cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene conversions within the skeletal myosin multigene family.

Abstract Comparisons of the nucleotide sequences of the light meromyosin (LMM) region of developmentally regulated fast chicken myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms indicates that chicken MHC isoforms are more similar to each other than to MHC isoforms in other species. The sequence data provide evidence that gene conversion events have occurred recently among the isoforms. An embryonic (C emb1 ) isoform and neonatal isoform have the most extensive regions of sequence identity. Similar gene conversion events are present in the rat α- and β-cardiac MHCs, but were not obvious in the LMM of developmentally regulated fast human MHC isoforms. The data suggest that gene conversion events can play a significant role in the evolution of the MHC multigene families and that concerted evolution of the chicken multigene family occurred after the divergence of mammals and avians.
Unfazed or Dazed and Confused: Does Early Adolescent Marijuana Use Cause Sustained Impairments in Attention and Academic Functioning?

There is some suggestion that heavy marijuana use during early adolescence (prior to age 17) may cause significant impairments in attention and academic functioning that remain despite sustained periods of abstinence. However, no longitudinal studies have examined whether both male and female adolescents who engage in low (less than once a month) to moderate (at least once a monthly) marijuana use experience increased problems with attention and academic performance, and whether these problems remain following sustained abstinence. The current study used within-individual change models to control for all potential pre-existing and time-stable confounds when examining this potential causal association in two gender-specific longitudinal samples assessed annually from ages 11 to 16 (Pittsburgh Youth Study N = 479; Pittsburgh Girls Study N = 2296). Analyses also controlled for the potential influence of several pertinent time-varying factors (e.g., other substance use, peer delinquency). Prior to controlling for time-varying confounds, analyses indicated that adolescents tended to experience an increase in parent-reported attention and academic problems, relative to their pre-onset levels, during years when they used marijuana. After controlling for several time-varying confounds, only the association between marijuana use and attention problems in the sample of girls remained statistically significant. There was no evidence indicating that adolescents who used marijuana experienced lingering attention and academic problems, relative to their pre-onset levels, after abstaining from use for at least a year. These results suggest that adolescents who engage in low to moderate marijuana use experience an increase in observable attention and academic problems, but these problems appear to be minimal and are eliminated following sustained abstinence.
Amorphous silicon floating-gate thin film transistor

Amorphous silicon (a-Si) based memory devices have the potential to greatly expand the functionality of a-Si thin-film transistor (TFT) circuitry. Recently, an a-Si floating gate TFT (FGTFT) based memory element has been demonstrated, but th e memory window was only 0.5V an d the retention time was only ~1hour [1]. Furthermore, a-Si FGTFTs in general have a threshold voltage which depends on th e drain voltage. In this work, we explore the effects of tunnel dielectric deposition condition and floating gate (FG) geometry on the performance of a-Si FGTFT. Throug h this analysis, we achieved a-Si FGTFTs with memory windows of >4V, room temperature retention times of >150 hours and threshold voltages (V T ) which are independent of the drain voltage.
Next-to-leading-order QCD corrections to jet cross sections and jet rates in deeply inelastic electron-proton scattering.

Jet cross sections in deeply inelastic scattering in the case of transverse photon exchange for the production of (1+1) and (2+1) jets are calculated in next-to-leading-order QCD (here the "+1" stands for the target remnant jet, which is included in the jet definition). The jet definition scheme is based on a modified JADE cluster algorithm. The calculation of the (2+1) jet cross section is described in detail. Results for the virtual corrections as well as for the real initial- and final-state corrections are given explicitly. Numerical results are stated for jet cross sections as well as for the ratio $\frac{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{(2+1)\mathrm{jet}}}{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{tot}}}$ that can be expected at E665 and DESY HERA. Furthermore the scale ambiguity of the calculated jet cross sections is studied and different parton density parametrizations are compared.
Optimum Adsorbent Volume in Liquid Adsorption Chromatography

Abstract Chromatographic resolution in liquid-solid adsorption columns was analytically investigated to determine the adsorbent fraction in a column in terms of the solvent distribution coefficient. The quantitative results show that the resolution can be improved up to several times depending on the adsorbent fraction in the column and the solvent distribution coefficient.
Economic Content in Medical Journal Advertisements for Medical Devices and Prescription Drugs

