cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance analysis of time-distance gait parameters under different speeds

This paper explores gait recognition for various walking speeds. Normal-constant speed is one of the assumptions being made in many current gait recognition techniques. However, some techniques do not scale well when certain gait conditions such as walking speed varies. We demonstrate the characteristics of time-distance gait parameters, stride length and cadence, with respect to walking speed at the inter-and intra-individual variation levels. The speed normalization or adjustment of gait features are studied and presented in details along with the expected recognition results. Our study of walking speed variations allows us to ascertain systematically the expected recognition-performance of time-distance gait parameters (stride length and cadence). In addition, we show the levels of measurement noise which can be tolerated in measuring these gait features without losing useful identity information.
Hypoglycemia Associated With Propranolol

The beta-adrenergic blocking agent, propranolol, has been recommended for both immediate treatment and long-term control of cyanotic spells in children with tetralogy of Fallot.1 It has also been suggested as the second drug of choice, after digitalis, in the management of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.2 The use of propranolol in children with heart disease thus is increasing. We would like to call attention to the possible occurrence of hypoglycemia during periods of restricted oral intake in children receiving propranolol. The most frequently cited side effects of propranolol are bronchospasm, bradycardia, hypotension, and congestive heart failure.3 Although not usually considered a side effect, hypoglycemia has been reported.4,5
Research in Technology Education: What Are We Researching? A Response to Theodore Lewis

Lewis (1999) analyzed the role of research in technology education. He suggested that: “We have to talk about research needs in a way that engenders ever more possibilities. Rather than boxing in the researchers, we must see ways to push the limits and explore new and different frontiers” (p. 52). Here I reflect on Lewis’ recommendations. I concur with several ideas suggested by Lewis, and I propose that the discussion on research in technology education also needs to consider what students should actually learn after they complete their technology education programs.
Diagnosis of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in a Blood Donor With Elevated Serum Alanine Aminotransferase

At routine blood donation, a 37-yr-old man with an elevated serum alanine aminotransferase was found to have primary sclerosing cholangitis. The majority of asymptomatic blood donors with elevated aminotransferase levels are presumed to have fatty liver or chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis. However, a substantial number of blood donors with elevated aminotransferase levels will have other hepatobiliary diseases, including primary sclerosing cholangitis. The implementation of aminotransferase screening of blood donors should result in earlier diagnosis, better understanding of natural history, and occasionally, earlier treatment of a number of hepatobiliary diseases.
From mechanical to meaningful classroom questions

While observing two project-based inquiry classrooms, we noticed and became intrigued by the markedly different development of science discourse practices across the two classes. Both were taught by the same teacher, used the same curriculum materials, engaged in the same learning activities, and were comprised of equally engaged and high achieving honors students. Yet over a 20-week period, the question-asking and answering practices of students in the two classes diverged considerably. While students in Class A were still struggling to adopt the practices modeled by the teacher, students in Class B were taking the initiative to ask each other to explain trends identified in investigations and working out explanations together. Investigating differences between these two near-identical enactments has allowed us to identify changes in question-asking practices that lead to productive interpretations and science discourse. We offer explanations for the differences between the classes and for the changes observed over time.
Mini-buckets: a general scheme for generating approximations in automated reasoning

The class of algorithms for approximating reasoning tasks presented in this paper is based on approximating the general bucket elimination framework. The algorithms have adjustable levels of accuracy and efficiency, and they can be applied uniformly across many areas and problem tasks. We introduce these algorithms in the context of combinatorial optimization and probabilistic inference.
The Best is Yet to Come

Nicholas Rescher in “Moral Issues Relating to the Economics of New Knowledge in the Biomedical Sciences” [6] and Richard Zaner in his “Only the Best is Good Enough?” [8] call the pursuit of medical progress into question. Rescher tells us that as progress and advancements are realized in science and medicine, there is a marked increase in the over-all resource cost of realizing new scientific findings. Presuming such an inexorable and intractable trend, Rescher is impelled to ask these “very difficult and uncomfortable” moral questions ([6], p. 42). 1. Given the economics of research, should there be a deployment from research to therapy? 2. Should we redeploy resources from complex and expansive high-technology intervention to a lower level technology and, above all, to preventive medicine? 3. Should we abandon the prevailing moral precept that “Only the very best is good enough?”
When Neither Party Will Fix the Roof

This article discusses the conflict that arises in commercial property where neither tenant nor landlord has a duty to repair: the landlord may not evict and the tenant may not quit. The tenant may ultimately be held responsible for the repair under the duty to avoid waste.
Adapting Peer Review to an Online Course: An Exploratory Case Study

