cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation of poliovirus--John Enders and the Nobel Prize.

When John Enders was informed, 50 years ago this month, that he was the sole recipient of the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology for 1954, he declined the honor. He wrote to the Swedish authorities that he would accept the prize only if it could be shared with “those who did the work.” It was agreed that Thomas Weller and Frederick Robbins would be corecipients with Enders. This act, one of the most gracious in the history of the Nobel Prize, reveals the profound decency and modesty of John Enders. John Franklin Enders was a Connecticut Yankee, born into . . .
The effect of direct and reflected radiation on the temperatures of space structures

As an orbiting structure passes from the bright side to the dark side of the earth, substantial differences in surface heating may take place due to direct sunlight and albedo. Most structures are built of convex curved elements to spread out the reflected energy. A change in the shortwave absorptivity and emissivity maintains the temperature of electronic components within a narrow range. Temperature extremes may also be reduced by the use of thermal capacity of the system or by shielding the surface from direct sunlight. For an instrument deployed from a Shuttle, a temperature must be established for it in the cargo bay before deployment. The effect of obstructed views by surfaces such as the Shuttle arm complicates solar flux computations because of the object's mobility. For typical orbits, the earth's albedo and the direct long wavelength radiation may be as much as 30 percent of the direct solar flux. Irradiation due to direct and reflected solar, long wave radiation and reflected radiation from earth, and from Shuttle surfaces is largely dependent on the specular reflection from the radiators as the Shuttle rolls and its surfaces block the sun. Through a judicious choice of surface properties, thermal capacitance and orbit attitude programming, the temperature response of a system can be controlled.
Personality Variables Related to Peer Selection

Correlations are reported between scores on two booklets of the Edwards Personality Inventory (EPI) and ratings by peers of applicants for the position of resident assistant (RA) in the university dormitories. The peer ratings represented the collective judgment of the applicant's potential as an RA by approximately ten other applicants and two group facilitators after a weekend of group interaction. Thirty-one applicants completed the personality inventory prior to the group interaction. Seven correlations between EPI scores and peer ratings were significantly different from zero. The results indicate that the applicants are rated higher if they describe themselves as having positive work-related and interpersonal traits. There was no relationship between their ratings and how they described themselves on negative traits.
Evaluation of a Method for Remote Detection of Fuel Relocation Outside the Original Core Volumes of Fukushima Reactor Units 1-3

This paper presents the results of a study to evaluate the feasibility of remotely detecting and quantifying fuel relocation from the core to the lower head, and to regions outside the reactor vessel primary containment of the Fukushima 1–3 reactors. The goals of this study were to determine measurement conditions and requirements, and to perform initial radiation transport sensitivity analyses for several potential measurement locations inside the reactor building. The radiation transport sensitivity analyses were performed based on reactor design information for boiling water reactors (BWRs) similar to the Fukushima reactors, ORIGEN2 analyses of 3-cycle BWR fuel inventories, and data on previously molten fuel characteristics from TMI-2. A 100 kg mass of previously molten fuel material located on the lower head of the reactor vessel was chosen as a fuel interrogation sensitivity target. Two measurement locations were chosen for the transport analyses, one inside the drywell and one outside the concrete biological shield surrounding the drywell. Results of these initial radiation transport analyses indicate that the 100 kg of previously molten fuel material may be detectable at the measurement location inside the drywell, but that it is highly unlikely that any amount of fuel material inside the reactor pressure vessel will be detectable from a location outside the concrete biological shield surrounding the drywell. Three additional fuel relocation scenarios were also analyzed to assess detection sensitivity for varying amount of relocated material in the lower head of the reactor vessel, in the control rods perpendicular to the detector system, and on the lower head of the drywell. Results of these analyses along with an assessment of background radiation effects and a discussion of measurement issues are included in the paper.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Performance and Milk and Blood Lipids of Milk Fat-Depressed Cows Fed Tallow and Sucroglyceride

Abstract A double reversal trial with 12 Holstein cows evaluated the addition of 6% tallow and 5.5% tallow plus .5% sucroglyceride (a nonionic surface active agent) to the concentrates supplementing alfalfa hay (1.25% of the body weight fed daily) to provide net energy at 110% of Morrison's standard. The trial period included natural summer environmental conditions encountered in Central Arizona which produced thermal stress on the cows during the first two periods. Added dietary fats showed no effect on measures of digestibility of feed dry matter, protein, and acid-detergent fiber although ether extract was 15% more digestible. Dietary additions showed no effect on urine pH, rumen pH, and volatile fatty acid amounts or ratios; milk and milk fat yields, fatty acid profile in the blood serum fractions (total lipids, cholesterol esters, triglycerides, free fatty acids, diglycerides, monoglycerides and phospholipids), or in milk fat. There were no significant effects for sucroglyceride fed at this level. Period effect would suggest that a mean daily temperature of 32.9C produced an increase in relative proportions of short chain (C 10 –C 15 ) fatty acids of the triglyceride and free acid fractions of blood serum lipids.
An empirical analysis of ensemble systems in cancellable behavioural biometrics: A touch screen dataset