Background: Previous studies of economic content in medical journal advertisements have not examined all types of economic content and have not included advertisements for medical devices. Objective: To examine trends in the economic content of medical device and pharmaceutical advertisements in medical journals. Methods: Three reviewers examined pharmaceutical and medical device advertisements in six leading medical journals from 1997 through 2006. Product characteristics, economic claims and evidence to support those claims were evaluated. Results: Economic content appeared in 23.5%(561/2389) of pharmaceutical and device advertisements; 11.9% made market share claims and 12.7% made other economic claims. From 1997 through 2006, the percentage of medical device advertisements containing economic content declined from 26.7% to 6.7% (p = 0.02), whereas the percentage of pharmaceutical advertisements containing economic content remained stable (21.6–22.0%; p= 0.99). For pharmaceuticals, price claims declined significantly (15.7-4.2%; p< 0.01) and market share claims increased (2.8–11.5%; p= 0.09), and both consistently presented evidence (83% and 98%, respectively) while other types did not (e.g. 13.5%of formulary claims). Medical device economic claims differed from pharmaceutical economic claims; they made fewer market share claims (1.1% vs 12.8%) but more cost-effectiveness (6.5%vs 0.6%) and reimbursement (4.9% vs 0.8%) claims. Fewer than 2%of device advertisements with economic claims provided supporting evidence. Conclusion: The prevalence and type of economic content in pharmaceutical and device advertisements changed between 1997 and 2006, which may reflect evolving market dynamics, such as changes in reimbursement systems. Furthermore, the lack of supporting evidence in medical device advertisements and pharmaceutical formulary claims are potential areas of concern that require additional scrutiny by regulators and journal editors.
Constructing Victims: The Erasure of Women's Resistance to Sexual Assault

How do the news media portray women's resistance to sexual assault? We analyze articles from a systematic sample of 16 U.S. newspapers across 1 full calendar year to assess whether and how newspapers describe women's resistance. We find that in most cases, newspaper reports reinforce the belief that women are incapable of effectively defending themselves. Most articles fail to mention women's resistance or do so only to note its failure; the longer the article, the more likely it is to follow these patterns. Headlines exaggerate these patterns, presenting virtually no evidence that the articles that follow, or that assaults themselves, contain any female resistance or agency. In only a very small minority of cases are women described as strong, competent actors with the ability to defend themselves against violence. We conclude with a discussion of the potential individual and societal consequences of these patterns.
SYNTHESIS OF N-SUBSTITUTED POLYETHYLENIMINES WITH POLARIZABLE SIDE-CHAIN PENDENT GROUPS

Two new N-substituted polyethylenimines containing carbazole and acridone groups on the side chains were prepared. The polymers were obtained by cationic ring opening polymerization of the corresponding 2-oxazoline monomers. The carbazole containing oxazoline was low melting and could be polymerized in bulk; however the acridone containing monomer had a high melting point and solution polymerization had to be used. This paper describes the synthetic procedures used to obtain these polymers.
Identity and Predication in Plato

Among the Platonic statements that have most agitated his commentators, from Aristotle’s time down to the present, are those in which he seems to be saying (and with great confidence, too, as though there were no question about it) that beauty itself is beautiful, justice itself is just, largeness is large, piety is pious, and the like. On the one hand, these statements are considered by many to involve some sort of category-mistake or serious ambiguity: beauty itself, they say, is not the sort of thing that can be beautiful, at least not in the same sense in which people, statues, paintings, or pieces of music are beautiful. And likewise with justice itself, largeness itself, and the other Ideas. On the other hand, though, there is the awkward fact that these so-called “self-predications” cannot be lightly dismissed as mere lapsus linguae on the part of our author, for they seem essentially related to his doctrine that each Idea is a paradigm or perfect exemplar for the particulars that fall under it; beauty itself is said not only to be beautiful, but to be the most beautiful thing of all.
A functional zeolite analogue assembled from metalloporphyrins

The assembly of molecular building blocks with metal ions genera-ting microporous network solids has been the focus of intense activity1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12. Because of their potential applications associated with channels and cavities, such materials have been examined for size- and shape-selective catalysis, separations, sensors, molecular recognition and nanoscale reactors. Within this context, assemblies of robust and chemically versatile porphyrin and metalloporphyrin building blocks remain rare. Supramolecular architectures of porphyrin solids based on weak van der Waals interactions13,14, hydrogen bonding15,16 and metal-ligand coordination networks17,18,19,20,21,22,23 have been reported. Although there are frequent allusions to zeolite-like microporosity from crystallography and loss of initial guest solvent molecules, evidence of functional microporous behaviour is scarce. We have demonstrated repeatable sorption–desorption with high selectivity on the basis of size, shape and functional group of the sorbate by a microporous metalloporphyrin solid in analogy to zeolites.
Adaptive coherence conditioning

