cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbon Metabolism of C14-Labeled Amino Acids in Wheat Leaves. II. Serine & its Role in Glycine Metabolism

Wang and Waygood (24) investigated the conversion of glycine to sugars in wheat leaves and proposed a glyoxylate-serine pathway in which serine occupies a key position as an essential intermediate. Rabson et al. (19) also have discussed the glycolate pathway for the production of precursors of hexoses. They have reviewed much of the literature on the metabolism by plants of glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid, glyceric acid, glycine, serine, and related intermediates. Glycolic acid is an early product of photosynthesis (1), and a substantial percentage of the total carbon of the photosynthetic cycle enters into glycolate (1,25). This was shown dramatically when Zelitch (27) blocked glycolate oxidation with an a-hydroxysulfonate and demonstrated that approximately half of the C14 fixed appeared in glycolic acid. Kearney and Tolbert (11) showed that C14-labeled glvcolate and phosphoglycolate appeared rapidly outside isolated chloroplasts photosynthesizing C1402, and they suggested that these compounds likely are of special importance in the transport of photosynthate between chloroplasts and cytoplasm. Glycine arises from glyoxylate and in turn serves as a precursor for serine. Rabson et al. (19) also have implicated glycerate as an intermediate between serine and hexoses, and have suggested that this glycerate formed by the glycolate pathway represents a precursor for hexoses independent of the phosphoglyceric acid formed from the carboxylation of ribulose diphosphate. In the present work, an attempt has been made to substantiate the role of serine in the metabolism of glycine as well as to investigate the glyoxylateserine pathway in general. Metabolic changes with time in a number of labeled substrates have been followed in an attempt to clarify the interrelationships between these simple organic acids and amino acids and their roles as precursors for sugar synthesis. Materials & Methods
Estimation of Pavement Crack Initiation Models by Combining Experimental and Field Data

Development of deterioration models for pavements is an essential part of maintenance and rehabilitation planning. Often, when pavement-deterioration models are developed for developing countries or states that do not have regularly scheduled condition surveys, the only available data are experimental. Experimental data sets fail to include environmental variables and cannot capture properly the aging process of pavements, so the estimated models suffer from biases. This paper describes the development of a pavement-crack-initiation model by combining experimental and field data to correct for such biases. The American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) Road Test is used as the experimental data set, which is combined with field data from the Washington State Department of Transportation. The two models are first estimated separately, correcting for endogeneity biases that may exist in the field model. Joint estimation is used next to quantify the bias in the experimental data set and estimate the parameters of the combined model. This study shows that joint estimation can lead to more robust crack-initiation models compared to those estimated separately by the two data sets.
Pure and plentiful: the development of modern waterworks in the United States, 1801–2000

Abstract This paper treats major themes in the development of urban water supply in the United States from the Fairmount Waterworks in Philadelphia (1801) to modern systems in the late twentieth century. Technical changes in sources of supply, distribution networks, filtration, and treatment are central to the discussion with an eye to the environmental implications of the evolving systems.
Effects of temperature on the activity of the p-nitrosubstituted diphenyl ether herbicide acifluorfen in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Abstract The influence of temperature on the activity of the herbicide acifluorfen (AF) (2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy-2-nitrobenzoate) in cucumber cotyledon disks exposed to light after being loaded with AF in darkness was small; generally > 90% of the 30°C effect at 3°C. The effects of 0.3 to 30 μM acifluorfen on rapid (5 hr) disruption of the plasmalemma and slower (24 hr) photobleaching of chlorophyll were approximately the same at 3 and 30°C. In similar experiments, the herbicidal activity of rose bengal, a photodynamic dye, was also little affected by temperature. The activity of paraquat, however, was reduced by ca. 75% at 3°C compared to 30°C. Pretreatment with antimycin A during the dark incubation reduced the herbicidal activity of both AF and rose bengal equally well at both 3 and 30°C. Experiments with radiolabeled AF showed that the effect of antimycin A was not on AF uptake during the dark loading period prior to light exposure, suggesting that antimycin A acts as a radical scavanger or that mitochondrial respiration is a requirement for a process that potentiates sensitivity to photodynamic damage. Photosystem II inhibitors (atrazine and DCMU) enhanced the activity of AF at 30°C, but had no effect at 3°C, suggesting that a functional photosynthetic system provides some level of protection from AF by regeneration of antioxidants. These data indicate that there is no metabolic requirement for AF activity after it arrives at its site of action and is associated with its chromophore.
Computed tomography comparison of bony pelvis dimensions between women with and without genital prolapse