With demonstrated benefits to higher level learning, peer review in the classroom has been well researched and popular since at least the 1990s. However, little or no prior studies exist into the peer review process for online courses. Further, we found no prior research specifically addressing the operational aspects of online peer review. This research addresses that gap by comparing the issues involved in managing peer review for an online course with those for a traditional classroom course. In an exploratory case study, two sections of the same introductory level course were taught by the same professor in the same academic term, one section in the traditional classroom and one as an online section. Both sections covered the same material in the same order. Online students had access to narrated PowerPoint recordings that tracked in-class lectures. The same assignments and exams were used. The two sections used a joint discussion board for posting questions and answers about the course material. In short, the two courses were almost identical, except for the steps necessary to make peer review operate in an online environment.
Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithms to Solve Coverage and Lifetime Optimization Problem in Wireless Sensor Networks

Multi-objective optimization problem formulations reflect pragmatic modeling of several real-life complex optimization problems. In many of them, the considered objectives are competitive with each other and emphasizing only one of them during solution generation and evolution, incurs high probability of producing one sided solution which is unacceptable with respect to other objectives. This paper investigates the concept of boundary search and also explores the application of a special evolutionary operator on a multi-objective optimization problem; Coverage and Lifetime Optimization Problem in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). The work in this paper explores two competing objectives of WSN;network coverage and network lifetime using two efficient, robust MOEAs. It also digs into the impact of special operators in the multi-objective optimization problems of sensor node’s design topology.
Maximum two-phase flow rates of subcooled nitrogen through a sharp-edged orifice

The work reported here is part of a series of experiments [1–5] conducted in recent years at the NASA Lewis Research Center involving two-phase choked flow of liquid cryogens. The essential characteristics of these experiments were that the initial stagnation conditions were always single-phase and subcooled and that the pressure drop in the flow passage was always to a level below saturation. A wide range of stagnation parameters from well below to above the thermodynamic critical state were examined. The work covered a variety of fluids and geometric openings. The present study deals with a sharp-edged orifice. The literature on two-phase choked flow has been surveyed by Hsu [6], Henry et al. [7] and Smith [8].
Simian virus 40 revertant enhancers exhibit restricted host ranges for enhancer function.

Abstract We have assayed the cell-specific activity of a matched set of four enhancers found in viral revertants derived from simian virus 40 (SV40) enhancer mutants. These enhancers all contain 71-base-pair duplications that span identical regions or, in one case, the same region shifted by 2 nucleotides. The four enhancers differ, however, in that each one either carries a different wild-type pair of the genetically defined SV40 enhancer A, B, or C elements, with the other two elements mutated, or carries all three elements mutated. The three enhancers carrying two copies of a wild-type element effectively enhance transcription in CV-1 and HeLa cells, but only the enhancer containing a duplicated wild-type C element exhibits activity in NIH 3T3 cells. These results show that the ability of the A, B, and C elements to compensate for one another is cell specific and that selection for enhancer function in one cell type can generate enhancers with different cell-specific activities. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that tandem duplication of multiple distinct enhancer elements, as in wild-type strains of SV40 (e.g., the 72-base-pair repeat), has the property of expanding the host range of an enhancer.
Isoflipped SU(5) models

Abstract We show that string inspired grand unified theories containing SU(5) gauge symmetries are of six types: standard SU(5), flipped or double flipped SU(5), or one of the three isoflipped possibilities based on SU(5) × SU(2) × U(1) presented here. There is a great variety in the phenomenology of the six choices.
Mini-review: new therapeutic options in hypoparathyroidism

Hypoparathyroidism is a disorder characterized by hypocalcemia and low or absent parathyroid hormone (PTH). While standard treatment of hypoparathyroidism consists of oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation, maintaining serum calcium levels can be a challenge, and concerns exist regarding hypercalciuria and ectopic calcifications that can be associated with such treatment. Hypoparathyroidism is the only classic endocrine deficiency disease for which the missing hormone, PTH, is not yet an approved treatment. This mini-review focuses on the use of PTH in the treatment of hypoparathyroidism. There are two available formulations of PTH: teriparatide [human PTH(1-34)] and the full-length molecule, PTH(1-84). Both PTH(1-34) and PTH(1-84) lower supplemental vitamin D requirements and increase markers of bone turnover. Densitometric and histomorphometric studies in some subjects treated with PTH(1-84) demonstrate improvement in abnormal bone-remodeling dynamics and return of bone metabolism toward normal euparathyroid levels. Further detailed examination of skeletal features following therapy with the different treatment regimens and data regarding the effect of PTH on quality of life measures are under active investigation.
Effects of Increasing Chinook Salmon Bag Limits on Alewife Abundance: Implications for Lake Michigan Management Goals

