cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Interactions Between NDPK-B and NDPK-C in Presence of Graphene Oxide

During a heart failure, higher amount of nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) enzyme in the sarcolemma membrane inhibits the synthesis of second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which is required for the regulation of the calcium ion balance for normal functioning of the heart. In a dependent pathway, NDPK normally phosphorylates the stimulatory guanosine diphosphate, GDP(s), to a guanosine triphosphate, GTP(s), on the heterotrimeric (, {beta} and {gamma} subunits) guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), resulting in the stimulation of the cAMP formation. In case of a heart failure, an increased quantity of NDPK also reacts with the inhibitory GDP(i), which is converted to a GTP(i), resulting in the inhibition of the cAMP formation. Typically, the {beta}{gamma} dimer of the G protein binds with hexameric NDPK-B/C complex and receives the phosphate at the residue His266 from residue His118 of NDPK-B. It is known that NDPK-C is required for NDPK-B to phosphorylate the G protein. In this work, the interactions between NDPK-B and NDPK-C are quantified in the presence and absence of graphene oxide (GO) as well as those between NDPK-B and GO through stability analysis involving hydrogen bonds, center of mass (COM), root mean square deviation (RMSD), and salt bridges, and energetics analysis involving van der Waals (VDW) and electrostatic energies. Furthermore, the role of water molecules at the interface of NDPK-B and NDPK-C as well as between NDPK-B and GO is investigated to understand the nature of interactions. It is found that the adsorption of NDPK-B on GO triggers a potential conformational change in the structure of NDPK-B, resulting in a diminished interaction with NDPK-C. This is confirmed through a reduced center of mass (COM) distance between NDPK-B and GO (from 40 [A] to 30 [A]) and an increased COM distance between NDPK-B and NDPK-C (from 50 [A] to 60 [A]). Furthermore, this is also supported by fewer salt bridges between NDPK-B and NDPK-C, and an increased number of hydrogen bonds formed by the interfacial water molecules. As NDPK-C is crucial to be complexed with NDPK-B for successful interaction of NDPK-B with the G protein, this finding shows that GO can suppress the interactions between NDPK-B/C and G proteins, thereby providing an additional insight into the role of GO in the heart failure mechanism.
Reciprocity and Resource Exchange

The concept, metaphor, model, or reality of “symbiosis in parent-young interactions” poses a delightful intellectual and empirical challenge. This chapter represents a preliminary exploration of a symbiotic model of parent-offspring relations. Our purpose is to examine whether, how, to what extent, and with what outcomes the relations of parents and offspring are, indeed, symbiotic. We will attempt to establish a psychobiological framework for our model of symbiosis in parent-young relations. This framework is based on both biological and psychological concepts of symbiosis. However, we rely primarily on the biological model, because biologists have grappled with conceptual and empirical problems relating to symbiosis for more than a century. There is much to be learned from their experience.
Online Image of Multinational Hotel Brands on Different Language Platforms

This study investigated the online brand image messages that multinational hotel companies communicate in their home country and host country on different language platforms. Three U.S.-based multinational hotel brands of Hilton, Holiday Inn, and Super 8 are chosen as the cases in the current study. The United States and China are identified as the hotel brands' home country and host country. A qualitative approach of content analysis was adopted to identify the projected images messages. Correspondence mapping was utilized to explore their differences and linkages in the two countries. The results revealed differences in image messages between the two language platforms for each of the three hotel brands. The differences are associated with brand positioning, product development, market segmentation, promotion strategies, distribution channels, and pricing. In addition, as a midscale hotel brand, Holiday Inn has more desired image messages shared between its Chinese and English Websites than the upscale ...
Psychiatric consultation-liaison service: patients, requests, and functions.

Abstract Prospective data were gathered from 388 psychiatric consultations performed in a general hospital setting. Data included demographic, medical, psychiatric, and illness behavior characteristics of the patients seen, as well as consultant functions and recommendations. Results indicate that consulted patients suffer from a wide variety of medical problems, are frequently taking psychoactive medications before the consultation, and experience a spectrum of psychosocial problems in coping with their disease. Primary physicians infrequently provided any psychiatric data or reasons for referral other than for depression. Consultants determined what they felt were the motivating reasons for referral and besides patient psychopathology found a significant amount of maladaptive illness behavior and staff/patient conflict. Comparison with other studies supports the high incidence of primary (21%) and secondary (18%) depression in this population and the active involvement in its treatment by consultation-liaison psychiatrists. Research, training, and clinical issues generated by the finding are discussed.
Spectra and structure of silicon containing compounds. Part XI. Infrared and Raman spectra of 1,1-dimethyl-1-silacyclobutane

