cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracking the Hemodynamic Responses to Reward and Punishment in the Striatum

Research suggests that the basal ganglia complex is a major component of the neural circuitry that mediates reward-related processing. However, human studies have not yet characterized the response of the basal ganglia to an isolated reward, as has been done in animals. We developed an event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm to identify brain areas that are activated after presentation of a reward. Subjects guessed whether the value of a card was higher or lower than the number 5, with monetary rewards as an incentive for correct guesses. They received reward, punishment, or neutral feedback on different trials. Regions in the dorsal and ventral striatum were activated by the paradigm, showing differential responses to reward and punishment. Activation was sustained following a reward feedback, but decreased below baseline following a punishment feedback.
A study of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) in pregnancy management and a survey of guideline awareness

Introduction: A recent report showed PE as a major cause of maternal death in the UK (CMACE,BJOG 2011;118(Suppl.1):1-203); delays in diagnostic tests, treatment and poor knowledge of radiological safety are contributing factors. The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists provides a protocol for suspected PE (Greer, I.A.et al.RCOG Green-top Guideline No.28 Feb 2007). Aims:To gauge the level of guideline-awareness in medical trainees and evaluate the management of suspected PE in pregnancy in a UK District Hospital. Methods: A survey of medical trainee knowledge of investigative pathways, radiation-exposure risks and guideline awareness. We also analysed management of pregnant women with suspected PE between 2009-11. Results: 76% of medical trainees and 58% of Respiratory SpRs were unaware of guidelines and had poor knowledge of radiation risks. View this table: Table 1 41 women had symptoms of PE and were investigated as shown. ![Figure][1] 3 patients had PE confirmed(7.3%). Only 15% of women were investigated as per RCOG guidelines. Conclusion: Our study revealed poor guideline-awareness for PE in pregnancy highlighting the need for better dissemination of these guidelines to medical trainees. [1]: pending:yes
Quantitative methods in archaeology: A review of recent trends and developments

This paper reviews recent developments in the application of quantitative methods to archaeological research and focuses upon three major themes: the development of so-called designer methods, which are quantitative methods created to solve specific problems; the resurgence of whole-society modeling through a variety of formal and mathematical approaches; and trends in the the teaching of quantitative methods at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Not surprisingly, different subfields have had greater success than others in the development of useful methods, and the causes of this are explored. Finally, suggestions for improving training in the use of these methods are offered.
Thermodynamic functions of a spin glass

Abstract We have measured the specific heats of several dilute ZnMn alloys, and from these results have found simple analytic expressions for the free energy, internal energy, entropy and specific heat of this typical spin glass alloy.
Comparison of native prothrombin antigen with the prothrombin time for monitoring oral anticoagulant prophylaxis.

BACKGROUNDOral anticoagulation is most frequently monitored using the prothrombin time, but an alternative approach is measurement of native, fully carboxylated, prothrombin antigen (NPA). We have correlated results of the prothrombin time and NPA with development of venous thrombosis or bleeding complications in a clinical trial of warfarin prophylaxis following total hip arthroplasty to determine the potential value of NPA measurement for monitoring oral anticoagulation.METHODS AND RESULTSPatients in one arm of a prospective, randomized trial received warfarin prophylactically beginning 10 to 14 days before total hip arthroplasty in a dose adjusted to prolong the international normalized ratio (INR) to 1.5 on the day of surgery and 2.5 after surgery. NPA was measured by ELISA, and the prothrombin time was measured using rabbit brain thromboplastin. Samples were tested from 97 patients, and data from 81 patients who had adequate venography were analyzed to correlate test results with occurrence of thromb...
High performance management of shared‐managed joint venture teams: contextual and socio‐dynamic factors

Evidence from joint venture research points to the vital role of the group of individuals who manage the administration of the venture. Venture managers face challenges that may not be present in top management teams within the hierarchy of a firm. Despite substantial research on joint ventures, understanding of this unique management group remains rudimentary. This article focuses on management processes in shared‐managed joint ventures. It suggests that the evolution and effectiveness of the management team in joint ventures may be facilitated by certain key contextual and individual level factors. Looking at venture management as an inter‐organizational group of people composed of members representing parent organizations whose behavior is regulated by a common set of expectations can give clues to the special nature of joint venture management tasks. The individuals nominated to the team as well as some key performance‐facilitating contextual factors may affect team effectiveness. Research and practical implications are offered.
Stabilization of Controlled Current Induction Motor Drive Systems via New Nonlinear State Observer

In this paper a new bilinear and nonlinear second-order state observer which is globally asymptotically stable is constructed to estimate the unmeasurable state variables. Then an unstable controlled current induction motor drive system which cannot be stabilized by a linear state observer is successfully stabilized by feeding the reconstructed state variables from the nonlinear observer to the frequency control channel. This scheme is easily implementable, resulting in an asymptotically stable overall closed-loop system. These results are numerically verified by simulation.
The ionization energy of the diazomethyl radical HCNN