Recently there has been much interest in design of systems to manage signal and noise environments adaptively with resource strategies that are optimized for detection performance. These approaches are particularly important for scenarios where the noise environment can change and therefore affect the amount of resources necessary for detection and estimation. A common way to manage these tradeoffs uses a min-max estimation strategy to handle the worst case signal and noise distribution and set resources and detection thresholds accordingly. In many of these approaches however, the difficulty of setting the number of resources to achieve the min-max bound for the worst case probability are difficult to gauge. We propose an approach that considers resource allocation as a problem in sparse approximation. The idea is to measure the current probability distribution and adapt to stay within the worst case bound while using the minimum number of resources necessary.
Insulin-like growth factor I increases brain growth and central nervous system myelination in tTransgenic mice

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a potent regulator of oligodendrocyte development and myelination in vitro, but its effect on myelination in vivo has never been tested directly. Therefore, we examined brain growth and myelination in a transgenic mouse line that overexpresses IGF-I. By postnatal day 55, when brain growth and myelination are essentially complete in normal mice, the brains of transgenic mice were 55% larger than those of controls owing to an increase in cell size and apparently in cell number. Most or all brain structures appeared to be affected. At the same time, total myelin content of the transgenic mice was 130% greater than that of controls. Oligodendrocyte number as a percentage of total cell number was not increased in the transgenic mouse brains; the increase in myelin content was primarily the result of an increase in myelin production per oligodendrocyte. These findings indicate that IGF-I is a potent inducer of brain growth and myelination in vivo.
Testing homogeneity of capture probabilities of animals in a removal experiment

Consider the removal experiment used to estimate population sizes. Statistical methods towards testing the homogeneity of capture probabilities of animals, including a graphical diagnostic and a formal test, are presented and illustrated by real biological examples. Simulation is used to assess the test and compare it with the χ2 test.
Hospitalization for variceal hemorrhage in an era with more prevalent cirrhosis

AIM: To examine hospitalization rates for variceal hemorrhage and relation to cause of cirrhosis during an era of increased cirrhosis prevalence. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients with cirrhosis and gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage who were admitted to a tertiary care referral center from 1998 to 2009. Subjects were classified according to the etiology of their liver disease: alcoholic cirrhosis and non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Rates of hospitalization for variceal bleeding were determined. Data were also collected on total hospital admissions per year and cirrhosis-related admissions per year over the same time period. These data were then compared and analyzed for trends in admission rates. RESULTS: Hospitalizations for cirrhosis significantly increased from 611 per 100000 admissions in 1998-2001 to 1232 per 100000 admissions in 2006-9 (P value for trend < 0.0001). This increase was seen in admissions for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis (P values for trend < 0.001 and < 0.0001 respectively). During the same time period, there were 243 admissions for gastroesophageal variceal bleeding (68% male, mean age 54.3 years, 62% alcoholic cirrhosis). Hospitalizations for gastroesophageal variceal bleeding significantly decreased from 96.6 per 100000 admissions for the time period 1998-2001 to 70.6 per 100000 admissions for the time period 2006-2009 (P value for trend = 0.01). There were significant reductions in variceal hemorrhage from non-alcoholic cirrhosis (41.6 per 100000 admissions in 1998-2001 to 19.7 per 100000 admissions in 2006-2009, P value for trend = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Hospitalizations for variceal hemorrhage have decreased, most notably in patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis, and this may reflect broader use of strategies to prevent bleeding.
Vadose zone modeling of dispersed waste sites in the framework of an integrated stochastic environmental transport and impacts assessment code for the Hanford Site

The system assessment capability (SAC) is the first total-system stochastic simulator to address inventory distribution, environmental release and transport, and impacts to human health and ecological, economic, and cultural resources from hundreds of radiological and chemical waste disposal sites for the entire Hanford Site in southeast Washington State. Flow and contaminant transport modeling in the vadose zone at 720 individual sites has been integrated into the SAC stochastic software framework using the STOMP code, providing the means to define release to the regional aquifer to support the SAC groundwater transport model. Important features, events, and processes including remedial actions, time-variant natural infiltration rates, and high volume aqueous-phase discharges were addressed in the software and data. A separate data extraction program, VZGRAB, was developed to enable analysts to aggregate vadose zone release data across the hundreds of waste sites in various ways following a SAC simulation to develop an improved understanding of the system performance and uncertainty aspects.
EXCITED ELECTRONIC STATES OF ARYLBUTATRIENES

Electronic absorption spectra for 1,1,4,4-tetraphenylbutatriene (TPBT), 1,4-bis(9-xanthylidene)ethene (BXBT), and 1,1,4,4-dibiphenylenebutatriene (DBBT) have been measured and assigned with the aid of semiempirical INDO/S-SCI calculations. Geometries used for the INDO/S calculations were obtained by computing fully optimized structures for the arylbutatrienes with the AM1 Hamiltonian. The theoretical structure for TPBT is in good agreement with published X-ray data. Theory indicates that the nature of S1 and S2 depends upon the aryl substituent. For TPBT, S1 and S2 are both B1 and show considerable CI mixing of π→π* (HOMO→LUMO) and π‘→π* (HOMO-1→LUMO). For BXBT, S1 (B1u) is π→π* and S2 (B1g) is π‘→π*, whereas for DBBT the description of S1 and S2 is inverted from that of BXBT. These predictions are supported by several pieces of absorption and luminescence data. The effects of rotating the TPBT phenyl groups have been studied theoretically. Inclusion of doubly excited configurations in the INDO/S calculat...
In vivo covalent cross‐linking of cellular actin by the Vibrio cholerae RTX toxin

