cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using simulation to explore the functional relationships of terrestrial carnivore population indices

Population indices based on visits to detection stations commonly are used to monitor wildlife populations. Inferences about populations are based on 1 of 2 measures: (1) change in the proportion of stations visited at least once or (2) change in the cumulative number of visits by unique individuals. The functional relationships between index responses and population density is poorly understood and can lead to misinterpretation of index data when an incorrect functional relationship (e.g. linear) is assumed. We created a flexible simulation environment to study the response of detection-based population indices under a wide variety of conditions meant to reflect species life history and study design. Proportional indices exhibited non-linear saturating responses to changes in population density while cumulative indices responded linearly. Shapes of responses were functions of home range sizes, individual detection probabilities, and spatial arrangement of animals and sampling stations. Non-linear relationships of proportional indices lead to under-estimation of mean population density when data are aggregated from multiple detection stations deployed in a heterogeneous landscape. Cumulative indices have significant statistical advantages over proportional indices including smaller sample sizes required to detect density change, linearity, consistent index responses across a wide range of densities, and ability to aggregate data to meet minimum sample size requirements. Our simulation provides a flexible tool for the interpretation of station-based population indices.
Fuzzy sets for defining rich at a presidential forum

During a presidential forum in the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign, the moderator, Pastor Rick Warren, wanted Senator John McCain and then-Senator Barack Obama to define rich with a specific number. Warren wanted to know at what specific income level a person goes from being not rich to rich. The problem with this question is that there is no specific income at which a person makes the leap from being not rich to being rich. This is because rich is a fuzzy set, not a crisp set, with different incomes having different degrees of membership in the rich fuzzy set. Fuzzy logic is needed to properly ask and answer Warren's question about quantitatively defining rich.
Neurons tame T cells

Multiple sclerosis occurs when T cells attack myelin in the central nervous system. Experiments in a mouse model of the disease suggest that neurons fight back by inducing regulatory T cells that dampen the immune response ( pages 518–525 ).
Development of a widely applicable gradientless shape optimization based bone adaptation model for comparative parametric studies

Many gradientless optimization based methods have been developed to predict mechanically-driven strength adaptations of bone and to improve the failure resistance of inert mechanical components. However, because the gradientless optimization methods commonly used in these applications typically do not result in a unique solution, few are capable of providing quantitative comparisons of the effects of different boundary conditions on the resulting shape and strength changes of the objects studied. Driven by relative measures of the current local stress state, global stress state, and variation of the local stress state over the design region, a condition-independent, system-independent shape/strength adaptation model was developed that can be applicable to a system with a large number of design variables. Using a local extrema independent quantitative measure of the progression of the design region to a more uniform stress state, a consistent comparison point was defined that can be used regardless of the system studied, the boundary conditions applied, or the initial amount of stress variation. The implementation of the developed model demonstrated its effectiveness in the repeatable prediction of shape and strength changes over multiple orders of magnitude differences in boundary values with no changes to the modeling parameters or stopping criteria. The developed gradientless optimization based shape adaptation technique can be a useful tool in the comparison of the effects of various loading conditions on the strength changes in bones and in the creation of exercise regimens to strengthen fracture prone regions.
Beneficial response to mild therapeutic hypothermia for comatose survivors of near-hanging

Therapeutic hypothermia has been shown to clearly benefit comatose survivors of cardiac arrest. It is reasonable to postulate that if therapeutic hypothermia is beneficial for the neurological injury of cardiac arrest, then it may have a role in the treatment of near-hanging suffocation injuries. We report a retrospective series of 2 patients who received mild therapeutic hypothermia for their comatose state after a near-hanging injury. The exclusionary criteria and protocols that we use for comatose survivors of cardiac arrest were used. After at least 24 hours of mild therapeutic hypothermia, both patients had a complete return of neurological function, with Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 15 at the time of discharge from the hospital. These data, taken with other case series, suggest that therapeutic hypothermia may be beneficial for comatose survivors of near-hanging. Language: en
WE‐G‐500‐09: Robotic Multi‐Pinhole Scenarios for SPECT Molecular and Functional Imaging Onboard and in Other Applications

