cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Applying Object Orientation to System Architecture

In this chapter, we provide the essential theory and practical details of employing the principles of Object Orientation (OO) in system architecture modeling. We do not attempt to provide an exhaustive OO tutorial, since there exists a very large literature on this subject (see the references to this chapter). Our goal, instead, is to give the reader the level of understanding needed to master the MBSAP methodology and apply it to practical system architecting challenges. First, we present the rationale for OO and define the essential concepts and terminology, stressing the benefits it delivers in dealing with complex entities. Although we use the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) as the basis for this book, we begin by discussing and illustrating the primary diagrams of the Unified Modeling Language (UML), which is the root language standard for OO. This is then followed by a description of the changes to UML introduced by the SysML, which is defined as a Profile of UML. The reality is that a large part of the SysML is taken directly from the UML language specification. We believe understanding of this material is enhanced by first considering the parent UML and then explicitly showing how UML modifies and extends the language. We include generic UML and SysML diagrams that illustrate important principles and syntax and that can serve as format samples in developing real architecture models. Appendices A and B are concise references to UML and SysML, respectively, intended to give readers a quick and easy way to look up the details. Chapter objective: the reader will be able to create and read UML and SysML diagrams and to describe the role of each.
Abstract WP152: Exploration of the Factors That Influence Spontaneous Bimanual Arm Use After Stroke: Implications for Clinical Rehabilitation

After a stroke, returning to activities of daily living requires the use of the two hands together for bimanual tasks, such as cutting bread, buttoning a shirt etc. Here, we sought to first, identify spontaneous volitional arm use patterns adopted for two distinct bimanual tasks, and, next, determine if and to what extent the degree of impairment, side of stroke, task demands, self-reported confidence, and single-limb (paretic and non-paretic) measures of functional performance can predict the observed task use patterns. Fifty pre-morbidly right-handed stroke survivors (Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer, UEFM 42±10, 25 right-hemiparesis, RHP) performed 2 bimanual tasks (letter-envelope and photo-album) without explicit instructions. Arm use patterns were classified by: 1) whether one or both arms were used, and 2) the nature of paretic arm use. Logistic regression and receiver-operator characteristics (AUC) were used to examine the influence of impairment (UEFM, more severe < 41, less severe ≥ 41), side of lesio...
Consequences of the loss of catalytic triads in chloroplast CLPPR protease core complexes in vivo

The essential chloroplast CLP protease system consists of a tetradecameric proteolytic core with catalytic P (P1, 3-6) and non-catalytic R (R1-4) subunits, CLP chaperones and adaptors. The chloroplast CLP complex has a total of ten catalytic sites,but it is not known how many of these catalytic sites can be inactivated before plants lose viability. Here we show that CLPP3 and the catalytically inactive variant CLPP3S164A fully complement the developmental arrest of the clpp3-1 null mutant, even under environmental stress. In contrast, whereas the inactive variant CLPP5S193A assembled into the CLP core, it cannot rescue the embryo lethal phenotype of the clpp5-1 null mutant. This shows that CLPP3 makes a unique structural contribution but its catalytic site is dispensable, whereas the catalytic activity of CLPP5 is essential. Mass spectrometry of affinity-purified CLP cores of the complemented lines showed highly enriched CLP cores. Other chloroplast proteins were co-purified with the CLP cores and are candidate substrates. A strong overlap of co-purified proteins between the CLP core complexes with active and inactive subunits indicates that CLP cores with reduced number of catalytic sites do not over-accumulate substrates, suggesting that the bottle-neck for degradation is likely substrate recognition and unfolding by CLP adaptors and chaperones, upstream of the CLP core.
Tawfiq al-Hakim: A Pyramid of Arabic Drama

The Arabs have no Shakespeare; their theatrical history is relatively short due to religious, cultural and geographical reasons. Tawfiq al-Hakim emerged as the father of Arab playwriting.
Letermovir for Secondary Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Prophylaxis in a Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Patient

