cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Leptin decreases food intake induced by melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), galanin (GAL) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the rat.

Recent evidence suggests that leptin reduces food intake (FI) by acting at the hypothalamic level. Leptin decreases hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY), melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and galanin (GAL) gene expression in rats. The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that leptin decreases FI by additionally modulating the action of NPY, MCH or GAL in the hypothalamus. Intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of NPY, MCH or GAL induced FI in satiated rats. A prior icv injection of leptin (4 μg) completely prevented the increase of FI either by MCH, GAL or NPY. These results suggest that modulation of post-synaptic actions of MCH, GAL and NPY is one of the mechanisms of leptin signaling in the hypothalamus.
Surgical Management of Giant Transdural Glomus Jugulare Tumors with Cerebellar and Brainstem Compression

Objective The objective of this study is to discuss the management of advanced glomus jugulare tumors (GJTs) presenting with intradural disease and concurrent brainstem compression. Study Design This is a retrospective case series. Results Over the last decade, four patients presented to our institution with large (Fisch D 2 ; Glasscock-Jackson 4) primary or recurrent GJTs resulting in brainstem compression of varying severities. All patients underwent surgical resection through a transtemporal, transcervical approach resulting in adequate brainstem decompression; the average operative time was 12.75 hours and the estimated blood loss was 2.7 L. All four patients received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in the form of intensity-modulated radiation therapy or stereotactic radiosurgery. Combined modality treatment permitted tumor control in all patients (range of follow-up 5 to 9 years). Conclusion A small subset of GJTs may present with intracranial transdural extension with aggressive brainstem compression mandating surgical intervention. Surgical resection is extremely challenging; the surgical team must be prepared for extensive operating time and the patient for prolonged aggressive rehabilitation. Newly diagnosed and recurrent large GJTs involving the brainstem may be controlled with a combination of aggressive surgical resection and postoperative radiation.
Alpha particle scattering to negative parity states of14N

Inelastic4He scattering on melamine targets is studied for negative parity excitations of14N. ElevenΔL=3 excitations are presented, for states up to 15.41 MeV; threeΔL=1 transitions are also studied. A microscopic DWBA calculation accounts for several of the octupole excitations, requiring an isoscalar effective strength about twice that expected for free alpha-nucleon scattering. Great purity of the structure of the three lowest 2− states is noted, with the 5.11 MeV and 9.13 MeV levels excited byΔL=3, but with the 7.97 MeV state excited purely byΔL=1.
Aging in America: The Link Between Productivity and Resources in the Third Age

The United States, like most industrialized nations, has experienced rapid population aging in the last few decades. The social changes associated with population aging resulted in the emergence of a period in later life called the third age, a period which occurs after retirement and prior to the onset of disability. The depiction of third agers as healthy, retired, and resource-rich has led to a growing expectation that they the capacity to remain productive in society through volunteerism. This study examined the extent to which the characteristics associated with the third age shape whether and how much older adults volunteer in the United States. Results from logistic regression models indicate that third age characteristics, including having adequate economic, human, health, and temporal capital, are associated with volunteer behaviors, and that having access to a social network also increases the likeliness of volunteering. These characteristics suggest that possession of and access to these resources is important to having the ability to “choose” to engage in voluntary activities. Furthermore, if the United States seeks to increase participation of older adults in such activities, it is important to facilitate opportunities for elders to obtain access to the resources needed to volunteer and support opportunities for older adults and society to mutually benefit from such engagement.
Platelet (3H)-Imipramine Binding and Leukoencephalopathy in Geriatric Depression

We examined the relationship between platelet [3H]-imipramine binding and leukoencephalopathy as assessed by 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in 21 elderly depressed patients who satisfied DSM-III criteria for major depression. Both drug-free platelet [3H]-imipramine binding and brain MRI studies were obtained during the same episode of depression. Our findings show a significant inverse relationship between frequency of subcortical hyperintensity (SCH) and the number (Bmax) of platelet [3H]-imipramine binding sites. Patients with Bmax less than 850 fmol/mg protein had significantly larger SCH compared with patients with a higher Bmax. These data provide further support to the potential use of platelet [3H]-imipramine binding studies and brain MR imaging as diagnostic adjuncts in geriatric depression and suggest, moreover, that these two biological markers may be linked in geriatric patients with depression.
Continuous synthesis of partially derepressed aspartate transcarbamylase during the division cycle of Escherichia coli B/r

