cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE EMBRYONAL AND NYMPHAL CERVICOTHORACIC MUSCULATURE OF THE AMERICAN COCKROACH, PERIPLANETA AMERICANA (BLATTARIA: BLATTIDAE)

A series of 15 embryonic stages of Periplaneta americana Linnaeus is defined on the basis of external morphological characters. These stages permit the study of internal development of embryos whose chronological age is unknown or from embryos incubated at different or varying temperatures. The stages, while extremely useful, are entirely arbitrary divisions of a continuous developmental process and a larger or smaller number of them could have been designated. The cervical and thoracic musculature of the first-stage nymph is described for the first time, and its genesis is followed in the embryo. The embryonic and nymphal muscles are compared with those that have been reported for the adult.
The influence of yield strength on fracture of semi-brittle ceramic crystals

Abstract Cleavage crack extension has been studied in alkali halide and MgO single crystals. The apparent surface energy for fracture reinitiation, γ i , increases with increasing yield strength, τ 0 , as a result of a decrease in the extent of plastic flow preceding fracture reinitiation.
Tenure: where to draw the line.

![Figure][1] CREDIT: JUPITERIMAGES The argument that universities aren't businesses (“Tenure and the future of the university,” D. Clawson, Education Forum, 29 May, p. [1147][2]) has a great deal of traction among faculty members. However, it is ludicrous to suggest that running a
Weight functions for piecewise homogeneous isotropic notches in antiplane strain by finite element method

Abstract A finite element procedure based on a variational principle for elastic fields with unbounded energy of deformation is introduced for determining weight functions in finite notched bodies. The notched body considered is linear elastic, isotropic and piecewise homogeneous and deforming in antiplane strain. This finite element procedure is simple and can be incorporated easily into standard finite element codes. We illustrate the versatility and accuracy of this method by considering some sample mixed boundary value problems which have exact solutions.
Uso de espectroscopia infrarroja y análisis multivariado para predecir la densidad de la madera de pino oregón

En muchas partes del mundo los mercados de productos forestales estan enfrentando escenarios cada vez mas competitivos y complejos. Al momento de comprar madera, las companias estan considerando propiedades tales como rigidez, densidad, grano en espiral y contenido de extractivos. La evaluacion de estas propiedades en tiempo real sera un verdadero desafio para los productores de madera en rollizos. Este articulo examina la utilidad de la tecnologia infrarroja (NIR) para predecir la densidad de la madera en rollizos de pino oregon (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Las rodelas de madera fueron colectadas desde 17 sitios localizados en el Estado de Oregon, EE.UU. Para obtener las muestras de astillas, cada rodela fue aserrada con una motosierra, similar a aquella usada por cosechadoras mecanicas. Posteriormente se obtuvo informacion del espectro infrarrojo de las muestras de astillas. Se utilizo analisis multivariado para correlacionar las propiedades de la madera con el espectro NIR. Los resultados preliminares muestran que NIR podria ser utilizado para predecir la densidad de la madera. El coeficiente de determinacion fluctuo entre 0,80 y 0,96 para los modelos de calibracion, y entre 0,56 y 0,85 para los modelos de validacion. Estos resultados indican que la tecnologia NIR podria ser usada en cosechadoras mecanizadas para la segregacion de rollizos en base a la densidad de la madera
Regulation of growth in larvae of the crab Rhithropafnopeus harrisii: The effect of cyclic temperatures

Abstract Experiments were designed to demonstrate that growth is precisely regulated in crustacean larvae and that cyclic temperatures act as a perturbation on growth regulation. Newly hatched larvae were exposed to either the specific a cyclic temperature, cumulative growth was significantly inhibited. Also, the specific growth rate ( R ) of larvae in the cyclic temperature regime was found to oscillate with decreasing amplitude around the R of the larvae exposed to constant temperature. This oscillatory pattern has been observed in a wide variety of self-regulating systems. Evidence is presented to demonstrate that this regulatory mechanism also adapts to long-term exposure to cyclic temperatures. These findings increase our understanding of how larvae cope with and adapt to changing environmental temperatures. More significantly, the mechanism could provide a sensitive tool for estimating the effects of specific environmental disturbances on fitness.
An empirical approach to the linewidths of mixed systems: Raman scattering Of CeO2—ThO2

Abstract We have successfully applied an entropy of mixing approach to the empirical prediction of the linewidths for Raman scattered radiation from the CeO 2 —ThO 2 system. It appears to be applicable to fluorescent linewidths as well as to the Raman linewidths of other systems.
Glucosamine degradation by Escherichia coli. III. Isolation and studies of phosphoglucosaminisomerase.