Patients who undergo stem cell transplants are at a significant risk of infections. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an organism of particular concern in this population. Current treatments options for CMV include ganciclovir, valganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir. These treatment options have adverse effects such as myelosuppression or nephrotoxicity, making them less than ideal as a treatment options. Increasing rates of drug resistance is another concern. The need for alternative treatment options is paramount. Many patients require secondary prophylaxis. Letermovir is a newly approved CMV DNA terminase complex inhibitor indicated for prophylaxis of CMV infection and disease in adults. Its role in secondary prophylaxis has not been clearly defined. We report the case of an 11-year old male who had undergone a 4/6 HLA-matched cord blood transplant for Fanconi Anemia. The patient developed CMV viremia that later progressed to CMV colitis and pneumonitis. He was initially treated with ganciclovir then was found to have UL97 mutation. He was then switched to foscarnet for induction therapy, to which the patient showed a good response. The patient was subsequently transitioned to cidofovir for maintenance therapy where CMV viremia recurred. Foscarnet was re-initiated with good response then transitioned to cidofovir maintenance therapy. Unfortunately, CMV viral load began to increase prompting a change to high-dose ganciclovir. Due to concerns for myelosuppression with using high-dose ganciclovir he was switched back to foscarnet. While on foscarnet the patient had nephrotoxicity and electrolyte disturbances and the decision was made to re-initiate high-dose ganciclovir. When the patient's CMV viral load was undetectable the patient was transitioned to letermovir 480 mg daily with successful suppression of CMV viral load. Letermovir has been well tolerated and the patient has experienced no adverse effects associated with it. The patient has not required further therapy for CMV viremia since starting letermovir. Letermovir prophylaxis was stopped after four months of therapy. The patient's CMV viral load began to rise after stopping for one month with the peak at 381 copies/mL. After restarting letermovir the CMV viral load became undetectable and has remained so. Letermovir could be useful in secondary prophylaxis in pediatric patients with ganciclovir-resistant CMV who are at risk of recurrences. Further investigation is warranted for the use of letermovir in the pediatric population.
Abstract TP210: Temporal Trends of Comorbidities From 2009 to 2013 Among U.S. Elderly With Ischemic Stroke

Background: Comorbid diseases affect stroke incidence and outcomes. We aimed to examine the trend over time of comorbidities among U.S. elderly under Medicare who were hospitalized for acute ischem...
Signaling System 7: Limitations and Resolutions

Mobile networks have become a modern necessity. Without certain signaling methods in place, the mobile phone system would be rendered useless. Signaling refers to exchange of information between calling devices to maintain call service. Signaling System 7 (SS7), specifically, is a means through which telephone network elements exchange information. This technology dates back to 1970s, a time where safety protocols relied on the physical security of hosts and communication channels. In the early 21st century, however, SIGTRAN signaling transport protocols were developed to extend SS7. These newer mechanisms allowed the use of IP networks to transfer messages. Even with these new developments, vulnerabilities remain within the SS7 protocols. This paper explores the SS7 protocol in detail, as well as threat modeling for demonstrated vulnerabilities. An experimental setup exposes a vulnerability in the SIGTRAN extension of SS7.
Management of IPAA-Associated Persistent Presacral Sinus

A persistent presacral sinus tract arising after restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) can cause considerable morbidity and is associated with high rates of pouch failure [1, 2]. These sinuses are blind-ending tracts that form as a result of a non-healing leak or suture/staple line dehiscence at the pouch-anal anastomosis. Although many defects remedy themselves with proper drainage and patience, some chronic tracts may persist and lead to significant compromise in pouch function and longevity [3]. A number of interventions have been performed in patients with IPAA-associated persistent sinus tracts, most of which are in a posterior location, with hopes of achieving either symptom relief or complete closure of the tract. The optimal approach must consider the specific characteristics of the persistent sinus tract, and options range from less invasive endoscopic procedures to more extensive pouch revision and redo of the pouch-anal anastomosis (Table 41.1).
Hypoglycemia in Children

The factors that sustain postabsorptive glucose concentrations have been analyzed and the adverse effects of various hypoglycemic disorders on these factors examined. The role of alanine has been reviewed and the importance of glycerol as a precursor of glucose and of ketones as a fuel substitute for glucose emphasized. Finally, we have suggested that fasting functional hypoglycemia replace ketotic hypoglycemia as a descriptive term and that we relinquish the concept of leucine-sensitive hypoglycemia as a specific entity.
Endovascular Treatment of Tracheoinnominate Artery Fistula: Case Report and Literature Review With Pooled Cohort Analysis.

To pool data from published cases of tracheoinnominate artery fistula (TIF) treated with surgical or endovascular techniques along with reporting a case of similar presentation. A total of 261 cases in 137 published case reports and case series were identified through a comprehensive systematic literature review. Data regarding patient characteristics, treatment, and follow-up were extracted. A local case of a 14-year-old boy with TIF due to longstanding tracheostomy treated with stent-graft placement was added to the data. Comparison of the complication rates between surgical vs endovascular interventions was done with the chi-square test. Factors associated with longer survival were assessed by the Cox regression analysis. Thirty-three (12.6%) of the reported cases were treated endovascularly, 137 (52.3%) were treated surgically, and 92 (35.1%) were reported with no definitive treatment. Mean age was 34 ± 22 years, and 61% were males. The mean time interval between tracheotomy placement and bleeding was 1 ± 2.5 years. A lower procedure-related complication (30% vs 50%, P = 0.045) and 30-day mortality (9% vs 23%, P = 0.008) rates had been reported with percutaneous approaches compared to surgery. No percutaneous procedure was reported prior to year 2000. In multivariate analysis stratified by publication year, a shorter tracheostomy-to-bleeding time (year) was significantly associated with higher hazards of death (hazard ratio: 1.22, P = 0.017). Type of intervention (percutaneous vs surgery) was not associated with postintervention survival (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.78, P = 0.558). Endovascular stent grafting can have a comparable postprocedural survival and lower complication rates vs open surgical repair in treatment of TIF.
Studies on the Morphological Basis of Orientation Selectivity