Abstract The pattern of synthesis of aspartate transcarbamylase during the division cycle of Escherichia coli B/r was determined for several steady-state levels of partially derepressed synthesis of the enzyme. The pattern of synthesis was measured by repressing ATCase synthesis with uracil in populations growing on the surfaces of membrane filters and measuring enzyme activity as a function of time in newborn cells eluted from the populations. The variations in levels of steady-state partial derepression of ATCase synthesis were achieved by including 6-aza-uracil in the growth medium or by using a mutant possessing an increased level of partially derepressed ATCase synthesis compared to the parental strain. The results indicated that the enzyme was synthesized continuously during the division cycle at all levels of partial derepression. The observed absence of step-wise ATCase synthesis during the division cycle, which had been reported previously, was not due to a limitation of the method of analysis since a step-wise pattern was observed when it was expected, i.e. after ATCase synthesis was pulse-derepressed in an exponentially growing population. The possibility that previous reports of periodic synthesis of partially derepressed ATCase in E. coli (Kuempel et al., 1965; Goodwin, 1969a) were manifestations of a disturbance in cellular metabolism caused by the techniques used for synchronization is discussed.
Television Viewing and Attentional Abilities in Fourth and Fifth Grade Children

Abstract To evaluate the common assumption that television viewing is related to attentional difficulties in school, 70 fourth and fifth grade students recorded a “television diary” for one week and reported their preferred television shows. Parents estimated their child's television viewing time and reported their child's preferred shows. Assessment of attentional difficulties included teacher ratings, parent ratings, standardized tests, and classroom observations. It was found that the amount of television a child viewed was significantly related to teacher ratings of attentional difficulties, but not to parent ratings, classroom observations or a standardized test. Type of shows viewed did not relate to any attentional outcome variable. There was a clear relationship between fourth and fifth grade children's ability to pay attention in school, as assessed by their teacher, and the amount of time they spent watching television.
Feasibility Studies on Quaternary Reactive Distillation Systems

A quick and reliable algorithm is proposed to evaluate the feasibility of a double-feed reactive distillation column on the basis of the projection method (AIChE J. 2001, 47, 1333). A critical composition region is introduced where liquid seems to be more volatile than its equilibrated vapor in the projected space. If this critical composition region is spread along the entire binary edge of an upper feed and a top product in the original composition space, then a double-feed column cannot produce desired products. Otherwise, outside the critical composition region, single-stage calculations are carried out under potential pinch points to determine upper and lower bounds of the internal reflux ratio. If the permissible range of the reflux ratio near a pure product vertex overlaps with all the other permissible reflux ranges in one projected space, then a double-feed column can produce specified products.
Influence of tidal inundation on internal oxygen supply of Spartina alterniflora and Spartina patens

Oxygen concentration (% volume) of internal gases in the shoot base and roots of Spartina alterniflora and Spartina patens was monitored during simulated tidal flooding in laboratory experiments (both species) and in a natural marsh ( S. alterniflora only). Oxygen concentration in the shoot base declined during tidal submergence, recovered during emergence, and exceeded oxygen concentrations in the roots. Under equivalent flooding, shoot base oxygen of both species fell considerably lower in darkness than in light. In the natural marsh S. alterniflora shoot bases became anoxic during midsummer high tides in darkness. During daylight hours, the timing of tidal submergence of S. alterniflora relative to the diurnal light cycle influenced internal oxygen responses. S. alterniflora shoot height was inversely proportional to rate and extent of oxygen decline during laboratory-simulated submergence. Oxygen concentrations in Spartina patens shoot bases fell to much lower values than in S. alterniflora under equivalent light, flooding and temperature conditions. This finding suggests that a lesser ability to supply oxygen to belowground organs during flooding may contribute to S. patens' apparent inability to colonize the regularly flooded marsh habitat of S. alterniflora .
Overconfidence and underconfidence: When and why people underestimate (and overestimate) the competition

Abstract It is commonly held that people believe themselves to be better than others, especially for outcomes under their control. However, such overconfidence is not universal. This paper presents evidence showing that people believe that they are below average on skill-based tasks that are difficult. A simple Bayesian explanation can account for these effects and for their robustness: On skill-based tasks, people generally have better information about themselves than about others, so their beliefs about others’ performances tend to be more regressive (thus less extreme) than their beliefs about their own performances. This explanation is tested in two experiments that examine these effects’ robustness to experience, feedback, and market forces. The discussion explores the implications for strategic planning in general and entrepreneurial entry in particular.
An analysis of stimulus dimensions which define children's encapsulating play objects.

