cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nasal Shedding of Equid Herpesvirus Type 1 and Type 4 in Hospitalized, Febrile Horses

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of shedding of equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) or EHV-4 in nasal swab samples from any febrile, hospitalized horses during a 1-year period. It was hypothesized that some fevers in horses are associated with viral replication following recrudescence of latent virus or following a horizontal viral infection prior to or during admission to a referral hospital. During the observational period, nasal swab samples were collected from 64 febrile and 10 nonfebrile hospitalized horses. Routine DNA extraction was performed, and a validated quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was used to detect and quantify genomic EHV-1 and -4 DNA. Genomic DNA of EHV-4 was detected in the nasal swab specimen of 1 of 64 febrile horses. EHV-1 DNA was not detected in any of the febrile horses. Samples from all nonfebrile horses were negative for both viruses. Considering the known association between fever and shedding of EHV-1 and EHV-4, we anticipated finding a higher percentage of PCR-positive samples from febrile patients. Fevers detected were likely a result of active disease processes for which the horses were hospitalized; concurrent other diseases appeared not to affect viral recrudescence. Further studies are warranted to examine frequency and factors of EHV latency and reactivation.
Characterization of seminal plasma proteins and sperm proteins in ejaculates from normospermic bulls and bulls with thermally-induced testicular degeneration

Semen was collected from 5 mature beef bulls by electroejaculation before, during, and after 20 days of scrotal insulation. Thermally-induced testicular degeneration was irreversible in 3 of the bulls. Analysis of sperm and seminal plasma polypeptides revealed that 15 to 30 sperm polypeptides and 25 to 30 seminal plasma polypeptides were indistinguishable between bulls prior to the insulation treatment. Changes in the sperm polypeptides pattern appeared as early as 2 days after the insulation treatment and persisted for at least 11 months in 2 of the bulls. In the spermatozoa, there was a detectable loss of 31, 34, 49 and 58 kDa polypeptides and an appearance of 6 to 8 new major polypeptides, ranging from 32 to 83 kDa. The 83 kDa polypeptide was most prominent in the 2 bulls that regained normal sperm motility and morphology following the insulation period. The post-insulation appearance of a seminal plasma polypeptide (circa 60 kDa) was also identified in these 2 bulls. Seminal plasma polypeptides remained qualitatively unaltered by the insulation treatment in the 3 bulls with irreversible testicular degeneration.
The Complexities of Internal Conflict in the Third World: Beyond Ethnic and Religious Conflict

There are many patterns of internal conflict identified in the Third World—“economically vulnerable,” “politically vulnerable,”“heterogeneous-parochial,” and “egalitarian–distributive”—and the sheer variety of these indicates that internal conflict is a complex phenomenon. Yet the literature tends to categorize the major sources of internal conflict in a rather monocausal fashion, often emphasizing its ethnic or religious dimensions. This study argues that internal conflict in the Third World needs to be analyzed beyond singular explanations and shows that if sufficient attention is paid to the variables that comprise each pattern of internal conflict, a more nuanced understanding of internal conflict is possible. National governments in conflict-stricken countries need to first identify the “correct” pattern of conflict as well as interrelations among the variables that build up each pattern. When and if international or regional organizations address their respective economic and/or political assistance to the conflict-stricken countries, such organizations should follow suit.
Characterization of rps17, rpl9 and rpl15: three nucleus-encoded plastid ribosomal protein genes

Approximately two-thirds of the 55 to 60 plastid ribosomal proteins are encoded in the nucleus. Since the protein products of each of these genes are needed in equal amounts for ribosome assembly, their expression may be coordinately regulated by common mechanisms. To begin to understand how the expression of these genes is regulated, we have isolated cDNA and genomic clones for three plastid ribosomal protein genes from an Arabidopsis thaliana library. The genes rps17, rpl9 and rpl15, encoding plastid ribosomal proteins CS17, CL9 and CL15, respectively, are located in the nuclear genome and Southern blot data suggest that each is a single copy gene in A. thaliana. Northern blot data show that transcripts from rps17, rpl9 and rpl15 are much more abundant in leaves and stems than they are in roots. The nucleotide sequences of each of these three genes were determined and their transcriptional initiation sites identified. rps17 transcripts have multiple 5′ ends suggesting that they are initiated at multiple sites or are post-transcriptionally processed at their 5′ end. rpl9 and rpl15 apparently have unique transcriptional initiation sites but are post-transcriptionally processed to remove six and three introns, respectively, from their primary transcripts. We have examined the genomic sequences for motifs that may be important for the proper expression of these genes. A 7 bp sequence motif, whose consensus is 5′-AGGCCCA-3′, flanked by AT-rich regions was identified between 38 and 73 nucleotides upstream of the rps17, rpl9 and rpl15 transcriptional initiation sites.
Unique nucleotide differences in the conserved 3' termini of brome mosaic virus RNAs are maintained through their optimization of genome replication.

