cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemotaxis during fertilization in the hydroid Campanularia.

The pre-fertilization behavior of the sperm of the thecate hydroids Campanularia flexuosa and Campanularia calceolifera has been observed and recorded by means of dark-field cinephotomicrography. The sperm of both species activate and aggregate homotypically around the aperture of the female gonangium. Plots of the paths of sperm approaching the aperture show that the aggregations are the result of directed turning movements and not of so-called trap-actions or an increased random turning of the spermatozoa. An aperture-associated tissue of ectoderm origin has been found to produce the attractive substances. Active sea water and alcohol extracts of female gonangia of C. calceolifera have been prepared. The substance affects sperm in the same ways as the material released by the female gonangium. The active material is heat stable, non-volatile, dialyzable, polar, and appears to be a single molecular species of less than 5,000 mw. Injection of these extracts into sperm suspensions by means of a micropipette produces activation and aggregation of only the sperm of C. calceolifera about the pipette tip. If agar impregnated with the chemotactant is used as a source, the sperm are seen to orient with considerable accuracy. Extraction of C. flexuosa female gonangia has not yielded active extracts. These results demonstrate that chemotaxis does occur during fertilization in an animal. The mechanism of the reaction remains to be determined.
Enhancement of nucleoside cytotoxicity through nucleotide prodrugs.

A common reason for the lack of cytotoxicity of certain nucleosides is thought to be their inability to be initially activated to the monophosphate level by a nucleoside kinase or other activating enzyme. In a search for other nucleosides that might be worthwhile anticancer agents, we have begun to examine the utilization of monophosphate prodrugs in order to explore whether any enhanced cytotoxicity might be found for the prodrugs of candidate nucleosides that have little or no cytotoxicity. To that end, 5‘-bis(pivaloyloxymethyl) phosphate prodrugs of two weakly cytotoxic compounds, 8-aza-2‘-deoxyadenosine (5) and 8-bromo-2‘-deoxyadenosine (9), have been prepared. These prodrugs (8 and 12) were examined for their cytotoxicity in CEM cells and were found to possess significantly enhanced cytotoxicity when compared with the corresponding parent nucleosides. Further cell culture experiments were conducted to gain insight into the mechanisms of cytotoxicity of these two prodrugs, and those data are reported.
“Katharine's Way”

In Ed-Talk it's called Mentoring, and in B School courses it's referred to as organizational management. How we experienced it in MELUS was as "Katharine's Way." Her alert intelligence would pick up a reference-maybe from a printed source, but just as often in conversation-to a project, a new publication, a person's casual remarks about the academy that edged outside the canon and usual ways of "doing English." Tracking the clues, she would contrive an occasion to link the seeming novelty, the author of the innovation, or the dissenter into a network of events she made sound as nothing less than an academic insurrection. She always had a conference in mind, a special publication, maybe a book needing review to provide the newcomer useful work. It didn't feel like Katharine was proselytizing for the cause because she was simply presenting opportunities for you to say what all along you knew American literature to be. The genius of her "way" was that she invited you to imagine, with her, a criticism that would be both authentic and eventually comprehensive; thus, what once was an insight you projected in one article or a utopian notion you expressed during a conference session gained the context of potentiality. Now, through Katharine's ministering, you had a large canvas to cover with what visual artists call cartoons, the sketchy thoughts to be transformed into complete depictions. Of course, my sense of Katharine Newman's Way draws from my personal experience. I cannot think how she might have known I worked at a university in upstate New York, or even that I existed; it must have been one of those slight clues I mention above that led her to invite me to West Chester State College for a Saturday conference about African American writing. The invitation was by telephone and accompanied with information about train connections, arrival times, and assurance that she would put me up in her home. The train was later than scheduled, and when I stepped out in a late fall night on the dark station platform, the only passenger arriving, I saw a blanketed figure stepping out of an
Three paradigms in computer security

This paper describes three paradigms in computer security in terms of how they relate to the existing infrastructure : by existing within it, replacing it, or by extending it or replacing only small portions. We identify the third as the most desirable, and discuss some of the implications of this approach.
SCEPTICISM AND THE IMAGINATION MODEL OF DREAMING

As a solution to dream scepticism, Ernest Sosa has argued that when we dream, we do not believe the contents of our dreams, but rather imagine them. Thus dreams do not cause false beliefs; so my beliefs cannot be false as a result of being caused by dreams. I argue that even assuming that Sosa is correct about the nature of dream experience, belief in wakefulness on these grounds is epistemically irresponsible. The proper upshot of the imagination model is to recharacterize the way we think about dream scepticism: the sceptical threat is not that we have false beliefs. So even though dreams do not involve false beliefs, they still pose a sceptical threat, which I elaborate.
A UV-responsive Internal Ribosome Entry Site Enhances Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase 1 Expression for DNA Damage Repair

