cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
BlmIII and BlmIV nonribosomal peptide synthetase-catalyzed biosynthesis of the bleomycin bithiazole moiety involving both in cis and in trans aminoacylation.

Cloning and sequence analysis of the bleomycin (BLM) biosynthetic gene cluster predicted that the two nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), BlmIV and BlmIII, are responsible for the biosynthesis of the BLM bithiazole moiety. BlmIV is a seven domain (C2-A2-PCP2-Cy1-A1-PCP1-Cy0) NRPS, and BlmIII is a three domain (A0-PCP0-Ox) NRPS. The three domains of Cy1-A1-PCP1 residing on the BlmIV subunit, the four domains of Cy0 residing on the BlmIV subunit, and A0-PCP0-Ox residing on the BlmIII subunit constitute the two thiazole-forming NRPS-1 and NRPS-0 modules, respectively. BlmIII-A0 was predicted to be nonfunctional, raising the question of how the NRPS-0 module activates and loads the Cys substrate to its cognate BlmIII-PCP0. The NRPS-0 module consists of domains residing on two different subunits, requiring precise protein−protein interaction. Here, we report the production of the BlmIV and BlmIII NRPSs as an excised domain(s), module, or intact subunit form and biochemical characterizations of the result...
Pressure probe study of the water relations of Phycomyces blakesleeanus sporangiophores.

The physical characteristics which govern the water relations of the giant-celled sporangiophore of Phycomyces blakesleeanus were measured with the pressure probe technique and with nanoliter osmometry. These properties are important because they govern water uptake associated with cell growth and because they may influence expansion of the sporangiophore wall. Turgor pressure ranged from 1.1 to 6.6 bars (mean = 4.1 bars), and was the same for stage I and stage IV sporangiophores. Sporangiophore osmotic pressure averaged 11.5 bars. From the difference between cell osmotic pressure and turgor pressure, the average water potential of the sporangiophore was calculated to be about -7.4 bars. When sporangiophores were submerged under water, turgor remained nearly constant. We propose that the low cell turgor pressure is due to solutes in the cell wall solution, i.e., between the cuticle and the plasma membrane. Membrane hydraulic conductivity averaged 4.6 x 10(-6) cm s-1 bar-1, and was significantly greater in stage I sporangiophores than in stage IV sporangiophores. Contrary to previous reports, the sporangiophore is separated from the supporting mycelium by septa which prevent bulk volume flow between the two regions. The presence of a wall compartment between the cuticle and the plasma membrane results in anomalous osmosis during pressure clamp measurements. This behavior arises because of changes in solute concentration as water moves into or out of the wall compartment surrounding the sporangiophore. Theoretical analysis shows how the equations governing transient water flow are altered by the characteristics of the cell wall compartment.
Cholecystectomy: To drain or not to drain a randomized prospective study of 200 patients

Abstract During the 24-month period commencing January 1975, 200 patients underwent elective cholecystectomy for chronic cholecystitis. According to a prospective randomized protocol, 100 patients were drained and an identical number were not drained. The two groups were similar with respect to age, weight, diabetic history, and all other measured clinical parameters. Patients who were not drained had less postoperative fever in terms of actual temperature elevation and duration of fever and were discharged from the hospital earlier. There was no difference in the incidence of wound infection or other complications between the two groups. This study confirms that elective cholecystectomy without drainage of the subhepatic space can be done safely and that less postoperative fever and shorter hospitalization can be expected.
A 70-year-old woman with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

See also page [518][1] and [www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.140430][2] A 70-year-old woman was referred to her family physician by the emergency department for follow-up of shortness of breath, orthopnea and swelling of her legs that she had experienced for two months. She had no other symptoms
Planetary albedo in strongly forced climate, as simulated by the CMIP3 models

In an ensemble of general circulation models, the global mean albedo significantly decreases in response to strong CO2 forcing. In some of the models, the magnitude of this positive feedback is as large as the CO2 forcing itself. The models agree well on the surface contribution to the trend, due to retreating snow and ice cover, but display large differences when it comes to the contribution from shortwave radiative effects of clouds. The “cloud contribution” defined as the difference between clear-sky and all-sky albedo anomalies and denoted as ΔCC is correlated with equilibrium climate sensitivity in the models (correlation coefficient 0.76), indicating that in high sensitivity models the clouds to a greater extent act to enhance the negative clear-sky albedo trend, whereas in low sensitivity models the clouds rather counteract this trend. As a consequence, the total albedo trend is more negative in more sensitive models (correlation coefficient 0.73). This illustrates in a new way the importance of cloud response to global warming in determining climate sensitivity in models. The cloud contribution to the albedo trend can primarily be ascribed to changes in total cloud fraction, but changes in cloud albedo may also be of importance.
The reflectivity of Jupiter in the ultraviolet.