Summary A 150-fold purification of an enzyme system provisionally called “phosphoglucosaminisomerase” has been obtained from Escherichia coli lyophilized cells. This preparation converts 95–100% of the added glucosamine-6-PO 4 to stoichiometric amounts of ammonia and ketose. Enzymatic and paper chromatographic analysis of the reaction products identified the ketose as fructose-6-PO 4 . The enzyme is active over a broad pH range with maximum ketose formation occurring at pH 7.8. Evidence is presented which indicates that the enzyme requires a sulfhydryl group for its activity.
SPERMINE ACTIVATION OF N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE (NMDA) RECEPTOR FOLLOWING INFUSION OF NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE (NOS) INHIBITOR IN HYPOXIC NEWBORN PIGLETS.† 2284

Previous studies have shown that hypoxia (Hx) modifies NMDA receptor sites in brain cell membranes of newborn piglets. The present study tests the hypothesis that blockade of NOS. a source of free radicals, by N-omega-nitro-L-arginine (NNLA) alters the spermine dependent activation of the NMDA receptor complex during Hx assessed by 3H-MK801 binding. Twenty piglets received 40 mg/kg of NNLA or vehicle (veh). The groups were subdivided to receive FIO2 O.2O for 60 min. (normoxia.N) or FIO2 O.O7 (Hx, with PaO2 18-20mmHg); Hx was documented biochemically by a decrease in ATP and phosphocreatine. Concentrations of spermine from 0 to 50μM were used for 3H-MK801 binding in medium containing 100μM glutamate, 100μM glycine. 12.5nM 3H-MK801, and 75μg protein in P2 membranes. Binding at each spermine concentration was calculated as change from the baseline. The maximal percent increase in 3H-MK801 binding in N+veh, N+NNLA, Hx+veh, and Hx+NNLA were 13.8±10.96, 12.8±6.79, 38.0±30.04, and 20.6±12.04 (mean±SD) respectively. The results show that spermine dependent MK801 binding increases in Hx+veh; but decreased by 46% when pretreated with NNLA. Peak MK801 binding occurred at 10μM spermine. The data indicate that the polyamine site sensitivity of the NMDA receptor to spermine did not change during Hx or with NNLA. Further, NNLA partially inhibits the increase in spermine dependent MK801 binding induced by Hx as well as inhibits oxygen free radical generation by NOS. It appears that the nitric oxide generation during Hx may interact with the SH group of the NMDA receptor and activates the receptor. The attenuated Hx-induced response to spermine activation of the NMDA receptor in the presence of NNLA may be due to inhibition of nitric oxide generation and the presence of other oxygen free radical generating pathways. Funded by NIH-HD-20337, MOD#6-FY94-0135, UCPR 506-93.
Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b Are Transcriptional Repressors That Exhibit Unique Localization Properties to Heterochromatin

We demonstrate that the recently identified DNA methyltransferases, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b, like DNMT1, repress transcription in a methylation-independent manner. Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b repress transcription primarily through a plant homeodomain-like motif that is shared with the ATRX protein but is not present in DNMT1. Unlike DNMT1, which localizes to replication foci during S-phase in murine embryonic fibroblasts, Dnmt3a co-localizes with heterochromatin protein 1 α (HP1α) and methyl-CpG binding proteins throughout the cell cycle to late-replicating pericentromeric heterochromatin. In contrast to Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b remained diffuse in the nucleus of embryonic fibroblasts at all cell cycle stages. However, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b co-localize to these pericentromeric heterochromatin regions in murine embryonic stem cells. This finding is important to the fact that mutations in DNMT3B are found in the developmental syndrome, ICF (immunodeficiency, centromeric heterochromatin instability, and facial anomalies), which involves extensive loss of methylation from pericentromeric regions. The localization of Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b was unaffected in Dnmt1 null embryonic stem cells, which lose the majority of methylation at pericentromeric major satellite repeats, suggesting that these enzymes are not dependent upon preexisting methylation for their targeting. DNMT1 is then positioned to reestablish transcriptionally repressive chromatin as cells replicate, while Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b may help to establish such chromatin in late S-phase and maintain this repressive heterochromatin throughout the cell cycle in a developmentally and/or cell type manner.
Development of the DYNA3D simulation code with automated fracture procedure for brick elements

Numerical simulation of cracked structures is an important aspect in structural safety assessment. In recent years, there has been an increasing rate of development of numerical codes for modelling fracture procedure. The subject of this investigation is implementing automated fracture models in the DYNA3D non-linear explicit finite element code to simulate pseudo 3D crack growth procedure. The implemented models have the capabilities of simulating automatic crack propagation without user intervention. The implementation is carried on solid elements. The methodology of implementing fracture models is described. An element deletion-and-replacement remeshing procedure is proposed for updating the explicit geometric description of evolving cracks. Fracture parameters such as stress intensity factors, energy release rates and crack tip opening angle are evaluated. The maximum circumferential stress criterion is used to predict the direction of crack advancement. Seven crack problems are presented to verify the effectiveness of the methodology. Mesh sensitivity and loading rate effects are studied in the validation of the presented procedure. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Obsessive Compulsive Cocaine Use Scale: Development and initial validation of a self-rated instrument for the quantification of thoughts about cocaine use