Abstract The structure and vibrational frequencies of the HCNN radical and the HCNN + cation have been calculated using ab initio methods. Both the lowest triplet and lowest singlet states of the cation have been determined. In the X 3 Σ − state the ion is linear, whereas it is bent in the a 1 A ′ state. Using a complete basis set method, the ionization energy for the process yielding the X 3 Σ − state of the cation is calculated as 9.63±0.04 eV. That for the process yielding the a 1 A ′ state of the cation is 10.33±0.04 eV.
Tissue—Serum Correlates of Digoxin—Amiodarone Pharmacokinetic Interaction in Rats: Evidence for Selective Tissue Accumulation and Reduced Tissue Binding

The pharmacokinetic interaction between digoxin (1) and amiodarone (2) has drawn increasing attention during recent years, but the tissue correlates of such an interaction are not known. This issue was therefore investigated in three groups of Sprague—Dawley rats. When 1 alone was given (250 μg/d), the serum concentration of 1 was 0.88 ± 0.36 ng/mL; when 1 was combined with 2 (66 mg/kg/d), the level of 1 was 2.62 ± 1.23 ng/mL (p < 0.05) and was 5.49 ± 1.07 ng/mL (p < 0.05) when the dose of 2 was 132 mg/kg/d. These increases correlated with the serum levels of 2 and the deethyl metabolite 3. The myocardial level of 1 was 29.40 ± 1.34 ng/g without 2; after a low dose of 2, it was 35.80 ± 7.52 ng/g (nonsignificant) and, after a high dose, it was 42.80 ± 7.20 (p < 0.05). In skeletal muscle, the level of 1 was 22.50 ± 14.7 ng/g without 2, 41.00 ± 2.45 ng/g (p < 0.05) after a low dose, and 77.60 ± 17.45 ng/g (p < 0.05) after a high dose. The corresponding values for the brain were 32.20 ± 5.60 ng/g, 48.20 ± 7.60 ng/g (p < 0.05), and 60.90 ± 11.00 ng/g (p < 0.05). The tissue—serum ratios for 1 in all three tissues were reduced by 2, suggesting a decrease in the tissue binding of the glycoside. There was less uptake of 1 in the myocardium compared with uptake in the skeletal muscle and brain. This may account for the greater central nervous system and neuromuscular toxicity than direct myocardial toxicity secondary to a rise in serum levels of 1 following therapy with 2. These data thus provide further insights into the nature of the interaction between 1 and 2.
Measured and predicted char reactivity of three U. S. coals

Abstract The overall surface reactivity of three pulverized U.S. coals has been determined. The experiments were carried out in an atmospheric flow-tube reactor with mean gas temperatures between 1180 and 1940 K. Oxygen partial pressures were approximately 0.075 atm. The mean char surface reactivity of the three directly fired coals varied from 0.045 kg/m 2 ·s at a particle temperature of 1330 K, to 0.125 kg/m 2 ·s at 2075 K. These reactivity values are less than the diffusion limit and indicate that heterogeneous kinetics limited the overall reactivity. These results agree to within a factor of 2 of previously reported reactivity for prepared chars from coals of similar rank. Reactivity calculations based on the pore-tree model of Simons and Finson and a single-pore-size model predict mean experimental reactivity to within a factor of 2. Uncertainty in the data precludes choosing one model over the other; however, the temperature dependence of the reactivity suggests a non-Arrhenius form of intrinsic reactivity.
Nonlinear programming the choice of direction by gradient projection

Rosen's method of Gradient Projection chooses a search direction which is not necessarily the direction of steepest ascent. However, the projection of the gradient onto a “suitably chosen subspace” does yield the direction of steepest ascent. The suitable choice is easily recognized as a result of some theorems relating gradient projection to steepest ascent. These results lead to a modification of Rosen's method. The modification improves the choice of search direction and usually yields the steepest ascent direction without solving a quadratic programming problem.
Respiratory changes observed in abnormally developing rat embryos.

Abnormally developing embryos from maternal rats treated with the teratogenic folic acid antagonist 9-methyl pteroylglutamic acid were evaluated for their capacity to consume oxygen in a Warburg constant volume respirometer. Experimental and control embryonic preparations, with extraembryonic membranes intact, were maintained individually in culture media during the full time course of a manometric determination. During the period of the vitamin deficiency the experimental embryonic preparations were found to consume oxygen at a significantly greater rate than did control embryos of the same age. The Qo2 for the abnormally developing embryos returned to the control value 24 hours after maternal treatment was terminated. During the period of vitamin deficiency the dry and wet weights of the experimental embryos were less than those of the controls. Subsequent to the deficiency period these attributes gradually returned to control levels. Changes in the oxygen consumption of experimental embryonic preparations were related to the embryo itself and not to the surrounding extraembryonic membranes.
Individual differences in time needed for learning: A review of literature