Abstract To explore the functionality and conservation of specific base differences in the 3′200 nucleotides of brome mosaic virus (BMV) RNA-1 (1t) and RNA-2 (2t) with respect to the 3′ end of RNA-3 (3t), all possible permutations were used to exchange these regions among the genomic RNAs. When all RNAs bore the 1 t promoter, total RNA accumulation was only 15% of wild type; when the 2t or 3t promoter was present on all three RNAs total RNA accumulation was reduced to 30 or 35% of wild type. Two major processes were found to be involved in these dramatic differences. The first reflects the distinct and competitive strengths of the (-)-strand promoters in these sequences, which were shown to have a 3t > 1t > 2t hierarchy. The second is the importance of the context of upstream sequences in which the 3′ promoter is placed. Important contributions of the 3t promoter in preferential amplification of RNA-3 were apparent from changed RNA 1+2 : 3 ratios and reduced progeny accumulation from transfections using the RNA-3/1t chimera. These interactions contribute to temporal modulation as well as overall optimization of viral RNA functions, leading to selection and maintenance of the specific base differences present in the otherwise highly conserved 3′ 200 nucleotides of each genomic RNA component of BMV.
Methamphetamine-Induced Oxidation of Proteins and Alterations in Protein Processing

Methamphetamine (METH) is a CNS stimulant with high potential for abuse. Moreover, studies of human METH abusers reveal evidence of neurotoxicity as indicated by long-term decreases in the neuronal marker, n-acetylaspartate (Ernst et al, 2000), and in animals, long-term decreases in markers of dopamine (DA) and 5-HT terminals, including decreases in DA and 5HT transporters and content, VMAT2, and tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases. Despite these findings, it is unclear if these changes are indicative of actual neuronal damage, although recent evidence indicates that oxidative stress, hyperglutamatergic activity and microglial activation have important roles.
The Calculation of Total Solids by Means of the Sharp and Hart Equation

Summary There is an error in the derivation of the Sharp and Hart equations. By correcting this error, an equation is obtained which yields values for total solids which are approximately three-fourths per cent higher.
Oropharyngeal Swallow Efficiency as a Representative Measure of Swallowing Function

The purpose of this investigation was to correlate oropharyngeal swallow efficiency (OPSE), a summary measure of swallowing function, with its component variables. Videofluorographic assessment of oropharyngeal swallow resulted in the measurement of multiple measures of swallow function in five patient populations and a group of normal volunteers. In total, 759 swallows were studied in 149 persons. Specific dimensions of impairment were identified in the patient groups. Multiple regression analyses were used to relate multiple component variables to OPSE. In patient groups with distinct swallow impairments, OPSE was shown to be representative of the dimensions of impairment. In patient groups with limited impairment and in normal volunteers, the strongest correlates of OPSE were bolus transit times. In all groups, at least four variables were significantly related to OPSE and the squared multiple correlation coefficients ranged from 76% to 89%. We conclude that oropharyngeal swallow efficiency is a representative summary measure of swallowing function across populations characterized by a wide range of swallowing impairment.
Histopathological survey of male gonads offish from petroleum production and control sites in the Gulf of Mexico

Testes, collected from 11 species of demersal and platform associated pelagic fishes, were examined microscopically for petroleum induced lesions. The fish were taken from 19 oil and gas production platforms and four control sites from the north-central Gulf of Mexico, during two periods, spring and late summer. The status of the spermatogenic cycle at the time specimens were collected correlated well with the known spawning times for the respective species of fish with one exception. Histopathological evaluation revealed acidophilic granular cells, chromatophores, degeneration and focal leucocytic aggregations as the most prominent and abundant conditions in testes, with encapsulated cysts, protozoa and helminths being observed only rarely. No evidence of adverse effects on gonadal morphology was found.
Effect of Ionizing Radiations on Plant Tissues. III. Softening and Changes in Pectins and Cellulose of Apples, Carrots, and Beetsa

SUMMARY A study was conducted of changes that occur in pectic and cellulose constituents of apple, carrot, and beet tissues as a result of treatment with gamma radiation. In apple tissues, degradation of both these constituents occurred at approximately the dose at which tissue softening could he first demonstrated, and progressed with increasing dose. The degradation of pectins was demonstrated by several criteria, such as the loss of viscosity in the individual fractions, the loss of specific viscosity calculated for a constant uronide or calcium pectate value, and by change in the soluble-insoluble pectin ratio. Cellulose degradation was characterized by a decrease in the specific viscosity calculated for 0.15% cellulose solutions. Although these findings were corroborated in carrot tissues, the softening of beets does not seem to be as clearly accompanied by such marked changes in pectins and cellulose. Whereas previously published data indicated that beets have a higher softening threshold dose than either carrots or apples, this does not explain the differences found. It is suspected that other factors, such as cell turgidity, are involved in the softening process, and is here responsible for this phenomenon.
In microdissected ductal carcinoma in situ, HER-2/neu amplification, but not p53 mutation, is associated with high nuclear grade and comedo histology.

