis of user-generated content (UGC) on blogs and social media was conducted. The main purpose of this research was to identify consumers’ opinions about neuromarketing, its perceived benefits and risks, and the ethical concerns and implications for those involved in the use of this method. Taking a social media mining approach, the study uncovers the most common neuromarketing concerns discussed by consumers, describes the main participants (or actors) of the neuromarketing narrative and their interrelationships, and evaluates the overall consumer sentiment of neuromarketing. Six main themes and eight actors emerged from the exploratory analysis. Furthermore, the sentiment analysis demonstrated a positive perception of neuromarketing among consumers, but it also revealed some concerns about the lack of regulation and consumer privacy. The study concludes with a discussion of implications for future research.
4 – A THEORY AND METHODOLOGY OF INDUCTIVE LEARNING

The presented theory views inductive learning as a heuristic search through a space of symbolic descriptions, generated by an application of various inference rules to the initial observational statements. The inference rules include generalization rules, which perform generalizing transformations on descriptions, and conventional truth-preserving deductive rules. The application of the inference rules to descriptions is constrained by problem background knowledge, and guided by criteria evaluating the “quality” of generated inductive assertions. Based on this theory, a general methodology for learning structural descriptions from examples, called Star, is described and illustrated by a problem from the area of conceptual data analysis.
From Just War to False Peace

This Article addresses the reliance of both policymakers and scholars on just war theory as a guide to twenty-first century war. More especially, it evaluates the assumption that the UN Charter system is a modernized form of historical just war theory. The Article traces the genesis of various just war theories from ancient Greece and Rome through medieval Christianity, arguing that these theories were based on moral and religious obligation. In the early modern era, as papal supremacy weakened, just war theorizing tended to wane. In its place, four different approaches to limiting war began to emerge: public international law, jus in bello, reason of state, and balance of power. Although there are indications of a revival of just war thinking in the twentieth century, the Article argues that it is a fundamental mistake to understand and treat the UN Charter as an adaptation of adopting traditional just war principles. Instead, the UN Charter expresses an overriding commitment, not to the aim of ensuring that war is waged if and only if it is just, but rather to preserving the existing international order, regardless of that order’s justice or injustice. The UN Charter forbids both preventive war and humanitarian intervention unless authorized by the Security Council. International justice and the promotion of peace would be far better served, however, by a more flexible approach than is afforded either by historical just war theory or by the Charter system.
Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate-Sulfite Reductase of Enterobacteria I. THE ESCHERICHIA COLI HEMOFLAVOPROTEIN: MOLECULAR PARAMETERS AND PROSTHETIC GROUPS

Abstract NADPH-sulfite reductase (EC 1.8.1.2), an enzyme which catalyzes the 6-electron reduction of sulfite to sulfide, has been purified to homogeneity, according to electrophoretic and ultracentrifugal criteria, from Escherichia coli B. The enzyme, molecular weight 670,000, contains four FMN, four FAD, 20 to 21 atoms of iron, 14 to 15 labile sulfides, and 3 to 4 molecules of a novel type of heme per enzyme molecule. The absorption spectrum of sulfite reductase shows maxima at 278, 386, 455, 587, and 714 nm, the latter three bands being partially bleached by NADPH or dithionite. The enzyme exhibits electron paramagnetic resonance signals with g values of 6.7, 5.25, and 2.0, characteristic of 3 to 4 moles of a high spin Fe3+-heme per mole of enzyme, and this signal is reduced in intensity by addition of NADPH. The hemetype chromophore, which appears to be characteristic of assimilatory sulfite-reducing enzymes in a wide variety of organisms, is extractable with acetone-0.015 n HCI and is highly polar; its chromatographic behavior is clearly different from that of protohemin. Both the enzyme and the extracted heme-type chromophore form spectrally distinct complexes with typical heme ligands (CO, cyanide, hydroxide, and pyridine) in which the Soret band maxima are at unusually short wave lengths with low Soret to α-band absorbance ratios. Formation and decay of the enzyme-CO complex is slow in comparison to other hemoproteins. These data indicate that E. coli sulfite reductase is a self-contained complex of electron transport carriers including a heme-type component which, by virtue of its spectrophotometric, solubility, and chromatographic properties, is clearly distinguishable from previously described hemes.
Molecular cloning and analysis of a cotton gene cluster of two genes and two pseudogenes for the PR5 protein osmotin