Abstract Background Craving is a hallmark of addiction and characterized by obsessive thoughts about, and compulsive urges to use, a substance. While craving is frequently thought of as primarily being a feature of acute withdrawal, there is evidence to suggest that it increases in strength over extended periods of abstinence. While several measures are available to assess acute craving states, there remains a lack of clinical measures appropriate for capturing the enduring cognitive aspects of urges to use drugs. The present study was designed to develop and validate a measure of obsessive-compulsive thoughts in cocaine-dependent individuals. Methods The proposed 14-item Obsessive Compulsive Cocaine Use Scale (OCCUS) was administered to 107 individuals: 55 participants meeting diagnostic criteria for cocaine dependence and 52 recreational users of cocaine. In addition to the OCCUS, participants also completed the Drug Abuse Screening Test, Cocaine Craving Questionnaire-Now, and Social Desirability Scale of the California Personality Inventory. Results Results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the OCCUS fit the two-factor structure of the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale on which it was based, independently assessing the “obsessive” and “compulsive” aspects of cocaine dependence. The OCCUS demonstrated good internal consistency reliability and convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity. Conclusion The proposed measure is a promising step towards the successful capture of the long-term cognitive features of craving for cocaine via self-report, and should represent a useful tool for clinical and research use.
Is Educational Achievement a Turning Point for Incarcerated Delinquents Across Race and Sex

Research has linked the role of education to delinquency, but much of the focus has been on general population samples and with little attention to demographic differences. Employing a cumulative disadvantage framework that integrates elements of informal social control and labeling theories, this article examines whether academic achievement serves as a positive turning point and re-directs juvenile delinquents away from subsequent offending. Attention is also given to race/sex contingencies. Using a sample of 4,147 delinquents released from Florida correctional institutions (86% male, 57% non-White, average age at release = 16.8 years), propensity score analysis yielded two findings: youth with above average academic achievement while incarcerated were significantly more likely to return to school post-release, and youth with above average attendance in public school were significantly less likely to be re-arrested in the 1-year post-release period. While the academic gains were pronounced among African-American males, the preventive effects of school attendance are similar across race and sex, suggesting that education can be a part of a larger prevention effort that assists juvenile delinquents in successful community re-entry.
Long term carefully learning for person detection application to intelligent surveillance system

In this paper we introduce a framework for unsupervised learning visual object detector in long sequences of continuous video data for intelligent visual surveillance system. The main idea is to (1) minimize the manual effort when learning a classifier and to combine the power of a discriminative classifier with the robustness of a generative model; (2) to exploit a huge amount of unlabeled video data by being long term and careful in selecting training examples; and (3) to start with very simple detection system using motion detection an initial set of positive examples is obtained by analyzing the geometry of the motion blobs. If a blob fulfills the restrictions the corresponding patch is selected. Negative examples are obtained from images where no motion was detected. Starting from these data sets a first discriminative classifier is trained using online boosting for feature selection [1] learning and applying a generative classifier using Principle Component Analysis (PCA) [2] to verify the obtained detections and to decide if a detected patch represents the object-of-interest or not. As we have a huge amount of data (video stream) we can be very long term and careful to use only patches for (positive or negative) updates if we are very confident about our decision. Applying these update rules an incrementally better classifier is obtained without any user interaction needed. We demonstrate the framework on a surveillance task where we learn a person detector by using this approach we avoid hand labeling training data and still achieve a state of the art detection rate.
Recognizing graphs with fixed interval number is NP-complete

Abstract A t-interval representation of a graph expresses it as the intersection graph of a family of subsets of the real line. Each vertex is assigned a set consisting of at most t disjoint closed intervals, in such a way that vertices are adjacent if and only if some interval for one intersects some interval for the other. The interval number i(G) of a graph G is the smallest number t such that G has a t-representation. We prove that, for any fixed value of t with t≥2, determining whether i(G)≤t is NP-complete.
Effects of dissipation on internal waves in a contained rotating stratified fluid

Abstract Boundary layer techniques are used to examine the modifications due to dissipation in the normal modes of a uniformly rotating, density stratified, Boussinesq fluid in a rigid container. Arbitrary relative influence of rotation and stratification is considered. The existence of critical regions of the container boundary is discussed. In cylindrical geometry a formula is derived for the decay factor on the homogeneous “spin-up” time scale which reveals how the dominant dissipation varies as a function of several parameters. For the situation where the buoyancy and inertial frequency are exactly equal, all boundaries are everywhere critical. In this case the method of multiple time-scales is employed to investigate the confluence inertial-gravity mode which is shown to persist until the diffusive time-scale is achieved.
The role of the bifactor model in resolving dimensionality issues in health outcomes measures