BACKGROUND HER-2/neu and p53 are two molecular markers that have been the focus of investigation in patients with invasive breast carcinoma. However, most of the published data have relied on immunohistochemical detection of the proteins as a surrogate marker of the underlying genetic alterations, a detection method that often gives variable results due to technical factors. In addition, there are limited data documenting HER-2/neu amplification and p53 mutations in the various histologic subtypes of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The authors evaluated a series of microdissected, pure DCIS lesions comprising a spectrum of morphologic subtypes (comedo, micropapillary, papillary, cribriform, and solid) and their corresponding normal breast tissue for genetic aberrations in HER-2/neu and p53. METHODS HER-2/neu amplification was determined by differential polymerase chain reaction, and p53 mutations were identified by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. RESULTS HER-2/neu amplification was identified in 12 of 30 DCIS samples (40%), and p53 mutations were identified in 6 of 30 DCIS samples (20%). The genetic alterations were not present in any of the normal breast tissue samples. HER-2/neu amplification occurred predominantly in the comedo subtype (69% vs. 18% of the noncomedo subtype; P = 0.008) and in lesions of high nuclear grade (63% vs. 14% of low grade; P = 0.01). There was no difference in the frequency of p53 mutations among the subtypes or between low grade and high grade lesions. No correlation between the presence of the two genetic alterations was observed. CONCLUSIONS The presence of HER-2/neu amplification, but not p53 mutations, correlates with histologic subtype and nuclear grade. The relatively frequent occurrence of HER-2/neu amplification and p53 mutations in DCIS tissue and their absence in normal breast tissue suggest that these genetic aberrations are important early in breast duct carcinogenesis. Cancer 2000;89:2153–60. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Creep behavior and damage mechanisms of SiC-fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composite

Abstract The flexural creep behavior and damage mechanisms of the unnotched SCS-6 fiber-reinforced Ti-6242 matrix composite was investigated at temperatures between 550 and 700 °C and stresses ranging from 700 to 1300 MPa. Microstructural observation revealed that multiple fiber breakage, microcracking along the reaction zone-matrix interface and matrix cracking, extending from the broken fiber ends, were the major damage mechanisms during quasi-steady state creep. The stress dependence of the quasi-steady state creep rate indicates that the stress exponent increased with temperature. The creep behavior of the notched composite was also studied at initial applied stress intensity factors Ki ranging from 15 to 35 MPa m 1 2 . Multiple fiber breakage, multiple matrix cracking and significant interfacial debonding and/or cracking were observed in the notch tip damage zone.
The Investor Communication Strategies of Newspaper Corporations: A Computerized Content Analysis

The decline in readership and revenues from traditional newspaper business around the globe requires newspaper-owning corporations to find solutions to this problem while simultaneously communicating their vision for future growth to investors. This study investigates the narrative strategies used by newspaper corporations through a computerized content analysis of financial news releases. The results of the study indicate that the newspaper owners sound more certain in their communications with investors than expected by the normal range. In addition, some variations of the individual strategies showed unnecessary increases in language complexity and embellishment, which creates language that slows down the flow of information and de-emphasizes the actual actions performed by the management.
Micellar catalysis of dephosphorylation by benzimidazolide and naphth-2,3-imidazolide ions

The reactions of p-nitrophenyl diphenyl phosphate (p-NPDPP) with benzimidazolide and naphth-2,3-imidazolide ion are strongly catalyzed by micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The maximum rate enhancements are 2.5 x 10/sup 3/ and ca. 1.5 x 10/sup 4/ for benzimidazole and naphth-2,3-imidazole, respectively. The first-order rate constants go through maxima with increasing (CTAB), and for (CTAB) > 10/sup -3/ m the rate-surfactant profile is accommodated by a pseudophase model which relates rates in the micelles to the concentrations of micellar bound reactants, with the second-order rate constants in the micelle being similar to those in water. The imidazolide ions are phosphorylated by p-NPDPP and the phosphoryl intermediates can react with p-nitrophenoxide ion, regenerating starting material, or can go forward to product. 26 references.
The effect of anaerobic incubation upon 2,3-diphosphoglycerate synthesis in vitro.

In Erythrozyten ist die Synthese von 2, 3-Diphosphoglycerat aus Fructose-1, 6-diphosphat in anaerobem Milieu um 18% hoher als unter aeroben-Bedingungen. Das anaerobe Milieu steigert die Aktivitat der Glyceraldehyd-3-phosphat-dehydrogenase um 300%.
Quasiconcavity and nondominated solutions in multiobjective programming

In the multiobjective programming literature, the concavity of the objectives is usually assumed to be a sufficient condition in seeking Pareto-optimal solutions. This paper investigates nondominated solutions associated with dominance cones via the assumption of the quasiconcavity of the objectives. Necessary as well as sufficient conditions for such quasiconcave multiobjective programming problems are obtained.
Context variables in teaching 1

Abstract Increasing interest in the influences of context factors on measures of classroom processes has led to the identification of several important context variables and the development of substantive knowledge about their effects. This knowledge has been useful in revealing process‐outcome relationships that would have been masked otherwise, and in resolving discrepancies and apparent replication failures. These developments are illustrated with findings from several studies, and suggestions are offered to investigators interested in identifying relevant context factors and taking them into account in research designs.
A quantitative assay for DNA-RNA hybrids with DNA immobilized on a membrane