Thymidine nucleotides are required for faithful DNA synthesis and repair, and their de novo biosynthesis is regulated by serine hydroxymethyltransferase 1 (SHMT1). The SHMT1 transcript contains a heavy chain ferritin, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H2, and CUG-binding protein 1-responsive internal ribosome entry site (IRES) that regulates SHMT1 translation. In this study a non-lethal dose of UVC is shown to increase SHMT1 IRES activity and protein levels in four different cell lines. The mechanism for the UV-induced activation of the SHMT1 IRES involves an increase in heavy chain ferritin and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H2 expression and the translocation of CUG-binding protein 1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The UV-induced increase in SHMT1 translation is accompanied by an increase in the small ubiquitin-like modifier-dependent nuclear localization of the de novo thymidylate biosynthesis pathway and a decrease in DNA strand breaks, indicating a role for SHMT1 and nuclear folate metabolism in DNA repair.
Confidence intervals for the regression parameter based on weighted log-rank estimating functions

In this paper construction of a confidence interval for the regression parameter under the accelerated life regression model is discussed. The confidence interval is based on the distribution of the regression estimator, approximated by a resampling method. The procedures are incorporated with some weight functions which have mass at censored data points as well as non-censored data points. Numerical studies show that for some weight functions, the proposed confidence interval performs well. We illustrate the procedures in a real data example.
Patient-tailored acetylcysteine administration.

Acetylcysteine is a familiar friend of emergency physicians, intensivists, and medical toxicologists. There are 2 broad categories of acetaminophen toxicity that receive acetylcysteine therapy: acute single overdose ingestion and repeated supratherapeutic (“chronic”) ingestion. Since the 1970s, we have used acetylcysteine to reduce liver injury and death in patients with an acute overdose ingestion of acetaminophen. The introduction of an intravenous formulation of acetylcysteine in the United States has fostered the adaptation of a shorter period of acetylcysteine administration, 20 hours instead of 72 hours. Both of these time-based protocols imply that all cases of acetaminophen toxicity receive the same duration of therapy. However, clinical experience indicates that a patient who presents late ( 8 hours after ingestion) or who already has manifested liver injury after a single acute overdose needs a longer duration of acetylcysteine therapy than a patient who presents soon (within 8 hours) after acute overdose ingestion. Further, in many patients who receive acetylcysteine, the exact time of acute ingestion is unknown, or the ingestion has occurred during an unknown period. Although a variety of dosage regimens has been proposed for the various patterns of acetaminophen overdosage, the optimal duration of acetylcysteine therapy is unknown. Currently, the administration of acetylcysteine is determined by the individual physician, with very little information to guide the decision. In this issue of Annals, Betten et al report a poison center study of truncated acetylcysteine therapy for acute overdose ingestion of acetaminophen. Their results indicate that treatment with oral acetylcysteine for 20 to 48 hours was associated with excellent outcomes. The study has weaknesses, but the authors addressed major concerns, particularly the concern that poor outcomes may have been missed in patients lost to follow-up. We believe the implications by Betten et al go farther, exposing a more fundamental issue of medical importance. The concepts of patient-tailored therapy and goal-directed therapy have enjoyed growing acceptance in recent years. The concept involves treating the patient’s condition only as long as necessary, as determined by their clinical condition. Betten et al used a compound clinical endpoint to recommend termination of acetylcysteine therapy. Defining treatment as a period (eg, 20 hours) is much different from treatment to a clinical endpoint. For example, the 20-hour
Intercalation compounds of graphite: Chemical identity and reactivity

Abstract Although both the true intercalation compound “C 13 CrO 3 ” and the commercially available Seloxcette graphite/chromium trioxide mixture are reduced by various inorganic reagents, only the Seloxcette is efficacious in oxidizing primary alcohols to aldehydes. The nature of this divergence is probed by chemical and physical techniques. Curiously, while both the Seloxcette and the “C 13 CrO 3 ” are found to contain chromium in a mixture of oxidation states, just as many intercalation compounds contain metals of different oxidation states, the immobility of the chromium in “C 13 CrO 3 ” precludes reaction with organic species. The results found for these chromium systems are generalized to a discussion of the chemical reactivity of other intercalation compounds.
Breakup of liquid jets from non-circular orifices

The purpose of this investigation is to study the effect of the orifice geometry on liquid breakup. In order to develop a better understanding of the liquid jet breakup, investigations were carried out in two steps—study of low-pressure liquid jet breakup and high-pressure fuel atomization. This paper presents the experimental investigations conducted to study the flow behavior of low-pressure water jets emanating from orifices with non-circular geometries, including rectangular, square, and triangular shapes and draws a comparison with the flow behavior of circular jets. The orifices had approximately same cross-sectional areas and were machined by electro-discharge machining process in stainless steel discs. The liquid jets were discharged in the vertical direction in atmospheric air at room temperature and pressure conditions. The analysis was carried out for gage pressures varying from 0 to 1,000 psi (absolute pressures from 0.10 to 6.99 MPa). The flow behavior was analyzed using high-speed visualization techniques. To draw a comparison between flow behavior from circular and non-circular orifices, jet breakup length and width were measured. The flow characteristics were analyzed from different directions, including looking at the flow from the straight edges of the orifices as well as their sharp corners. The non-circular geometric jets demonstrated enhanced instability as compared to the circular jets. This has been attributed to the axis-switching phenomenon exhibited by them. As a result, the non-circular jets yielded shorter breakup lengths as compared to the circular jets. In order to demonstrate the presence of axis-switching phenomenon in square and triangular jets, the jet widths were plotted along the axial direction. This technique clearly demonstrated the axis switching occurring in square and triangular jets, which was not clearly visible unlike the case of rectangular jets. To conclude, non-circular geometry induces greater instabilities in the liquid jets, thereby leading to faster disintegration. Thus, non-circular orifice geometries can provide a cheaper solution of improving liquid breakup and thus may enhance fuel atomization as compared to the precise manufacturing techniques of drilling smaller orifices or using costly elevated fuel injection pressure systems.
Early chromosome condensation without cell fusion. I. Preliminary results with allogeneic and xenogeneic cells.