Although it has been established that students differ in the amount of time needed for learning, time to learn (TTL) is a variable that has not been adequately researched, accurately measured, or effectively used in educational practices for either diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. Resting on the thesis that time is an important factor in school learning, this article reviews research dealing with time in both laboratory and school‐based learning, summarizes major theoretical conceptualizations of time and learning, evaluates methods by which TTL has been measured, discusses learner and task characteristics that correlate with TTL, and, finally, suggests some implications of using a TTL measure to predict achievement and to modify schooling practices.
Ignition studies of dodecane and binary mixtures of dodecane and tetralin

The cool flame ignition characteristics of dodecane in air have been studied in a static system at temperatures in the range 523–623 K. The effects of initial temperature and pressure on the induction period preceding the first cool flame were determined along with the effect of initial pressure on the cool flame intensity. These results for dodecane are consistent with those for lower molecular weight alkanes. The aromatic fuel tetralin was added to dodecane in concentrations of 5, 10 and 20% by vol. In general, the addition of the tetralin increased the induction period. The pressuretemperature boundary which separates the regions of slow combustion and cool flames was determined for each mixture. At the higher temperatures the addition of the tetralin had little effect on the boundary over that of the pure dodecane/air mixtures. As the temperature decreased however, the tetralin began to have a significant effect, increasing the minimum pressure for the appearance of cool flames. At the lowest temperature studied, this effect on the pressure was proportional to the amount of tetralin added. Overall activation energies were determined, the values of which increased with an increase in tetralin. This suggests that the activation energy may be useful in characterizing the ignitability of these particular mixtures.
Heisenberg chain with impurities (an integrable model)

Abstract We present an integrable model describing the interaction of spin- S impurities with an isotropic Heisenberg chain. The model is diagonalized and its thermodynamics formulated.
Rapamycin Rescues TDP-43 Mislocalization and the Associated Low Molecular Mass Neurofilament Instability

TDP-43 is a nuclear protein involved in exon skipping and alternative splicing. Recently, TDP-43 has been identified as the pathological signature protein in frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin-positive inclusions and in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In addition, TDP-43-positive inclusions are present in Parkinson disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and 30% of Alzheimer disease cases. Pathological TDP-43 is redistributed from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it accumulates. An approximately 25-kDa C-terminal fragment of TDP-43 accumulates in affected brain regions, suggesting that it may be involved in the disease pathogenesis. Here, we show that overexpression of the 25-kDa C-terminal fragment is sufficient to cause the mislocalization and cytoplasmic accumulation of endogenous full-length TDP-43 in two different cell lines, thus recapitulating a key biochemical characteristic of TDP-43 proteinopathies. We also found that TDP-43 mislocalization is associated with a reduction in the low molecular mass neurofilament mRNA levels. Notably, we show that the autophagic system plays a role in TDP-43 metabolism. Specifically, we found that autophagy inhibition increases the accumulation of the C-terminal fragments of TDP-43, whereas inhibition of mTOR, a key protein kinase involved in autophagy regulation, reduces the 25-kDa C-terminal fragment accumulation and restores TDP-43 localization. Our results suggest that autophagy induction may be a valid therapeutic target for TDP-43 proteinopathies.
Calculation of Misfit Dislocations and Dangling Bond Densities in Abrupt Hg 1-x Cd x Te Heterojunctions

Based on the classical theory of epitaxial crystal growth, the misfit dislocations and dangling bond densities of abrupt (111) Hg l-xCdxTe heterojunctions have been calculated. It is assumed that the misfit between layers with compositions xi and x2 is accommodated by edge dislocations lying along the directions. This is in agreement with recent experiments on the growth of Hgl-xCdxTe epitaxial layers. For the case where (x2-x1) >0.1 the dangling bond density is on the order of 1011cm-2. Such large dangling bond densities may produce high interface recombination velocities or band-bending at the interface.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Document image content inventories

We report an investigation into strategies, algorithms, and software tools for document image content extraction and inventory, that is, the location and measurement of regions containing handwriting, machine-printed text, photographs, blank space, etc. We have developed automatically trainable methods, adaptable to many kinds of documents represented as bilevel, greylevel, or color images, that offer a wide range of useful tradeoffs of speed versus accuracy using methods for exact and approximate k-Nearest Neighbor classification. We have adopted a policy of classifying each pixel (rather than regions) by content type: we discuss the motivation and engineering implications of this choice. We describe experiments on a wide variety of document-image and content types, and discuss performance in detail in terms of classification speed, per-pixel classification accuracy, per-page inventory accuracy, and subjective quality of page segmentation. These show that even modest per-pixel classification accuracies (of, e.g., 60-70%) support usefully high recall and precision rates (of, e.g., 80-90%) for retrieval queries of document collections seeking pages that contain a given minimum fraction of a certain type of content.
Surface-emitting laser-based optical switching: An update

The properties of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) and VCSEL-based optical switches using MOCVD-grown epitaxial material are discussed and summarized. Also discussed are some of the factors that limit their performance.
Clinical value of bronchial provocation testing in childhood asthma