This paper presents an experimental analysis of a revocable biometric verification problem using ensemble systems. Behavioural Biometric-based systems are a future emergent area on identification, verification and access control systems of users. However, there is still progress to be done in this field, specially related to system security and acceptable results for practical use. Cancellable Biometrics is a alternative solution to the security problem of biometric data. This technique consists of applying transformation functions to biometric data in order to protect the original characteristics of biometric template. In this case, if biometric template has compromised, a new representation of original biometric data can be generated. Although cancellable biometrics were proposed to solve privacy concerns, this concept raises new issues, becoming the authentication problem more complex and difficult to solve. Thus, more effective authentication structures are needed to perform these tasks. This work aims to investigate the use of ensemble systems in cancellable behavioural biometric system used by million people (touchscreen devices). Apart this, we also present an empirical analysis, comparing the ensemble structures with single classification algorithms.
From colonial policing to community policing in Bahrain: The historical persistence of sectarianism

This paper focuses on the history of policing in the Kingdom of Bahrain, a small Arab, Muslim country. The historical discourse about Bahraini policing, though scant, has not adequately confronted the role the police have had in protecting Sunni hegemony in a majority Shī'a majority nation, a residual feature of colonialism. Through colonial records, press accounts, and Bahraini historical sources, the importance of sectarian politics in the development of Bahraini policing emerges. By drawing on conflict criminology and paying attention to the relevant cultural processes, a new approach to understanding policing in Bahrain, and the Gulf region, emerges. The analysis suggests that although the Bahraini police force has liberalized in recent years by developing a community policing unit, disapproval and unrest by Bahraini Shī'a remains a significant social and political problem.
New compartment- and model-independent method for rapid calculation of drug absorption rates.

A simple and rapid method for the absorption rate calculation for drugs exhibiting linear pharmacokinetics is proposed. The method employs the novel instantaneous midpoint-input principle, which assumes that all drug absorbed during a given interval, regardless of the complexity of the absorption kinetics, is absorbed instantaneously at the midpoint of the interval. The drug amount absorbed is calculated by comparing the net plasma level resulting from the absorption during that interval with the plasma drug level obtained after intravenous dosing at the midpoint of the absorption interval. The method does not assume any compartments or models commonly used in pharmacokinetic studies. In examples with markedly different pharmacokinetic properties, the new method yielded accurate results almost identical to those obtained with the standard Wagner-Nelson and Loo-Riegelman methods. The method often is accurate to two to four significant figures in absorption rate calculations. For first-order absorption, the new method appears to be less subject to the influence of timing of the first blood sample. Theoretically, information on only a small portion of the intravenous plasma level-time profile is sufficient for the analysis. Data on plasma levels shortly after intravenous dosing and the terminal biological half-life are not always needed. Thus, the method might be particularly useful for drugs with long or uncertain biological half-lives. Theoretically, the method also can be applied to urine or saliva data. The method assumes the same drug disposition kinetics between the intravenous and absorption studies.
Local and regional differences in the chemical potential of water in amphibolite facies pelitic schists

Mineral assemblages in different samples of amphibolite facies pelitic schists collected from two separate outcrops in the Moosilauke area, NH, record differences in the chemical potential of water during metamorphism. Mineralogical, petrological, and field relations indicate that mineral assemblages at both outcrops equilibrated at 520°C and 3.5–4.0 kbar. Thermodynamic analysis of the mineral assemblages demonstrates that maximum chemical potential differences at each outcrop were of the order of 150 calories, over distances of 10–20 m. The differences in the chemical potential of water recorded in both bed-to-bed and outcrop-to-outcrop relations are consistent with the following conclusions: (1) mineral assemblages on a specific outcrop did not equilibrate with an external reservoir of fluid of fixed composition, (2) the relatively small magnitude of the chemical potential differences suggests little or no infiltration of externally derived fluid, (3) these differences on the outcrop scale are probably related to initial compositional variations and the buffer capacity of the mineral assemblage, and (4) the different values of the chemical potential of water exhibited by the various mineral assemblages permits an understanding of the effects of variable μH2O for amphibolite facies pelitic schists.
Numerical difficulties associated with using equality constraints to achieve multi-level decomposition in structural optimization

There has been recent interest in multidisciplinary multilevel optimization applied to large engineering systems. The usual approach is to divide the system into a hierarchy of subsystems with ever increasing detail in the analysis focus. Equality constraints are usually placed on various design quantities at every successive level to ensure consistency between levels. In many previous applications these equality constraints were eliminated by reducing the number of design variables. In complex systems this may not be possible and these equality constraints may have to be retained in the optimization process. In this paper the impact of such a retention is examined for a simple portal frame problem. It is shown that the equality constraints introduce numerical difficulties, and that the numerical solution becomes very sensitive to optimization parameters for a wide range of optimization algorithms.
Charge doping of graphene in metal/graphene/dielectric sandwich structures evaluated by C-1s core level photoemission spectroscopy

