cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A natural history study of Encope grandis and Mellita grantii, two sand dollars in the northern gulf of California, Mexico

Populations of the sand dollars Encope grandis and Mellita grantii were studied at Playa Hermosa in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico. Intertidal distribution and abundance were estimated for the two species from 1969 to 1972. They occurred in the lower intertidal (-0.4 to -1.3 m) and on into the subtidal. Density of E. grandis varied from a high of 380/m2 in the spring of 1970 to a low of 0.1/m2 in the fall of 1971. Density of M. grantii ranged from a high of 56/m2 in 1970 to a low of 0.8/m2 in 1971. Growth curves were constructed based on shifts in the modes of the size distributions, and rates of mortality were estimated from the growth parameters and size distributions. It is estimated that E. grandis would attain 95% of its maximum size (74 mm) in about 6 years with an annual mortality rate of 18%. M. grantii would reach 95% of its maximum size (38 mm) in about 5 years with an annual mortality rate of 58%. The populations of these sand dollars appear to be limited by the physical environment.
Extended β-globin locus control region elements promote consistent therapeutic expression of a γ-globin lentiviral vector in murine β-thalassemia

Since increased fetal hemoglobin diminishes the severity of beta-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, a strategy using autologous, stem cell-targeted gene transfer of a gamma-globin gene may be therapeutically useful. We previously found that a gamma-globin lentiviral vector utilizing the beta-globin promoter and elements from the beta-globin locus control region (LCR) totaling 1.7 kb could correct murine beta-thalassemia. However, therapeutic consistency was compromised by chromosomal position effects on vector expression. In contrast, we show here that the majority of animals that received transplants of beta-thalassemic stem cells transduced with a new vector containing 3.2 kb of LCR sequences expressed high levels of fetal hemoglobin (17%-33%), with an average vector copy number of 1.3. This led to a mean 26 g/L (2.6 g/dL) increase in hemoglobin concentration and enhanced amelioration of other hematologic parameters. Analysis of clonal erythroid cells of secondary spleen colonies from mice that underwent transplantation demonstrated an increased resistance of the larger LCR vector to stable and variegating position effects. This trend was also observed for vector insertion sites located inside genes, where vector expression was often compromised, in contrast to intergenic sites, where higher levels of expression were observed. These data emphasize the importance of overcoming detrimental position effects for consistent therapeutic globin vector expression.
Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy approaches for invasive bladder cancer.

Deeply invasive bladder cancer, representing approximately 20% of incident cases, is cured by radical cystectomy or radiotherapy in less than 50% of cases. In an effort to improve cure rates, based on objective response rates in metastatic disease of 40%–70% from combination chemotherapy regimens, systemic chemotherapy has been incorporated into programs of definitive treatment for this disease. Several randomized trials and a meta-analysis have confirmed a survival benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by definitive local treatment, reflecting both median survival figures and cure rates. Despite several promising phase II trials, no randomized trial of classical adjuvant chemotherapy for bladder cancer has demonstrated an overall survival benefit, despite increments in disease-free survival. Molecular prognostication has been studied in an effort to improve the utility of systemic therapy for invasive non-metastatic bladder cancer, but randomized trials have not shown associated survival benefit. Despite level 1 evidence of a survival benefit from neoadjuvant MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin [Adriamycin], cisplatin) or cisplatin, methotrexate, and vinblastine (CMV) chemotherapy, more than 50% of incident cases do not receive such treatment.
Differentiation and Self-Development in the Relationship Context:

The author presents a way to conceptualize differentiation in which separateness and togetherness are identified as 2 different dimensions, both of which are important to the development of an inte...
Making sense of the antisense transcripts in C9FTD/ALS.

In medicine, Occam's razor is employed to enforce diagnostic parsimony upon complicated cases. Stated simply, Occam's razor says that the single disease that best accounts for all of a patient's symptoms is likely to be the primary cause of all of them. In biomedical research, a similar logic is often applied, triggering searches for a single central pathogenic mechanism as the primary (or sole) pathway that causes a given disease. The rationale for this approach is clear: only when we know the one true cause of a disease can we know where to focus our efforts for therapeutic development. In this issue of Acta Neuropathologica, five new papers suggest that successful application of Occam's razor to the recently described C9-associated Frontotemporal Dementia and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (C9 FTD/ALS) is going to be a challenge.
Anti‐insulin antibody structure and conformation. II. Molecular dynamics with explicit solvent