Early chromatin condensation in interphase cells (G1) of human peripheral blood lymphocytes has been induced without virus or cell fusion by exposure to allogeneic or xenogeneic mitotic cells. The event, although similar in some ways to the phenomenon described as “premature chromosome condensation”, “chromosome pulverization”, and “prophasing”, differs in that it does not require the presence of viruses and cell fusion before mitosis proceeds in the G1 cell.
The Influence of Alcohol-Related Cognitions on Personality-Based Risk for Alcohol Use During Adolescence

This study examines whether expectancies about the impact of not drinking or reducing alcohol use and perceptions of peer alcohol use partially mediated risk incurred by sensation seeking for adolescent alcohol involvement. High school drinkers (N = 3,153) completed a survey assessing substance use, sensation seeking, perceived peer alcohol use, and non-drinking expectancies. Single and multiple mediation models were used to estimate the size of the mediated effect. Participants' expectations about the consequences of not drinking explained a substantial portion of the relationship between sensation seeking and alcohol use for both males and females (43.9% and 22.7%, respectively). Perceived peer alcohol use was also relevant to this link for females (8.4%). The role of these potentially malleable cognitive processes in adolescent decision making regarding alcohol use have direct prevention and intervention implications for helping to reduce risky alcohol use among high-risk adolescents.
Phosphorylation sites in the amino-terminal region of mouse p53.

Abstract Phosphorylation is an attractive mechanism for regulating the functions of p53. The p34cdc2 kinase, which is involved in regulation of the cell cycle, phosphorylates serine-315 of human p53 in vitro. Casein kinase II phosphorylates serine-389 of mouse p53 in vitro. The amino-terminal region of mouse p53 contains a cluster of potential serine phosphorylation sites. Those sites have been proposed to be sites for phosphorylation by a double-stranded DNA-dependent kinase (DNA-PK) from HeLa cells and can be dephosphorylated by protein phosphatase 2A. To identify in vivo phosphorylation sites in the amino-terminal region of mouse p53, we mutated potential phosphorylation sites and analyzed the mutant proteins by tryptic phosphopeptide mapping. We identified serine-7, -9, -18, and -37 as in vivo phosphorylation sites. We further showed that mouse p53 expressed in bacteria is phosphorylated by DNA-PK on amino-terminal serine residues in vitro.
Spectroscopy of phenylacetylene-carbon dioxide clusters

Abstract Spectroscopy shifts in the S 1 -S 0 transition in phenylacetylene ( 1 B 2 ( 1 L b )← 1 A 1 ( 1 A)) upon clustering with 1 to 5 molecules of CO 2 are reported. The data show very small spectral shifts, both blue and red, which depend on cluster size. Comparison with recent data obtained in our laboratory for systems with similar polarizability suggest that the cluster structures have CO 2 bound to the acetylenic hydrogen of phenylacetylene rather than to the ring.
Obesidade e gravidez: conhecer para atuar precocemente? A realidade numa unidade de saúde familiar

Resumo Objetivos Descrever os perfis de peso das mulheres gravidas, utentes da unidade de saude familiar (USF), determinando a prevalencia de gravidas obesas, com excesso de peso (EP), normopeso ou baixo peso antes da concecao e final da gravidez. Descrever as principais complicacoes em cada um dos grupos. Populacao e metodos Estudo observacional, descritivo e transversal realizado na USF Nova Via. A populacao em estudo incluiu todas as gravidas cujo parto ocorreu entre 1 de marco de 2010 e 31 de dezembro de 2010, com pelo menos 7 consultas de Saude Materna na USF. Os dados foram colhidos em setembro de 2011 atraves da consulta do processo clinico, recorrendo aos programas informaticos SINUS ® e SAM ® . As variaveis estudadas foram a idade, numero de gestacoes, paridade, existencia de consulta de pre-concecao, IMC na ultima consulta antes da gravidez, aumento de peso durante a gestacao, complicacoes na gravidez, peso ao nascimento do recem-nascido e prematuridade. Resultados Oitenta e oito gravidas cumpriam os criterios de inclusao: 22,7% com EP, 14,8% com obesidade e 1,1% com baixo peso. Na gravidez, 50% das primeiras e 30,8% das segundas aumentaram de peso mais do que o recomendado. As complicacoes foram mais comuns nas gravidas inicialmente obesas/EP (total 27,3%: 9,1% com diabetes gestacional, 9,1% com pre-eclâmpsia) do que nas inicialmente normoponderais (total 9,3%: 7,4% com diabetes gestacional). O numero de cesarianas foi superior nas inicialmente obesas, bem como o numero de partos pre-termo. Conclusao A prevalencia de mulheres que eram obesas/EP ao engravidar e consideravel, dessas, uma importante percentagem teve um ganho ponderal superior ao recomendado. Assim, como o controlo nutricional e dificil de obter, importa implementar medidas para o acompanhamento adequado, investindo nas consultas de pre-concecao, na educacao para a saude e, possivelmente, rastreando as mulheres de risco para um melhor seguimento e possivel orientacao para nutricao.
Personal Attachment to the Union in Small Bargaining Units