Abstract To predict effects of modifying the daily bag limit (DBL) on management of Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and alewives Alosa pseudoharengus, we analyzed harvest and effort data collected from both charter and noncharter anglers during 1997–2005 in Michigan waters of Lake Michigan. Overall, the percent of anglers who caught the DBL of three Chinook salmon was low for charter (10.2%) and noncharter (3.3%) angler groups. However, during 1997–2005, the percent of anglers that caught their DBL increased from 3.3% to 26.5% for charter anglers and from 0.5% to 7.8% for noncharter anglers. To predict harvest under a higher DBL, we fit a discrete negative binomial distribution to the observed daily harvest distribution under the current DBL of three fish. We then used the fitted negative binomial to predict the daily harvest distribution under a DBL of five fish. Using this approach, the potential increase in the number of fish harvested with the higher DBL was minimal, but the additional harvest...
A Sample Methodology for Site-Specific Instrument Selection

Evaluators are often concerned with selecting the best possible test instrument for a site-specific application. These instruments should be selected on the basis of both theoretical and psychometric criteria. A small scale, site-specific field test was completed to illustrate some of the psychometric procedures that might be used in assessing the applicability of two different test instruments. The mathematical procedures used in this study illustrate the procedures that an evaluator might use in determining an empirical basis for subsequent instrument selection.
Embeddings in the upper Stone-Čech compactification

Abstract In this paper a seventeen year old question by Porter is answered showing that the Banaschewski-Fomin-Sanin extension μX of a space X can be embedded in the upper Stone-Cech compactification, β + X . Frolik and Liu characterized H-closed spaces as maximal Hausdorff subspaces in their closure in Π C +( X ) I + ; that is, X is H-closed iff e [ X ] is a maximal Hausdorff subspace of β + X . This result is strengthened/generalized by showing that σX , μX and, in fact, every strict H-closed extension of X can be embedded in β + X . However, there may be infinitely many copies of every strict H-closed extension within β + X .
An Experimental Investigation of an Oscillating Heat Pipe Heat Spreader

With ever increasing technological advances in electronics, modern computer components continue to produce higher power densities that present a challenge to thermal management. A radial flat-plate oscillating heat pipe (RFP-OHP) heat spreader is investigated to study the effect of central heating on the heat transport capability in an OHP. The investigated OHP has dimensions of 100 mm × 100 mm × 2.5 mm with central heating using a 30 mm × 30 mm heater. Experimental results show that when heat is added to the center section of one side of the radial flat-plate OHP, and when heat is removed from the whole surface of another side of the heat pipe, the startup power for the oscillating motion increases. In addition, the spacer effect on the heat transport capability including the startup is investigated experimentally. The spacer added between the cooling block and OHP could lower the startup power for oscillatory motion. When compared to a copper slab of the same dimensions in the same test configuration, the temperature difference for the OHP with and without the additional copper spacer was reduced by a maximum of 46% and 25%, respectively, at a power input of 525 W and a heat flux of 58 W/cm2.
Nucleation and growth of the α' martensitic phase in Pu-Ga alloys

Abstract In a Pu–2.0 at.% Ga alloy, it is observed experimentally that the amount of the martensitic α′ product formed upon cooling the metastable δ phase below the martensite burst temperature ( M b ) is a function of the holding temperature and holding time of a prior conditioning (“annealing”) treatment. Before subjecting a sample to a cooling and heating cycle to form and revert the α′ phase, it was first homogenized for 8 h at 375 °C to remove any microstructural memory of prior transformations. Subsequently, conditioning was carried out in a differential scanning calorimeter apparatus at temperatures in the range between −50 and 370 °C for periods of up to 70 h to determine the holding time and temperature that produced the largest volume fraction of α′ upon subsequent cooling. Using transformation peak areas (i.e., the heats of transformation) as a measure of the amount of α′ formed, the largest amount of α′ was obtained following holding at 25 °C for at least 6 h. Additional time at 25 °C, up to 70 h, did not increase the amount of subsequent α′ formation. At 25 °C, the Pu–2.0 at.% Ga alloy is below the eutectoid transformation temperature in the phase diagram and the expected equilibrium phases are α and Pu 3 Ga, although a complete eutectoid decomposition of δ to these phases is expected to be extremely slow. It is proposed here that the influence of the conditioning treatment can be attributed to the activation of α-phase embryos in the matrix as a beginning step toward the eutectoid decomposition, and we discuss the effects of spontaneous self-irradiation accompanying the Pu radioactive decay on the activation process. Subsequently, upon cooling, certain embryos appear to be active as sites for the burst growth of martensitic α′ particles, and their amount, distribution, and potency appear to contribute to the total amount of martensitic product formed. A modeling approach based on classic nucleation theory is presented to describe the formation of α-phase embryos during conditioning. The reasons why the holding times during conditioning become eventually ineffective in promoting more α′ formation on cooling are discussed in terms of the differences in the potency of the embryos created in the δ matrix during conditioning and in terms of growth-impeding volume strains in the matrix resulting from an increasing number of martensite particles, thus opposing further growth. It is suggested that the disparate amounts of the α′ formation reported in the literature following various studies may be in part a consequence of the fact that conditioning times at ambient temperatures are inevitably involved in any handling of radioactive samples prior to testing.
Promoting security awareness and commitment

Sees security awareness promotion as part of the overall organization – its culture, philosophy and vision. Presents a case study of a major Australian organization. Traces the history of computer security, how commitment was built and the security awareness initiatives which were rolled out.
Early cardioversion of atrial fibrillation facilitated by transesophageal echocardiography: short-term safety and impact on maintenance of sinus rhythm at 1 year.

