cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ovarian response of pinealectomized and intact white-footed mice kept under naturally short photoperiods.

Pinealectomized and intact adult female white-footed mice were maintained outdoors from 28 November to 2 January. At the termination of the experiment, ovarian weight was significantly greater (p<0.02) in the pinealectomized group compared with that of the intact animals. Microscopic examination of the ovaries revealed that those of the intact animals had fewer and smaller follicles than those from animals which had had their pineal glands removed.
Growth promoting activity of butterfat acids for Lactobacillus casei 280-16A.

SummaryA fatty acid which promoted growth of L. casei 280–16A was isolated from saponified butterfat and identified as myristic acid together with traces of an unidentified contaminant. The contaminant was apparently necessary to potentiate the growth promoting activity of myristic acid since purified commercial myristic acid (recrystallized) was essentially inactive. Activity of the latter could be potentiated by traces of α-hydroxymyristic acid, but this substance did not appear to be present in the isolated material.
Molecular characterization of the Spirometra mansonoides genome : renaturation kinetics, methylation, and hybridization to human cDNA probes

High molecular weight DNA from pleroceroid larvae of the tapeworm Spirometra mansonoides was purified from isolated nuclei by conventional techniques. The DNA so isolated has a melting temperature (Tm) of 87 degrees C and a guanine plus cytosine (G/C) content of 44%. 5-Methyl cytosine could not be detected in plerocercoid DNA by HPLC analysis of DNA hydrolysates, by radiolabeling 5'-termini of MspI digests with polynucleotide kinase, or by comparing restriction patterns generated by MspI and HpaII. Renaturation kinetics demonstrated that the genome of S. mansonoides contains repetitive as well as single copy sequences and has a genome size estimated at approx. 1.6 X 10(9) bp. Hybridization was carried out between plerocercoid DNA and cDNAs for human beta-actin, alpha-tubulin and growth hormone (hGH). Rationale for this analysis was based on known homologies among actin and tubulin genes in numerous species and on apparent similarities between hGH and a plerocercoid growth factor that may be reflected in similar DNA sequence. Scanning densitometry of dot blots demonstrated that the hGH probe annealed to the same extent at low stringency (1 M NaCl, 55 degrees C) to DNA from plerocercoids, rat liver and chicken erythrocytes; but this interaction was less than to DNA from human lymphocytes, calf thymus and mouse skin. Similar results were obtained when restriction endonuclease digests of these DNAs were analyzed by Southern transfer. Little or no hybridization of the growth hormone probe to plerocercoid DNA was evident at higher stringency (1 M NaCl, 65 degrees C). In contrast, human tubulin and actin probes showed extensive hybridization to pleroceroid restriction fragments under the high stringency conditions.
Adaptation of a manometric biosensor to measure glucose and lactose.

A manometric sensor previously developed to measure urea was modified to measure glucose and lactose through enzymatic oxidation. Change in pressure in an enclosed cavity was correlated to the depletion of oxygen resulting from the enzymatic oxidation of glucose or lactose. The response of the sensor was linear and could be made adjustable over a large range by adjusting the amount of sample loaded into the fixed volume reactor. Because of the slow mutarotation of glucose, the oxidation of glucose was not allowed to proceed to completion. Therefore, the precision of the sensor (approximately 0.2 mM in a range from 0 to 5 mM) was limited by variations in the oxidation rate of glucose by glucose oxidase. Because the assay for lactose measured glucose subsequent to the hydrolysis of lactose by β-galactosidase, the same degree of precision was observed in lactose. Milk lactose, typically at concentrations of about 150 mM, was estimated using the lactose assay after first diluting the samples. For many fluids such as milk, the use of manometric sensors for oxidizable substrates may be preferable to optical and electrochemical methods because they are robust and suffer a low degree of optical and chemical interferences. Glucose and lactose are representative of many important oxidizable substrates, which may be determined in this manner, many of which do not suffer from limitations caused by mutarotation. In theory, detection limits less than 1 μM may be achieved using these methods.
Peripheral thresholds and Regge asymptotic expansions

