cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“A Duck’s Eye View of Europe”: How to Read Donald Duck

This chapter reviews preexisting scholarly literature on the subject of Donald Duck, particularly his comic versions. This sets parameters on the chapters to follow, locating the key scholarship on the subject of Disney, comics, and fan communities, carving out a space within the preexisting discourse. A basic overview of framing, terminology, and historical framing will be given, with specific focus on Dorfman and Mattelart’s How to Read Donald Duck.
Minding Feeling

In this commentary on Jorgen Dines Johansen’s paper, ‘Feelings in Literature’, an expanded approach to feeling is sketched, relying on the work of Susanne Langer. Without challenging the central and valuable insights presented by Johansen, this commentary attempts to develop and refine the notion of feeling beyond that found in Johansen and to focus on the heuristic power of images, especially artistic images, to reveal the deep structures of minding. Langer’s work is rooted in a nuanced philosophical psychology and biology, but she looks for her guide to exploring these domains to the ‘import of art.’ Her approach to the semiotics of art offers a set of powerful analytical tools that reveal the universal scope of aesthetic reflection and its relevance for the sciences of mind.
Constraining 1 + J → 2 coupled-channel amplitudes in a finite volume

Whether one is interested in accessing the excited spectrum of hadrons or testing the standard model of particle physics, electroweak transition processes involving multihadron channels in the final state play an important role in a variety of experiments. Presently the primary theoretical tool with which one can study such reactions is lattice QCD, which is defined in a finite spacetime volume. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of implementing existing finite-volume formalism in realistic lattice QCD calculation of reactions in which a stable hadron can transition to one of several two-hadron channels under the action of an external current. We provide a conceptual description of the coupled-channel transition formalism, a practical road map for carrying out a calculation, and an illustration of the approach using synthetic data for two nontrivial resonant toy models. The results provide a proof of principle that such reactions can indeed be constrained using modern-day lattice QCD calculations, motivating explicit computation in the near future.
An Analysis of Seasonal Household Waste Generation

Solid wastes that are residuals of production and consumption have steadily increased in quantity in recent years. Historically, many of these residuals have been discarded into the environment which appeared to have the capacity to handle them. However, now it is widely believed that these residuals are responsible for the degradation of environment quality by increasing air, water, and land pollution. Ecological considerations have increased the complexity of handling solid wastes and have stimulated the need for alternative methods of managing various types of wastes. Local and municipal authorities and private industry provide waste collection and disposal services. Municipal services are generally financed out of taxation revenues, so it is in the public's interest to have an efficient, cost-minimizing operation at some publicly acceptable standard of quality of service.
Alignment of the TFTR bumper limiter

The TFTR (Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor) bumper limiter (BL) is an axisymmetric toroidal limiter mounted on the inner wall of the vacuum vessel. It subtends 120 degrees poloidally and has a surface area of 22 m/sup 2/. The plasma-facing surface consists of 1000 kg of graphite tiles mounted on water-cooled Inconel backing plates. During the initial installation in the Spring of 1985, the limiter surface was aligned to the toroidal magnetic field by mechanical and magnetic measurements to an estimated accuracy of +or-2 mm. The methods used to mechanically align the limiter are described, and evidence, based on machine operation with a plasma, that the limiter is reasonably well aligned with the toroidal field is presented. Future work addressing the alignment of the total limiter to the toroidal field using mechanical and magnetic measurements and the replacement of a subset of the carbon times with carbon-carbon composite material is also discussed. >
Assessing Probability Distributions from Data

Data can be a powerful tool in the process of probability elicitation, especially in situations where a decision maker has limited prior experience in dealing with the event considered. We provide an introductory discussion on how historical data can be used to generate probability assessments. We also discuss some methods that can be used to incorporate explanatory variables in assessing probability distributions. Keywords: elicitation; fitting distributions; data; assessment of uncertainty
Enhancement by Adenine of the Inhibition of Salmonella typhimurium by Ethionine

Smith, Robert C. (Auburn University, Auburn. Ala.), and W. D. Salmon. Enhancement by adenine of the inhibition of Salmonella typhimurium by ethionine. J. Bacteriol. 89:1494-1498. 1965.-The inhibition by ethionine of the growth of Salmonella typhimurium was increased by adenine and several other purines. This effect was counteracted by the addition of methionine to the cultures. There was no preferential inhibition of nucleic acid or protein synthesis by adenine plus ethionine. Adenine stimulated the uptake of radioactive ethionine by the cells. Adenine may produce the effects observed by increasing the rate at which ethionine enters the cell and reaches its primary site of antibacterial action.
Sensor/actuator abstractions for symbolic embedded control design

In this paper we consider the problem of developing sensor/actuator abstractions for embedded control design. These abstractions take the form of inequalities relating sensor/actuator characteristics with the continuous dynamics' output. When satisfied, they allow to decouple control design from the choice of sensor/actuators, thus simplifying control design while ensuring implementability.
Consciousness and Quantum Brain Dynamics