Abstract Objective: To compare bony pelvis dimensions between white women with and without genital prolapse using computed tomography (CT) pelvimetry. Methods: Thirty-four multiparous white women with vaginal prolapse beyond the hymen and 34 matched white controls with no signs or symptoms of pelvic support defects underwent CT pelvimetry. The anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the pelvic inlet, the interspinous diameter of the midpelvis, and the intertuberous diameter of the pelvic outlet were measured. Post hoc power analysis showed that 22 women were needed in each group to detect a 10% difference in the pelvic dimensions between groups, with an α error of 1% and a β error of 10%, resulting in a 90% power. Results: Mean (± standard deviation [SD]) age of the subjects was 63.4 ± 8.3 years, compared with 62.9 ± 7.8 years for controls. Mean parity of the subjects was 3.3 ± 1.7, compared with 3.6 ± 1.7 for controls. Mean (± SD) anteroposterior (12.5 ± 1.3 versus 12.8 ± 1.0 cm), interspinous (11.5 ± 0.8 versus 11.2 ± 0.9 cm), and intertuberous (10.0 ± 1.0 versus 9.8 ± 0.8 cm) diameters were not significantly different between study groups. Mean transverse diameter of the pelvic inlet was significantly greater in women with prolapse than those without prolapse (12.9 ± 0.7 versus 12.4 ± 0.6 cm, P = .006). Conclusion: Women with advanced vaginal prolapse have larger transverse inlet diameters than do women with normal pelvic support.
Health and Safety Surveys at University Chemistry Laboratories

Abstract The academic chemistry laboratory has been described as a setting which provides the occupational health professional with unique challenges. The chemistry laboratories of a major public university were surveyed to determine the nature of likely exposures, the level of utilization of personal protective equipment, provision of safety equipment, level of hygienic practices, and compliance with generally accepted health and safety measures. Of the 23 laboratories surveyed, all were in need of some type of remediation. Among problems commonly found were lack of provision of eye washes, failure to use personal protective equipment, evidence of ingestion of food and drink in laboratories, and lack of certification of hood performance. In addition, the systemwide program for chemistry laboratories was in need of changes with regard to planning, training, and monitoring. While the academic chemistry laboratory is not equivalent to general industry in terms of occupational risk or level of compliance, ge...
Numerical analysis reveals complexities of glutamate transport

The uptake of radiolabeled glutamate into cultured human (HeLa S3) and hamster (CHO-K1) cells was analyzed according to modified Michaelis-Menten models fit by the Marquardt least-squares method. Kinetic parameters not previously reported for these cells were obtained. Some rarely used features available with this fitting method proved to be extremely helpful. Most importantly, a goodness-of-fit measure revealed a significant alteration of glutamate uptake in HeLa cells that was induced by starvation. This apparent regulation, unexpected for glutamate transport, might have been missed if the fit had been judged by eye or by the magnitude of parameter standard deviations. Techniques for analyzing parameter distributions, improving experimental design and performing tests of significance are also described.
Intercultural communication competence in retrospect: Who would have guessed?

Abstract The formative work on intercultural communication competence reflected a wide array of definitions and methodologies. In the years since it was introduced the impact concept has been substantial. First, the ICC conceptualization provided a linkage between interpersonal communication and intercultural communication. Second, the ICC concept contributed to the shift away from linear, information-transmission views of communication, in favor of transactional, constructivist perspectives on the process—perspectives that emphasized meaning and interpretational dynamics, rather than solely messages and media. Third, attention to ICC made it clear that intercultural knowledge and good intentions—without the appropriate behaviors—often lead to other-than-intended outcomes. Conversely, a culturally defined skill set, without more general knowledge, may result in outcomes that are only appropriate in particular cultural settings. Fourth, while “intercultural” began as a somewhat limited concept referring to interactions between individuals from differing national backgrounds, the concept of “culture” gradually expanded to regional, ethnic, organizational, occupational, and relational entities. Scholars of the day may have failed then to recognize the importance of the concept. Nonetheless, the competence concept envisioned in our earliest work has been influential in into writings in many areas, including relationships, organizations, healthcare, leadership and other areas ( Ruben, 2006 , 2014). One can only imagine how the concepts of intercultural, communication, and competence will evolve and influence the shape of future scholarship and practice within communication and other social science endeavors in the years ahead.
Role of the guanine N1 imino proton in the migration and reaction of radical cations in DNA oligomers.

Oxidation of a guanine nucleobase to its radical cation in DNA oligomers causes an increase in the acidity of the N1 imino proton that may lead to its spontaneous transfer to N3 of the paired cytosine. This proton transfer is suspected of playing an important role in long-distance radical cation hopping in DNA and the decisive product-determining role in the reaction of the radical cation with H2O or O2. We prepared and investigated DNA oligomers in which certain deoxycytidines are replaced by 5-fluoro-2‘-deoxycytidines (F5dC). The pKa of F5C was determined to be 1.7 units below that of dC, which causes proton transfer from the guanine radical cation to be thermodynamically unfavorable. Photoinitiated one-electron oxidation of the DNA by UV irradiation of a covalently attached anthraquinone derivative introduces a radical cation that hops throughout the oligomer and is trapped selectively at GG steps. The introduction of F5dC does not affect the efficiency of charge hopping, but it significantly reduces t...
A formative evaluation of WIKI’s as a learning tool in a face to face juvenile justice course