We show that for metal/graphene/dielectric sandwich structures, charge doping in graphene depends on both the work functions of the metal and the dielectric. Using C-1s core level photoemission spectroscopy we determine the charge doping in graphene for one-sided metal contacts as well as for sandwich structures that are commonly used in graphene devices. The measured Fermi-level shifts are in good agreement with a model that predicts that the difference in charge doping for graphene on a metal compared to graphene sandwiched between a metal and dielectric is given by ΔEF ≈ 0.44 × √(Φmetal − Φdielectric).
Development of all CD4 T lineages requires nuclear factor TOX.

CD8+ cytotoxic and CD4+ helper/inducer T cells develop from common thymocyte precursors that express both CD4 and CD8 molecules. Upon T cell receptor signaling, these cells initiate a differentiation program that includes complex changes in CD4 and CD8 expression, allowing identification of transitional intermediates in this developmental pathway. Little is known about regulation of these early transitions or their specific importance to CD4 and CD8 T cell development. Here, we show a severe block at the CD4loCD8lo transitional stage of positive selection caused by loss of the nuclear HMG box protein TOX. As a result, CD4 lineage T cells, including regulatory T and CD1d-dependent natural killer T cells, fail to develop. In contrast, functional CD8+ T cells develop in TOX-deficient mice. Our data suggest that TOX-dependent transition to the CD4+CD8lo stage is required for continued development of class II major histocompatibility complex–specific T cells, regardless of ultimate lineage fate.
An Interactive View of Rationality

Rationality is a judgment made by one or more persons of one or more others (subjects). It involves the relationship between the researcher's and the subject's models of the reality faced by the subject(s). For this reason, the attribution of irrationality by one to another is often a consequence of mismatching models. Therefore, it is suggested that researchers are better off attributing rationality to others (even if this implies their own irrationality) and trying to uncover the model(s) of the others because it leads to better understanding of them and an increased ability to serve them.
IgA Deficiency and AIDS

To the Editor.— We have documented 25 cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) at our institution since 1982, and two of these patients have had absent serum IgA. Both patients were adult male homosexuals with lymphadenopathy and had reversal of their T-helper/suppressor ratios (0.1 and 0.2, respectively, with a norm for this institution of 2.0). Both developed skin lesions diagnosed as Kaposi's sarcoma on biopsy. Both had medical histories of chronic sinusitis, and one had recurrent cutaneous infections as well. Although serum immunoglobulin levels were not determined prior to their manifestations of AIDS or pre-AIDS, IgA deficiency has not been shown to be a component of the AIDS syndrome itself. In fact, levels of serum immunoglobulins including IgA are usually elevated in AIDS.1 The prevalence of selective IgA deficiency in a large general population study in this area was found to be approximately one in 1,000.2This is
Ribonucleoprotein structure of adenovirus nuclear RNA probed by nuclease digestion.

Abstract The structure of nuclear ribonucleoprotein complexes isolated from HeLa cells productively infected with adenovirus was analyzed by digestion with ribonuclease A. The sequence composition of RNA was assessed by hybridization to overlapping adenovirus DNA restriction fragments. Although certain differences were observed in the amount of RNA hybridizing to certain probe fragments, the relative amount of labeled RNA hybridizing to specific DNA fragments was similar in digested and undigested RNA. The differences observed probably reflect intrinsic features of RNA rather than specific protection of RNA by bound protein. This finding suggests that all regions of adenovirus RNA are bound to protein in the cell nucleus. In order to examine the question of protein protection of adenovirus RNA at greater resolution, labeled RNA from late-infected cells was hybridized to a series of smaller DNA fragments. All ribonucleoprotein complexes containing RNA from these regions were digested to nearly the same extent. Finally, RNA obtained from the early stage of infection was hybridized to fragments of the E2A transcription unit. RNA corresponding to both introns and exons was similarly protected from nuclease digestion. Although the results of this study do not rule out models in which the distribution of RNA-bound proteins influences the sequence-specific processing of nuclear RNA, they strongly suggest that extended regions of these transcripts are neither selectively protected nor exposed in nuclear ribonucleoprotein complexes.
Virtual colonoscopy using oral contrast compared with colonoscopy for the detection of patients with colorectal polyps.