The opposition to quantum brain theory is “deconstructed”. The quantum brain theory originated by Umezawa and coworkers is elaborated as a unimode quantum brain dynamics (QBD), a Hermitean dual-mode QBD and a non-Hermitean dual-mode QBD. The non-Hermitean version is applied to mathematics, where the Riemann hypothesis is seen in a fresh way. The philosophical implications of this approach turn out to be “monadological”.
Housing dynamics of the homeless: implications for a count

Housing dynamics of homeless people limit all efforts to count them. Data on 60-day housing histories from a sample of homeless substance abusers in New Orleans show that homeless people spend relatively few nights in locations that would make them potentially countable, no matter how thorough the enumeration procedure.
A Practical Regimen for Weight Reduction in Family Practice

The effectiveness of a weight reduction programme consisting of motivation of the patient, use of an anorectic drug (Tenuate, 25 mg), and diet and exercise was assessed in 110 obese patients in a 12 week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The differences in weight loss with continuous therapy (Tenuate) vs placebo and with intermittent therapy (Tenuateplacebo-Tenuate) vs placebo were statistically significant (p = 0·0001 and p = 0·0004 respectively).No deleterious effects on blood pressure, pulse rate, ECG, and chest x-ray were seen. Only 1 of the original 174 patients dropped out of the study because of side-effects.
GAP JUNCTION CX26 GENE MODULATION BY PHORBOL ESTERS IN BENIGN AND MALIGNANT HUMAN MAMMARY CELLS

Abstract Connexin (Cx) 26, a major gap junction protein expressed in mammary epithelial cells, has been considered to be a tumor suppressor gene candidate. This study investigated the molecular mechanism of transcriptional up-regulation of Cx26 by phorbol ester (TPA) in human immortalized MCF-10 mammary epithelial cells and MDA-MB-231 mammary cancer cells. Such up-regulation was mediated through the protein kinase C pathway and could be blocked by the PKC inhibitor, calphostin C. Based on the results of the nuclear run-on assay, there was a TPA-induced increase in the rate of transcriptional initiation. We identified a TPA-induced DNase I hypersensitivity (DH) region approximately 1 kb 5′ upstream of the ATG translation starting site. Sequence analysis revealed that this DH region was located in intron 1 and contained two TRE-like TGAT/ATCA elements, two 5′TTCA3′ motifs and a 5′AGGAAG3′ PEA3 motif. Both TRE-like elements were capable of binding AP1. TPA inducibility of this DH region was seen by the CAT reporter assay and appeared to be direction-dependent suggesting a functional cooperation between PEA3/TTCA and TRE.
Apigenin, a chemopreventive bioflavonoid, induces AMP-activated protein kinase activation in human keratinocytes.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a cellular energy sensor that is conserved in eukaryotes. Although AMPK is traditionally thought to play a major role in the regulation of cellular lipid and protein metabolism, recent discoveries reveal that AMPK inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and connects with several tumor suppressors such as liver kinase B1 (LKB1), p53, and tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2), indicating that AMPK may be a potential target for cancer prevention and treatment. For the first time, we demonstrated that apigenin, a naturally occurring nonmutagenic flavonoid, induced AMPK activation in human keratinocytes (both cultured HaCaT cell line and primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes). Through experiments with over-expression of constitutively active Akt and knockdown of LKB1 expression by siRNAs, we further found that the activation of AMPK by apigenin was not dependent on its inhibition of Akt, and was independent of the activation of upstream kinase LKB1. Instead, another upstream kinase of AMPK, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase-β (CaMKKβ), was required for apigenin-induced AMPK activation. We have demonstrated that knockdown of CaMKKβ expression by siRNA or inhibition of CaMKKβ activity by either CaMKK inhibitor STO-609 or BAPTA-AM (1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester; a chelator of intracellular Ca2+) prevented apigenin-induced AMPK activation. Apigenin-induced AMPK activation inhibited mTOR signaling and further induced autophagy in human keratinocytes. These results suggest that one of the mechanisms by which apigenin exerts its chemopreventive action may be through activation of AMPK and induction of autophagy in human keratinocytes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Research Methods and Criminal Justice Curricula: Surmounting the Obstacles:

Teaching research methods to undergraduate social science students has typically been recognized as problematic. Such students often experience considerable anxiety concerning the required research courses in their curricula and infrequently enter these classes with motivation to learn about research methods. These problems appear to be exacerbated in criminal justice programs because of its recent emergence as a distinct academicfield. Criminaljustice curricula typically have inadequate sequences of research related courses and often fail to integrate their research and substantive components. This article discusses the problems and recommends an applied instructional strategy as a means of compensating for the resulting deficiencies. Severalforms of such an instructional approach are delineated, but it is emphasized that this technique is supplemental to traditional teaching strategies. To the degree that educators are successful in alleviating student anxiety about courses in research methods and stren...
Securing E-Learning Systems: A Case of Insider Cyber Attacks and Novice IT Management in a Small University