Abstract The infrared spectra of 1,1-dimethyl-1-silacyclobutane in the vapor and solid phases have been recorded from 3300 to 80 cm−1. The Raman spectra of all three phases have been measured and depolarization data have been obtained for the gaseous and liquid states. An assignment of the fundamental vibrations is presented. The methyl torsional frequencies have been assigned to two weak bands appearing in the Raman spectrum of the gas phase at 177 and 172 cm−1. These values result in a barrier to internal rotation of 2.1 kcal mole−1. Evidence is presented for the existence of a quasi-planar conformer in the ambient temperature fluid phases, which obeys Cs selection rules in the low temperature solid state. This structure is compared to those of other silacyclobutanes and possible explanations given for the differences.
A Review of “Redistricting and Representation: Why Competitive Elections Are Bad for America”

Without a doubt, the idea that competitive elections lead to a healthier democracy is one of the most widely accepted tenets in political science. Thomas Brunell takes on the conventional wisdom in...
The Provenance of the Federal Courts Improvement Act of 1982

This paper is being prepared for a symposium sponsored by the Court of Federal Claims to recognize the twentieth anniversary of the Federal Courts Improvement Act of 1982 ("FCIA"). The paper describes the history and purposes of the FCIA and assesses whether those purposes have been met. The paper concludes that, overall, the FCIA has achieved its purposes. In addition to making that assessment, the paper uses the FCIA's history to discuss the conditions necessary for successful enactment of judicial reform legislation. The paper also discusses the directions that future judicial reform might take in order to build on the FCIA's success.
Genetic Influences on Smoking Behavior

In this chapter, we review evidence that suggests important genetic influences on smoking. These influences may affect the probability that an individual will become a smoker and, once he or she has started smoking, may affect how heavily the individual smokes and the probability that he or she will not quit smoking. We shall broadly summarize these measures under the heading “smoking behavior.” In contrast to the many twin and adoption studies designed to explore the possibility of a genetic contribution to alcoholism risk (see Heath, Slutske, & Madden [1995] and Chapter 2), there has been comparatively little research focused on understanding the genetic contribution to smoking behavior (for an early exception to this statement, see Eaves & Eysenck, 1980). This neglect is surprising, when one considers that the adverse health consequences of smoking, both to the smoker (USDHEW, 1979) and to others in the smoker’s environment (USDHHS, 1986), and the consequent enormous economic costs of smoking to society, are well established.
Ethics in Mental Health Research: Principles, Guidance, and Cases

Introduction: Why Focus on Mental Health Research? 1. Ethics and Regulatory Compliance: Competing or Complementary Approaches? 2. An Ethical Framework for Research 3. Solving Ethical Problems: Analyzing Ethics Cases and Justifying Decisions Case Study: Willowbrook Revisited 4. Informed Consent Case Study: Withholding information on study purpose 5. Decision-Making Capacity and the Involvement of Surrogates Case Study: Questionable capacity Case Study: Waiving parental permission 6. Thinking about Harms and Benefits Case Study: A study of suicidality with at-risk teens 7. Justice in Recruitment and Research Case Study: Reimbursing participants for their time in a psychotherapy trial Case Study: Biological studies of aggressive behavior in preteens 8. Research Questions and Study Design Case Study: The ethics of placebo controls 9. Protecting Privacy and Confidentiality Case Study: Confidentiality and mandatory reporting 10. Identifying and Managing Conflicts of Interest Case Study: Multiple illustrative vignettes
Can Judicial Independence Be Attained in the South? Overcoming History, Elections, and Misconceptions About the Role of the Judiciary

The question in some states is not whether judicial independence can be preserved, but whether it can be attained. Courts that have historically allowed racial, economic, political and other improper considerations to influence their decisions cannot easily shed a legal culture developed over decades. In addition, misperceptions about the role of the judiciary and the elections of judges may thwart any progress toward judicial independence and the rule of law. However, attaining an independent state judiciary is critically important because of the rapidly declining – some would say evaporating – role of the federal courts in enforcing the Bill of Rights on behalf of racial minorities, the poor, and others for whom the Bill of Rights is the only protection from the government. While these issues can be raised in many parts of the country, consideration of them is particularly appropriate here in the South, where the state courts have not been independent and have played a major role in defiance of the law. I will discuss our history, the problems of elections, and the misperceptions and then assess whether we have much cause for hope that independence will be obtained and what we might do to help achieve it.
Custom fluorescent-nucleotide synthesis as an alternative method for nucleic acid labeling

The variety of potentially useful dyes or haptenes available for fluorescent nucleic acid hybridization assays is far greater than what can be obtained from commercial sources 1,2. Since this diversity could be useful in many laboratory applications, we have developed a simple and inexpensive procedure for preparing nonpurified labeled nucleotides 3,4,5, for use in common nucleic acid labeling reactions, such as PCR and nick translation. The modified nucleotides were synthesized by coupling allylamine-dUTP to the succinimidyl-ester derivatives of the fluorescent dyes or haptenes such as biotin or digoxigenin, which require fluorescently labeled proteins for detection. This method allows custom preparation of most common fluorescent nucleotides and rapid testing of new ones, while reducing the cost of procedures such as multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization (M-FISH) by 100-200 fold.
Perineural invasion as an indicator of clinical outcome in vulvar carcinoma (54.2)

Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (vSCC) is a disfiguring malignancy that represents 4% of all gynecological cancers. A pathological feature that is commonly used in determining clinical prognosis and...
Boom and Bust at R Leonis

In a dramatic demonstration of the power of optical interferometry, a technique for linking separate telescopes into the equivalent of a much larger one (see main text), astronomers have made the first-ever observation of regular changes in a star9s size. The star in question, a variable star called R Leonis, changes diameter by up to 35% over the course of nearly a year, an amount that the astronomers call "outrageous."
Individual Protest Participation in the United States: Conventional and Unconventional Activism

Objectives This study addresses differences in the predictors of participation in different forms of protest activity using nationally representative data. The two types of protest examined, referred to as conventional and unconventional forms of activism, are differentiated by differing levels of risk, demands, and political legitimacy. Methods The analysis uses multinominal logistic regression and data from the World Values Survey to assess the effects of a wide range of independent variables on participation in protest. Results The results indicate that participation in conventional forms of protest, activities that are relatively undemanding, socially legitimate, and low risk, tend to follow patterns that are consistent with participation in institutional politics. That is, participants in this form of activism tend to be socially privileged and ideologically moderate. Participants in unconventional protest, those that are highly demanding, socially illegitimate, or carry substantial risks, tend to be more ideologically extreme, socially disadvantaged, and more alienated from the conventional political system. Conclusions The findings in this study suggest that the lack of consistency in some existing research on protest participation may be attributable to differences in the predictors of participation associated with different forms of protest. This study indicates that protest participation is not a unitary construct and should not be treated as one in research.
Growth of BaTiO/sub 3/ thin films by metallo-organic deposition and rapid thermal annealing under controlled atmosphere

In the metallo-organic deposition process, BaTiO/sub 3/ films were produced by spin casting carefully mixed near-stoichiometric metallo-organic precursors using a photoresist spinner. The substrates used were platinum and low-resistivity (0.002-0.05- Omega -cm)
Word learning by children with phonological delays: differentiating effects of phonotactic probability and neighborhood density.

Abstract This study examined the ability of 20 preschool children with functional phonological delays and 34 age- and vocabulary-matched typical children to learn words differing in phonotactic probability (i.e., the likelihood of occurrence of a sound sequence) and neighborhood density (i.e., the number of words that differ from a target by one phoneme). Children were exposed to nonwords paired with novel objects in a story and learning was measured by a picture naming task. Results showed that both groups created lexical representations for rare sound sequences from sparse neighborhoods. However, only children with typical development appeared to build on this initial lexical representation to create a full representation of the word (i.e., lexical–semantic connection and semantic representation). It was hypothesized that creating a lexical representation may be too resource demanding for children with phonological delays, leaving few resources available to create a lexical–semantic connection and/or a semantic representation. Learning outcomes: The reader will be able to (1) define phonotactic probability; (2) define neighborhood density; (3) identify how these variables impact the word learning process in general; (4) identify potential areas of deficit in the word learning process for children with functional phonological delays.
The Squall Line Thunderstorm: Numerical Experimentation

Abstract The structure and mechanism for maintenance of the Great Plains squall line thunderstorm are studied through formulation of a two-dimensional, time-dependent numerical model. The environmental conditions known to be favorable for squall line development and maintenance include a convectively unstable air mass whose motion is characterized by strong vertical shear of the horizontal wind. These conditions are used to specify an environment in an x-z plane upon which a disturbance is superimposed. The appropriate physical equations are integrated forward in time to study changes in the motion, thermal and moisture fields in and around the squall line thunderstorm. The vertical shear of the horizontal environmental wind is varied from one experiment to another with the result that broader and longer lasting cloud circulations occur in the stronger shear cases. Specific areas where three-dimensional effects must be important are discussed from an examination of variable fields during periods when the ...
CauseMap: fast inference of causality from complex time series.

Background. Establishing health-related causal relationships is a central pursuit in biomedical research. Yet, the interdependent non-linearity of biological systems renders causal dynamics laborious and at times impractical to disentangle. This pursuit is further impeded by the dearth of time series that are sufficiently long to observe and understand recurrent patterns of flux. However, as data generation costs plummet and technologies like wearable devices democratize data collection, we anticipate a coming surge in the availability of biomedically-relevant time series data. Given the life-saving potential of these burgeoning resources, it is critical to invest in the development of open source software tools that are capable of drawing meaningful insight from vast amounts of time series data. Results. Here we present CauseMap, the first open source implementation of convergent cross mapping (CCM), a method for establishing causality from long time series data (≳25 observations). Compared to existing time series methods, CCM has the advantage of being model-free and robust to unmeasured confounding that could otherwise induce spurious associations. CCM builds on Takens’ Theorem, a well-established result from dynamical systems theory that requires only mild assumptions. This theorem allows us to reconstruct high dimensional system dynamics using a time series of only a single variable. These reconstructions can be thought of as shadows of the true causal system. If reconstructed shadows can predict points from opposing time series, we can infer that the corresponding variables are providing views of the same causal system, and so are causally related. Unlike traditional metrics, this test can establish the directionality of causation, even in the presence of feedback loops. Furthermore, since CCM can extract causal relationships from times series of, e.g., a single individual, it may be a valuable tool to personalized medicine. We implement CCM in Julia, a high-performance programming language designed for facile technical computing. Our software package, CauseMap, is platform-independent and freely available as an official Julia package. Conclusions. CauseMap is an efficient implementation of a state-of-the-art algorithm for detecting causality from time series data. We believe this tool will be a valuable resource for biomedical research and personalized medicine.
Selection of a length scale in unconstrained dendritic growth with convection in the melt

