cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dosage of drugs in infants and children. I. Atropine.

The susceptibility of apparently healthy children of all age groups to atropine by oral and subcutaneous administration was studied in carefully controlled experiments on 129 children. The minimal effective dose (MED) of atropine was determined by its effect in suppressing sialorrhea elicited either mechanically by chewing gum and/or pharmacologically by subcutaneous injection of methacholine. Variations in individual susceptibility to atropine are large in all age groups and independent of the route of administration (oral, hypodermic.) The average MED/kg. body weight following oral administration is somewhat smaller in infants of 1 to 12 months and children from 12 to 36 months (0.16 and 0.14 mg./kg., respectively) than in older children in the age groups of 3 to 6 years and 6 to 12 years (0.22 and 0.20 mg./kg., respectively). Comparable results are obtained by hypodermic administration. The ratio between the MED by mouth and the MED by hypodermic injection is approximately 3:1 in all age groups. The determination of the susceptibility of children of various ages of atropine fails to adduce evidence supporting the assumption of an increased resistance to atropine or of a physiologic vagotonia in infants. The relation of the MED of atropine in apparently healthy children to the doses recommended in pediatric therapy is discussed. The calculation of the dosage of atropine by body weight is recommended.
Mutant of Escherichia coli Exhibiting a Cold-sensitive Phenotype for Growth on Lactose

As part of a study on the effect of low temperature on cellular regulatory processes, a class of lactose-negative mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 was isolated which could use lactose as a sole carbon and energy source at 37 C, but which could not use this sugar at 20 C. The lactose operon of the mutants functioned normally at 20 C. Galactose exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on growth, especially at 20 C. Growth of the mutants on glycerol was stopped at 20 C and slowed considerably at 37 C if galactose was added to the medium. Making the mutants galactose-positive eliminated the cold sensitivity of lactose utilization. One mutant was shown to be galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase-negative, galactose-kinase heat-sensitive, and uridine diphosphate-galactose-4-epimerase-positive. It is postulated that the mutant is able to phosphorylate galactose at 20 C (if only at a very low rate), but lacking transferase it is poisoned by the accumulation of galactose-1-phosphate. At 37 C, galactokinase is nonfunctional and the mutant grows on the glucose moiety of lactose.
Paper chromatography of nitro compounds : I. Substituted trinitrobenzenes☆

Abstract Fourteen substituted trinitrobenzene compounds have been chroamtographed in ten partition systems. The data, when presented in graphical form, gives one a profile or “chromatographic spectrum” of a particular substance. This method simplifies the choosing of a proper solvent system to achieve the best separation of compounds in a mixture.
SDI service for government publications in an academic library: A description and evaluation

Abstract This article proposes that an SDI system is a valid way to promote faculty awareness of government documents. A working program for a manual SDI (Selective Dissemination of Information) or current awareness service in an academic library is described. The service covers government publications of all types and is available to all faculty members. Procedures for contacting faculty and determining individual areas of interest, establishing subject headings, selecting documents, and preparing notifications are summarized. The program, which has been in effect since 1972, is evaluated on the basis of participation levels, use statistics, alternative methods, staff time involved, and the results of a questionnaire sent to participants.
A Critical Analysis of PSP Data Quality: Results from aCase Study

The Personal Software Process (PSP) is used by software engineers to gather and analyze data about their work. Published studies typically use data collected using the PSP to draw quantitative conclusions about its impact upon programmer behavior and product quality. However, our experience using PSP led us to question the quality of data both during collection and its later analysis. We hypothesized that data quality problems can make a significant impact upon the value of PSP measures—significant enough to lead to incorrect conclusions regarding process improvement. To test this hypothesis, we built a tool to automate the PSP and then examined 89 projects completed by ten subjects using the PSP manually in an educational setting. We discovered 1539 primary errors and categorized them by type, subtype, severity, and age. To examine the collection problem we looked at the 90 errors that represented impossible combinations of data and at other less concrete anomalies in Time Recording Logs and Defect Recording Logs. To examine the analysis problem we developed a rule set, corrected the errors as far as possible, and compared the original and corrected data. We found significant differences for measures such as yield and the cost-performance ratio, confirming our hypothesis. Our results raise questions about the accuracy of manually collected and analyzed PSP data, indicate that integrated tool support may be required for high quality PSP data analysis, and suggest that external measures should be used when attempting to evaluate the impact of the PSP upon programmer behavior and product quality.
Petri Net Analysis Using Invariant Generation

Petri nets have been widely used to model and analyze concurrent systems. Their wide-spread use in this domain is, on one hand, facilitated by their simplicity and expressiveness. On the other hand, the analysis of Petri nets for questions like reachability, boundedness and deadlock freedom can be surprisingly hard. In this paper, we model Petri nets as transition systems. We exploit the special structure in these transition systems to provide an exact and closed-form characterization of all its inductive linear invariants. We then exploit this characterization to provide an invariant generation technique that we demonstrate to be efficient and powerful in practice. We compare our work with those in the literature and discuss extensions.
Steady-state economics versus growthmania: A critique of the orthodox conceptions of growth, wants, scarcity, and efficiency