Molecular dynamics at 300 K was used as a conformation searching tool to analyze a knowledge-based structure prediction of an anti-insulin antibody. Solvation effects were modeled by packing water molecules around the antigen binding loops. Some loops underwent backbone and side-chain conformational changes during the 95-ps equilibration, and most of these new, lower potential energy conformations were stable during the subsequent 200-ps simulation. Alterations to the model include changes in the intraloop, main-chain hydrogen bonding network of loop H3, and adjustments of Tyr and Lys side chains of H3 induced by hydrogen bonding to water molecules. The structures observed during molecular dynamics support the conclusion of the previous paper that hydrogen bonding will play the dominant role in antibody-insulin recognition. Determination of the structure of the antibody by x-ray crystallography is currently being pursued to provide an experimental test of these results. The simulation appears to improve the model, but longer simulations at higher temperatures should be performed.
Transcription factor KLF2 regulates the migration of naive T cells by restricting chemokine receptor expression patterns

The migration patterns of naive and activated T cells are associated with the expression of distinct sets of chemokine receptors, but the molecular basis for this regulation is unknown. Here we identify Krupple-like factor 2 (KLF2) as a key transcriptional factor needed to prevent naive T cells from expressing inflammatory chemokine receptors and acquiring the migration patterns of activated T cells. Lineage-specific deletion of KLF2 resulted in fewer naive T cells in the blood and secondary lymphoid organs, whereas it expanded naive T cell numbers in nonlymphoid tissues; these effects were associated with altered expression of inflammatory chemokine receptors on naive T cells. KLF2 repressed the expression of several chemokine receptors, including CCR3 and CCR5. We thus conclude that KLF2 maintains proper T cell migration patterns by linking T cell movement and transcriptional regulation of chemokine receptor expression patterns.
Investigating septic disposal sites using a velocity permeameter

Abstract Methods of determining saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil in the absence of a high water table and difficulties inherent in their use are discussed. A new tool for determining saturated hydraulic conductivity, the Velocity Permeameter, is described. The accuracy of the device is shown through the use of undisturbed soil core comparisons. The application of the Velocity Permeameter to the selection of septic disposal sites, especially for decisions involving expected borderline soil hydraulic conductivities is presented.
Functional capabilities of marmoset T and B lymphocytes in primary in vitro antibody formation.

Abstract In vitro tests of T- and B-lymphocyte function of two marmoset species, Saguinus fuscicollis and Saguinus oedipus oedipus , were examined to explore the lower immune response profile previously reported for S. o. oedipus . The helper capability of S. o. oedipus T cells was demonstrated by their ability to restore the sheep red blood cell response of (a) T-deficient mouse spleen cell cultures, and (b) S. fuscicollis B-cell cultures. Experiments with trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide (TNP-LPS) revealed peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) from both species capable of antibody formation. This response was both T cell and monocyte independent; indeed, removal of T cells led to an enhanced response, indicating a regulatory role for this cell in each species. Studies with the nonmitogenic form of TNP-LPS, trinitrophenylbase-hydrolyzed-lipopolysaccharide, revealed that plaque-forming cells could be obtained from S. fuscicollis PBL while S. o. oedipus PBL were unresponsive, suggesting some differential in B-cell stimulation for the two species. This report also demonstrates that hemopoietic chimerism, a feature common to all marmosets, has a negative influence on antibody-forming capabilities.
Enzyme-Monitored Turnover of Escherichia coli Thioredoxin Reductase: Insights for Catalysis†

Thioredoxin reductase from Escherichia coli is a member of the pyridine nucleotide-disulfide oxidoreductase family, and contains one FAD and one redox-active disulfide per subunit. It is known that...
Metallocene-based polyolefin foams: effects of oxidative irradiation on mechanical properties

Abstract Metallocene-based polyolefin (MPO) foams are being considered for a wide range of applications because of their uniform composition and low toxicity. In this study, stress relaxation and dynamic rheological experiments are used to probe the effects of oxidative irradiation on the structure and final properties of these novel MPO foams. Experiments conducted on irradiated foams of two different densities reveal significantly different behavior. Gamma irradiation of the lighter foam causes structural degradation due to chain scission reactions. This is manifested in faster stress relaxation rates and lower values of elastic moduli and gel fraction in the irradiated samples. The incorporation of O 2 into the polymer backbone, verified by FTIR analysis, confirms the hypothesis of chain scission occurring at the labile peroxide linkages. In contrast, the denser foam shows a small amount of cross-linking and a concomitant improvement in mechanical properties after oxidative irradiation.
Duplication of the alimentary tract.