For the first time the free growth of fully developed succinonitrile, SCN, dendrites is studied experimentally with carefully controlled, well defined, forced convection velocities, U∞, in the ultrapure melt up to 1 cm/s, which is about 40 times larger than the velocity due to natural (thermal) convection, UN, and is 300 times larger than the growth velocity of the dendrite, ν. Therefore thermal convection and advection have a negligible effect on our experimental data. The selection parameter, σ∗ = 2αd0⧸ν R2, increases by over 50% as the ratio, U∞⧸ν, of the forced convection velocity, U∞, to the growth velocity, ν, increases from 3 to 300. This result is opposite to the prediction of microscopic solvability theory for a pure material. Our result also is opposite to that reported for binary experiments which support solvability theory and indicate that σ∗decreases as U∞/ν increases up to values of about 19.
Contrasting long-term global and short-term local redox proxies during the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event: A case study from Fossil Mountain, Utah, USA

Abstract The Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (GOBE) was a time of pronounced radiation within the Paleozoic and Modern evolutionary faunas. Despite increases in metazoan diversity during both the Cambrian and the Ordovician, recent geochemical evidence suggests that the Early Paleozoic may have experienced recurring deep ocean euxinia. The dynamic connections between deep ocean redox and fossil-rich shelf environments remain unclear, but one way to elucidate these relationships is to study rocks formed during the GOBE using both long-term global and short-term local redox proxies. Here we report geochemical results from the Middle Ordovician Juab Formation and Kanosh Formation at Fossil Mountain, Utah. The Kanosh Formation has been interpreted by different workers either as an anoxic restricted basin or as a well-oxygenated normal marine basin based on sedimentological and paleontological characteristics. Here we employ the sulfur isotopic composition of carbonate associated sulfate (CAS) as a proxy for long-term, whole-ocean redox changes during the Middle Ordovician. We use the abundances of organic carbon and total sulfur as proxies for short-term, localized changes in redox during the deposition of the Fossil Mountain sediments. Organic carbon abundances are low overall (average = 0.7 wt.%, maximum = 1.2 wt.% using the most conservative estimate), although some units may have had considerably higher organic content before burial. Total sulfur is uniformly low, with an average value of 0.02 wt.% and a maximum value of 0.07 wt.%. The total sulfur and organic carbon abundance results suggest that anoxia was not prevalent in the depositional environment of the Juab and Kanosh Formations. Similarly, the sulfur isotopic results correlate well with those reported from time-equivalent strata in Newfoundland, suggesting that the Fossil Mountain sediments were not deposited in a restricted basin. Even though the total sulfur and organic carbon data suggest that the local environment was not anoxic, our sulfur isotopic results support the hypothesis that the global ocean was likely euxinic during the Middle Ordovician.
Assessing the impact of migration on food and nutrition security

Abstract Migration has become a key component in the livelihood strategies of an increasing number of households across the developing world and remittances have expanded dramatically in the last decade. This has come at a time when an increased emphasis has been placed on reducing malnutrition to achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets. While this is the case, there has been little attention on the interface between migration and nutrition even though migration can influence nutrition through a number of channels. The objective of this special issue is to present state-of-the-art analyses of the link between migration and nutrition in developing countries. In this paper, an overview of the conceptual and empirical issues in identifying the link between migration and nutrition are considered. Further, the results from seven country case studies are synthesized and policy implications are drawn.
Long-period grating fiber sensor with fixed resonance wavelength

Long-period fiber gratings [1] can couple light between co-propagating core and cladding modes of an optical fiber at specific wavelengths.
Central Core Fibers in an Acutely Psychotic Patient: Evidence for a Neurogenic Basis for the Muscle Abnormalities in the Acute Psychoses

A 24-year-old black woman with probable manic-depressive illness was found to have central cores in all type I muscle fibers in a biopsy of the gastrocnemius muscle and in some type I fibers in a biopsy of the vastus lateralis muscle. Both biopsy specimens were differenteated into two main fiber types. The ultrastructural changes in the cores were more profound than in other cases of central core disease. Small atrophic fibers indicative of denervation or loss of the neurotrophic influence were also present. An electromyogram had both myopathic and neurogenic features. The question of whether the etiology of the muscle abnormalities in at least some acutely psychotic patients is neuropathic or myopathic, or a mixture of both, is discussed.
The icosahedral RNA virus as a grotto: organizing the genome into stalagmites and stalactites