Abstract To isolate prospective cotton osmotin genes to study their gene structure, organization, and expression, cotton genomic libraries in lambda phage were screened using tobacco and cotton osmotin gene probes. Three overlapping clones encompassing a 29.0-kb cotton DNA segment were found to contain a cluster of two genes and two pseudogenes. The two genes have an identity of 92%, with open reading frames of 729 basepairs without introns, and would encode conceptual preproteins of 242 amino acids. Two partial cDNA clones corresponding to the two genes were isolated from a cotton cDNA library, indicating that the genes are indeed expressed in cotton. The two presumptive cotton osmotin preproteins can clearly be classified as PR5 proteins due to their identities with the deduced amino acid sequences and predicted three-dimensional structures of other PR5 preproteins. The two osmotin preproteins have predicted N -terminal signal sequences of 24 amino acids, and the mature forms of the proteins might be targeted for extracellular secretion as neutral isoforms. Prospective promoter elements, such as two ethylene response elements, implicated as being positive regulatory elements for expression of other PR proteins, occur in the 5′-flanking sequences of the two genes. The two pseudogenes are likely nonfunctional, because they have internal stop codons in their coding regions. Cotton plants are apparently induced to express the osmotin proteins upon treatment with ethephon and hydrogen peroxide, as detected by Western blot analysis with a polyclonal anti-osmotin antibody preparation.
EXPLORING DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS IN UGANDAN YOUTH

Ugandan youth face a number of threats to their healthy development including poverty, high rates of disease, civil conflict, and environmental degradation. Cultivating developmental competencies is critical, not only for youth, but also for the future of Ugandan communities and civil society. In this article, we highlight contextual challenges facing Ugandan youth, report exploratory results on “standard” measures of developmental assets, and discuss the utility of a positive youth development (PYD) framework in Uganda. Despite difficult circumstances, our results indicated high levels of internal and external assets as assessed with the Developmental Assets Profile (DAP). The DAP demonstrated acceptable internal consistencies and was correlated with two other measures of youth assets, self-efficacy, and civic action. Although researchers should proceed with caution when using psychometric measures in new cultural contexts, our results provide preliminary support for the use of the DAP and a PYD framework for advancing adolescent research and programming in Uganda.
Science and Mathematics Efficacy Beliefs Held by Practicing and Prospective Teachers: A 5-Year Perspective.

A compilation of results from three studies, conducted over a 5-year period, compare and contrast efficacy beliefs held by prospective and practicing teachers toward science and mathematics instruction. Particular attention is directed toward confidence and accountability factors. The theoretical background is derived from Bandura's model as well as the locus of control construct. Recommendations for teacher education programs are offered.
Angiogenesis in acute and chronic leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes

Angiogenesis has been associated with the growth, dissemination, and metastasis of solid tumors. The aims of this study were to evaluate the vascularity and the levels of angiogenic factors in patients with acute and chronic leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The numbers of blood vessels were measured in 145 bone marrow biopsies and the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), tumor necrosis growth factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), tumor growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were determined in 417 plasma samples. Except for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), vascularity was significantly higher in all leukemias and MDS compared with control bone marrows. The highest number of blood vessels and largest vascular area were found in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). VEGF, bFGF, and HGF plasma levels were significantly increased in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), CML, CLL, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), and MDS. HGF, TNF-alpha, and bFGF but not VEGF were significantly increased in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). TNF-alpha levels were significantly increased in all diseases except for AML and MDS. No significant increase was found in TGF-alpha in any leukemia or MDS. The highest plasma levels of VEGF were in CML, and the highest plasma levels of bFGF were in CLL. The levels of HGF were highest in CMML. These data suggest that vascularity and angiogenic factors are increased in leukemias and MDS and may play a role in the leukemogenic process.
Location of the Glucuronosyltransferase Domain in the Heparan Sulfate Copolymerase EXT1 by Analysis of Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Mutants