The growing use of e-learning systems has been documented by numerous studies (Levy, 2005). Yet in spite of this enormous growth, little attention has been given to the issue of security of e learning systems both in research and in practice. Security of e-learning systems has a unique challenge as these systems are accessed and managed via the Internet by thousands of users over hundreds of networks. However, the Internet can pose security threats such as unauthorized access, hacking/cracking, obtaining sensitive information, and altering data and configuration, as well as enabling academic misconduct incidents (Freeh, 2000; Ramim, 2005; Sridhar & Bhasker, 2003). At the same time, cyber attacks have proliferated significantly in recent years. As a result, proper IT policies and procedures, in particular ones related to security of information systems, have become critical for organizations. This case study was written from the IS consultantâ€™s point of view and addresses the issues related to insider cyber attacks combined with novice IT management knowledge in a small university. After a year of substantial growth to its online learning program, the university in this case study experienced a devastating event that halted all academic activities enabled by the institutionâ€™s e-learning system. This case reveals that internal cyber attack as well as lack of proper IT policies and procedures all resulted in multiple instances of damage to the e-learning system. The case provides detailed documentation on the security audit performed as well as stimulation for class discussions on actions to be taken as a result of the insiderâ€™s cyber attack. Additionally, this case study attempts to provide a starting point on discussions in the area of security related to e-learning systems. It is hoped that this case study will stimulate discussions among practitioners and researchers related to e-learning systems security, and that it will help prevent such incidents from occurring at other academic institutions.
Charge transfer in ab initio real-space molecular dynamics.

Long-ranged Coulomb forces associated with charge transfer between anions and cations have been incorporated into the ab initio multicenter real-space molecular-dynamics method of Sankey and Niklewski, thereby extending the method to ionic species and heteropolar semiconductors. The (110) surface of GaAs is allowed to relax using this scheme, and adopts the well-accepted bond-rotation model, with the anions rotating 30.9\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} up out of the surface.
A plan for immediate immersion of computational thinking into the high school math classroom through a partnership with the Alabama math, science, and technology initiative

This paper describes a design for an immediate immersion of computational thinking into current high school math classrooms in Alabama. Most schools in our region have eliminated computer science classes from the curriculum. Alabama has an existing state initiative to improve mathematics, science and technology education in K-12. The Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) emphasizes learning by doing, with hands-on, activity based instruction. We have developed an instructional treatment that uses strategically designed computer exercises to push students to form the mental foundation necessary for abstraction and generalization. We selected popular problems from the AMSTI mathematics curriculum and applied our instructional design.The first step we took in implementing our plan for reintroducing computational thinking into the secondary schools was to conduct a workshop for math education leaders. This training was sponsored and supported by AMSTI. Results from the workshop included demonstrating to a select group of math education leaders that computer programming could be easily integrated with the AMSTI math curriculum and could be used to meet the educational goals of the initiative and the educators.
Histologic type of lung cancer in relation to smoking habits, year of diagnosis and sites of metastases

A study was made of histologic type of lung cancer in relation to smoking habit, year of diagnosis, age and sites of metastasis. It comprised 662 autopsies of men during the period from 1955 to 1972. As classified by the WHO system, 35.2 percent were epidermoid carcinoma, 24.6 percent were small cell carcinoma, 25.2 percent were adenocarcinoma and 14.2 percent were large cell undifferentiated carcinoma. The six non-smokers of the series were all found to be in class 3, adenocarcinoma. No clearcut and consistent relationships were observed. Although there was a steady decrease in the incidence of small cell carcinoma during this time period, this observation did not prove to be statistically significant. Small cell carcinomas increased with amount of smoking but not for all age groups. Adenocarcinomas decreased with advancing age but not in all smoking groups. Metastases were found in 96.3 percent of the cases and the sites most frequently involved were regional lymph nodes, liver, brain, distant lymph nodes, adrenals and bone. Small cell carcinomas showed the greatest percentage of involvement for those major sites and for the same sites, epidermoid carcinoma showed the lowest percentage.
Abiotic Stress Tolerance: From Gene Discovery in Model Organisms to Crop Improvement

Productive and sustainable agriculture necessitates growing plants in sub-optimal environments with less input of precious resources such as fresh water. For a better understanding and rapid improvement of abiotic stress tolerance, it is important to link physiological and biochemical work to molecular studies in genetically tractable model organisms. With the use of several technologies for the discovery of stress tolerance genes and their appropriate alleles, transgenic approaches to improving stress tolerance in crops remarkably parallels breeding principles with a greatly expanded germplasm base and will succeed eventually.
Probe ion diffusivity measurements in salt-in-polymer electrolytes: Stokes radii and the transport number problem

In order to explore the factors which distinguish ionic motions in salt-in-polymer electrolytes from those in molecular and aqueous solvents, self-diffusivity measurements of cations and anions have been made utilizing the electrochemical technique of chronoamperometry. Stokes' law radii have been calculated using both the macroscopic and microscopic solvent viscosities and found to differ greatly from the crystal radii. The friction acting on the small cation Ag+ is found to be more than a factor of 20 greater than calculated from the microscopic viscosity. Nernst−Einstein conductivities have been calculated for the probe ion species and are found to be much greater than the measured host conductivity on the supposition of comparable host ion diffusivities. The excess conductivity correlates with the ion pairing propensity of the host anions, triflate and perchlorate. Correcting the measured probe diffusivities for ion pair contributions, our data imply host cation transport numbers as low as 0.1.
MMPI characteristics of difficult-to-manage federal penitentiary offenders.