Publisher Summary The visual system, with its precise functional properties and readily manipulated stimuli, is a particularly advantageous and fruitful model system for the study of relationships between form and function. Starting with the physiological definition of retinal receptive fields and the relatively crude morphological demonstrations of visual projection maps in cortex, increasingly detailed functional and morphological studies have continued to yield data designed to relate the form and function of specific neural elements in the visual system. This chapter explains the detection of dendrite orientations in the visual cortex of kittens reared in striped environments consistent with the hypothesis that the preferred orientations of layer IV stellate cells are determined, in part, by the spatial distribution of dendrites. The chapter focuses on the role of dendrites in orientation selectivity to the exclusion of other factors that also contribute to orientation selectivity. The chapter also presents some data regarding a morphological consequence of rearing in striped environments whose subtlety matches or exceeds that of its physiological counterpart.
Demographic change and long-run development: edited by Matteo Cervellati and Uwe Sunde, Cambridge, MA, MIT Press, 2017, 354 pp., $35.00 (hardcover), ISBN 9780262036627

This collected work edited by Matteo Cervellati and Uwe Sunde is a dense and multifaceted collection of studies related to the demographic transition and accompanying economic transition over the l...
Abstract PO-034: Increased physical activity delays development of obesity-induced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in mice and modulates inflammation

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a deadly disease with no preventive strategies. Lifestyle interventions to decrease obesity might serve to prevent obesity-induced PDAC. We examined whether decreasing obesity via increased physical activity (PA) and/or diet-induced weight loss could prevent PDAC in mice and compared the levels of systemic inflammatory-associated cytokines in human subjects undergoing a PA intervention. Methods: Obesity-induced PDAC mouse models were exposed to various interventions before and after cancer initiation, that included increased PA, diet-induced weight loss, and/or chemotherapy. We evaluated body composition, tumor progression, growth, fibrosis, and inflammation. Circulating inflammatory-associated cytokines of overweight/obese human subjects before and after a PA intervention were also compared. Results: Genetically engineered PDAC mice on a PA intervention while on a HFD, gained less weight, displayed lower grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias lesions, and fewer mice developed PDAC compared to controls. Similar results were observed in PDAC mice given a HFD to induce obesity, prior to a control diet (CD) and PA intervention, compared to mice given a CD after the HFD. PA alone or with a CD intervention decreased body weight but did not prevent tumor growth in an orthotopic mouse model of PDAC. PA combined with chemotherapy increased the percentage of splenic cluster of differentiation 8+ (CD8+) T cells in PDAC mice. Finally, PA prevented the increase of systemic inflammatory-associated cytokines in PDAC mice and in overweight/obese control human subjects. Conclusions: PA alone or with diet-induced weight loss delayed the progression of PDAC in genetically engineered mice and reduced inflammation. While these interventions did not prevent tumor growth in the orthotopic mouse model, it did modulate immune responses. Reducing obesity by increasing PA and decreasing dietary fat intake could be a way of reducing the incidence of PDAC in high-risk obese individuals. Citation Format: Valentina Pita-Grisanti, Kelly Dubay, Ali Lahooti, Niharika Badi, Olivia Ueltschi, Myrriah Chavez-Tomar, Samantha Terhorst, Sue Knoblaugh, Christopher Coss, Thomas Mace, Fouad Choueiry, Alice Hinton, Jennifer M Mitchell, Karen Basen-Engquist, Zobeida Cruz-Monserrate. Increased physical activity delays development of obesity-induced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in mice and modulates inflammation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer; 2020 Sep 29-30. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(22 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-034.
Ai for Computer Architecture: Principles, Practice, and Prospects

Artificial intelligence has already enabled pivotal advances in diverse fields, yet its impact on computer architecture has only just begun. In particular, recent work has explored broader application to the design, optimization, and simulation of computer architecture. Notably, machine-learning-based strategies often surpass prior state-of-the-art analytical, heuristic, and human-expert approaches. This book reviews the application of machine learning in system-wide simulation and run-time optimization, and in many individual components such as caches/memories, branch predictors, networks-on-chip, and GPUs. The book further analyzes current practice to highlight useful design strategies and identify areas for future work, based on optimized implementation strategies, opportune extensions to existing work, and ambitious long term possibilities. Taken together, these strategies and techniques present a promising future for increasingly automated computer architecture designs.
Developing oral reading fluency among hispanic high school english-language learners: an intervention using speech recognition software