Abstract Background & Aims: Virtual colonoscopy using abdominal spiral computed tomography scanning allows total colonic evaluation with minimal invasiveness. Two-dimensional images and selective 3-dimensional images of the colon are used to detect colorectal lesions. This trial used conventional colonoscopy with segmental unblinding to determine the ability of virtual colonoscopy to identify patients with colorectal lesions who need conventional colonoscopy. Methods: We studied 205 patients with virtual colonoscopy using oral iodinated contrast preceding conventional colonoscopy. Colonic lavage was achieved with an oral sodium phosphosoda preparation and colonic distention with a carbon dioxide electronic insufflator. Results: The overall sensitivity and specificity of virtual colonoscopy in identifying patients with colorectal lesions was 61.8% and 70.7%, respectively. Virtual colonoscopy was more accurate in identifying patients with lesions ≥6 mm (sensitivity 84.4% and specificity 83.1%) and those with lesions ≥10 mm (sensitivity 90% and specificity 94.6%). The negative predictive value of virtual colonoscopy was 95% for a 6-mm cutoff size and 98.9% for a 10-mm cutoff. Using a 10-mm cutoff, virtual colonoscopy precludes the need for conventional colonoscopy in 86% of patients with a 1% false-negative rate (68% with a 3.4% false-negative rate when using a 6-mm cutoff). Conclusions: Virtual colonoscopy has a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting patients with significant colorectal lesions. Its high negative predictive value may help reduce the number of negative screening colonoscopies. Further studies are needed to determine what lesion cutoff size is clinically acceptable and the appropriate interval time for repeat virtual colonoscopy when it detects lesions below this cutoff size.
Discovery and High-Throughput Screening of Heteroleptic Iridium Complexes for Photoinduced Hydrogen Production

The catalytic process of photoinduced hydrogen generation via the reduction of water has been investigated. The use of parallel synthetic techniques has facilitated the synthesis of a 32 member library of heteroleptic iridium complexes that was screened, using high-throughput photophysical techniques, to identify six potential photosensitizers for use in catalytic photoinduced hydrogen production. A Pd/Ni thin film hydrogen selective sensor allowed for rapid quantification of hydrogen produced via illumination of aqueous systems of the photosensitizer, tris(2,2‘-dipyridyl)dichlorocobalt ([Co(bpy)3]Cl2), and triethanolamine (a sacrificial reductant) with ultra-bright light emitting diodes (LEDs). The use of an 8-well parallel photoreactor expedited the investigation of the hydrogen evolution process and facilitated mechanistic studies. All six compounds investigated produced considerably more hydrogen than commonly utilized photosensitizers and had relative quantum efficiencies of hydrogen production up to...
Recognition of Overlapping Nucleotides by AraC and the Sigma Subunit of RNA Polymerase

The Escherichia coli promoter p(BAD), under the control of the AraC protein, drives the expression of mRNA encoding the AraB, AraA, and AraD gene products of the arabinose operon. The binding site of AraC at p(BAD) overlaps the RNA polymerase -35 recognition region by 4 bases, leaving 2 bases of the region not contacted by AraC. This overlap raises the question of whether AraC substitutes for the sigma subunit of RNA polymerase in recognition of the -35 region or whether both AraC and sigma make important contacts with the DNA in the -35 region. If sigma does not contact DNA near the -35 region, p(BAD) activity should be independent of the identity of the bases in the hexamer region that are not contacted by AraC. We have examined this issue in the p(BAD) promoter and in a second promoter where the AraC binding site overlaps the -35 region by only 2 bases. In both cases promoter activity is sensitive to changes in bases not contacted by AraC, showing that despite the overlap, sigma does read DNA in the -35 region. Since sigma and AraC are thus closely positioned at p(BAD), it is possible that AraC and sigma contact one another during transcription initiation. DNA migration retardation assays, however, showed that there exists only a slight degree of DNA binding cooperativity between AraC and sigma, thus suggesting either that the normal interactions between AraC and sigma are weak or that the presence of the entire RNA polymerase is necessary for significant interaction.
Physiologic instability in panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder

Abstract Background: Because panic attacks can be accompanied by surges in physiologic activation, we tested the hypothesis that panic disorder is characterized by fluctuations of physiologic variables in the absence of external triggers. Methods: Sixteen patients with panic disorder, 15 with generalized anxiety disorder, and 19 normal control subjects were asked to sit quietly for 30 min. Electrodermal, cardiovascular, and respiratory measures were analyzed using complex demodulation to quantify variability in physiologic indices. Results: Both patient groups reported equally more anxiety and cardiac symptoms than control subjects, but certain other somatic symptoms, including breathlessness, were elevated only in panic disorder patients. Mean end-tidal pCO 2 and respiratory rates were lower, and tidal volume and the number of sighs were higher in panic disorder patients than control subjects. Neither cardiovascular (heart rate, arterial pressure, cardiac output), nor electrodermal instability including sighs distinguished the groups; however, tidal volume instability was greater in panic disorder than generalized anxiety disorder patients or control subjects. Several other respiratory measures (pCO 2 , respiratory rate, minute volume, duty cycle) showed greater instability in both patient groups than in control subjects. Conclusions: Respiration is particularly unstable in panic disorder, underlining the importance of respiratory physiology in understanding this disorder. Whether our findings represent state or trait characteristics is discussed.
Whodunit? Causal Responsibility of Utilization Review for Physicians' Decisions, Patients' Outcomes:

In the “olden days,” only a few years ago, physicians were free to order virtually any service they believed their patients needed, confident that virtually everything would be paid for. Reimbursernent was retrospective, fee-for-service and generous, essentially a cost-plus system in which insurers only rarely challenged medical decisions. That system is now gone. Uncontrolled escalations in the cost of health care have prompted those who pay its costs—primarily governments, businesses, and insurers—to initiate a broad array of cost controls in hopes of at least restraining the rise of their expenditures, even if not actually reducing them. Among the most prominent cost-containment mechanisms is utilization review (UR). Insurers have always engaged in retrospective review, denying payment for services that are not medically necessary, or not covered by the patient's policy, or not documented in the patient's records. Recently, however, payers have added prospective review, in which physician and patient must secure advance payer approval for certain interventions if they wish to ensure reimbursement.
Role of oxygen scavengers in limiting oxygen permeation into emulsions and improving stability of encapsulated retinol

Abstract The oxidation reactions significantly limit quality and shelf life of food products. The overall goal of this study was to evaluate the relative efficiency of selected oxygen scavengers in limiting oxygen permeation into the oil phase of the emulsion and its impact on stability of encapsulated model bioactive compound. Sodium sulfite (Na2SO3), glucose oxidase + catalase (GOx + catalase) and ascorbic acid (AA) were evaluated as water-soluble oxygen scavengers. The results show that GOx + catalase was approximately 6 times more effective in improving stability of retinol encapsulated in the oil phase of the emulsion than Na2SO3. Na2SO3 reduced the rate of permeation of oxygen into the oil phase of the emulsion by approximately 2.5 times as compared to the control emulsion but was not effective in limiting degradation of retinol encapsulated in the emulsion. AA was not effective in limiting oxygen permeation into the emulsion. This study demonstrates the potential of oxygen scavengers in limiting oxygen permeation in emulsion and their impact on improving oxidative stability of encapsulated bioactives.
Current issues in the treatment of women with abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abstract Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) accounts for ∼45,000 deaths per year in the United States. Despite a striking male predominance of AAA (4:1 male to female), mortality from this disease is almost as high in women (20th leading killer of women and 15th leading killer of men in this country). Objective: The purpose of this review is to highlight the differences in diagnosis, treatment, and treatment outcomes for women with AAA to determine avenues of potential improvement in their care. Methods: Published articles relevant to this review were determined by the experience of the author, by PubMed and MEDLINE searches, and by reviewing the references cited in the reports identified by the first 2 methods. The database searches were performed using the following terms: abdominal aorta, aneurysm, gender, endovascular, and outcomes. Reports were limited to the English language and publication since 1995. Results: Compared with men, women are older when their AAA is diagnosed and treated. Women have higher mortality than do men while undergoing elective open and endovascular repairs, and emergency surgery for ruptured AAAs. Owing to the anatomic complexity of their arterial anatomy, women are less frequently candidates for endovascular repair. Women receive treatment for rupture of AAA less frequently than do men. On Medicare induction, both men and women are eligible for a one-time screening for AAA; however, women qualify for this exam only if they have a family history of AAA. Conclusions: Opportunities to advance the care of women with AAA include improving screening techniques to find AAA prior to rupture and when women are younger and more likely to be candidates for repair. Current clinical practice should focus on decreasing mortality for open surgical repair and developing better endovascular devices so that anatomic obstacles can be overcome and more women can be candidates for this technology. In addition, furthering the understanding of gender differences in the pathophysiology of AAA disease may provide insights into treatments that could prevent the formation of aneurysms.
Family screening studies in maple syrup urine disease (branched-chain ketoaciduria)

Studies of a family with branched-chain ketoaciduria confirmed the value of the leucine tolerance test for detecting heterozygotes. The test has been simplified for family screening through the use of paper chromatographic methods. When applied to this family, the incidence of heterozygotes was consistent with the hypothesis of autosomal recessive inheritance. Elevated urine levels of α-ketoglutaric acid were observed in infants with the disease and in several of their parents. An attempt to show that increased urinary excretion of α-ketoglutaric acid would serve to delineate heterozygotes was unsuccessful.
IMPERFECT SQUEEZING FLOW VISCOSIMETRY WITH A WIDE PLATE AND A SHALLOW CONTAINER

“Imperfect squeezing flow” is defined as the outward and upward flow of a liquid in a shallow container compressed at a constant displacement rate with a wide plate (liquid depth to plate diameter on the order of 1:10–1:20). The viscosity of Newtonian silicon oils could be determined with an accuracy of about 5% using such an array, with a plate and containers having a diameter on the order of 10 and 14 cm, respectively, and liquid depth on the order of 5–6 mm. The same procedure, however, was not very effective for determining the rheological constants of a commercial mustard and especially ketchup. In the latter case this was probably the result of self-lubrication by a low viscosity liquid film, which distorted the force-time relationship. The effect was even more prominent when samples of the same ketchups were tested in a coaxial viscosimeter. Because of this problem the procedure as described can only be used as a crude empirical method to distinguish between liquid foods having very different rheological properties.
Economic Thinking in China: Economic Knowledge and Attitudes of High School Students