Summary 1. A duplication of the ileum causingobstruction in a 3-month-old infant is reported with recovery following an intestinal resection of the lesion. 2. The incidence, etiology, and treatmentof duplication of the bowel are discussed.
Autophagy and the regulation of the immune response

Autophagy is a highly conserved mechanism of lysosomal-mediated protein degradation that plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by recycling amino acids, reducing the amount of damaged proteins and regulating protein levels in response to extracellular signals. In the last few years specific functions for different forms of autophagy have been identified in many tissues and organs. In the Immune System, autophagy functions range from the elimination infectious agents and the modulation of the inflammatory response, to the selection of antigens for presentation and the regulation of T cell homeostasis and activation. Here, we review the recent advances that have allowed us to better understand why autophagy is a crucial process in the regulation of the innate and adaptive immune responses.
Pressure tuning of the motional behavior of Li + , Ag + , and Cu + ions in shallow off-center potentials of alkali halides

The delicate balance of interaction energies, which creates in certain alkali halides a shallow off-center potential for small substitutional defect ions, can be drastically altered by application of relatively small ( 7 kbar) hydrostatic pressure (corresponding to about 1% lattice compression). This has been investigated for KCl: ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$, NaBr: ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{+}$, RbCl: ${\mathrm{Ag}}^{+}$, and RbBr: ${\mathrm{Ag}}^{+}$ by measurements of the real and imaginary dielectric response of the off-center dipoles, and by absorption-strength measurements of the ${\mathrm{Ag}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{+}$ forbidden $d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}s$ uv transitions (which become partially allowed in the odd-parity off-center potential). Applied pressure reduces gradually the central and rotational barriers of the multiwell potential and, while keeping the off-center dipole moment constant, drastically increase the dipolar reorientation rates. As a consequence, the observable range of relaxation frequencies (${10}^{2}$-${10}^{5}$ Hz) shifts under pressure to low temperatures, tuning through regimes of thermally activated motion with decreasing barriers into regimes of tunneling motion. Similar to the situation in the superionic conductors, a particular match between cavity and point-ion size produces an optimum "local ionic mobility" at lowest temperatures. Slightly higher lattice compression leads to the disappearance of this ionic mobility, due to a change of the defect potential into a centrosymmetric one. This off- to on-center transition (a "localized analog" to pressure-induced displacive phase transitions in ferroelectrics) is discussed in terms of its first- or second-order character. The question of whether pressure induced changes in the phonon dressing ("polaron effect") of the dipoles can contribute to the observed relaxation changes will be discussed, too.
Numerical generation of a random chopped fiber composite RVE and its elastic properties

The elastic properties of random chopped fiber-reinforced composites (RAFCs) are of paramount importance for their sound application in lightweight structures. Mass production of random chopped fiber-reinforced composite (RaFC) at a fraction of the cost of composite laminates establishes RaFCs as alternate candidate materials for manufacturing lightweight components in the automotive industry. Nevertheless, understanding and modeling of their mechanical and fracture properties are still fields of active research, yet to be exhausted. In this paper, methods to generate an RVE for random fiber or particle reinforced composites numerically are reviewed. A modified random sequential absorption algorithm is proposed to generate a representative volume element (RVE) of a random chopped fiber-reinforced composite (RaFC) material. It is assumed that the RVE represents the composite material within the framework of elasticity. The RVE thus created is analyzed to obtain the mechanical properties of the composite material by using finite element analysis (FEA). RVE generation uses both straight and curved fibers so as to achieve high fiber volume fractions (VFs) that are extremely difficult to obtain by using straight fibers alone. This work extends the capability of RVE generation of RaFCs to higher volume fractions, here 35.1% is illustrated, which are in the range of values employed in industrial applications.
Race/Ethnicity and Direct Democracy: An Analysis of California's Illegal Immigration Initiative

This article examines the role of racial/ethnic diversity in county-level support for California's illegal immigration initiative (Proposition 187). We conceptualize California counties in terms of their homogeneous, heterogeneous, or bifurcated racial/ethnic composition. We argue racial/ethnic context is critical beyond individual-level factors; this context is central in explaining public policy, especially policies that affect minority groups. The vote for Proposition 187 is expected to be the highest in "bifurcated" counties with large Latino populations. Regression analysis is used to statistically model the county-level vote for the initiative relative to the size of racial/ethnic populations, economic conditions, and party. Bifurcated counties with large Latino populations strongly supported Proposition 187, as well as homogeneous counties with predominately white and very small minority populations. California's white/Latino bifurcated racial/ethnic composition may parallel the white/black bifurca...
“PCR-Karyotype” of human chromosomes in somatic cell hybrids

Amplification of human DNA sequences in 16 monochromosomal somatic cell hybrids containing different human chromosomes were performed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primer directed at human-specific regions of Alu or L1, the two major classes of interspersed repetitive sequences (IRS-PCR). A chromosome-specific pattern of amplification products was observed on agarose gels run with ethidium bromide, producing a "PCR-karyotype." This simple gel analysis provides a rapid method for identifying and monitoring the human chromosomal content of monochromosomal somatic cell hybrids without conventional cytogenetic analysis. Hybrids containing multiple human chromosome produce complex gel patterns, but identification of chromosome content can be achieved by hybridization of PCR products against a reference panel of monochromosomal or highly reduced hybrids representing each human chromosome. This dot-blot method also enables identification of human marker chromosomes or translocated pieces in hybrids that are not identifiable by cytogenetic methods. These IRS-PCR methods should greatly reduce the need for more laborious cytogenetic, isozyme, and Southern blot characterizations of human-rodent cell hybrids.
Residence laws and unionization in municipal labor markets: The case of firefighters