Union member attachment research has generally examined large unions organizing large employers. The present study presents a conceptual model and related data concerning various aspects of the union attachment expressed by individuals in small bargaining units. The results show differences among individuals in commitment based on their union experiences and demographic characteristics. Resume Les etudes traitant de la loyatue qu'eprouvent les membres envers leur syndicats examinent generalement des syndicats importants au sein d'entreprises de taille. La presente etude offre un modele conceptuel et les donnees relatives aux divers aspects de la loyaute exprimee par des individus appartenant a de petites unites de negociations. Les resultats demontrent les differences de loyaute chez les membres selon leur experience syndicale et les caracteristiques demographiques.
Rifts and Swells: Geophysical Constraints on Causality

Abstract Analyses are developed to examine whether rifting can generate broad topographic swells and whether swells formed by lithospheric thinning can generate rifts. Although swells can be supported by deep lithospheric cracks filled with low-density intrusions, observed topography and gravity constrain how this might occur. Single deep dikes apparently cannot explain the width of swells, the low-gravity gradients on swell flanks, or the lack of a large negative free-air anomaly over swell crests. If swells are supported by deep cracks, there must be numerous narrow dikes distributed over the full breadth of each swell. Comparing the hydrostatic pressure of various columns of lithosphere to that of an ocean ridge crest suggests the conditions under which a swell might spread apart. Oceanic basins are under deviatoric horizontal compression due to ridge push. The uplift caused by lithospheric thinning will reduce this compression, but because swells never rise higher than ridge crests oceanic swells should not develop deviatoric tensile stresses. Continental platforms are under less compression, so formation of a continental swell can generate significant rifting forces.
Thinning and Rupture of Aqueous Surfactant Films on Silica

The thinning and rupture of aqueous surfactant films on silica is investigated using the interferometric technique and free bubbles, which approximate flotation more realistically than the captive bubble method. Different rupture mechanisms are observed at different pH values for aqueous films of dodecylamine on silica, explaining the pH dependence of quartz flotation using amine. While at low pH rupture is accompanied by the breaking off of a large drop in the center and subsequent formation of large irregular drops, at high pH ruptured spots grow to large circular drops.
Cytogenetic signature for ionizing radiation

A stable, easily measurable biological 'signature' for past exposure to densely ionizing radiation would be of significant value to estimate environmental radiation risk. Defined here, the S-ratio is the ratio of complete to incomplete chromosome translocations. It constitutes a clastogenic signature that appears to be stable over time, independent of dose, and varies inversely with the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the radiation. In vitro measurements resulted in a ratio of 2 for densely ionizing radiation (56Fe and 12C ions) in contrast to a value of 10 for sparsely ionizing radiation (X- and gamma -rays). The measured ratio was 2 for bleomycin and benzene. Such a distinctive clastogenic signature should facilitate better estimates of neutron dose for A-bomb survivors, as well as a causal connection between early exposure to densely ionizing radiation and late development of cancer.
Effects of a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor and a thromboxane antagonist on release and activity of thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin in vitro

The TxA2 synthetase inhibitor, dazoxiben, and the TxA2 antagonist, +/- SQ 29,548, were examined for effects on release and vasoactivity of TxA2 and prostacyclin. Isolated perfused guinea pig lungs were used as the enzyme source from which TxA2 and prostacyclin were released in response to injections of arachidonic acid or bradykinin. Both dazoxiben and +/- SQ 29, 548 inhibited contraction of the superfused rat aorta and bovine coronary artery after arachidonic acid injection through the lung. +/- SQ 29,548 abolished contractions of the rat aorta, but significant aorta contracting activity persisted during dazoxiben treatment. Dazoxiben significantly inhibited arachidonate-induced release of TxA2 (immunoreactive TxB2) into the superfusate, but TxA2 release was significantly potentiated by +/- SQ 29,548. Thus, in the presence of enhanced TxA2 concentrations, +/- SQ 29,548 effectively antagonized the vasospastic effect of TxA2. Dazoxiben diverted a significantly greater amount of arachidonic acid into prostacyclin synthesis (immunoreactive 6-keto-PGF1 alpha), changing original coronary vasoconstriction into relaxation. +/- SQ 29,548 did not significantly modify lung prostacyclin synthesis. Moreover, with +/- SQ 29,548, the absence of TxA2-mediated coronary contraction unmasked active relaxation of the superfused bovine coronary artery, coincident with thromboxane and prostacyclin release. Dazoxiben consistently inhibited TxA2 synthesis and enhanced prostacyclin synthesis. +/- SQ 29,548 augmented TxB2 release in response to arachidonate, but not bradykinin, and did not significantly alter 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release in response to either arachidonate or bradykinin. In terms of vasoactivity measured in vitro, +/- SQ 29,548 and dazoxiben produced similar anti-vasospastic effects, although this was accomplished by completely different mechanisms.
Obstacle Avoidance For Unmanned Air Vehicles Using Image Feature Tracking

