cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The precocial mouse, Acomys cahirinus

Acomys cahirinus (the “spiny mouse”) is a member of the same rodent subfamily as the laboratory rat and mouse. Acomys differs from the laboratory species in several ways, including the fact that it is adapted to a semiarid lifestyle and is born after a long gestation with functional sensory and motor systems. The existing, and quite dispersed, literature on the anatomy, physiology, and behavior of Acomys is briefly reviewed.
Contextual effects on subjective national identity

Does the interaction between context and individual-level features affect political attitudes? By using the case of Catalonia, a receiver region of international and national immigration since the fifties, this paper intersects a classic acculturation model and a newly reemerging literature in political science on contextual determinants of political behaviour to analyze how context affects subjective national identity. Results reveal that environment matters. The Percentage of Spain-born population in the municipality is statistically significant to account for variance in the subjective national identity, even after controlling for age, sex, origin, language and left–right orientation and other contextual factors. This conclusion suggests that researchers should not underestimate the direct effect of the environment on feelings of belonging in contexts of rival identities.
Nicalon/siliconoxycarbide ceramic composites

A number of polymers of differing molecular structure, viscosity, copolymer composition, and production procedures, screened for production of strong, tough Nicalon/siliconoxycarbide composites, are discussed. Variables during polymer synthesis include pH, water/methoxy ratio and phenyl/methyl ratio. Final processing temperatures of the composites range from 1200 deg to 1400 deg C. The filler is derived from pyrolysis of the 50 phenyl/50 methyl silsesquioxane copolymer pyrolyzed to 650 deg C, then milled to less than 1-micron powder. Composite samples were fractured to evaluate the influence of matrix composition, final fabrication temperature, and use of filler on the composite mode of failure, modulus, strain capability, and strength. Incorporation of filler was found to increase matrix compressive strength and to influence matrix shrinkage and cracking.
Microfluidic cell culture array for on-chip cell biology

An arrayed microfluidic platform was developed for cell biology applications. Using soft lithography methods, individual cell culture units were fabricated with a diameter from 50-500 /spl mu/m. The channel height aspect ratio modulation (CHARM) design allowed fine control of fluidic flow through the array, enabling uniform cell loading, reduced shear stress, and decoupling of fluid transport from cell growth. A variety of adherent mammalian tissue culture cell lines were successfully cultured in the array with continuous perfusion of medium for over 2 weeks. Individual culture units were multiplexed in 2 dimensions to create 6/spl times/6 and 8/spl times/8 arrays, allowing row and column addressing to provide a unique culture environment in each microchamber. Demonstrated functionalities for cell biology research included repeated cell passaging in a fully enclosed microenvironment, fluorescent cell analysis (live and fixed), on-chip protein transfection, and multiplexed long-term "flow-cell" microscopy.
Response to Comment on “The Role of Naive T Cell Precursor Frequency and Recruitment in Dictating Immune Response Magnitude”

Our Brief Review focused on recent studies that used peptide:MHC tetramer-based cell enrichment to explore the role of naive T cell precursor frequency in dictating immune response magnitude to foreign Ags. Thus, our list of naive T cell frequencies for foreign epitopes only included results from
Validation of a microscale extraction and high‐throughput UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS analysis method for huperzine A in Huperzia

Herein we report on an improved method for the microscale extraction of huperzine A (HupA), an acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting alkaloid, from as little as 3 mg of tissue homogenate from the clubmoss Huperzia squarrosa (G. Forst.) Trevis with 99.95% recovery. We also validated a novel UHPLC-QTOF-MS method for the high-throughput analysis of H. squarrosa extracts in only 6 min, which, in combination with the very low limit of detection (20 pg on column) and the wide linear range for quantification (20–10,000 pg on column), allow for a highly efficient screening of extracts containing varying amounts of HupA. Utilization of this methodology has the potential to conserve valuable plant resources. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Civil Religion and the Cultural Politics of National Identity in Obama's America

American civil religion (ACR) burst on to the scholarly scene in 1967, and has been periodically revived as a source of analytic insight and normative hope since that time. It posited a universalist, prophetic, nonsectarian faith, referenced on the nation, that served as both a source of unity for the American people and a discursive resource for political leaders and protest movements. Using recent political events as illustrative cases, I argue that ACR is not only a universalist, prophetic creed, it is also an expression of tribal identity that ascribes a particular character and purpose to the American people. In particular, this “tribal” civil religion has an often-unstated assumption about the inseparability of religion, race, and national identity—that is, white, Christian, and American. Recent events have disrupted those implicit connections, leading to a vociferous reemphasis of their centrality to the national story. I maintain that neither ACR, nor recent politics involving immigration and Barack Obama's presidency, can be understood fully without considering the religion-race-national identity nexus.
Intact biliary excretion of gastrically administered prostaglandin F2 alpha in rats: developmental differences