Geometrical UV reflectivity of Jupiter in terms of Rayleigh scattering determined from objective-grating rocket spectrometer
Graceful Passage Through Hopf Bifurcation

Abstract The concept of “graceful” transition through a Hopf bifurcation for a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is introduced. The key idea is to control the system such that its state space trajectory is close to the branch of equilibrium solutions or to the branch of periodic solutions associated with a Hopf bifurcation. This kind of evolution is called “graceful” and can be generated by formulating and solving optimization control problems.
Date Rape After the Afterschool Special: Narrative Trends in the Televised Depiction of Social Problems†

Social problems scholars have pointed to sensitive depictions of social problems like smoking, rape, and spousal abuse on television as evidence of the success of movements devoted to those causes. Media scholars have countered that the pressure on television producers to hew to formula inevitably leads to stereotypical depictions of social problems. We appraise these two perspectives by way of an analysis of the portrayal of date rape on teen television dramas over the course of 2 decades. We show that, for a period, advocates did secure portrayals of date rape that were in line with a feminist antirape agenda. However, that depiction yielded to one in which date rape figured as a narrative device, used to tell audiences something about the show's characters or their situation, not to tell them something about rape. Developments in teen serials' content and especially their form led eventually to antifeminist portrayals, in which rapes were portrayed as unjust but routine events. Behind these developments, however, were demands on television writers to produce not formula, but novelty. We conclude by theorizing more generally the effects of the demand for novelty on the depiction of social problems on television.
A two-dimensional generalized likelihood ratio test for land mine and small unexploded ordnance detection

Abstract The fundamental goals of land-mine and small unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection are to achieve a high probability of detection ( P d ) and a low probability of false alarm ( P fa ). Conventional methods usually fulfill the first goal at the cost of a high P fa . In our previous work (Collins et al., IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sensing 37 (2) (March 1998) 811–819; Gao and Collins, Proceedings of SPIE, Orlando, FL, April 1998; Gao, Master's Thesis, Duke University, December, 1997), we have shown that a Bayesian decision theoretic approach can be applied to improve the detectibility of land mines and small UXO targets using a single spatial sample of the electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensor data. In this paper, we present an alternative approach which significantly improves P d at a fixed P fa by utilizing features that capture the physical nature of EMI data within a statistical signal processing framework. The method we develop is a two-dimensional generalized likelihood ratio test (2-D GLRT) which utilizes spatial information from the sensor output. To illustrate the performance improvement, results obtained with the 2-D GLRT detector are compared to those for the standard threshold test for single-channel time-domain sensor data, as well as the energy detector, the integral detector, and the single location generalized likelihood ratio test (1-D GLRT) detector for multi-channel time-domain EMI sensor data.
Clinical genetics issues encountered by family physicians.

Purpose: To describe the genetics-related clinical issues encountered by family physicians, and the medical problems they referred to genetics consultants. Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to a nationwide, random sample of 498 practicing family physicians, asking how many times in the past year they discussed genetic information about 19 familial or genetic conditions with patients and what proportion of the families with each genetic condition were referred for genetics consultation. Factor analysis was used to group the conditions. Results: The response rate was 38% (n = 190). Respondents were similar to nonrespondents except that more were women. Most family physicians reported discussing the genetics of common cancers, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease with two or more patients in the past year. Thirteen percent had referred families for genetics assessment of breast-ovarian cancer but only two made genetics referrals for cardiovascular disease or dementia. 25% to 50% of family physicians had addressed genetic issues in at least one family with hemoglobinopathy, a blood clotting disorder, hemochromatosis, mental illness, vision loss or deafness, chromosome abnormality, infertility or pregnancy loss, congenital anomalies, mental retardation, and neurofibromatosis. Most cases were not referred to geneticists. Of respondents, 23% said that genetics consultation is very difficult to obtain or unavailable and 18% listed ethical and social dilemmas related to pursuing genetic diagnosis. Conclusion: Nationwide, family physicians address a variety of genetics issues with patients, most frequently consulting geneticists for perinatal conditions and familial cancers. Access to genetics consultation is more difficult in rural areas. These data may be used in organizing genetics services and in planning professional education programs for primary care clinicians.
Inhibition not facilitation of sexual behavior by PCPA.