Many MMPI patterns for inmate prison groups have been reported, e.g., mean profiles for male prisoners being reported as 4' 26 91 76 3-50 ( 1 ) . Investigators have correlated offender MMPI profiles with various cr~m~nological criteria ( 2 ) . The present study investigated personality characteristics of a special population of young adult offenders in the U. S. federal prison system. These men had experienced educational and disciplinary difficulties and were being transferred to a new facility oriented toward rehabilitation. Identification of this group and planning appropriate treatment programs were needed. The booklet form of the MMPI was administered to 74 inmates selected at random at rhe U. S. Penitentiary, Marion, Illinois. Ss' M.,. was 24 yr., a Stanford Achievement grade level 8.9, and an over-all Mlo 105. None were atypical of the population in which they resided. Criteria of invalidity for both groups included raw F-I; of +9 or above, raw L score of 10 or above, raw F score of 16 or above. Comparison Ss were 120 literate male penitentiary inmates with a sixrh grade reading level o r above, admitted to a male penal instirution in Maryland (3 ) . Table 1 presents the raw score means, standard deviarions and rs of the offenders and the comparison group. Significant differences were noted in all but the Pd and Ma scales and K score. The scaled mean profile was 48' 27 6935-101 F L K / , which suggested that the offenders were lacking in behavioral controls as well as display~ng some serious misperceptions and inappropriate emotional reactions to their surround~ngs Examination of behavioral correlates and MMPI profiles is needed to plan specific treatment programs.
Correlations between light emission, acoustic emission and ion density in premixed turbulent flames

An experimental study was performed to investigate the correspondence between fluctuating ion density, light emission and acoustic emission in open premixed, turbulent propane/air flames. To date the kinds of measurements employed have been a) pointwise, cross section average and volume average of the ion, density fluctuation, b) cross section average and volume average of the C 2 radical light emission fluctuations and c) the far field acoustic pressure fluctuations. It is shown that the measurements may be interchanged so that they are all indicators of the same quantity-heat release rate fluctuations.
Surface expression of Hsp70B’ in response to proteasome inhibition in human colon cells

Hsp70B’ was expressed on the surface of HT-29 and CRL-1809 but not SW-480 human colon cell lines in response to proteasome inhibition as detected using flow cytometry. Surface expression was not detected under non-stress conditions nor was heat shock an inducer of surface expression in the three cell lines tested. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Hsp70B’ protein sequence was most closely related to another major inducible human Hsp70, Hsp72. Hsp70B’ appeared to be recently diverged, as homologs for Hsp70B’ have not been found in rodents. Hsp72 and Hsp70B’ shared 100% amino acid sequence identity in their predicted peptide-binding regions suggesting that they bind the same peptide substrates, perhaps in extracellular antigen presentation. Amino acid sequence differences were concentrated in the lid regions and the C-terminal domains raising the possibility that Hsp72 and Hsp70B’ bind different co-chaperones or cell surface receptors.
Characterization of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic stationary phases using ribonuclease a

Abstract The protein ribonuclease A (RNase A) represents a good model protein for studying reversible conformational refolding during gradient elution. Work is described utilizing RNase A under gradient conditions to evaluate several different reversed-phase materials. Columns (10 cm × 4.6 mm I.D.) were packed with Partisil C18, Vydac C18, Nucleosil C4, Nucleosil C18 and an adamantyl-modified Partisil silica. Measurements of the apparent first-order rate constant of refolding, as a function of temperature, are presented and compared for each stationary phase. Comparisons of peak shapes as functions of flow-rate and temperature are also discussed.
The intrinsic random field model in the study of sulfate deposition processes

Abstract This work is concerned with the application of advanced stochastic analysis in atmospheric environment problems. In particular, the focus is the study of spatially non-homogeneous sulfate deposition processes in the conterminous U.S.A. by means of intrinsic random fields. The intrinsic model used here is significantly more general in theory and also more powerful in practice than many of the conventional methods. It provides spatial correlation tools which can efficiently represent the complex non-homogeneous features of the sulfate deposition data. The intrinsic approach, which has been developed in response to experimental findings, utilizes the spatial variability characteristics of the environmental process and the mathematical characteristics of the random field models to fit these models to the observed data. The results are represented in terms of maps which provide a quantitative description of the spatial distribution of both the degree of non-homogeneity and the correlation features of sulfate deposition over the conterminous U.S.A. An optimal spatial estimation method for non-homogeneous sulfate deposition processes is also discussed. The estimation inputs reflect important variability patterns of sulfate deposition and are operationally executable in the real world. The estimation outputs are detailed maps of sulfate deposition together with the associated maps of 95% confidence interval width. These maps offer valuable information regarding the non-homogeneous distribution of the sulfate deposition values in the various parts of the U.S.A. The practical implementation of the intrinsic model involves an automatic procedure which operates at a local scale providing a detailed description of the spatial structure of sulfate deposition.
Evaluating the cumulative distribution function of a Bonferroni test statistic from a type III bivariate T distribution