Tritium-labeled prostaglandin F2 alpha was administered via orogastric tube to bile duct-cannulated suckling and weanling rats to determine if maturational differences were present in the biliary excretion of prostaglandin F2 alpha and metabolites. Animals were killed 2 h after radioactivity administration. Characterization of radioactivity present in bile revealed age-related differences in biliary prostaglandin F2 alpha excretion. Suckling rats had a greater proportion of radioactivity migrating in chromatographic regions of greater polarity than prostaglandin F2 alpha. Compared with the weanling, a significantly greater amount of radioactivity cochromatographed with intact, unmetabolized prostaglandin F2 alpha (33.08 +/- 1.99 vs. 21.38 +/- 1.46). These results indicate that orogastrically administered prostaglandin F2 alpha can be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, transported to the liver, and subsequently excreted into bile and detected in an unmetabolized form in suckling and weanling rats. The enterohepatic circulation of milk-derived prostaglandin present in bile may contribute to the overall content of intestinal prostaglandins.
Zinc nitride films prepared by reactive RF magnetron sputtering of zinc in nitrogen containing atmosphere

Zinc nitride films were deposited on glass or silicon substrates by reactive magnetron RF sputtering of zinc in N2–Ar ambient. The deposition conditions were optimized in terms of substrate temperature and N2/Ar sputtering gas ratio, and representative films were then studied by structure, optical and spectroscopy techniques, and electrical measurements. Spectroscopic ellipsometry and spectrophotometry measurements revealed that the material has a direct band gap close to 1.26 eV. Hall effect and resistivity measurements indicated n-type conductivity with a very high carrier concentration of about1021 cm−3, mobility of up to 90 cm2 V−1 s−1, and resistivity of ∼10−3 Ω cm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra clearly showed the existence of not only Zn–N bonding but also of a fraction of N–N bonding configurations, together with an oxidized surface. According to energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis, the as-deposited films were almost stoichiometric and contained only a small fraction of oxygen.
Synthesis and mutagenicity of a series of nitrated carbazoles and hydroxycarbazoles

Nitrated derivatives of the aza-arenes carbazole and 2-hydroxycarbazole were synthesized and tested for mutagenicity in the Ames plate-incorporation assay. 3,6-Dinitrocarbazole was the most mutagenic towards Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 (> 100 revertants/micrograms, 25 revertants/nmol, with or without S9) followed by 2-hydroxy-1,3,6-trinitrocarbazole (24 revertants/micrograms, 7 revertants/nmol without S9) and 2-hydroxy-3-nitrocarbazole (27 revertants/micrograms, 6 revertants/nmol without S9). 2-Hydroxy-1,3-dinitrocarbazole, 1,6-dinitrocarbazole, 3-nitrocarbazole and 1-nitrocarbazole ranged from moderately to weakly active (7-1 revertants/micrograms, 2-0.3 revertants/nmol without S9). Carbazole and 2-hydroxycarbazole, and 2-hydroxy-1-nitrocarbazole, were quite inactive. Activity was generally decreased by the presence of S9, except for the dinitrocarbazoles, and was also lower in the variant TA98NR, indicating that mutagenicity was largely dependent on the presence of the 'classical' bacterial nitroreductase. The relative activities of these compounds are consistent with the hypothesis that structural features (orientation of the nitro group relative to the plane and to the long axis of the molecule, and ability to resonance-stabilize the positive charge on the arylnitrenium active electrophile intermediate) are major influences determining mutagenic potency of nitrated compounds.
Overcoming Relationship-Initiation Barriers: The Impact of a Computer-Dating System on Sex Role, Shyness, and Appearance Inhibitions.

A survey of the users of an online computer-mediated matchmaking service showed that their communication patterns and objectives varied by their sex, shyness level, and appearance. Men generally contacted women more than vice versa, but a substantial minority of the women contacted a great number of men, suggesting that the safety and anonymity the system offered helped them break free from traditional sex role norms. More than half of the women reported starting a romantic or sexual relationship through the system, as compared to less than a third of the men, reflecting, in part, that men outnumber women on the system nearly three to one. Users who scored higher on a shyness scale were much more likely than less shy users to say they were using the system to find romance or sex, suggesting shier users employ the system as a way to overcome their inhibitions. Women who rated their own appearance as average were less likely to be contacted by men than those who rated their appearance as above average, but there was no significant difference between appearance groups concerning the likelihood of starting a romantic or sexual relationship. Intrinsic aspects of this computer-mediated matchmaking system helped some users overcome relationship-initiation barriers rooted in sex role, shyness, and appearance inhibitions.
Evaluating the usefulness of functional distance measures when calibrating journey-to-crime distance decay functions