Abstract Multiperipheral models are used to show how the Regge expansion, while lacking threshold branch points, may nevertheless approximate the localized physical effects of “peripheral” thresholds. Examples are given to demonstrate that a single pair of complex poles is capable of representing even the lowest inelastic thresholds in both total and single-particle inclusive cross sections. The Regge mechanism that allows the position of a threshold to depend sensibly on the masses of incoming and outgoing particles is elucidated.
One thousand minimally invasive valve operations: early and late results.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the potential benefits of minimally invasive approaches for treatment of isolated aortic and mitral valve disease. Methods: From 7/96 to 04/03, we performed 1000 minimally invasive valve operations: 526 aortic (AV) procedures (64 years; mean, 25-95) and 474 mitral (MV) procedures (58 years; mean, 17-90). Results: In the AV group, an upper ministemotomy was used in 492/526 patients (93%) and a right parastemal approach in 34 (7%). Sixty-three patients had reoperative aortic valve replacements. In the MV group lower sternotomy was used in 260/474 (55%), right parastemal in 200/474 (42%), and a right thoracotomy in 14 patients. MV repair was performed in 416 and MV replacement in 58 patients. Operative mortality was 12/526 (2%) in the AV and 1/474 (0.2%) in the MV group. Freedom from reoperation at 6 years was 99% and 95% in the AV and MV group, respectively. Late mortality was 5% in the AV and 3% in the MV group, respectively. Conclusions: Minimally invasive valve surgery can be performed at very low levels of morbidity and mortality, with results equal to or better than conventional techniques. All forms of valve repair and replacement operations can be performed. Long-term survival and freedom from reoperation are excellent.
Organic Nanotube Bridge Fabrication by Controlling Molecular Self-Assembly Processes between Spherical and Tubular Formations

We examined a novel approach for nanometer-scale fabrication by controlling self-assembly of organic molecules. Organic amphiphile molecules typically self-assemble into a spherical or tubular structure, which depends on environmental conditions such as temperature, pH, and solvents. Here we demonstrate that self-assembly mechanisms of benzoic diacid diamide molecules can be switched between the spherical growth and the tubular growth by tuning pH to fabricate the combined structures. The benzoic diacid diamide molecules were first assembled into microspheres in a pH 8 solution. Once the microspheres were grown in diameter of 1 μm within 48 h, the self-assembly condition of benzoic diacid diamide was switched to the nanotube formation by tuning pH to 7. After 12 h, the nanotubes (50 nm in diameter) were observed between the microspheres.
Material classification and automatic content enrichment of images using supervised learning and knowledge bases

In recent years there has been a rapid increase in the size of video and image databases. Effective searching and retrieving of images from these databases is a significant current research area. In particular, there is a growing interest in query capabilities based on semantic image features such as objects, locations, and materials, known as content-based image retrieval. This study investigated mechanisms for identifying materials present in an image. These capabilities provide additional information impacting conditional probabilities about images (e.g. objects made of steel are more likely to be buildings). These capabilities are useful in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and in automatic enrichment of images. I2T methodologies are a way to enrich an image by generating text descriptions based on image analysis. In this work, a learning model is trained to detect certain materials in images. To train the model, an image dataset was constructed containing single material images of bricks, cloth, grass, sand, stones, and wood. For generalization purposes, an additional set of 50 images containing multiple materials (some not used in training) was constructed. Two different supervised learning classification models were investigated: a single multi-class SVM classifier, and multiple binary SVM classifiers (one per material). Image features included Gabor filter parameters for texture, and color histogram data for RGB components. All classification accuracy scores using the SVM-based method were above 85%. The second model helped in gathering more information from the images since it assigned multiple classes to the images. A framework for the I2T methodology is presented.
CHARGED DOUBLE PION PRODUCTION IN $pi$$sup +$p SCATTERING AT 910 MeV/c.