Heparan sulfate formation occurs by the copolymerization of glucuronic acid (GlcA) andN-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues. Recent studies have shown that these reactions are catalyzed by a copolymerase encoded by EXT1 and EXT2, members of the exostosin family of putative tumor suppressors linked to hereditary multiple exostoses. Previously, we identified a collection of Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants (pgsD) that failed to make heparan sulfate (Lidholt, K., Weinke, J. L., Kiser, C. S., Lugemwa, F. N., Bame, K. J., Cheifetz, S., Massague, J., Lindahl, U., and Esko, J. D. (1992)Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 89, 2267–2271). Here, we show that pgsD mutants contain mutations that either alter GlcA transferase activity selectively or that affect both GlcNAc and GlcA transferase activities. Expression of EXT1 corrects the deficiencies in the mutants, whereas EXT2 and the related EXT-like cDNAs do not. Analysis of the EXT1 mutant alleles revealed clustered missense mutations in a domain that included a (D/E)X(D/E) motif thought to bind the nucleotide sugar from studies of other transferases. These findings provide insight into the location of the GlcA transferase subdomain of the enzyme and indicate that loss of the GlcA transferase domain may be sufficient to cause hereditary multiple exostoses.
Membrane oestrogen receptor α signalling to cell functions

Conservation of steroid hormone action outside the nucleus occurs from plants that make brassinosteroids to higher metazoans (primates). In plants, steroid hormone action occurs when the brassinosteroids bind a membrane tyrosine kinase receptor. Ligated receptors for all sex steroids exist at the plasma membrane and rapidly signal through G proteins to second messengers including calcium, cAMP and cGMP, activating proximal and more distal kinases. These signal cascades impact many functions of steroid hormones, responsible for the biological actions of these molecules. Support also exists for membrane-localized receptors of other members of the steroid superfamily, responding to glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, thyroid hormone, and vitamin D. The nature of these receptors is in some cases unclear. Steroid receptors also exist in discrete cytoplasmic organelles, most notably the mitochondria, although the functions of these receptors are poorly understood. In this review, I highlight the essential elements of the membrane oestrogen receptor alpha, noting where conserved aspects exist for other steroid receptors.
Induction of Morphogenesis by Methionine Starvation in Myxococcus xanthus: Polyamine Control

The induction of mycrocyst formation by methionine starvation was demonstrated in Myxococcus xanthus by several methods. Growing in a defined medium (M(1)), M. xanthus had a doubling time of 6.5 hr. Four amino acids-leucine, isoleucine, valine, and glycine-were required for growth under these conditions. When the concentration of several amino acids in the medium was reduced (M(2)), the doubling time increased to 10 to 12 hr, and a requirement for methionine was observed. Methionine starvation led to a slow conversion of the population to microcysts. Under conditions of methionine prototrophy (M(1)), microcyst formation could still be triggered in exponentially growing cells by the addition of either 5 mm ethionine or 0.1 m isoleucine plus 0.1 m threonine, feedback inhibitors of methionine biosynthesis. Vegetative growth in the absence of methionine was obtained in medium M(2) if the leucine concentration was raised to its level in medium M(1). Thus, methionine biosynthesis is controlled by the exogenous concentration of the required amino acid, leucine. During an examination of the effects of methionine metabolites on microcyst formation, the involvement of polyamines in morphogenesis was uncovered. Putrescine (0.05 m) induced the formation of microcysts; spermidine (2 to 5 mm) inhibited induction by methionine starvation, ethionine, or high isoleucine-threonine. Spermidine was the only polyamine detected in M. xanthus (16.0 mug/10(9) cells). Its concentration decreased by more than 50% shortly after microcyst induction by high isoleucine-threonine. It is postulated that spermidine is an inhibitor of microcyst induction; when spermidine formation is blocked by methionine starvation, morphogenesis is induced.
Ferromagnetism of ultrathin films.