There are two important problems in the assembly of small, icosahedral RNA viruses. First, how does the capsid protein select the viral RNA for packaging, when there are so many other candidate RNA molecules available? Second, what is the mechanism of assembly? With regard to the first question, there are a number of cases where a particular RNA sequence or structure—often one or more stem-loops—either promotes assembly or is required for assembly, but there are others where specific packaging signals are apparently not required. With regard to the assembly pathway, in those cases where stem-loops are involved, the first step is generally believed to be binding of the capsid proteins to these “fingers” of the RNA secondary structure. In the mature virus, the core of the RNA would then occupy the center of the viral particle, and the stem-loops would reach outward, towards the capsid, like stalagmites reaching up from the floor of a grotto towards the ceiling. Those viruses whose assembly does not depend on protein binding to stem-loops could have a different structure, with the core of the RNA lying just under the capsid, and the fingers reaching down into the interior of the virus, like stalactites. We review the literature on these alternative structures, focusing on RNA selectivity and the assembly mechanism, and we propose experiments aimed at determining, in a given virus, which of the two structures actually occurs.
The Yeast ATP-binding Cassette (ABC) Transporter Ycf1p Enhances the Recruitment of the Soluble SNARE Vam7p to Vacuoles for Efficient Membrane Fusion

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae vacuole contains five ATP-binding cassette class C (ABCC) transporters, including Ycf1p, a family member that was originally characterized as a Cd(2+) transporter. Ycf1p has also been found to physically interact with a wide array of proteins, including factors that regulate vacuole homeostasis. In this study, we examined the role of Ycf1p and other ABCC transporters in the regulation of vacuole homotypic fusion. We found that deletion of YCF1 attenuated in vitro vacuole fusion by up to 40% relative to wild-type vacuoles. Plasmid-expressed wild-type Ycf1p rescued the deletion phenotype; however, Ycf1p containing a mutation of the conserved Lys-669 to Met in the Walker A box of the first nucleotide-binding domain (Ycf1p(K669M)) was unable to complement the fusion defect of ycf1Δ vacuoles. This indicates that the ATPase activity of Ycf1p is required for its function in regulating fusion. In addition, we found that deleting YCF1 caused a striking decrease in vacuolar levels of the soluble SNARE Vam7p, whereas total cellular levels were not altered. The attenuated fusion of ycf1Δ vacuoles was rescued by the addition of recombinant Vam7p to in vitro experiments. Thus, Ycf1p contributes in the recruitment of Vam7p to the vacuole for efficient membrane fusion.
Quantum phase transition in the four-spin exchange antiferromagnet

We study the $S=1/2$ Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a square lattice with nearest-neighbor and plaquette four-spin exchanges [introduced by A. W. Sandvik, Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 227202 (2007).] This model undergoes a quantum phase transition from a spontaneously dimerized phase to N\'eel order at a critical coupling. We show that as the critical point is approached from the dimerized side, the system exhibits strong fluctuations in the dimer background, reflected in the presence of a low-energy singlet mode, with a simultaneous rise in the triplet quasiparticle density. We find that both singlet and triplet modes of high density condense at the transition, signaling restoration of lattice symmetry. In our approach, which goes beyond mean-field theory in terms of the triplet excitations, the transition appears sharp; however since our method breaks down near the critical point, we argue that we cannot make a definite conclusion regarding the order of the transition.
The root problem for stochastic and doubly stochastic operators

Abstract The existence of roots of stochastic operators on L 1 -spaces is considered. A necessary condition for the existence of n th roots of an ergodic and conservative operator is formulated in terms of eigenvalues (Theorem 1), extending known results for measure preserving transformations. Various conditions for roots of doubly stochastic operators are considered in Section 3. Two special classes of doubly stochastic operators are more closely analyzed: convolution operators (Sect. 5) and finite matrices (Sect. 6). A structure theorem for semigroups of singular doubly stochastic matrices is obtained (Theorem 6).
REGENERATION OF BLACK GRAMA (BOUTELOUA ERIOPODA TORR. TORR) PLANTS VIA SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS

Black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda) is an important forage grass in southwestern USA rangelands. Plants were regenerated by somatic embryogenesis. Surface-disinfested seeds were germinated and the embryonic shoots were excised and cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium gelled with agar. Callus was induced from apical meristems. Calluses were cultured on MS solid medium with six concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or Dicamba (6-dichloro-o-anisic acid) for 6 wk under light or dark conditions. Somatic embryo induction was greatest on 4.52 μM Dicamba, under light, after transferring to an auxin-free medium. Embryo development progressed from globular torpedo to mature embryos phenotypically identical to those naturally produced in seed. These germinated and grew into intact plants and were established in soil and grown to maturity. To our knowledge, this is the first report of somatic embryo induction and regeneration in black grama grass.
A Comparison of Three Manual Destination Entry Methods on their Impact on Visual Attention and Driving Performance: An On-Road Evaluation