Current literature indicates an increased pedagogical value of technology integration in university coursework. One form of technology that encourages collaborative, online teaching and learning is a wiki, an online application that allows participants to partner and direct a website. This article describes the design and formative evaluation of a semester-long wiki project that was conducted during three face-to-face juvenile justice courses. Upon completion, 61 students completed written, open-ended evaluations of the project with a focus on (a) the strengths of the project, (b) knowledge of the juvenile justice system gained through the project, and (c) suggestions to improve the overall effectiveness. NVIVO8 was used to code and analyze the results of their responses. Results indicate that the Juvenile Justice Wiki Project demonstrated a real-life (online) understanding of the juvenile justice system in a face-to-face meeting, a more comprehensive examination of the juvenile justice system compared to a more traditional book and lecture pedagogy, and a perceived value in the collaborative, constructivist approach. A formative evaluation indicates future structural and pedagogical project modifications according to student evaluations and perceptions.
Pharmacologic modification of tumor blood flow and interstitial fluid pressure in a human tumor xenograft: network analysis and mechanistic interpretation.

Abstract Various vasoactive agents have been used to modify tumor blood flow with the ultimate goal of improving cancer detection and treatment, with widely disparate results. Furthermore, the lack of mechanistic interpretations has hindered understanding of how these agents affect the different physiological parameters involved in perfusion. Thus, there is a need to develop a unified framework for understanding the interrelated physiological effects of pharmacological and physical agents, The goals of this study were (1) to develop a mathematical model which helps determine the location and magnitude of changes in the vascular resistance of tumor and normal tissues and (2) to test the model with our own experimental studies and by comparison with results from the literature. The systemic and interstitial pressures and relative tumor blood flow were measured before and after administration of angiotensin II, epinephrine, norepinephrine, nitroglycerin, and hydralazine in SCID mice bearing LS174T human colon adenocarcinoma xenografts. A mathematical model was developed in analogy to electrical circuits which examined the pressure, flow, and resistance relationships for arterial and venous segments of the vasculature of a tumor and surrounding normal tissue. Vasoconstrictor-induced increases in the mean arterial blood pressure led to increases in tumor blood flow and interstitial pressure with the magnitude of change dependent on the agent (percentage change in blood flow: angiotensin > epinephrine > norepinephrine). The vasodilating agents induced decreases in tumor blood flow in parallel to the induced decreases in the systemic pressure, but only the long-acting arterial vasodilator hydralazine was capable of effecting a decrease in tumor interstitial pressure. The model was also found to be consistent with other data available in the literature on norepinephrine, pentoxifylline, nicotinamide, and hemodilution, and was useful in providing input as to the location and degree of the physiological effects of these agents. The results of the data and model show that the steal phenomenon is the dominant mechanism for redistribution of host blood flow to the tumor. However, some degree of arterial control was found to be present in the tumors. Moreover, the parallel increases in tumor interstitial pressure and blood flow contradict any hypothesis suggesting that elevated interstitial fluid pressure precipitates chronic vascular collapse, thus decreasing blood flow.
Lupus Autoimmunity; From Peptides to Particles

It is clear by the presence of autoimmune syndromes and the ease with which one can induce autoimmunity that the restraint of B and T cells to self constituents is far less than complete. It is troubling to imagine that the immune system is perched so close to self reactivity that molecular mimics or even a single cryptic self peptide can initiate an autoimmune cascade. In contrast, I believe that in most situations the immune system has perfectly defined controls in place. Indeed, in the examples from studies of normal immune systems, tolerance is maintained to self until the immune system is ignited by either cryptic self peptides, foreign molecular mimics, or perhaps in ways we have yet to fully define. Any of these mechanisms requires determinants that are perceived as foreign by the immune system though they may not be derived from outside the organism at all. It is now known that biochemical events can occur within cells that give many self peptides the perception of foreigness by the immune system. Endogenous biochemical events or post-translational processing occurs without regard to the potential immune consequences. The immune system is left to regulate whatever self or foreign determinant it is forced to encounter. With respect to immunologic diversity examined in this review, this phenomenon is well-suited for the majority of immunologic responses. For example, in attempts to clear a foreign pathogen, it would be useful for B and T cells to detect as many sites as possible. Immunologic diversity is most often a healthy product of the normal immune system. Unfortunately, this same generation of diversity may be the bane of those who experience autoimmunity and their associated pathologies
The β subunit dominates the relaxation kinetics of heteromeric neuronal nicotinic receptors