We discuss the nature of ferromagnetism in ultrathin films of magnetic ions, here regarded as two-dimensional Heisenberg ferromagnets subject to uniaxial anisotropy with the easy axis normal to the film. We show that a phase transition to ferromagnetism occurs always for arbitrarily small anisotropy. Renormalization-group scaling relations for the transition temperature and the temperature variation of the correlation length are obtained. Implications of these results are discussed.
Assessing the health benefits of air pollution reduction for children

Benefit-cost analyses of environmental regulations are increasingly mandated in the United States. Evaluations of criteria air pollutants have focused on benefits and costs associated with adverse ...
Opportunities and Responsibilities of Agricultural Economists: Journal Publications

All professional societies are responsible for planning and maintaining an adequate system of journal publications. Scientists, be they physical, biological, or social are expected to accomplish a number of things through the publication of research in journals. First, they place their findings in a system of checks and balances. The only people really capable of judging whether research and its results are valid and should be published are other experts in the immediate area of the author. Second, the theory, ideas, and research results are entered into a permanent record where they can be tested and evaluated over time. Third, research findings provide a means of determining the quality and quantity of the scientists work and, therefore, are used in judging a person's professional status and contribution.
Hypertrophic gastropathy in Helicobacter felis-infected wild-type C57BL/6 mice and p53 hemizygous transgenic mice

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Helicobacter pylori infection causes gastritis and peptic ulcers and is linked epidemiologically to gastric cancer. To analyze host genetic factors and the influence of Helicobacter on cell proliferation, we used an inbred and p53 hemizygous mouse model of Helicobacter felis-induced gastritis. METHODS: H. felis was inoculated by gastric intubation into SPF C57BL/6 wild-type and p53 hemizygous mice that were followed up for 1 year and compared with uninfected controls of the same genotype using histology, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining, and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) analysis. RESULTS: Infected animalls developed sustained anti-H. felis serum immunoglobulin G antibody responses. Six months after infection, both wild-type and p53 hemizygous mice showed active chronic inflammation and marked mucosal hyperplasia compared with uninfected controls. One year after infection with H. felis, the wild-type and p53 hemizygous mice showed severe adenomatous and cystic hyperplasia of the surface foveolar epithelium. BrdU uptake and PCNA staining were markedly increased in both sets of infected mice compared with controls. Infected p53 hemizygous mice had a higher proliferative index than the infected wild-type mice. CONCLUSIONS: H. felis can induce a hypertrophic gastropathy in the C57BL/6 genotype; loss of one p53 allele, although insufficient to initiate carcinogenesis at 1 year, enhances the proliferative index, which may lead to an increased risk of cancer induction. (Gastroenterology 1996 Jan;110(1):155-66)
Complete Endograft Collapse 9½ Years Following Endograft Repair of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Endografts are a common method of treating abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) because of the short-term benefits of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). However, the short-term benefits of endovascular repair must be balanced against long-term complications, such as the need for conversion to open repair, device migration, persistent or de novo endoleaks, and most concerning the potential for subsequent rupture of the aneurysm. Lifelong postimplantation surveillance is mandatory because the incidence of some complications increases over time. This report describes our recent experience in a patient in whom complete endograft collapse was discovered 9½ years following EVAR necessitating conversion to open repair.
The effect of baking powder residues on rancidity

The effect on rancidity of heated residues of the four commercial types of baking powder was measured in artificial aqueous fat systems. The powders inhibited rancidity in such systems in the following order: combination, tartrate, monocalcium phosphate, and pyrophosphate—the combination being least effective and the pyrophosphate very much more effective than any other type.
Substance Abuse Treatment for Women Offenders: A Research Review