A comparison under actual driving conditions of 3 manual destination entry techniques (keypad, touch screen, and rotational controller) indicates that visual behavior measures are sensitive for detecting differences that are not apparent in standard driving performance measures when drivers are under low to moderate levels of load.
Clinical Diagnosis and Management of Large Vessel Vasculitis: Giant Cell Arteritis

Large vessel vasculitis (LVV) covers a spectrum of primary vasculitides predominantly affecting the aorta and its major branches. The two main subtypes are giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TA). Less commonly LVV occurs in various other diseases. Clinical manifestations result from vascular stenosis, occlusion, and dilation, sometimes complicated by aneurysm rupture or dissection. Occasionally LVV is discovered unexpectedly on pathological examination of a resected aortic aneurysm. Clinical evaluation is often unreliable in determining disease activity. Moreover, the diagnostic tools are imperfect. Acute phase reactants can be normal at presentation and available imaging modalities are more reliable in delineating vascular anatomy than in providing reliable information on degree of vascular inflammation. Glucocorticoids are the mainstay of therapy of LVV. Patients may develop predictable adverse effects from long-term glucocorticoid use. Several steroid-sparing agents have also shown some promise and are currently in use. Endovascular revascularization procedures and open surgical treatment for aneurysms and dissections are sometimes necessary, but results are not always favorable and relapses are common. This article, the first in a series of two, will be devoted to GCA and isolated (idiopathic) aortitis, while TA will be covered in detail in the next article.
Sugarcane Morphological, Photosynthetic, and Growth Responses to Water-Table Depth

ABSTRACT High water tables threaten the sustainability of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), the primary crop of Florida's Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of water-table depth on morphological characters, single-leaf net photosynthetic rate (Ps), and growth of sugarcane. In pot studies, single stools of sugarcane cultivar CP 80-1743 were grown at eight equally spaced water-table depths from 5 to 33 cm (2 to 13 in). Large-tiller number of CP 80-1743 increased by 0.2 for each cm (0.4 in) increase of water-table depth, and stalk diameter increased as water-table depth increased from 5 through 23 cm (2 through 9 in). In lysimeter studies, responses of two genotypes to periodic floods and several water-table depths were compared. Yields of genotype CP 95-1429 were not affected by water-table depth and CP 95-1429 had similar stalk numbers and diameters across water-depth treatments. Yields of genotype CP 95-1376 increased as water-table depth increased, and sta...
Effects of Milk Replacer Composition on Selected Blood Metabolites and Hormones in Preweaned Holstein Heifers

Abstract We investigated the effects of increasing dietary protein and energy on concentrations of selected blood metabolites and hormones in Holstein heifers. Twenty-four heifers were fed 1 of 4 milk replacer (MR) diets for 9 wk (n=6/diet): control [20% crude protein (CP), 21% fat MR fed at 441g of dry matter (DM)/d], HPLF (28% CP, 20% fat MR fed at 951g of DM/d), HPHF (27% CP, 28% fat MR fed at 951g of DM/d), and HPHF+ (27% CP, 28% fat MR fed at 1,431g of DM/d). Heifers were fed twice daily; water and starter (20% CP, 1.43% fat) were offered free choice and starter orts recorded daily. Serum and plasma aliquots from blood samples collected twice weekly after a 12-h fast were analyzed for insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP), growth hormone (GH), insulin, glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, triglyceride, and plasma urea nitrogen concentrations. Only plasma glucose, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 were affected by diet. Dietary treatment differences were only noted when the control was compared with the average of the other 3 diets. The addition of fat to the MR (HPLF vs. HPHF) and increased volume of MR (HPHF vs. HPHF+) had no effect on plasma glucose concentration or relative abundance of IGFBP-2 or IGFBP-3. Heifers fed the control diet had less glucose, greater IGFBP-2, and less IGFBP-3 than the average of the other 3 diets. There was a diet by week interaction for IGF-I. Serum IGF-I concentration in control heifers varied in a quadratic manner with a nadir (20±4ng/mL) at wk 4, whereas IGF-I increased linearly in heifers on other diets. Both insulin and triglyceride changed over time in a complex pattern (significant linear and quadratic contrast effects). The greatest concentrations were measured at wk 0.5 with nadirs at wk 6 for both insulin and triglyceride. Serum GH concentration decreased in a linear manner from wk 0.5 to wk 9 in all heifers. Relative abundance of IGFBP-2 was quadratic over time with the greatest amount of IGFBP-2 observed at wk 5. With the exception of glucose, IGF-I, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3, the blood variables measured were not influenced by treatment. The IGF-I –GH–IGFBP axis requires further study in heifers to deduce effects of nutrition on hypothalamic regulation of metabolism. We expected to see more treatment differences in concentrations of metabolites involved with protein and fat metabolism. It is likely that the diets used in this study were not diverse enough in composition to elicit such changes or that the efficiency of use of absorbed protein and fat was not different in these animals.
The premaxilla: Embryological evidence that it does not exist in man