Abstract BACKGROUND: For patients presenting with atrial fibrillation of only a few weeks duration, the use of transesophageal echocardiography offers the opportunity to markedly abbreviate the duration of atrial fibrillation before cardioversion. We sought to determine if the shorter duration of atrial fibrillation allowed by a transesophageal echocardiography strategy had an impact on the recurrence of atrial fibrillation and prevalence of sinus rhythm during the first year following cardioversion. METHODS: Transesophageal echocardiography was attempted in 539 patients (292 men, 247 women; 71.6 ± 13.0 years.) with atrial fibrillation ≥2 days (66.1% RESULTS: Atrial thrombi were identified in 70 (13.1%) patients. Successful cardioversion in 413 patients without evidence of atrial thrombi was associated with clinical thromboembolism in 1 patient (0.24%, 95% confidence interval: 0.0–0.8%). In patients with atrial fibrillation P P CONCLUSIONS: Early cardioversion facilitated by transesophageal echocardiography has a favorable safety profile and provides the associated benefit of reduced recurrence of atrial fibrillation for patients in whom the duration of atrial fibrillation is
The effect of mammalian parathormone on the serum calcium levels of Fundulus kansae and Fundulus catenatus

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of mammalian parathormone injections on the serum calcium levels of two closely related species of teleosts has been studied. It was not possible to demonstrate a direct change in serum calcium levels using flame analysis, although both the dosage and sequence of PTH injections were varied over a wide range. 2. 2. Elevated serum calcium levels were found in female F. kansae , providing that PTH injections were preceded by estrogen injections. 3. 3. During the breeding season, PTH increased Ca 45 turnover in the female F. kansae . 4. 4. Male F. kansae gave only a slight response, of doubtful significance, to PTH injections, F. catenatus did not respond to the hormone. 5. 5. It is suggested the response observed in the female F. kansae depends, in part, on the level of circulating estrogens.
Methods for restoring MAC layer fairness in IEEE 802.11 networks with physical layer capture

In this paper, we experimentally investigate the physical layer capture effect in off-the-shelf 802.11 network cards and confirm that it reduces throughput fairness of traffic flows. We then study the feasibility of using the following PHY and MAC layer approaches to mitigate the disproportionate allocation of throughput in capture dominated scenarios: transmit power control, retransmission lim-its, CWmin adjustment, TxOp adjustment, and AIFS control. The results obtained on the ORBIT indoor wireless testbed 1 show that the 802.11e EDCF parameters provide the most fine-grained con-trol of fairness.
Rigidity as a predictor of older persons’ aging stereotypes and aging self-perceptions

Rigidity has been previously associated with the propensity of dominant group members to target stigmatized groups with negative stereotypes. It was considered in this study whether or not rigidity predicts that members of a stigmatized group, the elderly will target their own group with negative aging stereotypes; and, if so, whether these stereotypes predict aging self-perceptions, or thinking about themselves growing old. As expected (1) older individuals with more rigidity held significantly more negative aging stereotypes over time, (2) older individuals with more negative aging stereotypes had significantly more negative aging self-perceptions over time, and (3) negative aging stereotypes partially mediated the relationship between rigidity and negative aging self-perceptions. The sample of 405 community-living individuals, aged 50 or older, was studied in 6 waves over 20 years. The findings suggest that flexibility can benefit older individuals’ self-views.
Functional impairment of bronchoalveolar lavage phospholipids in early Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in rats.

Abstract Surfactant abnormalities may contribute to the impairment of gas exchange observed in Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Analysis of rat bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) lipid extracts from normal controls, steroid controls, trimethaprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMPSMX) controls, TMP-SMX/P. carinii pneumonia controls, and P. carinii pneumonia animals reveal similar total phospholipid and total protein levels. However, there was a marked reduction in phosphatidylglycerol (PG) from the BAL of P. carinii pneumonia rats as compared with control animals, with a decrease from 4.91 ± 1.29 nmol/mg protein to 0.46 ± 0.57 nmol/mg protein (p
Preform design in ring rolling processes by the three-dimensional finite element method