Substance abuse is a major contributing factor to women being incarcerated in the United States, and substance abuse is a critical factor in recidivism. Although women offenders have different reasons for drug use, drug use patterns, life circumstances, and parental responsibilities than men, treatment approaches for women offenders have been largely developed from studies of treatment for incarcerated men and non-offending women in the general community. The purpose of this article is to summarize the recent literature on the treatment needs of women offenders with substance abuse problems and critically examine the six empirical studies that evaluate gender-specific programmatic interventions designed for women offenders. A systematic review of these six empirical studies assessed design, methods, measures, and outcomes. While these studies contribute to the knowledge base, five areas were identified to advance research and improve treatment outcomes for women offenders: 1) randomized controlled design,...
A Differential Scanning Calorimetry Study of the Assembly of Hexadecylamine Molecules in the Nanoscale Confined Space of Silicate Galleries

The intercalation process of hexadecylamine into bentonite and the fine structure of hexadecylamine in nanoscale confined space are studied by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Intercalated amine exhibits multiple melting temperatures that are approximately 30 °C higher than the bulk amine, providing strong evidence that amine molecules assume ordered structures within silicate layers. Amine-packing density influences the interlayer fine structures of the amine as well as the stacking regularity of the silicate layers. With the further intercalation of polymer molecules, the ordered structure of amine is strongly influenced.
The implementation of an exploratory scientific visualization system

The University of Lowell's Computer Graphics Lab has implemented a unique scientific visualization system that makes use of the intuitive human perception of texture as a means of visualizing large databases. Data fields in the database are mapped to the attributes of stick figure icons and the icons are displayed. The result is an N-dimensional representation of the database as a surface of icons. Texture in the icon surface occurs when the geometry of icons under data control produce a perceptible pattern. These textures may show relationships among the data that researchers might overlook with the traditional methods of large database analysis. This abstract describes the overall design of this implementation.
Like a River

The metaphor of software development as building construction is an old one. Here is a fresh perspective, considering the life cycle of a software-intensive system as a river.
Strategy differences of two potato species in response to nitrogen starvation. Do plants have a genetic switch for nitrogen signalling

Survival responses to nitrogen starvation are well known in micro-organisms but little studied in plants. To construct a framework for study of the plant responses, we investigated the strategy differences of tubers from two closely related potato species. Solanum tuberosum conserves tuber nitrogen by inhibiting shoot growth, but S. phureja mobilizes tuber nitrogen to grow shoots, flowers and seeds. Genetic analysis of progeny from S. phureja-haploid S. tuberosum crosses uncovered segregation of a single dominant gene for the S. tuberosum inhibition strategy. Within S. tuberosum, haploid progeny closely resembled their tetraploid parents, suggesting strong genetic control of the inhibition. Growth of the inhibited shoots was proportional to sub-optimal levels of added nitrate, and was triggered by exogenous gibberellic acid (GA 3 ). These observations support the notion that potato plants can closely tie shoot growth to ambient nitrogen levels -probably by a root-shoot nitrogen signal transduction pathway, and that this can be overridden by emergency mobilization of nitrogen reserves, perhaps by GA signalling from the tuber. Furthermore, genes for such developmental switches can be identified by classical genetic analysis of closely related species, such as S. tuberosum and S. phureja, that exhibit opposite survival strategies.
A Comparison of Computer-Simulated Conventional and Branching Tests.

Abstract : In the usual testing situation, each examinee takes all the items, and item sequence is the same for each examinee. It is possible, however, to have sequential or branching tests in which all examinees do not take te same items and the sequence of item presentation for an individual is some function of his performance on previous items; that is, an item answered correctly is followed by a more difficult item, an item answer incorrectly, by a less difficult item. The rationale for the latter procedure is that presentation of items based on an examinee's past performance allows each individual to take items that are progressively more appropriate to his own level of ability. It is conceivable that such a procedure would reduce testing time, and for a given amount of time would permit more accurate measurement of an individual's ability, principally by reducing opportunities for chance success by low ability examinees' attempting items too difficult for them.
Collisionless damping of low frequency hydromagnetic waves in the magnetosphere