An estimate is made of the impact of residence laws and unionization on compensation (wages plus major fringe benefits) as well as on employment of municipal firefighters. In addition, hypotheses about the manner in which residence laws exert these effects are econometrically tested using data obtained by surveying the mayors of 560 municipalities. The standard view — that is, that residence laws restrict labor supply — is not supported by the empirical evidence. Rather, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that residence laws affect compensation by altering the bargaining environment; for example, effects of unions are weaker when there are residence laws.
A greedy strategy for detecting negative cost cycles in networks

In this paper, we develop a greedy strategy for the problem of checking whether a network (directed graph) with positive and negative costs on its edges has a negative cost cycle. We call our approach the Vertex Contraction algorithm; it is the first known greedy strategy for this problem. As per the literature, all known approaches to the problem of detecting negative cost cycles are based on dynamic programming or scaling. It is well known that the negative cost cycle detection problem is equivalent to the problem of checking whether a system of linear difference constraints is feasible. Our algorithm exploits this equivalence and uses polyhedral projection on the polyhedron of linear difference constraints, corresponding to the input network, to detect the presence of negative cost cycles. We use a variant of the Fourier-Motzkin elimination procedure to effect polyhedral projection and contrast the performance of our algorithm with the "standard" Bellman-Ford algorithm for the same problem. We observed that the Vertex Contraction algorithm performed an order of magnitude better than the Bellman-Ford algorithm on a range of randomly generated inputs, thereby conclusively demonstrating the superiority of our approach. From the perspective of asymptotic analysis, the Bellman-Ford algorithm is superior to our algorithm, in that it runs in time O(mċn) in the worst case, on a network with m edges and n vertices, whereas the worst-case complexity of our algorithm is O(n3).
Leisure Research to Enhance Social Justice

Several streams of leisure research are directed at furthering an agenda for social justice. These lines of inquiry are motivated by the need to end various kinds of oppression related to one's gender, race, ethnicity, sexual identity, ability, and socio-economic status. Rather than social justice, this special issue is focused on research frameworks that further social justice. Three inter-related research criteria are applied: (1) identification of a value orientation and vision for social justice, (2) development of a social or cultural framework to enhance social justice, and (3) connection to social and political action to move communities in the direction of a more socially just set of relations. These three research criteria are applied to three approaches to research: descriptive, explanatory, and transformative. The purpose of this special issue is to build capacity of leisure research to enhance social justice.
Interaction of the polyelectrolyte heparin with copper(II) and calcium.

The binding of copper(II) ions by heparin was investigated using equilibrium dialysi techniques, and the effects of this binding on solution properties determined. In neus tral Tris buffer solutions, heparin binds a maximum of twenty-three to twenty-four copper ions in two classes of sites, one containing three to four binding sites, the other containing twenty to twenty-one sites. Cooperative binding is associated with the larger class of sites. In more acidic citrate buffer solution, only one class of sites is observed, containing about four to five binding sites. Association constants are calculated for the classes and the possible chemical nature of the sites is discussed. The binding of calcium ions in neutral buffer is also examined, and these ions appear to be bound by a group of twenty to twenty-one binding sites, with a larger association constant than that for the copper ions. Definite effects on the solution properties of heparin, such as intrinsic viscosity, sedimentation coefficients, and partial specific volume, can be observed only in the cooperative binding of copper ions in neutral buffer. The interpretation of these solution properties in terms of molecular size and shape is analyzed, and it is concluded that the metal ion interactions cause no major change in the apparently random coil conformation of heparin in buffered solution, although some minor changes can be associated with the cooperative uptake of copper ions.
Discharge properties of preformed air plasma channels

Summary form only given. The discharge properties of preformed air plasma channels are studied by a time-dependent kinetics model employing extensive non-equilibrium air-chemistry kinetics and nitrogen vibrational kinetics with rates calculated from the electron energy distribution function. The gas heating effects were accounted for via a thermal balance equation allowing for a channel expansion. The main plasma properties such as electron density and plasma conductivity, swarm parameters, electron, gas and vibrational temperature, ion densities, population of nitrogen and oxygen electronically excited molecular states and nitrogen vibrational distribution function were obtained as a function of the initial electron density and applied electric field. It was observed that the initial stage of the discharge is controlled by recombination; at later times the attachment takes over and becomes the dominant process in the electron dynamics leading to a fast decrease of the electron density. If ionization overcomes attachment, ionization instability is observed and breakdown ensues. The results of the model are compared with experimental results available in literature such as electron conductivity, discharge current, gas heating, and swarm parameters
Scanning slit confocal microscopy of the in vivo cornea