Abstract It has been proposed that estrous behavior in the female rat may be under tonic inhibition by a central serotonergic system. Studies conbining estrogen priming and the pharmacological depletion of serotonin have provided some support for this hypothesis. Some evidence, however, is not consistent with this hypothesis. In the present study estrogen primed ovariectomized-adrenal ectomized rats were administered p-chlorophenylalanine and were tested for lordosis behavior 66 and 70 hr laater Lordosis was not facilitated. The animals were then administered progesterone and retested at hour 74. PCPA inhibited progesterone-induced lordosis behavior in a dose dependent manner.
Neurotransmitter release at central synapses

Our understanding of synaptic transmission has grown dramatically during the 15 years since the first issue of Neuron was published, a growth rate expected from the rapid progress in modern biology. As in all of biology, new techniques have led to major advances in the cell and molecular biology of synapses, and the subject has evolved in ways (like the production of genetically engineered mice) that could not even be imagined 15 years ago. My plan for this review is to summarize what we knew about neurotransmitter release when Neuron first appeared and what we recognized we did not know, and then to describe how our views have changed in the intervening decade and a half. Some things we knew about synapses--"knew" in the sense that the field had reached a consensus--are no longer accepted, but for the most part, impressive advances have led to a new consensus on many issues. What I find fascinating is that in certain ways nothing has changed--many of the old arguments persist or recur in a different guise--but in other ways the field would be unrecognizable to a neurobiologist time-transported from 1988 to 2003.
Practical Framework for Performance-Related Specifications:

As highway agencies moved away from the older prescription-type specifications and began to develop end-result and performance-related specifications, several different statistical measures of quality have been used. These include the sample mean (x); percent defective or its complement, percent within limits; and the average absolute deviation. Conformal index is yet another measure that has been proposed. What has not been undertaken during this developmental period is any sort of formal analysis to determine which, if any, of these measures accurately reflects the expected performance of the construction items to which they are applied. Specialized computer programs were developed to demonstrate potential weaknesses of current quality measures and to explore alternate approaches that may overcome these weaknesses. It was found that pay equations based on the mean and standard deviation computed from the sample can be tailored to closely match the value of the constructed product as estimated by life-cy...
Q -state Potts model by Wilson's exact renormalization-group equation

Critical properties of the Q-state Potts model for dimensions 3≤d≤6 are calculated by means of Wilson's exact momentum-space renormalization-group equation. The scaling-field method of Golner and Riedel is used to approximate the functional differential equation by a set of 11 ordinary coupled differential equations. For d=4−e, lines of critical and tricritical Potts fixed points are found as functions of Q that annihilate as Q approaches a critical value Qc=2+e2a+O(e3). For Q>Qc, the Potts transition is first order. Along these fixed lines the critical and tricritical exponents (upper and lower sign, respectively) are to leading order: 1ν=2−16[e±(e2−aδ)12], φν=∓(e2−aδ)12, and η=[e±(e2−aδ)12]2216+bδ, where e=4−d, δ=Q−2, and δ≤δc=e2a+O(e3). While the form of the e and δ dependences is exact, the coefficients a and b cannot be obtained systematically by e expansion, since the upper critical dimensionality of the Potts model is six when Q≠2. In our truncation, a=6.52 and b=0.065. The results have been extended to dimensions 3.4≤d≲4 by solving the renormalization-group equations numerically. The percolation limit of the Potts model, Q=1, is also investigated and the critical exponents νP,φP, and ηP determined as functions of dimension for 3≤d≤6.
Chain transfer in ethylene polymerization. VII. Very reactive and depletable transfer agents

The study of chain transfer in the free-radical polymerization of ethylene was extended to very reactive transfer agents, particularly aldehydes and mercaptans The chaintransfer constant Cs for aldehydes was insensitive to temperature changes but was strongly reduced as pressure was increased. Mercaptans were found to deplete during polymerization (Cs > 1.0). The conventional Mayo equation was integrated to allow accurate calculation of Cs for depleting transfer agents.
Characterization of the Standard and Recommended CODIS Markers

As U.S. courts grapple with constitutional challenges to DNA identification applications, judges are resting legal decisions on the fingerprint analogy, questioning whether the information from a DNA profile could, in light of scientific advances, reveal biomedically relevant information. While CODIS loci were selected largely because they lack phenotypic associations, how this criterion was assessed is unclear. To clarify their phenotypic relevance, we describe the standard and recommended CODIS markers within the context of what is known currently about the genome. We characterize the genomic regions and phenotypic associations of the 24 standard and suggested CODIS markers. None of the markers are within exons, although 12 are intragenic. No CODIS genotypes are associated with known phenotypes. This study provides clarification of the genomic significance of the key identification markers and supports--independent of the forensic scientific community--that the CODIS profiles provide identification but not sensitive or biomedically relevant information.
Derivation of the SU(3)×SU(3) Space-Time Local Current Commutators

