cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
River basin planning as a strategy for rural development in Nigeria

Abstract River basin planning has existed in one form or another since the third millenium B.C. when some of the earliest civilizations evolved in the great drainage basins of Mesopotamia, Egypt and north-west India. It has, however, undergone several modifications before finally culminating in the comprehensive planning for simultaneous development of all resources of a river basin. The idea of river basin planning was first mooted in Nigeria by the Food and Agriculture Organization in the late 1960s. Beginning in the early 1970s, the Federal government of Nigeria also came to the belief that river basin planning could play a significant role in the country's development. At the height of the ‘oil boom’ in 1976 and with the incipient manifestation of structural problems in the national economy, the government took a giant step in river basin planning by the establishment of 11 river basin development authorities. River basin planning is viewed as a ‘new approach’ to rural development and has involved more substantial capital outlay than all the other rural programmes combined. This paper examines the implementation and impact of these projects, which are large-scale and capital intensive, and which may be incompatible with a strategy aimed at improving the lot of the peasant farmers. The projects have wrought havoc on the prevailing rural economy and social-economic structures. Even if they were to achieve the primary objective of increasing rural productivity, this may be at a great cost to the rural populace and the environment. Perhaps more important is that river basin planning has the potential of substituting one form of dependency for another (food importation being substituted for the importation of fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, equipment, machines and foreign experts). The projects are thus benefiting a powerful combination of interests comprising local and foreign contractors, land speculators, bureaucrats, rural elites and incipient capitalist farmers who have not borne any losses in the process of implementation.
Perceptions of Same-sex Domestic Violence Among Crisis Center Staff

Crisis center staff help form the frontline in the fight against domestic violence. Therefore, it is important that we understand any biases they may have when addressing cases of same-sex domestic violence. In this study, 120 crisis center staff members were given a vignette depicting a domestic dispute and asked to complete a questionnaire about their perceptions of the incident and the parties involved. We manipulated the sex of the perpetrator and victim. All other aspects of the vignette remained consistent. Because gay and lesbian relationships are often perceived as less serious than heterosexual relationships, we hypothesized that participants would perceive same-sex domestic violence as such. Consistent with this hypothesis, participants rated same-sex domestic violence scenarios as less serious than opposite-sex domestic violence and as less likely to get worse over time.
The Moral Philosophy of Automobiles

The ethics of technology use has tended to arise from the theory of the role of technology in human life and society and thus introduces a bias into moral assessment of such use. I propose a dialectical method of morally assessing a technology use without such a preset notion. Instead the assumption is that the moral agent is as responsible for use of a technology as for any other moral action of the agent, that is, the individual’s use of a technology is a moral action that can be morally assessed. I apply this outlook to automobile use, weighing its moral pros and cons, such as in terms of autonomy, environmental degradation, land use, health hazards, and other moral drawbacks arising from the technology’s use or non-use. Although the conclusion leaves the final moral assessment undecided, the method points to a way fairly to assess morally the use of technologies in terms of human betterment and environmental and health concerns, minimizing biases from assumptions of the role or nature of technologies.
Seasonal leukocyte and erythrocyte counts in fathead minnows

Leukocyte and erythrocyte counts on normal fathead minnows Pimephales promelas showed a marked seasonal trend. In a period from June to March, a three-fold increase in leukocytes was seen during August and September.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POSTERIORLY ORIENTED QRS SE LOOP IN CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE. A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF ERROR IN THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY.

In 15 necropsy-proved cases with various congenital cardiac malformations, potential sources of error were present when utilizing conventional electrocardiographic criteria to determine ventricular hypertrophy. These potential sources of error were the ultimate result of three types of posteriorly oriented QRS sE loops, with the culminative electrical forces in all cases resulting in rS complexes in lead V 1 and deep S complexes in lead V 6 . Type I QRS sE loops were oriented right and posterior. Each case at necropsy showed isolated right ventricular hypertrophy. The proper electrocardiographic interpretation of right ventricular hypertrophy is aided by a predominant R wave in lead V 4 R and marked right axis deviation in the frontal plane, even though an rS or QS wave is present in lead V 1 . Type II QRS sE loops were positioned directly posterior, with little rightward or leftward projection, producing sterotype rS complexes in all precordial leads, including lead V 4 R. This type of QRS loop is present in malformations with distortions of their conduction system. Type III QRS sE loops, positioned posterior, leftward , and superior, also have rS complexes in V 1 . By conventional electrocardiographic criteria each case had left ventricular hypertrophy, confirmed in all at necropsy. In addition, however, relatively deep S waves and tall R waves were present in V 6 and aVR, respectively. These patterns might suggest additional right ventricular hypertrophy—a supposition unconfirmed at necropsy. Thus we interpret these patterns as a manifestation of marked left ventricular hypertrophy, even though the terminal portion of the QRS sE loop is rightward and posterior. The association of marked left axis deviation and a decrease in the size of the S wave in lead V 7 aids in the proper diagnosis of isolated left ventricular hypertrophy.
Metabolic recovery in the Desert Iguana ( Dipsosaurus dorsalis ) following activities of varied intensity and duration