The use of fixed slit and scanning slit confocal microscopes is described and illustrated for 1-D and 2-D confocal imaging of the in vivo cornea. The 1-D z scanning confocal microscope is described and its performance demonstrated with depth scans across the full thickness of the in vivo rabbit cornea. This instrument uses an axial scanning microscope objective to scan through the full thickness of the in vivo cornea. The instrument is optimized for rapid simultaneous z scans of corneal reflectance and fluorescence. The in vivo application described is the contact-lens-induced time dependence of the fluorescence intensity from the reduced pyridine nucleotides NAD(P)H located within the mitochondria of corneal epithelial cells. The depth resolution of this instrument is 6 m with a 100 x microscope objective and 18 μm with a 50 x microscope objective. A second instrument based on a modified specular microscope with an internal focusing lens is described for 2-D noninvasive monitoring of corneal metabolism. Finally, a real-time, scanning slit confocal microscope is described and demonstrated for obtaining 2-D images of the in vivo human cornea. The unique imaging characteristics of this scanning slit in vivo confocal microscope is illustrated with a series of reflected light images of the normal in vivo human cornea. All of these instruments are modifications of previous instrument designs. The intellectual origins of these instruments are described.
Functional mapping for quantitative trait loci governing growth rates: a parametric model

Are there-specific quantitative trait loci (QTL) governing growth rates in biology? This is emerging as an exciting but challenging question for contemporary developmental biology, evolutionary biology, and plant and animal breeding. In this article, we present a new statistical model for mapping QTL underlying age-specific growth rates. This model is based on the mechanistic relationship between growth rates and ages established by a variety of mathematical functions. A maximum likelihood approach, implemented with the EM algorithm, is developed to provide the estimates of QTL position, growth parameters characterized by QTL effects, and residual variances and covariances. Based on our model, a number of biologically important hypotheses can be formulated concerning the genetic basis of growth. We use forest trees as an example to demonstrate the power of our model, in which a QTL for stem growth diameter growth rates is successfully mapped to a linkage group constructed from polymorphic markers. The implications of the new model are discussed.
Examination of the Fate of Carbon in Waste Management Systems through Statistical Entropy and Life Cycle Analysis

The statistical entropy (SE) function has been developed as a methodology to rapidly benchmark the effectiveness of different waste management systems by determining the level to which specific substances are either concentrated or diluted. Past usage of SE has been confined to metals. In this paper, this method is extended to account for carbon—a key substance of interest. Accounting for carbon is complicated by the fact that reactions involving this substance are complex and their products are numerous. Through experiments on carbon-containing emissions from styrene−butadiene rubber (SBR), natural rubber (polyisoprene, IR), and waste tires we demonstrate that a knowledge of carbon-containing species accounting for 90% (by mass) of gaseous emissions is sufficient. Next, we develop an extended SE calculation methodology and apply it to compare carbon flows through two different systems for municipal solid waste (MSW) management (landfills) and waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities. Our results indicate that wh...
Evaluation of detection algorithms for perpendicular recording channels with intertrack interference

Channel detection algorithms for handling intertrack interference (ITI) in perpendicular magnetic recording channels are studied in this paper. The goal is to optimize channel detection to attain the best possible performance for a practical system. Two channel detection models, namely, the single-track model and the joint-track model are evaluated using information rate analysis as well as simulations. Numerical results show that joint-track detection may be needed when ITI is severe.
Ante Up: A Framework to Strengthen Student-Based Testing of Assignments

We introduce the Ante framework to automate the evaluation of student tests in such a way that students will see them as an integral part of the software development process. Our unique approach is to evaluate student testing before students are allowed to submit implementations of the assignment. By evaluating student testing, we can ensure that 1) students understand the assignment before moving on to implementing it and 2) students have a set of tests to aid in implementing their assignment. In this paper we will describe the existing tools and techniques to evaluate student testing, discuss the process of utilizing this framework from both the student and instructor points of view, describe the technical and usability issues in crafting Ante, and report preliminary feedback of student attitudes towards testing in the context of this new paradigm.
The effects of instructions, evaluative feedback, and knowledge of results upon the short-term retention of ninth graders

A factorial design was used to examine the effects of three variables upon the short-term retention of ninth grade boys. One variable was instructions; those subjects told that the task measured intelligence and was predictive of their subsequent high school academic success showed greater retention than those subjects given standard short-term memory instructions. Halfway through the task half the subjects were praised for their performance while the remaining subjects were criticized. Subsequently, retention increased for the latter, but not the former subjects. The third variable was knowledge of results; the retention of subjects told “Wrong” following each incorrect recall did not differ from that of subjects told “Right” following each correct recall. It was concluded that the effects of the first two variables upon retention were similar to those of extrinsic incentives such as shock for incorrect recall and money for correct recall.
A systematic investigation of resident participation in a nursing home activities program