Results from a survey comparing involvement, knowledge, and attitudes and values of high school students in China and northern California.
Effect of pressure on the superconducting transition temperature of Ba1−xKxBiO3

Abstract The pressure dependence of the superconducting transition temperature of Ba 1− x K x BiO 3 is reported and compared with our previous results for LaCuO, LaSrCuO, YBaCuO, BiSrCaCuO and TlBaCaCuO high- T c materials.
DYNAMIN GTPASE, A FORCE-GENERATING MOLECULAR SWITCH

Dynamin is a GTPase that regulates late events in clathrin-coated vesicle formation. Our current working model suggests that dynamin is targeted to coated pits in its unoccupied or GDP-bound form, where it is initially distributed uniformly throughout the clathrin lattice. GTP/GDP exchange triggers its release from these sites and its assembly into short helices that encircle the necks of invaginated coated pits like a collar. GTP hydrolysis, which is required for vesicle detachment, presumably induces a concerted conformation change, tightening the collar. Unlike most of its GTPase cousins that serve as molecular switches, dynamin has a low affinity for GTP, a very high intrinsic rate of GTP hydrolysis and functions as a homo-oligomer. A concerted conformational change resulting from coordinated GTP hydrolysis by the dynamin oligomer might be sufficient to generate force. In this case, dynamin would be the first GTPase identified that acts as a structural protein with mechano-chemical function.
Role of Tectonic and Environmental Factors in Origin and Distribution of Sediments

Ancient sediments (sedimentary rocks) are interpreted in light of evidence available from the examination of modern processes based upon the concept of uniformitarianism. Recent sediments models of the Bahamas, Florida Keys, Mississippi Delta and Northern Gulf of Mexico are reviewed as to their application to the interpretation of ancient sediments deposited in geosynclinal and stable shelf areas. Puerto Rico, being in an area of active tectonic uplift and subsidence, demonstrates a variety of environmental conditions of diastrophism, physiography, and climate related to a variety of sediment types including graywackes, subgraywackes, arkoses, fine grained terrigenous clastics, bioclastic limestone, reef limestone, carbonate muds, and evaporites all in various facies relationships. Sources of sediments involve an orogenic belt of plutonic, volcanic, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks ranging in elevation from sea level End_Page 233------------------------------ to 4000 feet above sea level. The climate of the source area varies from tropical rain forest to desert. Depositional sites include fluvial, bay and lagoonal, littoral margin dunes, deltas, shelf basin-bankreef complex, slope, and abyssal environments. The facies relationships between terrigeneous clastics and carbonates provides a Recent sediment model of great significance when applied to evaluation of ancient sediments. The sedimentary rocks of Pennsylvanian age in north-central Texas consist of a sequence of conglomerates, sandstones, shales and limestone exhibiting facies relationships representing fluvial, deltaic, lagoonal, littoral, and shelf environments of deposition. The shelf sediments involve both carbonate banks and reefs in a terrigeneous clastic sequence. The effects of sea-floor topography on sedimentation are significant both in regard to type and thickness. Evidence of deep water or continental shelf-slope relationships are absent indicating deposition of sediments in subsiding shelf environment. End_of_Article - Last_Page 234------------
An analysis of basic expressive qualities in instrumental conducting

Advances in sensing technology make the task of quantifying expressive human body movement more feasible than ever before. Success will enable breakthroughs in Human-computer interaction (HCI) and control paradigms. In most areas, however, expressivity remains vague and difficult to define. We examine the movements of instrumental conductors at an elementary level to define particular qualities of a beat. In our test case, we focus on the difference between sostenuto and staccato articulation styles as a base for expressive qualities. We show that it is possible to define generic low-level movement features, we call movement primitives, to quantify the qualitative aspects of these two different articulation styles across a range of different tempi. Our movement primitives include the mean and variance of the magnitude of velocity and acceleration, and measures of spatial curvature. Each of these is measured from the ictus of one beat through the ictus of the next beat in a standard 4/4 beat pattern. The discriminative power of these features is demonstrated by two-tail t-tests and verified through Naive Bayes classification experiments. The results demonstrate that our use of movement primitives effectively describes characteristics of expression revealed in each beat of two different articulation styles.
An Experimental Examination of Two Exchange Institutions

Economists have shown increasing interest in the analysis of information and organization in decentralized price adjustment processes. This interest is most frequently manifested at the theoretical level (summaries of the relevant literature, concepts, and methodologies have been provided by Hurwicz [3] and Rothschild [4]), but it also has found expression through several laboratory experimental studies. These latter have unusual appeal because they can serve as a "proving ground" for the former. If well-formulated theories consistently fail to predict simple laboratory behaviour, then one would be hesitant to trust their predictions in richer environments. Furthermore, when replicable laboratory behaviour can be demonstrated, one should seek those extensions of accepted theory which explain why it occurs. The laboratory studies have attempted to measure the effect of different forms of market organization on the efficiency, performance, convergence pattern and equilibrium level of prices. The variables of market organization examined have been the mechanisms or rules under which prices are communicated and contracts are executed. The focus on these particular variables has been motivated by the more prominent features of certain observed exchange institutions rather than formal models based on pre-scientific, casual observations of the kind that form the basis of embryonic modelling. We view the present work as providing a rigorous empirical foundation for a more formal development of theory.
Transient kinetics and intermediates formed during the electron transfer reaction catalyzed by Candida albicans estrogen binding protein.