The ACh-induced voltage-jump relaxation currents of the nicotinic receptors formed by pair-wise expression of the rat alpha2, alpha3, or alpha4 subunits with the beta2 or beta4 subunit in Xenopus oocytes were fitted best by the sum of two exponentials and a constant between -60 and -150 mV. As the ACh concentration approached zero, the relaxation time constants approached limiting values that should equal the single-channel burst duration at low ACh concentrations and the synaptic current decay time constants. beta4 co-expression prolonged the zero ACh concentration limits for the relaxation time constants. The fast beta4 zero ACh concentration limits ranged from 40 to 121 ms between -60 and -150 mV, and the slow beta4 zero ACh concentration limits ranged from 274 to 1039 ms. In contrast, the fast beta2 limits were 4-6 ms over the same voltage range and the slow beta2 limits were 30-53 ms. Expression with the beta4 subunit increased the voltage sensitivity of the alpha2, alpha3 and slow alpha4 relaxation time constants but not that of the fast alpha4 relaxation time constant. Reducing the temperature from 22 C to 8-9 C increased the alpha4beta2 and alpha3beta4 relaxation time constants 2.3- to 6.6-fold and reduced the fractional amplitude of the fast relaxation component. It also increased the voltage dependence of the fast alpha3beta4 relaxation time constant and decreased that of the slow time constant. The Q10 for alpha4beta2 and alpha3beta4 relaxation time constants ranged from 1.9 to 3.9 between 10 and 20 C. The beta subunit appears to have a dominant influence on the voltage-jump relaxation kinetics of heteromeric neuronal nicotinic receptors.
Additivity in the optical kerr effect spectra of binary ionic liquid mixtures: implications for nanostructural organization.

Low-frequency spectra of binary room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) mixtures of 1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and 1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide in the 0−250 cm-1 region were studied as a function of mole fraction at 295 K. The spectra were obtained by use of optical heterodyne-detected Raman-induced Kerr effect spectroscopy (OHD-RIKES). The spectra of these binary mixtures are well described by the weighted sums of the spectra for the neat RTILs. This surprising result implies that the intermolecular modes giving rise to the spectra of the neat liquids must also produce the spectra of the mixtures. Additivity of the OKE spectra can be explained by a model in which locally ordered domains are assumed to exist in the neat liquid with the structures of these locally ordered domains preserved upon mixing. Recently published molecular dynamics simulations show that RTILs are nanostructurally organized with ionic networks and nonpolar regions. If ionic networks also exi...
Recent improvements in the UNO BP monitor/conditioner

A number of modifications and improvements have been made in the UNO system for monitoring and conditioning blood pressure, which have increased its accuracy and versatility. The purpose of this report, therefore, is to enumerate and describe the major changes in the present generation of the system.
Structural Abnormalities in the Cerebral Cortex of Chronic Schizophrenic Patients

• Enlarged cerebral ventricles in chronic schizophrenic patients suggest a process of mild cerebral atrophy occurs in some. To see if this process involves the cerebral cortex, the widths of the Sylvian fissure, the interhemispheric fissure, and three cortical sulci were measured blindly on computerized tomography (CT) scans of 75 chronic psychiatric patients and 62 asymptomatic volunteers, all less than 50 years of age. A total of 19 of the 60 patients with chronic schizophrenia had at least one abnormality. All 15 patients with other diagnoses were within the control range. Comparing those chronic schizophrenic patients with abnormalities to those without them, there were no significant differences in age, length of illness or treatment, and length of hospitalization. From this and ventricular size data, two thirds of the chronic schizophrenics had some cerebral structural abnormality. Ventricular enlargement did not correlate significantly with cortical abnormalities. Therefore, more than one etiology may account for the structural abnormalities found in chronic schizophrenic patients.
Recovery Boosting: A Technique to Enhance NBTI Recovery in SRAM Arrays

Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI) is an important lifetime reliability problem in microprocessors. SRAM-based structures within the processor are especially susceptible to NBTI since one of the PMOS devices in the memory cell always has an input of ‘0’. Previously proposed recovery techniques for SRAM cells aim to balance the degradation of the two PMOS devices by attempting to keep their inputs at a logic ‘0’ exactly 50% of the time. However, one of the devices is always in the negative bias condition at any given time. In this paper, we propose a technique called Recovery Boosting that allows both PMOS devices in the memory cell to be put into the recovery mode by slightly modifying the design of conventional SRAM cells. We present the circuit-level design of an issue queue that uses such cells and perform SPICE-level simulations to verify its functionality and quantify area and power consumption. We then conduct an architecture-level evaluation of the performance and reliability of using an area-neutral design of such an issue queue using the M5 simulator and the SPEC CPU2000 benchmark suite. We show that recovery boosting provides a 56% improvement in the static noise margin for the issue queue while having very little impact on power consumption and a negligible loss in performance.
Heterocycles from N‐benzoylthioamides and dinucleophilic reagents

N-Benzoylthioamides (1) react with hydrazines and hydroxylamine to form 1H-1,2,4-triazoles and 1,2,4-oxadiazoles, respectively. A similar treatment of the S-methyl derivatives of 1 with amidines leads to 1,3,5-triazines. Ethyl ZV-benzoylthiocarbamate undergoes analogous reactions to yield the corresponding ethoxyheterocycles.
Oxygen interactions with a Mo(001) surface studied by scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract Oxygen interactions with a Mo(001) surface have been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). A partially oxidized (√5 × √5) structure was observed to form Mo4O4 layers. One unit cell of the (√5 × √5) structure includes four Mo atoms and four oxygen atoms. The fully oxidized (2 × 1) structure was formed by oxygen-induced missing row reconstruction. Both structures are formed at high temperatures and involve removal of surface Mo atoms. Structure models are proposed to explain the observed reconstructed surfaces.
AUTOMORPHISM GROUPS OF ENDOMORPHISM MONOIDS OF FREE G-SETS

