cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unresolved mathematical problems in the representation of potential energy surfaces by many-body potentials

The proper representation of potential energy surfaces is critical to many theoretical approaches including molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulation methods. A large number of points required on the energy surface to adequately represent the surfaces prevents from practical use of large scale quantum-chemical approaches. Thus, potential energy surfaces (PES) have to be represented by simplified expressions. These expressions are derived from existing theoretical or experimental data. There is an open question concerning the reliability of such representations. In general, the assumed form of these expressions should be flexible enough to allow the proper representation of energy of any rearrangement of atoms. The value of a single point on the energy surface resulting from an N-atom system may be expressed by a general formula comprising contributions of the various subunits [1 ]. Mathematically, one can cast the potential energy surface as
Hair-cycle-dependent expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein and its type I receptor: evidence for regulation at the anagen to catagen transition.

The humoral hypercalcemia factor parathyroid hormone-related protein is a paracrine-signaling molecule that regulates the development of several organ systems, including the skin. In pathologic circumstances such as hypercalcemia and in development, parathyroid hormone-related protein signaling appears to be mediated by the type I parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related protein receptor. In order to clarify the role of the ligand and receptor pair in cutaneous biology, gene expression was monitored in a series of murine skin samples ranging from embryonic day 14 to 2 y with in situ hybridization and RNase protection. In all samples, high levels of parathyroid hormone-related protein transcripts were exclusively expressed in the developing and adult hair follicle but were not observed in the interfollicular epidermis. In the adult, parathyroid hormone-related protein mRNA expression was dynamically regulated as a function of the murine hair cycle in a way similar to other signaling molecules that regulate the anagen to catagen transition. PTH receptor transcripts were abundantly expressed in the developing dermis. In the adult skin, PTH receptor mRNA was markedly reduced, but again demonstrated hair-cycle-dependent expression. The dorsal skin of the keratin 14–parathyroid hormone-related protein mouse was used to evaluate the impact of overexpression of the peptide on the murine hair cycle. All types of hair were 30–40% shorter in adult keratin 14–parathyroid hormone-related protein mice as compared with wild-type littermates. This appeared to result from a premature entry into the catagen phase of the hair cycle. Finally, the relationship between parathyroid hormone-related protein signaling and other growth factors that regulate the hair cycle was examined by cross-breeding experiments employing keratin 14–parathyroid hormone-related protein mice and fibroblast growth factor-5-knockout mice. It appears that parathyroid hormone-related protein and fibroblast growth factor-5 regulate the anagen to catagen transition by independent pathways.
The Growing Role of States in U.S. Foreign Policy: The Case of the State Partnership Program

States can and do play an important role in contemporary U.S. foreign policy. This article will discuss the growing role of states through an investigation of the State Partnership Program (SSP). The SSP pairs state National Guards with the militaries of other countries through U.S. military engagement programs. The state-level National Guard then becomes the primary site for implementing U.S. military engagement programs. Both a federalism and decision-making perspective, however, are unable to recognize this role. The decision-making bias of foreign policy analysis affords states a limited international role and minimal influence in shaping the policies of the government toward other countries. An implementation perspective, however, reveals a growing role of states carrying out U.S. foreign policy, including the “high politics” of national security issues. States give decisions meaning through the practice of policy implementation. A detailed case study of the Maryland–Estonia partnership illustrates how an implementation perspective can recognize a growing role of states in shaping U.S. foreign policy.
Structural organization of the maxicircle variable region of Trypanosoma brucei: identification of potential replication origins and topoisomerase II binding sites

The maxicircle of the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei, one component of the mitochondrial genome, has size differences among isolates that localize to the variable region (VR) between the ND5 and 12S rRNA genes. We present here the nucleotide sequence of this entire region, thus completing the sequence of the maxicircle genome. We also find heterogeneously sized transcripts from throughout most of the VR. The VR has three distinct sections, each with characteristic repeated sequences. The repeated sequences in two sections are short and highly reiterated; the intraspecies size variation occurs within this region. The third section contains non-repetitive sequences and a large duplication immediately upstream of the 12S rRNA gene. Two repeat units within section I contain a sequence that has homology to the DNA replication origin of minicircles. This region also contains sequences with homology to topoisomerase II binding and cleavage sites. These findings suggest a role for the VR in DNA replication of the maxicircle.
Autophagosome Formation: Tracing the Source

Although it is well appreciated that autophagy begins with phagophore formation and expansion through lipid acquisition to become the autophagosome, this process remains poorly understood, with the source of autophagosome membrane controversial. Reporting recently in Nature, Hamasaki et al. (2013) suggest that the ER-mitochondria contact sites are involved in phagophore assembly.
Transit as Part of the Equation, Revisited

Average energy consumed in travel modes is best for rail, then buses, and then cars. This ranking contradicts a presentation at the 87th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, which relied on the Transportation Energy Data Book. In that presentation, cars were shown to have superior energy use to buses and were near the energy use of rail transit. The presentation suggested that technological advances in car efficiency would make them more efficient than all mass transit. Although both cars and mass transit vehicles will improve in efficiency, it is a flawed argument that use of cars will consume less energy. Focusing only on Btu consumed neglects consideration of the purpose of the trip and the effect of embodied energy, which is the energy used to make vehicles and roadways. Additionally, claiming that cars offer greater potential for energy reduction neglects the great capacity in transit systems to accommodate more riders while using no additional energy. Several strategies can be implem...
Quantitation of inhibition of gastric electrolyte secretion by insulin in the dog.