Summary 1 Elevated oxygen consumption during recovery is the majority of total metabolic costs associated with short vigorous activity, thus any assessment of total costs associated with such activity should also examine the excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). This study examined EPOC and total metabolic costs in Dipsosaurus (N = 8; 75 ± 3 g) over a variety of submaximal intensities: 50%, 100% and 400% of the maximum aerobic speed (MAS = 0·27 m s−1; the speed at which VO2max is elicited). Activity duration was also varied (15, 60 and 300 s) over these intensities. 2 Total costs increased significantly with both activity intensity and duration. EPOC increased significantly with activity intensity. EPOC increased significantly with activity duration at higher intensities, but not the lowest intensity of 50% MAS. 3 These recovery costs constitute amounts of energy large enough to have an impact on energy budget analyses. The metabolic cost of an individual bout of activity and subsequent recovery was as high as 5% of the predicted daily energy expenditure, an increase of 5–8 × estimates that do not incorporate recovery. 4 To compare the relative economy of different activity regimens, the cost of activity (Cact; ml O2 g−1 km−1), was calculated as total costs, including EPOC, per unit distance travelled. Cact was independent of activity intensity over these ranges, but was inversely related to activity duration. 5 From these data, the most economical strategy to travel a certain distance would utilize a low-intensity and extended duration, as seen in regular activities such as foraging. High-intensity activities, such as escape, prey capture or mating behaviours, are thus predicted to be less economical. These should only be observed where metabolic costs would be considered secondary to the more proximal needs of the animal.
Synthesis of 4,6-diamino-5-(polyhydroxyalkylamido)pyrimidines: conformation of the sugar chain

Abstract Condensation of 4,5,6-triaminopyrimidine with ethyl glycolate, d -ribono-1,4-lactone, d -allono-1,4-lactone, d -glucono-1,5-lactone, and l -gulono-1,4-lactone led to the corresponding 4,6-diamino-5-(hydroxyalkylamido)pyrimidines (1a–e). The conformations in acidic aqueous solution of these acyclic carbohydrate derivatives were determined from the proton–proton NMR coupling constants at 300 MHz. The polyhydroxyalkyl chain of compounds 1b–e adopt sickle conformations in order to avoid the 1,3-parallel interactions between hydroxyl groups present in the planar zigzag conformer. Cyclization of 4,6-diamino-5-(hydroxyacetamido)pyrimidine (1a) afforded 8-(hydroxymethyl)adenine (2a), which was acetylated to give 2f. The 13C NMR spectra of compounds 1a–e and 2a and f are also reported.
Alcohol Consumption is Associated with Poor Health in HIV Clinic Patient Population: A Behavioral Surveillance Study

Previous research reports that populations with HIV consume higher rates of alcohol than general population. This cross-sectional study (n = 391) was conducted to measure alcohol consumption, factors associated with consumption, and the relationship between alcohol and HIV viral loads among individuals receiving HIV care. Increased alcohol consumption was associated with being male, lower education attainment, and lacking a current HAART prescription. Additionally, among those currently on HAART, unsuppressed viremia was associated with higher levels of alcohol consumption. These findings suggest that there may be a relatively low level of alcohol consumption that is detrimental to virologic suppression among populations with HIV.
Polarization properties of substrate-mode holographic interconnects

The polarization properties of cascaded substrate-mode holographic optical elements are analyzed and demonstrated. The design criteria for polarization selective and nonselective elements are given and verified with experimental volume holograms formed in dichromated gelatin emulsions. Using the experimental grating parameters, it is estimated that a reconfigurable optical bus with eight nodes can be made. Improved control of hologram construction parameters can increase this to more than 500 nodes. Use of this device with a reconfigurable interchange coupler and a multistage optical bus is also examined.
Changes in the metabolism of polyadenylated RNA commencing early in the incubation period of scrapie in the mouse

Abstract Tracer experiments with [5- 3 H]-uridine have shown that the amount of poly A + -RNA in mouse brain is reduced by about 50% in the clinical stage of scrapie. This reduction is largely confined to poly A + -RNA in the nuclear fraction of scrapie-brain and it is suggested that the non-messenger species of poly A + -RNA are mainly affected. A 50% reduction in the amount of poly A + -RNA can be detected in scrapie-mouse brain as early as 3 weeks after intracerebral or intraperitoneal infection with large doses of the agent. This is the earliest biochemical change known in mouse scrapie. Early changes in poly A + -RNA have also been found in livers and spleens of scrapie-mice, but the spleen changes are more complicated with an early elevation and a later depression. Attempts have been made to study the size distribution of poly A + -RNA molecules involved in these changes. The possible significance of these findings in the pathogenesis of mouse scrapie is discussed.
Regional Deficits of Myocardial Blood Flow and Function in Left Ventricular Pacing–Induced Heart Failure