Abstract It is shown that low frequency hydromagnetic waves in the magnetosphere can be damped without collisions. Effects of the thermal motion of the particles is significant in the damping process. Damping coefficients are calculated in the vicinity of the magnetopause on the day side and the tail region in the night side of the magnetosphere. Waves with angular frequencies ω = 0.1 to 0.5 rad/sec are damped heavily. Transfer of the energy from the solar wind to the magnetosphere on the day side and the effect of the shape of the tail are discussed. Continuous supply of the internal energy due to this wave damping could affect the shape of the magnetospheric tail. Large particle fluxes observed by Explorer 12 and IMP-I near the magnetopause inside the magnetosphere may be due to the transfer of energy from the waves to the particles.
A Comparison of Suspended Sediment Concentrations Measured by Acoustic and Optical Sensors

Abstract Simultaneous acoustic and optical measurements of suspended sediment concentration were made during five deployments in southern Lake Michigan. The sensors gave similar results when bottom resuspension was the main cause of changes in suspended sediment concentration, but during the stratified period, when a nepheloid layer was present and large-scale zooplankton movement occurred, the sensors gave quite different results. Since the two types of sensors are most sensitive to particles of different sizes, the simultaneous deployment of acoustic and optical sensors may allow the response of different sized particles to similar forcings to be identified. Care, however, must be taken when comparing suspended sediment concentrations derived from optical and acoustic observations.
Modeling Electron-Phonon Nonequilibrium in Gold Films Using Boltzmann Transport Model

Ultrashort-pulsed laser irradiation on metals creates a thermal nonequilibrium between electrons and the phonons. Previous computational studies used the two-temperature model and its variants to model this nonequilibrium. However, when the laser pulse duration is smaller than the relaxation time of the energy carriers or when the carriers' mean free path is larger than the material dimension, these macroscopic models fail to capture the physics accurately. In this paper, the nonequilibrium between energy carriers is modeled via a numerical solution of the Boltzmann transport model (BTM) for electrons and phonons, which is applicable over a wide range of lengths and time scales. The BTM is solved using the discontinuous Galerkin finite element method for spatial discretization and the three-step Runge―Kutta temporal discretization. Temperature dependent electron-phonon coupling factor and electron heat capacity are used due to the strong electron-phonon nonequilibrium considered in this study. The results from the proposed model are compared with existing experimental studies on laser heating of macroscale materials. The model is then used to study laser heating of gold films, by varying parameters such as the film thickness, laser fluence, and pulse duration. It is found that the temporal evolution of electron and phonon temperatures in nanometer size gold fzlms is very different from the macroscale films. For a given laser fluence and pulse duration, the peak electron temperature increases with a decrease in the thickness of the gold film. Both film thickness and laser fluence significantly affect the melting time. For a fluence of 1000 J/m 2 , and a pulse duration of 75 fs, gold films of thickness smaller than 100 nm melt before reaching electron-phonon equilibrium. However, for the film thickness of 2000 nm, even with the highest laser fluence examined, the electrons and phonons reach equilibrium and the gold film does not melt.
Assignment of Glass Transition Temperatures Using Thermomechanical Analysis

The use of thermomechanical analysis (TMA) as a tool for assignment of glass transition temperatures, T{sub g}, is discussed in this paper. An attempt to address the minimum requirements of TMA instrumentation necessary for T{sub g} assignments is included. The subject of temperature calibration of the TMA instrument, which is a prerequisite for any temperature of transition assignment, is discussed. Methodology is offered for using the TMA instrument in the expansion mode for T{sub g} assignments. In addition, TMA methodology employing a flat-tipped penetration probe for the assignment of the softening temperature, T{sub s}, is also given here. For most amorphous materials, T{sub s} is very close to the T{sub g} value assigned by expansion TMA or differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Further Evidence for the Reliability and Validity of the Belief in Human Benevolence Scale.