Inhibition of gastric juice volume, acid, and chloride output by insulin injected during histamine infusion in dogs has been shown to depend on the dose of insulin. Thus, 0.15 U./kg. did not inhibit secretion, while 0.3 U./kg. did so in some dogs. Doses of 0.45 U./kg. or greater always inhibited up to 100%.
Immature Copper-Zinc Superoxide Dismutase and Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Mutations in human copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) cause an inherited form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease, motor neuron disease). Insoluble forms of mutant SOD1 accumulate in neural tissues of human ALS patients and in spinal cords of transgenic mice expressing these polypeptides, suggesting that SOD1-linked ALS is a protein misfolding disorder. Understanding the molecular basis for how the pathogenic mutations give rise to SOD1 folding intermediates, which may themselves be toxic, is therefore of keen interest. A critical step on the SOD1 folding pathway occurs when the copper chaperone for SOD1 (CCS) modifies the nascent SOD1 polypeptide by inserting the catalytic copper cofactor and oxidizing its intrasubunit disulfide bond. Recent studies reveal that pathogenic SOD1 proteins coming from cultured cells and from the spinal cords of transgenic mice tend to be metal-deficient and/or lacking the disulfide bond, raising the possibility that the disease-causing mutations may enhance levels of SOD1-folding intermediates by preventing or hindering CCS-mediated SOD1 maturation. This mini-review explores this hypothesis by highlighting the structural and biophysical properties of the pathogenic SOD1 mutants in the context of what is currently known about CCS structure and action. Other hypotheses as to the nature of toxicity inherent in pathogenic SOD1 proteins are not covered.
Academic Outcomes among a Sample of Learning Support Community College Students.

This research examined the relationship between placement in a learning support college program and subsequent academic outcomes. The sample consisted of 275 entering freshmen students who were enrolled in the Learning Support reading courses in the fall of 2005. Data were collected from the Gordon College Office of Institutional Research. The data showed that of the 275 students who enrolled in a Learning Support reading course in the fall 2005 semester, 189 returned for the spring 2006 semester. Data also showed that 58% of the 275 students enrolled in Learning Support reading during fall 2005 successfully completed a basic reading intensive course upon completion of their remedial reading class. One hundred eighty seven students who had previously completed Learning Support reading enrolled (spring 2006 or later) in Introductory English 101 and 121 passed. Fifty-five students who had completed Learning Support reading enrolled (spring 2006 or later) in History 1121, Western Civilization, and 20 student...
Syntheses, structures and luminescent properties of new lanthanide-based coordination polymers based on 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (bdc)

Reaction of 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (1,4-H2BDC) with EuCl3·6H2O in MeOH in the presence of Et3N and MeCN gives a mixture of the 3-D metal–organic-framework (MOF) materials [Eu2(1,4-BDC)3(MeOH)4]·8MeOH (1) and 2-D [Eu(1,4-BDC)(MeOH)4]·Cl·MeOH·0.25H2O (2). Similar reactions afforded the isomorphous Gd (3) and Tb (4) analogs of 2. Reaction of 1,4-H2BDC with Ln(NO3)3·6H2O under similar conditions gave [Ln(BDC)NO3(MeOH)2]·MeCN·H2O (Ln = Eu (5) and Gd (6)), which have 2-D framework structures. The structures of 1–6 were determined by single crystal X-ray crystallographic studies and the luminescence properties of 1 and 4 in DMF solution were determined.
Silent Victims — An Epidemic of Childhood Exposure to Domestic Violence

More than 15 million U.S. children live in families affected by intimate partner violence; about 7 million witness severe violence, such as the assault of one parent by another. Exposure to such violence has been linked to higher rates of physical health problems.
STUDIES ON TYPHUS FEVER : XI. A REPORT ON THE PROPERTIES OF THE SERUM OF A HORSE IMMUNIZED WITH KILLED FORMALINIZED RICKETTSIA.