Let G be a group. A G-set is a nonempty set A together with a (right) action of G on A. The class of G-sets, viewed as unary algebras, is a variety. For a set X, let AG(X) be the free algebra on X in the variety of G-sets. We determine the group of automorphisms of End(AG(X)), the monoid of endomorphisms of AG(X).
De Broglie's Theory ofi the Quantum and the Doppler Principle

L. DE BROGLIE (Phil. Mag., Feb. 1924) has recently suggested a theory of the quantum in which the quantum is supposed to be a corpuscle of exceedingly small rest mass M which moves with a velocity c, where is less than unity by an exceedingly small amount. The momentum of such a corpuscle is Mc/1 2, and is equal to that of the light quantum hv/c. Since is so nearly unity, the momentum may be written as Mc/1 2. Different values of the frequency v are explained as being due to different values of.
Relevance feedback at INEX 2005

Relevance feedback in the INEX environment is addressed by several papers in the proceedings of the INEX 2005 Workshop [1]. The most extensive discussion is provided by Schenkel and Theobald [2]. Mihajlovic, et. al. [3], and Sauvagnat, et. al. [4], describe approaches to relevance feedback in specific sections of papers devoted to discussions of multiple INEX tasks. For detailed descriptions of the systems and methods used and results obtained in each case, see the papers cited.
Quantifying the relative merits of genetic and swarm algorithms for network optimization in cognitive radio networks

Cognitive engines have been under study and development for a number of years as a technique for addressing the needs of cognitive radios [1,2,3]. More recently there has been effort to expand the role of the cognitive engine to address the needs of a network of cognitive radios [4,5]. Haykin [6] has demonstrated that there is a significant difference between a network of cognitive radios and a cognitive radio network. This paper addresses three questions: 1. What are the significant functional and parametric differences between cognitive algorithms that deal with optimizing the operations of a cognitive radio and cognitive algorithms that optimize the operations of a cognitive radio network? 2. What are the trade-offs in applying the various algorithms to each task? 3. Which algorithms are optimal for the networking tasks? This paper identifies a set of parameters that characterize candidate algorithms and explores the benefits and drawbacks of each for cognitive network tasks. We propose a tiered architecture of cognitive engine algorithms that work in tandem to optimize the use of cognitive networked radios for the optimal success of the networked mission.
Plant Physiological Responses to Water Stress

Factors involved in physiological responses to water stress are discussed as they may relate to water-use efficiency by plants grown under conditions of drought. Evidence is presented that genotypic differences exist in plant responses to water stress. It is shown that previous exposure to stress conditions, or a natural hardening period, can markedly influence measured responses, such as photosynthesis and stomatal movement. Stage of growth at which the stress occurs also influences the response. A practical technique for measuring desiccation and heat tolerance demonstrates that genetically controlled tolerance factors can be selected for and used in plant breeding programs.
Incidence and risk factors for herpes zoster following heart transplantation.

Background Data on the incidence, timing, and risk factors for herpes zoster (HZ) in heart transplant (HT) recipients are limited. Methods We determined HZ incidence rates and actuarial estimates of time to first HZ episode in 314 HT recipients at our institution from 1995 to 2010. We developed Cox models to assess potential risk factors for HZ in HT. Results Median age at HT was 54 (range, 17–71) years; 237 (76%) were male. There were 60 episodes of HZ in 51 patients, with an overall incidence rate of 31.6 cases (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.5–41.6)/1000 person-years. Although most cases occurred during the first post-HT year, cumulative HZ incidence was 0.078 at 1, 0.15 at 5, and 0.20 at 10 years. Many patients had substantial HZ morbidity, including 14% with HZ ophthalmicus and 45% with post-herpetic neuralgia. Adjusting for age, gender, and acute cellular rejection episodes, exposure to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was an independent risk factor for HZ (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.18; 95% CI, 1.20–3.96; P = 0.01), while ganciclovir-based cytomegalovirus prophylaxis reduced HZ risk (adjusted HR 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01–0.71; P = 0.02). Although age and female gender increased HZ risk, the magnitude of their effect was not statistically significant in Cox models. Conclusions HZ is common and morbid after HT, particularly with MMF exposure. Ganciclovir prophylaxis is effective in reducing the short-term risk of HZ, but the steady incidence of cases for years post HT makes long-term HZ prevention challenging. Augmenting varicella zoster virus immunity post HT with vaccines warrants further exploration.
Young Children′s Representation of Prosodic Phonology: Evidence From English-Speakers′ Weak Syllable Productions