Objectives We propose the application of a bifactor model for exploring the dimensional structure of an item response matrix, and for handling multidimensionality.
Cetacean Societies: Field Studies of Dolphins and Whales

Long-lived, slow to reproduce, and often hidden beneath the water's surface, whales and dolphins (cetaceans) have remained elusive subjects for scientific study even though they have fascinated humans for centuries. Until recently, much of what we knew about cetaceans came from commercial sources such as whalers and trainers for dolphin acts. Innovative research methods and persistent efforts, however, have begun to penetrate the depths to reveal tantalizing glimpses of the lives of these mammals in their natural habitats. This book presents a comprehensive synthesis and review of these studies. Groups of chapters focus on the history of cetacean behavioural research and methodology; state-of-the-art reviews of information on four of the most-studied species: bottlenose dolphins, killer whales, sperm whales and humpback whales; and summaries of major topics, including group living, male and female reproductive strategies, communication, and conservation drawn from comparative research on a wide range of species. Written by cetacean scientists, this volume should be of benefit to students of cetology and researchers in other areas of behavioral and conservation ecology, as well as anyone with a serious interest in the world of whales and dolphins.
Logos as composition

Abstract This essay argues that the word logos meant “a gathering or composition “ in Homeric Greek and that it retained this sense through the fifth century BCE. It first builds a philological case for the composition/ gathering meaning of logos. Next, it addresses the historiographic question of how the interpretation of logos as logic/language has come to prevail in our histories of Greek thought. Finally, it demonstrates the relevance that the composition/gathering reading of logos can have for the history of rhetoric by showing how it can help in rethinking the “rivalry “ between muthos and logos.
Cloning and expression of a human muscle phosphofructokinase cDNA

The nucleotide sequence of a 2.86-kb cDNA clone containing the complete human muscle phosphofructokinase (PFK) protein-coding region was determined. It comprises 76 bp of 5'-untranslated sequence, 2340 bp encoding human muscle PFK polypeptide, and 399 bp of 3'-untranslated sequence plus a poly(A) tract. A retroviral vector was utilized to express the product of this coding sequence in mouse fibroblasts. The PFK-coding cDNA was shown to code for an enzymatically active polypeptide by immunoprecipitation analysis and DEAE-Sephadex A-25 chromatography.
Effective control of a soliton by sliding-frequency guiding filters

A singular perturbation method is used to analyze the effect of sliding-frequency guiding filters on an optical soliton, which has been proposed to be used as a bit carrier in fiber-optics communication systems. We find that there is a broad range of physical parameters, only inside of which would the sliding-frequency filter scheme operate stably. The lower limit (in soliton energy) of this parameter regime was found earlier by Mollenauer [Opt. Lett.17, 1575 (1992)] and by Kodama [Opt. Lett.18, 1311 (1993)] and is determined by whether the soliton will continue to stay in synchronization with the array of filters. The upper limit is determined when the comoving dispersive waves that are continually being generated by the filtering are no longer decaying and instead start to grow and generate, finally, a secondary soliton. This upper limit was discovered recently in both experiments and numerical simulations by Mamyshev Mollenauer [Opt. Lett.15, 2083 (1994)]. We have found a simple analytical estimate of this upper limit by the use of a singular perturbation method. Our analytical results agree well with the numerical and experimental findings of Mamyshev and Mollenauer.
High-Contrast, Narrow-Field Imaging with a Multi-Aperture Telescope

The direct detection of faint planetary companions to bright nearby stars calls for the development of high-contrast narrow-field detection techniques. A number of novel coronagraphic approaches aimed at filling this niche have recently been proposed, but this challenging observational goal may also call for the development of novel types of telescope architecture. As discussed here, one approach to high-contrast narrow field imaging involves replacing the monolithic telescope assembly by an array of small "sub-aperture" telescopes, with the final pupil being assembled by means of a single-mode fiber array. Such an approach can potentially greatly relax the volume, mass and cost constraints thought to apply to large and accurately-figured monolithic telescopes. However, the suggested approach relies on the use of a well-matched, low-dispersion, single-mode fiber array. Classical single mode fibers would require dispersion correction to match pathlengths, but the new generation of photonic fibers, with design-selectable parameters, may ease this issue.
Oral Antihypertensives for Hypertensive Urgencies

OBJECTIVE:To review the data describing the use of oral antihypertensive agents in the treatment of hypertensive urgencies (HU).DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search of the English-language literature and fan searches of papers evaluating oral antihypertensives in HUs and emergencies were conducted.STUDY SELECTION:Controlled and uncontrolled studies in humans are reviewed. Emphasis was placed on recent trials evaluating individual agents and comparative trials.DATA SYNTHESIS:Comparative trials have demonstrated that four currently available oral agents can lower blood pressure rapidly and predictably. Nifedipine, the most extensively studied, and clonidine have served traditionally as the oral agents of choice for the treatment of HUs. All the agents can lower blood pressure effectively within the first few hours after dosing, but their use also has been associated with adverse effects. Nifedipine and captopril are the two agents with the most rapid onset, within 0.5–1 hour, and may treat hypertensive emergencies...
Efficient Robbins-Monro procedure for binary data