This paper discusses a computer vision algorithm and a control law for obstacle avoidance for small unmanned air vehicles using a video camera as the primary sensor. Small UAVs are used for low altitude surveillance ∞ights where unknown obstacles can be encountered. Small UAVs can be given the capability to navigate in uncertain environments if obstacles are identifled. This paper presents an obstacle detection methodology using feature tracking in a forward looking, onboard camera. Features are found using the Harris Corner Detector and tracked through multiple video frames which provides three dimensional localization of the salient features. A sparse three dimensional map of features provides a rough estimate of obstacle locations. The features are grouped into potentially problematic areas using agglomerative clustering. The small UAV then employs a sliding mode control law in the autopilot to avoid obstacles.
Direct screening identifies mature β-defensin 2 in avian heterophils

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was used to screen avian heterophils in the m/z range of 1 to 20 kDa with an objective to identify specific cell-associated peptides that may be reflective of their functional physiology. The MALDI-TOF-MS profiles of crude heterophil extract showed a high intensity peak with average mass of m/z 3916.1 for chicken and m/z 4129.6 for turkey. To identify these peaks, we first purified m/z 3916.1 from chicken bone marrow extract using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Edman sequencing and peptide mass fingerprinting exclusively confirmed this peptide as β-defensin 2 (BD2) or gallinacin-2, a broad-range antimicrobial peptide. A Uniprot database search followed by the MASCOT sequence query revealed m/z 4129.6 to be the corresponding turkey ortholog of avian β-defensin 2 (AvBD2), also called turkey heterophil peptide 2. Both AvBD2 peptides are 36 amino acids long including a highly conserved region with 6 invariant cysteines forming the 3 disulfide bonds characteristic of defensins. The method confirmed the existence of the complete mature peptide sequence of the turkey heterophilic BD2 previously proposed based on cDNA analysis. These results demonstrate that screening of the crude extract by MALDI-TOF-MS can identify cell- or tissue-associated peptides in their functional or mature forms, raising the possibility that such peptides can be used as biomarkers in their altered physiological states.
The Management Information System User: An Exploratory Behavioral Analysis

A behavioral study utilizing an attitudinal model explored the relationships between management information system users' perceptions of their computer system, perceived variables exogenous to the ...
Effect of the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate on hepatic cyclooxygenase and phospholipase A2 in rats

Peroxisome proliferators, which include several hypolipidemic drugs, plasticizers and other chemicals, induce hepatic tumors in rodents. These chemicals alter the expression of enzymes involved in lipid metabolism, such as the cytochrome P450 4A family and peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzymes. Previous studies have shown that the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate reduces eicosanoid concentrations in rat livers and primary hepatocyte cultures, yet the mechanism is still unclear. In this study we examined cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2) and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) to determine whether the rate-limiting enzymes in the eicosanoid synthetic pathway are altered by ciprofibrate. Rats were fed 0.01% ciprofibrate for 3, 6, or 10 days. Western analysis revealed that COX-2 protein was induced by ciprofibrate (up to 13-fold at day 10), but that calcium-dependent (Ca-D) cPLA2 protein was not different from controls. The enzyme activity of calcium-independent (Ca-I) cPLA2 in ciprofibrate-treated rats was increased 2-fold, whereas Ca-D cPLA2 and total COX activities were not affected. Using enzyme kinetics, we found that COX-1 (Ki = 143 microM) and Ca-I cPLA2 (Ki = 121 microM) were competitively inhibited by ciprofibrate, but the inhibition was not physiologically significant. COX-2 and Ca-D cPLA2 were not inhibited by ciprofibrate. These results show that ciprofibrate increases Ca-I cPLA2 enzyme activity and COX-2 protein expression.
PRODUCTION SPECTRA OF COSMIC-RAY MESONS IN THE ATMOSPHERE

Recent experimental data on the differential vertical intensities of $\ensuremath{\mu}$ mesons in the atmosphere make it possible not only to improve the original Sands' production spectrum of $\ensuremath{\mu}$ mesons but also to study its dependence on the geomagnetic latitude. It is shown that, for the residual ranges, ${R}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, between 100 g ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ and 6000 g ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, the production spectrum may be approximated by an empirical formula of the type: $C{(a+{R}^{\ensuremath{'}})}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ where $C$ and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ are numerical constants practically independent of the geomagnetic latitude. The latitude dependence of the production spectrum is thus expressed through the parameter $a$ which displays a monotonic decrease with increasing latitude. With numerical values of $a$, $C$, and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$, compatible with experimental data, the production spectrum of $\ensuremath{\mu}$ mesons is then used as a basis for the derivation of the differential and integral energy spectra of charged $\ensuremath{\pi}$ mesons. The latitude dependence of the $\ensuremath{\pi}$-meson spectrum is linked to the geomagnetic cut-off of the primary cosmic radiation, which leads to some crude conclusions on the average multiplicity of $\ensuremath{\pi}$ mesons produced in proton collisions with air nuclei. In particular, the dependence of the multiplicity on the primary energies between 2 and 13 Bev is studied in detail and compared with Fermi's statistical theory of $\ensuremath{\pi}$-meson production.
Tributary Refinements to Chesapeake Bay Model