Purpose: Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) is one of the two predominant modes of nuclear emission tomography, the other being Positron Emission Tomography (PET). An important recent advance has been region‐of‐interest (ROI) SPECT for cardiac imaging. For SPECT imaging onboard radiation therapy machines, we have proposed a robotic, multi‐pinhole SPECT approach. Robotic maneuvering facilitates navigation of the SPECT system about patient, patient table, and gantry, and it also enables more flexible positioning of the pinholes. Even more pinhole‐positioning flexibility can be provided by enabling more degrees of freedom (DOFs) in the motion of pinholes relative to one another. This will likely increase imaging performance, but also system cost. The purpose of this study is to investigate imaging performance as a function of DOFs in relative pinhole motion. This has bearing for molecular and functional imaging onboard radiation therapy machines, and also for other applications of SPECT ROI imaging. Methods: A 49‐pinhole system which we have previously presented is considered for imaging ROIs smaller than, equal in size to, and larger than the ROI for which the system was optimized. This system has one internal DOF which enables relative motion among the seven 7‐pinhole pods that comprise the system. Also considered is a second system in which 7 additional DOFs enable relative motion of the pinholes within each pod. Imaging performance of these two 49‐pinhole systems is compared over a range of ROI sizes. Results: The additional DOFs can improve proximity to smaller ROIs and thereby improve SPECT sensitivity and resolution for those ROIs. Conclusion: SPECT ROI imaging can be advanced by a multi‐pinhole approach that enables greater relative motion of pinholes. This work was supported by PHS/NIH/NCI grant 5R21CA156390.
Toward an Adult Developmental Conceptualization of Alcohol Abuse: a review of the literature

Summary Until very recently, a paucity of research and theory on adult development has existed in the areas of personality and psychosocial development in general and, more specifically, in the area of alcohol abuse and its etiology. A review of the literature in these two areas of human behavior is discussed, outlining the parallels which concern this emergent focus upon the developmental periods of adulthood and alcohol addiction. Clinical implications are outlined with particular consideration given to alcohol treatment. In addition, conclusions are drawn which have significance for the future of theory, research, and practice in this area.
Effects of trimethyltin on granule cells excitability in the in vitro rat dentate gyrus.

The effects of trimethyltin (TMT) on passive properties and synaptic activity of dentate granule cell (GC) have been investigated in hippocampal slices in vitro. Intracellular recordings from GC indicated that TMT (1 and 10 μM) increased input resistance from 34.1±3.6 Mohms to 45.6±4.1 and 64.7±14.7 Mohms, respectively, 15 min after its application. This was accompanied by a 10–20 mV depolarization. A decrease in IPSP amplitude was also observed, but developed with longer delays (2–4 hr) following TMT exposure. Extracellular recording from the GC layer during paired pulse stimulation of the perforant path showed a decrease in the ratio of the amplitude of the first to the second population spikes (at an interpulse interval of 9 msec), from 1.8±0.14 to 0.8±0.08 (p<0.05). The amplitude of the first (conditioning) pulse remained unchanged, suggesting that TMT produced a specific decrease of inhibitory efficacy. These results add evidence to the hypothesis that TMT neurotoxicity is mediated by a decrease of inhibitory synaptic functions.
Juvenile hormone stimulation of sperm activator production in male monarch butterflies.

Abstract A sperm activating substance is demonstrable in the male Monarch butterfly ejaculatory duct, but only during reproductively active stages. Experiments using neck-ligatures and allatectomies, with or without injections of juvenile hormone isomers, show that the post-eclosion production of sperm activator is stimulated by juvenile hormone.
Enzyme Annotation with Chemical Tools

Defining the activity of an enzyme in a cell-based system is preferable to in vitro biochemical techniques requiring extensive purification. Chiang et al. [1] use small molecules, RNA interference, and metabolomics to characterize a novel enzyme upregulated in cancer cells.
Model-based engineering of cyber-physical software systems for smart worlds: A case study of automobile control systems

The paper discusses the design of cyber-physical systems software around intelligent physical worlds (IPW). An IPW is the embodiment of control software functions wrapped around the external world processes. The IPW performs core domain-specific activities while adapting its behavior to the changing environment conditions and user inputs. The IPW exhibits an intelligent behavior over a limited operating region of the system - in contrast with the traditional models where the physical world is basically dumb. The intelligent behavior of IPW is feasible when certain system properties hold: function separability and piece-wise linearity of system behavioral models. To work over a wider range of operating conditions, the IPW interacts with an intelligent computational world (ICW) to patch itself with suitable control parameters and rules/procedures relevant in those changed conditions. The modular decomposition of a complex adaptive system into IPW and ICW has many advantages: lowering overall software complexity, simplifying system verification, and supporting easier evolution of system features. The paper illuminates our concept of IPW with a software engineering-oriented case study of applications.
Antimicrobial activity of 12 broad-spectrum agents tested against 270 nosocomial blood stream infection isolates caused by non-Enteric Gram-negative bacilli: Occurrence of resistance, molecular epidemiology, and screening for metallo-enzymes☆