This study investigated oral reading fluency development among Hispanic high school English-language learners. Participants included 11 males and 9 females from first-year, second-year, and third-year English language arts classes. The pre-post experimental study, which was conducted during a four-week ESL summer program, included a treatment and a control group. The treatment group received a combination of components, including modified repeated reading with self-voice listening and oral dictation output from a speech recognition program. Each day, students performed a series of tasks, including dictation of part of the previous day’s passage; listening to and silently reading a new passage; dictating and correcting individual sentences from the new passage in the speech recognition environment; dictating the new passage as a whole without making corrections; and finally, listening to their own voice from their recorded dictation. This sequence was repeated in the subsequent sessions. Thus, this intervention was a technology-enhanced variation of repeated reading with a pronunciation dictation segment. Research questions focused on improvements in oral reading accuracy and rate, facility with the application, student perceptions toward the technology for reading, and the reliability of the speech recognition program. The treatment group improved oral reading accuracy by 50%, retained and transferred pronunciation of 55% of new vocabulary, and increased oral reading rate 16 words-correct-per-minute. Students used the intervention independently after three sessions. This independence may have contributed to students’ self-efficacy as they perceived improvements in their pronunciation, reading in general, and reported an increased liking of school. Students initially had a very positive perception toward using the technology for reading, but this perception decreased over the four weeks from 2.7 to 2.4 on a 3 point scale. The speech recognition program was reliable 94% of the time. The combination of the summer school program and intervention component stacking supported students’ gains in oral reading fluency, suggesting that further study into applications of the intervention is warranted. Acceleration of oral reading skills and vocabulary acquisition for ELLs contributes to closing the reading gap between ELLs and native-English speakers. Fluent oral reading is strongly correlated with reading comprehension, and reading comprehension is essential for ELLs to be successful in school. Literacy support tools such as this intervention can play a role in ameliorating English acquisition faster than the rate attained through traditional practices.
Physical maps of the mouse and human immunoglobulin-like loci.

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the methods that are currently available for generating physical maps and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The immune system is highly complex and consists of many different cell types; each carrying out their unique function. The primary task of the immune response is to distinguish between self and foreign antigens. This function is mediated by cell-surface receptors located on two major types of lymphocytes, T cells and B cells. B cells constitute the humoral pathway of the immune system, which defends primarily against acute bacterial and viral infections. The cell-surface antigen receptor of B cells is a membrane-bound immunoglobulin (Ig) of the IgM class. Immunoglobulins are composed of two chains, heavy (H) and light (L). Like immunoglobulins, the α and β or У and δ chains associate following protein synthesis to form a heterodimeric receptor molecule. The molecules encoded by the genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) also play an important role in the vertebrate immune response. These proteins present foreign peptide antigens to the α/β T cell receptors, thus facilitating the ability of T cells to identify and respond to foreign antigens. The chapter groups these gene families as immunoglobulin-like loci, because they are molecular families that are constructed based on the immunoglobulin homology unit. Each immunoglobulin homology unit is approximately 110 amino acids in size, and has several conserved amino acids and a centrally placed cysteine disulfide bridge usually spanning 60–75 amino acids. The tertiary structure of the homology unit is highly conserved and composed of two sheets of three to four antiparallel, 0- pleated strands. In addition to their structural similarities, discontinuous gene segments that are organized on the chromosomes as discrete loci encode these molecules all. During the course of cellular differentiation and development, gene segments in these loci are rearranged and joined to produce the final coding sequence. Because most of the discontinuous gene segments exist as multiple-member pools, the combination of different sequences gives rise to a high degree of diversity in the final protein product.
Neural Network Optimization for Combinations in Identification Systems

In this paper we investigate the construction of combination functions in identification systems. In contrast to verification systems, the optimal combination functions for identification systems are not known. In this paper we represent the combination function by means of a neural network and explore different methods of its training, so that the identification system performance is optimized. The modifications are based on the principle of utilizing best impostors from each training identification trial. The experiments are performed on score sets of biometric matchers and handwritten word recognizers. The proposed combination methods are able to outperform the likelihood ratio, which is optimal combination method for verification system, as well as, weighted sum combination method optimized for best performance in identification systems.
The spatial character of Russia's new democracy

To date, virtually all research on Russian elections, beginning in 1991, have used tools and methodological approaches akin to voting research from the 1950s and 1960s. Researchers have relied either on public opinion polls that try to tease out correlations between a standard menu of socio-economic characteristics, attitudes about candidates, and self-reports of voting history; or on journalistic assessments of aggregate election returns, coupled with substantive expertise of Russian politics. Here, then, we try to gain an understanding of those elections in more contemporary theoretical terms — in terms of the spatial analysis of elections and voting. Although our analysis relies on a less-than-optimal source of data — election returns aggregated up to the level of individual rayons (countries) — we are able to draw a spatial map of those elections that is not too dissimilar from what others infer using less explicit methodologies. Specifically, we find that throughout the 1991–1996 period, a single issue — reform — has and continues to dominate the electorate’s responses to candidates and parties. On the other hand, we find little evidence of the emergence of “nationalism” as an issue, but conclude that to the extent we can detect this issue in the 1996 presidential contest, one candidate, General Alexander Lebed, did succeed in differentiating himself from other nationalist candidates (most notably, Vladimir Zhirinovski) without abandoning the reformist camp. In general, then, this preliminary analysis suggests that the same tools used elsewhere to uncover the spatial map of elections and the connection between basic and actionable issues (individual level thermometer score rankings of candidates and parties) can be applied to Russia with the promise of coherent, understandable results.
Becker, Edwin D.: NMR at the NIH: Inception and Growth Over Four Decades