The final state $p{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ produced in ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}p$ scattering at 910 $\frac{\mathrm{MeV}}{c}$ was studied. A total of 82 events were identified as belonging to that final state yielding a cross section of 0.43\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06 mb. The data indicate that this final state contains the ${N}^{*}(1238)$. The ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ mass spectra are consistent with Lorentz-invariant phase space, but the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ mass spectrum shows an enhancement at a mass of 400 MeV. The data are compared with the predictions of a simple isobar model.
Preliminary study of the effects of a strontium chloride dentifrice for the control of hypersensitive teeth.

Abstract A 10 per cent concentration of strontium chloride, in a neutral, compatible dentifrice base which releases strontium ions when in contact with water, has been demonstrated to be useful in controlling the pain arising from hypersensitive cementum in about 75 per cent of the cases studied. I know of no contraindications to the use of strontium chloride for the intended purpose, since as it is used it is apparently nonirritating, nonallergenic, and nontoxic. Its incorporation into a dentifrice seems to make possible, for the first time, a rational, safe, effective therapy that can be used in a daily regimen by the patient suffering from hypersensitive cementum. It is suggested that the results obtained in this study may provide an incentive for additional histologic and laboratory studies on the mechanism of action of water-soluble strontium as well as further clinical evaluations of these compounds and of dentifrices containing them.
Assessment of airway visualization: validation of the percentage of glottic opening (POGO) scale.

Abstract. Objective: Research defining optimal methods of intubation has been limited by the lack of a validated outcome measure to assess airway visualization. The objective of this study was to develop a reliable scale for the assessment of airway visualization during endotracheal intubation. Methods: This prospective study was performed to assess the intra- and interphysician reliabilities of emergency physicians (EPs) for estimating the percentage of glottic opening (POGO) that is visualized during direct laryngoscopy. Using video images of laryngeal views obtained from a commercially available videotape, still slide images were prepared representing glottic openings ranging from 0% to 100%. Five EPs, blinded to study objective, reviewed 25 pairs of airway slides (50 slides total). For each slide, the physicians recorded the POGO and their scores using a modified Cormack-Lehane (MCL) scale, where grade I is a view of the full glottic opening, MCL grade II is a partial view of the glottic opening, and MCL grade III is a view of the epiglottis only. Inter- and intraphysician reliabilities were assessed using the kappa statistic (K) for MCL grade and intraclass correlation coefficient for the POGO scores. Results: For the POGO score, the degree of intrarater reliability was very good, with an intraphysician correlation of 0.85 and an interphysician correlation of 0.74. For the MCL score, the intraphysician concordance had a K of 0.71, and interphysician concordance was also good, with a K of 0.59. Conclusion: Both the modified version of the Cormack-Lehane grading classification and the POGO score have good interphysician and intraphysician reliabilities. Because the POGO score can distinguish patients with large and small degrees of partial glottic visibility, it might provide a better outcome for assessing the difference between various intubation techniques.
Factors Associated With Length of Treatment in a Barrio-Neighbourhood Mental Health Service

Factors which discriminate between lower socio-economic largely Mexican-Americans who continue in treatment for few interviews, from those who continue longer were investigated. Demographic and treatment data were obtained from 356 consecutive cases. The factors which significantly differentiate short from long treatment contact patients were: self-referral, age, marital instability, and complaints of anxiety, depression, social or family incompatibilities. Non-self referral and financial or situation problems characterise the short treatment patient. While there were few Anglos in the sample they were disproportionately high in the long treatment group.
Sequence determinants for the recognition of the fork junction DNA containing the -10 region of promoter DNA by E. coli RNA polymerase.

It has been recently suggested that E. coli RNA polymerase can specifically recognize a fork junction DNA structure, suggesting a possible role for such interaction in promoter DNA melting [Guo, Y., and Gralla, J. D. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95, 11655−11660]. We have determined here quantitatively, using a site-specific binding assay, the effects of base substitutions within the conserved −10 hexamer in the context of a short fork junction DNA on binding to RNA polymerase. Adenine at position −11 and thymine at position −7 were found to be critical for sequence-specific recognition of the DNA. The identities of bases at positions −9 and −8 were found to be not important for the binding whereas replacement of bases at positions −12 and −10 had a mild negative effect on the binding affinity. It was found that for the binding of fork DNA to RNA polymerase, specific sequence recognition was more important than specific recognition of fork junction DNA structure. The pattern of relative importance ...
Post-Fordism as Politics: The Political Consequences of Narratives on the Left