Background Pacing-induced congestive heart failure has become a preferred model for the study of the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy. However, little is known regarding regional myocardial blood flow and function during the development of heart failure in this model. Methods and Results To determine whether regional differences in myocardial blood flow are associated with regional dysfunction in ventricular pacing–induced heart failure, regional myocardial blood flow (radioactive microspheres) and regional wall thickening (transthoracic echocardiography) were measured in pigs studied at weekly intervals during the progression of heart failure induced by rapid pacing from the lateral wall of the left ventricle (220±9 bpm for 26±4 days). Echocardiography and hemodynamic measurements with the pacemaker off showed progressive, severe global left ventricular dysfunction. During pacing over the 3- to 4-week period, a progressive decrease in systolic wall thickening in the lateral wall occurred compared w...
Act and idea in the Nazi Genocide

(1991). Act and idea in the Nazi Genocide. History of European Ideas: Vol. 13, No. 5, pp. 661-662.
Normal parameters of right ventricular mechanics with exertion in healthy individuals: a tissue Doppler imaging study.

Introduction Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) has been a useful tool to evaluate of resting right ventricular (RV) function; however, the response of the RV to exercise has not been well established. This study attempts to determine RV mechanics at rest and immediately after exercise in healthy subjects using TDI and to define normal values.
Modification of transcription following interaction of template specific monomers of Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase.

The template specificity of RNA polymerase from B. subtilis may be altered by factors reminiscent of the sigma factor in E. coli.
Acoustic particle agglomeration due to hydrodynamic interaction between monodisperse aerosols

Abstract The experimental verification of the theory on the hydrodynamic collisions in acoustic agglomeration is reported. Measurements are carried out on the time-dependent particle size distribution function using relatively monodisperse aerosols. These data are then used to determine the acoustic agglomeration constant which agrees well with the theoretical prediction. Two different experimental acoustic sources are used: one is a low frequency electromagnetic speaker and the other is a high frequency siren. Results show that acoustic agglomeration by hydrodynamic collision is important for particles radii larger than 0.5 μm in the audible frequency region (less than 10 k Hz). It is found that the acoustic agglomeration of these large particles is relatively insensitive to the frequency change, in contrast to the orthokinetic interaction whose effectiveness is sensitively dependent on the acoustic frequency.
Melanoma-specific CD4 + T Cells Recognize Nonmutated HLA-DR-restricted Tyrosinase Epitopes

Tyrosinase was the first melanoma-associated antigen shown to be recognized by CD4+ T cells. In this study, we have identified two HLA-DRB1*0401-restricted peptides recognized by these T cells: Ty 56-70 and Ty 448-462. As with many of the MHC class I-restricted melanoma epitopes, both are nonmutated self peptides that have intermediate and weak MHC binding affinities, respectively. Mutated and truncated versions of these peptides were used to define their MHC binding anchor residues. Anchor residues were then modified to derive peptides with increased MHC binding affinities and T cell stimulatory properties. Ty 56-70 and Ty 448-462 enhance the list of immunogenic HLA-A2-, A24-, and B44-restricted tyrosinase peptides already described. Thus, tyrosinase provides a model for anti-melanoma vaccines in which a single molecule can generate multivalent immunization incorporating both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses.
Thermal and Ballistic Dynamic Analyses for Gun Ceramic Nozzles

The primary concern for the design and test of the ceramic gun nozzle is the combination of the thermal stress and ballistic dynamic stress. On the thermal analysis basis, a transient sequentially coupled finite element model (FEM) is performed to investigate the thermal stresses due to large temperature gradient and coefficient mismatch of thermal expansion between the ceramic nozzle and the steel holder. The fully coupled thermal stress analysis is conducted for verification. A DYNA3D model is used for interior ballistic analysis for the ceramic nozzle. Three candidate ceramic materials, SN47, STK4, and ZRO2, are investigated and compared with the 4340 steel nozzle. All the stress components from both thermal and dynamic loads are determined. These predictions are significant to the selected ceramic materials for the gun nozzle design.
Characterization of the neuronal changes in the medial prefrontal cortex during jaw movement and eyeblink Pavlovian conditioning in the rabbit.

Abstract Medial prefrontal (mPFC) single-unit activity was assessed in defensive (eyeblink, EB) and appetitive (jaw movement, JM) Pavlovian conditioning in the rabbit. Concomitant heart rate (HR) changes were also assessed. In a first experiment robust JM conditioned responses (CRs) were observed to a tone-water (CS+) contingency but not to tone-alone (CS−), indicating discriminative JM conditioning. However, the CS-evoked accelerative HR response was not discriminative. Nevertheless, several single-unit discharge patterns were evoked by both tone-water and tone-alone, many of which were uniquely associated with either the CS+ or CS−. In a second experiment, Three separate stimuli, consisting of tone followed by periorbital shock (tone-shock), water (tone-water), and white noise not followed by shock or water, were presented in the same paradigm. Discrimination of conditioned JM, EB and HR changes were observed, i.e. each of these behavioral responses were uniquely associated with the relevant CS presentation. Conditioned bradycardia was evoked by tone-water during the first training session, which changed to tachycardia with further training. However, conditioned bradycardia was evoked by tone-shock throughout training. Different subpopulations of mPFC cells were activated by the tone-shock and tone-water contingencies, but a small group of cells were activated by both.
WHY ENCOURAGING EFFECT SIZE REPORTING IS NOT WORKING : THE ETIOLOGY OF RESEARCHER RESISTANCE TO CHANGING PRACTICES