An improved method for the formation of DNA—RNA hybrids is described. The procedure involves immobilizing denatured DNA on nitrocellulose membrane filters, hybridizing complementary RNA to the membrane-fixed DNA, and eliminating RNA “noise”. Denatured DNA and hybridized RNA remain on the filter throughout the procedure. Unpaired RNA is removed by washing, and RNA complexed over short regions is eliminated by RNase treatment. Many samples can be easily handled, permitting kinetic and saturation studies. Large amounts-of DNA can be loaded on a filter without interfering with the efficiency of the annealing reaction. Moreover, the “noise” can be depressed to a level (0·003% of the input RNA) permitting the identification of small regions of DNA complementary to a given RNA species. The results are quantitatively more certain than annealing in liquid, since the competing DNA renaturation reaction is suppressed.
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy in children — treatment challenges

Abstract Cardiomyopathy in children accounts for greater than 50% of the cases of end-stage cardiac disease leading to heart transplantation in children. While early survival is excellent, late survival is limited with an average graft half-life of approximately 15 years in children. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is a not uncommon complication of transplantation and is the leading cause of late graft loss and retransplantation in pediatric populations. Studies of the United Network of Organ Sharing database and the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study group report rates of coronary vasculopathy that increase from 5% at 2 years to 35% at 10 years. Coronary artery vasculopathy is a complex process caused by both immune mediated endothelial dysfunction and vascular changes as well as typical cardiovascular risk factors. Unfortunately, despite vigilant surveillance protocols, new onset graft dysfunction and sudden cardiac death can be the presenting symptoms of new disease. In recent years multiple medical and adjuvant therapies have been studied in relation to potential management to minimize this disease process. Further research and collaborative multi-center trials will be the most effective means of developing strategies for the prevention and treatment of coronary vasculopathy in pediatric heart transplant patients.
Peroxisomal and mitochondrial palmitate oxidation in rat cardiac and skeletal muscles: Effects of diabetes, fasting and fat consumption

Abstract Peroxisomal lipid metabolism in several tissues is altered under conditions in which there is a relative increase in the use of fatty acids for energy (eg. diabetes, fasting and high fat-feeding). The present study was undertaken to determine if these same conditions affect peroxisomal lipid metabolism in rat cardiac and skeletal muscle; catalase activity and mitochondrial palmitate oxidation were also measured. Rats were made diabetic by Streptozotocin injection; 4 weeks later peroxisomal palmitate oxidation capacity in vitro was elevated in heart and soleus, but not in two other skeletal muscles. Mitochondrial palmitate oxidation was significantly increased in heart by the diabetic condition. In fasted rats total peroxisomal palmitate oxidation capacity was decreased in cardiac and three skeletal muscles, whereas in rats fed a high fat (70% kcals lard) diet for 3 weeks, peroxisomal palmitate oxidation capacity was increased in psoas and soleus, but not in the heart or extensor digitorus longus. Muscle catalase activity was elevated in rats made diabetic, fasted or fed a high fat diet. The results support the concept that peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation in muscle participates in the overall regulation of lipid metabolism, but may not respond solely to the amount of fatty acid potentially available as substrate.
Levels of the Vsr Endonuclease Do Not Regulate Stationary-Phase Reversion of a Lac−Frameshift Allele in Escherichia coli

Vsr endonuclease, which initiates very short patch repair, has been hypothesized to regulate mutation in stationary-phase cells. Overexpression of Vsr does dramatically increase the stationary-phase reversion of a Lac− frameshift allele, but the absence of Vsr has no effect. Thus, at least in this case, Vsr has no regulatory role in stationary-phase mutation, and the effects of Vsr overproduction are likely to be artifactual.
Scaled DCT's on input sizes that are composite

Given efficient scaled discrete cosine transforms (DCT's) of size p and q, where p and q are relatively prime, we present methods for constructing fast algorithms to compute scaled DCT's and scaled inverse DCT's of size pq. Extensions to multidimensional transforms are also given. >
Stochastic Analysis of Cascading-Failure Dynamics in Power Grids

A scalable and analytically tractable probabilistic model for the cascading failure dynamics in power grids is constructed while retaining key physical attributes and operating characteristics of the power grid. The approach is based upon extracting a reduced abstraction of large-scale power grids using a small number of aggregate state variables while modeling the system dynamics using a continuous-time Markov chain. The aggregate state variables represent critical power-grid attributes, which have been shown, from prior simulation-based and historical-data-based analysis, to strongly influence the cascading behavior. The transition rates among states are formulated in terms of certain parameters that capture grid's operating characteristics comprising loading level, error in transmission-capacity estimation, and constraints in performing load shedding. The model allows the prediction of the evolution of blackout probability in time. Moreover, the asymptotic analysis of the blackout probability enables the calculation of the probability mass function of the blackout size. A key benefit of the model is that it enables the characterization of the severity of cascading failures in terms of the operating characteristics of the power grid.
Association of the Growth Hormone Receptor d3-Variant and Catch-up Growth of Preterm Infants with Birth Weight of Less Than 1500 Grams