While many hypotheses for the bivariate linear model cannot be formulated as the general linear multivariate hypothesis, a Bonferroni procedure using two correlated t statistics is always applicable. The test statistic for this procedure, tmax, is compared with critical values from the univariate t distribution. The test is slightly conservative: it is demonstrated that in practical examples the actual and nominal Type I error rates are close. Percentiles of the tmax, distributions are needed for computing power, error rate, or exact test critical points. The distribution function of tmax, can be evaluated as an integral over the Type III bivariate t distribution of the individual t statistics. A power series algorithm for computing the distribution function of tmax is presented and compared with Monte Carlo algorithms.
On the Difference Between a Pupil and a Historian of Ideas

Abstract This essay takes up the fundamental question of the proper place of history in the study of political thought through critical engagement with Mark Bevir’s seminal work, The Logic of the History of Ideas. While I accept the claim of Bevir, as well as of other exponents of the so-called “Cambridge School,” that there is a conceptual difference between historical and non-historical modes of reading past works of political philosophy, I resist the suggestion that this conceptual differentiation itself justifies the specialization, among practicing intellectuals, between historians of ideas and others who read political-philosophical texts non-historically. Over and against the figure of the historian of ideas, who interprets political thought only in the manner of a historian, I defend the ideal of the pupil, who in studying past traditions of political thought also seeks to extend and modify them in light of contemporary problems and concerns. Against Bevir, I argue that the mixture of historical and non-historical modes of learning, in the manner of the pupil, need not do damage to the historian of ideas’ commitment to scholarship that is non-anachronistic, objective, and non-indeterminate.
The patterns of varicella zoster virus encephalitis

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) encephalitis has become increasingly prevalent in the era of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and a widening spectrum of pathological lesions has defined the disease in these and other severely immunosuppressed patients. VZV produces three distinct morphological patterns of brain damage. VZV can cause bland or hemorrhagic infarctions secondary to a large or medium vessel vasculopathy. Deep white matter, ovoid mixed necrotic, and demyelinative lesions occur as a consequence of small vessel vasculopathy, with demyelination dependent on the degree of additional oligodendrocyte infection. Distinctive Cowdry A intra-nuclear viral inclusions are rare in either large or small blood vessels or near infarctions, but are commonly found in glial cells at the edge of the smaller ovoid, demyelinative lesions. Ependymal and periventricular necrosis occurs as a result of vasculopathy of subependymal vessels and secondary infection of ependymal and other glial cells in the periventricular region. To clarify these patterns of VZV encephalitis and shed light on their pathogenesis, the authors have examined all cases of VZV encephalitis seen at our institution since 1984. Additionally, the authors review the extensive literature in an attempt to classify the patterns of VZV encephalitis into (1) large/ medium vessel vasculopathy with bland or hemorrhagic infarctions, (2) small vessel vasculopathy with mixed ischemic/demyelinative lesions, and (3) ventriculitis/periventriculitis. Although one of these three patterns often predominates clinically and radiographically, careful histological examination at autopsy shows mixed features in many cases.
GAUGE INVARIANT MEAN-PLAQUETTE METHOD FOR LATTICE GAUGE THEORIES

Abstract We present a new gauge-invariant mean-plaquette method for lattice gauge theories. This is used to calculate plaquette energies and critical couplings for lattice QED 4,5 , Z(2), SU(2) and SO(3). The two main features of this method is that it is gauge invariant and it does not predict a first order phase transition for all theories. In particular, for lattice QCD 4 , the method gives a smooth crossover region in excellent agreement with Monte Carlo data.
Phylogenetics and population genetics of the louse fly, Lipoptena mazamae, from Arkansas, U.S.A.