Section I discusses the “growthmania” mind-set and considers various types of limits to growth ignored by adherents to this majority position. Section II investigates the conceptual roots of growthmania: the orthodox doctrines of relative scarcity and absolute wants. It is argued that at the margin the opposite categories of absolute scarcity and relative wants are more important, and that just as the implication of the former categories was growthmania, so the implication of the latter (opposite) categories is a steady-state economy. Section III defines and discusses the alternative to a growth-oriented economy, namely a steadystate economy. Section IV discusses the notions of efficiency and technical progress from the steady-state perspective, and argues that growth in output flow as conventionally measured results, beyond some point, in a reduction in both the service efficiency of the stock and the maintenance efficiency of the throughput, and thereby makes throughput growth a perverse index of welfare. In Section V the issue of transition to and appropriate institutions for a steady-state are discussed. Section VI considers in more detail an institution for controlling aggregate throughput, namely a system of auctioned depletion quotas, and contrasts it with the orthodox recommendation of pollution taxes.
Fluorescence microscopy study of Langmuir monolayers of racemic and enantiomeric N-stearoyltyrosine

Monolayers of N-stearoyltyrosine have been investigated by fluorescence microscopy and surface pressure measurements. The racemic films are more condensed than the enantiomeric films, indicating heterochiral discrimination. The surface pressure at the transition to the condensed phase on compression decreases monotonically between XD = 0 and XD = 0.5 at 33 degrees C. The condensed-phase domains of the monolayer of the pure L enantiomer appear as anisotropic shapes under a fluorescence microscope. The condensed-phase domains of the racemic monolayer appear more compact at lower temperatures, but their morphology becomes progressively more anisotropic as the temperature increases. The difference between the surface pressure isotherm of the enantiomeric L and the racemic film are smaller and homochiral for the N-stearoyltyrosine methyl ester on a pH 7 buffered subphase than for the N-stearoyltyrosine on a pH 2 HCl acidified subphase at 22 degrees C, indicating the importance of hydrogen bonding in accounting for the origin of the chiral discrimination.
Vaccinia virus infection and gene transduction in cultured neurons

Abstract The study of neurons in culture would benefit from the development of a gene transduction system capable of delivering foreign genes at high efficiency, as transduction of primary neurons with existing systems is inefficient. The efficacy of lytic vaccinia virus (VV) infection of primary retinal cultures and PC12 cells (a model of neuronal differentiation) was examined in order to determine the efficiency of gene transduction using VV in neuronal primary culture. VV was able to infect retinal cells and PC12 cells and express transgenes of Escherichia coli β-galactosidase (lacZ) and epithelial fatty acid binding protein (E-FABP) in a virus dose-dependent manner. Most (50–100%) of the retinal cells were positive for transgene protein at multiplicities of infection (MOI) between 10 and 100 plaque-forming units (PFU), while over 50% of VV-infected PC12 cells expressed the virus encoded gene at an MOI = 10. The production of foreign mRNA and protein by VV following infection was verified by PCR and Western blot. Because VV is a lytic virus, cytopathic effects were examined. Retinal cultures maintained for 0.5 days in vitro showed greater than 90% survival at 24 h post-infection, while 14-day cultures were equally viable for 48 h. Retinal ganglion cells and differentiated PC12 cells appear to be more protected against lytic VV infection than proliferating glial and undifferentiated PC12 cells. These data suggest that VV may be a useful vector for delivering foreign genes to neuronal cells with an efficient transient transgene expression.
Global distribution of Case-1 waters: An analysis from SeaWiFS measurements

Abstract “Case-1” has been a term frequently used to characterize water type since the seventies. However, the distribution of Case-1 waters in global scale has been vague, though open ocean waters are often referred to as Case-1 in the literature. In this study, based on recent bio-optical models for Case-1 waters, an inclusive and quantitative Case-1 criterion for remote sensing applications is developed. The criterion allows Case-1 waters to have about two-fold variations of non-pigment absorption and particle backscattering around their exact Case-1 values, allowing a large range of waters to be classified as Case-1. Even so, application of this criterion to ocean color data from the SeaWiFS satellite sensor suggests that Case-1 waters occupy only about 60% of the global ocean surface. Regionally, more Case-1 waters are found in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere, and most Indian Ocean waters are found to be Case-1. The Case-1 percentage and spatial distribution change with season, and with the boundaries chosen in the criterion. Nevertheless, this study for the first time provides a quantitative and geographical perspective of Case-1 waters in global scale, and further demonstrates that many open ocean waters are not necessarily Case-1.
Epidural analgesia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing transperitoneal abdominal aortic aneurysmorraphy--a multi-institutional analysis.