Stlnzm~ry.-Preschool children were systematically exposed to enterable boxes made of transparent, translucent and opaque Plexiglas presented within the context of a playroom setting. Measurement of responses to these boxes indicated that children at play prefer encapsulating objects which offer visual cutoff and darkness more than those providing tactile enclosure alone. This investigation constitutes part of an ongoing program which is exploring the manner in which sp-cific stimulus parameters of the physical environment modulate children's play hehavior. In looking at children's play, it is frequently the most commonplace phenomena which escape actention, yet may often be the mosc worthy of investigation. The behavioral researcher who is attempting to reach a fundamental understanding of play may easily make the mistake of either overlooking the obvious (proximity producing invisibility) or of equating the obvious with [he trivial and therefore not worthy of 'systematic investigation. For whatever reason or reasons, it is very clear that the play of children contains an abundance of ubiquitous pacterns which have received little or no analytic attention, and because of this fact, our understanding of children's behavior has been the poorer. A case in point is [he familiar tendency of children to seek out and play within enterable or encapsulating spaces; large boxes, barrels, lean-tos and such like objects all seem to hold strong attraction for the playing child. Although this behavioral pattern is remarkably common, it apparently had not been quanticatively investigated until an earlier study (Gramza, 1970) made an inicial probe. In chat study, Gramza presented enterable boxes providing high and low degrees of cover or encapsulation to preschool children; a strong preference was found for those boxes offering maximum cover. Building on this finding, che current study was undertaken to explore the relarive importance of certain discernible stimulus factors present in encapsulating objects; specifically, the focus was on the tactile and visual stimulus dimensions of such objeccs. Since enterable objects manifestly present sensory information primarily through visual and tactile modaliries, the positive sensory effects of enterable objects were logically assumed to lie largely within these modalities.
Comparison of edge plasma perturbation during ELM control using one vs. two toroidal rows of RMP coils in ITER similar shaped plasmas on DIII-D

Abstract Large Type-I edge localized modes (ELMs) were suppressed by n = 3 resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) from a set of internal coils in plasmas with an ITER similar shape at the ITER pedestal collisionality, ν e ∗ ∼ 0.1 and low edge safety factor (q95 ≈ 3.6), with either a single toroidal row of the internal RMP coils or two poloidally separated rows of coils. ELM suppression with a single row of internal coils was achieved at approximately the same q95 surface-averaged perturbation field as with two rows of coils, but required higher current per coil. Maintaining complete suppression of ELMs using n = 3 RMPs from a single toroidal row of internal coils was less robust to variations in input neutral beam injection torque than previous ELM suppression cases using both rows of internal coils. With either configuration of RMP coils, maximum ELM size is correlated with the width of the edge region having good overlap of the magnetic islands from vacuum field calculations.
Percutaneous laser revascularization does not equal transmyocardial laser revascularization.

The recent results of a trial of percutaneous laser revascularization (PMR) ([1][1]) are noteworthy for their confirmation that this technique does not appear valid; however, these findings cannot be extrapolated to other forms of laser therapy. Although Leon et al. ([1][1]) are to be congratulated
Symmetric distributions of Fermi quarks in mesons

A bound state of fermions can be described by a totally symmetric distribution S as well as by its Bethe-Salpeter amplitude T. Since it vanishes by spin and statistics in the spacelike region, estimating S is easier than solving the Bethe-Salpeter equation for T. These previous findings are here confirmed by a relativistic model for mesons composed of massless quarks interacting by vector gluons.
Implicit leader development: The mentor role as prefatory leadership context

This qualitative study examines the role of mentor as a possible avenue of individual leader development. Specifically, how do mentors conceptualize effective leadership, and what facets of psychological capital develop in the mentoring relationship? Fourteen mentors participating in a statewide mentoring program were surveyed, along with expert mentors and mentees for verification. Results found that mentors' conceptualization of their role and activities aligned with established leadership concepts, specifically those leadership behaviors associated with transformational leadership. Mentors also indicated perceived growth in facets of psychological capital associated with leadership success. By examining the implicit influences and benefits of serving in the mentor role, the alternative focus on the mentor's growth can be utilized to incorporate leadership development into this well-established pedagogical tool.
Temporal association of large granular lymphocytosis, neutropenia, proviral load, and FasL mRNA in cats with acute feline immunodeficiency virus infection

Abstract During acute feline immunodeficiency virus-CPGammar (FIV-C-PG) infection, we observed that cats develop large granular lymphocyte (LGL) lymphocytosis concurrent with a marked neutropenia that is temporally associated with the rise and fall of FIV-C-PG proviral loads. LGLs, generally considered to be analogous to natural killer (NK) cells, can also be highly cytolytic CD8/CD57 T cells. Neutropenia has been reported during acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection, but there is a paucity of information describing the pathogenesis of this condition. During HIV-1 infection, LGLs have been shown to be both CD16+ NK cells and CD8+/CD57+ T cells, but an association with neutropenia has not been described. However, neutropenia with concurrent LGL lymphocytosis has been demonstrated in both LGL leukemia and common variable immunodeficiency syndrome in people, and in both syndromes, an increase in soluble Fas ligand (FasL) has been associated with neutrophil apoptosis leading to neutropenia. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated increases in CD56 and CD8 peripheral blood cell surface expression during acute FIV-C-PG infection. Expression of FasL mRNA was increased at the same time points as these peripheral hematologic abnormalities, and also decreased as FIV-C-PG proviral load reached set point. We describe an interesting temporal association between innate immune responses and viral load during acute FIV-C-PG infection, which has similarities to HIV-1 infection and other immune dyscrasias of people, and which may contribute to the neutropenia and LGL lymphocytosis during FIV-C-PG infection.
Life tests of SSI integrated circuits