Louse flies, also known as deer keds (Lipoptena mazamae Rondani), infest cervids such as white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus and vector pathogens such as Anaplasma and Bartonella schoenbuchensis to cattle and humans, respectively. The population genetic structure of 30 L. mazamae collected from white-tailed deer in four regions of Arkansas, U.S.A., designated by county boundaries, was examined using DNA sequences of a 259-bp region of the mitochondrial DNA rRNA 16S gene. Of the 259 nucleotide characters, 33 were variable and 6 haplotypes were identified. Two haplotypes occurred only once (haplotype 3 and 4), whereas two other haplotypes occurred in 43% (haplotype 1 in two regions) and 40% (haplotype 6 in three regions) of the samples. Phylogenetic relationships of the six L. mazamae haplotypes were constructed with other Hippoboscid and Glossinid samples and two clades resulted. Clade 1 was located in the north and western Ozarks whereas clade 2 was found in the northern and eastern Ozarks. Results from the present study indicate that Lipoptena may be a polyphyletic genus; consequently, more research into genetic variation within this genus is necessary.
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) regulates neuromuscular junction development via a β1 integrin-mediated mechanism

Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules play critical roles in muscle function by participating in neuromuscular junction (NMJ) development and the establishment of stable, cytoskeleton-associated adhesions required for muscle contraction. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are neutral endopeptidases that degrade all ECM components. While the role of MMPs and their inhibitors, the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), has been investigated in many tissues, little is known about their role in muscle development and mature function. TIMP-2 -/- mice display signs of muscle weakness. Here, we report that TIMP-2 is expressed at the NMJ and its expression is greater in fast-twitch (extensor digitorum longus, EDL) than slow-twitch (soleus) muscle. EDL muscle mass is reduced in TIMP-2-/- mice without a concomitant change in fiber diameter or number. The TIMP-2-/- phenotype is not likely due to increased ECM proteolysis because net MMP activity is actually reduced in TIMP-2-/- muscle. Most strikingly, TIMP-2 colocalizes with beta1 integrin at costameres in the wild-type EDL and beta1 integrin expression is significantly reduced in TIMP-2-/- EDL. We propose that reduced beta1 integrin in fast-twitch muscle may be associated with destabilized ECM-cytoskeletal interactions required for muscle contraction in TIMP-2-/- muscle; thus, explaining the muscle weakness. Given that fast-twitch fibers are lost in muscular dystrophies and age-related sarcopenia, if TIMP-2 regulates mechanotransduction in an MMP-independent manner it opens new potential therapeutic avenues.
Theoretical studies of fine structure in the ground state of O2

Abstract The spin-spin and spin-orbit contributions to the fine-structure constant of O 2 in its X 3 Σ −g state are determined by ab initio methods. For the spin-spin interaction λ ss , an extensive configuration interaction (Cl) calculation is carried out with a Slater basis set of double-zeta quality. The correlation terms which affect λ ss most are identified, and it is found that although each of these terms can change λ ss drastically, their net effect tends to be self-cancelling. The spin-orbit contribution λ so is evaluated by assuming that the lowest members of the excited states 2S+1 Σ + g and 2S+1 Π ± g for S = 0, 1, 2 correctly describe the perturbation. Using ground-state SCF orbitals to construct single-configuration wavefunctions for these states, we find that the 1 Σ + g state is the dominant contributor. Approximately 80% or 105% of the total splitting constant λ ss + λ so is recovered depending on whether theoretical or experimental energy denominators are used for λ so , respectively.
The electrochemical oxidation of N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine

Summary The electrochemical oxidation of N,N-dimethyl- p -toluidine (DMPT) was investigated in acetonitrile at platinum and also in aqueous buffer solutions in the pH range 3.0–9.0 at carbon paste. It was found that one-electron oxidation to the cation radical was followed by loss of a proton from the ring methyl group to form a benzyl-type free radical. Two of these then coupled to form the corresponding bitoluidine. Studies of the system were complicated by the fact that both DMPT and the bitoluidine were undergoing protonation by the protons liberated in the coupling reaction; this rendered kinetic measurements meaningless in a quantitative sense. Formation of the bitoluidine was verified by cyclic voltammetry, visible absorption spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography and isolation of products from macro-scale electrolyses. The above type of mechanism has recently been demonstrated to be operative in a wide variety of organic systems, the only requisite being a labile proton on a carbon alpha to an aromatic ring, so it would appear to be a general reaction pathway in anodic electrochemistry.
Structure and property characterization of spunbonded filaments and webs using thermal analysis

The thermal history and inherent properties of the filaments are of utmost importance in spunbonded webs. A good understanding of the structure and properties development of individual filaments is helpful in comprehending the whole process better. Polypropylene homopolymer and a copolymer were processed using the Reicofil® spunbonding line at the Textiles and Nonwovens Development Center of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The properties of the filament samples taken before thermal bonding were determined through a variety of thermal analyses, such as differential scanning calorimetry, thermomechanical analysis, thermal deformation analysis, and dynamic thermal analysis, as well as mechanical properties. The performance properties of the bonded nonwoven fabrics from these filaments were evaluated, and the structure and properties of the fibers were compared with those of the bonded fabrics.
A simple, inexpensive computer-controlled slew-scan atomic fluorescence flame spectrometer for multi-element determinations