The experiments recorded above demonstrate that the systematic treatment of a horse with formalin- and phenol-killed Rickettsiae obtained from the Mexican virus by our X-ray rat technique induces the development of properties in the horse's serum which may be described as follows: 1. An original agglutinating potency for Proteus X-19 (Weil-Felix reaction) not exceeding dilutions of 1-40 was enhanced to a potency of 1-160 and, feebly, 1-320. 2. The horse's serum, after immunization, exerts distinct protective action against the Mexican virus, whether mixed with the virus before injection, administered 1 week or somewhat longer before the virus or given 24, 48 or 72 hours after infection with virus. Experiments of the last category have been most successful when the serum was given subcutaneously. 3. The serum of the immunized horse agglutinates the Weigl louse vaccines, containing Rickettsia prowazeki of the European disease in dilutions comparable in potency to the Weil-Felix reaction. Since the serum described exerted protective effects when given 7 and 13 days before infection with the virus, there is some prospect of prophylactic usefulness on the part of this serum. Since the serum also protected when subcutaneously administered 24, 48 and 72 hours after intraperitoneal infection of guinea pigs, and somewhat modified the disease even when given 96 hours after infection-that is 1 day before the control came down with a typical reaction-, it is at least logical to investigate its possible therapeutic value by early administration in the human disease of the New World or Mexican type. The time intervals governing the experiments of the last two categories in guinea pigs were of course dependent upon the balance between the amounts of virus and of serum used. The failure of similar effects upon the European virus is not easily explained. This is especially difficult to understand in view of the unquestionable agglutinating potency of the serum for the Weigl vaccines. Whether this difficulty is purely a quantitative one, or depends upon other factors, can be determined only by further investigation.
Non-monotonic lateral interactions in CO/Pt(111)

Abstract CO/Pt(111) is undoubtedly one of the best-studied chemisorption systems. However, there remain peculiarities in its coverage-dependent behaviors, e.g., formation of large adsorbate superstructures at relatively low coverage, which are not yet understood. We present a lattice gas transfer matrix analysis of existing adsorption isotherm data for this system. Despite a statistical correlation between the various lattice interaction energies, we find that the isotherms are inconsistent with any attractive interactions. Surprisingly, however, the repulsive lattice interactions do not decay monotonically as a function of distance since the interaction in the second shell is consistently smaller in magnitude than that in the third. We discuss a qualitative relationship between these observations and the phase behavior of this system. In particular, this sort of lateral interaction easily explains the formation of large superlattices at coverages well below one third of a monolayer. We also compare these interactions to results from similar CO adsorption systems.
Conducting business in Saudi Arabia: A brief for international managers

Among the countries in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia offers one of the most promising business opportunities in the foreseeable future for multinational corporations. The kingdom has embarked on billions of dollars' worth of investment projects and has developed a world-class infrastructure. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has presented and cultivated a liberal and business-friendly investment environment. In the last 20 years, political and economic stability have been achieved through serious and pragmatic measures and reforms that are aimed at strengthening the power of the ruling family while facilitating economic growth and foreign investment and involvement. This article provides useful information on the business, social, and economic environment. It aims to provide international managers with essential and insightful information in order to conduct business in Saudi Arabia with confidence and in the most effective way. The information and insight will enrich and sharpen international managers' skills in competing in the global marketplace. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Blindness, the Visual, and Ekphrastic Impulses: Albert Memmi Colours in the Lines

The later novels of Tunisian writer Albert Memmi reveal an interest in the visual: Le Scorpion (1969) foregrounds text as visual object, with myriad typefaces and images of calligraphy interspersed throughout the text; Le Desert (1977) is punctuated by a series of engravings that form an iconotextual structure. Despite this profusion of visual material, Memmi does not submit to an ekphrastic impulse; the novels scrupulously avoid commentary on their visual elements. This complex relationship to ekphrasis is troubled by Memmi’s L’Ecriture coloree ou Je vous aime en rouge (1986), an essay that proposes a colour-based legend offering readers a ‘map’ to navigate the registers of discourse contained within a text. While Memmi’s system raises more questions than it solves, it offers an opportunity to probe the stability of certain binaries (blindness and sight, and ocularcentrism and ocularphobia). Moreover, it blurs the frontiers between text and image, for ecriture coloree also holds the promise of turning the page of text into a modernist painting, with its coloured lines of text morphing into a Mondrianesque tableau such that discourse, figured as blocks and swatches of colour, would find itself resisting verbal representation.
Introduction to the Special Series on Attention Deficit Disorder

Presentation generale du Trouble Deficitaire de l'Attention, et introduction aux textes qui suivent et aux questions fondamentales autour desquelles ils s'organisent
The Signaling Power of Specially Designated Dividends

We distinguish among the signaling, free cash flow, and wealth transfer hypotheses in explaining the stock price reaction to specially designated dividend (SDD) announcements. In a direct test of the signaling power of SDDs, we find both a larger stock price reaction and a significant upward revision of earnings forecasts for firms with Tobin's q less than one, but not for other firms. Our results support the conditional signaling hypothesis, which predicts greater effects of favorable information for low q firms. Taken together, our results for stock price effects and earnings forecast revisions do not support either the free cash flow or wealth transfer hypotheses.
Bovine adrenal cortical adenyl cyclase and its stimulation by adrenocorticotropic hormone and NaF