Enteric pathogens often export toxins that elicit diarrhea as a part of the etiology of disease, including toxins that affect cytoskeletal structure. Recently, we discovered that the intestinal pathogen Vibrio cholerae elicits rounding of epithelial cells that is dependent upon a gene we designated rtxA. Here we investigate the association of rtxA with the cell-rounding effect. We find that V.cholerae exports a large toxin, RTX (repeats-in-toxin) toxin, to culture supernatant fluids and that this toxin is responsible for cell rounding. Furthermore, we find that cell rounding is not due to necrosis, suggesting that RTX toxin is not a typical member of the RTX family of pore-forming toxins. Rather, RTX toxin causes depolymerization of actin stress fibers and covalent cross-linking of cellular actin into dimers, trimers and higher multimers. This RTX toxin-specific cross-linking occurs in cells previously rounded with cytochalasin D, indicating that G-actin is the toxin target. Although several models explain our observations, our simultaneous detection of actin cross-linking and depolymerization points toward a novel mechanism of action for RTX toxin, distinguishing it from all other known toxins.
Computer-generated performance feedback in the magazine-subscription industry

Abstract Despite the demonstrated importance of feedback for the successful implementation of many organizational systems, few research studies have examined the influence of computer-generated feedback on an individual. A field experiment was conducted to assess the relation of computer-generated feedback to an individual's task performance. Sixty male and female magazine subscription processors working with assigned goals received either specific or general feedback from a computer monitoring system. This feedback was presented to the worker by a supervisor or self-generated by the worker using the computer system. The results demonstrate that feedback source (self versus supervisor) and specificity (general versus specific) were directly related to performance. In addition, task planning mediated the effect of feedback specificity on performance; trust in the feedback predicted an individual's level of performance. The findings are presented as an elaboration of the role of computer-achieved feedback in an organization.
Localized juvenile periodontitis and generalized severe periodontitis: clinical findings.

Abstract Medically healthy subjects (N=103), 10–32 years of age, with localized (juvenile periodontitis = JP) or generalized (severe periodontitis=SP) advanced periodontal disease were analyzed for interrelationships of sex, race, age and clinical findings. Females predominated (2:1) in both JP and SP. There were significantly more subjects of the black race in JP, but when age was included as a cofactor the race distinction became insignificant. While whole mouth Plaque and Gingival Indices were lower in JP, these values at sites with attachment loss were equally high in both groups. Extent of disease was significantly related to both plaque and age in SP, and to plaque but not to age in JP. This suggests the existence of a factor(s) in JP which interfere(s) with the age-plaque-disease relationships found in SP and present in adult periodontitis. Contrary to implications of some definitions of JP, periodontal attachment loss was strongly associated with plaque and gingival inflammation in both localized and generalized patterns of disease.
Evaluation of human N-linked glycosylation sites in murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor☆

Abstract Nonglycosylated murine and human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor have a molecular mass of ∼14.5 kDa predicted from the primary amino acid sequence. The expression of both proteins in COS cells leads to a heterogeneous population of molecules that differ in the degree of glycosylation. Both human and murine molecules contain two N-linked glycosylation sites that are situated in nonhomologous locations along the linear sequence. Despite this difference both proteins show a similar size distribution among the glycosylation variants. These studies analyze the effects of introducing in the murine protein novel N-linked glycosylation sites corresponding to those sites found in the human molecule. A panel of molecules composed of various combinations of human N-linked glycosylation sites in either the presence or the absence of murine N-linked glycosylation was compared. Substitution of a proper human N-linked glycosylation consensus sequence at Asn 24 did not result in N-linked glycosylation, nor was there any considerable effect on bioactivity. Replacement of the N-linked glycosylation consensus sequence at Asn 34 results in glycosylation similar to that found in the human molecule and causes a significant decrease in bioactivity. These data suggest that the position of N-linked glycosylation is critical for maximal bioactivity in a particular species and that the changes in position of these sites in different species probably occurred during evolution in response to changes in their receptors.
Effect of screening for coronary artery disease using CT angiography on mortality and cardiac events in high-risk patients with diabetes: the FACTOR-64 randomized clinical trial.