Abstract This study investigated the effects of a treatment package—activities, announcements, prompts (verbal and non-verbal), and positive reinforcement—upon the participation in a daily activities program, of a diverse group of nursing home residents. The subjects were 17 residents (8 male and 9 female) of an intermediate-care facility who ranged in age from 19 to 88, with a median age of 53. An ABAB single-subject design and group analysis of the data indicated a significant increase in participation when the treatment package was in effect. A subsequent analysis indicated that treatment gains were maintained above initial baseline levels when prompts or reinforcement were used alone. A follow-up showed a clear maintenance of resident participation 10 weeks after treatment was terminated. Unfortunately, the increases in participation did not generalize to another activities program in the home and did not appear to improve the residents' outlook on life or on the nursing home. It was concluded that this treatment package was a powerful method for increasing and maintaining resident participation in nursing home activities but did not affect behavior outside of the experimental setting.
Put in last position something previously unmentioned: Word order effects on referential expectancy and reference comprehension

Research has shown that the comprehension of definite referring expressions (e.g., the triangle) tends to be faster for given (previously mentioned) referents, compared with new referents. This has been attributed to the presence of given information in the consciousness of discourse participants (e.g., Chafe, 1994) suggesting that given is always more accessible. By contrast, we find a bias toward new referents during the on-line comprehension of the direct object in heavy-NP-shifted word orders, e.g., Put on the star the.… This order tends to be used for new direct objects; canonical unshifted orders are more common with given direct objects. Thus, word order provides probabilistic information about the givenness or newness of the direct object. Results from eyetracking and gating experiments show that the traditional given bias only occurs with unshifted orders; with heavy-NP-shifted orders, comprehenders expect the object to be new, and comprehension for new referents is facilitated.
Latest trends in parts SEP susceptibility from heavy ions

JPL and Aerospace have collected a third set of heavy-ion single-event phenomena (SEP) test data since their last joint IEEE publications in December 1985 and December 1987. Trends in SEP susceptibility (e.g. soft errors and latchup) for state-of-the-art parts are presented. Results of the study indicate that hard technologies and unacceptably soft technologies can be flagged. in some instances, specific tested parts can be taken as candidates for key microprocessors or memories. As always with radiation test data, specific test data for qualified flight parts is recommended for critical applications. >
Fermions in anomalous processes

The coherent-state formalism for the calculation of the S-matrix developed by Khlebnikov, Rubakov and Tinyakov in the context of anomalous scattering process is extended to include fermionic degrees of freedom. A closed expression for the kernel of the fermionic S-matrix in the background of a gauge field unit topological charge is obtained. As an application of the formalism, it is shown that the inclusion of an arbitrary number of fermion-antifermion pairs in the final state of an anomalous process only modifies the prefactor f in the inclusive cross section σ(E; g2) = E–f (EE0; g2) exp{−(16π2/g2) F solEE0)}. The leading fermionic contribution to f is computed.
The Korteweg-de Vries equation and water waves. Solutions of the equation. Part 1

The method of solution of the Korteweg–de Vries equation outlined by Gardner et al. (1967) is exploited to solve the equation. A convergent series representation of the solution is obtained, and previously known aspects of the solution are related to this general form. Asymptotic properties of the solution, valid for large time, are examined. Several simple methods of obtaining approximate asymptotic results are considered.
Induction of Th2-directed immune responses by IL-4-transduced dendritic cells in mice.

Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines have been used to generate Th1-mediated, protective immunity against cancers and infectious microorganisms. As an attempt to develop a new vaccine protocol for the induction of Th2-directed responses, we introduced an IL-4 plasmid vector into the XS106 DC line (derived from A/J mice). Although relatively small fractions of XS106 cells exhibited apparent intracellular deposition of IL-4, they secreted biologically relevant amounts of the cytokine. IL-4-transduced XS106 DC and control XS106 DC transfected with vector alone were pulsed with KLH and injected s.c. into A/J mice. The overall magnitude of KLH-specific cellular and humoral responses was comparable between the two animal groups. However, they differed in the isotype profile albeit only transiently, with the IL-4-transduced DC group showing higher IgE and lower IgG2a responses, and in the cytokine profile, with spleen cells isolated from the IL-4-transduced DC group producing higher IL-13 and lower IL-12. Thus, delivery of IL-4 gene to relatively small numbers of DC is sufficient to modify the immunological outcome of DC-based vaccines.
An inverse scattering model for optical binary switches

Abstract An inverse scattering theory is used to design an optical binary switch. The binary output states of the switch are modelled as phase conjugate reflection coefficients relating to two different refractive index profiles in a waveguiding structure. Proper spatial intensity filtering of the input laser radiation in conjuction with the nonlinearity of the waveguide material can lead to switching in a thin-film waveguide.
Invasibility and stochastic boundedness in monotonic competition models