Abstract 1. 1. A thin-layer chromatography system for isolating radiochemically pure 3',5'-AMP from incubation mixtures is described and has been applied to a study of adenyl cyclase of the bovine adrenal cortex. The majority of the enzyme was found in the material which sediments at 2000 × g . The activity in this fraction is not due to the presence of intact cells or nuclei. 2. 2. The enzyme was stimulated 50–100% by ACTH and 2–5-fold by NaF. When the enzyme preparation was exposed to ACTH at 0°, followed by washing, stimulation of adenyl cyclase was still observed. To get stimulation with NaF under these conditions, the preincubation must take place at 20–30°. Sulfhydryl reagents, such as p -chloromercuriphenyl sulfonate, inhibit the enzyme and reversal of the inhibition by dithioerythreitol demonstrate that the enzyme requires sulfhydryl groups for its activity. However, the stimulation of the enzyme by either ACTH or NAF does not require sulfhydryl groups. 3. 3. Maximal activity of the enzyme occurs at about pH 8.2 but enzyme stability is greatest at about pH 7.1. ACTH stimulation, either in the final incubation or in preincubation experiments, increased with an increase in pH from 7 to 9, while the stimulation by NaF decreased. Mere pretreatment of the enzyme preparation at pH 9 resulted in a preparation which gave an increased response to ACTH. 4. 4. Washing the enzyme preparation with EDTA resulted in a decrease in the control level of the enzyme but not change in the percent stimulation by either ACTH of NaF. Pretreatment of the EDTA-washed preparation with MgCl 2 restored the control level of the enzyme but had no effect on the stimulation by ACTH or NaF. On the other hand, pretreatment with CaCl 2 had no effect on the control level of the enzyme but resulted in an increase in the stimulation by both ACTH and NaF. Direct addition of CaCl 2 to the final incubation also augmented ACTH stimulation. The data suggest that Mg 2+ is involved in the maintenance of the integrity of the enzyme while Ca 2+ is involved in the response of the enzyme to ACTH and NaF. 5. 5. The addition of NaF to a preparation which had been preincubated with ACTH results in an inhibition of the NaF stimulation, suggesting that some of the adenyl cyclase has been denied to the NaF under these conditions.
Thermoplastic composites reinforced with long fiber thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers for fused deposition modeling

This work is concerned with preliminary studies on developing thermoplastic composites for use in fused deposition modeling (FDM). Polypropylene (PP) strands reinforced with thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) fibrils were generated in a novel dual extruder process. The process allowed the reinforcement of PP with a melting point (T m ) of 165°C with continuous fibrils of a high melting (283°C) TLCP (Vectra A950). The strands were then re-extruded in a capillary rheometer forming monofilaments to simulate piston actuated FDM. The effects of the thermal and deformation histories on the mechanical properties of the re-extruded strands were evaluated. It was found that tensile properties of the strands improved with draw ratio and that the maximum modulus of the composite strands was similar to that predicted by composite theory. Strands were consolidated uniaxially via compression molding at temperatures just above the melting point of the matrix to determine the effect of thermal history. This resulted in a ∼ 20% reduction in tensile modulus relative to the modulus of the strands. Monofilaments were extruded from a capillary rheometer in which long fiber strands were used as feedstock to study the effects of deformation history on the tensile properties. It was found that the tensile properties of the monofilaments were dependent on capillary diameter, capillary L/D, and apparent shear rate due to fibril alignment.
Ecology of a Late Silurian fauna of graptolites and associated organisms

The Ludlow Series of Wales and the Welsh Borderland represents an ocean-bordering basin and shelf which received a shoaling sequence of sediments in the late Silurian. Graptolites grade from highest diversity and density in basin areas to lowest diversity and density on the nearshore shelf. By analogy with modern zooplankton, this distribution is attributed to differentiation of surface water masses over basin and shelf. During Ludlow time, the center of graptolite abundance shifted northward, indicating a restriction and seaward movement of the basin water mass. Small nektic cephalopods and phyllocarids parallel distribution trends of the graptolites, as does a fauna of small bivalves and brachiopods which may have lived on floating plants. The water mass model accounts for most distributional patterns of pelagic organisms in this local area, and has broader application to the distribution and evolution of graptolites.
A LADAR bare earth extraction technique for diverse topography and complex scenes

Bare earth extraction is an important component to LADAR data analysis in terms of terrain classification. The challenge in providing accurate digital models is augmented when there is diverse topography within the data set or complex combinations of vegetation and built structures. A successful approach provides a flexible methodology (adaptable for topography and/or environment) that is capable of integrating multiple ladar point cloud data attributes. A newly developed approach (TE-SiP) uses a 2nd and 3rd order spatial derivative for each point in the DEM to determine sets of contiguous regions of similar elevation. Specifically, the derivative of the central point represents the curvature of the terrain at that position. Contiguous sets of high (positive or negative) values define sharp edges such as building edges or cliffs. This method is independent of the slope, such that very steep, but continuous topography still have relatively low curvature values and are preserved in the terrain classification. Next, a recursive segmentation method identifies unique features of homogeneity on the surface separated by areas of high curvature. An iterative selection process is used to eliminate regions containing buildings or vegetation from the terrain surface. This technique was tested on a variety of existing LADAR surveys, each with varying levels of topographic complexity. The results shown here include developed and forested regions in the Dominican Republic.
We Have Met the Enemy and He Is Us: The Role of the Faculty in the Internationalization of Higher Education in the Coming Decade:

This article argues that the chief challenge for developing and sustaining internationalization in the context of the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century is the engagement of the faculty. It argues that although higher education has been successful in providing mechanisms for student mobility because institutions have not successfully engaged the faculty that mobility is not as sizeable as it should be, but also, in and of itself, will not deliver the learning, discovery, and engagement that we seek through internationalization. To capture the faculty's interest in, and commitment to, internationalization, we need to move beyond the conceptualization of the internationalization or globalization of higher education in terms of how the different aspects of teaching, research, and service functions of the university are becoming more “internationalized” and examine how these activities encourage greater learning and discovery. Our challenge is to convince faculty that their scholarship and teach...
Pathophysiology of cerebral edema in fulminant hepatic failure.

F ULMINANT hepatic failure (FHF) is a devastating disease and is still associated with a high mortality (1). FHF results in progressive multi-organ failure with a dramatic impact on the brain. Indeed, development of intracranial hypertension (IH) is a leading cause of death in FHE During this decade two theories have independently emerged to explain the pathogenesis of cerebral edema and intracranial pressure in FHE The glutamine hypothesis is based on the fact that ammonia is detoxified in the brain to glutamine, whose osmotic effects in astrocytes may account for the development of brain edema (2). Astrocyte swelling is a prominent neuropathological feature in FHF (3). In humans, hyperammonemia induces brain edema in several medical conditions (4). Experimentally, inhibition of glutamine synthesis with methionine-sulfoximine (MSO) prevents the development of ammoniainduced brain edema in normal rats (5), decreases astrocyte swelling (6) and ameliorates brain edema in rats after portacaval anastomosis (PCA) receiving an ammonia infusion (7). A second hypothesis suggests that cerebral edema arises as a consequence of cerebral vasodilatation (8). Physiological studies in patients with FHF (9,lO) and in experimental models (11) indicate that cerebral arterioles are dilated. Furthermore, patients with signs of cerebral edema and IH have a higher cerebral blood flow (CBF) compared to patients without brain swelling (12,13). Two recent experimental studies suggest that development of brain edema may depend both on glutamine accumulation in astrocytes and changes in CBE First, Cordoba et al. (14) found in PCA rats receiving an ammonia infusion that an increase in brain glutamine was associated with a marked rise in CBF at the time of an increase in brain water and intracranial pressure.
Preventing Post-Organ Transplantation Cytomegalovirus Disease with Ganciclovir: A Meta-Analysis Comparing Prophylactic and Preemptive Therapies

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) causes significant morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients, but there is no consensus regarding the most appropriate prevention method. The goal of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy of universal prophylaxis and preemption using ganciclovir. Methods Literature searches for randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials of ganciclovir prophylaxis and preemption were conducted. Because of the lack of head-to-head trials, indirect comparisons of meta-analyses of the prevention strategies were performed. Meta-analyses were conducted using a random effects model to estimate the overall risk ratios for various clinical outcomes. We assessed the event rates for control groups across the trials for comparability. Results Literature searches identified 17 universal prophylaxis trials and 9 preemption trials with 1560 and 457 subjects, respectively. Overall event rates for CMV disease in control groups across the studies were similar (approximately 26%). The relative risk of CMV disease in prophylaxis trials was 0.34 (95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.48) when trials of patients with prophylaxis of short duration and trials that only evaluated patients with high-risk serostatus were excluded. The relative risk of CMV disease for study subjects in all preemption trials was 0.30 (95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.60), compared with that for control subjects. There was no statistically significant difference in CMV disease between prevention strategies. Similarly, no differences between strategies were found for all-cause mortality or rejection. There were insufficient data to adequately evaluate graft loss and opportunistic infection. Conclusions On the basis of indirect comparisons of meta-analyses of prevention strategies, universal prophylaxis and preemption are equally effective in reducing the incidence of CMV disease.
POPULATION MOVEMENTS AND INVESTMENT (II)

UP TO THIS POINT we have been considering the growth of population in the United States, but have not discussed its redistribution. For some parts of the country are growing while others are declining in population. Let us first review the main trends with respect to redistribution as revealed by the decennial census taken last year. I shall approach the subject by trying to identify those parts of the country which appear to be slated for growth, and those which evidence little growth potential, whatever happens to be their rate of natural increase. For, by and large, the place to invest in for many purposes is the place where population is growing. Because of the pressure for capital arising from foreign sources and because of our heavy taxation, I would expect interest rates to remain firm and probably to feel some upward pressure for several decades at least. I do not believe that profit rates will be affected by the slowing down of population growth in so far as profit depends upon risks and uncertainties. The slowing down of the rate of population growth should, however, reduce the significance of the growth factor for many industries unless they can devise new products and so start up on a new growth curve which is largely independent of population for a while. Perhaps television is a case in point. Even so, the profitinterest ratio should favor investment in equities, and this in turn should strengthen interest rates.
Glycoprotein-Dependent Acidification of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Enhances Release of Matrix Protein