The sections in this article are 1 My First Inklings of NMR 2 On to NIH 3 Liddel and Ramsey 4 Early NMR Studies 5 Higher Fields and Larger Molecules 6 Farrar and Becker 7 Further Evolution of NMR at NIH 8 A Final Note 9 Biographical Sketch
Sisterhood in short supply in the workplace It's often the women who hold back their female colleagues

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to put forward the view that the glass ceiling will remain in place so long as women continue to hinder the progress of their female colleagues in the workplace.Design/methodology/approach – Presents three examples of women who held back the advancement of their female colleagues.Findings – Highlights the “crab‐bucket” mentality, where crabs at the bottom of a bucket pull down the ones that try to climb up.Practical implications – Suggests that this behavior may partially be explained by the fact that women may have to work harder for promotion.Originality/value – Provides a new insight on the glass ceiling.
Study of the reactions 118Sn(d, t) and 98Mo(d, t): (II). Interpretation of the ln = 0 results

Abstract Measurements of the vector analyzing power at E d = 12.0 MeV for l n = 0 transitions in 118 Sn ( d , t) and 98 Mo ( d , t ) 97 Mo are examined. A DWBA analysis reveals that the ( d , t ) analyzing powers are sensitive to the deuteron-nucleus, but not to the triton-nucleus spin-orbit interaction. For the ground-state transition 118 Sn ( d , t 0 ) 117 Sn , an unexpectedly strong correlation is observed between the measured analyzing power and the logarithmic derivative with respect to angle of the measured differential cross section. The correlation is shown to arise in part because the radial wave functions corresponding to a given partial wave penetrate considerably further in the deuteron channel than in the near-Coulomb triton channel. Under the conditions responsible for this correlation, the radius parameter of the deuteron-nucleus spin-orbit potential can be estimated directly from the ( d , t ) analyzing power measurements, in a manner independent of optical model analyses of deuteron elastic scattering. We also investigate the origin of correlations between the l n = 0 analyzing power and that for deuteron elastic scattering from the same target nucleus, and between the analyzing powers for the reactions 118 Sn ( d , t 0 ) 117 Sn and 117 Sn ( d , p 0 ) 118 Sn .
Inner magnetospheric modeling with the Rice Convection Model

The Rice Convection Model (RCM) is an established physical model of the inner and middle magnetosphere that includes coupling to the ionosphere. It uses a many-fluid formalism to describe adiabatically drifting isotropic particle distributions in a self-consistently computed electric field and specified magnetic field. We review a long-standing effort at Rice University in magnetospheric modeling with the Rice Convection Model. After briefly describing the basic assumptions and equations that make up the core of the RCM, we present a sampling of recent results using the model. We conclude with a brief description of ongoing and future improvements to the RCM.
Advanced real-time scheduling using the IEEE 802.5 token ring

An approach for scheduling the IEEE 802.5 token ring for hard real-time applications is presented that not only guarantees deadlines for synchronous class messages, but also greatly reduces asynchronous class response times. Highly responsive guaranteed service is introduced for alert class asynchronous messages. Conventional use of the IEEE 802.5 token ring provides synchronous communication services using time-domain multiplexing (TDM) while relegating asynchronous class message services to background status. An algorithmic-based scheduling approach is presented that supports a priori schedulability determination for arbitrary synchronous message sets without the costly time-line development, testing, and tuning associated with TDM techniques. This capability allows the IEEE 802.5 to support dynamic, adaptive and reconfigurable run-time environments where the inflexibility of TDM would be prohibitive. Advanced real-time scheduling applied to the IEEE 802.5 token ring greatly enhances the responsiveness of asynchronous class messages while still maintaining guaranteed service for the synchronous class. >
The role of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate in the regulation of insulin release by isolated rat islets of Langerhans.

1. Concentrations of cyclic AMP (adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate) and rates of insulin release were measured in islets of Langerhans isolated from rat pancreas and incubated for various times in the presence of glucose, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, caffeine, theophylline, adrenaline and diazoxide. 2. Caffeine and theophylline produced small but significant increases in both cyclic AMP and release of insulin when they were incubated in the presence of 10mm-glucose. 3. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine produced a marked increase in the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP in the presence of 5mm- and 10mm-glucose. However, insulin release was stimulated only in the presence of 10mm-glucose. 4. In response to rising concentrations of extracellular glucose (5–20mm) there was no detectable increase in the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP even though there was a marked increase in the rate of insulin release. 5. In response to 10mm-glucose insulin release occurred in two phases and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine potentiated the effect of glucose on both phases. The intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP remained constant with glucose and rose within 10min to its maximum value with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. 6. Adrenaline and diazoxide inhibited insulin release and lowered the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP when islets were incubated with glucose or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. 7. It is suggested that glucose does not stimulate insulin release by increasing the concentration of cyclic AMP in islet cells. However, the concentration of cyclic AMP in islet cells may modulate the effect of glucose on the release process.
Hypothalamic projections of medullary catecholamine neurons in the rabbit: a combined catecholamine fluorescence and HRP transport study.