Abstract Some results as well as a new and simple method of digital IC life testing are dealt with here referring to the beginning of a large-scale test programme which started 2 yr ago. As the first step, bipolar SSI digital IC-s of the TTL, DTL and RTL series have been considered comprising about 60 million device-hr, life-tested by various long-run stress methods as temperature storage, d.c.-and switching-service operational tests to gain a fair picture on main failure mechanisms, the nature and shift tendencies of parameter distributions as well as on the activation energy of degradation processes—besides the estimation of characteristic failure rates in various stress forms—to facilitate the use of accelerated methods and to rendering possible the optimal choice among testing methods for future reliability assessment work. It has been shown that temperature activation energies of approx. 1·0 eV—essentially the same as at discrete planar transistors—are resulted if “side” effects of experiments are carefully avoided.
Irradiance gradients in the presence of participating media and occlusions

In this paper we present a technique for computing translational gradients of indirect surface reflectance in scenes containing participating media and significant occlusions. These gradients describe how the incident radiance field changes with respect to translation on surfaces. Previous techniques for computing gradients ignore the effects of volume scattering and attenuation and assume that radiance is constant along rays connecting surfaces. We present a novel gradient formulation that correctly captures the influence of participating media. Our formulation accurately accounts for changes of occlusion, including the effect of surfaces occluding scattering media. We show how the proposed gradients can be used within an irradiance caching framework to more accurately handle scenes with participating media, providing significant improvements in interpolation quality.
RATIONAL EXPECTATIONS AND PRO SPORTS LEAGUES

We put a new set of shoes on that old workhorse, the competitive talent market (CTM) model in sports economics. There exist unique rational expectations equilibria for both national football league (NFL-type leagues) and major league baseball (MLB-type leagues) under the CTM model. A cursory statistical test fails to reject the empirical implications for the NFL-type league. The model also suggests empirical tests of whether or not talent demand (marginal revenues from talent), including induced effects, actually slopes down. But like all models, the competitive talent model should be applied in its context. It describes highly cooperative North American sports leagues that have a wealth of common information. But it may not do the same for other leagues if they lack this common information.
Ligand and substrate effects on the mechanism of rhodium-catalyzed hydrogenation of enamides.

The rhodium-catalyzed hydrogenation reaction of enamides is studied computationally using the B3LYP/LACVP** level of theory for a range of ligands and substrates. Two model bidentate phosphine ligands, 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (DMPE) and (Z)-1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino) ethene (ZDMP), and two chiral bidentate phosphine ligands, (R,R)-MeDuPHOS and (R,R)-tetramethylbisoxaphospinane (TMBOP), are investigated in the hydrogenation of α-formamidoacrylonitrile as a model substrate. The ZDMP ligand is then studied for three additional substrates: N-(2-propenyl)formamide, (Z)-3-formamido-2-butenenitrile, and (E)-3-formamido-2-butenenitrile. The potential-energy surfaces calculated for the four ligands and α-formamidoacrylonitrile are in general agreement with previous computational studies using QM/MM (ONIOM) methods but show consistently higher relative barriers rather than lower. The calculated potential-energy surfaces of hydrogenations of various substrates with a common ligand indicate a mechanistic ch...
Physiological changes in soybean treated with ozone and molybdenum

Abstract An open‐top field chamber experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of Molybdenum (Mo) addition to soil on the physiological changes in soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) exposed to ozone (O3). Plants grown with Mo (0, 1.0, or 2.0 mg kg"1 soil dry weight) were exposed to O3 (O, 0.06, or 0.12 μmol mol‐1) in open‐top field chambers for 12 h d‐1 for 21 d with a N‐free fertilizer, during the sensitive growth stage (R2). The rate of photosynthesis (PN), specific root nodule nitrogenase activity (SNA), leaf nitrogen (N), chlorophyll (chl‐a, chl‐b) and biomass of soybean were measured. The increase in O3 levels significantly reduced PN, SNA, leaf‐N, chl‐a, chl‐b, and biomass. Addition of Mo increased leaf‐N, shoot, root, and nodule dry weights but did not change PN, SNA, or chlorophyll. The addition of Mo (2 mg kg ‐1) helped in significantly increasing PN and chlorophyll in the presence of 0.06 umol mol‐1 O3 but no change was observed in the presence of 0.12 μmol mol‐1 O3.
BRAF/KRAS gene sequencing of sebaceous neoplasms after mismatch repair protein analysis