Abstract A total of 270 recent nosocomial blood stream isolates of non-Enterobacteriaceae Gram-negative bacilli representing nearly 50 U.S. medical centers were characterized. The numbers of isolates of individual organisms were: Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( n = 204), Acinetobacter spp. ( n = 48), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ( n = 18). MICs were determined using the broth microdilution susceptibility method with 12 antimicrobial agents: piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefepime, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Based on current National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards breakpoints, rates of resistance to cefepime, ceftazidime, and imipenem were as follows: P. aeruginosa , 3, 9, and 5%; Acinetobacter spp., 2, 37, and 0%; and S. maltophilia , 88.7, 35.3, and 100%, respectively. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was the most active agent against S. maltophilia (100% susceptible). Twenty-eight isolates of P. aeruginosa that expressed high levels of resistance to ceftazidime (MIC, >256 μg/mL) and imipenem (MIC, >32 μg/mL) were examined for potential metallo-β-lactamase production by polymerase chain reaction and were found to be negative. Molecular typing of P. aeruginosa isolates revealed many patient-unique strains, but also noted clustering of infections due to isolates of the same DNA type, suggesting possible nosocomial transmission in 9 of 14 medical centers. Given the resistance profile and pathogenic potential of these non-enteric Gram-negative bacilli, considerable effort should be exerted to develop and enforce infection control and antimicrobial utilization practices that will limit the spread of these organisms in the hospital environment.
The evolution of cooling flows. II - Galaxies and galaxy formation

Self-similar solutions are presented for the idealized case of a spherical galaxy with a singular isothermal gravitational potential where the ISM is built up from mass loss by stars or by accretion of external gas. For the former case, where a galaxy initially devoid of gas obtains gas from stellar evolution, steady flow only is obtained inside the cooling radius. Several possibilities occur and are discussed for flow outside the cooling radius. For the case involving infall of external gas, the nature of the flow depends on the initial density of the infalling gas. At high density, only a cold, unshocked flow is possible. At low density, the flow is accelerated inward, is heated in a shock front, approaches a hydrostatic state, passes through the cooling radius and enters a steady subsonic cooling flow, and finally passes through a sonic point. The effects of radiative cooling are discussed.
In-Situ Stresses: The Predominant Influence on Hydraulic Fracture Containment

In-situ experiments, which are accessible by mineback, have been conducted to determine the parameters that control hydraulic fracture containment. These experiments demonstrate that a stress contrast between the pay zone and a bounding layer is the most important factor controlling fracture height. Material property interfaces are shown to have little effect. 19 refs.
Dendritic growth velocities in microgravity.

We measured dendritic tip velocities in pure succinonitrile (SCN) in microgravity, using a sequence of telemetered binary images sent to Earth from the space shuttle Columbia (STS-62). Growth velocities were measured as a function of the supercooling over the range 0.05-1.5 K. Microgravity observations show that buoyancy-induced convection alters the growth kinetics of SCN dendrites at supercoolings as high as 1.3 K. Also, the dendrite velocity data measured under microgravity agree well with the Ivantsov paraboloidal diffusion solution when coupled to a scaling constant of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}^{*}=0.0157$.
Gender and cardiovascular responses: What is the role of hostility?

Two experiments are reported investigating hostility group by gender effects on heart rate and blood pressure. In experiment 1, 58 males and 59 females were tested with a protocol that included baseline, reaction time with and without harassment, and recovery. In experiment 2, 55 males and 50 females participated in a procedure of baseline, Stroop color--word conflict, anger recall interview, and recovery. Based on Buss-Durkee subscales, genders were divided into high and low neurotic hostility and expressed hostility groups. High expressed hostility was associated with greater diastolic reactivity to all tasks in males, but not in females. Low expressed hostility was associated with greater heart rate and systolic reactivity, specifically during the anger recall interview. High neurotic hostility in males and females was associated with greater diastolic reactivity to the anger task only, while low Neurotic hostility males had higher resting systolic pressures. These results suggest that outward expression of hostility in men may increase their coronary heart disease risk; however, results for both men and women support an association between cardiovascular reactivity and a lack of match between self-reported anger management style and task demands.
Evaluation of handle position — Comparison of psychophysical force/endurance and biomechanical criteria☆

Abstract Handle locations and geometry play an important role in container design. The objective of this study was threefold: (a) to determine the effectiveness of the handles in a lifting and carrying task, (b) to determine if force endurance relationship curves could be used as criterion for comparing the handle positions, and (c) to compare the handle positions through biomechanical modelling. The first two objectives were evaluated through a pair of laboratory experiments, while the University of Michigan ‘Two-dimensional static biomechanical model’ was modified for the third objective. The results indicate that symmetric handle positions 2/2, and 8/8 are the best. Among the asymmetric handle positions 3/7 appeared to be superior to 6/8, although the latter resulted in the longest endurance. The results are discussed in light of recommendations to the designer of container.
Effects of Processing Method on Degradation Characteristics of Protein and Carbohydrate Sources In Situ