To study vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) entry and uncoating, we generated a recombinant VSV encoding a matrix (M) protein containing a C-terminal tetracysteine Lumio tag (rVSV-ML) that could be fluorescently labeled using biarsenical compounds. Quantitative confocal microscopy showed that there is a transient loss of fluorescence at early times after the initiation of endocytosis of rVSV-ML-Green (rVSV-MLG) virions, which did not occur when cells were treated with bafilomycin A1. The reduction in fluorescence occurred 5 to 10 min postentry, followed by a steady increase in fluorescence intensity from 15 to 60 min postentry. A similar loss of fluorescence was observed in vitro when virions were exposed to acidic pH. The reduction in fluorescence required G protein since “bald” ΔG-MLG particles did not show a similar loss of fluorescence at low pH. Based on the pH-dependent fluorescence properties of Lumio Green, we hypothesize that the loss of fluorescence of rVSV-MLG virions during virus entry is due to a G ectodomain-dependent acidification of the virion interior. Biochemical analysis indicated that low pH also resulted in an enhancement of M protein dissociation from partially permeabilized, but otherwise intact, wild-type virions. From these data we propose that low-pH conformational changes in G protein promote acidification of the virus interior, which facilitates the release of M from ribonucleoprotein particles during uncoating.
Injection of a bubble into the inner magnetosphere

[1] Magnetic reconnection in the magnetotail or other forms of current sheet disruption are believed to produce plasma bubbles, which consist of flux tubes that have lower entropy content PV 5/3 than their surroundings. We present an initial Rice-Convection-Model-based simulation of the injection of a bubble into the inner magnetosphere and explore the consequences on ring current formation. As the bubble moves into the inner magnetosphere, region-1-sense Birkeland currents form along its eastward and westward edges while strong westward electric field and earthward flow form inside it; gradient/curvature drift causes it to drift westward. The simulations indicate that the presence of a bubble results in an increase in the peak particle pressure in the ring current region. Results are presented from several computer experiments to determine sensitivities to assumptions.
Comparison of TRMM 2A25 Products, Version 6 and Version 7, with NOAA/NSSL Ground Radar-Based National Mosaic QPE

Characterization of the error associated with satellite rainfall estimates is a necessary component of deterministic and probabilistic frameworks involving spaceborne passive and active microwave measurements for applications ranging from water budget studies to forecasting natural hazards related to extreme rainfall events. The authors focus here on the relative error structure of Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) precipitation radar (PR) quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) at the ground by comparison of 2A25 products with reference values derived from NOAA/NSSL’s ground radar‐based National Mosaic and QPE system (NMQ/Q2). The primary contribution of this study is to compare the new 2A25, version 7 (V7), products that were recently released as a replacement of version 6 (V6). Moreover, the authorssupply uncertainty estimates of the rainfall productsso that they may be used in a quantitative manner for applications like hydrologic modeling. This new version is considered superior over land areas and will likely be the final version for TRMM PR rainfall estimates. Several aspects of the two versions are compared and quantified, including rainfall rate distributions, systematic biases, and random errors. All analyses indicate that V7 is in closer agreement with the reference rainfall compared to V6.
Spontaneous Adverse Event Reports of Serious Ventricular Arrhythmias, QT Prolongation, Syncope, and Sudden Death in Patients Treated with Cisapride:

Context: Adverse cardiac events, typically long QT syndrome, have been reported in patients treated with the gastrointestinal prokinetic agent cisapride.Objective: To analyze cases of cisapride-associated long QT syndrome and ascertain the degree of confidence in the diagnosis of long QT syndrome and the presence of risk factors.Design: Review of all cases reported to the manufacturer, health authorities, or in the medical literature as of October 1999.Methods: Before review, specific definitions and a classification scheme were agreed upon. Each case was classified by confidence in the long QT syndrome diagnosis and the presence of recognized risk factors (cofactors) or other medical conditions that were listed as contraindications in the June 1998 United States labeling (labeled conditions).Results: Of 574 cases reviewed, 391 cases of long QT syndrome or isolated QT prolongation were confirmed. Most of these were classified as long QT syndrome with high (145, 37%) or medium (92, 23.5%) confidence in the...
Expansionist and Isolationist Tendencies of Totalitarian Political Systems: A Theoretical Note