The commutators of the charge with the current density of vector and axial-vector currents are derived, and restrictions are placed on the Schwinger terms present in the charge-density-current-density equal-time commutators. In order to prove these results, the commutator of the time component of a current with the energy density is derived. The following assumptions are made: (1) Equal-time commutation relations between time components of vector and axial-vector currents satisfy the local $\mathrm{SU}(2)$, $\mathrm{SU}(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}(2)$, or $\mathrm{SU}(3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}(3)$ algebra; (2) the transformation properties of the divergence of the axial current are assumed to be known. The second assumption is shown to be necessary as well as sufficient. It is shown that the Schwinger terms involve at most one derivative of a $\ensuremath{\delta}$ function and have definite symmetry properties. Symmetry properties frequently conjectured for the Schwinger terms are examined in the context of the present investigation, and the consequences of these conjectures are explored. The current-density-current-density equal-time commutation is also studied with the present techniques, and it is found that only very mild restrictions can be imposed in a model-independent fashion.
Renal Transplantation in Patients with Posterior Urethral Valves: Favorable Long-Term Outcome

AbstractPurpose: We assessed the long-term efficacy of renal transplantation in patients with posterior urethral valves.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the outcome in 23 patients with posterior urethral valves who underwent renal transplantation since 1979.Results: Graft survival was 69 percent at 5 years and 63 percent at 10 years. Seven patients with followup of 7 years of longer had a mean serum creatinine level of 1.5 mg./dl. Three patients (13 percent) demonstrated significant bladder dysfunction postoperatively.Conclusions: Renal transplantation into a valve bladder is not associated with an abnormally high rate of failure. Deterioration of graft function secondary to lower urinary tract dysfunction is uncommon, with the majority of patients able to use the unmodified native bladder as a receptacle for the transplanted kidney.
Comparing Multiple Predictors of Energy Content in Juvenile Bluefish

Abstract The need to estimate energetic status in fish is common, but determining energy content is costly. We examined the relationship between the energy density of wild juvenile bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix (115–310 mm) and multiple indicators of energetic status to develop regression models for predicting bluefish energy content. Energy density was strongly related to the percent dry mass of whole fish (r 2 = 0.99) but poorly related to residual wet mass (r 2 = 0.33), a commonly used condition index. Energy density was related to three hepatosomatic indices: liver wet mass (r 2 = 0.45), liver dry mass (r 2 = 0.64), and liver energy content (r 2 = 0.70). Energy density was nonlinearly related to percent dry weight in muscle tissue (r 2 = 0.93) and energy density in muscle tissue (r 2 = 0.83). A biphasic pattern of lipid storage was found in muscle tissue, with very little lipid stored until after a threshold in percent dry weight is exceeded. Using our predictive equation, the energy content in whole b...
Quantitative importance of biliary excretion to the turnover of hepatic lysosomal enzymes

The turnover rate of an individual protein is a function of the rates of synthesis and loss of that protein. For most intracellular proteins, loss occurs through digestion by lysosomal or cytosolic proteases. Although a significant proportion of hepatic lysosomal enzymes is released from the hepatocyte by excretion into bile, the contribution of biliary excretion to the turnover of hepatic lysosomal enzymes has never been measured. Thus, we used in vivo pulse-labeling to determine the half-lives of two hepatic hydrolases, beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) and beta-glucuronidase (beta-glu). Each enzyme was purified by immunoisolation from hepatic lysosomes that were isolated at various times after injection of rats with 3H-labeled leucine. The decay curves for the specific radioactivities of beta-gal and beta-glu were used to calculate the half-lives of the proteins, which were 3.8 and 5.1 days, respectively. To determine the percent of total hepatic contents of each enzyme that was lost per day by biliary excretion, we collected bile from bile fistula rats for 24 hours and then used radioimmunoassays to quantitate the amounts of beta-gal and beta-glu in bile and liver samples of the same rats. We found that approximately 4% of the total hepatic contents of both beta-gal and beta-glu was excreted into bile per day. Finally, we used these data to calculate that 31% and 41% of hepatic losses of beta-gal and beta-glu, respectively, were due to biliary excretion. These results suggest that extracellular release through biliary excretion is a major mechanism contributing to the turnover of lysosomal hydrolases.
The Webs They Weave: Malaysia's Multimedia Super-corridor and New York City's Silicon Alley:

This paper compares Malaysia's Multimedia Super-corridor (MSC) and New York's Silicon Alley to assess whether state-led development of digital districts is a viable alternative to neo-liberal approaches. The changing nature of east Asia's developmental states as they adopt neo-liberal elements (such as venture capital) casts doubt on the idea that east Asian cities are `embedded' in developmental frameworks. Using actor-network theory to conceptualise the nesting of cities as processes of 'translation', the paper examines how state frameworks in the US and Malaysia shaped the respective efforts of district entrepreneurs to weave together ideas, resources and relationships. The findings confirm actor-network theory's claim that the significance of a particular element depends on the network it becomes enmeshed in. In the case of Silicon Alley, neo-liberal regimes did not directly participate but promoted devices (such as venture capital, options) that enabled venture capitalists to bring together myriad en...
Marriage & Family Therapy Students Learning Qualitative Research: Frameworks Identified Through Participatory-Observation