The transient kinetics of the reaction of the estrogen binding protein (EBP1) from Candida albicans in which hydride is transferred from NADPH to trans-2-hexenal (HXL) in two half-reactions were analyzed using UV-visible spectrophotometric and fluorometric stopped-flow techniques. The simplest model of the first half-reaction involves four steps including very rapid, tight binding (K(d) </= 50 nM) characterized by loss of NADPH fluorescence, subsequent rapid formation of a charge-transfer complex between NADPH and oxidized enzyme-bound flavin mononucleotide (FMN) cofactor, followed by rate-limiting reduction of the FMN, and finally dissociation of the oxidized pyridine nucleotide. The UV-visible absorbance behavior of this half-reaction is described by two apparent phases, with k(f)(obs) = 355 +/- 6 and k(s)(obs) = 3.30 +/- 0.03 s(-)(1), for the fast and slow phases, respectively. The reaction has also been evaluated in terms of the full, multi-equilibrium reaction scheme, and microscopic rate constants that lead to the observed behavior have been determined through convergent experimental techniques and computer simulation. Significant intrinsic kinetic isotope effects were noted on both the bond cleavage step and the preceding formation of the charge-transfer complex. The enzyme is reoxidized by transfer of hydride from the FMN to HXL in the second half-reaction that appears to consist of substrate binding to form a Michaelis-type complex and the subsequent chemical step. Characterization of the reaction in this simple manner allows determination of an apparent K(d) = 100 +/- 9 microM for the reduced enzyme.HXL complex.
Returns to residential energy efficiency and conservation measures: A field experiment

Abstract Residential energy conservation is a key component of contemporary energy and climate change policy in the US and elsewhere. Comparisons of the relative effectiveness of measures aimed at reducing residential energy consumption are made challenging, however, by the endogeneity of technology and energy use decisions. In this paper we describe a novel small-scale field experiment that uses randomized treatments to estimate the returns to three types of energy conservation measures in institutionally owned homes. The results from the experiment indicate considerable reductions in natural gas consumption associated with the installation of attic insulation and the provision of incentives for conservation. The results are supported by observations of ambient indoor temperature data, which show that households receiving incentives significantly reduce their temperature settings—especially when coupled with access to a programmable thermostat. The study will ideally provide guidance for institutions and communities considering energy efficiency measures and for future researchers designing randomized experiments to study residential energy use.
New Biological Paramagnetic Center: Octahedrally Coordinated Nickel(III) in the Methanogenic Bacteria

Methanobacterium bryantii was grown in medium supplemented with nickel-61, an isotope with a nuclear spin of 3/2. The appearance of nuclear hyperfine structure in the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of a cell extract identified a previously observed signal as nickel(III) in an environment of octahedral coordination with rhombic distortions.
Partial purification and thermal characterization of peroxidase from okra (Hibiscus esculentum)

Thermal characteristics and substrate specificity of peroxidase (POX) from okra were determined. Crude POX was separated into eight fractions (P1−P8) by DEAE−cellulose chromatography. Heat inactivation of POX was biphasic and fitted to a first-order kinetic model. Inactivation rates of crude POX and eight POX fractions at 70 °C varied between (63.499 and 123.809) × 10-2 min-1 for the heat-labile fractions and (11.255 and 31.441) × 10-2 min-1 for the heat-stable fractions. Activation energies for the inactivation of crude extract were 37.0 kcal mol-1 with a z-value of 13.8 °C for the heat-labile fraction and 37.8 kcal mol-1 with a z-value of 13.5 °C for the heat-stable fraction. Optimum temperatures were between 30 and 35 °C for the crude extract, 60 °C for P1−P5 fractions, and more than 65 °C for P6−P8 fractions. Among substrates, guaiacol was oxidized primarily by P1−P6 fractions; whereas, pyrogallol and catechin were preferred by P7 and P8, respectively. Keywords: Peroxidase; okra; partial purification;...
Power equalizer systems for aircraft alternators

For efficient parallel operation of alternators it is necessary that both real and reactive load be distributed equally among the alternators. A 400-cycle a-c aircraft electric system presently in use employs both reactive and real power equalizers which are interconnections of the respective voltage and speed regulating systems of the paralleled alternators, giving an automatic correction for load unbalance while maintaining best system voltage and frequency regulation.
Deterioration of lecithin-adhered zinc phosphide baits in alfalfa