Abstract This research evaluates the usefulness of applying functional distance measures to criminal geographic profiles using mathematically calibrated distance decay models. Both the travel-path (i.e., shortest distance) and temporally optimized (i.e., quickest travel time) functional distance measures were calculated based on the impedance attributes stored within a linearly referenced transportation data layer of several parishes in Louisiana. Two different journey-to-crime distance decay functions (i.e., negative exponential, and truncated negative exponential) were mathematically calibrated for “best fit”, based on the distribution of distances between homicide crime locations and offender’s residences. Using the calibrated distance decay functions, geographic profiles were created for a localized serial killer from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A probability score was calculated for every point within the study area to indicate the likelihood that it contained the serial offender’s residence. A comparison between the predicted (highest probability score) and the actual residence of the serial offender determined the predictive value and procedural validity of functional distance metrics.
Disfluency characteristics of 2-, 4-, and 6- yr-old males

Abstract Fluency characteristics of 36 nonstuttering males aged 2, 4, and 6 yr are presented in terms of patterns of disfluency and relationships among disfluency variables. The most frequently occuring disfluency types at each age level were revision-incomplete phrase and interjections; the least noted type was part-word repetitions for 2- and 4-yr olds and disrhythmic phonations for 6-yr-olds. Patterns of disfluency appear to be similar at all age levels studied, except that the 2-yr-old pattern showed greater magnitudes in various disfluency types. A range exists in the relationships among individual disfluency types, from moderately strong relationships between, for example, revision-incomplete phrase and interjections to lack of linear relationships between, for example, interjections and phrase repetitions. A linguistic factor may be strong within certain disfluency types. e.g., revision-incomplete phrase, interjections, and word repetitions, whereas a motor factor may be operative in others, e.g., part-word repetitions and disrhythmic phonations.
Thermodynamics and kinetics of underpotential deposition of metal monolayers on polycrystalline substrates

Abstract The equilibrium and dynamic properties of underpotential deposits are discussed, as are some problems of methodology in estimating these properties. In particular, there is a special emphasis on interpreting the ring—disc electrode response during the underpotential deposition, UPD, of silver on polycrystalline gold. The underpotential-coverage relationship as a function of solution composition provides an insight into particle—substrate, particle—particle and particle—electric field interactions. Some of the features that emerge from the analysis of equilibrium UPD behaviour are: (a) the predominant influence of the particle—substrate interaction through work function changes, (b) the absence of discreteness of charge effects due to any partially charged UPD species over wide coverage ranges, and (c) the importance of particle—particle interactions in causing multiple energy states. The dynamic charge flux during the UPD process is analysed in terms of dynamic changes in double layer capacitance and the potential of zero charge, and other parallel processes through the formalism of a dynamic electrosorption valency, which includes both charge separation and charge-transfer components. The dynamic material flux of the UPD species is found to be under mixed control by solution mass transport, surface adsorption and charge-transfer processes. The phenomenological rate parameters and double layer capacitance changes suggest the formation of ordered structures at higher UPD coverages and random aggregates at lower coverages.
Microprocessor-Based Video Interierogram Analysis System

A video interferogram processor has been developed that uses a standard television camera interfaced to a Z-80 microcomputer to acquire the coordinates of fringe centers. It features single-frame capture with software control of digitization, editing, data selection, and order assignment. A. PDP 11/03 receives the processor data and performs a Zernike polynomial fit from which graphics output is generated.
Psychiatric Assessment of Elderly Patients in the Home: A Survey of 176 Cases

One hundred and seventy-six homebound elderly patients referred for psychiatric evaluation by family, physician, or community agency were assessed in the home by a geriatrician psychiatrist, accompanied by those involved with the patient's care, whenever possible. Careful attention was paid to the interaction between psychiatric, medical, and social parameters and their collective effect on the aging patient. The most common discrete psychiatric diagnoses were dementia, with or without secondary symptoms; major depression; and paranoid states without dementia. Assessment resulted in home treatment and maintenance through a variety of supportive interventions frequently accompanied by chemotherapy, emergency psychiatric and medical hospitalization, and placement, as well as education of family and community workers.
Susceptibility of Gram-Positive Cocci to Various Antibiotics, Including Cefotaxime, Moxalactam, and N-Formimidoyl Thienamycin

The activities of cefotaxime, moxalactam, MK 0787 (N-formimidoyl thienamycin), ampicillin, oxacillin, vancomycin, and clindamycin were compared against gram-positive cocci. MK 0787 was the most active and moxalactam was the least active of these drugs, except against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, where vancomycin was most active, and penicillin-resistant pneumococci, where cefotaxime was more active.
System Identification Techniques for Mixed Responses Using the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition

The Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) is a method that may be applied to linear and nonlinear structures for extracting important information from a measured structural response. The POD is often applied for model reduction of linear and nonlinear systems and recently in system identification. Although methods have previously been developed to identify reduced-order predictive models for simple linear and nonlinear structures using the POD of a measured structural response, the application of these methods has been limited to cases where the excitation is either an initial condition or an applied load but not a combination of the two. This paper presents a method for combining the POD-based identification techniques for strictly free or strictly forced systems to identify predictive models for a system when only mixed response data are available, i.e. response data resulting from initial conditions and loads that are applied together. This method extends the applicability of POD-based identification techniques to operational data acquired outside of a controlled laboratory setting. The method is applied to finite element models of simple linear and nonlinear beams and is shown to identify an accurate predictive model for each beam when compared with results obtained by the finite element method.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Incapacitated rape and alcohol use: A prospective analysis