In this study, we used participant-observation to achieve grounded theory as we constructed a model outlining how marriage and family therapy graduate students learn qualitative research methods. We identified three major learning frameworks: Pragmatism, Ethics/Morality, and Identity of the Researcher. We also found that certain learning modalities are most congruent for students holding these major frameworks. “Critical learning incidences” appeared to cause a shift or re-balancing of students’ frameworks as they learn qualitative research. Application of these findings may help guide instructors who are teaching students with little previous exposure qualitative methodology. Recommendations for future research are also included. Key words: Teaching, Qualitative Methods, and Grounded Theory
Local time-reversal-symmetry breaking in d x 2 − y 2 superconductors

We show that an isolated impurity in a spin singlet dx22y 2 superconductor generates a dxy order parameter with locally broken time-reversal symmetry. The origin of this effect is a coupling between the dx22y 2 and the dxy order parameter induced by spin-orbit scattering off the impurity. The signature of locally broken timereversal symmetry is an induced orbital charge current near the impurity, which generates a localized magnetic field in the vicinity of the impurity. We present a microscopic theory for the impurity-induced dxy component, discuss its spatial structure as well as the pattern of induced current and local magnetic field near the localized impurity spin.
Magnetic field-induced martensitic variant reorientation in magnetic shape memory alloys

The magnetically induced martensitic variant reorientation process under applied mechanical load in magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMAs) is considered. Of particular interest is the associated nonlinear and hysteretic macroscopic strain response under variable applied magnetic field in the presence of stress, also known as the magnetic shape memory effect (MSME). A thermodynamically consistent phenomenological constitutive model is derived which captures the magnetic shape memory effect caused by the martensitic variant reorientation process, using internal state variables, which are chosen in consideration of the crystallographic and magnetic microstructure. The magnetic contributions to the free energy function considered in this work are the Zeeman energy and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy. Activation functions for the onset and termination of the reorientation process are formulated and evolution equations for the internal state variables are derived. The model is applied to a two-dimensiona...
Ejection fraction with planar gated 99m-Tc SestaMIBI images

Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) can be determined from planar first pass blood pool images following injection of 99m-Tc SestaMIBI. However, it is technically simpler to obtain LVEF from gated SestaMIBI images of the perfused myocardium. Because the geometry-based EF calculation involves potential errors, we assessed the accuracy of this method by both validating the approach using phantom images, and comparing LVEFs from perfusion studies with the LVEFs from contrast angiography in the same patients. We also demonstrated that this bidimensional EF calculation method reflects changes in LV volumes from end diastole (ED) to end systole (ES), as in an ellipsoid model of the left ventricle, by supporting the assumption that changes along the ellipsoid long axis from ED to ES are significantly smaller than changes along the anteroposterior or septum-lateral axes of the ventricle, thus making LVEF from planar gated perfusion images a useful diagnostic and prognostic tool.
Relationship between Job Dissatisfaction and Physical and Psychological Health among Filipino Immigrants

This study investigated the relationship between job dissatisfaction and psychological and physical health among Filipino immigrants in the United States. Cross-sectional data from the Filipino American Community Epidemiological Study were analyzed for 1,381 Filipino immigrants. The primary independent variable of interest was job dissatisfaction. Linear and negative binomial regression analyses were conducted to determine separate associations between job dissatisfaction and the outcomes of psychological distress and physical health conditions, respectively. Job dissatisfaction was positively associated with both psychological distress (beta = 0.32, p < .001) and physical health conditions (beta = 0.42, p < .001), controlling for sociodemographic variables such as age, gender, education, income, and job category. This community-based study demonstrated that job dissatisfaction has implications for health and well-being among an understudied, immigrant group of workers. Findings also suggest that job-related experiences should be considered when examining disparate health for immigrant, minority populations.
Inhibiting Cell Division in Escherichia coli Has Little If Any Effect on Gene Expression

DNA microarrays were used to compare gene expression in dividing and nondividing (filamentous) cultures of Escherichia coli. Although cells from these cultures differed profoundly in morphology, their gene expression profiles were nearly identical. These results extend previous evidence that there is no division checkpoint in E. coli, and progression through the cell cycle is not regulated by the transcription of different genes during different parts of the cell cycle.
THE INTERACTION OP DRUGS AND CELL CATALYSTS