This study reports the first extensive reliability and validity assessment of the Belief in Human Benevolence Scale. The scale possesses satisfactory levels of reliability and impressive convergent validity with numerous criteria. Multivariate analysis techniques reinforce this conclusion. Unfortunately, the scale is subject to unwanted contamination from social desirability response style variance. Further, the total scale can be improved by the revision or elimination of several unreliable and/or invalid items.
Observation of a projectile charge dependence for the neon K-auger electron spectrum

Oxygen (plus six) and (plus eight) at 30 MeV incident energy have been used to induce Auger electron spectra of Ne. The high instrumental resolution (0.02% FWHM) spectra show specifically that the charge state of the incident oxygen ion considerably affects the distribution of the K-Auger electron yield among the charge states of multiply ionized neon.
Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance with helicons in aluminum

Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance (DSCR) has been observed with helicon waves propagating along the [001], [110], and [111] axes of pure aluminum crystals. Strong quantum oscillations are observed in all propagation directions, the periods of the quantum oscillations agreeing with those of the long-period de Haas-van Alphen oscillations. The dispersion relations of the helicons as well as the frequencies and field values of the DSCR surface impedance anomalies have been measured and compared to the values calculated from two current models for the aluminum Fermi surface. The nonlocal dispersion forB ∥ [001] follows closely the theoretical results, while the nonlocal effect forB ∥ [110] is weaker than expected. A helicon window and a negative nonlocal dispersion are observed forB ∥ [111], due to the resonance of the electron states on the second-zone cap region. Except for those appearing below the helicon window, all the field-frequency relations of the experimental DSCR anomalies agree with those calculated from the predicted resonance zones at the Fermi surface.
Advanced Maillard reaction products as markers for tissue damage in diabetes and uraemia: relevance to diabetic nephropathy

Recent work has led to the structural elucidation of three compounds of the advanced Maillard reaction-pyrraline, pentosidine and carboxymethyllysine-which can serve as markers for in vivo studies. Pyrraline is a glucose-derived compound, the presence of which was detected with a monoclonal antibody in elevated amounts in the plasma of diabetic individuals and rodents and in histological sections of renal tissue, especially in sclerosed glomerular and arteriolar regions. The immediate precursor of pyrraline is 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), a product formed through degradation of glycated proteins. 3-DG is present in elevated levels in plasma and urine from diabetic humans. Pentosidine is a pentose-derived protein crosslink, which forms from glycated proteins in the presence of oxygen. Pentosidine increases ubiquitously in aging tissues, and at an accelerated rate in diabetes and especially in uraemia. Skin pentosidine levels correlate with the severity of diabetic complications in type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes. Its levels, like those of carboxymethyllysine, an Amadori fragmentation and oxidation product, are not reversible upon tight control of diabetes over a 4-month period. Assuming these advanced products reflect cumulative glycaemia over several years, it would appear that there is a correlation between the severity of complications and total exposure to glucose.
Target hemoglobin trials in chronic kidney disease: design and interpretation issues

Optimal management of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease remains a divisive issue within the nephrology community. Because the evidence provided by successive randomized controlled trials has often proven to be incongruent, it is natural to consider whether methodological issues may be responsible. Using four large trials [US Normal Hematocrit, Canadian European Normalization of Hemoglobin, Cardiovascular Risk Reduction by Early Anemia Treatment with Epoetin Beta (CREATE) and Correction of Hemoglobin and Outcomes in Renal Insufficiency (CHOIR)], this review article highlights several methodological issues that may be important when trial evidence is translated into clinical practice. Issues discussed include heterogeneity of enrollment criteria, failure to conceal treatment allocation, generalizability of study interventions, systematic use of imbalanced co-interventions [especially dose of erythropoietin stimulating agent (ESA), confusion regarding stopping rules and interim analyses and failure to account for imbalances in important patient characteristics generated at randomization.
Population Frequency Distributions of HDL, HDL2, and HDL3 Cholesterol and Apolipoproteins A-I and B in Healthy Men and Women and Associations with Age, Gender, Hormonal Status, and Sex Hormone Use: The Stanford Five City Project☆☆☆