Introduction: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more likely to develop pulmonary morbidity following major abdominal surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of epidural analgesia in patients with COPD who underwent elective transperitoneal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Methods: During a 7-year period, all patients diagnosed with COPD undergoing elective AAA repair (n=425) from three hospitals were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were an FEV1/FVC ratio 45 mmHg. Clinical outcomes were compared between those who received epidural analgesia (epidural group) and those who did not (control group). Primary endpoints measured were duration of intubation, ICU stay, hospital days, and pulmonary complications. Results: Strict inclusion criteria were met by 131 patients, which included 86 patients in the epidural group and 45 patients in the control group. When comparing the epidural vs. control group, the mean AAA size was 6.3±0.9 cm vs. 6.0±1.5 cm (NS), FEV1 was 57.2±24.7% vs. 49.0±10.3% (NS), and the mean FEV1/FVC ratio was 52.0±11.4% vs. 50.6±6.7% (NS), respectively. The epidural group had a significantly lower incidence of post-operative ventilator dependency and ICU stay (p<0.05), as well as a decreased trend in pulmonary complications when compared to the control group. The overall hospital stay remained similar between the two groups. The relative risk of developing a pulmonary complication in the absence of epidural analgesia was 2.3. Conclusions: Perioperative epidural analgesia is beneficial in patients with COPD undergoing AAA repair by reducing both the post-operative ventilator duration and ICU stay. Epidural analgesia should be considered in all COPD patients undergoing elective transperitoneal AAA repair.
Technical note-- The IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Storage Server: Testing for generalavailability and beyond

The IBM TotalStorageâ¢ Enterprise Storage ServerÂ® (ESS) is a powerful and versatile storage subsystem that can respond well to the explosion in demand for on-line data storage. ESS provides unique features in the areas of connectivity, capacity and performance scalability, data integrity, reliability, availability, and serviceability. This technical note discusses the stages of ESS hardware and software testing. Focus is then given to the collaboration, tools, and techniques needed for testing ESS software support provided specifically for the System/390Â® platform.
Computational complexity of distributed detection problems with information constraints

Abstract For a system consisting of a set of sensors S = {S1, S2, …, Sm} and a set of objects O = {O1, O2, …, On}, there are information constraints given by a relation R ⊆ S × O such that (Si, Oj) ∈ R if and only if Si is capable of detecting Oj. Each (Si, Oj) ∈ R is assigned a confidence factor (a positive real number) which is either explicitly given or can be efficiently computed. Given that a subset of sensors have detected obstacles, the detection problem is to identify a subset H ⊆ O with the maximum confidence value. The computational complexity of the detection problem, which depends on the nature of the confidence factor and the information constraints, is the main focus of this paper. This problem exhibits a myriad of complexity levels ranging from a worst-case exponential (in n) lower bound in a general case to an O(m + n) time solvability. We show that the following simple versions of a detection problem are computationally intractable: (a) deterministic formulation, where confidence factors are either 0 or 1; (b) uniform formulation where (Si, Oj) ∈ R, for all Si ∈ S, Oj ∈ O; (c) decomposable systems under multiplication operation. We then show that the following versions are solvable in polynomial (in n) time: (a) single object detection; (b) probabilistically independent detection; (c) decomposable systems under additive and nonfractional multiplicative measures; and (d) matroid systems.
Pioneer Venus Orbiter observations of a solar wind quasi‐invariant

The recently suggested solar wind quasi-invariant [QI≡( B²/8π)/(ρυ²/2)] is a combination of magnetic field strength B, plasma density ρ and solar wind speed υ. Measured in the solar wind near the Earth, the median value of QI was shown to be a reliable index of solar activity for the 28 year period holding a linear relation with sunspot numbers (SSN) with a high correlation coefficient (cc) of 0.98 [Osherovich, Fainberg and Stone, 1999]. Here, using hourly data from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter for the period from 1978–1988, we demonstrate that QI near Venus also closely follow SSN with a correlation coefficient of 0.94 for the yearly mean values. We found that the calibration coefficient between QIVenus and QIEarth is slightly larger than unity, namely, QIVenus=a* · QIEarth where a*=1.134±0.001. We suggest that, for any point in the heliosphere, QI can be viewed as a useful measure of solar activity.
China Engages Asia: Reshaping the Regional Order