Abstract Injections of horseradish peroxidase into the rabbit hypothalamus, centered on the paraventricular nucleus, result in retrograde transport to A1 and A2 neurons in the medulla oblongata, in a bilateral distribution with ipsilateral predominance. Some HRP labeled cells in both A1 and A2 areas do not exhibit a positive histochemical reaction for catecholamines, but, in the Al area, nearly all HRP-positive neurons are catecholamine-containing A1 cells. Injection of radioisotope into the A1 area of the rabbit results in terminal labeling within the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. This study complements previous work showing that rabbit A1 and A2 cells have minimal projections to the spinal cord.
Administration of long-term estradiol and progesterone followed by progesterone withdrawal does not alter the plasma oxytocin secretory response to cholecystokinin or the pituitary oxytocin content in ovariectomized rats.

The hormone oxytocin (OT) is important for several pre- and postpartum events, including uterine contractions at parturition, the induction of maternal behavior, and milk ejection during nursing. During late pregnancy, OT mRNA is increased in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) due to high estrogen and declining progesterone levels. Administration of sequential estrogen and progesterone to, followed by withdrawal of progesterone from, an ovariectomized rat also increases OT mRNA. However, pituitary OT peptide is not affected. In the present experiment, we determined if this steroid exposure alters peripheral OT secretion during a provocative stimulus to OT release, such as cholecystokinin (CCK). Adult ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted on day 1 with either estrogen or empty silastic capsules, on day 3 with progesterone or empty capsules, and on day 14 progesterone or empty capsules were removed. Forty-eight hrs after removal of the progesterone capsules, plasma OT was measured before and after i.v. injection of 10 micrograms/kg of CCK. At the completion of the study, pituitary glands were removed and OT peptide was measured. No significant differences were found between the sham and hormone-treated animals either in their basal or CCK-stimulated plasma OT levels or their pituitary content of OT peptide. Although sequential exposure to estradiol and progesterone followed by withdrawal of progesterone has been shown previously to increase PVN OT mRNA, neither pituitary OT immunoreactivity nor basal and CCK-stimulated release of plasma OT is affected by this treatment. Although the mechanism of this steroid effect is not yet understood, our observations suggest a unique action of gonadal steroids upon PVN OT neurons.
Mixed function oxygenase activity in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus: characterization of enzyme activity from stomach tissue

Abstract 1. 1. The mixed function oxygenase, arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), was characterized from stomach tissue of blue crab. Maximal enzyme activity was attained at 30°C and pH 7.5 in the presence of NADPH, oxygen, and magnesium when benzo(a)pyrene was employed as the substrate. 2. 2. Components of the mfo system, cytochrome P-450 and phospholipid, were shown necessary for maximal activity by use of cytochrome P-450 inhibitors, detergents, inhibition by phospholipase c and spectral observations of cytochrome P-420. The remaining component, NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase, was assayed using cytochrome c as the electron recipient. 3. 3. Four other polycylic aromatic compounds were modified (phenanthrene, benz(a)anthracene, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, and 5,6-chysene) in addition to benzo(a)pyrene under in vitro assay conditions. 4. 4. The major products of benzo(a)pyrene metabolism by stomach tissue were the phenols, 3-hydroxy-benzo(a)pyrene and 9-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene with minor amounts of the diols, probably trans-4,5-dihydrodiol benzo(a)pyrene and trans-7,8-dihydrodiol benzo(a)pyrene. 5. 5. Two other mixed function oxygenase activities, 7-ethoxycoumarin de-ethylase and 7-ethoxyresorufin dealkylase, were also shown to be present in stomach microsomes. 6. 6. No increase in AHH activity occurred after injection of benz(a)anthracene or phenobarbital or feeding food comtaminated with benz(a)anthracene. 7. 7. Inhibition of AHH activity by low concentrations of 7,8-naphtoflavone (84% at 10−6 M) and lack of induction suggested important differences between the AHH of crabs and other animals .
Azobenzene compound-based photomechanical actuator devices