A series of refinements was added to a previously completed three-dimensional eutrophication model of the Chesapeake Bay. Refinements included increased grid resolution in the western tributaries and in shallow littoral areas, extension of the grid onto the continental shelf, extension of the validation period to 1985-1994, and addition of living resources. Computations of zooplankton, submerged aquatic vegetation, and benthos compared successfully with observations aggregated over annual time scales and at spatial scales on the order of 100 sq km.
Raman Spectroscopy of Soft Modes at the Charge-Density-Wave Phase Transition in 2 H − Nb Se 2

The Raman spectra of the layer-structure compounds $2H\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Nb}{\mathrm{Se}}_{2}$ and $2H\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Ta}{\mathrm{Se}}_{2}$ have been measured between 2 and 300 K. A low-energy peak in the Raman spectrum is found to soften at the charge-density-wave phase transition. This peak is attributed to the charge-density-wave amplitude mode. The intensity and energy of this soft mode have been successfully compared with mean-field treatments of the charge-density-wave phase transition.
Chronic estrogen alters contractile responsiveness to angiotensin II and norepinephrine in female rat aorta

Abstract Sex hormones have been postulated to play an important role in the modulation of vascular responsiveness to endogenous vasoactive substances. This study was designed to establish the effects of chronic treatment with estrogen in vivo on subsequent contractile responsiveness of aortic rings to angiotensin II or norepinephrine in vitro. Concentration-response curves for angiotensin II were compared in aortic rings with or without endothelium isolated from ovariectomized rats (275–299 g) pretreated with 17β-estradiol (≈ 1 mg/kg per day) or placebo for 14 days and from normal prepubertal female rats (125–149 g) pretreated with 17β-estradiol (≈ 5 mg/kg per day) or placebo for 14 days. Whether or not endothelium was present, angiotensin II-induced contraction was significantly depressed in rings from 17β-estradiol-treated ovariectomized or prepubertal rats when compared to controls, and the pattern of the effects of 17β-estradiol-treatment on the concentration-response curves for angiotensin II was similar in the two models. In contrast to angiotensin II-induced contraction, norepinephrine-induced contraction was significantly enhanced in aortic rings with or without endothelium from ovariectomized rats pretreated with 17β-estradiol (≈ 1 mg/kg per day, 14 days) and from normal prepubertal female rats pretreated with 17β-estradiol (≈ 5 mg/kg per day, 14 days) when compared to controls. The results demonstrate that chronic treatment with 17β-estradiol selectively reduced and enhanced contractile responsiveness of aortic rings to angiotensin II and norepinephrine, respectively. Further, the results indicate that the normal prepubertal female rat is an efficient model to investigate modulation by estrogen of aortic responsiveness to vasoactive agents in vitro.
The MMPI—2 Antisocial Practices Content Scale: Construct validity and comparison with the Psychopathic Deviate Scale.

Little is known regarding the construct validity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Antisocial Practices (ASP) content scale or its differences from the Psychopathic Deviate (Pd) scale. In 3 studies with undergraduates (Ns = 95, 110, and 100), the ASP scale exhibited convergent and discriminant validity with self-report, interview, family history, and observer measures of psychopathy, personality disorders, and personality traits. The ASP and Pd scales had many similar correlates, but the ASP scale correlated more positively with measures of Machiavellianism and more negatively with interviewer-rated honesty than the Pd scale. The ASP scale demonstrated incremental validity over and above the Pd scale for global indexes of psychopathy and antisocial behavior. Neither scale related highly to the absence of stress and interpersonal anxiety characteristic of psychopathy. The ASP and Pd scales, although overlapping in content, appear to measure somewhat different facets of the psychopathy construct.
Assessing Conceptual and Algorithmic Knowledge in General Chemistry with ACS Exams

In 2005, the ACS Examinations Institute released an exam for first-term general chemistry in which items are intentionally paired with one conceptual and one traditional item. A second-term, paired-questions exam was released in 2007. This paper presents an empirical study of student performances on these two exams based on national samples of students who took the exams as part of a general chemistry course sequence. Psychometric data for student performances are presented in terms of classical difficulty and discrimination indexes, as well as item characteristic curves, as are more commonly used in item response theory. Having these data provided for all items on these two exams presents background information that researchers in chemistry education can use in studies in which these exams are part of the assessment paradigm that is used. Finally, because ACS Exams items may not be published, this manuscript presents examples of paired questions that can be used to describe the nature of the exam in subs...
Regulation of IRK3 Inward RectifierK+ Channel by m1 Acetylcholine Receptorand Intracellular Magnesium

Inward rectifier K+ channels control the cell's membrane potential and neuronal excitability. We report that the IRK3 but not the IRK1 inward rectifier K+ channel activity is inhibited by m1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. This m1 modulation cannot be accounted for by protein kinase C, Ca2+, or channel phosphorylation, but can be mimicked by Mg2+. Based on quantitative analyses of IRK3 and two different IRK1 mutant channels bestowed with sensitivity to m1 modulation, we suggest that the resting Mg2+ level causes chronic inhibition of IRK3 channels, and m1 receptor stimulation may lead to an increase of cytoplasmic Mg2+ concentration and further channel inhibition, due to the ability of Mg2+ to lead these channels into a prolonged inactivated state.
Density-functional calculation of the electronic structure and equilibrium geometry of iron pyrite (FeS2).