This study examined timing of alcohol-related sexual assaults (incapacitated rape) in relation to both alcohol consumption and alcohol-related negative consequences. The sample was drawn from a randomly selected pool of college students across three campuses (n=1238) followed over a three year time period. 91% of students never experienced an incapacitated rape, 2% reported an incapacitated rape prior to the first assessment point (n=30), and 6% reported one over the course of the study (n=76). Results indicated that incapacitated rape was associated with higher alcohol use and more negative consequences in the years prior to the assault. Incapacitated rape was also associated with higher alcohol use and more negative consequences during the year in which the rape took place and subsequent years, with highest rates measured for the year of the rape. These results suggest alcohol use can function as both risk factor and consequence of sexual victimization.
A modified shifting bottleneck heuristic for minimizing total weighted tardiness in complex job shops

Increases in the demand for integrated circuits have highlighted the importance of meeting customer quality and on-time delivery expectations in the semiconductor industry. A modified shifting bottleneck heuristic is developed for minimizing the total weighted tardiness in a semiconductor wafer fabrication facility. This ‘complex’ job shop is characterized by re-entrant or re-circulating product flow through a number of different tool groups (one or more machines operating in parallel). These tool groups typically contain batching machines, as well as machines that are subject to sequence-dependent setups. The disjunctive graph of the complex job shop is presented, along with a description of the proposed heuristic. Preliminary results indicate the heuristic's potential for promoting on-time deliveries by semiconductor manufacturers for their customers' orders. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The assessment of contractile reserve after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract "Stunned" myocardium prevents the assessment of myocardial salvage after streptokinase. In order to unmask "stunning," we sought to evaluate left ventricular inotropic contractile reserve of paatients after streptokinase. Radiionuclide ventriculograms were obtained in 75 consecutive patients 2 weeks after myocardial infarction, at rest and during intravenous isoproterenol infusion. Resting and isoproterenol-stressed ejection fractions were compared in the patent and closed-infarct vessel groups. Although there was no difference in the resting ejection fractions between the patent group (0.48 ± 0.02) and the closed group (0.48 ± 0.02), isoproterenol increased the ejection fractions in the patent group (↑ 0.14 ± 0.01) significantly more than in the closed group (↑ 0.06 ± 0.01) ( p
Wnt10b Increases Postnatal Bone Formation by Enhancing Osteoblast Differentiation

Overexpression of Wnt10b from the osteocalcin promoter in transgenic mice increases postnatal bone mass. Increases in osteoblast perimeter, mineralizing surface, and bone formation rate without detectable changes in pre-osteoblast proliferation, osteoblast apoptosis, or osteoclast number and activity suggest that, in this animal model, Wnt10b primarily increases bone mass by stimulating osteoblastogenesis. Introduction: Wnt signaling regulates many aspects of development including postnatal accrual of bone. Potential mechanisms for how Wnt signaling increases bone mass include regulation of osteoblast and/or osteoclast number and activity. To help differentiate between these possibilities, we studied mice in which Wnt10b is expressed specifically in osteoblast lineage cells or in mice devoid of Wnt10b. Materials and Methods: Transgenic mice, in which mouse Wnt10b is expressed from the human osteocalcin promoter (Oc-Wnt10b), were generated in C57BL/6 mice. Transgene expression was evaluated by RNase protection assay. Quantitative assessment of bone variables was done by radiography, μCT, and static and dynamic histomorphometry. Mechanisms of bone homeostasis were evaluated with assays for BrdU, TUNEL, and TRACP5b activity, as well as serum levels of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX). The endogenous role of Wnt10b in bone was assessed by dynamic histomorphometry in Wnt10b−/− mice. Results: Oc-Wnt10b mice have increased mandibular bone and impaired eruption of incisors during postnatal development. Analyses of femoral distal metaphyses show significantly higher BMD, bone volume fraction, and trabecular number. Increased bone formation is caused by increases in number of osteoblasts per bone surface, rate of mineral apposition, and percent mineralizing surface. Although number of osteoclasts per bone surface is not altered, Oc-Wnt10b mice have increased total osteoclast activity because of higher bone mass. In Wnt10b−/− mice, changes in mineralizing variables and osteoblast perimeter in femoral distal metaphyses were not observed; however, bone formation rate is reduced because of decreased total bone volume and trabecular number. Conclusions: High bone mass in Oc-Wnt10b mice is primarily caused by increased osteoblastogenesis, with a minor contribution from elevated mineralizing activity of osteoblasts.
Separation and Accessibility of the Nucleotide-Binding Domain (NBD) Heterodimerization Interface When a CFTR Channel Closes