We give necessary and sufficient conditions for stochastically bounded coexistence in a class of models for two species competing in a randomly varying environment. Coexistence is implied by mutual invasibility, as conjectured by Turelli. In the absence of invasibility, a species converges to extinction with large probability if its initial population is small, and extinction of one species must occur with probability one regardless of the initial population sizes. These results are applied to a general symmetric competition model to find conditions under which environmental fluctuations imply coexistence or competitive exclusion.
Rare gases in Pacific Ocean water

Abstract Concentrations of helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon have been measured in some S. Pacific waters. For the latter four gases the observed concentrations are generally consistent to about ± 10% with concentrations expected for solubility equilibrium with the atmosphere at the observed water temperatures.
THE VISUAL PIGMENT CYANIDE EFFECT

— The visual pigment of the Tokay gecko (Gekko gekko) with its in situ absorption maximum at 521 nm has its spectral position at 500 to 505 nm when chloride-deficient digitonin is used for the extraction. In this case the addition of chloride or bromide to the extract restores the maximum to 521 nm. This property, characteristic of gecko pigments in general, does not occur with any of the rhodopsins that have been tested. Simple salts of cyanide, a pseudohalogenoid with an ionic radius close to those of chloride and bromide and/or its hydrolysis product attacks both this gecko pigment and rhodopsins in the dark. This is seen as a slow thermal loss of photopigment if (sodium) cyanide is present at concentrations above 40 mM for the gecko pigment and 150 mM for the rhodopsins of the midshipman (Porichthys notatus) and of the frog (Rana pipiens). In all cases the loss of the photopigment is accompanied by the appearance of a spectral product with maximum absorption at about 340 nm. Cyanide addition has no effect on the photosensitivity of the native pigments and neither does it alter, as do chloride, bromide and other anions, the spectral absorbance curve. The spectral product at 340 nm also appears when the visual pigments are photolyzed in the presence of cyanide salts below the threshold concentrations given above. Incubation of digitonin-solubilized all-trans-relina with (sodium) cyanide leads to a reaction product with absorption spectrum similar to that obtained with visual pigments under comparable conditions. We suggest that cyanide addition leads to conformational changes in the visual pigment that results in the release of the retinal chromophore. This is followed by a direct attack of cyanide on the retinal to form the product absorbing in the near ultraviolet. The special point of interest here is that both the gecko 521-pigment and the rhodopsins are similarly attacked by cyanide addition and form the same product. It is also suggested that this product is an α-hydroxy acid derivative of retinoic acid, probably α-hydroxy homoretinoic acid. The opsin site selected by the cyanide action is apparently similar for both classes of visual pigments but must be different from the site in the gecko pigment with which chloride and bromide react. The cyanide-effect implies that retinal binding and/or Schiffs-base stability in visual pigments are allosterically controlled. Finally, some practical analytical aspects of this novel effect are discussed.
Detection of HER-2/neu gene amplification in breast cancer using a novel polymerase chain reaction/ligase detection reaction technique.

Abstract Background Gene amplification is the primary mechanism of HER-2/ neu overexpression in breast cancer and is a strong predictor of prognosis. Currently screening for HER-2/ neu gene amplification in breast cancer is done by fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), which is accurate but costly and labor intensive. We have evaluated a new PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-based assay for the detection of HER-2/ neu gene amplification in human breast cancer. Study design A total of 15 breast cancer cell lines and 14 breast cancer specimens were evaluated. HER-2/ neu status of the tumors was evaluated by FISH and then assessed using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction/ligase detection reaction (PCR/LRD) technique. Results Amplification of the HER-2/ neu gene was detected in seven cell lines previously reported to have amplification and no amplification was found in any of the six that had been reported not to have amplification. In the assessment of breast specimens the PCR/LDR and FISH assays were in complete agreement. All 10 tumors with amplification by FISH were also amplified by PCR/LDR. Conclusions The PCR/LDR technique successfully detects HER-2/ neu gene amplification in clinical breast cancer specimens and shows 100% concordance with FISH. This technique is an accurate and rapid alternative to FISH with the potential for automation and high throughput analysis of HER-2/ neu status in breast cancer.
Novel signalling events mediated by muscarinic receptor subtypes.