Abstract Perform design by the three-dimensional finite element method has been carried out for plain ring rolling and T-section profiled ring rolling. The application of the backward tracing scheme for perform design in ring rolling processes demonstrates, for the first time, the extension of the scheme into three dimensions. The preform design in plain ring rolling aims at obtaining a preform which simulates a final plain ring product with uniform axial height. Loading simulations were carried out for two progressively modified preforms derived from the result of loading simulations with a rectangular-shaped ring. Then, backward tracing was applied to obtain a final preform for the specified product configuration of uniform axial height. The preform in the T-section profiled ring rolling process was to be designed to simulate a final profiled ring product with complete filling in the groove and uniform axial height. The final preform shape for plain ring rolling was selected as a trial preform in T-section profiled ring rolling. A more satisfactory preform was obtained from the backward tracing results. It was shown by forward simulation that the final preform was good enough to satisfy the design criteria.
DNA-damage-induced differentiation of leukaemic cells as an anti-cancer barrier

Self-renewal is the hallmark feature both of normal stem cells and cancer stem cells. Since the regenerative capacity of normal haematopoietic stem cells is limited by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and DNA double-strand breaks, we speculated that DNA damage might also constrain leukaemic self-renewal and malignant haematopoiesis. Here we show that the histone methyl-transferase MLL4, a suppressor of B-cell lymphoma, is required for stem-cell activity and an aggressive form of acute myeloid leukaemia harbouring the MLL-AF9 oncogene. Deletion of MLL4 enhances myelopoiesis and myeloid differentiation of leukaemic blasts, which protects mice from death related to acute myeloid leukaemia. MLL4 exerts its function by regulating transcriptional programs associated with the antioxidant response. Addition of reactive oxygen species scavengers or ectopic expression of FOXO3 protects MLL4(-/-) MLL-AF9 cells from DNA damage and inhibits myeloid maturation. Similar to MLL4 deficiency, loss of ATM or BRCA1 sensitizes transformed cells to differentiation, suggesting that myeloid differentiation is promoted by loss of genome integrity. Indeed, we show that restriction-enzyme-induced double-strand breaks are sufficient to induce differentiation of MLL-AF9 blasts, which requires cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(Cip1) (Cdkn1a) activity. In summary, we have uncovered an unexpected tumour-promoting role of genome guardians in enforcing the oncogene-induced differentiation blockade in acute myeloid leukaemia.
An interactive port capacity expansion simulation model

Abstract This paper presents a user-oriented port expansion simulation model that determines the future economic port capacity to meet the projected demand. The model consists of two parts: a physical impact simulation, and an economic impact simulation. The first part of the model simulates the effects caused by the port capacity expansion. The second part evaluates the port economics due to changes in the port capacity. The simulation model was validated by applying it to the actual port expansion followed at the Port of Mobile, Alabama. A case study is then presented to demonstrate the capability of the model with a coal-handling port, the McDuffie Terminals at the Port of Mobile.
A Basic Program for Converting Chronological Ages into Decimal for Averaging a Series of C As

A program for obtaining conversion of year-month-day format to decimal is described for use when birth and test administration dates are known. Errors of entry are correctable. After an average has been calculated, a reconversion routine from decimal to the usual format is available.
Dithienogermole As a Fused Electron Donor in Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

We report the synthesis and bulk heterojunction photovoltaic performance of the first dithienogermole (DTG)-containing conjugated polymer. Stille polycondensation of a distannyl-DTG derivative with 1,3-dibromo-N-octyl-thienopyrrolodione (TPD) results in an alternating copolymer which displays light absorption extending to 735 nm, and a higher HOMO level than the analogous copolymer containing the commonly utilized dithienosilole (DTS) heterocycle. When polyDTG-TPD:PC70BM blends are utilized in inverted bulk heterojunction solar cells, the cells display average power conversion efficiencies of 7.3%, compared to 6.6% for the DTS-containing cells prepared in parallel under identical conditions. The performance enhancement is a result of a higher short-circuit current and fill factor in the DTG-containing cells, which comes at the cost of a slightly lower open circuit voltage than for the DTS-based cells.
Calculation of the ion-ion repulsive interaction in the rare gas solids and in the noble metals

Abstract An exchange charge model technique which was fairly successful for the ionic alkali halides is now extended to the rare gas solids and the noble metals. The radial dependence of the repulsive Born-Mayer potential which is caused by overlapping core states is obtained. Exchange charges are calculated in terms of overlap integrals and the resulting repulsive potentials are obtained by a summation of the exchange charge potentials. The calculated radial dependences of this interaction for the rare gas solids are in quite good agreement (2.5 per cent) with the experimental data. For the noble metals, the outer d free ion functions are certainly an approximation to the actual case with the result that the agreement (25 per cent) is less satisfactory. For the noble metal series the magnitude of the exchange charges, the fractional closure failures for the elastic constants, and the ratio C 12 / C 44 all display the same behavior. This implies that the overlap mechanism can account for the non central contribution to the elastic constants. The rare gas and noble metal overlap integrals and their radial dependence are tabulated.
Fault clustering: modeling and observation on experimental LSI chips