It has been shown that the chromophore disperse red 1 azobenzene (DR1) when doped into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) optical fiber can be used to make an optical cantilever in which an asymmetrically propagating beam at 633nm causes the fiber to bend. The fast response process is purported to be due to elongation of the material as molecules change between cis and trans isomers. In our work, UV light of 350nm will be used to investigate trans to cis somerization, which should induce contraction. Short fiber segments in a three-contactpoint geometry will be used to control the position and tilt of silver- or aluminum-coated coverslips that together with microscope glass slides as the substrate make optically-actuated beam-controlling mounts and Fabry-Perot interferometers. A Michelson interferometer is used to measure the length change of the fiber actuator. Azodye doped liquid crystal (LC) elastomers have been demonstrated to have a photomechanical effect that is at least ten times bigger than thermoplastic-based polymer fiber. However, the optical quality of thermoplastics are much better, enabling the cascading of devices in series. We will report on visible and UV laser-actuation of LC elastomer and polymer device structures using a quadrant photodetector to record the beam deflection caused by the shape change of the material, which will allow for dynamical measurements of the mechanisms. All measurements will be calibrated against a piezoelectric crystal actuator. Photomechanical devices provide an inexpensive but versatile, small-form factor, vibration free and high precision solution to optomechanics, sensing, positioning and other space applications.
The Special Ability View of knowledge-how

Propositionalism explains the nature of knowledge-how as follows: P: To know how to ϕ is to stand in a special propositional attitude relation to propositions about how to ϕ. To know how to ride a bike is to have the required propositional attitude to propositions about how to do so. Dispositionalism offers an alternative view. D: To know how to ϕ is to stand in a behavioral-dispositional relation, a being-able-to relation, to ϕ-ing. To know how to ride a bike is to have an ability to do so in the form of a complex disposition to behave in ways that constitute bike riding. Objectualism presents a third option. O: To know how to ϕ is to stand in a non-propositional, non-behavioral-dispositional objective attitude relation to a way of j-ing. To know how to ride a bike is to have an objectual attitude, perhaps a form of knowledge of, to a way of doing so.
Witnessed sleep-related seizure and sudden unexpected death in infancy: a case report

Witnessed reports of sudden death are rare, but critical to deciphering its mechanism(s). We report such a death in a seemingly healthy 8-month-old boy in whom seizures and respiratory distress in the prone position were witnessed upon discovery during a sleep period. Following cardiopulmonary resuscitation, anoxic encephalopathy resulted in “brain death” and withdrawal of life support after 2 days. The autopsy did not reveal a primary anatomic cause of death. Metabolic evaluation failed to uncover an inborn error of ammonia, amino, organic, or fatty acid metabolism. Seizures in this case may have been secondary to cerebral hypoxia–ischemia complicating cardiorespiratory arrest of unknown etiology. Yet, they may represent the first manifestation of idiopathic epilepsy, triggering cardiopulmonary arrest, analogous to the terminal events postulated in sudden and unexplained death in epilepsy. This report alerts the forensic community to the possibility that sudden and unexplained death in infants may be due to seizures.
BRST structure of general relativity in terms of new variables

The structure of the Poisson-brackets algebra of constraints of general relativity is reexamined using the recently introduced spinorial variables. Three different combinations of constraints are analyzed and their relative merits are discussed. In each case we construct the corresponding expression of the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin charge. These expressions provide a point of departure for a nonperturbative quantization scheme for general relativity.
Phthalate esters, PCB and DDT residues in the gulf of mexico atmosphere

Phthalate ester plasticizers, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBF), were measured in the atmosphere of the Gulf of Mexico. Significant amounts of the phthalate esters were found both in the vapor phase and associated with particulate matter. PCB and DDT residues measured on the same samples were found primarily in the vapor phase. The levels of the phthalate esters and chlorinated compounds are one to two orders of magnitude lower than those reported for continental and urban air.
Islam, identity and professional values: A study of journalists in three Muslim-majority regions:

Islam is a religion, but it is also a philosophy. An analysis of surveys in the Arab world, Indonesia and Pakistan reveals that the mission and values of journalists in those Muslim-majority region...
Research in information science: An assessment

The most promising methodologies and techniques for future productivity in our field should be those which contribute most to the development of information science as a science. A critical appraisal at this time1 might contribute something to our growth and maturity as scientists. Albert Einstein defined science: “in a technical sense, it is the endeavor to formulate invariant relationships of observational data, that is, invariant relationships between specific measurements. Science seeks to show, with the greatest possible exactitude, the relationship between various entities of the world as these entities are measured by the scientist. ... Of course, conceptions and formulations of relationships are always subject to revision.”
Novel syntheses of monofunctionalized triaza-crowns and cyclams with a secondary amine group on a side chain

Abstract Several monofunctionalized triaza-crowns and cyclams each containing a secondary amine group on a side chain have been prepared in good yields in few steps from readily available starting materials. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex of silver ion with 1-(2-ethylamino)ethyl-4,7,10,13-tetraethyl-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclopentadecane (4) shows that the nitrogen atom of the side chain interacts strongly with the silver ion.
A general probabilistic framework for clustering individuals and objects