Sebaceous neoplasms are cutaneous markers for the autosomal-dominant Muir-Torre syndrome (MTS). This phenotypic variant of Lynch syndrome (LS) is caused by germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Microsatellite instability or loss of protein expression suggests a mutation or promoter hypermethylation in 1 of the MMR genes. BRAF gene sequencing may help to distinguish between patients with sporadic and LS-associated colorectal carcinomas with loss of MLH1 expression. LS-associated carcinomas are virtually negative for BRAF mutations, but a subset harbors KRAS mutations. The aim of our study was to test sebaceous neoplasms for V600E BRAF or KRAS mutations to determine if these mutations are associated with somatic or germline MMR defects, analogous to colorectal carcinomas. Over a 4-year period, 32 cases comprising 21 sebaceous adenomas, 3 sebaceomas, and 8 sebaceous carcinomas with sufficient material for testing were collected. MMR immunohistochemistry showed that 7 neoplasms had combined loss of MLH1-PMS2, 16 neoplasms had combined loss of MSH2-MSH6, 2 neoplasms had solitary loss of MSH6, and 7 sebaceous neoplasms had intact protein expression. BRAF/KRAS testing revealed all sebaceous neoplasms contained a wild-type BRAF gene. Two (15%) of 13 patients with MTS were found to harbor a KRAS mutation and loss of MLH1 expression. We conclude that a V600E BRAF mutation may not be helpful in distinguishing sporadic from MTS-associated sebaceous neoplasms. Further studies are needed to determine if KRAS mutations are restricted to patients with MTS or are also present in sporadic sebaceous neoplasms.
LACK OF POSTPRANDIAL THERMOPHILY IN DIAMONDBACK WATER SNAKES, NERODIA RHOMBIFERA

Abstract We compared the preferred body temperature ( T b ) of fasted and satiated diamondback water snakes ( Nerodia rhombifera ) in linear thigmothermal gradients. We found no significant postprandial thermophily. Thermoregulatory precision varied among 6 days of testing and was most precise during the first day (24–48 hr after feeding).
Performance evaluation of two silt fence geotextiles using a tilting test-bed with simulated rainfall

Abstract This paper presents the results of the investigation of the performance efficiencies of silt fence fabrics in turbidity and sediment concentration removal, and the determination of flow-through-rate on simulated construction sites in real time. Two silt fence fabrics, (1) a woven type and (2) a nonwoven type, were subjected to material index property tests and a series of field-scale tests. The fabrics were tested for removal efficiency by varying the rainfall intensities and events for different embankment slopes on a tilting test-bed. Collected influent and effluent samples were analyzed for sediment concentration and turbidity, and the flow-through-rate for each fabric was evaluated. Test results revealed that the woven and nonwoven silt fence achieved 14 and 52 percent average turbidity reduction efficiency, and 23 and 56 percent average sediment concentration removal efficiency, respectively. Evaluation of sediment concentration reduction based on percent removal does not correctly account for the sediment concentration transported and deposited downstream. Fabric flowrates were functions of the rainfall intensity, embankment slope and field conditions, and fluctuates with every rainfall event.
Designer deletion and prototrophic strains derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain W303-1a.

We report the construction of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isogenic to W303-1a that are designed to allow efficient genetic analysis. To facilitate the generation of null alleles of target genes by PCR-mediated gene disruption, we constructed designer deletion alleles of the ARG4, TRP1 and URA3 genes. In addition, a single pair of oligonucleotide primers were designed that can be used to amplify any of several marker genes for use in PCR-mediated gene disruption. A new version of the 'reusable' hisG-URA3-hisG cassette was constructed for use in PCR-mediated gene disruption. Finally, to facilitate the formation of isogenic diploids by selection, we constructed strains that contain combinations of wild-type alleles of ADE2, HIS3, LEU2, TRP1 and URA3.
Orientation of cells during slug formation inDictyostelium

Scanning electron microscopic observations ofDictyostelium discoideum cell masses during slug formation revealed two populations around the anterior tip; one group of cells resembled elongated aggregation stream cells and their orientation suggested that they move to the tip, whereas the other group of cells were isodiametric and showed no obvious orientation. In seeking further evidence for a role of differential cAMP chemotaxis in the orientation and movement of slug cells the anterior prestalk cells were compared to the posterior prespore cells in two chemotaxis tests. When a cell mass is placed on cAMP agar the prestalk cells exhibited better movement to cAMP sources but when the gradient was generated in a diffusion chamber the prestalk cells did not. This evidence suggested that the cells which are better able to generate a cAMP gradient might form part of the anterior zone of the slug.
A redox-switchable molecular receptor based on anthraquinone

Abstract The reaction of two equivalents each of bisphenol A with 1,5-dichloroanthraquinone in the presence of base leads to a molecular box designed to be electroactive. The compound is fully characterized, it exhibits reversible redox behavior, and its solid state structure has been obtained. Two molecules of toluene are present in the crystal lattice but these are not located within the receptor's cavity. Evidence for an interaction of ferrocene (guest) with a precursor to the molecular box is described.
Simultaneous Identification, Visualization, and Comparison of Complex Events in Molecular Dynamics Simulations