Abstract Previous studies have shown a positive relationship between the results of skin tests, radioallergosorbent tests, and bronchial provocation testing. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of skin and bronchial provocation testing to determine the extent to which the results of provocation testing could be predicted from puncture and intracutaneous skin tests. In the 1,596 provocation tests performed in 276 patients, more than 90% of patients with a wheal greater than or equal to 5 mm in diameter on skin testing by puncture technique using 1:20 wv allergen extract experienced positive reactions on provocation testing for most antigens. If the wheal produced by puncture testing was less than 5 mm in diameter, a large wheal on intracutaneous testing only slightly increased the likelihood of a positive challenge, but if the wheal on intracutaneous testing was less than 5 mm, a positive challenge did not occur. It is concluded that the results of provocation tests may often be predicted from simple skin testing, and that in clinical use, provocation testing is likely to be useful primarily in patients for whom skin testing indicates moderate sensitization to allergens.
Migraine diagnosis and treatment.

Migraine is a prevalent condition that causes significant disability in otherwise healthy persons. Diagnosis is clinical, based on recognition of a constellation of signs and symptoms. Treatment includes nonpharmacologic management, including lifestyle alterations, abortive treatment of individual attacks, and preventive medications for patients with frequent or troublesome attacks. Guidelines are available that summarize the quality of evidence for individual interventions, but treatment must be individualized.
The Patterns of Drug and Alcohol Use and Associated Problems Over 30 Years in 397 Men

Author(s): Schuckit, Marc A; Smith, Tom L; Kalmijn, Jelger A | Abstract: BackgroundAlcohol and drug use disorders (AUDs and SUDs) and their combination are relatively common and often occur together. However, the relationships of potential early life correlates of alcohol and drug disorders to the combined diagnoses have rarely been evaluated in long-term prospective studies or in populations at high risk of one of these diagnoses but not the other.MethodsData were analyzed from 397 males (half with an alcohol-dependent father) who had no AUDs or SUDs at age 20 and who were followed approximately every 5 years for 3 decades. Early life correlates and the course of AUDs, SUDs, and combined disorders were evaluated for 4 groups of subjects based on subsequent alcohol and/or drug diagnoses.ResultsWhile the overall rates of the development of AUDs and SUDs were 41 and 21%, respectively, the rates of the second substance-related diagnosis were almost 2-fold higher for individuals who had the first condition. Among potential risk factors, scores for externalizing traits were elevated for men with AUDs, SUDs, and their combination, but a low level of response (low LR) to alcohol was associated only with the risk of AUDs, even when observed in the context of SUDs. The same earlier life characteristics that related to AUDs and to SUDs also related to the combination of these diagnoses in the same person. Finally, in this prospective study, subjects with both AUDs and SUDs had a more severe course than subjects with either condition alone.ConclusionsThis prospective evaluation of a group at high risk of AUDs confirmed the selective impact of the low LR on the risk of AUDs, the relationship of externalizing characteristics to both AUDs and SUDs and confirmed the more severe clinical course for both conditions when seen together.
Computer games for the elderly

Technology holds great promise for enhancing the lives of elders generally. The American Society on Aging has taken a leading role in its efforts toward achieving greater awareness of the problems and issues in adapting technology to meet the needs of elders. Their National Forum on Technology and Aging has the goal of “improving the quality of life of our aging nation through the utilization of technology” (Technology and Aging Conference Brochure, 1987, p. 5). Today’s elders have lived through many technological changes. They have been exposed to numerous innovations including the automobile, airplane, telephone, television, and the computer.
Clinic- and Home-Based Contingency Management Plus Parent Training for Adolescent Cannabis Use Disorders

Objective The aim of this study was to conduct a randomized test comparing 2 multicomponent, contingency management interventions, 1 with and 1 without a full parent training curriculum, and an individual treatment for adolescent cannabis use disorders. Method A total of 153 adolescents who met DSM-IV criteria for cannabis abuse or dependence were randomized to motivational enhancement therapy/cognitive-behavioral therapy (MET/CBT), MET/CBT+abstinence-based contingency management (CM), or MET/CBT+CM+Parent Training (PT). Results Overall, during treatment, abstinence was greater for youth receiving clinic- and home-based CM without PT compared to those who received individual MET/CBT. There was no additional benefit of the full PT curriculum on marijuana use, youth externalizing problems, or parenting. Conclusion These results suggest that clinic- plus home-based CM for cannabis use disorders can increase rates of abstinence during treatment over and above an evidence-based treatment (individual MET/CBT), but in this study the addition of a comprehensive parenting training curriculum did not further enhance efficacy. Clinical trial registration information Treatment for Adolescent Marijuana Abuse; http://clinicaltrials.gov; NCT00580671.
Ultrahigh-resolution colocalization of spectrally separable point-like fluorescent probes.