Abstract Given decades of lucid, blunt admonitions that statistical significance tests are often misused and that the tests are somewhat limited in their usefulness, what is needed is less repeated bashing of statistical tests and some honest reflection regarding the etiology of researchers' denial and psychological resistance (sometimes unconscious) to an improved practice. Three etiologies are briefly explored here: (a) atavism, (b) “is/ought” logic fallacies, and (c) confusion or desperation. Understanding the etiology of psychological resistance may ultimately lead to improved interventions to assist in overcoming researcher resistance to reporting effect sizes and using non-nil nulls and other analytic improvements.
Mandating Sharing: Journal Policies in the Natural Sciences

Of approximately 850 natural science, medical, and engineering journals, 132 have at least one policy statement in their “instructions to authors” concerning (1) deposition of sequence or structure...
Meiotic chromosome segregation in human t(11;22)(q23;q11) carriers: a theoretical consideration.

The t(11;22)(q23;q11) translocation is the most frequently encountered familial reciprocal translocation in humans. In the majority of reported cases ascertainment has been through the birth of a child with the chromosomal constitution 47,XX,+der(22) or 47,XY,+der(22), i.e., tertiary trisomy. Previous segregation analysis of familial cases showed a number of interesting features. Thus, euploid unbalanced genotypes resulting from adjacent segregation are absent in the progeny, and only tertiary trisomic offspring are recovered. To explain this unusual progeny output we present here a model for the meiotic behavior of this translocation in the carriers based on an analysis of cytogenetic data of progeny of carriers. This model predicts the formation of a chain trivalent with chromosome order 11-der(11)-22 during prophase I and its predominant alternate orientation at metaphase I.
Testing strategies to reduce diarrhea in persons with HIV using traditional Chinese medicine: acupuncture and moxibustion.

Diarrhea affects more than 60% of persons living with HIV/AIDS. Diarrhea can be caused by pathogens, neoplastic diseases, side effects of medications, malabsorption, and/or enteropathy. Activities of daily living and quality of life are often affected by HIV/AIDS-related diarrhea. Traditional Chinese medical interventions such as acupuncture and moxibustion show promise in the area of gastrointestinal symptom management. The purposes of this study were to (a) determine the influence of acupuncture and moxibustion in reducing the frequency of diarrhea and increasing stool consistency in HIV-infected men with chronic diarrhea (defined as three or more episodes of watery, liquid, or loose stools in a 24-hour period for 3 weeks or more), (b) ascertain the feasibility of the methodology for a future prospective randomized controlled trial, and (c) determine sample size estimate for a prospective randomized controlled trial. Using a timeseries design, 15 HIV-positive men with chronic diarrhea received the same acupuncture/moxibustion treatment for six sessions over a 3-week period. Each participant maintained a daily stool frequency/consistency and medication diary. All treatments were administered by a licensed acupuncturist trained in traditional Chinese medicine. Based on the intent to treat analysis comparing the change in stool frequency from baseline to Week 3 and Week 6, stool frequency reduced approximately one episode per day (Week 3: p
Breast carcinoma and basal cell epithelia after X‐ray therapy for hirsutism

We report a 60-year-old woman with a history of x-ray therapy for generalized hirsutism at 20 years of age who at the age of 37 years developed the first of numerous basal cell epitheliomas on her trunk, including chest, on a background of radiation damaged skin. At the age of 51 years one of the basal cell epitheliomas was biopsied and an incidental histologic finding was a breast carcinoma. The basal cell epithelioma is clearly linked with x-ray exposure; breast cancer is less so although there is impressive epidemiologic evidence supporting an association between human breast cancer and radiation exposure. In view of an association between thyroid cancer and dermatologic x-ray therapy, further investigation of such an association with breast cancer should be considered. It may be wise to evaluate patients who received dermatologic x-ray exposure to their breasts for possible breast cancer and to consider radiation induced skin damage on or near the skin overlying the thyroid or breasts as a cutaneous marker of internal malignancy or potential internal malignancy.
Agribusiness graduate education: The international component

This article describes the various approaches used by graduate business schools to internationalize their curricula. Minimum requirements for the international business component are suggested. Elements of the international component including curricula, faculty development, student internships, student exchanges, and language requirements are addressed. Finally, the implications for graduate agribusiness programs are discussed. ©1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Chondrogenic differentiation of murine C3H10T1/2 multipotential mesenchymal cells: II. Stimulation by bone morphogenetic protein‐2 requires modulation of N‐cadherin expression and function