Background. The purpose of this study is to present population-based frequency distribution data for several lipoprotein-related variables and to examine their associations with gender, age, menopausal status, and sex hormone use. Methods. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL2-C, HDL3-C, apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I, and Apo B were measured in a population-based sample of 1,027 healthy adults from four California cities who participated in the 1989–1990 survey of the Stanford Five City Project. These data were examined cross-sectionally with sociodemographic and other related variables. Results. Relative to men, all of the HDL-related parameters—HDL-C, HDL2-C, HDL3-C, Apo A-I—were significantly higher and Apo B levels were significantly lower among women (P < 0.001). Menopausal status was not associated with HDL-related parameters, but Apo B levels were higher in post- versus premenopausal women (P < 0.001). Among women, HDL-C and Apo A-I levels were higher in oral contraceptive and estrogen replacement therapy users (P = 0.003). Most of the significant findings remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking, energy expenditure, and alcohol intake. Conclusions. These population-based data indicate that gender, menopausal status, and the use of sex hormones among women are associated with differential levels of one or more of HDL-C, HDL2-C, HDL3-C, Apo A-I, and Apo B, independent of age and a broad set of lifestyle factors.
Ideology and Public Trust in Radio as a Source for Local News

This study uses original survey data (N = 937) to examine trust in public radio and talk radio as sources for local news. Respondents expressed higher levels of trust in public radio than in talk radio. Trust in public radio was lower than trust in television but greater than trust in Internet sites, while trust in talk radio was lower than trust in television or newspapers. Compared to liberals, conservatives reported less trust in public radio but greater trust in talk radio. The relationships between ideology and trust were stronger among highly educated respondents than among the less educated.
Evaluating Green-Extension Policies with Reinforcement Learning and Markovian Traffic State Estimation

Several protection algorithms strive to reduce the number of vehicles trapped in the dilemma zone. These algorithms use some arbitrary policies such as terminating the green when only one vehicle is present in the dilemma zone and the dilemma zone has not cleared after a certain period of time. The research proposes a control agent that is able to develop and adapt an optimal policy by learning from the environment. The agent incorporates a Markovian traffic state estimation into its learning process. A novel approach is presented for controlling traffic signals so that the number of vehicles trapped in the dilemma zone is reduced in an optimal fashion according to changes in traffic states. A comparison between the proposed optimal policy and the emerging detection-control system two-stage policy was conducted, and it was found that the policy based on reinforcement learning reduced the number of vehicles caught in the dilemma zone by up to 32%.
Transmission electron microscopy analysis of mechanical polishing-related damage in silicon carbide wafers

The subsurface damage generated by mechanical polishing of silicon carbide wafers was investigated and quantified by plan view transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Damage generated during polishing using diamond abrasives with 0.5 µm particle size consists of dislocation loops with length up to 400 nm from the scratches. The total dislocation density was estimated at 5 × 1010 dislocations cm−2. TEM analysis of the Burgers vectors indicates that the initial perfect dislocations have a Burgers vector of b = a/3 11–20-type with many dislocation dissociated into two partials with b = a/3 1–100. The depth of damage was estimated to be up to 50 nm. 4H–SiC homoepitaxial layers grown on mechanically polished substrates without further surface treatment exhibit threading dislocation density along scratches in the order of 105 cm−1.
A new micromethod for the evaluation of Fc receptor expression on polymorphonuclear neutrophils

Abstract A simple method for the evaluation of rosetting polymorphonuclear neutrophils is described. It uses small (200 μl) quantities of heparinized whole blood and is simpler than the micromethod proposed by Buescher and Gallin. The high concentration of neutrophils and paucity of lymphocytes considerably simplify the evaluation of specimens and make the technique particularly useful in granulopenic states. There was a close correlation between results obtained using this technique and those from a standard method requiring the isolation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: an update.

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to assist neurologists, neuroscientists and other interested readers in following the expanding volume of information relating to the inherited peripheral neuropathies collectively referred to as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Currently, mutations in mult