Importance Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus, yet CAD often is asymptomatic prior to myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary death. Objective To assess whether routine screening for CAD by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes deemed to be at high cardiac risk followed by CCTA-directed therapy would reduce the risk of death and nonfatal coronary outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants The FACTOR-64 study was a randomized clinical trial in which 900 patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes of at least 3 to 5 years’ duration and without symptoms of CAD were recruited from 45 clinics and practices of a single health system (Intermountain Healthcare, Utah), enrolled at a single-site coordinating center, and randomly assigned to CAD screening with CCTA (n = 452) or to standard national guidelines–based optimal diabetes care (n = 448) (targets: glycated hemoglobin level 50 mg/dL [women] or >40 mg/dL [men], triglycerides level Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality, nonfatal MI, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization; the secondary outcome was ischemic major adverse cardiovascular events (composite of CAD death, nonfatal MI, or unstable angina). Results At a mean follow-up time of 4.0 (SD, 1.7) years, the primary outcome event rates were not significantly different between the CCTA and the control groups (6.2% [28 events] vs 7.6% [34 events]; hazard ratio, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.49-1.32]; P = .38). The incidence of the composite secondary end point of ischemic major adverse cardiovascular events also did not differ between groups (4.4% [20 events] vs 3.8% [17 events]; hazard ratio, 1.15 [95% CI, 0.60-2.19]; P = .68). Conclusions and Relevance Among asymptomatic patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, use of CCTA to screen for CAD did not reduce the composite rate of all-cause mortality, nonfatal MI, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization at 4 years. These findings do not support CCTA screening in this population. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00488033
Ecological implications of parameter uncertainty in stochastic simulation

Abstract The parameters of mechanistic formulations may be viewed as values that are constant in nature but are imperfectly known, or as probabilistic values with real-time variability. Conventional Monte Carlo methods simulate the first form of uncertainty of the second type may be assessed by methods related generally to random differential equations: (1) analytical solution of simple random differential equations, (2) first-order variance propagation analysis, and (3) simulation with continuously varying stochastic parameters. Each of these implies specific, different assumptions about the time scale of parameter variability underlying the stochastic predictions. The first two methods assume instantaneous probability distributions for parameters. The third method, simulation with stochastic parameters, quantifies the uncertainty in the results due to the limited temporal precision inherent in the formulations. A simple model of algal competition demonstrated that the ecological implications and empirical results of Monte Carlo and stochastic parameter simulations were significantly different. In contrast to the Monte Carlo method, simulations with stochastic parameters were closely related to the deterministic solution using mean values of parameters, and remained plausible for large, ecologically realistic coefficients of variation for the parameters. Stochastic uncertainty should be evaluated using different methods, depending on whether the goal is (1) to rank the relative importance of the parameters solely within the context of the model, (2) to infer plausible values for poorly known parameters, or (3) to display the range of predictions consistent with a specified variability of parameters.
Toward Design of an Environment-Aware Adaptive Locomotion-Mode-Recognition System

In this study, we aimed to improve the performance of a locomotion-mode-recognition system based on neuromuscular-mechanical fusion by introducing additional information about the walking environment. Linear-discriminant-analysis-based classifiers were first designed to identify a lower limb prosthesis user's locomotion mode based on electromyographic signals recorded from residual leg muscles and ground reaction forces measured from the prosthetic pylon. Nine transfemoral amputees who wore a passive hydraulic knee or powered prosthetic knee participated in this study. Information about the walking terrain was simulated and modeled as prior probability based on the principle of maximum entropy and integrated into the discriminant functions of the classifier. When the correct prior knowledge of walking terrain was simulated, the classification accuracy for each locomotion mode significantly increased and no task transitions were missed. In addition, simulated incorrect prior knowledge did not significantly reduce system performance, indicating that our design is robust against noisy and imperfect prior information. Furthermore, these observations were independent of the type of prosthesis applied. The promising results in this study may assist the further development of an environment-aware adaptive system for locomotion-mode recognition for powered lower limb prostheses or orthoses.
Superrotation induced by critical-level absorption of gravity waves on Venus - An assessment

Critical-level absorption of a continuous spectrum of vertically propagating gravity waves is proposed as the mechanism for supporting the superrotation in the deep Venus atmosphere (below the cloud deck). It is shown that the observed westerly zonal wind effectively separates regions where waves of opposite phase speeds are absorbed, leading to westerly mean-flow acceleration below the clouds and easterly above. Using the diagnostic results of Hou and Goody (1985), a quantitative assessment of the required wave spectrum and fluxes of energy and momentum is obtained, and it is shown that they are compatible with observational constraints.
Apparatus designed to produce uniform experimental wounds.