In many theories of post-Fordism an epochal transition in capitalist societies is envisioned in which the industrial paradigm of mass production is replaced by flexible specialization. Often conjoined with this new model of industrial development are a post-Marxist politics and a postmodern culture, creating the impression of a grand economic and social realignment. It is argued that these holistic representations of industrialized social formations obscure the role of both capitalist and noncapitalist class processes in constituting contemporary societies and narrow the scope for political contestation and change.
Transient Exacerbation of Tics in Treatment of Tourette's Syndrome with Clonidine

An 11-year-old boy with a history of behavioral problems was admitted to the inpatient Child Development Program of St. Louis University Medical Center. A diagnosis of Tourette's syndrome was made, and when family objected to a trial of haloperidol for fear of tardive dyskinesia, clonidine was initiated. A temporary period of worsening of motor and phonic tics ensued, while dose adjustments were made. When a maintenance level was achieved, approximately 2 weeks after initiating treatment, remission of symptoms was observed.
Ultrashort pulse generation in a solid medium with long-lived spin coherence

We show that utmost possible Raman coherence between equally populated levels can be excited by two-photon resonant bichromatic field far from one photon resonance by means of relaxation processes. On this basis we suggest a mechanism for generation of extremely short pulses with high pulse duty factor and large energy in the pulse. It can be realized in solid materials, such as the rare-earth doped dielectrics with long-lived spin coherence or nitrogen-vacancy (N-V) centers in diamond and provide a simple, reliable, and convenient technique for many practical applications.
Atomistic modeling of finite-temperature properties of β-SiC. I. Lattice vibrations, heat capacity, and thermal expansion

Abstract We present a two-part theoretical study of the thermal properties of crystalline β-SiC based on an empirical interatomic potential developed by Tersoff which emphasizes the bond-order nature of covalent solids. In part I we use this description of interatomic interactions in both lattice dynamical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations with a temperature-scaling procedure to obtain reasonably accurate predictions of the heat capacity and the thermal expansion coefficient. Our results notwithstanding, improvement of the potential to include ionic interactions for the description of vibrational properties, and extension of short-range forces beyond the nearest neighbors, would be quite useful.
Thr-1989 Phosphorylation Is a Marker of Active Ataxia Telangiectasia-mutated and Rad3-related (ATR) Kinase

The DNA damage response kinases ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM), DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), and ataxia telangiectasia-mutated and Rad3-related (ATR) signal through multiple pathways to promote genome maintenance. These related kinases share similar methods of regulation, including recruitment to specific nucleic acid structures and association with protein activators. ATM and DNA-PK also are regulated via phosphorylation, which provides a convenient biomarker for their activity. Whether phosphorylation regulates ATR is unknown. Here we identify ATR Thr-1989 as a DNA damage-regulated phosphorylation site. Selective inhibition of ATR prevents Thr-1989 phosphorylation, and phosphorylation requires ATR activation. Cells engineered to express only a non-phosphorylatable T1989A mutant exhibit a modest ATR functional defect. Our results suggest that, like ATM and DNA-PK, phosphorylation regulates ATR, and phospho-peptide specific antibodies to Thr-1989 provide a proximal marker of ATR activation.
The effects of adsorption phenomena in the evaluation of vapour-dominated geothermal reservoirs

Abstract Previous reservoir engineering studies of vapour-dominated geothermal reservoirs have generally been analogous to conventional-model studies for natural gas reservoirs. In this work, the concept that considerable adsorbed water may exist in a vapour-dominated zone is examined in detail. Experimental and theoretical evidence of adsorption phenomena is described. The implications of adsorption on material balance calculations and on well test analysis are then determined by incorporating adsorption effects into existing models. The resulting new methods of analysis provide a more realistic estimate of the nature and extent of the vapour-dominated zone. In particular, the new methods result in a considerable reduction in the estimated formation thickness and suggest that fracture porosity has been underestimated using conventional models for a naturally fractured reservoir. The importance of the adsorption phenomenon in reserve estimation is of considerable magnitude. This work shows that a reserve estimate based on geologic evidence and the thermodynamic properties of steam could be as much as one order of magnitude lower than the actual mass of water present.
Abstract 313: K-ras- and EGFR-mediated lung tumor formation require epithelial NF-κB signaling to modulate the inflammatory microenvironment

The transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a key mediator of the inflammatory response, and its activation correlates with poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Oncogenic K-ras and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations occur frequently in lung adenocarcinoma and are associated with an inflammatory response in lung tumors. Recent papers have shown that inhibition of epithelial NF-κB signaling in a mouse model of K-ras-mediated lung tumorigenesis decreased tumor formation. However, the mechanisms linking NF-κB signaling to tumor formation remain unclear. We hypothesize that epithelial NF-κB signaling is a common requirement for lung tumorigenesis, causing activation and/or recruitment of inflammatory cells that promote lung tumor formation. For our studies, we used mice that inducibly express oncogenic K-rasG12D or EGFRT790M+L858R as well as a dominant negative inhibitor of κB signaling (DN-IκB) specifically in the lung epithelium. Mice expressing DN-IκB together with K-rasG12D or EGFRT790M+L858R developed significantly fewer tumors than mice expressing K-rasG12D or EGFRT790M+L858R alone after two months of doxycycline administration. However, two months of K-rasG12D or EGFRT790M+L858R expression did not significantly alter total inflammatory cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL). EGFRT790M+L858R expression led to an increase in BAL neutrophils that was lost when NF-κB signaling was inhibited, while no changes in BAL macrophage, lymphocyte, or neutrophil subpopulations were observed in K-rasG12D-expressing mice with or without NF-κB signaling. At later time points, both K-rasG12D- and EGFRT790M+L858R-expressing mice demonstrated a profound inflammatory response, which was associated with an increased tumor burden. Using a model of long term alveolar macrophage depletion by intratracheal administration of liposomal clodronate, we found that depletion of alveolar macrophages decreased tumor burden in K-rasG12D-expressing mice. Together, these results suggest that, rather than causing a profound inflammatory influx, epithelial NF-κB signaling may be important for activating resident inflammatory cell populations that aid in K-ras- and EGFR-mediated tumor formation. From these studies, we hope to broaden understanding of the role of inflammatory signaling pathways in regulation of lung carcinogenesis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 313. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-313
Hybrid laser/arc welding of advanced high strength steel to aluminum alloy by using structural transition insert

Abstract The present investigation is related to the development of the welding procedure of the hybrid laser/arc welding (HLAW) in joining thick dissimilar materials. The HLAW was applied to join aluminum alloy (AA6061) to an advanced high strength steel (AHSS) where an explosively welded transition joint, TRICLAD®, was used as an intermediate structural insert between the thick plates of the aluminum alloy and AHSS. The welds were characterized by an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), tensile test, charged coupled device (CCD) camera, and microhardness measurement. The groove angle was optimized for the welding process based on the allowed amount of heat input along the TRICLAD® interface generated by an explosive welding. The weld was fractured in the heat affected zone of the aluminum side in the tensile test. The microhardness was shown that the temperature variation caused minor softening in the heat affected zone satisfying the requirement that the width of the softened heat affected zone in the steel side falls within 15.9 mm far away from the weld centerline. The microstructure analysis showed the presence of tempered martensite at the vicinity of the weld area, which it was a cause of softening in the heat affected zone.
Better Catalysts through Microscopy: Mesoscale M1/M2 Intergrowth in Molybdenum-Vanadium Based Complex Oxide Catalysts for Propane Ammoxidation.