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, is characterized by its ability to induce cartilage and bone formation. We have recently demonstrated that the multipotential, murine embryonic mesenchymal cell line, C3H10T1/2, when cultured at high density, is induced by BMP-2 or TGF-β1 to undergo chondrogenic differentiation. The high-cell-density requirement suggests that specific cell-cell interactions, such as those mediated by cell adhesion molecules, are important in the chondrogenic response. In view of our recent finding that N-cadherin, a Ca2+-dependent cell adhesion molecule, is functionally required in normal embryonic limb mesenchyme cellular condensation and chondrogenesis, we examine here whether N-cadherin is also involved in BMP-2 induction of chondrogenesis in C3H10T1/2 cells. BMP-2 stimulation of chondrogenesis in high-density micromass cultures of C3H10T1/2 cells was evidenced by Alcian blue staining, elevated [35S]sulfate incorporation, and expression of the cartilage matrix markers, collagen type II and cartilage proteoglycan link protein. With BMP-2 treatment, N-cadherin mRNA expression was stimulated 4-fold within 24 h, and by day 5, protein levels were stimulated 8-fold. An N-cadherin peptidomimic containing the His-Ala-Val sequence to abrogate homotypic N-cadherin interactions inhibited chondrogenesis in a concentration-dependent manner. To analyze the functional role of N-cadherin further, C3H10T1/2 cells were stably transfected with expression constructs of either full-length N-cadherin or a dominant negative, N-terminal deletion mutant of N-cadherin. Moderate (2-fold) overexpression of full-length N-cadherin augmented, whereas higher (4-fold) overexpression inhibited the BMP-2-chondrogenic effect. On the other hand, expression of the dominant negative N-cadherin mutant dramatically inhibited BMP-2 stimulated chondrogenesis. These data strongly suggest that upregulation of N-cadherin expression, at defined critical levels, is a candidate mechanistic component of BMP-2 stimulation of mesenchymal chondrogenesis.
Gendered risk perceptions associated with human-wildlife conflict: implications for participatory conservation

This research aims to foster discourse about the extent to which gender is important to consider within the context of participatory approaches for biological conservation. Our objectives are to: (1) gender-disaggregate data about stakeholders' risk perceptions associated with human-wildlife conflict (HWC) in a participatory conservation context, and (2) highlight insights from characterizing gendered similarities and differences in the way people think about HWC-related risks. Two communal conservancies in Caprivi, Namibia served as case study sites. We analyzed data from focus groups (n = 2) to create gendered concept maps about risks to wildlife and livelihoods and any associations of those risks with HWC, and semi-structured interviews (n = 76; men = 38, women = 38) to measure explicit risk attitudes associated with HWC. Concept maps indicated some divergent perceptions in how groups characterized risks to wildlife and livelihoods; however, not only were identified risks to wildlife (e.g., pollution, hunting) dissimilar in some instances, descriptions of risks varied as well. Study groups reported similar risk perceptions associated with HWC with the exception of worry associated with HWC effects on local livelihoods. Gendered differences in risk perceptions may signal different priorities or incentives to participate in efforts to resolve HWC-related risks. Thus, although shared goals and interests may seem to be an obvious reason for cooperative wildlife management, it is not always obvious that management goals are shared. Opportunity exists to move beyond thinking about gender as an explanatory variable for understanding how different groups think about participating in conservation activities.
Further studies on the 37 kD liver protein-acetaldehyde adduct that forms in Vivo during chronic alcohol ingestion

We have previously reported the detection of a 37 kD liver protein-acetaldehyde adduct in rats fed alcohol chronically with the AIN'76 diet. It was surprising that only one liver protein-acetaldehyde adduct was found. In this report, we have tried to detect additional protein-acetaldehyde adducts by electroimmunotransblot with rabbit anti-hemocyanin-acetaldehyde adduct IgG and to further characterize the 37 kD liver protein-acetaldehyde adduct. Sensitivity of electroimmunotransblot increased 10- to 20-fold when alkaline phosphatase-linked antibody was used in place of horseradish peroxidase, but only one protein-acetaldehyde adduct band was detected in liver. Feeding rats the Lieber-DeCarli alcohol diet also did not produce more protein-acetaldehyde adduct bands in electroimmunotransblot. Addition of cyanamide, an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor, to the AIN'76 alcohol diet greatly increased the intensity of the 37-kD protein-acetaldehyde adduct band on electroimmunotransblot but did not produce other bands. The 37 kD protein-acetaldehyde adduct decayed in vivo with a half-life of 4 days when alcohol was removed from the diet. The 37 kD protein-acetaldehyde adduct in liver is cytosolic. Its interaction with anti-hemocyanin-acetaldehyde adduct IgG was blocked by polylysine-acetaldehyde adduct and polytyrosine-acetaldehyde adduct. It could be removed by immunosorption with anti-hemocyanin-acetaldehyde adduct IgG-bound immunoresin. When immunoblotted with anti-alcohol dehydrogenase and anti-aldehyde dehydrogenase antibodies, the alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase bands in liver of alcohol-fed rats showed identical intensities before and after immunosorption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Opposing effects of histidine phosphorylation regulate the AtxA virulence transcription factor in Bacillus anthracis.