Abstract The system consists of a continuum xenon arc lamp source, a chopper, an argon-separated separated air/acetylene flame atomizer, a high-throughput, medium-resolution grating monochromator under Apple II+ wavelength control, a photomultiplier detector, and a photon counter with an Apple II+ for data collection and statistical treatment. The computer-controlled system is shown to give semiquantitative results (within ±50%) for 19 elements at two wavelengths each (one wavelength for 7 elements) in less than 15 min; quantitative results (within ± 5%) for each element at a selected wavelength were obtained in about 5 min. The system was characterized by determining 10 and 14 elements in synthetic mixtures and by determining a number of elements in NBS standard reference materials (orchard leaves and two steels).
Retrofitting ampicillin resistant vectors by recombination for use in generating C. elegans transgenic animals by bombardment

Caenorhabditis elegans is an important model organism for modern biologic research. An essential aspect of C. elegans research is the production of transgenic animals for study. These are often generated via microinjection, but biolistic bombardment has become increasingly popular. However, many of the plasmids previously generated for use in microinjection are not readily used for bombardment due to the lack of a convenient marker. The unc-119 gene is often used as a marker since unc-119 rescue can be observed at low magnification, allowing rescued animals to be easily distinguished from the larger number of non-rescued animals. Here we report the use of homologous recombination in Escherichia coli as a method to insert a cassette containing the unc-119 gene into commonly used plasmids at the site of the ampicillin resistance gene which is simpler than other methods like subcloning. These cassettes are flanked by regions homologous to the 5' and 3' ends of the ampicillin resistance gene and contain either the unc-119 gene and the kanamycin resistance gene or a unc-119:mCherry fusion gene and the kanamycin resistance gene. The resulting plasmids may be used for biolistic bombardment to yield animals that display unc-119 rescue, and also express the recipient plasmid transgene.
Techniques of Argon Laser Photocoagulation of Diabetic Disk New Vessels

Four argon laser techniques have been evaluated in the eradication of diabetic disk neovascularization: focal (nonfeeder) photocoagulation, feeder-frond photocoagulation alone, panretinal photocoagulation alone, and feeder-frond treatment combined with panretinal photocoagulation. Focal photocoagulation was dangerous and the least effective technique in preventing recurrence of neovascularization. Feeder-frond photocoagulation was effective initially, but was associated with a high incidence of recurrent neovascularization. Panretinal photocoagulation and panretinal photocoagulation combined with feeder-frond treatment produced results superior to those obtained with the two earlier techniques. The best results were obtained with combined feeder-frond and panretinal photocoagulation done concurrently. Early diagnosis, aggressive photocoagulation therapy, and close follow-up were essential in order to obtain good results.
Pancreatic Islet Cell and Thyroid Antibodies, and Islet Cell Function in Diabetic Patients of Mexican-American Origin*

Two hundred and thirty-six diabetic patients of Mexican-American origin were studied for the presence of pancreatic islet cell antibodies (ICA) and thyroid microsomal antibodies (TMA). One hundred and thirty-one subjects were insulin-dependent diabetic patients (IDD; type I), and 105 were noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients (NIDD; type II). The control population consisted of 79 normal subjects with no family history of diabetes mellitus. I n addition, residual B-cell function (C-peptide) and C-peptide response to the iv administration of 1 mg glucagon were studied in IDD patients positive and neagtive for ICA. The prevalence of ICA was 25.9% in IDD patients, significantly higher than the 8.5% observed in the NIDD patients and the control population (P < 0.01). In IDD patients, the prevalence of ICA was strongly dependent on the duration of the disease and was 50% during the first year after diagnosis, 20.7% 2–5 yr after diagnosis, 11.7% 11–20 yr after diagnosis, and 2.9% over 21 yr after diagnosis. Th...
From a pump to a pore: How palytoxin opens the gates

The ion channel field has benefited enormously from a plethora of natural toxins that target specific ion channels (1–13), and those toxins continue to be key molecular tools in the postgenomics era. The ion transporter field has not been so lucky, in general. Its arsenal of specific toxins is much more limited, perhaps because it's not so easy to bring one's prey, or biological enemy, quickly to its knees by inhibiting an ion transporter or an ion pump. However, the Na/K pump, which establishes the normal sodium and potassium gradients across the outer membranes of most animal cells, is an exception. The Na/K pump is the specific target of two types of natural toxins, heart glycosides (14, 15) and palytoxin (16–18). Although heart glycosides will be well known to the great majority of readers, palytoxin is likely to be obscure. Long deserving of more careful attention, a careful functional analysis of palytoxin actions presented in this issue of PNAS by Artigas and Gadsby (19) takes an important step to pick up the slack.
A framework for enhancing the quality and effectiveness of computer animation projects

Aims to show how the merger of computer technologies, total quality management and the tools of project management can increase the quality, efficiency and the customer orientation of computer animation projects. Provides a conceptual framework which is designed to facilitate this merger. Uses an actual computer animation project to illustrate the utility of the proposed approach.
Constructing a Jewish Feminist Theology of the Holocaust

The Female Face of God in Auschwitz: A Jewish Feminist Theology of the Holocaust, Melissa Raphael, Routledge 2003 (0-415-23665-7) pp. xii + 228, Pb. £18.99
Plasmasheet magnetic fields in the distant tail