Two ruminally cannulated Holstein cows in early lactation were used to determine the effects of heat treatment and particle size on fractional degradation rates and ruminal degradabilities of DM, CP, and total nonstructural carbohydrate of dry shelled corn and soybeans. A randomized complete block design with cows as blocks was used. Carbohydrate sources were cracked corn, chick cracked corn, finely ground corn, and steam-flaked corn. Protein sources were soybeans that were roasted at 144°C, cracked, or ground through a 4-mm screen and raw soybeans that were cracked or ground through a 4-mm screen. Reduction in particle size increased both degradability of CP and total nonstructural carbohydrate in the rumen. Heat treatment decreased degradability of CP and increased degradability of total nonstructural carbohydrate in the rumen for both protein and carbohydrate sources. Roasting of soybeans decreased degradability of all AA except Lys. However, reduction in particle size had a stronger effect than heat treatment on ruminal degradability of CP and AA of soybeans, but had the opposite effect on total nonstructural carbohydrate degradability from corn. Methionine, Leu, and Thr had the lowest ruminal degradability across all soybean sources, and Lys and Val were the most degradable. The AA profile of the RUP fraction of soybeans differed from that of the original feedstuff and was affected by processing method.
Rotational parameters of the first torsional state of ethane from lower state combination differences in ν9 + ν4 − ν4

Using interferometric spectra obtained on the McMath Solar Telescope FTS spectrometer in double pass configuration (0.0025 cm−1 resolution), the ν9 + ν4 − ν4 hot band of ethane has been assigned. The torsional splittings, on the order of 0.1 cm−1, are clearly resolved. A total of 556 lower state combination differences yield the B4σ values 0.6605099(73), 0.6605005(44), 0.6604929(76), and 0.6604846(54) cm−1 for σ = 0, 1, 2, 3, respectively. D4σJ is determined to be 1.0261(68), 1.0214(37), 1.0158(49), and 1.0147(74) × 10−6 cm−1, respectively. D4σJK yields 2.741(15), 2.724(18), 2.725(13), and 2.677(18) × 10−6 cm−1. Analysis of the individual σ-state results is presented. An expression is presented which characterizes the torsional dependence of the rotational constants; coefficients in the expression are determined by least-squares analysis of the rotational constants determined from analysis of the ν9 + ν4 − ν4 band and the rotational parameters of the ground state. The B-value for 3ν4, σ = 0, is predicted to be 0.656007 cm−1 compared to a value of 0.656090(24) cm−1 in the literature. Predictions of higher excited torsional state rotational parameters are presented.
Synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity of ruthenium-pyrazole complexes

Abstract A series of new water soluble Ru(III) pyrazole complexes mer-[RuCl3(DMSO-S)(pyz)2] 1, mer-[RuCl3(DMSO-S)(DMSO-O)(pyz)] 2, mer-[RuCl3(bpy)(dmpyz)] 3, and mer-[RuCl3(DMSO-S)(dmpyz)2] 4 (pyz = pyrazole; dmpyz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, bpy = 2,2’-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by use of a combination of spectroscopy (IR and UV-visible), X-ray diffraction, and cyclic voltammetry. The molecular X-ray structure of all reported compounds (1–4) revealed distorted octahedral coordination around ruthenium. The cytotoxicity assay on human breast cancer cells (MCF7) demonstrated that compounds 1 and 4 affect cell viability, whereas compounds 2 and 3 do not show appreciable activity. The IC50 values for 1 and 4 lie within the range of 71–32 μM in MCF7 cells.
Identification of mutations in the galactose‐1‐phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) gene in 16 Turkish patients with galactosemia, including a novel mutation of F294Y

Classical galactosemia caused by deficiency of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) is a severe autosomal recessive disorder. We report here molecular analysis of 16 unrelated Turkish galactosemia index cases without GALT activity. Almost 84% of all mutant alleles were identified in this study. The most common molecular defect observed in the Turkish population was Q188R (replacement of glutamine-188 by arginine) (57%). In order to facilitate the determination of unknown mutations in the entire coding region of GALT, we established an approach based on GALT cDNA synthesis and direct sequencing. We have identified one novel candidate galactosemia mutation, a T-to-A transversion at the codon 294 (F294Y) in exon 9 in addition to previously reported three missense (M142K K285N, A320T), one stop codon (E340X), and one silent (L218L) mutations in galactosemia patients which reflect considerable genetic heterogeneity in the Turkish population. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The effects of ethanol ingestion and choline deficiency on hepatic lecithin biosynthesis in the rat