With the ability to perform all-atoms Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations of complex biological systems on the micro- and even millisecond time-scales, the need to extract the interesting features of the molecular behavior inherent in the resulting trajectories has become more pressing. For the large molecules, short simulations on the order of nanoseconds are often considered to be metastable and quasi-harmonic, representing small fluctuations around a single local minimum in the free energy landscape; longer simulations, on the order of microseconds, must be treated as non-equilibrium trajectories, as they often include large, anharmonic transitions between more than one minima that can lead to significant changes in the protein topology. Because of their complexity, these long simulations are generally subjected to extensive, detailed analysis of many parameters (distances, angles, etc.), often causing the interesting dynamics to be lost in a sea of minutiae. We present a new analysis method that can be used to simultaneously identify, visualize, and compare complex events in MD trajectories of proteins. The statistical approach uses sliding window principal component analysis (sw-PCA) to identify collective motions that are large but transient, which is followed by projection techniques to compare motions between trajectories. We illustrate the method by analyzing microsecond MD simulations of the bacterial leucine transporter LeuT in complex with the substrates leucine, valine, and alanine that have been shown to produce different transport phenotypes. In all three systems we identified transient, hundred nanosecond time-scale collective motions in the intracellular domains, and found that these motions were coupled to different, substrate-specific, conformational changes in the primary substrate site. Our results indicate that the method can be a powerful tool in the analysis of all-atoms MD simulations as both system size and trajectory length increase.
Effect of prior probabilities on the classificatory performance of parametric and mathematical programming approaches to the two-group discriminant problem.

A mixed-integer programming model (MIP) incorporating prior probabilities for the two-group discriminant problem is presented. Its classificatory performance is compared against that of Fisher's linear discrimininant function (LDF) and Smith's quadradic discriminant function (QDF) for simulated data from normal and nonnormal populations for different settings of the prior probabilities of group membership. The proposed model is shown to outperform both LDF and QDF for most settings of the prior probabilities when the data are generated from nonnormal populations but underperforms the parametric models for data generated from normal populations.
LANGUAGE CREATION AND LANGUAGE CHANGE: CREOLIZATION, DIACHRONY, AND DEVELOPMENT. Michel DeGraff (Ed.). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1999. Pp. 586. $65.00 cloth.

Editor Michel DeGraff provides us with a thought-provoking collection of studies that address topics involving language acquisition, creole formation, language change, and the connections between the three phenomena. One of the main goals of the volume is to arrive at a better understanding of the interaction between the “extraordinary external factors” surrounding the formation of pidgins and creoles and the “ordinary internal factors” involving U(niversal) G(rammar)–constrained language invention (p. 11), a UG-type repackaging of Thomason's ordinary-processes–extraordinary-results take on language mixture. The underlying theme DeGraff uses to connect the varied contributions is, in fact, UG: “This volume is seeking the right ‘version of universalist influence interpreted as constraints on the formal structure of creoles, in fact of natural language'” (p. 17). In characterizing the processes of pidginization and creolization, DeGraff chooses a narrow definition, that of the plantation situation (p. 2), thus disregarding interethnic pidgins and creoles (e.g., Hiri Motu and Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea) and fort creoles (e.g., many of the Portuguese-based creoles). Although DeGraff does not point this out, he does mention other biases of the book: (a) it focuses only on morphosyntax from a generative UG-like focus; (b) it largely neglects variationist and quantitative approaches; (c) it does not explore the connection between UG and all-purpose cognitive structures (except Newport; see below); and (d) it considers only a subset of creoles that emerged from contact with European colonizers.
Planning for Instructional Technology in the Classroom.

Community colleges are known for keeping abreast of the latest instructional technologies, but the constant and rapid growth of available technology also presents challenges. This chapter reviews the current literature regarding instructional technology usage, with a focus on beneficial applications of technology for teaching and learning, and associated financial, managerial, and planning challenges. The chapter concludes with strategies for research, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of instructional technologies to enhance teaching and learning.
Public Policy and the Shaping of Disability: Incidence Growth in Educational Autism.

Autism has gained the attention of policy makers and public administrators in recent years. The surge in prevalence, in tandem with a growing social preference for community inclusion of individuals with disabilities, strains a variety of policy infrastructures. Autism and related disorders, which were first described in 1943, were originally thought to be extremely low incidence and usually coincident with mental retardation. In accordance with the disability policy paradigm of the era, public services for autism were provided predominantly in institutional settings. Since then, however, autism and related disorders have come to be understood as more common than was originally thought and more rarely associated with mental retardation. In this article, shift-share analysis is used to gain insight into how the growth in autism incidence is being differentially experienced and recorded within a single arena of policy across the United States. The challenges associated with a sudden growth in supply (that is the number of children with autism), while unique to autism in some respects, include aspects that are similar for other disabilities and in policy challenges in other arenas. Especially since the implementation of the Government Performance Results Act of 1996, there is increased pressure to create public policy infrastructures that are anchored by clearly cut categorical service delivery. If the categories themselves leave significant room for interpretation and their use actually has a shaping effect on the target population, then it is important to administration and policy evaluation to understand how the effect is playing out.
Myosin XI Is Essential for Tip Growth in Physcomitrella patens