The electronic structure and equilibrium geometry of the pyrite form of ${\mathrm{FeS}}_{2}$ was studied using self-consistent density-functional theory comparing the local-density-approximation (LDA) and the generalized-gradient-approximation (GGA) forms of the exchange-correlation functional. The calculated contour map of the electron-deformation density is consistent with analysis of high-resolution x-ray-diffraction data, showing excess charge in nonbonding d states on the Fe sites. At the experimentally measured geometry, the cohesive energy is calculated to be 16.7 eV/${\mathrm{FeS}}_{2}$ and 9.4 eV/${\mathrm{FeS}}_{2}$ for the LDA and GGA forms, respectively; the GGA result comparing well with the experimental value of 10.7 eV/${\mathrm{FeS}}_{2}$. Optimizing the cohesive energy as a function of geometry, both the LDA and GGA calculations find the optimal structure to be expanded relative to the experimental geometry with the lattice constant expanded by 1% and the S-S bond length expanded by 6%, corresponding to a 0.1-eV increase in the cohesive energy for each ${\mathrm{FeS}}_{2}$ unit. Similar results were obtained for ${\mathrm{RuS}}_{2}$.
Symbolic substitutions in the transfigured plane of a triangle

Symbolic substitutions, defined algebraically in terms of indeterminates a, b, c, are applied to selected points and loci in the transfigured plane of a triangle ABC. Of particular interest are objects and properties left invariant under such substitutions.
J/psi suppression in nucleus-nucleus collisions.

We propose a model for calculating $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ suppression in high-energy hadron-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions. We factorized the process into a production of the $c\overline{c}$ pairs convoluted with a transition probability into the observed $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ mesons. As the produced $c\overline{c}$ pairs exit the nuclear matter, multiple scattering increases the square of the relative momentum between the $c$ and $\overline{c}$ such that some pairs are transmuted into open charm states. With only one parameter, the energy gained by the produced $c\overline{c}$ pair per unit length in the nuclear medium, our model can fit all observed $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ suppression data in hadron-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions.
Functional and Biochemical Consequences of Abrogating the Activation of Multiple Diverse Early Signaling Pathways in Kit ROLE FOR Src KINASE PATHWAY IN KIT-INDUCED COOPERATION WITH ERYTHROPOIETIN RECEPTOR

Kit receptor tyrosine kinase and erythropoietin receptor (Epo-R) cooperate in regulating blood cell development. Mice that lack the expression of Kit or Epo-R die in utero of severe anemia. Stimulation of Kit by its ligand, stem cell factor activates several distinct early signaling pathways, including phospholipase Cγ, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Src kinase, Grb2, and Grb7. The role of these pathways in Kit-induced growth, proliferation, or cooperation with Epo-R is not known. We demonstrate that inactivation of any one of these early signaling pathways in Kit significantly impairs growth and proliferation. However, inactivation of the Src pathway demonstrated the most profound defect. Combined stimulation with Epo also resulted in impaired cooperation between Src-defective Kit mutant and Epo-R and, to a lesser extent, with Kit mutants defective in the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase or Grb2. The impaired cooperation between the Src-defective Kit mutant and Epo-R was associated with reduced transphosphorylation of Epo-R and expression of c-Myc. Remarkably, restoration of only the Src pathway in a Kit receptor defective in the activation of all early signaling pathways demonstrated a 50% correction in proliferation in response to Kit stimulation and completely restored the cooperation with Epo-R. These data demonstrate an essential role for Src pathway in regulating growth, proliferation, and cooperation with Epo-R downstream from Kit.
Complexity and decidability for restricted classes of picture languages

Abstract The paper investigates complexity and decidability questions for two restricted classes of picture languages, called three-way picture languages and stripe picture languages. It is shown that (1) the picture membership problem can be solved in deterministic polynomial time for three-way context-free picture languages, (2) the equivalence and containment problems for picture languages are undecidable for a regular language L1 and a linear language L2, where both L1 and L2 describe three-way stripe picture languages, and (3) the intersection emptiness problem for picture languages is undecidable for two three-way stripe linear picture languages and is also undecidable for a regular language L1 and a linear language L2, where L1 describes a three-way stripe picture language and L2 describes a stripe picture language.
Application of monoclonal antibodies to investigate plant cell wall deconstruction for biofuels production