In recent decades, catalysis research has transformed from the predominantly empirical field to one where it is possible to control the catalytic properties via characterization and modification of the atomic-scale active centers. Many phenomena in catalysis, such as synergistic effect, however, transcend the atomic scale and also require the knowledge and control of the mesoscale structure of the specimen to harness. In this paper, we use our discovery of atomic-scale epitaxial interfaces in molybdenum–vanadium based complex oxide catalysts systems (i.e., Mo–V–M–O, M = Ta, Te, Sb, Nb, etc.) to achieve control of the mesoscale structure of this complex mixture of very different active phases. We can now achieve true epitaxial intergrowth between the catalytically critical M1 and M2 phases in the system that are hypothesized to have synergistic interactions, and demonstrate that the resulting catalyst has improved selectivity in the initial studies. Finally, we highlight the crucial role atomic scale chara...
Response surface optimisation of surgery start times in a single operating room using designed simulation experiments

Operating room scheduling is often done in steps. First, an operating room’s time blocks are assigned to surgical specialty groups and each specialty receives a number of blocks. Elective patients are then assigned to these time blocks. Assigned patient cases are sequenced, and idle time is often reserved at the end of the time block in order to buffer against possible overtime. This research focuses on the next step of determining the amount of time reserved for each of the pre-sequenced surgeries so that surgical teams know their exact start times. In this way, the buffer time is redistributed to each of the surgeries in order to minimise total overtime and idling costs. The problem is modelled as a special periodic review inventory model and a simulation-based response surface method is used to optimise surgery start times for a single operating room with stochastic operation durations represented by an infinite set of stochastic scenarios. This proposed method does not require extensive computational ...
Will providing marriage rights to same-sex couples undermine heterosexual marriage?

This paper analyzes data regarding the impact on heterosexual marriages of laws in five European countries that provide marriage or marriage-like rights to same-sex couples. The data provide no evidence that giving partnership rights to same-sex couples had any impact on heterosexual marriage. Specifically, heterosexual marriage rates and divorce rates in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and the Netherlands displayed no significant change in trends after implementation of rights for gay couples; longstanding trends in nonmarital birth rates showed no sign of acceleration attributable to passage of partnership laws; and nonmarital birth rates showed the same changes in countries with and without partnership laws. Finally, because the United States gives many more incentives for heterosexual couples to marry than European countries, any effects of passage of gay marriage or partnership laws in this country would be even less likely to have an impact on the status of heterosexual marriage.
A Comparison of Dental Amalgams Made from a Spherical Alloy and from a Comminuted Alloy

Under testing conditions, spherical alloy pellets produced final compressive strengths, 1-hour compressive strengths, and tensile strengths superior to those of conventional dental amalgam alloys.
Sub-100 nm SBT films for low voltage and high density feram applications

Abstract This paper discusses about the processing and electrical characteristics of sub-100 nm Strontium Bismuth Tantalate (SBT) films for low voltage and high-density FeRAM applications. Electrical data is reported for films as thin as 48-nm with polarization charge in the range of 13–15 μC/sq.cm. Saturation voltages of less than 1 V was measured with negligible fatigue and good leakage properties. The breakdown field was ∼IMV/cm. The maximum processing temperature reported in this study is 700°C with optimized SBT stoichiometry and process conditions.
Parametric resonance amplification in a MEMGyroscope

A feasibility analysis of using parametric amplification in order to improve the performance of a micromachined rate gyroscope is presented. The actuation is based on variable force actuators that depend on the force-time variation relation, thus the nonlinear Mathieu equation governs the driving motion. We demonstrated by numerical simulations that in a parametric amplified system with linear mechanical stiffness there exist a flattened region that can be used as the operation region of a 2-DOF microgyroscope. In this way the system is able to achieve a wider bandwidth of operation without sacrificing the sense mode gain: a robust micro sensor that is less sensitive to parameter variations
Optimization of an inductively loaded log-spiral antenna

There is a growing interest in reducing antenna which can be accomplished using material and reactive loading (inductive and/or capacitive). In this paper, we focus on the inductive loading of a wire log-spiral antenna. A common challenge that occurs when miniaturizing any broadband antenna is determining the optimal loading profile that improves the realized gain at frequencies where the antenna is electrically small while maintaining the realized gain at higher frequencies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to determine the optimal inductive loading profile for a wire log-spiral antenna using a genetic algorithm (GA).
Native Ethnography: A Mexican Indian Describes His Culture