pinnings of international relations in Asia are undergoing profound change, and the rise of China is a principal cause. Other causes include the relative decline of U.S. inouence and authority in Asia, the expanding normative inouence of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the growth of regional multilateral institutions, increased technological and economic interdependence throughout the region, and the amelioration of several formerly antagonistic bilateral relationships. As a result of these processes, the structure of power and the nature of the regional system are being fundamentally altered. China’s growing economic and military power, expanding political inouence, distinctive diplomatic voice, and increasing involvement in regional multilateral institutions are key developments in Asian affairs. China’s new proactive regional posture is reoected in virtually all policy spheres— economic, diplomatic, and military—and this parallels China’s increased activism on the global stage.1 Bilaterally and multilaterally, Beijing’s diplomacy has been remarkably adept and nuanced, earning praise around the region. As a result, most nations in the region now see China as a good neighbor, a constructive partner, a careful listener, and a nonthreatening regional power. This regional perspective is striking, given that just a few years ago, many of China’s neighbors voiced growing concerns about the possibility of China becoming a domineering regional hegemon and powerful military threat. Today these views are muted. China’s new conadence is also reoected in how it perceives itself, as it gradually sheds its dual identity of historical victim and object of great power manipulation. These phenomena have begun to attract
Structure of a variant of lac repressor with increased thermostability and decreased affinity for operator

Abstract A single amino acid substitution, K84L, in the Escherichia coli lac repressor produces a protein that has substantially increased stability compared to wild-type. However, despite the increased stability, this altered tetrameric repressor has a tenfold reduced affinity for operator and greatly decreased rate-constants of inducer binding as well as a reduced phenotypic response to inducer in vivo. To understand the dramatic increase in stability and altered functional properties, we have determined the X-ray crystal structures of a dimeric repressor with and without the K84L substitution at resolutions of 1.7 and 3.0 A, respectively. In the wild-type dimer, K84-11, Lys84 forms electrostatic interactions at the monomer-monomer interface and is partially exposed to solvent. In the K84L-11 substituted protein there is reorientation of the N-subdomains, which allows the leucine to become deeply buried at the monomer-monomer interface. This reorientation of the N-subdomains, in turn, results in an alteration of hydrogen bonding, ion pairing, and van der Waals interactions at the monomer-monomer interface. The lysine residue at position 84 appears to exert its key effects by destabilizing the “optimal” conformation of the repressor, effectively loosening the dimer interface and allowing the repressor to adopt the conformations necessary to function as a molecular switch.
Genetic diversity among Texas bluegrass genotypes (Poa arachnifera Torr.) revealed by AFLP and RAPD markers

Texas bluegrass Poa arachnifera Torr., is a vigorous sod-forming perennial, dioecious grass, tolerant to heat. It is native to the Southern Great Plains. Genetic relationships existing among 28 Texas bluegrass genotypes were investigated using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). A total of 3756 AFLP markers were generated on the 28 genotypes of Texas bluegrass. A wide range of polymorphism (23.08–85.33%) was observed among primer combinations with a mean of 64.11%. Among 441 RAPDs assayed, 335 were polymorphic with a mean polymorphic rate of 73.71%. Unweighted pair-group method using an arithmetic average (UPGMA) cluster analysis using AFLP and RAPD data separated the 28 Texas bluegrass accessions into two broad groups. With a few exceptions, the females clustered with females and males with males. These results indicate that, it may be possible to discriminate between males and females using molecular markers. Principal coordinate analysis of AFLP and RAPD data also indicated two distinct groups and revealed genetic variability among and within the groups. Based on their genetic similarity indices, high correlation was observed between AFLP and RAPD markers.
Naloxone attenuates amnesia caused by amygdaloid stimulation: the involvement of a central opioid system.

This study investigated the effect of naloxone on amnesia produced by subseizure amygdaloid stimulation. Animals were trained in an inhibitory avoidance task, and given amygdaloid stimulation following training. Immediately after training, prior to stimulation, naloxone was injected either peripherally (i.p.) or into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) where the Met-enkephalin-containing fibers from the amygdala terminate. Amygdaloid stimulation caused retention deficits. The deficits were attenuated by 3.0 mg/kg naloxone given peripherally or by 1.0 μg or 0.3 μg naloxone injected bilaterally into the BNST. The attenuative effect was anatomically and receptor specific: 0.3 μg of naloxone injected into the caudate nucleus was ineffective; the attenuative effect of naloxone was antagonized by simultaneous injection of 1.5 or 4.5 μg levorphanol into the BNST. These results suggest that endogenous opioids, possibly the enkephalins of the stria terminalis released into the BNST following amygdaloid stimulation, are at least partially involved in mediating the effect of amygdaloid stimulation on memory.
Simplified urinary drainage following orthotopic or continent bladder replacement