CFTR channel gating is driven by cyclic formation and dissociation of a head-to-tail NBD1-NBD2 heterodimer enclosing two composite ATP sites, one catalytically active and one dead. NBD separation at the active site is believed to follow ATP hydrolysis there that triggers channel closure. But whether the NBDs also separate at the dead site each cycle remains unclear. To address this we determined, in patches from Xenopus oocytes, gating-state-dependent accessibility to MTS reagents of interfacial target cysteines in CFTR channels with one (C832S), or eight (C832-1458S), native Cys replaced by Ser. Target S549C (S in NBD1 LSGGQ) in the catalytically-active site was rapidly modified, diminishing CFTR current (τMTS ≤ 2 s), by micromolar MTSACE, MTSET+, or MTSES- applied during channel opening and closing in 3 mM ATP. Similarly rapid current diminution attended modification, in 3 mM ATP, of the equivalent target in the catalytically-dead site, S1347C (S in NBD2 LSHGH). For both S549C and S1347C, the current decay time course upon MTS modification in ATP (τMTS) matched that of channel closure on ATP washout (τwashout), implying that modification occurred as soon as channels closed. Supporting that interpretation, τMTS and τwashout were both slowed ∼10-fold in S1347C channels bearing the hydrolysis-impairing mutation K1250R, suggesting S1347C cannot be modified in open CFTR channels. Hence, in open CFTR channels, a tight heterodimer interface in the catalytically-dead site prevents MTS access to S1347C, but NBD1-NBD2 separation allows access when channels close. Rapid modification of S549C and S1347C in 3 mM ATP by larger reagents, MTS-glucose (∼14A x 9A x 9A), MTS-biotin (∼15A x 11A x 8A), and MTS-rhodamine (∼17A x 16A x 11A), suggests that active and dead sites simultaneously separate by ≥11A each gating cycle. [DK51767].
A conceptual model for cognitive-behavior therapy with children

This paper briefly reviews the historical and conceptual developments that produced the cognitive-behavioral model for clinical interventions with children. It is suggested that this model should be expanded by including the person variables of emotion and developmental level and by broadening the scope of environmental variables to include the family, school, and other social/community contexts. The implications of this expansion of the cognitive-behavioral model for psychopathology, assessment, and intervention are discussed.
Preface to Management Science, Ecology and the Quality of Life

Most of the articles that follow are the papers that formed the Distinguished Lecturer Series---i.e., the invited, thematic series---at the XIX International Meetings of The Institute of Management Sciences in Houston, Texas, on April 4--8,1972. There are two exceptions: 1 “The ORSA New Orleans Address on 'Compact City'” by G. B. Dantzig and 2 “A Model to Study Revenue Sharing and Account for Regionalized Economic Activity and Social Goals” by A. Charnes, C. Colantoni, W. W. Cooper and K. O. Kortanek. The former, as its title suggests, was the basis of Dr. Dantzig's plenary lecture on April 27, 1972, to the 41st National Meeting of the Operations Research Society of America in New Orleans---to which he has added “An Agenda for Research on Urban Development”. The latter paper is intended to complement “Measuring, Monitoring and Modeling Quality of Life” which was presented by A. Charnes, W. W. Cooper and G. Kozmetsky, as the final Distinguished Lecture in the TIMS series at Houston.
Functional NF-κB Element in Rabbit Serum Amyloid A Gene and Its Role in Acute-Phase Induction

Serum amyloid A (SAA) protein synthesis is highly induced in acute inflammatory conditions. Such induction process is primarily regulated at the transcriptional level and large amount of SAA mRNA has been found to accumulate in rabbit liver during acute inflammation. To identify the promoter element(s) involved in inducible transcription of SAA, a 5' flanking region of this gene has been fused to a reporter chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene and transfected into BNL liver cells. This DNA is capable of inducing synthesis of the reporter gene in response to lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocyte-derived conditioned medium. Deletion analyses have shown that a region from -135 to -78 that contains a putative NF-kappa B element is responsible for the inducible function of the promoter. Gel shift assay has detected DNA-binding activity in the induced cells that appear to interact with the potential NF-kappa B element located within -112 to -78 of the SAA gene. Similar factor(s) have also been detected in the lipopolysaccharide-treated rabbit liver which is highly active in transcribing SAA mRNA. Appearance of these factors in acute-phase induced animals and their binding to the NF-kappa B-like element in the SAA proximal promoter region correlated with SAA mRNA synthesis suggests functional role of this promoter element in SAA gene expression under LPS-induced acute-phase condition.
Inertial Effects in Transport of Radioactive Waste Through Engineered Barriers