SUMMARY The Robbins-Monro procedure does not perform well in the estimation of extreme quantiles, because the procedure is implemented using asymptotic results, which are not suitable for binary data. Here we propose a modification of the Robbins-Monro procedure and derive the optimal procedure for binary data under some reasonable approximations. The improvement obtained by using the optimal procedure for the estimation of extreme quantiles is substantial.
Silvestrol exhibits significant in vivo and in vitro antileukemic activities and inhibits FLT3 and miR-155 expressions in acute myeloid leukemia

Activating mutations [internal tandem duplication (ITD)] or overexpression of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase receptor-3 (FLT3) gene are associated with poor outcome in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic approaches. The natural product silvestrol has potent antitumor activity in several malignancies, but its therapeutic impact on distinct molecular high-risk AML subsets remains to be fully investigated. We examined here the preclinical activity of silvestrol in FLT3-ITD and FLT3 wild-type (wt) AML. Silvestrol in vitro anti-leukemic activity was examined by colorimetric cell viability assay, colony-forming and flow cytometry assays assessing growth inhibition and apoptosis, respectively. Pharmacological activity of silvestrol on FLT3 mRNA translation, mRNA and protein expression was determined by RNA-immunoprecipitation, qRT-PCR and immunoblot analyses, respectively. Silvestrol in vivo efficacy was investigated using MV4-11 leukemia-engrafted mice. Silvestrol shows antileukemia activity at nanomolar concentrations both in FLT3-wt overexpressing (THP-1) and FLT3-ITD (MV4-11) expressing AML cell lines (IC50 = 3.8 and 2.7 nM, respectively) and patients’ primary blasts [IC50 = ~12 nM (FLT3-wt) and ~5 nM (FLT3-ITD)]. Silvestrol increased apoptosis (~4fold, P = 0.0001), and inhibited colony-formation (100%, P < 0.0001) in primary blasts. Silvestrol efficiently inhibited FLT3 translation reducing FLT3 protein expression by 80–90% and decreased miR-155 levels (~60%), a frequently co-regulated onco-miR in FLT3-ITD-positive AML. The median survival of silvestrol-treated vs vehicle-treated mice was 63 vs 29 days post-engraftment, respectively (P < 0.0001). Silvestrol exhibits significant in vivo and in vitro antileukemic activities in AML through a novel mechanism resulting in inhibition of FLT3 and miR-155 expression. These encouraging results warrant a rapid translation of silvestrol for clinical testing in AML.
A Feature Based Approach to Leveraging Context for Classifying Newsgroup Style Discussion Segments

On a multi-dimensional text categorization task, we compare the effectiveness of a feature based approach with the use of a state-of-the-art sequential learning technique that has proven successful for tasks such as "email act classification". Our evaluation demonstrates for the three separate dimensions of a well established annotation scheme that novel thread based features have a greater and more consistent impact on classification performance.
Effects of short- and long-term exposures to ambient air pollution on COPD

The London fog episode in 1952 was a sentinel event that indicated that short-term exposure to ambient air pollution could adversely influence the health of persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A review of autopsy records indicated a doubling of cases with COPD as a major finding compared with other periods [1]. The association between greater levels of ambient air pollution measured in the community and an increase in subsequent short-term COPD-related mortality and hospitalisations has been confirmed by analysis of health related administrative data, including records of hospital admissions and emergency room visits in the USA, Asia and Europe [2]–[14]. There are considerably fewer studies assessing the impact of short-term air pollution exposure in COPD patients with disease documented by spirometry. Overall, these studies suggest that COPD patients experience a reduction in pulmonary function as a result of short-term exposures [15]–[20]. Remarkably, the majority of these previous studies included relatively few subjects and with one exception [21] were not designed to assess exacerbation risk. The study that assessed exacerbation risk [21] included former smokers with moderate-to-severe COPD and measured indoor levels of particles with a cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and NO2. Higher levels were significantly associated with more symptoms and an increased risk of experiencing an exacerbation, suggesting that measurement of indoor levels of pollutants in persons who spend considerable time indoors (such as those with significant COPD) may be a more relevant measure of exposure than outdoor levels more commonly assessed. The most robust assessment of the effects of ambient air pollution on pulmonary function (but not limited to patients with COPD) included 3262 former and never smokers (some with repeated assessment) from the US Framingham Heart …
Post mortem studies of systemic candidiasis I. Diagnostic validity of precipitin reaction and probable origin of sensitization to cytoplasmic Candidal antigens