THE INTERACTION OP DRUGS AND CELL CATALYSTS. Frederick Bernheim, Associate Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina. Offset lithography. $2.25. ii and 86. Paper binding. Burgess Publishing Co., Minneapolis, Minn. Copyright 1942; second printing, 1943. FEW persons, more's the pity, have sufficient energy or daring to write books like this. There is too much danger that a neck so far protruded may encounter some routine, oscillatory axe. The author, however, in courageous recognition of the temporary nature of hypothesis has thoughtfully printed his work by offset lithography and covered it with paper so that its ultimate disposal may be accomplished without a qualm. Let us not carp then because we do not encounter a classic. The intention is not to enunciate but to suggest. In effect the author says, "We have not gotten very far in explaining the action of drugs by talking with Straub about concentrations inside and outside of cells, or about polarization of membranes, abstract receptors, rectangular hyperbolas, or adsorption isotherms; let us see what can be gotten together from the point of view of known enzyme systems." Half the monograph is therefore devoted to an attempt to correlate the biological effects of various drugs, with their influence on enzyme systems in vitro. The other half deals with enzyme systems involved in the destruction or detoxification of foreign substances. Although the underlying notions are not entirely new, the author appears to have performed a valuable though thankless task in assembling widely scattered data and asking the scientific world to consider them from his point of view. No attempt is made at exhaustive analysis, elaborate reconciliation of conflicting experiments, or logical synthesis. As the author wisely recognizes, the time is not ripe. The net impression made upon this reviewer is that the chemist in his exploration of enzyme systems is fashioning powerful instruments for the dissection of biological processes. If he is but ten years beyond his training years the physiologist or pharmacologist wishing to employ these tools will need plenty of help in learning their possibilities and modes of manipulation. Such books as this, incomplete as they must be, are going to come in very handy.
Determination of the vertical pattern of the SIR-B antenna

Determination of the antenna pattern is important for a spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar such as Shuttle Imaging Radar-B (SIR-B). For SIR-B the antenna was so large that apart from one section, no complete pattern could be measured on the ground. Attempts were made to measure the pattern while the shuttle was in space by using ground receivers and active radar calibrators. The method used and described is a supplement to these measurements. The vertical pattern of an antenna can be extracted from radar signals returned from regions whose scattering coefficients versus incidence angle characteristics are suitably flat and uniform. The method used shows that the main vertical lobe of the SIR-B antenna is slightly wider than previously reported (6.9 deg at 3 dB points versus 6.2 deg used in radiometric corrections).
DIAPERS, DISSERTATIONS, AND OTHER HOLY THINGS: THE EXPERIENCES OF MOTHERS WORKING IN CHRISTIAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Academic institutions present specific challenges to women attempting to balance work and family responsibilities. This type of involvement within the subculture of evangelical Christianity presents its own variations. Interviews with 30 mothers working in Christian academia were analyzed using a post hoc content analysis informed by principles of grounded theory (Strauss and Corbin, 1990, 1998). The experiences of these women reveal a number of emotional and practical needs that can inform institutions desiring to create family-friendly climates. These women's stories also reveal that women working within a Christian subculture may differ in displaying tensions consistent with gender-role ideologies that are more conservative than those of the larger society. They seek work environments that are consistent with these ideologies, desire personal integration of their spirituality with their work and family commitments, and express the need for flexibility in establishing goals that are consistent with thei...
A Framework for a Collaborative DDoS Defense

Increasing use of the Internet for critical services makes flooding distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) a top security threat. A distributed nature of DDoS suggests that a distributed mechanism is necessary for a successful defense. Three main DDoS defense functionalities -- attack detection, rate limiting and traffic differentiation -- are most effective when performed at the victim-end, core and sourceend respectively. Many existing systems are successful in one aspect of defense, but none offers a comprehensive solution and none has seen a wide deployment. We propose to harvest the strengths of existing defenses by organizing them into a collaborative overlay, called DefCOM, and augmenting them with communication and collaboration functionalities. Nodes collaborate during the attack to spread alerts and protect legitimate traffic, while rate limiting the attack. DefCOM can accommodate existing defenses, provide synergistic response to attacks and naturally lead to an Internet-wide response to DDoS threat.
Scalable Molecular Dynamics for Large Biomolecular Systems

We present an optimized parallelization scheme for molecular dynamics simulations of large biomolecular systems, implemented in the production-quality molecular dynamics program NAMD. With an object-based hybrid force and spatial decomposition scheme, and an aggressive measurement-based predictive load-balancing framework, we have attained speeds and speedups that are much higher than any reported in literature so far.The paper first summarizes the broad methodology we are pursuing, and the basic parallelization scheme we used. It then describes the optimizations that were instrumental in increasing performance, and presents performance results on benchmark simulations.
A novel approach to adaptive nulling with neural networks

A neural network approach to the problem of finding the weights of one and two-dimensional adaptive arrays is presented. In modern cellular, satellite mobile communications systems, and in GPS systems, both the desired and interfering signals change their directions continuously. Therefore, a fast tracking system is needed to constantly track the users, and then adapt the radiation pattern of the antenna to direct multiple narrow beams to the desired users and nulls to the sources of interference. In the approach suggested in this paper, the computation of the optimum weights is viewed as a mapping problem which can be modeled using a suitable artificial neural network trained with input output pairs. Three-layer radial basis function neural networks (RBFNN) are used in the design of one and two-dimensional array antennas. The results obtained from this network are in excellent agreement with the Wiener solution. The networks implementing these functions are successful in tracking mobile users as they move across the antenna's field of view.
Improving acoustic speaker verification with visual Body-Language features