Summary Expression of genes for Bacillus anthracis toxin and capsule virulence factors are dependent upon the AtxA transcription factor. The mechanism by which AtxA regulates the transcription of its target genes is unknown. Here we report that bioinformatic analyses suggested the presence in AtxA of two PTS (phosphenolpyruvate : sugar phosphotransferase system) regulation domains (PRD) generally regulated by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation at conserved histidine residues. By means of amino acid substitutions that mimic the phosphorylated (H to D) or the unphosphorylated (H to A) state of the protein, we showed that phosphorylation of H199 of PRD1 is likely to be necessary for AtxA activation while phosphorylation of H379 in PRD2 is inhibitory to toxin gene transcription. In vivo labelling experiments with radioactive phosphate allowed us to propose that H199 and H379 are AtxA residues subject to regulated phosphorylation. In support to these notions, we also show that deletion of ptsHI, encoding the HPr intermediate and the EI enzymes of PTS, or growth in the presence of glucose affect positively and negatively, respectively, the activity of AtxA. Our results link virulence factor production in B. anthracis to carbohydrate metabolism and, for the first time, provide a mechanistic explanation for AtxA transcriptional activity.
Analysis on holdup during processing UF6

Holdup in processing UF6 is analyzed in the present article. Under normal operation conditions of temperature and pressure, UF6 stays in gas phase. While if water moisture ingresses, chemical reaction between UF6 and moisture results in solid or liquid productions that can deposit on structure surfaces. The present report focuses on the chemistry of holdup and how to measure it, and safeguards and criticality safety concerns. An available statistic theoretical model is also discussed.
Measuring the number and spacing of molecular motors propelling a gliding microtubule.

The molecular motor gliding assay, in which a microtubule or other filament moves across a surface coated with motors, has provided much insight into how molecular motors work. The kinesin-microtubule system is also a strong candidate for the job of nanoparticle transporter in nanotechnology devices. In most cases, several motors transport each filament. Each motor serves both to bind the microtubule to a stationary surface and to propel the microtubule along the surface. By applying a uniform transverse force of 4--19 pN to a superparamagnetic bead attached to the trailing end of the microtubule, we have measured the distance $d$ between binding points (motors). The average value of $d$ was determined as a function of motor surface density $\mathbit{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$. The measurements agree well with the scaling model of Duke, Holy, and Liebler, which predicts that $\ensuremath{\langle}d\ensuremath{\rangle}~{\mathbit{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{\ensuremath{-}2/5}$ if $0.05\ensuremath{\leqslant}\mathbit{\ensuremath{\sigma}}\ensuremath{\leqslant}20 \ensuremath{\mu}{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ [Phys. Rev. Lett. 74, 330 (1995)]. The distribution of $d$ fits an extension of the model. The radius of curvature of a microtubule bent at a binding point by the force of the magnetic bead was \ensuremath{\approx}1 \ensuremath{\mu}m, 5000-fold smaller than the radius of curvature of microtubules subjected only to thermal forces. This is evidence that at these points of high bending stress, generated by the force on the magnetic bead, the microtubule is in the more flexible state of a two-state model of microtubule bending proposed by Heussinger, Sch\"uller, and Frey [Phys. Rev. E 81, 021904 (2010)].
Active set strategies in an ellipsoid algorithm for nonlinear programming

The classical ellipsoid algorithm solves convex nonlinear programming problems having feasible sets of full dimension. Convergence is certain only for the convex case (Math. Oper. Res. 10 (1985) 515), but the algorithm often works in practice for nonconvex problems as well (SIAM J. Control Optim. 23 (1985) 657). Shah's algorithm (Comput. Oper. Res. 20 (2001) 85) modifies the classical method to permit the solution of nonlinear programs including equality constraints. This paper describes a robust restarting procedure for Shah's algorithm and investigates two active set strategies to improve computational efficiency. Experimental results are presented to show the new algorithm is effective, and usually faster than Shah's algorithm, for a wide variety of convex and nonconvex nonlinear programs with inequality and equality constraints. We also demonstrate that the algorithm can be used to solve systems of nonlinear equations and inequalities, including Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone and Prostaglandin F2α for Postpartum Dairy Cows: Estrous, Ovulation, and Fertility Traits

Abstract A study of 234 Holstein cows was conducted to determine if early postpartum treatments of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, prostaglandin F 2α , or both would alter frequency and occurrence of estrus and ovulation as well as subsequent fertility. Cows in groups 1 and 2 received gonadotropin-releasing hormone (200µg) between 10 and 14 d postpartum, and cows in groups 3 and 4 received saline. Ten days later, cows in groups 2 and 3 received prostaglandin F 2α (25mg), and cows in groups 1 and 4 received saline. Treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone reduced intervals to first ovulation and first detected estrus as well as increasing the proportion of cows with three or more ovulations before first service from 57% for saline-treated controls to 83%. Treatment with prostaglandin F 2α reduced intervals to second and third ovulation and shortened the first estrous cycle. Treatments for cows in groups 1 and 3 increased the proportion of cows having estrous cycles of normal duration. Interval from calving to conception was reduced by 43 to 48 d for cows with an abnormal puerperium treated with either gonadotropin-releasing hormone or prostaglandin F 2α compared with controls (group 4) and by 27 to 29 d overall in all cows in groups 1 and 3. Cows with normal or abnormal puerperium in groups 1 and 3 required 26 to 41% fewer services per conception than controls. We conclude that treatments of gonadotropin-releasing hormone or prostaglandin F 2α , but not the treatment combination, improved fertility of dairy cows, especially those that experienced puerperal problems.
“[u]nited and actuated by some common impulse of passion”1: challenging the dispersal consensus in american housing policy research