To better understand how hydrothermal pretreatment reduces plant cell wall recalcitrance, we applied a high throughput approach (“glycome profiling”) using a comprehensive suite of plant glycan-directed monoclonal antibodies to monitor structural/extractability changes in Populus biomass. The results of glycome profiling studies were verified by immunolabeling using selected antibodies from the same toolkit. The array of monoclonal antibodies employed in these studies is large enough to monitor changes occurring in most plant cell wall polysaccharides. Results from these techniques demonstrate the sequence of structural changes that occur in plant cell walls during pretreatment-induced deconstruction, namely, the initial disruption of lignin-polysaccharide interactions in concert with a loss of pectins and arabinogalactans; this is followed by significant removal of xylans and xyloglucans. Additionally, this study also suggests that lignin content per se does not affect recalcitrance; instead, the integration of lignin and polysaccharides within cell walls, and their associations with one another, play a larger role.
The Fear of Understanding Schizophrenia and Iatrogenic Myths

Empirically, psychotherapy with a competent therapist is the optimal, but rarely offered treatment, for schizophrenia. Medication or ECT produces less disturbing, lifelong cripples. Within 25 years one-third spontaneously recover completely (unless they stay on medication), and another third socially recover. Nazi Germany sterilized and annihilated patients without decreasing mental disorders in the next generation. Schizophrenia is a terror syndrome. The therapist must create a therapeutic alliance by creating hope and tolerating not understanding. Hallucinations are waking dreams. Delusions are transferences, defenses against pseudohomosexuality, family-specific meanings, or attempts to make sense out of strange experiences.
Switch-level simulation of total dose effects on CMOS VLSI circuits

The effects of radiation exposure on the performance of CMOS integrated circuits are difficult to predict and to simulate due to the bias-dependent device parameter shifts. Simulation methodologies for identification of failure mechanisms and performance estimation are developed. These simulation algorithms are implemented in the PARA simulator for switch-level simulation of radiation effects. Simulation results for test circuits are presented that prove that accurate estimations are possible without CPU-intensive simulation programs. >
Zooming-in zooming-out: a novel method to scale up local innovations and sustainable technologies

Based on two case studies from Bangladesh and Benin, the role of video in scaling up sustainable rice technologies is assessed. Both process and outcomes of participatory research increased the effectiveness of educational videos. At the same time, during the production of the videos researchers and development workers learnt about local innovations and changed their attitude towards working with farmers. To increase impact, learning topics should have a regional relevance. Hence a novel method called zooming-in zooming-out is presented . It starts with a broad stakeholder consultation to define regional issues. Only then are communities approached to get a better feel about their ideas, their innovations and the words they use in relation to the chosen topic (zooming-in). Key learning needs are defined and videos are produced in close consultation with the end-users. Consequently, while showing the draft videos to more villages (zooming-out), more insights are gathered about the innovations and their socio-cultural context, and further adjustments made. Based on a few well-selected local innovations, and merged with scientific knowledge, these videos were able to explain underlying biological and physical principles. The more these principles resonated with what farmers already knew and did, the more video became useful as a stand-alone method. Facilitation increased adoption of sustainable technologies, but was not always a prerequisiste.
Silicon abundances in population I giants

Silicon to carbon abundance ratios for population I giants were determined from emission lines originating in the transition layers between stellar chromospheres and coronae. For effective temperatures larger than 6200 K we find a group of stars with increased silicon to carbon but normal nitrogen to carbon abundance ratios. These stars are presumably descendents from Ap stars with increased surface silicon to carbon abundance ratios. For G stars this anomaly disappears as is to be expected due to the increased depth of the convection zone and therefore deeper mixing which dilutes the surface overabundances. The disappearance of the abundance anomalies proves that the anomalous abundances observed for the F giants are indeed only a surface phenomenon. It also proves that the same holds for their progenitors, the Ap and Am stars, as has been generally believed. Unexplained is the increased silicon to carbon abundance ratio observed for several stars cooler than 5100 L. RS CVn and related stars do not show this increased abundance ratio. There are also some giants which appear to be enriched in carbon, perhaps due to a helium flash with some mixing if the star is a clump star.
Immunopathology and Ehrlichial Propagation Are Regulated by Interferon-γ and Interleukin-10 in a Murine Model of Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis

Previous studies of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) suggest a role for host immune response in resolving infection and in causing histopathological lesions. We hypothesize that interferon (IFN)-γ allows tissue injury that is suppressed by interleukin (IL)-10 after initiation by ehrlichia infection. Thus, parental C57BL/6, IL-10−/−, and IFN-γ−/− strains of mice were infected and then assayed for hepatic histopathological lesions, ehrlichial burden, and cytokine responses to ehrlichial antigen in primary splenic cultures during the first 21 days after infection. Histopathological severity in C57/BL6 and IL-10−/− mice rose in parallel through day 7, but then diverged as pathology in IL-10−/− mice continued to increase and remained high throughout the course of the study. The histopathological rank of C57BL/6 of mice decreased at day 10 and returned to baseline levels at days 14 and 21. In contrast, the IFN-γ−/− strain had baseline pathology scores throughout the course of the infection, yet had significantly higher ehrlichial burden both in the blood and tissues than C57BL/6 or IL-10−/− mice. This suggests that histopathological lesions in the HGE murine model do not result from direct ehrlichia-mediated injury but from immunopathological mechanisms initiated by ehrlichial infection. The similarities with lesions in humans suggest an immunopathological basis for HGE.