An ultrahigh-resolution colocalization method based on the simultaneous acquisition and analysis of spectrally separated images of the excitation point-spread function of point-like fluorescent probes is reviewed. It is shown that molecular distances can be measured with accuracy better than 10 nm using conventional far-field optics. A detailed account of the methodology, theoretical considerations, signal processing, and data fitting algorithms is given.
Basic characteristics of the fall tourism market

Abstract To mitigate the ill-effects of seasonality in the tourism industry, efforts to attract tourists during non-peak seasons must become more effective, but this can be accomplished only by better understanding the nature of low season markets. To enhance our understanding of the fall tourism market, this article presents insights gained from a telephone survey of households in the Great Lakes region. Fall tourists, compared to their summer counterparts, were found to be older, less likely to travel with children, and less active in recreation. Fall color viewing rarely motivated trips and was much more prevalent as an ancillary activity. Distinct types of fall tourists were identified based on patterns of participation in trip activities and whether trips began during the early, middle, or late fall.
Glacial recharge and paleohydrologic flow systems in the Illinois basin: Evidence from chemistry of Ordovician carbonate (Galena) formation waters

The Illinois basin provides an opportune setting for elucidating the roles of remnant evaporite brines and meteoric waters in the evolution of formation waters in an intracratonic sedimentary basin. Formation waters from carbonate reservoirs in the Upper Ordovician Galena Group have been analyzed geochemically to study the origin of their salinity, their chemical and isotopic evolution, and their relationship to paleohydrologic flow systems. Chloride/bromide ratios and CI/Br-Na/Br relations indicate that initial brine salinity resulted from subaerial evaporation of seawater rather than from halite dissolution. Subsequent subsurface dilution of the brines by meteoric waters is disclosed by δD-δ 18 O covariance; however, the remnant evaporite brine has not been completely expelled from these Ordovician strata. Galena formation waters have 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios that range from 0.708 17 (a value nearly equal to that of coeval seawater) to 0.710 43. This is the greatest range of Sr isotopic ratios found in waters from any stratigraphic unit in the basin. Two fluid mixing events are revealed in plots of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr vs. 1/Sr: introduction of 87 Sr-enriched fluids from a siliciclastic source, probably overlying Maquoketa shale, and a later event that only affected reservoir waters in the western shelf of the basin. General covariance between Sr and H-O isotopes suggests that the later event is related to meteoric water recharge. The point of intersection of the δD-δ 18 O trend with the meteoric water line implies that this mixing event involved Pleistocene glacial meltwater that recharged Galena reservoirs near outcrops along the western margin of the basin. Ordovician Galena formation waters are geochemically distinct from those in both Silurian-Devonian and Mississippian-Pennsylvanian strata, a distinction that has evidently been maintained by the overlying Maquoketa regional aquitard.
In vivo 7 5 Se binding to human plasma proteins after administration of 7 5 SeO32

Abstract Binding of 7 5 Se to plasma proteins was studied in four cancer patients who received 200–250 μCi of 7 5 SeO32− (1.25 μg of selenium) intravenously for tumor scans. During the hour after injection, the 7 5 Se disappeared rapidly from the plasma. Gel filtration chromatography and dialysis experiments indicated that a large amount of the 7 5 Se returned to the plasma bound to protein between 1 and 6 h after injection. Up to 16% of the plasma 7 5 Se was found in very-low-density lipoproteins and low-density lipoproteins as early as 3 mikn after injection but very little 7 5 Se was found in high density lipoproteins. The very low density lipoprotein 7 5 Se activity declined very rapidly whereas low density lipoprotein 7 5 Se activity fell more slowly. Zonal ultracentrifugal studies of one subject's lipoproteins revealed a continuum of 7 5 Se-binding proteins from the very low density lipoprotein peak to the low density lipoprotein peak. Most of the 7 5 Se could be removed from the lipoproteins by denaturation with 8 M urea or treatment with 0.5 M mercaptoethanol. These treatments removed very little of the 7 5 Se from plasma collected 48 h after injection indicating a different type of binding of selenium in lipoproteins than in other plasma proteins.
Probing the functionalities of αGlu328 and αAla74 of vibrio harveyi luciferase by site-directed mutagenesis and chemical rescue

This work aimed at identifying essential residues on the alpha subunit of Vibrio harveyi luciferase and elucidating their functional roles. Four conserved alpha-subunit residues at the proposed luciferase active site were initially mutated to Ala. Screening of the in vivo bioluminescence of cells expressing these mutated luciferases allowed the work to focus on alphaGlu328 for additional mutations to Phe, Leu, Gln, His, and Asp. V. harveyi luciferase is known to contain, at the same proposed active site, an unusual cis-peptide linkage between alphaAla74 and alphaAla75. To explore the structure-function relationship, luciferase variants alphaA74F and alphaA74G were constructed. The six alphaGlu328-mutated and the two alphaAla74-mutated luciferase variants were purified and characterized with respect to Vmax, Michaelis constants, light and dark decays, quantum yield, and, for alphaE328F and alphaA74F, yield of the 4a-hydroperoxyFMN intermediate and the ability to oxidize aldehyde substrate. Results indicated that the structural integrities of both alphaGlu328 and alphaAla74 were essential to luciferase bioluminescence activity. Moreover, the essentiality of alphaGlu328 was linked to the acidic nature of its side chain. The low activity of alphaE328A was sensitive to chemical rescue by sodium acetate, an effect that was not reproduced by phosphate. The efficiency of activity rescue by acetate progressively increased at lower pH in the range from 6.0 to 8.0, supporting the interpretation of alphaGlu328 as a catalytic general acid. The rescuing effect of acetate was on a reaction step after the formation of the 4a-hydroperoxyFMN intermediate. The exact catalytic function of alphaGlu328 is unclear, but possibilities are discussed.
Modifications of traditional rice production practices in the developing world: An energy efficiency analysis