Many accounts of the human premaxilla describe its ossification centers and time of fusion with the maxilla, but that such a bone even exists in the human has long been questioned. Very few specimens undergoing initial phases of ossification have been reported and no convincing photographs of separate centers have been published. This report is based on 90 serially sectioned human embryos whose ages (Streeter's Horizons XVIII to XXIII) were closely grouped around the age when ossification of the upper jaw begins. There is but one ossification center bilaterally which, although it appears first in the cuspid region, rapidly involves an area extending from the molar to the central incisor region. Not one of the specimens showed an independent center for the “premaxilla” nor an “incisive suture” in the area of ossification. The premaxilla does not exist as an independent bone in man.
Analysis of melanocytic lesions by DNA image cytometry.

BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence that melanocytic nevi with architectural and/or cytologic atypia (dysplastic melanocytic nevi [DMN]) are lesions intermediate between banal nevi and malignant melanoma. Other studies have shown conflicting results regarding the DNA content in DMN. METHOD In the present investigation, the authors measured DNA ploidy by image analysis (CAS-200 system, Cell Analysis Systems, Inc., Elmhurst, IL) using Feulgen staining in 54 melanocytic lesions. The lesions were categorized into 7 groups: compound nevus (CN) = 7; compound nevi with features of DMN (F) = 10; DMN with slight atypia = 8; DMN with moderate atypia = 9; DMN with severe atypia (S) = 8; melanoma in situ = 5; and malignant melanoma (CMM) = 7. The age distribution for these various lesions was also recorded. DNA histograms obtained by image analysis from these groups were examined for DNA aneuploidy by DNA index and classified according to Auer classifications (Auer I-IV). RESULTS There was a progression of mean age for each group of melanocytic lesions, ranging from 39 years for ordinary nevi to 53 years for invasive melanoma. The Type I histogram, which is distinctly diploid, was seen in 4 of 7 cases of CN, 5 of 10 of nevi with features of dysplastic nevus, and 3 of 8 nevi with slight atypia. The Type I histogram was not observed at all in nevi with moderate atypia, severe atypia, melanoma in situ, and invasive melanoma. The Type IV histogram (aneuploid) was not identified in low grade lesions (CN, F, S), but was observed in two of nine nevi with moderate atypia, six of eight lesions with severe atypia, two of five melanomas in situ, and five of six invasive melanomas. Aneuploidy by DNA index was noted in one nevus with features of DMN, one DMN with slight atypia, one with moderate atypia, four of eight DMN with severe atypia, two of five in situ melanomas, and two of six invasive melanomas. CONCLUSION The results show that DMN exhibit a spectrum of abnormal DNA content intermediate between banal nevi and CMM and that DNA content generally correlates with the age of patients and degree of atypia in melanocytic nevi.
New plasma chemistries for etching III-V compound semiconductors: BI 3 and BBr 3

We investigated inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching of both In-containing (InP, InAs, and InSb) and Ga-containing compound semiconductors (GaAs, GaP, and GaSb) in two new chemistries: BI3 and BBr3 with addition of Ar. Etch rates as high as 2 µm·min−1 were obtained for InP in both types of discharge while for GaAs maximum rates were 1 and 2.5 µm·min−1, respectively, in BI3 and BBr3. The rates were strongly dependent on plasma composition, ICP source power and radio frquency chuck power. BI3 etching produced much smoother surfaces on both GaAs and InP, while maintaining the near-surface stoichiometry. Etch selectivities ≥ 10 were obtained for GaAs and InP over SiO2 and SiNx masks. The BI3 chemistry appears attractive as an universal etchant for In-based and Ga-based compound semiconductors.
The mechanism of insulin resistance in the KL strain of mice: inactivation of insulin.

Insulin resistant (KL) mice, which tolerate 300–500 units of insulin without going into convulsions, inactivate insulin in vivo and in vitro at the same rate as control (BUB) mice which convulse after 50 units of insulin. The fasting blood sugar, glucose tolerance and pancreatic insulin content of the KL mouse is normal. After injection of small doses of insulin, the blood sugar response of the fed KL mouse is similar to that of the control BUB mouse. Following large dosesof insulin, the blood sugar of control mice reaches the convulsive level within 2 hours. Inthe KLmouse, on the other hand, the blood sugar level declines but remains slightly above the convulsivelevel for 20–28 hours. These results are taken as evidence that insulin resistance inthe KL mouseis not due to an increased insulinase activity, but to the ability of the animal to maintain a blood sugar slightly above the convulsive level for a long period after insulin administration.
Understanding TOEFL's Test of Written English:

In 1986, Educational Testing Service (ETS) added the Test of Written English (TWE), which requires the production of a 30-minute writing sample, to some administrations of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The test was developed on the basis of two major research projects which investigated the role of writing in the academic community and the type of writing tests that faculty felt their students should be able to produce (Bridgeman and Carlson, 1983; Carlson et al., 1985). ETS appointed a committee of outside consultants, the TWE Core Reader Group, to develop topics for the exam and to determine whether or not a given writing topic should be approved for the exam. This article details the topic development process for the TWE, the work of the Core Reader group, and the procedures for reading and scoring the TWE.
Presidential identification and mass-public compliance with official policy: the case of the Carter energy program

There is evidence that the public has complied with former President Carter's call for energy conservation even though pollsters found few signs of support for the program. This study examines the effects of presidential identification on public attitudes and behavior by analyzing the factors that lead to public support of government policies. The results indicate that popular reactions and responses correlate with attitudes, and that attitudinal effects of presidential identification exceed the effects of both diffuse support for the political system in general and of self-interest. Presidential identification extends the effects of a leader's poliches because the interpersonal relationship developed between the leader and individual citizens exceeds the response of their individual psyches. 35 references, 2 tables. (DCK)
Ecological and political issues surrounding decommissioning of offshore oil facilities in the Southern California Bight

Abstract To aid legislators, resource managers, and the general public, this paper summarizes and clarifies some of the issues and options that the federal government and the state of California face in decommissioning offshore oil and gas production platforms, particularly as these relate to platform ecology. Both local marine ecology and political climate play a role in decommissioning offshore oil production platforms. Compared to the relatively supportive political climate in the Gulf of Mexico for “rigs-to-reefs” programs, conflicting social values among stakeholders in Southern California increases the need for understanding ecological impacts of various decommissioning alternatives (which range from total removal to allowing some or all of platform structure to remain in the ocean). Additional scientific needs in the decommissioning process include further assessment of platform habitat quality, estimation of regional impacts of decommissioning alternatives to marine populations, and determination of biological effects of any residual contaminants. The principal management need is a ranking of environmental priorities (e.g. species-of-interest and marine habitats). Because considerable numbers of economically important species reside near oil platforms, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries should consider the consequences of decommissioning alternatives in their overall management plans. Management strategies could include designating reefed platforms as marine protected areas. The overarching conclusion from both ecological and political perspectives is that decommissioning decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis.
Micro-fission Explosions and Controlled Release of Thermonuclear Energy

THE possibility of igniting a thermonuclear micro-explosion by a laser pulse has recently attracted great interest as a result of the proposal to lower the energy requirements by imploding a T-D thermonuclear pellet with a laser pulse of proper shape, thereby increasing its density by a factor of ∼104 over the solid density1. If this concept of high density compression is applied to a fissionable pellet, consisting of 235U, 233U or 239Pu, very small critical masses become possible. These critical masses can be further reduced by surrounding the fissionable pellet with a neutron reflecting material to be compressed, together with the pellet, to high densities. Finally, if this neutron reflecting material consists of thermonuclear material such as T-D, the fission chain reaction rising in the critical pellet will ignite a small thermonuclear explosion in the neutron reflector. The fission chain reaction rises at a much faster rate than for solid densities (such as in atomic bombs) because of the greatly increased densities. The release of thermonuclear neutrons in the reflector will accelerate the fission chain reaction to an even higher speed whereby the heating of the thermonuclear material is accelerated in return, resulting in even more thermonuclear neutrons.
Anticholinergic blockage of water intake in the Mongolian gerbil

Interperitoneal injections of atropine sulfate and atropine methyl nitrate produced a drug and dose-dependent decrease in drinking in water-deprived gerbils. Water intake was more effectively blocked by atropine sulfate than by atropine methyl nitrate. Nevertheless, as both drug dosages increased, water intake decreased. These data support findings in the rat which indicate that drinking is mediated by cholinergically controlled central mechanisms. In addition, however, effective blockage by centrally inactive atropine methyl nitrate suggests that peripheral cholinergic systems may also play a role in regulating drinking behavior in the gerbil.
Histological observations on larvae of the eye gnat, Hippelates pusio (diptera: Chloropidae), infected with the flagellate Herpetomonas muscarum☆☆☆

Abstract A flagellate from Hippelates pusio was cultured in artificial medium and identified as Herpetomonas muscarum. Flagellate infections were established in the lumen of the larval midgut at its anterior end following ingestion of infective stages of the protozoan and spread subsequently to the gastric ceca and posterior portions of the midgut. Infections progressed from heavy gut infections to light hemocoelic infections when flagellates penetrated the gut wall, probably in the gastric ceca or anterior midgut. A bacterial septicemia which followed the flagellate invasion of the hemocoel ultimately destroyed all flagellates and killed the larva. Flagellates were never found invading any tissue other than the gut wall. Axenic rearing of gnats was considered prerequisite to determining whether flagellates alone are capable of causing mortality. The importance of the duration of infection to establishment of hemocoelic infections and therefore larval mortality, was demonstrated.