A large and influential group of American scholars studying urban and low-income housing policy have coalesced around the central idea that the best way to ameliorate the plague of urban poverty in...
Some thoughts on the restructuring of North-South interaction☆

Abstract The theory of international trade presents trade as a positive-sum game for all participants. Yet, most of the negotiations between the developed and the developing countries seem to have been conducted under a perception of reality that views North-South relations as a zero-sum game. The purpose of this paper is to suggest a general framework for institutional and structural changes to benefit all participants. A number of original proposals for international reforms to support equitable development in developing countries are presented. The major element of the proposals include a Land Reform Fund, a rural and industrial development package for LDCs, support for trade liberalization of impacts from land reform countries, and an industrial Assistance Fund to help industrial countries to restructure production pattern. The proposals contain obviously far reaching national and international political implications whose impact is assessed in the concluding part of the paper. There the claim is made that unless both sets of countries find cooperation mutually attractive, they will be unable to embark in development strategies characterized by the highest chance of success and with the fewest economic and social disruptions.
Public schools, private schools, and the common school ideal

According to the ethos of the nineteenth century common school, “all students are assigned the same tasks, and in all the same powers developed.” Twentieth century innovations such as ability grouping are foreign to the common school's egalitarian ideal. Such innovations may reinforce connections between students' ascribed background characteristics and school achievement. Proponents of the common school sought to sever these connections. Coleman, Hoffer, and Kilgore, inHigh School Achievement (1982), argue that private schools are more in keeping with the common school tradition than public schools. In their view, private schools offer greater meritocratic justice than public schools; this is due to the fact that private schools minimize the impact of students' background characteristics, such as race and family income, on achievement. Our findings, however, are inconsistent with those of Coleman et al. We use a data set provided by the Educational Testing Service in which public and private subgroups are approximately equal with respect to measured background factors, and we employ a more adequate complement of independent variables, along with outcome measures which appear to be more curriculum sensitive than those employed by Coleman et al. Our regression results indicate that private secondary schools are no more effective than public schools at severing the connections between background characteristics and measured achievement in English, math, and American history.
Risk and protective factors in the perceived health of children of immigrants.

A theoretical model of risk and protective factors affecting the perceived health of children of immigrants in the United States was tested using data from the 2002 National Survey of America's Families. The dataset provided a nationally representative sample of 5764 children in immigrant families. The model explained 9% of the variance in perceived health, 31% of the variance in health insurance status, and 9% of the variance in having a usual source of health care. Perceived health was directly affected by societal reception (based on race/ethnicity) and family income. Health insurance served as a mediating factor between perceived health and familyincome, governmental reception (i.e., immigration status), and citizenship. Having a usual source of care did not affect perceived health, nor did other hypothesized factors, including family composition, state-level concentration of co-national immigrants, and state welfare safety nets. Implications for health policy and future research are discussed.
Studying heavy ion physics at the AGS using proton-nucleus collisions

Abstract Preliminary results from E910 on strange particle (A, K S 0 ) production in p-Au collisions at the AGS are presented.
miRNA regulatory circuits in ES cells differentiation: a chemical kinetics modeling approach.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in gene regulation for Embryonic Stem cells (ES cells), where they either down-regulate target mRNA genes by degradation or repress protein expression of these mRNA genes by inhibiting translation. Well known tables TargetScan and miRanda may predict quite long lists of potential miRNAs inhibitors for each mRNA gene, and one of our goals was to strongly narrow down the list of mRNA targets potentially repressed by a known large list of 400 miRNAs. Our paper focuses on algorithmic analysis of ES cells microarray data to reliably detect repressive interactions between miRNAs and mRNAs. We model, by chemical kinetics equations, the interaction architectures implementing the two basic silencing processes of miRNAs, namely “direct degradation” or “translation inhibition” of targeted mRNAs. For each pair (M,G) of potentially interacting miRMA gene M and mRNA gene G, we parameterize our associated kinetic equations by optimizing their fit with microarray data. When this fit is high enough, we validate the pair (M,G) as a highly probable repressive interaction. This approach leads to the computation of a highly selective and drastically reduced list of repressive pairs (M,G) involved in ES cells differentiation.
A Stochastic Approximation Method to Compute Bid Prices in Network Revenue Management Problems