We show how an SVM based acoustic speaker verification system can be significantly improved in incorporating new visual features that capture the speaker's “Body Language.” We apply this system to many hours of Internet videos and TV broadcasts of politicians and other public figures. Our data ranges from current and former US election candidates to the Queen of England, the President of France, and the Pope, while giving speeches.
Biomass, Size Structure, and Composition of Phototrophic and Heterotrophic Nanoflagellate Communities in Lakes Huron and Michigan

The abundance and biomass of surface (5 m) and deep (20–45 m) nanoflagellate communities in Lakes Huron and Michigan were determined during 1987. Abundances (102–103 cells∙mL−1) were comparable bet...
Insulating an Ideology: The Enclave Effect on South Florida's Cuban Americans

Many Cuban Americans embrace a distinctive anti-Castro ideology. Although this ideology supports the embargo against Cuba—purportedly to bring about the Castro regime's compliance or collapse—the real objectives may be more symbolic than practical. Ultimately, the institutional completeness provided by the enclave in South Florida insulates and regenerates this “exile” ideology. The authors hypothesize that if more than one half of an immigrant's time outside of Cuba has been in the South Florida enclave, the odds of supporting the exile ideology will be greater. Using a telephone survey of 1,807 Cuban Americans in South Florida, they find the predicted “enclave effect.” Also, they find that receiving news from English-language media—outside the enclave's institutional matrix—reduces the likelihood of support for the exile ideology.
Genetic Counseling as a Tool for Type 2 Diabetes Prevention: A Genetic Counseling Framework for Common Polygenetic Disorders

Advances in genetic epidemiology have increased understanding of common, polygenic preventable diseases such as type 2 diabetes. As genetic risk testing based on this knowledge moves into clinical practice, we propose that genetic counselors will need to expand their roles and adapt traditional counseling techniques for this new patient set. In this paper, we present a genetic counseling intervention developed for a clinical trial [Genetic Counseling/Lifestyle Change for Diabetes Prevention, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01034319] designed to motivate behavioral changes for diabetes prevention. Seventy-two phenotypically high-risk participants received counseling that included their diabetes genetic risk score, general education about diabetes risk factors, and encouragement to participate in a diabetes prevention program. Using two validated genetic counseling scales, participants reported favorable perceived control and satisfaction with the counseling session. Our intervention represents one model for applying traditional genetic counseling principles to risk testing for polygenetic, preventable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.
Homonuclear J coupling effects in volume localized NMR spectroscopy: Pitfalls and solutions

It has been observed that the signal amplitude of multiplet resonances such as the 1H doublet resonance of lactate varies with pulse sequence timing when echo-driven volume selective methods such as point resolved spectroscopy are used. Herein a standard vectorial description is presented for the mechanism of this artifact, which results from the chemical shift between homonuclear scalar-coupled (i.e., J coupled) nuclei. The chemical shift causes the extent of a signal phase modulation to vary for different spatial regions of the excited voxel. This variation results in spatial interference effects that can lead to marked loss of signal intensity as well as corruption of the size and shape of the voxel from which signal is obtained. The phenomenon is substantial at an imaging field of 1.5 T and becomes especially pronounced at higher field strengths. Several strategies to avoid the artifact are provided.
Soybean Cyst Nematode Effects on Soybean Aphid Preference and Performance in the Laboratory

ABSTRACT Herbivores on plants frequently interact via shared resources. Studies that have examined performance of herbivores in the presence of other herbivores, however, have often focused on above-ground feeding guilds and relatively less research has examined interactions between below-and above-ground consumers. We examine how soybean aphid, Aphis glycines (Matsumura) an above-ground phloem-feeding herbivore, interacts with a below-ground plant parasite, soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines (Ichinohe) through their shared host plant, soybean (Glycine max L). Laboratory experiments evaluated the preference of alate (flight-capable) soybean aphids toward plants either infected with soybean cyst nematode or uninfected controls in a simple choice arena. Alate soybean aphids preferred uninfected soybean over soybean cyst nematode-infected plants: 48 h after the releases of alate aphids in the center of the arena, 67% more aphids were found on control soybean compared with nematode infected plants. No...
Double Dipole Antenna For Wideband Phased Array Applications

A microstrip antenna is designed for phased array applications. The new design consists of two parallel dipoles of different lengths to achieve multi-resonances, and consequently, wide bandwidth and stable radiation patterns. The antenna is simple and small in size, and provides more than 88% bandwidth, stable endfire radiation patterns, high gain and low cross polarization level. In addition, two-element arrays of this antenna have low mutual coupling between elements.
What ended the Great Depression? Re-evaluating the role of fiscal policy