Precipitating antibodies against a cytoplasmic extract of Candida albicans (“S” antigen) were demonstrated during life in 14 of 17 patients who revealed systemic candidal infection Post mortem. No false positive precipitin reactions were observed. Three false negative reactions are attributed to terminal or disease-related anergy.The precipitin reaction proved diagnostically more reliable than mycologic evidence of infection. However, no diagnostic test at present available reflects adequately the extent and severity of the infection in a given case. Both were considerable in the present series, in whom on the average three internal organs were involved per patient.The macrophages of the reticuloendothelial system are implicated in the destruction of Candida and release of the cytoplasmic antigens that induce the precipitin response.The yeast phase of Candida appears to be the invasive form, and neither tubes nor mycelia seem to be essential in evoking the inflammatory or necrotic tissue changes that char...
SCOPmap: Automated assignment of protein structures to evolutionary superfamilies

Inference of remote homology between proteins is very challenging and remains a prerogative of an expert. Thus a significant drawback to the use of evolutionary-based protein structure classifications is the difficulty in assigning new proteins to unique positions in the classification scheme with automatic methods. To address this issue, we have developed an algorithm to map protein domains to an existing structural classification scheme and have applied it to the SCOP database. The general strategy employed by this algorithm is to combine the results of several existing sequence and structure comparison tools applied to a query protein of known structure in order to find the homologs already classified in SCOP database and thus determine classification assignments. The algorithm is able to map domains within newly solved structures to the appropriate SCOP superfamily level with ~95% accuracy. Examples of correctly mapped remote homologs are discussed. The algorithm is also capable of identifying potential evolutionary relationships not specified in the SCOP database, thus helping to make it better. The strategy of the mapping algorithm is not limited to SCOP and can be applied to any other evolutionary-based classification scheme as well. SCOPmap is available for download. The SCOPmap program is useful for assigning domains in newly solved structures to appropriate superfamilies and for identifying evolutionary links between different superfamilies.
Plasma sheet response to the ionosphere's demand for field‐aligned current

[1] The response of the near-Earth plasma sheet to the extraction of a longitudinally-limited field-aligned current is investigated using three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Polarization electric fields produce localized (in y), thin (in z), enhanced electron Hall currents, thus augmenting the cross-tail current. The current diversion forces reconnection to occur locally and leads to the formation of a complex magnetic field pattern of adjacent regions of negative and positive Bz.
Combining metamaterial-inspired electrically small antennas with electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures to achieve higher directivities and bandwidths

We have developed a variety of electrically small, low-profile, planar, near-field resonant parasitic (NFRP) antennas [1], [2], [3], [4]. These NFRP antennas have been generally designed on a ground plane with a low-profile footprint, but not conformal above a ground plane. Furthermore, being electrically small, their directivities and bandwidths are approximately equal to those of an infinitesimal dipole. Many wireless applications demand higher directivities and increased bandwidths with a conformal form factor. This contribution further develops these metamaterial-inspired NFRP antenna designs to incorporate electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures to achieve higher directivities and bandwidths.
Allosteric Inhibitors of NMDA Receptor Functions

NMDA receptors are glutamate-activated ion-channels involved in many essential brain functions including learning, memory, cognition, and behavior. Given this broad range of function it is not surprising that the initial attempts to correct NMDA receptor-mediated pathologies with en-mass receptor blockade were derailed by unacceptable side effects. Recent successes with milder or more targeted pharmaceuticals and increasing knowledge of how these receptors operate offer new incentives for rational development of effective NMDA receptor-targeted therapies. In this article we review evidence that l-alanine, a glycine-site partial agonist and pregnanolone sulfate, a use-dependent allosteric inhibitor, while attenuating NMDA receptor activity to similar levels elicit remarkably dissimilar functional outcomes. We suggest that detailed understanding of NMDA receptor activation mechanisms and of structural correlates of function will help better match modulator with function and neurological condition and may unleash the yet untapped potential of NMDA receptor pharmaceutics.
Nitrogen, weeds and water as yield-limiting factors in conventional, low-input, and organic tomato systems.