Native Ethnography: A Mexican Indian Describes His Culture. H. RUSSELL BERNARD and JESUS SALINAS PEDRAZA (illustrated by Winfield Coleman). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, 1989. 648 pp., ink drawings, index. $75.00 (cloth). ISBN 0-8039-3017-8.
Emotions as infectious diseases in a large social network: the SISa model

Human populations are arranged in social networks that determine interactions and influence the spread of diseases, behaviours and ideas. We evaluate the spread of long-term emotional states across a social network. We introduce a novel form of the classical susceptible‐infected‐susceptible disease model which includes the possibility for ‘spontaneous’ (or ‘automatic’) infection, in addition to disease transmission (the SISa model). Using this framework and data from the Framingham Heart Study, we provide formal evidence that positive and negative emotional states behave like infectious diseases spreading across social networks over long periods of time. The probability of becoming content is increased by 0.02 per year for each content contact, and the probability of becoming discontent is increased by 0.04 per year per discontent contact. Our mathematical formalism allows us to derive various quantities from the data, such as the average lifetime of a contentment ‘infection’ (10 years) or discontentment ‘infection’ (5 years). Our results give insight into the transmissive nature of positive and negative emotional states. Determining to what extent particular emotions or behaviours are infectious is a promising direction for further research with important implications for social science, epidemiology and health policy. Our model provides a theoretical framework for studying the interpersonal spread of any state that may also arise spontaneously, such as emotions, behaviours, health states, ideas or diseases with reservoirs.
No Evidence for a Cumulative Impact Effect on Concussion Injury Threshold

Abstract Recent studies using a helmet-based accelerometer system (Head Impact Telemetry System [HITS]) have demonstrated that concussions result from a wide range of head impact magnitudes. Variability in concussion thresholds has been proposed to result from the cumulative effect of non-concussive head impacts prior to injury. We used the HITS to collect biomechanical data representing >100,000 head impacts in 95 high school football players over 4 years. The cumulative impact histories prior to 20 concussive impacts in 19 athletes were compared to the cumulative impact histories prior to the three largest magnitude non-concussive head impacts in the same athletes. No differences were present in any impact history variable between the concussive and non-concussive high magnitude impacts. These analyses included the number of head impacts, cumulative HIT severity profile value, cumulative linear acceleration, and cumulative rotational acceleration during the same practice or game session, as well as over...
LENORE A. GRENOBLE & LINDSAY J. WHALEY (eds.), Endangered languages: Current issues and future prospects . Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press, 1998. Pp. xvii, 361. Hb $69.95, pb $27.95.

Over the past decade, an increasing number of linguists have been turning their attention toward the plight of endangered languages. We are realizing that most of the small indigenous languages of the world are in great danger of disappearing over the coming century, if they have not already disappeared. Nor are linguists alone in their concern; the media have become interested in the issue, as have international organizations – like UNESCO, the European Union, and even national governments that have in the past been instruments of the demise of indigenous languages. Clearinghouses are being set up (e.g. the International Clearing House for Endangered Languages at Tokyo University), and funds such as the Endangered Languages Fund. Most active in fighting language extinction are members of the affected communities themselves, who are working on their own, or forging new kinds of partnerships with linguists, in an effort to reverse language shift. In the context of these movements, this excellent book is a welcome and crucial resource. The volume gathers together a set of valuable articles by a group including some of the best scholars in linguistics and some of the best native language teachers: Nancy Dorian, Nora and Richard Dauenhauer, Kaia'titahkhe Annette Jacobs, Colette Grinevald, Marianne Mithun, Ken Hale, Christopher Jocks, Anthony Woodbury, Carol Myers-Scotton, and Nikolai Vakhtin. It is a must-read for anyone – native, linguist, teacher, or policy maker – who is involved with issues of language loss, maintenance, or revitalization.
Scanning electron microscope observations of saccular ultrastructure in the mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)