Class XI myosins are plant specific and responsible for cytoplasmic streaming. Because of the large number of myosin XI genes in angiosperms, it has been difficult to determine their precise role, particularly with respect to tip growth. The moss Physcomitrella patens provides an ideal system to study myosin XI function. P. patens has only two myosin XI genes, and these genes encode proteins that are 94% identical to each other. To determine their role in tip growth, we used RNA interference to specifically silence each myosin XI gene using 5' untranslated region sequences. We discovered that the two myosin XI genes are functionally redundant, since silencing of either gene does not affect growth or polarity. However, simultaneous silencing of both myosin XIs results in severely stunted plants composed of small rounded cells. Although similar to the phenotype resulting from silencing of other actin-associated proteins, we show that this phenotype is not due to altered actin dynamics. Consistent with a role in tip growth, we show that a functional, full-length fusion of monomeric enhanced green fluorescent protein (mEGFP) to myosin XI accumulates at a subcortical, apical region of actively growing protonemal cells.
LATERALIZATION OF SOUNDS USING BONE-CONDUCTION HEADSETS

Participants reported the apparent lateralization of sounds as a function of interaural level differences, for stimuli delivered through bone-conduction headsets and standard headphones. The results showed that non-externalized spatial audio can be invoked with the bonephones, a device that provides the unique advantage of not covering the ears of the listener. Furthermore, the degree of lateralization with bonephones can be similar to that produced using headphones. These data provide a function relating the input into bonephones or headphones to the resulting percept of lateralization, in a manner that may be particularly useful for mobile and low-resource computing applications.
Therapeutics development in myotonic dystrophy type 1

Myotonic dystrophy (DM1), the most common adult muscular dystrophy, is a multisystem, autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by an expanded CTG repeat that leads to nuclear retention of a mutant RNA and subsequent RNA toxicity. Significant insights into the molecular mechanisms of RNA toxicity have led to the previously unforeseen possibility that treating DM1 is a viable prospect. In this review, we briefly present the clinical picture in DM1, and describe how the research in understanding the pathogenesis of RNA toxicity in DM1 has led to targeted approaches to therapeutic development at various steps in the pathogenesis of the disease. We discuss the promise and current limitations of each with an emphasis on RNA-based therapeutics and small molecules. We conclude with a discussion of the unmet need for clinical tools and outcome measures that are essential prerequisites to proceed in evaluating these potential therapies in clinical trials.
Risky Driving in Adolescents and Young Adults with Childhood ADHD

OBJECTIVE: To examine risky driving behaviors and negative driving outcomes in a large sample of adolescents and adults diagnosed in childhood with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) compared with demographically similar controls without ADHD. METHODS: 355 adolescents and young adults of the Pittsburgh ADHD Longitudinal Study (PALS) (n = 203 probands; n = 152 controls) were administered the Young Adult Driving Questionnaire. Parent and self-report of current ADHD symptoms and conduct problems were tested as potential mediators of the association between childhood ADHD and negative driving outcomes. RESULTS: ADHD group differences, of small to medium effect size, were found for number of tickets and accidents, and hyperactivity-impulsivity at follow-up emerged as a significant mediator of this association. Current conduct problems were associated with both risky and alcohol-impaired driving. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood ADHD elevates risk for driving-related problems, especially when symptoms persist. Co-occurring conduct problems capture some of this risk. Language: en
Membrane-based cell affinity chromatography to retrieve viable cells

A novel scheme for the separation and live recovery of one cell type from a mixture of cells using a cell affinity chromatography (CAC) system is demonstrated. An antimurine IgG was chemically immobilized to a cellophane support via a carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) link. Murine splenocytes flowed over the support, and B-cells were allowed to attach at a shear rate of 15 s -1 . Once loading was terminated, the support was washed at a shear rate of 315 s -1 to remove nonspecifically bound cells. Elution of the B-cells was initiated by the transmembrane diffusion of hydrochloric acid (pH 1), supplied to the side ofthe membrane opposite the cells. At the same time, a shear flow of normal saline was established on the cell side of the membrane, and cells, freed by acid, were retrieved. Results showed that, on average, 250 cells/mm 2 attached to antibody immobilized on cellophane surfaces, at a shear rate of 15 s -1 , and that attached cells were successfully displaced by acid supplied to the side of the membrane opposite that holding the cells. On average, at least 60% of the B-cells removed by this elution appeared viable, based on a Trypan Blue dye exclusion assay
Cooperative sensing of primary users in cognitive radio networks based on message passing