Abstract Modifications of rice production practices are examined using the process method of energy analysis. Human and animal labor inputs, equipment requirements and auxilliary inputs of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and irrigation are calculated for various agricultural methods. Each operation in the cultivation process, i.e., seeding, land preparation, harvesting and threshing is examined with respect to cultural energy inputs. Traditional, transitional (labor intensive), Green Revolution (capital intensive) and experimental (intermediate) methods of rice production are compared by computing the ratio of food energy output to cultural energy input. For all methods of rice production, there is a greater energy output of food produced compared to cultural energy used for production. Comparative efficiencies are also calculated for each production method, contrasting the minimum amount of energy required to produce a specific quantity of rice with the actual amount of energy required. Measured in this way, the transitional method is seen as the most effective modification of the traditional method (a comparative efficiency of 48.0), compared with the experimental method (33.6) and the Green Revolution method (21.0).
EMPLOYING A NEW, BVI c PHOTOMETRIC SURVEY OF IC 4665 TO INVESTIGATE THE AGE OF THIS YOUNG OPEN CLUSTER

We present a new, BVI{sub c} photometric survey of the young open cluster IC 4665, which improves on previous studies of this young cluster by incorporating a rigorous standardization procedure, thus providing high-fidelity colors and magnitudes for cluster members. We use this new photometric dataset to reevaluate the properties (age and distance) of IC 4665. Namely, using a statistical approach incorporating {tau}{sup 2} color-magnitude diagram modeling, we measure a pre-main-sequence (PMS) isochrone age and distance of 36 {+-} 9 Myr and 360 {+-} 12 pc, as well as an upper-main-sequence turn-off age and distance of 42 {+-} 12 Myr and 357 {+-} 12 pc. These ages and distances are highly dependent on the isochrone model and color used for the fitting procedure, with a possible range of {approx}10-20 Myr in age and {approx}20 pc in distance. This spread in calculated ages and distances seen between colors and models is likely due to limitations in the individual membership catalogs and/or systematic differences in the predicted stellar parameters from the different sets of models. Interestingly, when we compare the isochrone ages for IC 4665 to the published lithium depletion boundary (LDB) age, 28 {+-} 5 Myr, we observe that this cluster doesmore » not appear to follow the trend of isochrone ages being 1.5 times smaller than LDB ages. In addition, comparing the overall magnetic activity (X-ray and H{alpha} emission) in IC 4665 with other well-studied open clusters, we find that the observed activity distributions for this young cluster are best characterized by assuming an age of 30-40 Myr, thus in agreement with our PMS and turn-off isochrone ages for IC 4665. Overall, although some age discrepancies do exist, particularly in the ages measured from PMS isochrones, the range of possible IC 4665 ages derived from the various dating techniques employed here is relatively small compared to that found for other well-studied open clusters.« less
Modeling susceptibility to landslides using the weight of evidence approach: Western Colorado, USA

Abstract The Paonia–McClure Pass area of Colorado is well known for active mass movements. We examined 735 active shallow movement features, including debris flows, debris slides, rock slides and soil slides, in this area. Identification of the hazardous areas is a fundamental component of disaster management and an important basis for promoting safe human occupation and infrastructure development in landslide prone areas. Bayes' theorem, based on the weight of evidence (WOE), was used to create a map of landslides that could be hazardous. The modeling was accomplished by employing a geographical information system (GIS) and a statistical package. Seventeen factors that cause landslides were measured and weighted using the WOE method to create a map of areas susceptible to landslides. The maps of weighted factors were summed on a pixel-by-pixel basis after performing chi-square tests to determine factors that are conditionally independent of each other. By combining factors that represent topography, hydrology, geology, land cover, and human influences, six models were developed. The performance of each model was evaluated by the distribution of the observed landslides. The validity of the best map was checked against landslides, which were not entered in the analysis. The resulting map of areas susceptible to landslides has a prediction accuracy of 78%.
Microelectromechanical Devices: An Overview

ABSTRACT Recent advances in the technology of silicon micro - fabrication, building upon the fabricationtechnologies of microelectronics, have led to a capability for the fabrication of micromechanical components and devices that can be incorporated on a silicon chip, along with electronic components. Early products using this technology are already on the market. They use passive mechanical structures, such as diaphragms for pressure transducers or cantilever beams for accelerometers. During the summer of 1988, a rotating electrostatic micromotor was fabricated and operated, and it is now expected that sensors with active micromechanical components will be developed. This technologyoffers the possibility of fabricating complex mechanical systems at extremely low cost, and it could leadto a major new industry. 1. INTRODUCTION Microelectronic devices are ubiquitous. One is seldom more than a few inches from some microelectronic device, from watches to cars, clocks to microwave ovens, televisions and hi -fi sets, tocalculators and computers. The characteristics of these devices that led to their present status includesmall size, low power requirements, great versatility in performing many functions that enhance otherproducts, invisibility to the users, and, above all, extremely low cost.
Application of microcomputer in submicron level measurements and control of a positioning device