The importance of nitrogen (N), weeds, and water as yield-limiting factors was evaluated over a 4-year period in tomato cropping systems under conventional, low-input, and organic management. The cropping systems studied were part of the Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems (SAFS) Project at the University of California, Davis, a comparison of conventional and alternative farming systems in California’s Sacramento Valley. Water applied, soil N levels, plant N uptake, weed abundance, and tomato yield were measured and compared among treatments. Tomato yields ranged from just under 55 to over 90 t ha 1 and significant treatment differences were observed in 2 of the 4 years. Multivariate analyses, used to sort out the effects of N, weeds, and water, indicated all three factors influenced yields in this study but their relative importance was dependent upon the management system. Results indicated that N availability was most important in limiting yields in the organic system and water availability was more important under conventional management. Although weed abundance was relatively high in the organic system in 2 years of the study, weed competition for N was not evident. Instead, relative N input levels and N immobilization by soil microflora appeared to explain N uptake and tomato yield variation. The findings indicate that organic and low-input tomato systems in this region can produce yields similar to those of conventional systems but that the factors limiting yield may be more difficult to manage. ©1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Contextualizing the Interpretation of Reliability Data

What is the relationship between the context and substantive meaning of a measure and the assessment of the reliability of the measure? Does the interpretation of a reliability coefficient depend on the nature of the measure? How does this approach to reliability relate to alternative assessments?
Interests, Relationships, Identities: Three Central Issues for Individuals and Groups in Negotiating Their Social Environment

This chapter begins with a summary of a model, developed half a century ago, that distinguishes three qualitatively different processes of social influence: compliance, identification, and internalization. The model, originally geared to and experimentally tested in the context of persuasive communication, was subsequently applied to influence in the context of long-term relationships, including psychotherapy, international exchanges, and the socialization of national/ethnic identity. It has been extended to analysis of the relationship of individuals to social systems. Individuals' rule, role, and value orientations to a system--conceptually linked to compliance, identification, and internalization--predict different reactions to their own violations of societal standards, different patterns of personal involvement in the political system, and differences in attitude toward authorities and readiness to obey. In a further extension of the model, three approaches to peacemaking in international or intergroup conflicts are identified--conflict settlement, conflict resolution, and reconciliation--which, respectively, focus on the accommodation of interests, relationships, and identities, and are conducive to changes at the level of compliance, identification, and internalization.
Infusing Black Psychology Into the Introductory Psychology Course

Students in the introductory psychology course should learn about the impact of social, economic, and cultural factors on psychological development. This goal can be accomplished by infusing Black psychology into the course. Many instructors could benefit from a model for presenting this approach, which can be applied to a variety of topic areas, such as the psychology of women, the disabled, and other disenfranchised groups. Infusing material on race and culture legitimizes these subjects as relevant areas of investigation for psychologists and permits instructors to make connections among the various units presented during the semester. A definition of Black psychology, a lecture outline, suggestions for infusing Black psychology into the entire course, small-group activities, and curriculum resources are presented. Student reactions to the presentation of this material are also discussed.
Characteristics of duplex sonographic parameters over time after successful carotid artery stenting.

Objectives Carotid duplex sonography is the primary tool for surveillance after carotid artery stenting, but the course of sonographic velocities over time after successful stenting is unclear. The purpose of this study was to describe carotid duplex sonographic velocity parameters after successful carotid artery stenting and to determine the predictors of poststent sonographic velocities. Methods We queried institutional carotid stent and noninvasive vascular laboratory databases for internal carotid artery stents placed between January 2004 and June 2007. We included patients with stenosis of 20% or less on completion angiograms who had carotid duplex sonography within 30 days before and 7 days after stenting. The prestent peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), internal-to-common carotid artery PSV ratio, contralateral internal carotid artery velocities, stent type, open- versus closed-cell stent design, and days of follow-up were tested as potential predictors of poststent velocities. Results Eighty-two of 498 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean PSV and PSV ratio decreased from 423.6 cm/s and 7.1 before stenting to 98.5 cm/s and 1.3 after stenting (both P < .001). During a median follow-up of 370 days, poststent velocities remained stable. All poststent velocities (PSV, EDV, and PSV ratio) were dependent on prestent ipsilateral and contralateral velocities. The poststent EDV was dependent on the type of stent. The upper range for 0% to 20% stenosis in the stented internal carotid artery was a PSV of 141 cm/s, an EDV of 42 cm/s, and a PSV ratio of 2.1 or lower. Conclusions With a median follow-up of 1 year, the PSV and PSV ratio remained stable over time in successfully stented carotid arteries. Deviations in sonographic parameters after initial poststent carotid duplex sonography should prompt an investigation for possible in-stent restenosis.
Alpha-particle emitting atomic generator (Actinium-225)-labeled trastuzumab (herceptin) targeting of breast cancer spheroids: efficacy versus HER2/neu expression.