ABSTRACTA simplified urinary drainage system is described for orthotopic or catheterizable continent urinary diversion. The patient has a single urethral or suprapubic Foley catheter draining the urinary reservoir, decreasing nursing work load and possibly allowing for earlier discharge of the patient from the hospital.
Medroxyprogesterone acetate, aggression, and sexual behavior in male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is used clinically to treat male sex offenders, but there are conflicting reports about its effects on aggression. To investigate these matters in a nonhuman primate, four intact male cynomolgus monkeys were studied in a testing paradigm that involved the presence of a caged, aggression-arousing stimulus male either immediately before or during a pair-test with an ovariectomized, untreated female partner. After two 4-week periods of pretreatment baseline, males received weekly injections of 40 mg MPA either alone (two 4-week treatment periods) or in combination with testosterone replacement with sc implants (one period) and additional daily injections of 2 mg testosterone propionate (two periods). MPA was then withdrawn while testosterone replacement continued (three periods). The testing paradigm was effective in maintaining aggression, especially male-male aggression, for many months. Male-male aggression increased with MPA treatment, and increased further with testosterone replacement, whereas male-female aggression tended to change in the opposite direction. As in earlier studies, MPA decreased both plasma testosterone and male sexual activity, but restoring plasma testosterone levels in treated males failed to restore their sexual activity. MPA therefore has behavioral effects that are not mediated primarily by its suppression of circulating androgens.
Enhanced immunofluorescence measurement resolution of surface antigens on highly autofluorescent, glutaraldehyde-fixed cells analyzed by phase-sensitive flow cytometry.

Background: The primary source of interference in immunofluorescence measurements by flow cytometry is background autofluorescence. Methods: Using human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) as an autofluorescent cell model, unfixed HLFs and HLFs fixed in methanol, ethanol, formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde were analyzed by phase-sensitive flow cytometry to compare their fluorescence intensity and lifetime histograms. Based on these results, a surface antigen on HLFs was labeled with a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated antibody and fixed in glutaraldehyde, and the cells were analyzed by conventional and phase-resolved methods. Results: The lifetimes of unfixed and ethanol-, methanol-, paraformaldehyde- and formaldehyde-fixed HLFs were in the 1.7–1.9 nanosecond (ns) range, with coefficients of variation 25–35%. Since the autofluorescence lifetime histograms of unfixed and fixed HLFs partially overlapped the 3.5 ns lifetime histogram of FITC-labeled microspheres, which were used to approximate FITC-antibody labeling of HLFs, the ability to resolve FITC-labeled probe, based on differences in the FITC and autofluorescence lifetimes, was severely limited. When HLFs labeled with an FITC-antibody cell-surface marker were fixed in glutaraldehyde (autofluorescence lifetime 0.9–1.4 ns, coefficient of variation ≈11%) and analyzed by phase-resolved methods, the results showed that FITC-antibody labeling could be readily resolved from background autofluorescence. Conclusions: Phase-sensitive detection improves the immunofluorescence measurement resolution of surface antigens on highly autofluorescent, glutaraldehyde-fixed cells. Cytometry 37: 275–283, 1999. Published 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A note on the partial ordering of positive semi-definite matrices

The effect of the Moore-Penrose map on the positive semi-definite partial ordering of n×n complex matrices, is contrasted with its effect on the Drazin partial ordering of the same set of matrices.
Characterization of a selective inhibitor for matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8)

MMP-8 has been implicated in various diseases. Selective MMP-8 inhibitors are needed to ascertain the role of this enzyme. We synthesized two inhibitors reported previously as selective for MMP-8. Compound 1 selectively inhibited MMP-8 and MMP-13; compound 2 was a potent broad-spectrum inhibitor, notwithstanding that it is used as a selective one.
Sulfur Bond in Vulcanizates - Vulcanization by Dithiols

Abstract The expected vulcanizing activity of dithiols has been demonstrated. It seems likely that mill scorching results from peroxide-catalyzed thiol addition; milling at higher temperatures would tend to inhibit reaction by destroying peroxides. The development of considerable tensile strength in stocks containing dithiols and the gelling of cements by dithiols give strong support to the thiol addition reaction as a feasible step in sulfur vulcanization, as proposed in the first two papers of this series.
Influences of ethanol ingestion on olfactory function in humans

Rationale Although ethanol is known to influence, in humans, psychophysical measures of visual, auditory, and vestibular function, the influence of this drug on the ability to smell is not clear.
The effect of proteins released by cultured fibroblasts on density-dependent agglutination.

Abstract An important criterion for the designation of non-transformed cell lines is density-dependent regulation of growth. The mechanism for control of such growth is believed to be lodged in the cell membrane. To elucidate this mechanism, the density dependence of surface-related processes has been examined. This report on ConA-mediated agglutination extends our earlier findings on another surface phenomenon, cell to substratum adhesion. Both these processes are density dependent and both are stimulated by cell proteins released into serum-free media by cultured human fibroblasts. It is suggested that these released proteins are transferable between cells and that they play a critical role in the mediation of density dependent surface phenomenon and in the density dependent regulation of cell growth.
Sex differences in reasoning abilities: Surprising evidence that male–female ratios in the tails of the quantitative reasoning distribution have increased