A machine has been designed, constructed and effectively used to produce a standard reproducible wound in experimental animals. With this apparatus, investigations into the factors significant in wound healing are facilitated by reducing the number of uncontrolled parameters.
Climatic Data and National Suicide and Homicide Rates

Both suicide and homicide rates (per 100,000 population) were higher in nations with greater rainfall. Suicide rates were higher in the more northern nations while homicide rates were higher in the nations with more elevated terrain. Language: en
Flow-injection analysis with the iron-induced perbromate-iodide reaction: spectrophotometric determination of iron.

Abstract Total iron is determined by a flow-injection spectrophotometric technique. The production of I − 3 from the iron(II)- or iron(III)-induced perbromate—iodide reaction is monitored at 353 nm. Calibration graphs are linear from 10 to 100 ng/ml with correlations up to 0.9998 and can be extended up to 10 μg/ml by appropriate adjustment of conditions. The average sampling rate is 30 samples/hr. Detection limits and relative standard deviations compare well with those of other FIA methods.
α-Tocopheryl phosphate – An active lipid mediator?

The vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol, alphaT) derivative, alpha-tocopheryl phosphate (alphaTP), is detectable in small amounts in plasma, tissues, and cultured cells. Studies done in vitro and in vivo suggest that alphaT can become phosphorylated and alphaTP dephosphorylated, suggesting the existence of enzyme(s) with alphaT kinase or alphaTP phosphatase activity, respectively. As a supplement in animal studies, alphaTP can reach plasma concentrations similar to alphaT and only a part is dephosphorylated; thus, alphaTP may act both as pro-vitamin E, but also as phosphorylated form of vitamin E with possibly novel regulatory activities. Many effects of alphaTP have been described: in the test tube alphaTP modulates the activity of several enzymes; in cell culture alphaTP affects proliferation, apoptosis, signal transduction, and gene expression; in animal studies alphaTP prevents atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and induces hippocampal long-term potentiation. At the molecular level, alphaTP may act as a cofactor for enzymes, as an active lipid mediator similar to other phosphorylated lipids, or indirectly by altering membrane characteristics such as lipid rafts, fluidity, and curvature. In this review, the molecular and cellular activities of alphaTP are examined and the possible functions of alphaTP as a natural compound, cofactor and active lipid mediator involved in signal transduction and gene expression discussed.
Object discrimination by pigeons: effects of object color and shape

Can nonhuman animals attend to visual stimuli as whole, coherent objects? We investigated this question by adapting for use with pigeons a task in which human participants must report whether two visual attributes belong to the same object (one-object trial) or to different objects (two-object trial). We trained pigeons to discriminate a pair of differently colored shapes that had two targets either on a single object or on two different objects. Each target equally often appeared on the one-object and two-object stimuli; therefore, a specific target location could not serve as a discriminative cue. The pigeons learned to report whether the two target dots were located on a single object or on two different objects; follow-up tests demonstrated that this ability was not entirely based on memorization of the dot patterns and locations. Additional tests disclosed predominate stimulus control by the color, but not by the shape of the two objects. These findings suggest that human psychophysical methods are readily applicable to the study of object discrimination by nonhuman animals.
Anecdotes [virtual machines]

The author explains how 'virtual' came into the everyday computing lexicon. The term virtual was borrowed from optics in the 1980s and has become a major term in computing today. In its broadest sense, virtual machine refers to the universality of the computer: with sufficient memory, any computer can simulate any other if we simply load it with software simulating the other computer.
MiniCon: A scalable algorithm for answering queries using views

The problem of answering queries using views is to find efficient methods of answering a query using a set of previously materialized views over the database, rather than accessing the database relations. The problem has received significant attention because of its relevance to a wide variety of data management problems, such as data integration, query optimization, and the maintenance of physical data independence. To date, the performance of proposed algorithms has received very little attention, and in particular, their scale up in the presence of a large number of views is unknown. We first analyze two previous algorithms, the bucket algorithm and the inverse-rules, and show their deficiencies. We then describe the MiniCon, a novel algorithm for finding the maximally-contained rewriting of a conjunctive query using a set of conjunctive views. We present the first experimental study of algorithms for answering queries using views. The study shows that the MiniCon scales up well and significantly outperforms the previous algorithms. We describe an extension of the MiniCon to handle comparison predicates, and show its performance experimentally. Finally, we describe how the MiniCon can be extended to the context of query optimization.
Strings on curved space-times : black holes, torsion, and duality