Addition of an inertial term to the constitutive relation for mass flux leads to a mass transport equation which is hyperbolic and describes propagation of a distorted wave with a finite velocity. This approach eliminates the “instantaneous propagation paradox” inherent in parabolic transport equations based on Fick’s law. Analytical solutions of the wave transport equation have been derived and have the properties that the leading edge of a solute front propagates at a finite, predictable velocity and is truncated by a step function which decreases in magnitude exponentially with time. The inertial effects on computed solute fronts are most evident near the leading edge, and have potential significance in the prediction of engineered barrier performance.
Distinct metalloproteinase excretion patterns in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) degrade type IV collagen, and represent important tissue remodeling enzymes in several kidney disorders. In this study, we measured urinary levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) in patients with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS, n = 18, median age 5) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS, n = 16, median age 15). We found that urinary concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were significantly elevated in FSGS patients as compared to SSNS in both relapse and remission (p < 0.002). Furthermore, urinary levels of these enzymes are increased early on in the FSGS disease process (chronic kidney disease stages 1 and 2). The findings from this pilot study suggest that MMPs and TIMPs have the potential to represent candidate, early non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis and/or response to therapy. In addition, they may represent therapeutic targets for preventing chronic kidney disease progression in FSGS.
Stable and Metastable Phase Relations in the System ZrO2‐CaO

The chemical equilibrium for the system ZrO2-CaO was rede termined for temperatures above ∼1000°C by heating reactive powders for extended periods of time. The eutectoid decom position of the cubic solid solution was found to occur at 1140°±40°C and 17.0±0.5 mol% CaO. Decomposition reac tions in sintered cubic solid solutions were studied using elec tron diffraction and transmission techniques. Decomposition follows metastable extensions of the boundary lines which sena rate two-phase regions from the adjacent cubic solid solution region. The appearance of the diffuse diffraction features in the electron diffraction patterns of cubic solid solutions Seems to be associated with short-range ordering of oxygen vacancies.‘Duo ordered phases, CaZr4O9 and Ca6Zr19O44, were syn thesized and their upper limits of stability were determined to be 1235°±15° and 1355°±15°C, respectively.
Sex Equity in Mathematics and Science Education: Research-Policy Links

Despite the accumulation of a large body of research concerning effective sex equity practices in math and science, the lack of change in educational procedures suggests the need to reexamine the role of research in policy and program planning. This paper reviews the current research on sex equity in mathematics and science education, focusing on research in the categories of educator-student interaction, instructional context, and macrolevel demographics. Existing applications of current research to mathematics and science education programs are examined at regional, state, district, and individual school levels. Recommendations for future directions in policy and research are made, emphasizing the gaps in knowledge on each side. The paper ends with specific suggestions for strengthening the links between research and policy in the area of sex equity.
Optimal NC path planning: is it really possible?

Abstract NC physical verification effort can be considerably reduced by analytical modelling of NC tool path. A computer algorithm was developed to graphically emulate the tool path while machining flat polygonal objects. The orientation of the cutter center line relative to the object was then varied and several configurations were generated. For each configuration the total path was evaluated and plotted. Nature of the plots showed that an analytical optimization of the path is possible. In order to make the model more rigorous, attempts are being made to include the effects of the cutter tool life on the total path.
Objective evaluation of imager performance

We describe a method by which the evaluation and characterization of the performance of an imager can be done objectively and scientifically, that is, without routine operator interpretation. Although this method is demonstrated herein for passive long-wave infrared imagers (thermal infrared cameras) used by firefighters, it is applicable to any imaging system.
Static Quadrupole Moments of Vibrational States of Spherical Nuclei in the Self-Consistent Cranking Approximation

A simple microscopic expression is derived for static quadrupole moments of vibrational states by means of the self-consistent cranking model. The result sums together the effects of all relevant cubic anharmonicities of the Beliaev-Zelevinsky boson expansion taken in perturbation theory.
The multiple molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase in "motor end-plate disease" in the mouse (medJ and med allelic forms): sensitivity of the 10 S form to partial or total loss of muscle activity.

Abstract Motor end-plate disease in the mouse is a mutation, lethal at the time of weaning. Two alleles exist, med and medJ, with med J med J surviving slightly longer. The multiple molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase show an abnormal developmental pattern during the course of the disease. A decrease in the 10 S AChE proportion to total AChE activity is the major change in gastrocnemius muscle. Similar AChE changes occur after total short-term denervation, tenotomy, and in other genetic diseases. Thus it appears that AChE is modified in med med muscle as the result of a partial or total loss of muscle activity.
Delay/Doppler compensation: a new concept for radar altimetry

This new satellite radar altimeter concept uses on-board real-time partially coherent processing to realize an along-track impulse response shape and position which are not degraded by terrain slope or elevation. The key innovation is delay compensation, analogous to range curvature correction in a burst mode synthetic aperture radar. The detected outputs of many bursts are incoherently integrated to accumulate more than one hundred equivalent looks. The along-track footprint size is on the order of 200 - 300 meters. The radar equation for the delay/Doppler radar altimeter has an h(-5/2) dependence on height, which is more efficient than the corresponding h(-3) factor for a pulse-limited altimeter. The radiometric response obtained by the new approach would be 10 dB stronger than that of the TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeter, for example, if the same hardware were used in the delay/Doppler mode. The concept is a candidate small satellite instrument for earth observation, with particular suitability for precision altimetry of coastal and polar ice sheets.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Equilibrium between Metarhodopsin-I and Metarhodopsin-II Is Dependent on the Conformation of the Third Cytoplasmic Loop