We present a stochastic approximation method to compute bid prices in network revenue management problems. The key idea is to visualize the total expected revenue as a function of the bid prices and to use sample path-based derivatives to search for a good set of bid prices. We deal with the discrete nature of the network revenue management setting by formulating a smoothed version of the problem, which assumes that it is possible to accept a fraction of an itinerary request. We show that the iterates of our method converge to a stationary point of the total expected revenue function of the smoothed version. Computational experiments demonstrate that the bid prices obtained by our method outperform the ones obtained by standard benchmark methods, and our method is especially advantageous when the bid prices are not recomputed frequently.
Monitoring of orthogonal polarization power ratio due to PDL using intensity tones in polarization multiplexed signals

We demonstrate a technique for monitoring orthogonal polarization power ratio (OPPR) occurring in WDM polarization-multiplexed signals due to PDL. We employ low-frequency intensity tones to estimate the effect of PDL and level of OSNR.
Safety Words Inventory and Literacy Screener: Standardization and Validation

When evaluating a school-aged patient, particularly for such issues as attention deficit disorder, or learning disabilities, health-care providers are encouraged to appraise children's school performance. Although some clinicians seek teachers' comments, recent research suggests that teachers' appraisals have limited value. As a consequence, health-care providers need brief methods, functional for busy primary care clinics, for detecting school problems. Because well-visits also include other services such as anticipatory guidance and safety and injury counseling, it would be helpful for detection tools to facilitate delivery of more than one aspect of well-child care. This study was undertaken to develop a brief method for evaluating school performance for elementaryage children and test its accuracy in identifying children with reading and other academic problems. By using common safety signs as the test stimuli, such a tool should also serve as a springboard to injury prevention counseling. Data were d...
Total reconstruction of the vesico‐urethral junction

The percentage of patients who had achieved continence in the control group were: 13%, 35%, 50%, 62% and 82% at the 1-, 6-, 12-, 24- and 52-week follow-up, respectively. The percentage of patients who had achieved continence in the anterior reconstruction group were 27%, 59%, 77%, 86%, and 91%, respectively. The total reconstruction group had continence rates of 38%, 83%, 91%, and 97% at 1, 6, 12, and 24 weeks, respectively. At all the follow-up intervals the continence rate was significantly less in the control group than in the anterior reconstruction group and the total reconstruction group ( P < 0.01).
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF INSECTICIDAL NEUROTOXINS FROM AUSTRALIAN FUNNEL-WEB SPIDERS

Insect pests decimate a significant proportion of the world's food supply and transmit a number of deadly human diseases. These arthropods are generally controlled by spraying broad-spectrum chemical insecticides. However, the emergence of insecticide-resistant insect populations, as well as increasing disquiet about the environmental and human health risks associated with certain agrochemicals, has stimulated the search for new arthropod-control strategies. Since the primary role of spider venoms is to kill or immobilize arthropod prey, it is not surprising that spider venoms have proved to be rich sources of insecticidal compounds. In this review we examine the function and three-dimensional structure of four families of novel insecticidal neurotoxins that have been isolated from the venom of Australian funnel-web spiders. Although all of these toxins are members of the inhibitor cystine-knot family, they have proved to be structural chameleons, with the three-dimensional fold often providing few clues ...
Equivalent inter- and intramodality long-term priming: evidence for a common lexicon for words seen and words heard.

Weaker inter- than intramodality long-term priming of words has promoted two hypotheses: (1) separate visual and auditory lexicons and (2) modality dependence of implicit memory. In five experiments, we employed manipulations aimed to minimize study—test asymmetries between the two priming conditions. Activities at visual and auditory study were matched, words were phonologically consistent, and study modality was manipulated between subjects. Equal magnitudes of inter- and intramodality priming were found in experiments with visual and auditory stem completion at test, with visual fragment completion at test, and with visual and auditory perceptual identification at test. A within-subjects experiment yielded the conventional intramodality advantage. The results point to a single amodal lexicon and to modality-independent phonological processing as the basis of implicit word memory.
Genetic divergence of a sympatric lake-resident–anadromous three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus species pair

The genetic relationship between sympatric, morphologically divergent populations of anadromous and lake-resident three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus in the Jim Creek drainage of Cook Inlet, Alaska, was examined using microsatellite loci and mitochondrial d-loop sequence data. Resident samples differed substantially from sympatric anadromous samples in the Jim Creek drainage with the magnitude of the genetic divergence being similar to that between allopatric resident and anadromous populations in other areas. Resident samples were genetically similar within the Jim Creek drainage, as were the anadromous samples surveyed. Neighbour-joining and Structure cluster analysis grouped the samples into four genetic clusters by ecomorph (anadromous v. all resident) and geographic location of the resident samples (Jim Creek, Mat-Su and Kenai). There was no evidence of hybridization between resident and anadromous G. aculeatus in the Jim Creek drainage, which thus appear to be reproductively isolated.
Towards a direct test for large scale electric power system instabilities

This paper explores the relationship between the actual domain of attraction of the swing equations of electric power systems and that of the associated gradient system. A directly implementable on-line test for instability is proposed together with an iterative method guaranteed to improve estimates of the domain of attraction.