Occurrence of fault clustering on large-scale integrated (LSI) MOS product was verified with optical microscopes on experimental chips that failed electrical testing. Two methods were used for determining clustering: analysis of the fault density derived from collected fault data, and separation of faults into two populations, one representing solitary faults, the other clusters. A model for the first method is presented and its effectiveness examined on a simulated fault set. The method is then applied to fault data representing two samples of MOS LSI experimental product. Population separation is finally carried out on one of the data samples, and the clustering data developed from this process are expressed by two factors. One factor can be used for refined yield estimates, the other was applied to quality measure calculations.
Second Seeheim Conference on Magnetism (SCM2004) Seeheim, Germany, 27 June–1 July 2004

Conference Reports are meant to offer an authoritative view on a recently held scientific meeting rather than a comprehensive list of the conference presentations. Authors are invited to describe what they feel were the most interesting contributions. The full Proceedings of the Second Seeheim Conference on Magnetism (SCM2004) will appear in phys. stat. sol. (c) in autumn 2004. Conference papers will also be published in phys. stat. sol. (a).
Recognition and Rejection of Self in Plant Reproduction

Plant self-incompatibility (SI) systems are unique among self/nonself recognition systems in being based on the recognition of self rather than nonself. SI in crucifer species is controlled by highly polymorphic and co-evolving genes linked in a complex. Self recognition is based on allele-specific interactions between stigma receptors and pollen ligands that result in the arrest of pollen tube development. Commonalities and differences between SI and other self/nonself discrimination systems are discussed.
Structural Studies of Two Mutants of Amicyanin from Paracoccus denitrificans That Stabilize the Reduced State of the Copper.

Mutation of Pro94 to phenylalanine or alanine significantly alters the redox properties of the type I copper center of amicyanin. Each mutation increases the redox midpoint potential (E(m)) value by at least 140 mV and shifts the pK(a) for the pH dependence of the E(m) value to a more acidic value. Atomic resolution (0.99-1.1 A) structures of both the P94F and P94A amicyanin have been determined in the oxidized and reduced states. In each amicyanin mutant, an electron-withdrawing hydrogen bond to the copper-coordinating thiolate sulfur of Cys92 is introduced by movement of the amide nitrogens of Phe94 and Ala94 much closer to the thiolate sulfur than in wild-type amicyanin. This is the likely explanation for the much more positive E(m) values which result from each of these mutations. The observed decrease in the pK(a) value for the pH dependence of the E(m) value that is seen in the mutants seems to be correlated with steric hindrance to the rotation of the His95 copper ligand which results from the mutations. In wild-type amicyanin the His95 side chain undergoes a redox and pH-dependent conformational change which accounts for the pH dependence of the E(m) value of amicyanin. The reduced P94A amicyanin exhibits two alternate conformations with the positions of the copper 1.4 A apart. In one of these conformations, a water molecule appears to have replaced Met98 as a copper ligand. The relevance of these structures to the electron transfer properties of P94F and P94A amicyanin are also discussed.
Benzylhexadecyldimethylammonium chloride in microemulsions and micelles

Abstract Several physical techniques have been used to study the nature and properties of benzylhexadecyldimethylammonium chloride micelles (BHDC), both as inverted micelles in benzene with aqueous cores, and as conventional “Hartley” micelles in water with hydrocarbon-like cores. For inverted micelles the nature of the water core or pool was investigated using IR spectroscopy, the absorption spectra of Co 2+ , and NMR spectroscopy. These data showed that the properties of bulk water were approached only when solvation of the surfactant ions was complete. The sizes of the micelles, both inverted and regular, were determined by a fluorescence technique. The data obtained for inverted micelles were in agreement with earlier measurements. The regular micelles in water were similar in size to micelles of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). Several laser-induced photoreactions also showed that the surface of a BHDC micelle was quite similar to that of CTAB. NMR data showed that the benzyl group of BHDC is directed toward the NCH 3 groups, and does not affect the physical processes studied. However, in inverted micelles the benzyl group is located toward the surfactant chain, and toward the bulk solvent benzene.
INFORMATION PROCESSING AND MIND—BRAIN IDENTITY

The thesis that conscious states are processes in the brain that can be described in terms of the physical sciences is criticized as being scientifically implausible in several respects. A modified version of this thesis is proposed according to which conscious states are processes of the organism's central information‐processing system, by which it is enabled to maintain flexible control over its behavior in a changing perceptual environment. Description of these processes requires the categories of cybernetics, specifically those of information and of negative feedback.
Phagocytosis and persistence of Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped, flagellated, microaerophilic Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric epithelium of humans. All persons infected with H. pylori have gastritis, and some will develop severe disease such as peptic ulcers or gastric cancer. A characteristic feature of this infection is the pronounced accumulation of phagocytes, particularly neutrophils, in the gastric mucosa. H. pylori thrives in a phagocyte-rich environment, and we describe here how this organism uses an array of novel virulence factors to manipulate chemotaxis, phagocytosis, membrane trafficking and the respiratory burst as a means to evade elimination by the innate immune response.
Structural and electronic properties of BaTiO 3 slabs: Mechanism for surface conduction