Background: Preterm infants with very low birth weight frequently exhibit impaired longitudinal growth during the first years of life. Recently, the d3-isoform (genomic deletion of exon 3) of the GH receptor (GHR) has been linked to an increased responsiveness to GH. Objective: Our objective was to test whether the GHRd3 isoform is associated with postnatal catch-up growth in very low birth weight preterm infants. Design and Patients: We compared the postnatal growth pattern of 77 otherwise healthy preterm infants (mean gestational age, 28.5 wk; range, 23–35 wk) with a birth weight below 1500 g (mean birth weight, 941 g) to their GHR exon 3 genotype, which was analyzed by multiplex PCR. On examination, mean age of the children was 6.0 yr (range, 4.2–8.0 yr). Results: Children homozygous or heterozygous for the GHRd3 allele showed a significantly higher rate of postnatal catch-up, compared with those homozygous for the full-length allele. Conclusions: Our results define the GHR exon 3 genotype as a predict...
Relative importance of CO2 recycling and CH4 pathways in lake food webs along a dissolved organic carbon gradient

Terrestrial ecosystems export large quantities of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to aquatic ecosystems. This DOC can serve as a resource for heterotrophic bacteria and influence whether lakes function as sources or sinks of atmospheric CO2. However, it remains unclear as to how terrestrial carbon moves through lake food webs. We addressed this topic by conducting a comparative lake survey in the northeastern U.S. along a gradient of terrestrial-derived DOC. We used naturally occurring carbon stable isotopes of CO2, particulate organic matter (POM), and crustacean zooplankton, as well as gas measurements and culture-independent assessments of microbial community composition to make inferences about the flow of terrestrial carbon in lake food webs. Stable isotope ratios of POM and zooplankton decreased with DOC and were often depleted in 13C relative to terrestrial carbon, suggesting the importance of an isotopically light carbon source. It has been proposed that the incorporation of biogenic methane (CH4) into plankton food webs would account for such trends in stable isotope ratios, but we found weak evidence for this hypothesis, on the basis of relationships of CH4, methanogenic archaebacteria, and methanotrophic bacteria in our lakes. Instead, our results are consistent with the view that phytoplankton increase their use of heterotrophically respired CO2 with increasing concentrations of terrestrialderived DOC. The effect of this CO2 recycling can be detected in the stable isotope composition of crustacean zooplankton, suggesting that the direct transfer of terrestrial DOC inputs to higher trophic levels may be relatively inefficient.
Recurrent carotid stenosis: a consequence of local or systemic factors? The influence of unrepaired technical defects.

Abstract To determine the influence of unrepaired technical defects as well as systemic risk factors for atherogenesis on carotid artery healing after endarterectomy, we conducted a prospective study using intraoperative duplex scanning with spectral analysis to establish the initial status of the artery ( N = 131 arteries), and then we studied these vessels at regular postoperative intervals with the same technique ( N = 108 arteries, 265 studies). The vessels were divided into the operated and nonoperated segments of the common, internal, and external carotid arteries, and both intraoperative image and flow data were tabulated by artery segment. The technical factors that were analyzed included defect size, defect type, adjacent segment defects, number of defects, shunt use, vessel reopening, and peak, mean, and end-diastolic frequency and velocity. The systemic risk factors studied were sex, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, randomly drawn total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and perioperative aspirin and dextran use. Data were analyzed by linear logistic regression analysis. Among the technical factors, only intraoperative defect size was significantly associated with risk of recurrent stenosis ( p = 0.0175). Although any defect size adversely affected the condition of the vessel during follow-up, the magnitude of this effect was small for smaller defects (size category 1: ≤40% stenosis or flap length ≤25% of vessel diameter). The systemic factors that were associated with risk of recurrent stenosis were hypertension ( p = 0.0002), smoking ( p = 0.0016), and randomly drawn total serum cholesterol level ( p = 0.0116). The fact that the operated segments consistently fared worse during follow-up than did the nonoperated segments ( p = 0.0044) undoubtedly reflects the inevitable trauma of the endarterectomy, but also emphasizes the important contribution of systemic risk factors in recurrent carotid stenosis. Risk factor modification may be the most effective method of ensuring the durability of carotid endarterectomy. (J VASC SURG 1990;11:448-60.)
Genomic organization of human GMEB-1 and rat GMEB-2: structural conservation of two multifunctional proteins