Abstract How can children use prosodic information such as pausing and pitch resetting to infer syntactic structure? This work considers the possibility that they do so by first constructing a prosodic representation similar to ones suggested by recent linguistic theory (e.g., Hayes, 1989; Nespor & Vogel, 1986; Selkirk, 1981). The research examines 2-year-olds′ sensitivity to prosodic structure by comparing their weak syllable preservation patterns in comparably stressed multisyllabic words and sentences. Consistent with previous research, the results suggest a speech production model in which children apply to their multisyllabic words a series of strong-(weak) metrical templates (Allen & Hawkins, 1980; Demuth, 1992, in press; Gerken, 1990, 1991, in press b; Gerken, Landau, & Remez, 1990; Wijnen, Krikaar, & den Os, in press). The new finding added by the current research is that children organize their intended sentences into phonological phrases and apply metrical templates within these prosodic units. Implications of children′s sensitivity to prosodic structure for syntax acquisition are discussed.
Crystal Structure of Arrestin-3 Reveals the Basis of the Difference in Receptor Binding Between Two Non-visual Subtypes.

Arrestins are multi-functional proteins that regulate signaling and trafficking of the majority of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), as well as sub-cellular localization and activity of many other signaling proteins. We report the first crystal structure of arrestin-3, solved at 3.0 A resolution. Arrestin-3 is an elongated two-domain molecule with overall fold and key inter-domain interactions that hold the free protein in the basal conformation similar to the other subtypes. Arrestin-3 is the least selective member of the family, binding a wide variety of GPCRs with high affinity and demonstrating lower preference for active phosphorylated forms of the receptors. In contrast to the other three arrestins, part of the receptor-binding surface in the arrestin-3 C-domain does not form a contiguous β-sheet, which is consistent with increased flexibility. By swapping the corresponding elements between arrestin-2 and arrestin-3 we show that the presence of this loose structure is correlated with reduced arrestin selectivity for activated receptors, consistent with a conformational change in this β-sheet upon receptor binding.
Estimating off-rate pesticide application errors resulting from agricultural sprayer turning movements

Pesticide application is an essential practice on many U.S. crop farms. Off-rate pesticide application errors may result from velocity differential across the spray boom while turning, pressure fluctuations across the spray boom, or changes in boom-to-canopy height due to undulating terrain. The sprayer path co-ordinates and the status (on or off) of each boom control section were recorded using the sprayer control console which provided map-based automatic boom section control. These data were collected for ten fields of varying shapes and sizes located in central Kentucky. In order to estimate potential errors resulting from sprayer turning movements, a method was developed to compare the differences in application areas between spray boom control sections. The area covered by the center boom control section was considered the “target rate area” and the difference in these areas and the areas covered by remaining control sections were compared to estimate application rate errors. The results of this analysis conducted with sprayer application files collected from ten fields, many containing impassable grassed waterways, indicated that a substantial portion of the fields (6.5–23.8%) could have received application in error by more than ±10% of the target rate. Off-rate application errors exceeding ±10% of the target rate for the study fields tended to increase as the average turning angles increased. The implication of this is that producers may be unintentionally applying at off-label rates in fields of varying shapes and sizes where turning movements are required.
WAGE INCENTIVES IN LABOUR-MANAGED AND PROFIT MAXIMISING FIRMS*

The paper analyzes wage incentives in labor-managed (LMF) and profit maximizing (PMF) firms, considering competitive, individualized, and collective incentives. Partially collective incentives are optimal for LMFs unless workers strike binding effort-matching agreements, which imply the optimality of purely collective incentives. The PMF uses incentives that are less collective than workers would prefer. Copyright 1992 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd/University of Adelaide and Flinders University of South Australia
Evaluation of nitric oxide synthase activity and inhibition kinetics by chemiluminescence.

Abstract The binding affinity ( K I ) and inactivation rate ( k inact ) parameters of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors are typically estimated by kinetic activity studies. Methods currently used in the estimation of these parameters frequently employ radiolabeled materials and require intensive sample preparation. We have devised a simple, reproducible, and sensitive method for the kinetic analysis of NOS activity and inhibition kinetics using chemiluminescence. We have used this method to characterize enzyme activity for purified murine macrophage nitric oxide synthase (NOS II). Using this method, we have also estimated the inhibitory parameters for a series of competitive antagonists and mechanism-based inactivators of NOS II. The estimated parameters are in agreement with those reported using other methods. We conclude that the chemiluminescence method can be used for kinetic studies of NOS activity and inhibition. This method represents a more efficient means for conducting kinetic studies of NOS inhibition.
Material properties in unconfined compression of human nucleus pulposus, injectable hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels and tissue engineering scaffolds.