The structural and electronic properties of ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ (001) slabs in paraelectric (PE) phase and ferroelectric (FE) phases with a [001] FE distortion are investigated by first-principles calculations to explore a possible scenario for the surface conduction recently observed in the FE phase. Both ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}(\mathrm{S}1)\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}(\mathrm{S}2)$ and ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}(\mathrm{S}1)\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{BaO}(\mathrm{S}2)$ terminated surfaces are considered, where S1 (S2) denotes a top (bottom) slab surface. The PE phase electronic structure possesses fully occupied surface oxygen p states in the bulk band gap, and the empty surface titanium d states at the edge of the bulk conduction band. In the FE phase, both the top surface titanium d state and the bottom surface oxygen p state move into the bulk midgap; the states exchange charge, becoming partially occupied and conducting. The intrinsic carrier layers are formed by a long-range charge transfer from O(S2) to Ti(S1) states.
Phosphorylation rate constants and esteratic subsite normality employing the fluorescent organophosphate Maretin: A new approach to the study of the acylation mechanism of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase

Abstract The fluorescent organophosphate Maretin, O,O-diethyl O-(1–6 naphthaloximido)phosphate, is an optimum analytical reagent for measurement of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase cholinesterase (BuChE) normality. It also permits direct measurement of the second-order kinetics of inhibition. Maretin is fluorescent in aqueous solution with excitation at 346 nm and emission at 398 nm. On phosphorylation, the N,N-naphtholoylhydroxylamine leaving group is nonfluorescent. Experimental advantages of this methodology include: readily correctable hydrolysis rate, commercial availability of pure analytical grade Maretin, ease of handling, and no significant side reactions. The bimolecular rate constant (Ki), equilibrium binding constant (Keq), and phosphorylation rate constant (k2) are measured as a function of pH and compared for the two enzymes. Phosphorylation rate data and enzyme activity studies indicate an independent pH functionality between acylation and deacylation for AChE.
Chernobyl's Sixth Sense: The Symbolism of an Ever‐Present Awareness

This article examines the symbolic life of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. I argue that Chernobyl symbols serve as a set of resources: they produce memory, and they are the grounds for making a new society. My analyses are based on representations of Chernobyl in academic and popular discourse, literature, and museums. Through discussions of embodiment and collective memory, I argue that Chernobyl has produced a sort of sixth sense or “awareness-plus” among those who share the experience of the disaster.
Co-evolution of the outer surface protein C gene (ospC) and intraspecific lineages of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto in the northeastern United States.

Abstract Clinical and tick isolates of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the bacterial agent of Lyme disease, from the northeastern United States were sequenced at 12 loci located on the main chromosome and 7 plasmids (lp54, cp26, cp9, lp17, lp25, lp28-2, and lp38). The outer surface protein C gene (ospC) showed the highest number (12) of major alleles (defined as alleles differing by 5% or more in nucleotide sequence) while other ORFs had only two to four major alleles. A non-recombining chromosomal marker, the rrs-rrlA ribosomal RNA spacer, was used to infer the intraspecific phylogeny among these B. burgdorferi isolates. We were thus able to analyze the multilocus genotypes in the context of a B. burgdorferi intraspecific phylogeny. Except for ospC, sequence variations at plasmid-borne loci showed broad inconsistency with the intraspecific phylogeny, supporting DNA exchanges mediated by plasmid transfers. The multilocus linkage frequently observed in B. burgdorferi populations is due more likely to a “founder effect” than to a lack of recombination. The exceptional phylogenetic consistency of ospC, in conjunction with its selectively maintained high intraspecific diversity, suggested a dominant role ospC plays in the initiation and maintenance of adaptive differentiation in B. burgdorferi.
Implantation of Inferior Vena Cava Interposition Graft in Mouse Model

Biodegradable scaffolds seeded with bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMCs) are often used for reconstructive surgery to treat congenital cardiac anomalies. The long-term clinical results showed excellent patency rates, however, with significant incidence of stenosis. To investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of vascular neotissue formation and prevent stenosis development in tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs), we developed a mouse model of the graft with approximately 1 mm internal diameter. First, the TEVGs were assembled from biodegradable tubular scaffolds fabricated from a polyglycolic acid nonwoven felt mesh coated with e-caprolactone and L-lactide copolymer. The scaffolds were then placed in a lyophilizer, vacuumed for 24 hr, and stored in a desiccator until cell seeding. Second, bone marrow was collected from donor mice and mononuclear cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation. Third, approximately one million cells were seeded on a scaffold and incubated O/N. Finally, the seeded scaffolds were then implanted as infrarenal vena cava interposition grafts in C57BL/6 mice. The implanted grafts demonstrated excellent patency (>90%) without evidence of thromboembolic complications or aneurysmal formation. This murine model will aid us in understanding and quantifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neotissue formation in the TEVG.
Wave propagation in lightweight composite armor