The glucocorticoid modulatory element binding proteins 1 and 2 (GMEB-1 and GMEB-2) are of interest both for their multiple activities (e.g. modulation of transactivation by the glucocorticoid receptor and initiation of parvovirus replication) and their membership in the emerging family of KDWK proteins. The genomic sequence of these proteins was desired in order to begin studies on the control of GMEB expression and to pursue previous evidence for significant homologies between the GMEBs. We now report the genomic sequence of human GMEB-1 and rat GMEB-2. The structure of both genes, including portions of the introns, is highly conserved. However, GMEB-1 and GMEB-2 were found to reside on chromosomes 1 and 20, respectively, demonstrating that they are encoded by distinctly different genes. Several isoforms of the GMEBs have been reported or detected in this study, and the splicing patterns were determined. The tissue distribution of each GMEB is not the same and is highest in fetal and developing tissues, consistent with previous suggestions that both homo- and hetero-oligomers may possess biological activity. The promoter region of both genes has been identified and both display high levels of transcription activity in transiently transfected cells when fused upstream of a promoterless reporter. These results indicate that the GMEBs are proteins that evolved from a single parent gene, have been highly conserved since the divergence of rats and humans and probably play important roles in development and differentiation.
Eulerian/Lagrangian Analysis for the Prediction of Cavitation Inception

An Eulerian/Lagrangian computational procedure was developed for the prediction of cavitation inception by event rate. The event rate is governed by the number distribution of nuclei, the instantaneous pressure field in the flow, the trajectory of the nuclei, and the bubble dynamics. The development of the procedure utilized an experimental database for an axisymmetric headform known as a "Schiebe" body. The demonstration of the method in axisymmetric flows is a necessary prerequisite for application to turbomachinery flows, where the issues of grid resolution of vortices and turbulence modeling are more critical. The carrier-phase flow field was computed using an Eulerian Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solver. The Lagrangian analysis was one-way coupled to the RANS solution, since at inception, the contributions of mass, momentum, and energy of the microbubbles to the carrier flow are negligible. Probability density functions for measured nuclei populations were inverted to produce a representative population of computational bubbles, whose trajectories and growth were tracked through the flow field. The trajectories were computed using Newton's second law with models for various forces acting on the bubble. The growth was modeled using the Rayleigh-Plesset equation. The important effect of turbulence was included by adding a random velocity component to the mean flow velocity by sampling a Gaussian probability density function with variance proportional to the turbulent kinetic energy at the location of the bubble and by reducing the local static pressure by a value proportional to the turbulent kinetic energy squared. The simulation results indicate agreement with experimentally observed trends and a significant event rate at cavitation numbers above visual inception. The velocity dependence of the inception data is shown to be related to the change in the nuclei population. In this paper, the Eulerian/Lagrangian formulation is presented followed by a discussion of the simulation results of the experiment reported by Meyer, Billet, and Holl (1992).
Resource scheduling on grid: handling uncertainty

The heterogeneity and the highly dynamic behavior of the grid computing demands a new class of scheduling strategies. These strategies must not only consider the instantaneous information provided by sensors, but also probabilities of the information received to keep its values in a near future.
NIR spectroscopy measurements of cognitive load elicited by GKT and target categorization

Near infrared (NIR) is a portable, safe, affordable, non-invasive and negligibly intrusive functional optical imaging modality, which enables the measurement of the metabolic changes associated with cognitive activity. In this paper, we present the experimental procedures and data analysis of the functional near infrared (fNIR) measurements acquired from the forehead during cognitive tasks. The data is collected from subjects engaged in two standardized tasks, namely, the 'target categorization' and the 'guilty knowledge test' (GKT). In the case of target categorization, the aim is to study the changes in the blood oxygenation and volume level while the participants are experiencing decrements in vigilance, increased lapses of attention, cognitive slowing. We measured 25 minutes-long blood oxygenation and volume level changes during target responses in 11 participants performing target categorization. Data analysis results revealed that the level of oxygenation changes in missed targets is higher than the level in captured targets. The blood oxygenation and volume level changes during deceptive and truthful responses were measured in 16 participants performing the GKT and analyzed using statistical data analysis. The results of our data analysis showed that the level of oxygenation changes during 'lie' task is higher than the level during 'truth' task.
Stable sets and standards of behaviour

In this paper we present a constructive, behavioural and axiomatic approach to the notion of a stable set as a model of the standard of behaviour of a social organisation. The socially stable set we introduce is a generalisation of the von Neumann-Morgenstern stable set. In contrast with the original version, our stability concept is always solvable. The standard of behaviour, reflecting the established conceptual order of a society or organisation, emerges from a dominance relation on alternative conceptions that are relevant with regard to a certain issue. This common social choice phenomenon, that permeates our societies and organisations, we have tried to clarify. Two axiomatic characterisations as well as a construction algorithm for socially stable sets are presented. These characterisations are based on behavioural postulates regarding the individual or collective strategic behaviour of effective sets. Relations between socially stable sets and other notions of stability are discussed.
Bumpversion vs. thumpversion.