Rhodopsin is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is the light detector in the rod cells of the eye. Rhodopsin is the best understood member of the large GPCR superfamily and is the only GPCR for which atomic resolution structures have been determined. However, these structures are for the inactive, dark-adapted form. Characterization of the conformational changes in rhodopsin caused by light-induced activation is of wide importance, because the metarhodopsin-II photoproduct is analogous to the agonist-occupied conformation of other GPCRs, and metarhodopsin-I may be similar to antagonist-occupied GPCR conformations. In this work we characterize the interaction of antibody K42-41L with the metarhodopsin photoproducts. K42-41L is shown to inhibit formation of metarhodopsin-II while it stabilizes the metarhodopsin-I state. Thus, K42-41L recognizes an epitope accessible in dark-adapted rhodopsin and metarhodopsin-I that is lost upon formation of metarhodopsin-II. Previous work has shown that the peptide TGALQERSK is able to mimic the K42-41L epitope, and we have now determined the structure of the K42-41L-peptide complex. The structure demonstrates a central role for elements of the rhodopsin C3 loop, particularly Gln238 and Glu239, in the interaction with K42-41L. Geometric constraints taken from the antibody-bound peptide were used to model the epitope on the rhodopsin surface. The resulting model suggests that K42-41L locks the C3 loop into an extended conformation that is intermediate between two compact conformations seen in crystal structures of dark-adapted rhodopsin. Together, the structural and functional data strongly suggest that the equilibrium between metarhodopsin-I and metarhodopsin-II is dependent upon the conformation of the C3 loop. The biological implications of this model and its possible relations to dimeric and multimeric complexes of rhodopsin are discussed.
Coulomb excitation of 99Tc

Six γ-rays at 140.4, 181.7, 586.1, 621.6, 726.3 and 761.8 keV have been observed following Coulomb excitation of 99Tc with 52 to 64keV 35C1 ions. Our results for the levels (in keV) and B(E2) (e2 · b2) for excitation to those levels are (140.4, 0.108), (181.7, 0.027), (726.3, 0.065) and (761.8, 0.120). Lifetimes of the levels at 726.3 and 761.8 keV have been measured by the Doppler shift attenuation method to be 1.1 ± 0.3 psec and 2.0 ± 0.5 psec, respectively. Our measurements of the angular distributions of the γ-rays are consistent with the known 72+ and 52+spin and parity assignments for the 140.4 and 181.7 keV levels. We restrict the possible spin and parity assignments of both the 726.3 keV and 761.8 keV levels to 72+ or 92+ The level structure of 99Tc has been compared to two collective models of 99Tc.
The influence of depressive symptomatology and perceived stress on plasma and salivary oxytocin before, during and after a support enhancement intervention

Oxytocin (OT) activity increases in response to stress as well as to warm social contact. Subclinical depression is associated with higher stress but less reward from social contacts. The present investigation was intended to examine whether husbands and wives with high depressive symptomatology scores have increased plasma and salivary OT that may be mediated partly by higher perceived stress, and also to assess whether an intervention to convey partner support through "warm touch" may reduce effects of depressive symptoms on OT. In this study, 34 healthy married couples (n=68) ages 20-39 provided self reports of depressive symptoms (CESD) and stress (Perceived Stress Scale) before being randomly assigned to a 4-week intervention study enhancing partner support through "warm touch", or to a "behavior monitoring" control group. Plasma oxytocin levels were obtained pre- and post-intervention, while salivary oxytocin was taken at home during week 1 and week 4. Results revealed that subjects with higher depressive symptoms scores had higher plasma OT levels at pre-intervention, and higher salivary OT levels at home during week 1 (p<.05). Plasma OT results were moderated by gender such that plasma OT levels were highest among females high in depressive symptomology. Higher perceived stress was also linked to both higher depressive symptomatology (r=+65, p<.0001) and plasma OT (p< .05) and a significant mediator. During the intervention, salivary OT remained elevated among subjects high in depressive symptomatology in the control group but not the intervention group. At post-intervention, plasma OT levels in subjects with vs. without depressive symptomatology no longer differed. Results indicate that subclinical depression is associated with elevated plasma and salivary OT levels, which may be mediated in part by increased stress. OT differences linked to subclinical depression were minimized by the warm touch intervention.
Milking equipment for robotic milking

Abstract A speculative approach to identifying the type of milking equipment which could be used in the developed automated milking systems of the future is described. Simple robotic milking can use conventional milking systems and equipment. New technologies from materials science to sensors and control systems can allow a radical reappraisal of the milking system with opportunities for significant changes in design and scale but closely related to the needs of cows milked more than twice daily. The driving forces will be milking efficiency, animal health and milk quality. These can lead to full quarter milking systems, new liner designs, reduced use of vacuum and alternative milk transfer methods. Major changes are possible in the operation and control of milking within the teatcup and much of the machine operation is likely to be controlled by feedback systems aimed to optimise milk extraction and minimise any effects on the cow. Machine operation is likely to be maintained and safeguarded by self-testing systems. After use of essentially the same milking system for 100 years robotic milking developments provide an opportunity for a radical approach to milk harvesting.
Acute Aortic Dissection and Its Variants Toward a Common Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach

Acute dissection of the aorta is an uncommon yet potentially catastrophic clinical event that mandates prompt recognition and expeditious treatment. Diagnosis begins with a high clinical index of suspicion in a patient presenting with chest pain and one or more predisposing risk factors, most notably, hypertension or an inherited disorder of connective tissue. Verification can be rapidly achieved with a high degree of accuracy using one of several noninvasive imaging techniques and, when necessary, contrast angiography. Involvement of the ascending aorta (type A) requires surgical intervention, whereas clinically stable dissection limited to the descending thoracic aorta (type B) can in general be treated medically. Negative inotropic andantihypertensive medical therapy is provided to all patients. Hospital and long-term survival has improved substantially over the past 40 years, yet there remains ample room for continued progress. For centers with an active interest in the evaluation and management of acute dissection, hospital mortality rates have been lowered to 15% to 25%.1 2 3 Five-year actuarial survival rates range between 50% and 70%,2 4 5 with a 7% to 20% incidence of late reoperation, usually for aneurysmal enlargement or redissection.2 6 7 There has long been some debate over the pathogenesis of aortic dissection. In the majority of cases, the initiating event is a tear in the intima of the aorta through which blood surges into the middle to outer third of the media.8 9 10 Intimal disease, such as that associated with atherosclerosis, is not a prerequisite, although underlying medial disease due to both elastic fiber and smooth muscle cell degeneration is the rule.11 12 13 Intimal tears are most commonly located a few centimeters above the aortic valve, along the right anterolateral aspect of the aorta, where hydrodynamic and torsional forces are greatest.9 The second most …
Electronic Raman scattering as a function of doping in high-T c superconductors

We report the results of Raman scattering from the electronic continuum in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+(delta ) (Bi 2212) and Tl2Ba2CuO6+(delta ) (Tl 2201) high temperature superconductors with variations in the oxygen content, (delta) . Below Tc, a peak develops in the Raman continuum associated with the opening of a superconducting gap, (Delta) (k). By selecting the polarizations of incident and scattered light, we are sensitive to possible anisotropy of the gap within the a-b plane. Near optimal doping, both materials show gap anisotropy, with 2(Delta) /kBTc values of 7.2 (B1g) vs. 5.8 (A1g) in Tl 2201 and 8.5 (B1g) vs. 6.2 (A1g) in Bi 2212. In contrast, both show an isotropic gap at much lower energy shifts when the carrier concentration is raised: 2(Delta) /kBTc equals 3.9 (5.5) for Tl 2201 (Bi 2212) with Tc equals 37 K (57 K). We compare the observed spectra with calculations based on order parameters with d-wave as well as isotropic s-wave symmetry and conclude that raising the doping level reduces the gap anisotropy to near zero.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An optical method using a laser and an integrating sphere combination for characterizing the thickness profile of magnetic media

An optical instrument developed for measuring the film thickness of magnetic media is described. The system uses a polarized-laser beam and an integrating sphere to measure the absorption by the magnetic media. The film thickness is calculated from the absorption value in real time by using a personal computer. The corresponding radial and azimuthal positions for the measurement are determined from a computerized R- theta (rotational-translational) stage. The automated instrument, which rapidly maps the film thickness of particulate and thin-film media, has provided the first full-disk image of film thickness variation. >
Swine Manure Application to Nodulating and Nonnodulating Soybean

Manure has traditionally been applied to corn (Zea mays L.), but as livestock operations expand, there are not always sufficient corn acres to minimize the environmental impact of the manure load. Our objective was to evaluate soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] as a reasonable alternative crop to receive manure applications. Impact of manure applications on soybean was measured by evaluating seed yield, N accumulation, and soil NO 3 -N at six locations in southern Minnesota in 1996 and 1997. Whole-plot treatments included a control, five liquid swine (Sus scrofa) manure rates (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 kg N ha -1 ), and four NH 4 NO 3 rates (84, 168, 252, and 336 kg N ha -1 ). Split-plot treatments were two soybean isolines (a segregating row of an Altona x Chippewa with rjl gene cross), one nodulating and one nonnodulating isoline. Maximum seed yield (2.3 Mg ha -1 ) was obtained for the nodulating isoline regardless of manure or fertilizer treatment. Average N accumulation in the nodulating isoline with manure treatment was about 202 kg N ha -1 . This was about 11 kg N ha -1 greater than the nodulating isoline with fertilizer treatment. There were no adverse agronomic effects of applying manure to soybean. At N applications greater than plant N accumulation, postharvest soil NO 3 -N (0-120 cm) ranged from 80 to 158 kg N ha -1 . Manure applied to soybean at available N rates equal to or less than the amount of N accumulated in the crop appeared to be agronomically and environmentally sound.