Surgical treatment for lower back pain related to degenerative disc disease commonly includes discectomy and spinal fusion. While surgical intervention may provide short-term pain relief, it results in altered biomechanics of the spine and may lead to further degenerative changes in adjacent segments. One non-fusion technique currently being investigated is nucleus pulposus (NP) support via either an injectable hydrogel or tissue engineered construct. A major challenge for either approach is to mimic the mechanical properties of native NP. Here we adopt an unconfined compression testing configuration to assess toe-region and linear-region modulus and Poisson’s ratio, key functional parameters for NP replacement. Human NP, experimental biocompatible hydrogel formulations composed of hyaluronic acid (HA), PEG-g-chitosan, and gelatin, and conventional alginate and agarose gels were investigated as injectable NP replacements or tissue engineering scaffolds. Testing consisted of a stress-relaxation experiment of 5% strain increments followed by 5-min relaxation periods to a total of 25% strain. Human NP had an average linear-region modulus of 5.39 ± 2.56 kPa and a Poisson’s ratio of 0.62 ± 0.15. The modulus and Poisson’s ratio are important parameters for evaluating the design of implant materials and scaffolds. The synthetic HA-based hydrogels approximated NP well and may serve as suitable NP implant materials.
Effects of aging and gastritis on gastric acid and pepsin secretion in humans: A prospective study

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Recent studies suggesting that gastric secretion does not decrease with aging included few elderly individuals and measured only acid secretion. The aims of this study were to measure gastric acid and pepsin output in 206 health Americans (age range, 18- 98 years) and to compare secretion rates with gastric histology. METHODS: Immediately after basal and pentagastrin-stimulated acid and pepsin outputs were measured, oxyntic biopsy samples were obtained. RESULTS: Gastric acid and pepsin output rates were similar in young (age range, 18-34 years) and middle-aged (age range, 35-64 years) groups. Stimulated acid output was reduced approximately 30% in the elderly (age range, 65-98 years). However, after adjustment for histology, Helicobacter pylori infection, and other variables, age had no independent effect on acid output. The decline in acid secretion in the elderly was primarily related to a higher prevalence of chronic atrophic gastritis and a lower prevalence of smoking. Pepsin output was reduced by approximately 40% in the elderly. After adjustment for other variables, age remained a robust predictor of reduced pepsin output. CONCLUSION: Although advancing age has no independent effect on gastric acid secretion, it is associated with reduced pepsin output independent of atrophic gastritis, H. pylori infection, and smoking. (Gastroenterology 1996 Apr;110(4):1043-52)
Modeling privacy settings of an online social network from a game-theoretical perspective

Users of online social networks are often required to adjust their privacy settings because of frequent changes in the users' connections as well as occasional changes in the social network's privacy policy. In this paper, we specifically model the user's behavior in the disclosure of user attributes in a possible social network from a game-theoretic perspective by introducing a weighted evolutionary game. We analyze the influence of attribute importance and network topology on the user's behavior in selecting privacy settings. Results show that users are more likely to reveal their most important attributes than less important attributes regardless of the risk. Results also show that the network topology exhibits a considerable effect on the privacy in a risk-included environment but a limited effect in a risk-free environment. The provided models and the gained results can be used to understand the influence of different factors on users' privacy choices.
Microemulsions in supercritical hydrochlorofluorocarbons

We report the properties of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) microemulsions formed in supercritical hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons, and flourocarbons. The fluids used in this study include compounds that are of low toxicity and flammability and that are expected to remain environmentally acceptable well into the next century (e.g., 1,1,1, 2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a) and chlorodifluoromethane (R22)). We show that it is possible to form a water-in-oil type of microemulsion in a low molecular weight HCFC (R22). In addition to these HCFCs, We also review the ability to form microemulsions in 14 other fluids (ethane, propene, propane, n-butane, n-pentane, n-haxane, isobutane, isooctane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, hexafluoroethane, sulfur haxafluoride, xenon, and carbon dioxide) at conditions just above or below the critical point (0.75 < T/T{sub c} <1.1) of the solvent. We report extensively the phase behavior of AOT and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide microemulsions formed in a supercritical HCFC, R22. We show that microemulsions in HCFCs are practical alternatives to other fluids, such as supercritical carbon dioxide. 56 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.
Optimization of the interfaces in Nicalon-fibre-reinforced-AIPO-matrix composite materials

The optimization of fibre/matrix interfaces in Nicalon-fibre-reinforced aluminium-phosphatematrix composite materials is addressed. First, the structure and chemical composition of the fibre/matrix interfaces were characterized for the as-fabricated composite materials and for the same materials after high-temperature exposures simulating the conditions of their intended application. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed considerable Si diffusion from the fibres into the matrix accompanied by the formation of an interfacial diffusion/reaction zone in the process of heat treatment at 816 °C and higher temperatures. A BN-fibre coating did not prevent Si diffusion. Next, the interfacial bond strength was measured for the uncoated and some of the coated interfaces. The measurements showed a much lower bond strength in the carbon and carbon/BN coated interfaces than in the uncoated and BN-coated interfaces. Finite-element modelling was used to evaluate the interfacial bond strength which would result in the highest strength of the composite material. This optimal bond strength was found to be characterized by a critical energy-release rate close to 50 J m−2. Further increase in the interfacial bond strength above 50 Jm−2 resulted in brittle failure of the composite materials. Finally, the potential fibre coatings which were stable and not reactive with the fibres and the matrix at elevated temperatures were identified for the projected service temperatures of 816 and 1093 °C.
Cellular immune responses in cetaceans immunized with a porcine erysipelas vaccine