A recent report of two cases of Finnovative_ restoration of sinus rhythm [1] is most interesting. The first patient who could terminate her own ventricular tachycardia by a sharp thump over her midsternum is a typical example of Fthumpversion_. The technique of a precordial thump for reverting ventricular tachycardia to sinus rhythm was first introduced by Pennington, Taylor and Lown in 1970 [2], hence the term Fthumpversion_ [3]. The second patient reported successful conversion of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response when the
Beamforming using passive nested arrays of sensors

A novel approach to beamforming using a new class of sensor arrays is proposed, which can increase the achievable degrees of freedom significantly beyond the conventional limits obtained from uniform linear arrays (ULA). This class of arrays is named as "nested arrays" since they are obtained by nesting two or more ULAs with increasing inter-sensor spacing. Using the second order statistics of the signal received by such an array in a novel way, it is possible to perform beamforming with 0(N2) de grees of freedom using only O(N) physical elements. This kind of beamforming will be shown to be essentially non linear in nature and theoretically, it is capable of nulling the effect of noise provided enough snapshots are available.l
Acquisition and retention of verbal and nonverbal information in children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure.

Background: Memory deficits are reported commonly in children with fetal alcohol syndrome. However, little is known about nonverbal memory performance in this population. Methods: The current study examined learning and memory abilities in alcohol-exposed children and nonexposed controls. Multiple verbal and nonverbal measures were used that incorporated repeated learning trials and delayed recall trials. The alcohol-exposed group included children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure with and without fetal alcohol syndrome. Children ranged in age from 8 to 16 years, and groups were matched on age, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Results: Children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure displayed deficits in learning and recall of verbal and nonverbal information across all measures. On learning trials, they recalled fewer words and displayed a lower rate of acquisition. However, when we analyzed delayed verbal recall data after controlling for initial verbal learning, group differences were not apparent. The same pattern did not occur for nonverbal information; children with prenatal alcohol exposure recalled less on delayed recall even when we accounted for initial learning. Conclusions: These data are consistent with previous studies that indicate immediate memory deficits but suggest that, at least for verbal information, delayed recall deficits in this population are better accounted for by deficits in initial learning. Importantly, a different pattern of results was demonstrated for verbal versus nonverbal information, which suggests the need for additional research in this area.
Impairment of Speech Production Predicted by Lesion Load of the Left Arcuate Fasciculus

Background and Purpose—Previous studies have suggested that patients' potential for poststroke language recovery is related to lesion size; however, lesion location may also be of importance, particularly when fiber tracts that are critical to the sensorimotor mapping of sounds for articulation (eg, the arcuate fasciculus) have been damaged. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that lesion loads of the arcuate fasciculus (ie, volume of arcuate fasciculus that is affected by a patient's lesion) and of 2 other tracts involved in language processing (the extreme capsule and the uncinate fasciculus) are inversely related to the severity of speech production impairments in patients with stroke with aphasia. Methods—Thirty patients with chronic stroke with residual impairments in speech production underwent high-resolution anatomic MRI and a battery of cognitive and language tests. Impairment was assessed using 3 functional measures of spontaneous speech (eg, rate, informativeness, and overall efficiency) as...
Least squares arrival time estimators for photons detected using a photomultiplier tube

The optimal arrival time estimators for single and multiple photons arriving at the surface of a photomultiplier tube (PMT) are developed. The optimal timing estimator considered is a weighted and nonlinear least squares estimate of the detection time for a high-gain PMT with Gaussian statistics. The least squares estimator is constructed using the mean and covariance function of the photomultiplier output for different arrival times. The root-mean-square error for the least squares arrival time estimator was calculated and compared with the performance of other common timing estimators, including the first photoelectron timing estimators, using a Burle/RCA 8850 PMT. The weighted least square arrival time estimator has been shown to outperform the leading edge and peak timing estimators. >
Sintering Behavior, Properties, and Applications of Co‐Fired Piezoelectric/Low Temperature Co‐Fired Ceramic (PZT‐SKN/LTCC) Multilayer Ceramics

Materials and processing conditions have been developed allowing co-firing of fluxed PZT-SKN materials with commercial low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) tapes. Previously, Pb(Zr0.53, Ti0.47)O3–Sr(K0.25, Nb0.75)O3 (PZT-SKN) ceramics fluxed with 1 wt% LiBiO2 and 1 wt% CuO addition were shown to sinter to high density at 900°C for 1 h, with a large d33 piezoelectric coefficient of ~415 pm/V. Currently, the master sintering curve (MSC) approach has been used to study the densification behaviors of fluxed PZT-SKN and LTCC tapes. Different sintering mechanisms for fluxed PZT-SKN ceramics and LTCC materials are confirmed by analyzing the apparent activation energy (Qa). Using knowledge gained from MSC results, an optimized sintering profile was developed. Multilayer PZT-SKN/HL2000 (HeraLock™ Tape, Heraeus) stacks co-fired at 900°C for 0.5 h maintain large piezoelectric coefficient (high field d33 > 340 pm/V). EDS analysis reveal limited interdiffusion of Pb from PZT-SKN layers in LTCC and the appearance of Al, Ca, and Si in the PZT-SKN near the PZT-SKN/LTCC interface. Further, elemental interdiffusion was not detected at the center of piezoelectric layer in PZT-SKN/LTCC multilayer ceramics and no subsequent reduction in piezoelectric coefficient d33 was observed. Finally, a piezoelectric microbalance with mass sensitivity of 150 kHz/mg was fabricated using the materials and methods developed.
Wave-like phenomena in the interplanetary plasma Mariner 2.