Abstract The effects of long-term ethanol ingestion and choline deficiency on hepatic lecithin metabolism in the rat are described. Rats were given 20% ethanol in drinking water for 1 month to 1 year and changes compared to an isocalorically fed control group. Choline-deficient diets were fed for 4 weeks and results compared with a control group fed the same diet supplemented with 0.5% choline. 1. 1. Chronic ethanol ingestion resulted in a significant (10–15%) increase in hepatic total phospholipid content. An increased content of phospholipid in relation to protein was noted in the isolated microsomal fraction. An increase in both lecithin and phosphatidyl ethanolamine occurred. Triglyceride content was unchanged. 2. 2 An increase in lecithin synthesis by the sequential methylation pathway was noted in homogenates and microsomal fractions prepared from ethanol-treated rats. No changes in the CDP-choline pathway of lecithin synthesis or in triglyceride synthesis were observed. 3. 3. Choline deficiency resulted in a similar increased capacity for lecithin synthesis by sequential methylation without change in the CDP-choline pathway. However, hepatic content of total phospholipid and lecithin fell and triglyceride increased in the choline-deficient rats. Triglyceride synthesis was increased. 4. 4. Supplementation of the diet with 2% choline completely prevented changes in lecithin biosynthesis in the rats given ethanol and partially reversed the increase in phospholipid content. It is concluded that only one pathway of lecithin synthesis de novo is responsive to changes in dietary choline and to the administration of ethanol. Choline in large amounts prevents or decreases ethanol-induced changes in phospholipid metabolism.
Plasmodium-induced inflammation by uric acid.

Infection of erythrocytes with the Plasmodium parasite causes the pathologies associated with malaria, which result in at least one million deaths annually. The rupture of infected erythrocytes triggers an inflammatory response, which is induced by parasite-derived factors that still are not fully characterized. Induced secretion of inflammatory cytokines by these factors is considered a major cause of malaria pathogenesis. In particular, the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is thought to mediate most of the life-threatening pathologies of the disease. Here we describe the molecular characterization of a novel pathway that results in the secretion of TNF by host cells. We found that erythrocytes infected by Plasmodium accumulate high concentrations of hypoxanthine and xanthine. Degradation of Plasmodium-derived hypoxanthine/xanthine results in the formation of uric acid, which triggers the secretion of TNF. Since uric acid is considered a “danger signal” released by dying cells to alert the immune system, Plasmodium appears to have co-evolved to exploit this warning system. Identifying the mechanisms used by the parasite to induce the host inflammatory response is essential to develop urgently needed therapies against this disease.
Disappearance of Uremia due to heroin-associated nephropathy☆

Heroin-associated nephropathy (HAN), a complication of intravenous heroin abuse, was initially recognized at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, in the early 1970s. Our recent experience indicates that after a steady incidence of new cases of HAN throughout the mid-1980s, a sharp decrease in incidence of new cases occurred starting in 1989. We sought to explore possible explanations for what amounts to disappearance of a previously prevalent disease. By means of retrospective analysis of a hospital-specific registry of new cases of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, incidence curves from 1981 through 1993 for new cases of HAN, diabetes-induced renal disease, and human immunodeficiency virus-associated nephropathy were constructed. From hospital computer records, the number of admissions directly related to opioid abuse were extracted and charted. Unpublished surveillance records of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services as well as reports from the New York City Department of Health, Office of AIDS Surveillance and the US Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration were used to determine the pattern of change in the prevalence of heroin abuse. Additionally, we used analysis of "street" heroin by the Drug Enforcement Administration to draw curves detailing drug cost and purity in New York City. There were no new cases of ESRD due to HAN for the years 1991 through 1993. The rates for new cases of ESRD due to diabetes and hypertension remained relatively constant throughout this interval.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Airway compromise and delayed death following attempted central vein injection of propylhexedrine

Abstract Propythexedrine is a potent α-adrenergic drug available as a nasal decongestant, which drug abusers sometimes extract and inject into a central vein. A 25-year-old white male presented to a local emergency department 32 h after attempting to inject his right internal jugular vein with “home-made crank.” Following injection, he noted right neck pain, followed by fever and chills. On emergency department admission, he had inspiratory stridor and respiratory distress. Massive edema of his right neck extended from his anterior chest to the right parotid. Neck radiographs showed extensive paracervical swelling with displacement of the trachea. The patient was taken to surgery for nasotracheal intubation with fiberoptic guidance and surgical exploration. The neck contained extensive necrotic tissue that was surgically debrided. In spite of treatment with antibiotics, he developed progressive renal failure and hypotension unresponsive to fluid therapy, followed by cardiopulmonary arrest and death.
Determinants for the repression of estrogen receptor transcriptional activity by ligand-occupied progestin receptors.