Data from two deep passes of ISEE-3 through the earth's magnetotail are used to discuss the evolution of the plasmasheet magnetic field as a function of radial distance and geomagnetic activity (Kp). Attention is focused on plasmasheet intervals lasting at least 10 min as recorded during passes lasting 3 and 5 mos with apogees of 221 and 238 earth radii (ER). The dependencies of the By and Bz components on Kp were minimal, although Bz displayed a radial dependence. No relationship was observed between By and Bz. The Bz component changed from a northward orientation at 60-100 ER to a N-S dependence at 200-238 ER. Variations in field measurements indicated turbulence throughout the plasmasheet, also independent of Kp. The data support formation of a plasmoid during periods of high Kp, and can serve as limiting conditions for developing more accurate magnetotail models.
Binding at lipid surfaces: Nystatin

Abstract The binding of the antibiotic, nystatin, to aqueous dispersions of phospholipids was measured by separating a lipid pellet from the system. The pellet was dissolved in methanol, and the amount of nystatin bound was determined spectrometrically. The bindings by dimyristoyl and dipalmitoyl lecithin in the gel phase were strong; these, however, decreased sharply above the temperature for the transition to the liquid crystal form. The binding by egg lecithin was small but increased when codispersed with cholesterol. The presence of cholesterol in whole brain lipids also increased the binding. The greater binding in the gel phase of lecithins containing saturated hydrocarbon chains and the increased binding obtained by the addition of cholesterol to egg lecithin or the presence of cholesterol in brain lipids is related to the increased ordering of the hydrocarbon chains. The variation of the binding with the concentration of nystatin was linear on a log plot with a slope that increased with the disorder or mobility of the lipid molecules.
Conservation Writing: An Emerging Field in Technical Communication

This article discusses the rise of conservation writing as a new field of technical communication, and it offers pedagogical strategies for teaching conservation writing and building curricula. Conservation writing is an umbrella term for a range of writing about ecology, biology, the outdoors, and environmental policies and ethics. It places the natural world at the center of readers' attention, often viewing sustainability as a core value. A course or curriculum in this kind of writing would likely need to help students master a variety of genres, while providing a working knowledge in environmental law, ethics, and politics.
Biodiversity of wild fruit species of Serbia

Several field collecting trips in the 2009-2011 period confirmed that forest fruit species are an inexhaustible genofond of extremely important varieties that yield fruit of excellent quality and high nutritive value, with wide range of applications, including nutritional, medicinal and food production. The aim of this work was to develop long term interactive and integrated strategy for selection of wild fruit species through different breeding methods, as well as popularization of selected products and their integration into intensive fruit growing. The most important morphological, ecological, and biological characteristics were studied and presented for Cornus mas, Sambucus nigra, Morus sp. and Rosa sp. For each studied fruit species, advanced selections for cultivar release has been reported.
SOARS®: An Overview of the Program and Its First 8 Years

JANUARY 2004 | n 1996, a new program, Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS®), was established to help retain and eventually increase the number of participants from underrepresented minority groups in the atmospheric and related sciences. The need for such a program is demonstrated by various studies, which indicate that although the numbers of women and minorities pursuing bachelor’s degrees in science and engineering have increased, the overall percentages of African American, Hispanic, and American Indian students in science and engineering remain low relative to their proportion of the U.S. population. The differences between science and engineering participation and percentage of U.S. population become even more pronounced at the graduate level (see Fig. 1). Recent National Science Foundation studies (NSF 2000, 2002) indicate that minorities receive only a small percentage of master’s and doctoral degrees awarded in science and engineering. African Americans accounted for 3% of all science and engineering doctorates in 2000—constant from 3% in 1997 and up from 2% in 1975—while receiving approximately 7% of the doctoral degrees awarded in other fields. Hispanics received 3% of the science and engineering doctorates awarded in 2000, compared to 4% in 1997 and 1% in 1975. American Indians received only 0.3% of the science and engineering doctorates awarded in 2000, compared to 0.4% in 1997 and 0.1% in 1975 (NSF 2000, 2002). These numbers are similar to the percentages of minorities currently participating in the scientific workforce (see Fig. 2). The NSF (2000, 2002) studies also report that although women completed 47% of all bachelor’s degrees in science and engineering in 1997, they accounted for only about 40% of science and engineering master’s degrees and 33% of all science and engineering doctoral degrees. By contrast, women earned apSOARS
Limits on deviations from the inverse-square law on megaparsec scales

We present an attempt to constrain deviations from the gravitational inverse-square law on large-scale structure scales. A perturbed law modifies the Poisson equation, which implies a scale-dependent growth of overdensities in the linear regime and thus modifies the power spectrum shape. We use two large-scale structure surveys (the Sloan Digital Sky survey and the Anglo-Australian two-degree field galaxy redshift survey) to constrain the parameters of two simple modifications of the inverse-square law. We find no evidence for deviations from normal gravity on the scales probed by these surveys ($\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{23}\text{ }\mathrm{m}$).