Abstract We present a general discussion of strings propagating on noncompact coset spaces G/H in terms of gauged WZW models, emphasizing the role played by isometries in the existence of target-space duality. Fixed points of the gauged transformations induce metric singularities and, in the case of abelian subgroups H, become horizons in a dual geometry. We also give a classification of models with a single timelike coordinate together with an explicit list for dimensions D ⩽ 10. We study in detail the class of models described by the cosets SL(2, R ) ⊗ SO(1, 1) D −2 /SO(1, 1). For D ⩾ 2 each coset represent space-time geometries: (2d black hole) ⊗ R D−2 and (3d black string) ⊗ R D−3 with nonvanishing torsion. They are shown to be dual in such a way that the singularity of the former geometry (which is not due to a fixed point) is mapped to a regular surface (i.e. not even a horizon) in the latter. These cosets also lead to the conformal field theory description of known and new cosmological string models.
In‐situ detection of OH in the lower stratosphere with a balloon borne high repetition rate laser system

Midday stratospheric OH density measurements have been carried out within the altitude interval of 31 to 24 km using the laser-induced fluorescence technique deployed on a balloon-borne gondola launched from Palestine, Texas on July 15, 1987. Laser output at 282 nm is produced with a pulsed, 17 kHz repetition rate, copper vapor laser pumped tunable dye laser. The OH mixing ratio ranged from 16 + or - 5 ppt at 31 km to 4 + or - 3 ppt in the 27 to 24 km region. Simultaneous ozone and water vapor measurements were also obtained with separate instruments.
A data abstraction approach to database modelling

Attempts have been made for some time to reconcile the notions of data base modelling and data abstraction. Considering the overlapping concepts of information hiding and encapsulation from the data abstraction world, and data independence from the database world, it should not be necessary to design yet another programming language as others have done, specialized to a particular data model. Instead, the starting point for our work has been the proposition that an extant general purpose language providing data abstractions should be able to accommodate the popular data models by serving both as a data definition and manipulation language. The criticism has been made that while abstract data types hide the representation details, they also suppress the semantic structure of the data. While this may be true for “programming in the small” [2], it is not the case for “programming in the large” [2]. We will briefly indicate how a CLU-like language [4] (hereafter called XPLS) with minor extensions, plus its supporting module interconnection language (hereafter called the External Structure) can be used as a data-base definition and manipulation language. XPLS has been designed as a front end to PL/I and is supported by a preprocessor to the PL/I compiler. It turns out that XPLS plus External Structure supports and meshes more smoothly with a semantic data model (for example: [1], [3],[5], [6]) than with the older data models. Our work differs from a number of recent specialized languages which exploit data abstractions and strong type checking but which are based on the relation as a primitive data type. Our approach is not based on any particular data model.
Packet loss due to encryption in space data systems

This paper analyzes the probabilities of data packet loss for both an encrypted channel in self-synchronous cipher feedback mode and a nonencrypted channel, in the space data systems. Simulation results show reasonable agreement with analytical results. When channel bit error probability is 10/sup -5/ and the total number of packets per frame is 3, the analytical model gives 0.39% packet loss while the simulation gives 0.22% packet loss due to encryption. Although the analysis is performed for the space data systems, the resulting derived equations with minor change will be useful in many packet communication applications. >
Interactions between Areas I and II Direct pdx-1 Expression Specifically to Islet Cell Types of the Mature and Developing Pancreas

PDX-1 regulates transcription of genes involved in islet beta cell function and pancreas development. Islet-specific expression is controlled by 5'-flanking sequences from base pair (bp) -2917 to -1918 in transgenic experiments, which encompasses both conserved (i.e. Area I (bp -2761/-2457), Area II (bp -2153/-1923)) and non-conserved pdx-1 sequences. However, only an Area II-driven transgene is independently active in vivo, albeit in only a fraction of islet PDX-1-producing cells. Our objective was to identify the sequences within the -2917/-1918-bp region that act in conjunction with Area II to allow comprehensive expression in islet PDX-1(+) cells. In cell line-based transfection assays, only Area I effectively potentiated Area II activity. Both Area I and Area II functioned in an orientation-independent manner, whereas synergistic, enhancer-like activation was uniquely found with duplicated Area II. Chimeras of Area II and the generally active SV40 enhancer or the beta cell-specific insulin enhancer suggested that islet cell-enriched activators were necessary for Area I activation, because Area II-mediated stimulation was reduced by the SV40 enhancer and activated by the insulin enhancer. Several conserved sites within Area I were important in Area I/Area II activation, with binding at bp -2614/-2609 specifically controlled by Nkx2.2, an insulin gene regulator that is required for terminal beta cell differentiation. The ability of Area I to modulate Area II activation was also observed in vivo, as an Area I/Area II-driven transgene recapitulated the endogenous pdx-1 expression pattern in developing and adult islet cells. These results suggest that Area II is a central pdx-1 control region, whose islet cell activity is uniquely modified by Area I regulatory factors.
Optimizing Base Station Deployment in Wireless Sensor Networks Under One-hop and Multi-hop Communication Models