This article demonstrates an application of a microcomputer in the area of automated manufacturing, in particular to the measurement and control of a positioning device with the accuracy level of less than 1 μm. The positioning device is generally used for calibration or testing purposes to check the dimensional accuracy of manufactured parts. Here, however, it is utilized for calibration of artifacts like scales, grid plates, calipers, etc. The artifacts are widely used in industry as a referencing device to determine whether the manufactured product meets dimensional quality requirements whilst maintaining high reliability and speeding up quality control operations. The critical challenge here is to develop an automated two-dimensional precision grid plate testing system which measures an array of grid points premarked on a grid plate. The grid plates discussed in this paper are generally glass plates with some type of symmetric marks placed on the glass surface. The goal is to use off-the-shelf type of equipment such as laser interferometer, precision positioning stage, computer controlled machine vision system and a host microcomputer, and integrate them to build a low-cost, practical system usable for the grid plate calibration services. This requires the development of compatible hardware and software protocols. The initial assessment of the test setup indicates that the present system can measure locations of grid points with an accuracy of 0.5 μm. Further improvements to the system are also suggested.
Preferred host stages, clutch size, and sex allocation by Cirrospilus coachellae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a parasitoid of the citrus peelminer Marmara gulosa (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) with a view to its rearing and release as a biological control agent

Abstract Cirrospilus coachellae Gates (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is the principal parasitoid of larvae of the citrus peelminer, Marmara gulosa Guillen and Davis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), in the desert grapefruit region of southern California and Arizona. M. gulosa or possibly a congener has recently been introduced into the San Joaquin Valley of central California, but without the parasitoid. Efforts have been underway to rear and release C. coachellae from southern California, so far without any success, and now Mexico. It is a synovigenic, facultatively gregarious, ectoparasitic idiobiont, whose clutch size depends on the size of its host. C. coachellae prefers the larger, sapfeeding instars (⩾0.35 mm) to which it allocates one to ten offspring per host larva (x = 2.5/host) infesting grapefruit both in the laboratory and the field. The sex ratio of C. coachellae offspring allocated to a M. gulosa larva is female biased both in the laboratory and the field and consisted mostly of a single male offspring coupled with a clutch of several female offspring or, less frequently, two male offspring associated with clutches of several female offspring. However, the pattern of sex allocation was more female biased for parasitoid clutches allocated to hosts parasitized in the laboratory than in the field and similarly sized clutches were more likely to be all female and they were allocated to larger hosts in the laboratory rearings than in the field parasitized hosts.
Service Needs for Incarcerated Adults: Exploring Gender Differences

Although men comprise the largest segment of the jail population, women are entering jails at increasingly higher rates than men. Previous research has found that incarceration is associated with multiple factors, including homelessness, substance use disorders, and mental illness, however, gender differences in services needs for female and male inmates is understudied. This study explores gender differences among a representative sample of incarcerated individuals (n = 725) from a Midwestern, urban jail. Women in the sample presented with higher rates of homelessness prior to incarceration, anticipated postincarceration homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorder, and trauma histories than men, as well as higher rates of multiple and co-occurring risk factors. These findings point to the need for social work interventions initiated at jail intake. Such interventions could impact parenting, housing stability, and mental health and prevent future incarceration, reoffending and relapse for...
Catalyzing NO to N2O in the Nitrogen Cycle

The great planetary nitrogen cycle, which includes the cyclic conversion of nitrogen gas (N2) into “fixed” nitrogen that can be used by plants, is in large part mediated by metalloenzymes that catalyze the elementary chemical reactions. On page 1666 of this issue, Hino et al. ( 1 ) take an important step toward understanding the chemical function and evolution of one of these enzymes. They describe the structure of a nitric oxide reductase (NOR) from a common bacterium that plays an important role in the nitrogen cycle—and in human disease.
The psycho‐femme: Identity norm violations and the interactional dynamics of assignment

This research examines the social category of “psycho” as it applies to women in psycho‐femme thrillers, a film genre identified in the analysis. Psycho‐femme thrillers use a female lead who is in social and psychological conflict with other film characters, who are usually women. The conflicts emanate from the female lead and focus on her behavior and social relationships. This article illuminates the importance of identity norm violations in defining the psycho‐femme and the social contextual dynamics involved in the process of assignment. Finally, the larger, symbolic importance of film characterizations of the women “psycho” is discussed. The films examined were major releases from 1992 and 1993; they involved a woman or women as the main character; the lead female, character was presented as psychologically deviant; and they were found to constitute a unique film genre.
The theory of impedance in biological systems