This paper presents a unifying probabilisti framework for lustering individuals or systems into groups when the available data measurements are not multivariate ve tors of xed dimensionality. For example, one might have data from a set of medi al patients, where for ea h patient one has a set of of observed time-series, ea h time-series of potentially di erent length and di erent sampling rate. We propose a general model-based probabilisti framework for lustering data types of this form whi h are non-ve tor in nature and may vary in size from individual to individual. The Expe tation-Maximization (EM) pro edure for lustering within this framework is dis ussed and we dis uss how it be applied in a general manner to lustering of sequen es, time-series, traje tories, and other non-ve tor data. We show that a number of earlier algorithms an be viewed as spe ial ases within this unifying framework. The paper on ludes with several illustrations of the method, in luding lustering of red blood ell data in a medi al diagnosis ontext, lustering of proteins from urves of gene expression data, and lustering of individuals based on their sequen es of Web navigation. General Terms Clustering, Mixture Models, EM Algorithm
Evaluation of salt-tolerant forages for sequential water reuse systems: II. Plant–ion relations

Abstract Implementation of the saline drainage water reuse system proposed for the westside of the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California requires development of sustainable cropping systems, which incorporate useful, salt-tolerant agronomic species. Ion composition in the saline drainage effluents present in the SJV is unique, with Na+, SO42−, Cl−, Mg2+ and Ca2+ predominating in that order. To identify potentially suitable crops for reuse systems, 10 forages were tested in greenhouse sand cultures located at USDA-ARS George E. Brown Jr. Salinity Laboratory, Riverside, California. Crops were: alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cvs. ‘Salado’ and ‘SW 9720’; narrowleaf trefoil (Lotus glaber Greene) cv. ‘PI 608022’; broadleaf trefoil (L. ulginosus Schk.) cv. ‘Big’; tall wheatgrass (Agropyron elongatum (Host) Beauv.) cv. ‘Jose’; alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides Torr.); kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. Ex Chiov.) cv. ‘Whittet’; paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz) cvs. PI ‘299042’ and ‘Polo’; and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) cv. ‘Tifton’. Two saline treatments, 15 and 25 dS m−1, were imposed. Shoots were sub-sampled for mineral ion analysis when the forages were harvested. Patterns of shoot ion concentrations were unique for each species and varied with salinity level, external ion ratios, harvest date and plant age. Plant preference for K+ over Na+ did not appear to be a reliable predictor of salt tolerance. Salt-tolerant crops, such as kikuyugrass and bermudagrass, were highly selective for K+ (SK,Na ∼ 200 to 400), whereas selectivity coefficients for the equally salt-tolerant grasses, alkali sacaton and tall wheatgrass, ranged from 20 to 40. The forages were highly selective for K+ over Mg2+ despite unusually low K+:Mg2+ ratios in the external solutions. Total-S in the herbage was high and generally increased as external SO42− increased. Based on sustained nutritional health and lack of visual signs of toxicity or deficiency symptoms, several of the forages tested show promise as suitable candidates for the saline–sodic water reuse systems.
The continuum spectrum of lightning

Abstract A strong continuum spectrum is evident on slitless spectrographs of the lightning discharge. The radiation processes which may contribute to the continuum spectrum are considered. These processes are black body radiation, Bremsstrahlung, recombination radiation, attachment radiation and cyclotron radiation. It is shown that a determination of the temperature of a lightning stroke as a function of time is possible from an analysis of the time resolved continuum spectrum of the stroke. For lightning spectra recorded by Salanave , the maximum stroke temperature is found to be greater than 10,000°K if the lightning discharge is optically thick and greater than 30,000°K if the lightning discharge is optically thin. The assumption is made that the particles of the lightning discharge attain thermal equilibrium in a time short compared to the time in which the characteristics of the lightning stroke change appreciably.
Ethanol inhibits in‐vitro metabolism of nifedipine, triazolam and testosterone in human liver microsomes

Although extended exposure to ethanol induces CYP3A metabolism in-vivo, the acute effects of ethanol on CYP3A metabolism have not been fully evaluated in-vitro. We assessed the effect of ethanol on CYP3A-mediated biotransformation using human liver microsomes in-vitro with three prototypic CYP3A-mediated reactions: nifedipine to oxidized nifedipine, triazolam to its 1-hydroxy (1-OH TRZ) and 4-hydroxy (4-OH TRZ) metabolites, and testosterone to 6beta-hydroxytestosterone (6beta-OH TST). Ethanol inhibited metabolism of nifedipine (oxidized nifedipine IC50 3 mg dL(-1), where the IC50 value is the inhibitor concentration corresponding to a 50% reduction in metabolite formation velocity), triazolam (1-OH TRZ IC50 1.1 mg dL(-1), 4-OH TRZ IC50 2.7 mg dL(-1)) and testosterone (6beta-OH TST IC50 2.4 mg dL(-1)). The inhibitory potency of ethanol was similar for the three substrates representing the three hypothetical CYP3A substrate categories. The IC50 values obtained were lower than clinically relevant blood alcohol concentrations. In conclusion, ethanol is an inhibitor of human CYP3A metabolism and may contribute to clinically important interactions.