A NUMBER OF EXPLANATIONS have been offered for the expansionist tendencies of large totalitarian powers. Sigmund Neumann, writing of the Third Reich, sees ". . . unlimited expansion . . . [as] . . . the fourth characteristic of modern totalitarian rule ... Dictatorial regimes are governments at war, originating in war, aiming at war, thriving on war ... [They] ... find in international adventure a safety-valve against internal upheaval. The dictatorship becomes the exploiter of continuous conflict."' This "safetyvalve" theory of totalitarian expansion has found currency in a variety of applications. There are also other views, emphasizing economic and demographic interests; strategic and military interests; the psychopathology of totalitarian leaders, such as megalomania and paranoia, and psychological maladjustment of the nation as a whole. Nor does this exhaust the list: exuberance of nationalism, power-drive or vagaries of the nation-state system, the presence of aggressive or insecure elites in society and maladjustment of the capitalist system have been singled out as sources of imperialism. The ideologies of totalitarian powers are another source of explanations for these nations' aggressions. The Nazis expounded the mission of the superior race; the Communists, that of world revolution. These explanations have a common limitation; they are concerned with expansion only. They ignore the twin tendency which complements totalitarian expansionism, its equally strong impulse towards isolation. Totalitarian isolationism-that is, its protective Iron Curtain shielding the regime from external influence-is as striking as totalitarian expansion. In the course of this discussion, a set of factors is suggested which can explain both seemingly contradictory tendencies. The two impulses are seen as necessary protective devices without which
New Conservation Functions and a Partial Taxonomy for 1-D Cellular Automata

We present algorithms that permit increased efficiency in the calculation of conservation functions for cellular automata, and report results obtained from implementations of these algorithms to report conservation laws for 1-D cellular automata of higher order than any previously known. We introduce the notion of trivial and core conservation functions to distinguish truly new conservation functions from simple extensions of lower-order ones. We give new theorems related to these concepts, and show our use of them to derive more efficient algorithms for finding conservation functions. We then present the complete list of conservation functions up to order 16 for the 256 elementary 1-D binary cellular automata. These include CAs that were not previously known to have nontrivial conservation functions.
Effect of caloric restriction on life span of the housefly, Musca domestica

Caloric restriction (CR) has been found to extend the life spans of a wide variety of species, transcending phylogenetic boundaries. The objective of this study was to test the generality of this phenomenon, using the male housefly as an insect model in which food intake can be quantified precisely. Sucrose was found to promote a longer life span than diets additionally containing proteins and lipids. Flies were fed sucrose or a more complex diet ad libitum (AL), or in amounts ranging from 50% to 100% of the average amount consumed by young flies. CR shortened rather than prolonged the life span of houseflies, particularly flies fed sucrose only. The rate of oxygen consumption was not affected by caloric restriction or by the exclusion of proteins and lipids from the diet, and the reproductive activity of male flies remained unchanged by sucrose feeding. Thus, it is unlikely that the life-shortening effects of CR can be explained either in terms of an adaptive response in metabolic rate or use of a suboptimal food source. Results of this study contradict the widely held view that CR has a life-extending effect in all species.
Soybean isoflavones regulate dendritic cell function and suppress allergic sensitization to peanut

Background Although peanut and soybean proteins share extensive amino acid sequence homology, the incidence and severity of allergic reactions to soy are much less than those to peanut. Soybeans are rich in anti-inflammatory isoflavones and are the most common source of isoflavones in the human food supply. Objective We hypothesized that the active isoflavones in the gut milieu are capable of modulating immune responses to dietary antigens by regulating dendritic cell (DC) function. Methods We tested this hypothesis in a murine model of peanut allergy and in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs). C3H/HeJ mice were fed a diet containing genistein and daidzein. The mice were sensitized and challenged with peanut, and the anaphylactic symptoms were compared with those of mice fed a soy-free diet. Human MDDCs were activated with cholera toxin in the presence of isoflavones. The surface expression of DC activation markers and DC-mediated effector functions were analyzed by means of flow cytometry. Results Dietary isoflavones significantly reduced the anaphylactic symptoms and mast cell degranulation in vivo after peanut challenge. Serum peanut-specific antibodies were markedly reduced in mice fed the isoflavone diet. Isoflavones inhibited cholera toxin–induced DC maturation in the mesenteric lymph nodes and human MDDCs and subsequent DC-mediated CD4 + T-cell function in vitro . Conclusions These data suggest that dietary isoflavones suppress allergic sensitization and protect against peanut allergy in vivo . Dietary supplementation of soybean isoflavones could be a novel strategy to prevent the development of allergic reactions to food.
HIV-1 non-macrophage-tropic R5 envelope glycoproteins are not more tropic for entry into primary CD4+ T-cells than envelopes highly adapted for macrophages