Purpose: The humanized monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab (Herceptin), directed against HER2/ neu , has been effective in the treatment of breast cancer malignancies. However, clinical activity has depended on HER2/ neu expression. Radiolabeled trastuzumab has been considered previously as a potential agent for radioimmunotherapy. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of trastuzumab labeled with the α-particle emitting atomic generator, actinium-225 ( 225 Ac), against breast cancer spheroids with different HER2/ neu expression levels. 225 Ac has a 10-day half-life and a decay scheme yielding four α-particles. Experimental Design: The breast carcinoma cell lines MCF7, MDA-MB-361 (MDA), and BT-474 (BT) with relative HER2/ neu expression (by flow cytometry) of 1:4:18 were used. Spheroids of these cell lines were incubated with different concentrations of 225 Ac-trastuzumab, and spheroid growth was measured by light microscopy over a 50-day period. Results: The activity concentration required to yield a 50% reduction in spheroid volume at day 35 was 18.1, 1.9, and 0.6 kBq/ml (490, 52, 14 nCi/ml) for MCF7, MDA, and BT spheroids, respectively. MCF7 spheroids continued growing but with a 20–30 day growth delay at 18.5 kBq/ml. MDA spheroid growth was delayed by 30–40 days at 3.7 kBq/ml; at 18.5 kBq/ml, 12 of 12 spheroids disaggregated after 70, days and cells remaining from each spheroid failed to form colonies within 2 weeks of being transferred to adherent dishes. Eight of 10 BT spheroids failed to regrow at 1.85 kBq/ml. All of the BT spheroids at activity concentrations 3.7 kBq/ml failed to regrow and to form colonies. The radiosensitivity of these three lines as spheroids was evaluated as the activity concentration required to reduce the treated to untreated spheroid volume ratio to 0.37, denoted DVR 37 . An external beam radiosensitivity of 2 Gy was found for spheroids of all three of the cell lines. After α-particle irradiation a DVR 37 of 1.5, 3.0, and 2.0 kBq/ml was determined for MCF7, MDA, and BT, respectively. Conclusion: These studies suggest that 225 Ac-labeled trastuzumab may be a potent therapeutic agent against metastatic breast cancer cells exhibiting intermediate to high HER2/ neu expression.
Ground water pollution: Research strategies and priorities

Pollution of ground water by agricultural chemicals and nitrate is one of the major problems facing agriculture in the 1980s. Before this problem is resolved additional research is needed in the following areas: 1) identification of areas within each state where ground water contamination is most likely to occur; 2) data to establish levels of pesticides in ground water that present health risks; 3) the fate and transport of pesticides in soil and underlying strata; 4) improved nitrogen use efficiency of agronomic and horticultural crops and improved management of nitrogen fertilizers; and 5) cropping and management systems that reduce or eliminate the need for problem pesticides. Improved research information in these areas should assist society in resolving current problems of ground water contamination.
Sympathetic neuroblasts undergo a developmental switch in trophic dependence

Sympathetic neurons require NGF for survival, but it is not known when these cells first become dependent on neurotrophic factors. We have examined in vitro mitotically active sympathetic neuroblasts immuno-isolated from different embryonic stages, and have correlated this functional data with the expression of neurotrophin receptor mRNAs in vivo. Cells from E14.5 ganglia are supported by neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in a serum-free medium, but not by NGF; NT-3 acts as a bona fide survival factor for these cells and not simply as a mitogen. By birth, sympathetic neurons are well-supported by NGF, whereas NT-3 supports survival only weakly and at very high doses. This change in neurotrophin-responsiveness is correlated with a reciprocal switch in the expression of trkC and trkA mRNAs by sympathetic neuroblasts in vivo. These data suggest that neurotrophic factors may control neuronal number at earlier stages of development than previously anticipated. They also suggest that the acquisition of NGF-dependence may occur, at least in part, through the loss of receptors for these interim survival factors.
Structure-based model of the stepping motor of PcrA helicase.

DNA helicases are ubiquitous molecular motors involved in cellular DNA metabolism. They move along single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and separate duplex DNA into its component strands, utilizing the free energy from ATP hydrolysis. The PcrA helicase from Bacillus stearothermophilus translocates as a monomer progressively from the 3′ end to the 5′ end of ssDNA and is one of the smallest motor proteins structurally known in full atomic detail. Using high-resolution crystal structures of the PcrA-DNA complex, we performed nanosecond molecular dynamics simulations and derived potential energy profiles governing individual domain movement of the PcrA helicase along ssDNA. Based on these profiles, the millisecond translocation of the helicase along ssDNA was described through Langevin dynamics. The calculations support a domain stepping mechanism of PcrA helicase, in which, during one ATP hydrolysis cycle, the pulling together and pushing apart of domains 2A and 1A are synchronized with alternating mobilities of the individual domains in such a fashion that PcrA moves unidirectionally along ssDNA. By combining short timescale (nanoseconds) molecular dynamics and long timescale (milliseconds) stochastic-dynamics descriptions, our study suggests a structure-based mechanism of the ATP-powered unidirectional movement of PcrA helicase.
SELECTING COMPUTER‐AIDED INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTWARE

Interactive computing can address the needs of a variety of learning styles, and a broad range of educational objectives, while serving a number of pedagogical roles: Presentation, Assessment, Exploration, and Analysis. These three issues are discussed in detail, along with examples from chemical engineering educational software, to help faculty learn how to analyze educational software to ensure that it's meeting the needs of their students.