Abstract Sex differences in cognitive abilities, particularly at the extremes of ability distributions, have important implications for the participation of men and women in highly valued and technical career fields. Although negligible mean differences have been found in many domains, differences in variability and high ratios of males to females in the tails of the ability distribution have been found in a number of studies and across domains. A few studies have also observed trends over time, with some noting the decreasing ratios of boys to girls in the highest levels of mathematics test performance. In this study, sex differences in means, variances, and ratios were evaluated in four cohorts (1984, 1992, 2000, and 2011) in verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal/figural reasoning domains as measured by the Cognitive Abilities Test. Samples included US students in grades 3–11. Overall, the results were consistent with previous research, showing small mean differences in the three domains, but considerably greater variability for males. The most surprising finding was that, contrary to related research, the ratio of males to females in the upper tail of the quantitative reasoning distribution seemed to increase over time. Explanations for this finding are explored.
Increasing Level of Aspiration by Matching Construal Level and Temporal Distance

The current research demonstrates that construal level has opposing effects on level of aspiration depending on the goal’s temporal distance: A concrete goal leads to a higher level of aspiration in the proximate future, but an abstract goal leads to a higher level of aspiration in the distant future. Two reasons are proposed for this interactive effect. First, these combinations of abstraction and distance afford functionaladvantages in goal pursuit. Second, given prior demonstrations of the relationship between concreteness and proximity on one hand and abstraction and distance on the other hand, these combinations provide value from fit in that goal pursuit subjectively seems appropriate and important. Taken together, this line of research points to one reason why prior research on the motivating effects of construal level has led to equivocal results by implicating the moderating role of temporal distance.
ONLINE TURNING PROPORTION ESTIMATION IN REAL-TIME TRAFFIC-ADAPTIVE SIGNAL CONTROL

An online method for traffic-adaptive turning proportion estimation for intersections based on a least-squares minimization approach is presented. It assumes that entering-vehicle lane counts and exiting-vehicle counts during every traffic signal phase and in each direction of an intersection are available. Estimations based on field data in the last three cycles (approximately 5 min) are compared with actual values. This method of turning proportion estimation was also implemented within RHODES, a real-time traffic-adaptive signal control system developed in the Advanced Transportation and Logistics: Algorithm and Systems Research Center at the University of Arizona. The resulting system was evaluated in a laboratory using CORSIM, a microscopic traffic simulation computer package. Performance of RHODES improves when the online traffic-adaptive turning proportions are used instead of constant turning proportions.
Simple models and simple analyses of virus capsid assembly

Assembly of even a simple virus is a complex reaction. Yet, in many cases, the capsids of isometric viruses assemble spontaneously and with high fidelity in vitro. In vitro reactions can be used as the basis for interpreting assembly in vivo, searching for assembly-directed small molecules, or subverting normal assembly to generate novel structures. A model is required to interpret experimental observation of any complex reaction. To this end, we developed a thermodynamickinetic (master equation) model, in which assembly is described in terms of a cascade of low order reactions. The resulting model can readily be adjusted to match the specific features of a biological system. Simulations replicate experimental observations of assembly and lead to experimentally testable predictions. Analyses based on a basic model, in which only a single path from monomer to capsid was posited, are equally applicable to sparse and complete models that include selected intermediates and every possible intermediate, respect...
UAS Flight Simulation with Hardware-in-the-loop Testing and Vision Generation

UAS flight simulation for research and development is a difficult problem because each airframe requires accurate physical models, control systems, an organized method of testing new control systems, virtual cameras for vision-based control, and methods of testing new control in the transition from simulation to flight tests. In an environment where researchers are temporary, such as a university, a standard research and development platform with these properties expedites prototyping and prevents code loss when an employee leaves. We develop a research simulation which conforms to all of these properties inside a Matlab environment. A series of mex functions provide connections to the autopilot for hardware-in-the-loop testing, graphical interfaces, and vision processing. The option to write C mex functions offers a seamless method of porting code to embedded systems, minimizing coding errors. We demonstrate fast prototyping by showing flight test data where the simulation provided virtual vision data to avoid virtual obstacles.
Dependence of recording density on Al underlayer thickness in laser-assisted magnetic recording media

We investigated the effect of an Al underlayer thickness from the viewpoint of a read/write performance. We found that even a 1 nm Al underlayer induces magnetic pinning sites which improve the high-density recording capability.
Myeloid dendritic cells frequencies are increased in children with autism spectrum disorder and associated with amygdala volume and repetitive behaviors

The pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not yet known; however, studies suggest that dysfunction of the immune system affects many children with ASD. Increasing evidence points to dysfunction of the innate immune system including activation of microglia and perivascular macrophages, increases in inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in brain tissue and CSF, and abnormal peripheral monocyte cell function. Dendritic cells are major players in innate immunity and have important functions in the phagocytosis of pathogens or debris, antigen presentation, activation of naive T cells, induction of tolerance and cytokine/chemokine production. In this study, we assessed circulating frequencies of myeloid dendritic cells (defined as Lin-1(-)BDCA1(+)CD11c(+) and Lin-1(-)BDCA3(+)CD123(-)) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (Lin-1(-)BDCA2(+)CD123(+) or Lin-1(-)BDCA4(+) CD11c(-)) in 57 children with ASD, and 29 typically developing controls of the same age, all of who were enrolled as part of the Autism Phenome Project (APP). The frequencies of dendritic cells and associations with behavioral assessment and MRI measurements of amygdala volume were compared in the same participants. The frequencies of myeloid dendritic cells were significantly increased in children with ASD compared to typically developing controls (p<0.03). Elevated frequencies of myeloid dendritic cells were positively associated with abnormal right and left amygdala enlargement, severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and increased repetitive behaviors. The frequencies of plasmacytoid dendritic cells were also associated with amygdala volumes as well as developmental regression in children with ASD. Dendritic cells play key roles in modulating immune responses and differences in frequencies or functions of these cells may result in immune dysfunction in children with ASD. These data further implicate innate immune cells in the complex pathophysiology of ASD.
Toward Understanding the Role of Amot130 Lipid Binding in Cellular Proliferation and Migration

Background: Amots are adaptor proteins which coordinate signaling that controls cellular differentiation and proliferation. Amot proteins have a novel lipid binding domain, the Amot coiled-coil homology (ACCH) domain, which selectively binds monophosphorylated phosphatidylinositols (PI) and targets transcription factors to the nucleus. Understanding the biophysical mechanisms of lipid binding may provide pathways to modulate protein sorting and downstream signaling events inducing cellular differentiation, cancer cell proliferation, and migration. So far, all work reported on signaling based on Amot expression fails to distinguish between the role of the Amot80 and the 130 family members as they share a common ACCH domain.Objective: The goal of this project is to specifically associate the Amot130 ACCH lipid binding with function related to ductal hyperplasia and breast cancer phenotypes.Method: Mutations were carried forward based on lipid sedimentation, FRET, and SAXS assays against the ACCH domain. Site-directed mutagenesis was employed to probe the specific contributions of 7 selected lysines and arginines toward lipid head-group binding in the full length protein. Target proteins will be fluoresced to determine whether they retain their ability of binding to membrane. Cells fractionation will be used to quantify the protein amount that has passed the nuclear membrane.Amot family members bind core polarity proteins controlling the apical domain organization of epithelial cells; and Yap, a transcriptional co-activator that regulates cell growth. Mutations in Amot affecting lipid binding to the apical membrane lead to disability to control cell growth and differentiation. Consequently, abnormal phenotypic changes regarding cell migration and polarization will be observed when growing cells on matrigel assays. Such mutations can also interfere with Amot binding to Yap, results in unregulated cell growth and proliferation. Yap expression level will be measured using western blots and immunoprecipitation techniques.
Assessment and Intervention Practices with Second-Language Learners among School Psychologists.

This paper describes assessment and intervention practices with second-language learners among practicing school psychologists in one southwestern state. A 10-item survey was used to gain information about the assessment instruments and procedures and intervention practices used with linguistically different children by school psychologists. Surveys were mailed to all members of the state professional organization. Thirty-three percent of the surveys were returned and considered usable for analyses. An analysis of the returned surveys revealed that a number of school psychologists are using alternative assessment techniques, such as curriculum-based measurement, dynamic assessment, and portfolio assessment with this population. The majority, however, continue to use traditional cognitive tests, such as the Weschler Scales, and traditional interventions, such as resource room service delivery. Results of the survey are discussed in terms of best practices with linguistically different children.
Fire Severity in the Sierra Nevada Revisited: Conclusions Robust to Further Analysis

In our previous article (Odion and Hanson, Ecosystems 9:1177–89, 2006), we reported that fire severity in the conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, contrary to prevailing assumptions, did not burn with predominately stand-replacing, high severity fire. The reply by Safford and others (Ecosystems, this issue) using a new mapping approach also found this pattern. Their methods identify more high severity fire; however, as we illustrate here, this may be attributed to the different mapping approaches used. We previously also found that condition class based upon fire return interval departure (FRID) was not an effective predictor of fire severity. Safford and others (this issue) concluded that there was a strong correlation between FRID-based condition class and fire severity based upon data from the McNally fire of 2002. The difference between these findings about McNally fire reflects the fact that they combined FRID categories whereas we kept the categories separate. Here, using their fire severity data to evaluate all three fires, we found that severity was not predicted by FRID. Developing a consensus definition of fire severity within the scientific community might help alleviate future contradictions regarding fire effects.
Invasion of stream fishes into low trophic positions