Clinical erysipelas represents a significant health problem in managed cetacean species. Vaccination was suspended in many oceanariums in the past due to losses associated with vaccine-induced hypersensitivities which were deemed to be a greater threat than clinical erysipelas. A perceived shift in clinical presentation of erysipelas from a chronic dermatologic form to an acute systemic form in dolphins sparked interest in re-initiating vaccination with improved subunit vaccines of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. This manuscript describes the development and application of in vitro correlates of immunity (T(H)1, T(H)2 and T(REG)) in Tursiops truncatus induced by immunization with a commercial porcine 65 kDa subunit E. rhusiopathiae vaccine. Variable degrees of pre-existing T cell memory were identified prior to vaccination. Vaccine-induced IFN gamma responses were consistent with a T(H)1 response and associated with elimination of erysipelas in all vaccinated animals. Comparative analysis between six-month and 12-month vaccination booster regimes demonstrated maintenance of superior memory in the six-month group; however, anamnestic responses induced by booster were only identified in the 12-month group. To our knowledge, this is the first study to develop and apply advanced immunologic analyses for assessing vaccine efficacy in captive or free-ranging wildlife.
The Euler Class in homological algebra

Abstract Let G τ be the topological group of orientation preserving homeomorphisms of the circle, and G δ the same group with the discrete topology. Motivated by the classical problem of reducing a circle bundle with structure group G τ to a totally disconnected subgroup K ⊂ G δ , and more currently, applications to mapping class groups, we analyze, in a homological algebra setting, the role played by the Topological and Discrete Euler Classes. In particular we describe the Discrete Euler Class of G , and any of its subgroups K , explicitly as a group extension. We apply our constructions to show that the values of the Discrete Euler Class are bounded on any space, and we state triviality and non-triviality conditions for its powers in the based mapping class groups.
Finding Critical Nucleus in Solid-State Transformations

Based on the phase-field total free energy functional and free-end nudged elastic band (NEB) algorithm, a new methodology is developed for finding the saddle-point nucleus in solid-state transformations. Using cubic → tetragonal transformations in both two and three dimensions as examples, we show that the activation energy and critical nucleus configuration along the minimum energy path (MEP) can be determined accurately and efficiently using this new approach. When the elastic energy contribution is dominant, the nucleation process is found to be collective with the critical nucleus consisting of two twin-related variants. When the elastic energy contribution is relatively weak, the critical nucleus consists of a single variant, and the polytwinned structure develops during growth through a stress-induced autocatalytic process. A nontrivial two-variant critical nucleus configuration is observed at an intermediate level of the elastic energy contribution. This general method is applicable to any thermally activated process in anisotropic media, including nucleation of stacking faults and dislocation loops, voids and microcracks, and ferroelectric and ferromagnetic domains. It is able to treat nucleation events involving simultaneously displacive and diffusional components, and heterogeneous nucleation near pre-existing lattice defects.
Optical errors in a liquid chromatography absorbance cell

Abstract The shadowgraph method is used to visualize mobile phase flow through a liquid chromatography absorbance cell with “Z” flow geometry. It is shown thatmixing is incomplete in the cell. Composition gradients persist throughout the elution of any sample. The gradients systematically change as the sample flows through the cell. Additionally, window wedge angles are measured in several cells. The implications for low noise absorbance detectors are discussed.
Feminism and Women's Autonomy: the Challenge of Female Genital Cutting

Feminist studies of female genital cutting (FGC) provide ample evidence that many women exercise effective agency with respect to this practice, both as accommodators and as resisters. The influence of culture on autonomy is ambiguous: women who resist cultural mandates for FGC do not necessarily enjoy greater autonomy than do those women who accommodate the practice, yet it is clear that some social contexts are more conducive to autonomy than others. In this paper, I explore the implications for autonomy theory of these understandings of the relation between culture, FGC, and women’s agency. I review the range of worldwide FGC practices – including “corrective” surgery for “ambiguous genitalia” in Western cultures as well as the various initiation rites observed in some African and Asian cultures – and the diverse cultural rationales for different forms of FGC. I argue that neither latitudinarian, value-neutral accounts of autonomy nor restrictive, value-saturated accounts adequately explain women’s agentic position with respect to FGC. I then analyze a number of educational programs that have enhanced women's autonomy, especially by strengthening their introspection, empathy, and imagination. Such programs, which engage women's autonomy skills without exposing them to autonomy-disabling cultural alienation, promote autonomy-within-culture. This understanding of autonomy as socially situated, however, entails neither endorsement of FGC nor resignation to its persistence.
Breast cancer in 2012: New drugs, new knowledge, new targets.

In 2012, we increased our knowledge of the molecular portrait of breast cancer. The BOLERO-2 and CLEOPATRA trials led to the approval of everolimus and pertuzumab; and the EMILIA trial will likely result in the approval of T-DM1. Some of these findings represent a paradigm shift in the way we think about the biology and management of breast cancer.