Abstract The M 2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) activates G i protein coupled pathways, such as stimulation of G-protein activated inwardly rectifying K channels (GIRKs). Here we report a novel heterologous desensitization of these GIRK currents, which appeared to be specifically induced by M 2 /M 4 mAChR stimulation, but not via adenosine (Ado) and α 2 -adrenergic receptors (AR). This heterologous desensitization reflected an inhibition of the GIRK signalling pathway downstream of G-protein activation. It was mediated in a membrane-delimited fashion via a PTX insensitive GTP dependent pathway and could be competed with exogenous G βγ . The activation of M 3 mAChR/Gq coupled receptors potently inhibited GIRK currents similar as M 2 mAChR. By monitoring simultaneously the response of A 1 adenosine receptor (AdoR) activation on N-type Ca 2 + channels and GIRK channels, the stimulation of M 3 mAChR was found to cause an inhibition of the Ado response in both effector systems, suggesting that the inhibition occurred at the level of the G-protein common to both effectors. These results indicated that G q proteins inhibit pathways that are commonly regulated by G βγ proteins.
Is Inflation Natural

We show that under very general conditions any inhomogeneous cosmological model with a positive cosmological constant that can be described in a synchronous reference system will tend asymptotically in time towards the de Sitter solution, so making the problem of initial conditions less severe. The implications for inflationary scenarios are examined, and it is found that after inflation the Universe stays isotropic and homogeneous for a very long time.
Application of new spectroscopic technique for the study of interaction of multicharged ions with gaseous targets in the extreme ultraviolet

A new optical technique for the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectral region based on glass capillary converters has been tested for studies of highly charged ion collision processes, plasma diagnostics and synchrotron radiation applications. Specifically a complex glass capillary converter system has been utilized in conjunction with a high resolution 2.2m grazing incidence monochromator to record EUV (10-100 nm) projectile and target spectra following multicharged ion collisions with He, leading to an enhancement of detected EUV photon flux between 10 and 30.
Volatile emission on the moon; Possible sources and release mechanisms

Evidence for very recent emission of volatiles on the Moon is primarily of four types: (1) transient lunar optical events observed by Earth-based astronomers; (2) excursions on Apollo SIDE and mass spectrometer instruments; (3) localized Rn222/Po210 enhancements on the lunar surface detected by Apollo 15 and 16 orbital alpha spectrometers; (4) presence in lunar fines of retrapped Ar40 and other volatiles. Available evidence indicates that the release rate of volatile substances into the lunar atmosphere is not steady, but instead sporadic and episodic. Rn222/Po210 anomalies are at locations that are among those from which transient events have most often been reported (edges of maria, certain specific craters), and are probably related to them. Volatiles emitted at maria rims may originate in the Moon's fluid core, reaching the surface through deep cylindrical fault systems that ring the maria borders. The sources of volatiles emitted at craters such as Aristarchus or Tsiolkovsky, which possess floors which are cracked or filled with dark lava and possess central peaks, are more likely to be local pockets of magma or trapped gas at shallower depths. The volatiles are produced directly by radioactive decay (He4, Ar40, Rn) and by heating (other volatiles). The release by heating can occur either during melting or by ‘bakeout’ of unmelted materials. Release of gas into the lunar atmosphere is probably triggered by buildup of its own pressure. This may be assisted by tidal forces exerted on the Moon by the Earth. In addition to independent release, volatile emission is also expected to accompany other lunar activity, such as ash flows, if any lunar volcanism is presently active.
La migración de la población hablante de lengua indígena en el sureste mexicano

Sin duda, Mexico es un pais de grandes contrastes geograficos, economicos, demograficos y culturales, en los que la diversidad etnica y el caracter pluricultural sobresalen entre el conjunto de caracteristicas principales del pais. En consecuencia, su situacion demografica exhibe una enorme heterogeneidad que se muestra especialmente cuando se trata de los grupos etnicos; asi la realidad migratoria de este sector de la poblacion, y en particular del establecido en la zona del Istmo, resulta menos intensa que las migraciones correspondientes a los sectores no pertenecientes a alguna etnia en especifico. Dada la tematica de la Tercera Conferencia Internacional de Poblacion del Istmo Centroamericano, 2003, en esta ponencia se ha tomado como centro de interes a los estados de Campeche, Quintana Roo y Yucatan que conforma la zona economica de la peninsula de Yucatan, y a los estados de Tabasco y Chiapas, y se usara la denominacion region sureste del pais para aludir al conglomerado de estos cinco estados. Por otra parte, a pesar de reconocer que el concepto indigena abarca muchos mas elementos que simplemente hablar una lengua autoctona, durante el desarrollo de este trabajo se utilizaran los terminos indigenas, pueblos indigenas y grupos etnicos, para referir a la poblacion que ha sido clasificada como tal, en consideracion al criterio linguistico.Este documento contiene una serie de reflexiones sobre los flujos migratorios de los diferentes grupos etnicos del sureste mexicano y de su influencia en la determinacion del volumen de este grupo de poblacion. El autor agradece el valioso apoyo de Martha Alicia Vidales Garcia, a cuyo cargo estuvo la captura del documento y elaboracion de cuadros y graficas; asi tambien al Dr. David P. Lindstrom * sin cuyos valiosos comentarios no hubiera sido posible este trabajo.