There is considerable evidence for cross-talk between the estrogen and progestin signaling pathways, including examples of repression or attenuation of estrogen-stimulated endpoints by progestin receptor (PR) agonists and antagonists. We have previously described an experimental system for examining aspects of this cross-talk, namely the repression of estrogen receptor (ER) transcriptional activity by liganded PR (Kraus, W. L., Weis, K. E., Katzenellenbogen, B. S., Mol. Cell. Biol. 15 (1995) 1847-1857). Under promoter and cell type conditions where liganded PR was not a good activator of transcription, PR isoforms were shown to act as potent ligand-dependent repressors of ER transcriptional activity. In the current study, we have identified multiple determinants of this repression by systematically manipulating potentially important variables in this system (e.g. PR A:PR B ratio, sequence of the response elements, receptor structure, and ligand type). Alterations in several of these parameters had profound effects on the ability of PR to repress the activity of ER. Decreases in the PR A:PR B ratio and changes in the sequence of the progestin response element in the reporter gene construct abolished the repressive action of agonist-occupied PR A on ER transcriptional activity. In addition, point or deletion mutations in the amino-terminal A/B region of ER, including a triple point mutation which eliminates phosphorylation sites previously shown to be important in the activity of the receptor, made the ER more sensitive to the repressive actions of liganded PR. The PR ligands that promoted the most potent repression of ER activity were those with 11beta phenyl substitutions, suggesting that the phenyl moiety in the 11beta position is the important structural feature leading to strong repression. Interestingly, changes in the structure of the ER ligand and the sequence of the estrogen response element did not influence the magnitude of repression by PR. The fact that alterations in these check points along the estrogen signaling pathway had little or no effect on the magnitude of repression suggests that liganded PR interferes with the ability of ER to interact productively with the transcriptional machinery; in other words, PR-mediated repression occurs downstream of the events leading to the ligand-dependent conversion of ER to a transcriptionally active form. Our results indicate that a number of parameters which are naturally varied in vivo, such as the sequence of PR DNA binding sites and the PR A:PR B ratio, can dramatically alter the repression of ER activity by liganded PR, and may explain the differential affects of progestin-occupied PR on the expression of different estrogen regulated genes.
Adapting Industrial Relations to Serve Knowledge-based Economies:

The central challenge facing industrial relations today is how to adapt its policies, institutions, practices, and research to serve the needs of the workforce and society in a global, knowledge-based economy. The field of industrial relations rose to prominence in the 20th century because it helped workers and employers adapt to their growing industrial economies. Today, we observe that many of the institutions and policies developed for the industrial era are in decline. A similar transformation of policies, institutions, and practices will be needed to help workers, families, communities, and societies adapt to the requirements of a knowledge-based, global economy. This will require renewed commitment to universal and life-long education and training, broad diffusion of knowledge-based work systems in organizations, more transparency and more direct worker voice in corporate governance structures and processes, flexible labor market policies that support mobility and portability of benefits across jobs...
Dynamic observation of the collapse process of a stacking fault tetrahedron by moving dislocations

Dynamic observation of the microstructure of quenched gold during deformation in a transmission electron microscope revealed that stacking fault tetrahedra (SFTs) having perfect pyramid structure were collapsed by direct interaction with moving screw dislocations. Although a recent molecular dynamics computer simulation study found that truncation of SFT before interaction with moving dislocations is a necessary condition for the SFT collapse, the present experimental results clearly show that truncation of SFT is not a crucial factor for the collapse mechanism.
Naltrexone reduction of long-term smoking cessation weight gain in women but not men: a randomized controlled trial.

Background The opioid antagonist naltrexone has shown promise to reduce weight gain during active treatment, but longer-term studies have not been conducted. The goal was to examine effects of naltrexone on weight gain over long-term follow-up in men and women who quit smoking. Methods Weight was examined at baseline and 6- and 12-month follow-up in the two largest randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of naltrexone in nicotine dependence. For 6–12 weeks after the quit date, participants were randomly assigned to receive naltrexone or placebo. Behavioral counseling and open-label nicotine patch were also included for the first 4–6 weeks. Of the 700 participants in the combined intent-to-treat sample, there were 159 (77 women) biochemically verified abstinent smokers at 6 months, and 115 (57 women) of them remained abstinent at 12 months. Changes in weight (in kilograms or in percentage) and body mass index from baseline to the follow-ups were assessed for these participants. Results Weight gain was significantly lower for women treated with naltrexone compared with placebo (6 months, 3.3 vs. 5.5 kg; 12 months, 5.9 vs. 7.4 kg, respectively). Increases in body mass index and percentage body weight gain were also significantly lower in women treated with naltrexone versus placebo. These effects were not observed in men. Conclusion The results provide evidence for naltrexone as the first pharmacotherapy to reduce postsmoking cessation weight gain among women.
Temperature and feed rate effects on Chinese catfish, Clarias fuscus (Lacepède), growth