Interplanetary magnetic field and plasma velocity variations observed during Mariner II flight
Quasi‐static magnetospheric MHD processes and the “ground state” of the magnetosphere

The possible existence of a theoretically well-defined ground state of the earth's magnetosphere is discussed in the context of magnetic equilibrium and convection theories. The quasi-static MHD theory is reviewed and a two-dimensional model is used to show that the convecting magnetosphere can reach a steady state. It is suggested that, under the influence of convection, magnetic substorms occur periodically in the magnetosphere and are an integral part of the entire convection cycle. The concept of the ground state of the magnetosphere is examined. The term 'average magnetosphere', is proposed for defining a baseline configuration that corresponds to average solar wind conditions.
Absorption spectrum (380–700 nm) of pure water. II. Integrating cavity measurements

Definitive data on the absorption spectrum of pure water from 380 to 700 nm have been obtained with an integrating cavity technique. The results are in good agreement with those recently obtained by our group with a completely independent photothermal technique. As before, we find that the absorption in the blue is significantly lower than had previously been generally believed and that the absorption minimum is at a significantly shorter wavelength, i.e., 0.0044 ? 0.0006 m(-1) at 418 nm. Several spectroscopic features have been identified in the visible spectrum to our knowledge for the first time.
Evidence for the Reversible Stepwise Polarographic Reduction of Pyrazine from Strong Acid Media

Abstract The direct and alternating current polarography of pyrazine has been re-examined. Evidence shows that the aromatic 1,4-diazine is reduced stepwise from strong acid, and the added resolving power afforded by the a.c. technique indicates that such a mechanism may prevail up to pH 4.5. Controlled potential electrolysis of pyrazine at pH 1 produced an intense violet color whose spectral characteristics and time instability suggest the presence of an acid-stabilized radical.
Airborne Microbial Flora in a Cattle Feedlot

A total of 1,408 cattle held in eight commercial feedlot pens were used to examine the quantity and diversity of microorganisms in cattle feedlot air. The effect of two feeding patterns on the generation of airborne dust and the total numbers of microorganisms was also examined (four feedlot pens/treatment). Microbial samples were collected, and dust particles that were 2.5 μm or less in diameter were measured with a Dustrak monitor during the evening dust peak for 4 days at sites both upwind and downwind of the feedlot pens. An Andersen biological cascade sampler was employed with different medium and incubation combinations for the capture and identification of bacteria and fungi. The results showed that when bacteria were considered, only nonpathogenic gram-positive organisms were recovered. However, gram-negative bacteria may have been present in a viable but nonculturable state. Fungi were recovered in smaller numbers than bacteria, and none of the fungi were pathogenic. The Dustrak results showed that one feeding pattern resulted in cattle behavior that generated levels of downwind dust lower (P = 0.04) than the levels generated by the behavior resulting from the other feeding pattern. However, the Andersen sampler results showed that there were no differences between feeding patterns with regard to the total number or diversity of microorganisms. The disparity may have been due to the different operating principles of the two systems. The overall numbers of microorganisms recovered were lower than those reported in studies of intensively housed farm animals in which similar recovery techniques were used.
Predictability of tropical cyclone intensity: scale‐dependent forecast error growth in high‐resolution stochastic kinetic‐energy backscatter ensembles

A systematic study of the intrinsic predictability of tropical cyclone (TC) intensity is conducted using a set of cloud-resolving model ensembles of Hurricane Earl (2010). The ensembles are perturbed with a stochastic kinetic-energy backscatter scheme (SKEBS) and started from identical initial conditions. Scale-dependent error growth is investigated by imposing stochastic perturbations with various spatial scales on the TC and its environment. Predictability limits (upper bound) are determined by computing the error magnitude associated with each component of the Fourier-decomposed TC wind fields at forecast times up to 7 days. Three SKEBS ensembles with different perturbation scales are used to investigate the effects of small-scale, mesoscale and large-scale uncertainties on the predictability of TC intensity. In addition, the influence of the environmental flow is investigated by perturbing the lateral boundary conditions. It is found that forecast errors grow rapidly on small scales (azimuthal wave numbers > 20), which saturate within 6–12 h in all four ensembles, regardless of perturbation scale. Errors grow relatively slower on scales corresponding to rain bands (wave numbers 2–5), limiting the predictability of these features to 1–5 days. Earl's mean vortex and the wave number-1 asymmetry are comparatively resistant to error growth and remain predictable for at least 7 days. Forecast uncertainty of the mean vortex and wave number-1 asymmetry is greater in the large-scale perturbation and perturbed lateral boundary condition ensembles. The results from this case indicate that the predictability of the mean vortex and wave number-1 asymmetry is predominately associated with the predictability of the large-scale environment, which is generally much longer than that of convective-scale processes within the TC.