Abstract A 2·00 (±0·36)% zinc phosphide (Zn 3 P 2 , CAS no. 1314-84-7) steam-rolled-oat (SRO) groats bait containing 1·04% lecithin vehicle was broadcast in alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ). Samples of bait were collected immediately after broadcast, and 1, 7 and 14 days after exposure to existent agronomic and climatological conditions. Analyses of respective samples yielded 1·80 (±0·36)%, 1·18 (±0·04)%, 1·20 (±0·11)%, and ⩽0·26 (±0·05)% Zn 3 P 2 . A ∼10% loss of Zn 3 P 2 occurred immediately due to mechanical broadcast; ∼33% loss was noted 1–7 days after exposure to pH 6·0 soil and 0·05 cm rainfall; and ⩾87% loss of Zn 3 P 2 occurred by day 14 following an additional 0·96 cm rainfall. Mechanical, precipitation and soil-acidity factors are viewed to reduce the concentration of Zn 3 P 2 -grain baits in crop situations. Lecithin-adhered Zn 3 P 2 baits showed a relatively rapid decline in concentration of active ingredient (A.I.) after broadcast and exposure to slight moisture — a useful attribute of these baits in areas where hazards to nontarget wildlife are of concern.
Comment: Estimating the Effects Caused by Treatments

(1984). Comment: Estimating the Effects Caused by Treatments. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 79, No. 385, pp. 26-28.
Gabapentin Produces Dose-Dependent Antinociception in the Orofacial Formalin Test in the Rat

Abstract Background and Objectives: High neuraxial drug infusion has been advocated for the treatment of intractable cranial and facial pain in humans. Currently, parallel animal models have not been characterized to support this methodology. We combined an accepted animal model of pain of cranial origin with a novel technique of cervico-medullary drug delivery to determine the antinociceptive potential of gabapentin. Gabapentin was chosen because of its reported efficacy in a wide array of complex cranial pain syndromes. Methods: Male Wistar rats were implanted with intrathecal catheters that were advanced cephalad through a lumbar guide cannula to terminate in the high cervical spinal cord (C1-C4). Antinociception was assessed by the orofacial formalin test. Vehicle or gabapentin (3, 10, 30, 100 μg) was injected intrathecally followed 10 minutes later by injection of 2.5% formalin solution into the vibrissal pad. Motor assessment was evaluated in a separate group of animals. Results: Intrathecal gabapentin (10, 30, 100 μg) produced a dose-dependent decrease in the second phase of the behavioral response to formalin (P
The Measurement of Thermal Radiation at Microwave Frequencies

The connection between Johnson noise and blackbody radiation is discussed, using a simple thermodynamic model. A microwave radiometer is described together with its theory of operation. The experimentally measured root mean square fluctuation of the output meter of a microwave radiometer (0.4°C) compares favorably with a theoretical value of 0.46°C. With an r-f band width of 16 mc/sec., the 0.4°C corresponds to a minimum detectable power of 10-16 watt. The method of calibrating using a variable temperature resistive load is described.
Identification of Conformationally Sensitive Amino Acids in the Na+/Dicarboxylate Symporter (SdcS)†

The Na(+)/dicarboxylate symporter (SdcS) from Staphylococcus aureus is a homologue of the mammalian Na(+)/dicarboxylate cotransporters (NaDC1) from the solute carrier 13 (SLC13) family. This study examined succinate transport by SdcS heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, using right-side-out (RSO) and inside-out (ISO) membrane vesicles. The K(m) values for succinate in RSO and ISO vesicles were similar, approximately 30 microM. The single cysteine of SdcS was replaced to produce the cysteine-less transporter, C457S, which demonstrated functional characteristics similar to those of the wild type. Single-cysteine mutants were made in SdcS-C457S at positions that are functionally important in mammalian NaDC1. Mutant N108C of SdcS was sensitive to chemical labeling by MTSET {[2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl]methanethiosulfonate} from both the cytoplasmic and extracellular sides, depending on the conformational state of the transporter, suggesting that Asn-108 may be found in the translocation pore of the protein. Mutant D329C was sensitive to MTSET in the presence of Na(+) but only from the extracellular side. Finally, mutant L436C was insensitive to MTSET, although changes in its kinetic properties indicate that this residue may be important in substrate binding. In conclusion, this work identifies Asn-108 as a key residue in the translocation pathway of the protein, accessible in different states from both sides of the membrane. Functional characterization of SdcS should provide useful structural as well as functional details about mammalian transporters from the SLC13 family.
Using mobile robots to harvest data from sensor fields

We explore synergies among mobile robots and wireless sensor networks in environmental monitoring through a system in which robotic data mules collect measurements gathered by sensing nodes. A proof-of-concept implementation demonstrates that this approach significantly increases the lifetime of the system by conserving energy that the sensing nodes otherwise would use for communication.