Sensor network lifetime is largely affected by the energy consumption for data transmission from sensor nodes to a base station. We generalize and solve the problems of deploying multiple base stations in sensor networks using one-hop and multi-hop communication models to maximize network lifetime. Under the one-hop communication model, the sensors far away from base stations always deplete their energy much faster than others. We propose an optimal solution for small-scale networks and a heuristic approach for large-scale ones based on the smallest enclosing circle algorithm that deploys a base station at the geometric center of each cluster. Under the multi-hop communication model, both the base station locations and the data routing scheme need to be considered in maximizing network lifetime. We propose an iterative algorithm based on rigorous mathematical derivations and use linear programming to compute the optimal routing path for benchmark purposes. Extensive simulation results show superior network lifetime performance of the proposed deployment algorithms in comparison with existing ones.
Inalienable Rights and Locke's Argument for Limited Government: Political Implications of a Right to Suicide

This essay argues, contrary to some interpretations, that Locke does indeed teach that men have inalienable rights, i.e., rights which they cannot irrevocably consent away even in civil society. This inalienable rights teaching is contained in his argument that suicide is absolutely forbidden by nature. Furthermore, through the prohibition of suicide, Locke shows the limits of the individual's right to consent, and this prohibition is the indispensable logical and moral basis of (1) his argument against slavery, (2) his defense of the right of revolution, (3) his argument that men have some duty to care about their fellow men, and (4) his teaching that the legitimate powers of government are limited. This interpretation defends Locke against the harshly critical treatment which is now common. In particular, his teaching about freedom is argued to be superior to the currently influential teaching that one is free to do as one wishes with oneself, limited only by the equal right of others to do the same.
Breastfeeding Initiation in a Rural Sample: Predictive Factors and the Role of Smoking

The study objective was to identify demographic, medical, and health behavior factors that predict breastfeeding initiation in a rural population with low breastfeeding rates. Participants were 2323 women who experienced consecutive deliveries at 2 hospitals, with data obtained through detailed chart review. Only half the women initiated breastfeeding, which was significantly associated with higher levels of education, private insurance, nonsmoking and non-drug-using status, and primiparity, after controlling for confounders. Follow-up analyses revealed that smoking status was the strongest predictor of failure to breastfeed, with nonsmokers nearly twice as likely to breastfeed as smokers and with those who had smoked a pack per day or more the least likely to breastfeed. Findings reveal many factors placing women at risk for not breastfeeding and suggest that intervention efforts should encourage a combination of smoking cessation and breastfeeding while emphasizing that breastfeeding is not contraindicated even if the mother continues to smoke. J Hum Lact. 27(1):33-40.
The use of remote sensing and geographic information systems in UNICEF's dracunculiasis (Guinea worm) eradication effort

Abstract Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) is a parasitic disease which is endemic in 18 African and two Asian countries. It has a marked potential for eradication by a combination of water supply management, health education and controlled medical intervention. While data on the disease are, in many cases, both in short supply and unreliable, increasingly the tools of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) are becoming important components of the eradication effort. In particular, remotely sensed data from LANDSAT have allowed the identification and location of remote and small settlements in dracunculiasis-endemic areas. When coupled with additional information available in remotely sensed data from LANDSAT, and when used in conjunction with a GIS containing digitized maps and field data collected from hand-held global positioning system receivers, the eradication effort has developed an epidemiological tool of potential power. While at first this system is finding uses in managing existing data in a unified inventory, the system shows potential for use as an effective management decision-making tool as the control effort moves from disease reduction to disease eradication. This paper will use a single province within one country, the Zou Province of Benin, to demonstrate the varied data sources involved in the system, the software and hardware components of the system, and to discuss the specific problems involved in using the system in the field. Of particular consideration, and of potential use to other similar programs, is a consideration of the management and implementation of the system. The paper concludes that a combination of remote sensing and GIS technologies offers the epidemiologist a new and important means by which to effectively implement solutions to public health management problems.
A Photoelectric Setting Device for a Spectrum Plate Comparator

A device for making comparator settings by photoelectric scanning of spectrum line images is described. The fiducial position is determined by matching mirror image oscilloscope traces of the line contour. This method combines the advantages of increased speed, precision, objectivity of setting, and decreased eye and nervous strain on the operator. The device is readily adaptable to comparators of the fixed microscope-moving plate type, and conversion from photoelectric to visual setting can be accomplished in a few minutes.
The optimum design of multivariate acceptance sampling plans

A model is developed which may be used to determine the expected total cost of quality control per inspection lot under acceptance sampling by variables where several characteristics are to be simultaneously controlled. Optimization of the model is accomplished through the application of a conventional search procedure. The sensitivity of the model and the optimum solution to the shape of the underlying probability distributions is discussed and associated analyses are presented through an example.