Lightweight structural armor designs consist of multiple layers of ceramic, composite materials, metallic foams and other materials. Under ballistic impacts, the propagation of stress waves through the thickness is of interest to designers. It is recognized that events occurring during the early stages of the impact determine how well the armor will resist it. Extensive finite element analyses have been performed and a few publications have shown that capering the essential features of this problem numerically can be difficult. In this article, an exact solution is presented for analyzing the one-dimensional impact of a foreign object against a multi-layered structure. The approach is simple, it leads to a better understanding of the physics of the problem, and provides results that are difficult to duplicate numerically.
Diffusion in tissue slices with metabolism obeying Michaelis-Menten kinetics.

Abstract Kawashiro, Nusse & Scheid (1975) proposed a “diffusion method” of measurement of the metabolic rate in slices of tissue, and derived a mathematical relationship between the parameters which could be measured experimentally without penetration into the tissue, and the metabolic rate; the latter was assumed to obey zero-order chemical kinetics. In the present paper, we present a mathematical description of the steady-state diffusion in tissue slices with metabolism obeying an uptake kinetics of the Michaelis-Menten type, and demonstrate that the “diffusion method” is suitable for determination of the parameters of the Michaelis-Menten kinetics. It is analyzed how to choose the thickness of the tissue slice in order to achieve the maximum resolution of the method.
Maragin behavior of an Fe-19.5Ni-5Mn alloy. III: Mechanical properties

Abstract A high maraging strength in Fe-Ni-Mn alloys can be achieved at the expense of a marked loss in ductility. Very fine precipitates are observed when peak strength is reached. At peak strength, the Fe-Ni-Mn alloys exhibit brittle failure, mainly along prior austenite grain boundaries, irrespective of the nickel content. The presence of a small amount of retained austenite prior to aging does not improve the ductility. Previous explanation of the embrittlement in Fe-Ni-Mn alloys was attributed to the segregation of Mn to prior austenite grain boundaries. However, this is not fully supported by the present studies. Auger electron spectroscopy reveals no decisive evidence of manganese segregation. Some degree of ductility in the aged martensite may be required in order to prevent brittle fracture. Dual aging recovers part of the ductility and improves the strength slightly. The effect of reversed austenite on ductility may vary, depending on its morphology. Matrix and recrystallized austenite are beneficial to both elongation and reduction of area, but lathlike austenite lowers the elongation, probably because of its lamellar morphology. The lamellar structure of the lath martensite is also detrimental to elongation.
Qualitative research contribution to a randomized clinical trial.

Qualitative research may be combined fruitfully with intervention studies, but few examples provide detailed methodological strategies for doing so. In this article, we describe the qualitative component of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of the PRO-SELF© Pain Control Program, an intervention that provides individualized education, coaching, and support for cancer pain management. We conducted three qualitative analyses of verbatim transcripts of “real-time” audiotaped intervention sessions. As a result, we were better able to ascertain the nature of the individualized coaching component of the intervention, patient and family caregiver use of selected intervention tools, and reasons the intervention did not work for some patients. Study results were used to increase the specificity with which the coaching portion of the intervention is described in the intervention protocol. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 28: 268–280, 2005
Comparison of the substance P- and dynorphin-containing projections to the substantia nigra: a radioimmunocytochemical and biochemical study

A series of knife cuts were made in the striatonigral pathway and chamges in dynorphin B (Dyn) and substance P (SP) input to the substantia nigra were examined using radiolabeled antibodies and radioimmunoassay (RIA). Cryostat cut sections were incubated with primary antibody followed by a secondary antibody labeled with125I. Apposition of the radiolabeled sections to LKB Ultrofilm generated an image that was quantified by computerized optical densitometry. The striatonigral system served as a model system for comparing the quantitative capabilities of radioimmunocytochemistry with RIA. The results indicated a strong correlation between optical densitometry measurements and RIA for both Dyn (r = 0.97) and SP (r = 0.98) antisera. This suggests that radioimmunocytochemistry may be used for quantitative, as well as, qualitative descriptions of the distribution of tissue antigens. Knife cuts separating the rostral caudate putamen from the substantia nigra resulted in less than 40% depletion of dynorphin and substance P in the nigra pars reticulata, leaving the levels of both peptides relatively unchanged in the pars lateralis. More caudal knife cuts resulted in progressively greater depletions of both peptides in the pars reticulata and pars lateralis.