Opportunistic access to temporarily unused licensed frequency bands has been recognized as a cost-effective solution to mitigate the scarcity of radio spectrum incurred by the proliferation and evolution of wireless devices. In order to accomplish a more efficient spectrum utilization across time, space and frequency. the functionality of spectral awareness is expected to be incorporated into transceivers of cognitive radios (CR) in the foreseeable future. However, the agility requirements imposed on an individual CR might be very stringent since the spectrum has to be monitored on a continuous basis and the spectral holes must be detected reliably in the presence of channel fading and/or hardware failure, especially in a broadband wireless network with multiple primary users. To remedy this problem, light-weight collaboration among CRs becomes attractive since distributed signal processing can exploit the spatial diversity through network cooperation to improve the sensing reliability. To this end, we extend the classical framework for distributed detection of a single user to the case of multiuser detection, and introduce a Tanner graph description of the network topology. We designate the transmission pattern of primaries by a binary space-frequency signature sequence and view all possible patterns collectively as a low-density parity check (LDPC) codebook. Then, we invoke belief propagation message passing algorithm across the entire CR network to infer the unknown pattern iteratively from the noisy observations of all spectrum sensors. Based on the pattern inferred, the fusion centers can determine the spectral and spatial access pattern of secondary users, without interfering with the normal functioning of incumbent primaries.
Truncation artifact reduction in spectroscopic imaging using a dual-density spiral k-space trajectory.

Truncation artifacts arise in magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) of the human brain due to limited coverage of k-space necessitated by low SNR of metabolite signal and limited scanning time. In proton MRSI of the head, intense extra-cranial lipid signals “bleed” into brain regions, thereby contaminating signals of metabolites therein. This work presents a data acquisition strategy for reducing truncation artifact based on extended k-space coverage achieved with a dual-SNR strategy. Using the fact that the SNR in k-space increases monotonically with sampling density, dual-SNR is achieved in an efficient manner with a dual-density spiral k-space trajectory that permits a smooth transition from high density to low density. The technique is demonstrated to be effective in reducing “bleeding” of extra-cranial lipid signals while preserving the SNR of metabolites in the brain. © 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Is a minimally invasive approach for re-operative aortic valve replacement superior to standard full resternotomy?

A best-evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was ‘is a minimally invasive approach for re-operative aortic valve replacement (AVR) superior to standard full resternotomy?’ A total of 193 papers were found using the reported search of which 13 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, country, journal and date of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. We conclude that minimally invasive re-operative AVR can be performed with an operative morbidity and mortality at least similar to the standard full sternotomy approach. A shorter hospital length of stay and less blood product requirements are the main advantages of this technique. The incidence of prolonged ventilation, bleeding requiring re-operation, sternal wound infections and in-hospital mortality may be reduced with a minimally invasive approach. Prospective studies are required to confirm the potential benefits of minimally invasive surgery and, up to date, conventional full re-sternotomy is still the standard approach for re-operative AVR.
Globalization, Culture, and Identities in Crisis

Culture in its various forms now serves as a primary carrier of globalization and modern values, and constitutes an important arena of contestation for national, religious, and ethnic identity. Although reactions in Europe, Japan, and other societies where modern values prevail, tend to be symbolic, in areas of the developing world, especially in Muslim countries where traditional values and radically different notions of identity and society predominate, reactions tend to be very intense and redirected at external targets through forms of transference and scapegoating. Ultimately, this is not so much a clash between civilizations as a clash within civilizations.
AVNA-based polarimetric scatterometers

The polarization synthesis technique for measuring the scattering properties of point and distributed targets is discussed, and it is pointed out that accurate measurements of both the magnitude and phase of the scattered signal are now possible by using the signal-processing and error-correction techniques of the automatic vector network analyzer (AVNA). The principles of operation of the AVNA are given, and an overview of AVNA-based scatterometer configurations in use today at centimeter and millimeter wavelengths is provided. >
Halide inhibition of the copper-catalysed azide–alkyne cycloaddition

Chloride, bromide and iodide are inhibitors of the copper-catalysed azide–alkyne cycloaddition, with iodide exhibiting the most detrimental effects on rates and yields. A study of this inhibition is presented, along with experimental protocols to accommodate the presence of halides in this widely used reaction.
Decision Theory, Reasonable Doubt, and the Utility of Erroneous Acquittals*

A criminal-trial juror votes to convict or acquit a defendant in the knowledge that the vote may be in error: False convictions and false acquittals are unavoidable in human fact-finding systems. We show here that rigorous consistency relationships exist between the juror's assessments of the relative desirability of the four possible trial outcomes and his or her threshold level of “reasonable doubt.” However, numerical values for “reasonable doubt” commonly obtained by direct questioning are significantly at variance with those obtained indirectly by computation from evaluations of the four possible outcomes. The disparity is, we argue, no mere methodological detail, but a potentially fundamental substantive issue which has historically been masked by the vagueness of verbal expressions of probability and utility.