Abstract – In the absence of other life-history constraints, fishes that can feed at low trophic levels (i.e., omnivores/detritivores) are predicted to be successful invaders because their food resources during the colonization and integration phases of the invasion are rarely limiting. Accordingly, we hypothesized that trophic position of non-native fishes in five mid-western and south-western U.S. river systems would be lower than native fishes. By standardizing δ15N values with a common invertebrate (chironomids) across sites, we were able to evaluate differences in trophic position between natives and non-natives across sample locations and years. Our data tend to support this hypothesis, but there was notable spatial and temporal variation in this pattern. Moreover, three of four species generally fed at lower trophic positions in their introduced ranges than their native ranges. Although many factors influence the success of introduced species, our data suggest that the ability to forage on low-quality resources is a favourable trait for invasive fishes in lotic systems. Because these fishes feed at low trophic positions, it is important to consider how they will influence invaded systems, in contrast to invaders that feed at higher trophic positions. Future studies that evaluate the resistance of communities to invaders from different trophic positions would help understand the mechanisms that control the establishment and spread of species with different life-history traits.
Kurt Schneider and anglophone psychiatry

Abstract Kurt Schneider's work on the diagnosis of schizophrenia has found belated recognition in anglophone psychiatry. An introduction to his life and work is given. His main contributions are in the fields of the personality disorders, of the typologies of the functional psychoses and of forensic psychiatry. An understanding of his general approach to psychiatry will lead to a deeper understanding of the significance of the first rank symptoms, a topic which has aroused widespread interest in English psychiatric research.
Enzymatic release of phosphate from rat molar enamel by phosphoprotein phosphatase.

THE aetiology of dental caries has defied complete understanding, despite the fact that the production of bacterial acids at the sites of caries attack has been recognized since the days of Miller, some ninety years ago. Although alternatives to acids have at times been considered, they have never been convincing.
Oxidants act as chemorepellents in Paramecium by stimulating an electrogenic plasma membrane reductase activity

Paramecium is a valuable eukaryotic model system for studying chemosensory transduction, adaptation and cellular sensory integration. While millimolar amounts of many attractants hyperpolarize and cause faster forward swimming, oxidants are repellents that depolarize and cause backward swimming at micromolar concentrations. The non-permeant oxidants cytochrome c, nitro blue tetrazolium and ferricyanide are repellents with half maximal concentrations of 0.4 μM, 2.2 μM and 100 μM respectively. In vivo reductase activities follow the same order of potencies. The concentration dependence of the cytochrome c reductase activity is well correlated with cytochrome c-induced depolarizations. This suggests that plasma membrane reduction of external cytochrome c is electrogenic, causing membrane depolarization and chemorepulsion. The reductase activity also appears to be voltage dependent. Depolarization by either K+, Na+, Ca+ or Mg+ correlates with inhibition of both in vivo reductase activities and cytochrome c-induced membrane potential changes. These responses were also seen in deciliated cells, showing that the body plasma membrane is sufficient for the response. Both chloroquine and diphenyleneiodonium inhibited reductase activities but only at unusually high concentrations. This activity showed no pH dependence in the physiological range. We propose that a plasma membrane bound NADPH-dependent reductase controls oxidant-induced depolarizations and consequent chemorepulsion.
Effect of Janus particles as filler materials for acrylate-based dielectric elastomers

ABSTRACT Dielectric electroactive polymers respond to an applied electric field by deformation as described by the Maxwell effect. 7KHUHVSRQVHGHSHQGVRQWKHSRO\PHUV¶GLHOHFWULFFRQVWDQWDQGVWLI fness. Addition of a high dielectric filler material has been shown to enhance the strain response. We report preliminary results on the enhancement of p( EGPEA) polymer films by addition of 1 w/v% of gold-capped, 500 nm SiO 2 Janus particles (JP- SiO 2 ). In comparison to pure p( EGPEA) and p( EGPEA) filled with unmodified SiO 2 particles, JP -SiO 2 p(EGPEA) films show an up to 24 times enhanced response. Measurement of the relative GLHOHFWULFFRQVWDQWDQGWKH<RXQJ¶V0RGXOXVLQGLFDWHWKDWWKH-DQXVSDUWLFOHadditive increases the relative GLHOHFWULFFRQVWDQWRIWKHILOPVZKLOHDWWKHVDPHWLPHGHFUHDVLQJWKH<RXQJ¶V0RGXOXVleading to an overall larger electrostrictive coefficient for the JP- SiO 2 p(EGPEA) films. Keywords: -DQXVSDUWLFOHVHOHFWURDFWLYHSRO\PHUVGLHOHFWULFFRQVWDQW<RXQJ¶V0RGXOXV , electrostrictive coefficient
Residual plots for the censored data linear regression model

To be consistent, censored data linear regression estimators typically require a correctly specified linear regression function and independent and identically distributed errors. For uncensored data one can assess these model assumptions informally by examining plots of the residuals against the independent variables or fitted values. In this paper I propose plots for censored data analogous to these uncensored data residual plots. One can use such plots in the same way as their uncensored data counterparts for checking model assumptions; if the model assumptions are correct, then the plots should exhibit a random scatter. I show that the proposed plots are useful in selecting a linear regression model for the Stanford heart transplant data.