Abstract. Chinese catfish, Clarias fuscus (Lacepede), within three size ranges were evaluated for growth, survival and feed conversion ratios (FCR). A 4 × 3 factorial design was used during year-long trials which included four temperatures (20,25,30 and 35 °C) and three feeding rates with commercially formulated salmon/trout feed. Specific growth rates of juvenile fish (1–60g) were highest, ranging from 1–64% body weight/day at 20°C (2%/day feed rate), to 4–94%/day at 25°C (6%/day feed rate). Specific growth rates of sub-adult fish (60–150g) averaged 0–65%/day, with no significant difference between temperature-feed rate treatments. Specific growth rates of adult fish (>150g) were lowest, averaging 0–30%/day for grouped feed rate treatments at 25°C, and 0–16%/day at 30°C. Most mortalities occurred during the juvenile stage, with survival ranging from 0% at 35°C(2% feed rate) to 96% at 30°C(6% feed rate). Survival was 95–100% with sub-adults and adults. FCR were 1 to 4 with juveniles, 2 to 12 with sub-adults, and 3 to 22 with adults. These trials suggest that optimal growth and FCRs were obtained at 25°C; with feed rates of 6%/day with juveniles, 2%/day with sub-adults, and 1%/day with adult fish. Final yields at 25 and 30°C indicate that even though growth and FCR are optimal at 25°C, survival was greater at 30°C, which compensated for reduced growth performance at this temperature. Yields at 25 and 30°C were almost double those at 20°C.
Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Penetration Test Automation

During a penetration test there is many different tools used for every step of the test. These steps are done for every penetration test that a company performs. The tools used are focused towards a specific area of the penetration test that range from information gathering to exploitation. This paper introduces scripting certain tools that are used often to make the process more efficient and effective for both the tester and the customer.
Sensitivity of the US corn belt to climate change and elevated CO2: II. Soil erosion and organic carbon

Abstract Climate models indicate that increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases could alter climate globally. The EPIC (Erosion/Productivity Impact Calculator) model was used to examine the sensitivity of soil erosion (wind, water) and soil organic carbon (SOC) (15 cm and 1 m depth) across the US corn belt to changes in temperature (+ 2°C), precipitation (±10%, ±20%), wind speed (±10%, ±20%), and atmospheric CO2 concentration (350, 625 ppmv). One-hundred-year simulations were run for each of 100 sites under 36 climate/CO2 regimes. The 100-year regionally aggregated mean water erosion rates increased linearly with precipitation, whereas the wind erosion rates decreased and total erosion rates increased non-linearly. Increasing temperature by 2°C (with CO2 and mean wind speed held constant) decreased water erosion by 3–5%, whereas wind erosion increased by 15–18%. Total erosion increased with increased temperature. Increasing CO2 from 350 to 625 ppmv (with temperature increased by 2°C and mean wind speed held constant) had no effect on water erosion, despite increases in annual total and peak runoff; this was attributed to increased vegetation cover. Wind erosion decreased by 4–11% under increased CO2. Wind erosion was very sensitive to mean wind speed, increasing four-fold and decreasing 10-fold for a 20% increase or decrease in mean wind speed, respectively. This was attributed to a threshold effect. SOC to 1 m decreased 4·8 Mg-C ha−1 from an initial value of 18·1 Mg-C ha−1 during the 100-year baseline simulation. About 50% of this loss (2·3 Mg-C ha−1) was due to transport off-site by soil erosion. SOC in the top 15 cm decreased 0·8 Mg-C ha−1 from an initial value of 4·9 Mg-C ha−1. Increased temperature and precipitation accelerated these losses of SOC, whereas increased CO2 slowed the losses.
High wind speeds decrease the responsiveness of birds to potentially threatening moving stimuli

Small foraging birds often rely on visual cues to detect the movement of potential threats. However, feeding in a high wind environment presents the challenge of interpreting the movements of many stimuli, most of which convey little information pertinent to survival. A bird that responds to each of these wind-driven movements would likely suffer the loss of much feeding time. Birds should thus become less responsive to moving stimuli at greater wind speeds. Furthermore, since inanimate objects should not move upwind, birds should generally be more responsive to upwind movements than typical downwind movements. By exposing passerine flocks to a moving, potentially threatening stimulus at various wind speeds, we found that these birds are in fact less responsive to stimulus movement (i.e. a lower tendency to flush to cover) as wind speed increases. However, birds were not more responsive to upwind movements of the stimulus. The propensity to flush was also not significantly affected by temperature or flock size. Responsiveness tended to decline over time, possibly indicating habituation to the stimulus, but the basic effect of wind speed held over the entire study. The general effect of wind on responsiveness suggests that the likelihood of responding to other stimuli or disturbances on windy days may also be reduced.
Facilities design : a problem of systems analysis