The basic relations of impedance as they pertain to biological systems is slowly varying electric fields are developed. One of the boundary conditions for the quasi-steady state is derived in terms of impedance rather than the limiting case of resistance. Then, given a complete schedule of conditions, the equation of Maxwell for a single membrane-covered sphere is derived in terms of impedance. Cole's relations are then obtained for a thin membrane. The analysis is extended to obtain Cole's relations for a suspension of spheres and alternative boundary conditions are suggested to remove ambiguities in Cole's work. A similar procedure is then applied to a membrane-covered cylinder and a flat sheet with membranous walls. Equations are also derived for experimental systems using electrodes with spherical or cylindrical symmetry.
Crystal structure of human type III 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/bile acid binding protein complexed with NADP(+) and ursodeoxycholate.

The crystal structure of human type III 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD)/bile acid binding protein (AKR1C2) complexed with NADP(+) and 3alpha,7beta-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanic acid (ursodeoxycholate) at 3.0 A resolution is presented. Thus, the three-dimensional structure has now been solved for a human HSD member of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily. AKR1C2 is implicated in the prostatic production of the potent androgen 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone and the hepatic transport of bile acids. It also catalyzes the formation of the neurosteroid 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one in the central nervous system, and its allosteric modulation by fluoxetine has been linked to the use of this drug for premenstrual dsyphoria. Like other members of the superfamily, AKR1C2 folds into an alpha/beta-barrel and binds NADP(+) in an extended conformation. The carboxylate of ursodeoxycholate binds to AKR1C2 in the oxyanion hole at the active site. More interestingly, the orientation of ursodeoxycholate is essentially "backwards" and "upside-down" from that observed for testosterone in the related rat 3alpha-HSD.NADP(+).testosterone ternary complex, where testosterone assumes the position of a 3-ketosteroid substrate. The orientation of ursodeoxycholate is thus similar to that expected of a 17beta-HSD substrate. The ternary structure explains the ability of AKR1C2 to catalyze 3alpha-, 17beta-, and 20alpha-HSD reactions. Comparison of the steroid binding pocket of AKR1C2 with that of rat 3alpha-HSD reveals significant differences in the positions of conserved and nonconserved loop residues, providing insights into the structural basis for the functional flexibility that is observed in all the human 3alpha-HSD isoforms but not in the rat isoform.
Streptococcus pneumoniae in Biofilms Are Unable to Cause Invasive Disease Due to Altered Virulence Determinant Production

It is unclear whether Streptococcus pneumoniae in biofilms are virulent and contribute to development of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Using electron microscopy we confirmed the development of mature pneumococcal biofilms in a continuous-flow-through line model and determined that biofilm formation occurred in discrete stages with mature biofilms composed primarily of dead pneumococci. Challenge of mice with equal colony forming units of biofilm and planktonic pneumococci determined that biofilm bacteria were highly attenuated for invasive disease but not nasopharyngeal colonization. Biofilm pneumococci of numerous serotypes were hyper-adhesive and bound to A549 type II pneumocytes and Detroit 562 pharyngeal epithelial cells at levels 2 to 11-fold greater than planktonic counterparts. Using genomic microarrays we examined the pneumococcal transcriptome and determined that during biofilm formation S. pneumoniae down-regulated genes involved in protein synthesis, energy production, metabolism, capsular polysaccharide (CPS) production, and virulence. We confirmed these changes by measuring CPS by ELISA and immunoblotting for the toxin pneumolysin and the bacterial adhesins phosphorylcholine (ChoP), choline-binding protein A (CbpA), and Pneumococcal serine-rich repeat protein (PsrP). We conclude that biofilm pneumococci were avirulent due to reduced CPS and pneumolysin production along with increased ChoP, which is known to bind C-reactive protein and is opsonizing. Likewise, biofilm pneumococci were hyper-adhesive due to selection for the transparent phase variant, reduced CPS, and enhanced production of PsrP, CbpA, and ChoP. These studies suggest that biofilms do not directly contribute to development of IPD and may instead confer a quiescent mode of growth during colonization.
Cassini's Maneuver Automation Software (MAS) Process: How to Successfully Command 200 Navigation Maneuvers

To keep Cassini on its complex trajectory, more than 200 orbit trim maneuvers (OTMs) have been planned from July 2004 to July 2010. With only a few days between many of these OTMs, the operations process of planning and executing the necessary commands had to be automated. The resulting Maneuver Automation Software (MAS) process minimizes the workforce required for, and maximizes the efficiency of, the maneuver design and uplink activities. The MAS process is a well-organized and logically constructed interface between Cassini's Navigation (NAV), Spacecraft Operations (SCO), and Ground Software teams. Upon delivery of an orbit determination (OD) from NAV, the MAS process can generate a maneuver design and all related uplink and verification products within 30 minutes. To date, all 112 OTMs executed by the Cassini spacecraft have been successful. MAS was even used to successfully design and execute a maneuver while the spacecraft was in safe mode.