Conventional wisdom contends that fiscal policy was of secondary importance for the economic recovery in the 1930s. The recovery is then connected to monetary policy that allowed non-sterilised gold inflows to increase the money supply. Often this is shown by measuring the fiscal multipliers and demonstrating that they were relatively small. This paper shows that problems with the conventional measures of fiscal multipliers in the 1930s may have created an incorrect consensus on the irrelevance of fiscal policy. The rehabilitation of fiscal policy is seen as a necessary step in the reinterpretation of the positive role of New Deal policies for the recovery.
The transfer function and impulse response of photorefractive two-beam coupling

The transfer function and impulse response of photorefractive two-beam coupling are derived in the undepleted pump approximation. For sufficiently strong coupling Gamma L, the impulse response features a broad delayed output pulse. In the limits of negligible and strong absorption alpha L, this coupling threshold reads Gamma L/sub thr/=4 and Gamma /sub thr/=2 alpha , respectively. The time delay and pulse height are functions of the coupling Gamma L, the photorefractive time constant tau , and the effective absorption alpha L. Experiments on a BaTiO/sub 3/ crystal measuring the absoluted square of its transfer function and the impulse response are used to determine the coupling and time constant. >
Effect of a physical examination teaching program on the behavior of medical residents.

CONTEXT: The reliance on physical examination as a diagnostic aid is in decline. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an educational program can increase the use of physical examination by medical residents. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A series of educational workshops were provided to 47 second- and third-year medical residents at a large academic teaching hospital. MEASUREMENTS: Interns and students reported the frequency and depth of clinical examination performance on morning rounds by their residents before and up to six months after the workshops. Behavior before and after the workshops was compared using a mixed model. RESULTS: A total of 374 reports were returned (77% response). After adjusting for the type of service and observer, there was a statistically significant 23% increase (P=.02) in the performance of physical examination among residents who attended the course. Residents significantly increased the fraction of patients they examined on rounds (absolute increase 11%, P=.002) but did not increase the depth of their examination. The change was greatest on general medical teams, among whom the performance of physical examination had been least frequent. Teaching and feedback events on medicine teams by residents to their interns (2.8 and 1.1 events per 2 weeks, respectively) and medical students (5.9 and 2.8 events per 2 weeks, respectively) remained infrequent. CONCLUSIONS: A skills improvement program can significantly increase the frequency of physical examination, but teaching and feedback events remain sporadic and infrequent.
Pregnancy Intentions and Breast-Feeding Success: A Cross-Cultural Relationship

Half of pregnancies in the USA and over 40% in developing countries are unplanned. Studies conducted in New York1 and Peru2 suggest that unplanned pregnancy is a risk factor for poor breast-feeding outcomes. The purpose of this project was to fmd out if this association is also present in Ghana, West Africa.
Using accelerometer feedback to identify walking destinations, activity overestimates, and stealth exercise in obese and nonobese individuals.

Background: Accelerometer output feedback might enable assessment of recall biases for moderate bouts by obese and nonobese individuals; accelerometry might also help residents recall destinations for moderate-intensity walking bouts. Methods: Adult residents’ 1-week accelerometer-measured physical activity and obesity status were measured before and after a new rail stop opened (n = 51 Time 1; n = 47 Time 2). Participants recalled the week’s walking bouts, described them as brisk (moderate) or not, and reported a rail stop destination or not. Results: At the end of the week, we provided accelerometry output to residents as a prompt. Recall of activity intensity was accurate for about 60% of bouts. Nonobese participants had more moderate bouts and more “stealth exercise” —moderate bouts recalled as not brisk—than did obese individuals. Obese participants had more overestimates—recalling light bouts as brisk walks—than did nonobese individuals. Compared with unprompted recall, accelerometry-prompted recall...
Biting Flies (Diptera: Musgidae) on Horses: Laboratory Evaluation of Five Insecticides for Control

When 5 insecticides were applied as sprays to horses in large-cage tests, carbaryl (0.5% suspension) and malathion (0.5% emulsion) did not give control (>90% mortality) of stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.). Crotoxyphos (0.5% emulsion) gave 97% mortality of stable flies for 1 day but not for 3 days; coumaphos (0.125% suspension) gave 90% control of stable flies for 3 days; and pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (0.1 + 1.0% emulsion) gave adequate protection from stable flies for 7 days (81% repellency on day 7). Crotoxyphos, coumaphos, and carbaryl gave satisfactory control of horn flies, Haematobia irritans (L.), for 2–3 weeks; malathion control of horn flies (90% mortality) for 7 days; pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide controlled horn flies for 10 days.