Abstract To design new—or to redesign old—manufacturing facilities in the future will require a much broader systems view than has been used in the past. The total ecosystem, in which the manufacturing sub-system is merely one component, must be considered and optimized. This has not been done in the past, to the detriment of the ecosystem. The problem is therefore one where the internal activities of the manufacturing system must be correlated with the externalities in the larger ecosystem in order to achieve the necessary optimization. The real problem is how to do this, and how should the internalities and externalities be measured? Examples are given to indicate the magnitude of the problem. The two most directly related factors causing it are suggested to be overpopulation and inadequate and inappropriate decision criteria in the form of product cost minimization. The former creates facilities design conditions and increasing rates of use of basic resources. The latter creates inadequate systems desi...
Artificial Intelligence Hardware Architectures For The Space Station Era: The Texas Instruments Explorer And Compact Lisp Machine

The need for special Al hardware architectures arises out of support requirements imposed by Al languages. LISP - the language of choice for most Al research and development in the United States - is, in general, poorly served by today's conventional computer architec-tures. To better understand the architectures that will support the Space Station program, Al languages are examined and resulting architecture requirements are discussed. Generic parts required in these special Al architectures are presented, beginning with simple block diagrams and including discussion of their functions. Current and future LISP machine architectures are discussed and a current LISP machine workstation, the Explorer, is examined. The Compact LISP Machine, an embedded com-puter being developed with DARPA funding, is reviewed. Finally, higher functionality uniprocessor LISP machines, the potential for RISCs (reduced instruction set computers), and multiprocessor Al machines are briefly considered.
Cell cycle regulators at the ocular surface.

Abstract The ocular surface provides an outstanding model to examine the regulation of the proliferative cell cycle. Cells within the cornea and conjunctiva exhibit a wide range of proliferative abilities ranging from the rapidly proliferating cells in the basal cell layer of the epithelium to the quiescent keratocytes and endothelial cells. In this review, dedicated to Dr David Maurice, we will discuss four families of proteins known to regulate the cell cycle. These families include: (1) the cyclins; (2) the CIP/KIP family of cell cycle inhibitors – consisting of p21, p27, and p57; (3) the INK4 family of cell cycle inhibitors – including p16, p15, p18, and p19; and (4) the retinoblastoma family – consisting of pRb, p107, and p130. Members of all of these families have been localized in various cells in the ocular surface. We will discuss how these proteins are involved in regulating cell proliferation both in normal homeostasis and during wound healing.
Sedimentary and Tectonic History of Ouachita Mountains: ABSTRACT

The Ouachita Mountains of Oklahoma and Arkansas contain Paleozoic flysch-like geosynclinal rocks exposed by elongated east-west folds and thrust faults. Approximately 5,000 ft of Cambrian to Devonian flysch consists predominantly of dark slates and cherts, comprising a classical "starved trough" succession. Minor incursions of mature sands, apparently from the North American craton, invaded the trough at three different intervals. The succeeding Carboniferous, almost 40,000 ft thick, consists of proximal and distal turbidite sandstones, black shales, and minor interlayered wildflysch and volcanic ash. Sedimentary structures indicate southwestward, westward, and northwestward sand dispersal. Sandstone compositions suggest a cratonic, quartz-rich provenance as well as a fel spathic, lithic extracontinental source. The tectonic setting may well have been due to oceanic crust spreading northwestward, plunging under continental crust, and creating an island-arc-trench-subduction zone whose present location is overlapped by post-Paleozoic rocks. Northwest of the trench, a complex of slope, rise, and abyssal sediments formed upon the depressed outer margin of continental crust. East of the Ouachitas, continent-continent collision caused suturing of Africa and North America, which created source materials that were subsequently emplaced as a westward-building subsea cone during the Carboniferous. In the Ouachita area, continued subduction finally created a series of uplifted tectonic lands resulting in northward sliding of the sedimentary succession as continentward-directed folds and thrust sheets. ubsequent stress-field orientation changed so that the area then became dormant. End_of_Article - Last_Page 796------------
A longitudinal analysis of urban poverty: Blacks in U.S. metropolitan areas between 1970 and 1980

Abstract This article undertakes a longitudinal analysis of changes in black urban poverty in 59 large Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas between 1970 and 1980. The model is based on a set of equations we derived and estimated in earlier work to test explanations of urban poverty proposed by Charles Murray (1984 , Losing Ground: American Social Policy, 1950–1980, Basic Books, New York) and William Julius Wilson (1987 , The Truly Disadvantaged: The Inner City, the Underclass, and Public Policy, University of Chicago Press, Chicago). The prior analysis, however, was estimated using only cross-sectional data. The present longitudinal analysis finds little support for Murray's arguments and strong support for Wilson's. Results show that structural characteristics of the urban labor market—namely the suburbanization of employment, the decline in manufacturing jobs, and the rise of low-wage services—act to reduce black male employment, increase the prevalence of female-headed families, and drive up black poverty rates; but changes in the generosity of welfare payments have little or no effect on these outcomes. Discrepancies between the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses are reconciled by considering the likely effects of selective migration between metropolitan areas.