Non-mac-tropic HIV-1 R5 viruses are predominantly transmitted and persist in immune tissue even in AIDS patients who carry highly mac-tropic variants in the brain. Non-mac-tropic R5 envelopes (Envs) require high CD4 levels for infection contrasting with highly mac-tropic Envs, which interact more efficiently with CD4 and mediate infection of macrophages that express low CD4. Non-mac-tropic R5 Envs predominantly target T-cells during transmission and in immune tissue where they must outcompete mac-tropic variants. Here, we investigated whether Env+ pseudoviruses bearing transmitted/founder (T/F), early and late disease non-mac-tropic R5 envelopes mediated more efficient infection of CD4+ T-cells compared to those with highly mac-tropic Envs. Highly mac-tropic Envs mediated highest infectivity for primary T-cells, Jurkat/CCR5 cells, myeloid dendritic cells, macrophages, and HeLa TZM-bl cells, although this was most dramatic on macrophages. Infection of primary T-cells mediated by all Envs was low. However, infection of T-cells was greatly enhanced by increasing virus attachment with DEAE dextran and spinoculation, which enhanced the three Env+ virus groups to similar extents. Dendritic cell capture of viruses and trans-infection also greatly enhanced infection of primary T-cells. In trans-infection assays, non-mac-tropic R5 Envs were preferentially enhanced and those from late disease mediated levels of T-cell infection that were equivalent to those mediated by mac-tropic Envs. Our results demonstrate that T/F, early or late disease non-mac-tropic R5 Envs do not preferentially mediate infection of primary CD4+ T-cells compared to highly mac-tropic Envs from brain tissue. We conclude that non-macrophage-tropism of HIV-1 R5 Envs in vitro is determined predominantly by a reduced capacity to target myeloid cells via low CD4 rather than a specific adaptation for T-cells entry that precludes macrophage infection.
Optimal triangulation and quadric-based surface simplification

Many algorithms for reducing the number of triangles in a surface model have been proposed, but to date there has been little theoretical analysis of the approximations they produce. Previously we described an algorithm that simplifies polygonal models using a quadric error metric. This method is fast and produces high quality approximations in practice. Here we provide some theory to explain why the algorithm works as well as it does. Using methods from differential geometry and approximation theory, we show that in the limit as triangle area goes to zero on a differentiable surface, the quadric error is directly related to surface curvature. Also, in this limit, a triangulation that minimizes the quadric error metric achieves the optimal triangle aspect ratio in that it minimizes theL2 geometric error. This work represents a new theoretical approach for the analysis of simplification algorithms. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Innovative Use of Surveillance Data to Harness Political Will to Accelerate Measles Elimination: Experience From Guangxi, China

The major challenge for measles elimination is to harness sufficient political will to provide the necessary financial and human resources. This is particularly relevant for local governments (at county and township levels in China) and communities that generally have not accepted measles as a serious health burden and thus have not made its prevention a high priority. An effort has been made to use surveillance data to harness political will and overcome or mitigate the shortage of resources in the impoverished province of Guangxi, one of China's 31 administrative divisions. A comprehensive information system collecting data pertaining to Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI-info) was refined to align with China's political system and translate international and national commitments into sustainable local actions. The EPI-info has proved an effective tool in identifying high-risk areas, strengthening routine immunization services, conducting mass measles immunization campaigns, and catalyzing capacity building at both county and local community levels. We outline the principles and operational features of the EPI-info and the rationale and steps taken to refine it.
Calcium Dependence of the Activation and Inactivation Kinetics of the Light-activated Phosphodiesterase of Retinal Rods

The Ca2+ dependence of the kinetics and light sensitivity of light-activated phosphodiesterase was studied with a pH assay in toad and bovine rod disk membranes (RDM), and in a reconstituted system containing GTP-binding protein, phosphodiesterase and rhodopsin kinase. Three statistics, peak hydrolytic velocity, turnoff time, and time to peak velocity, were measured. ATP decreased phosphodiesterase light sensitivity nearly 10-fold and accelerated the dim-flash kinetics of cGMP hydrolysis when compared to those with GTP alone. CA2+ reversed all of the effects of ATP, Ca2+ increased peak velocity, turnoff time, and time to peak velocity, to the values obtained with GTP alone. The Ca2+ dependence of peak velocity and turnoff time can be characterized as hyperbolic saturation functions with a K0.5 for Ca2+ of 1.0-1.5 mM in toad RDM. In bovine RDM the Ca2+ dependence of peak velocity and turnoff time has a K0.5 of 0.1 mM Ca2+. The Ca2+ dependence in the reconstituted system is similar to that in bovine RDM for peak velocity (K0.5 = 0.1 mM Ca2+) but differs for turnoff time (K0.5 = 2.5 mM Ca2+). We tested the hypothesis that a soluble modulator, normally required to confer submicromolar Ca2+ sensitivity, was too dilute in our assay by comparing data obtained at one RDM concentration with those obtained at 10-fold higher RDM, and therefore a constituent protein, concentration. We observe no difference and present a formal analysis of these data that excludes the hypothesis that the soluble modulator binds its target protein with Kd less than 5 microM. The lack of submicromolar Ca2+ dependence of any of the steps in the cGMP cascade that underlie cGMP phosphodiesterase activation and inactivation in vitro argues against Ca2+ regulation of these steps having a significant role in the light adaptation of the intact rod.