Scanning electron microscopy revealed two types of hair cells in the sacculus of an amphibian, the mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus). Both types were surrounded by microvilli-covered sustentacular cells. The peripheral hair cells have shorter, thinner stereocilia and longer kinocilia than the hair cells in the central macula. The hair cells generally were found to be oriented with their stereocilia gradient directed toward the periphery of the macula. A nearly semicircular stria separated those directed forward and outward from those directed rearward and outward. Two basic types of otoconia were found in the otolith, and X-ray analysis revealed the entire otolith to be composed of aragonite.
Identification and Validation of Biomarkers of IgVH Mutation Status in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Using Microfluidics Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Technology

To develop a model incorporating relevant prognostic biomarkers for untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, we re-analyzed the raw data from four published gene expression profiling studies. We selected 88 candidate biomarkers linked to immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region gene (IgVH) mutation status and produced a reliable and reproducible microfluidics quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction array. We applied this array to a training set of 29 purified samples from previously untreated patients. In an unsupervised analysis, the samples clustered into two groups. Using a cutoff point of 2% homology to the germline IgVH sequence, one group contained all 14 IgVH-unmutated samples; the other contained all 15 mutated samples. We confirmed the differential expression of 37 of the candidate biomarkers using two-sample t-tests. Next, we constructed 16 different models to predict IgVH mutation status and evaluated their performance on an independent test set of 20 new samples. Nine models correctly classified 11 of 11 IgVH-mutated cases and eight of nine IgVH-unmutated cases, with some models using three to seven genes. Thus, we can classify cases with 95% accuracy based on the expression of as few as three genes.
Inhibition of leukotriene D4-induced bronchoconstriction in normal subjects by the oral LTD4 receptor antagonist ICI 204,219.

The sulfidopeptide leukotrienes may play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Previous clinical trials with leukotriene antagonists have shown only minimal protection from subsequent challenge with inhaled LTD4. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, we tested the hypothesis that the LTD4 receptor antagonist, ICI 204,219, could inhibit LTD4-induced bronchoconstriction in normal subjects. On separate days, 3 to 7 days apart, a single oral 40-mg dose of ICI 204,219 or placebo was ingested. At 2 h (Group I), 12 h (Group II), or 24 h (Group III) after the dose, six subjects in each group underwent bronchoprovocation testing with aerosolized LTD4. The airway response was assessed by measuring specific airway conductance (SGaw) and the FEV1. ICI 204,219 had no effect on baseline pulmonary function. When given 2 h before the LTD4 challenge, ICI 204,219 increased by 117-fold the concentration of LTD4 required to reduce SGaw 35%: 34 ± 10 versus 3,965 ± 894 µg/ml (placebo versus ICI 204,219; p ...
Kinetics of baseball pitching with implications about injury mechanisms

Elbow and shoulder kinetics for 26 highly skilled, healthy adult pitchers were calculated using high-speed motion analysis. Two critical instants were 1) shortly before the arm reached maximum external rotation, when 67 N-m of shoulder internal rotation torque and 64 N-m of elbow varus torque were generated, and 2) shortly after ball release, when 1090 N of shoulder compressive force was produced. Inability to generate sufficient elbow varus torque may result in medial tension, lateral compression, or posteromedial impingement injury. At the glenohumeral joint, compressive force, joint laxity, and 380 N of anterior force during arm cocking can lead to anterior glenoid labral tear. Rapid internal rotation in combination with these forces can produce a grinding injury factor on the labrum. After ball release, 400 N of posterior force, 1090 N of compressive force, and 97 N-m of horizontal abduction torque are generated at the shoulder; contribution of rotator cuff muscles in generating these loads may result in cuff tensile failure. Horizontal adduction, internal rotation, and superior translation of the abducted humerus may cause subacromial impingement. Tension in the biceps tendon, due to muscle contraction for both elbow flexion torque and shoulder compressive force, may tear the anterosuperior labrum.
Viral Shedding Patterns of Children with Influenza B Infection

During an epidemic of influenza B, 43 ambulatory children were prospectively followed to determine the quantitative shedding patterns of influenza B viral infection, because these have not been previously described. The spectrum of illness included 74% with a typical influenzalike illness, 7% with an afebrile infection of the upper respiratory tract, and 19% with croup. Mild myositis occurred in 21%. For the first three days of illness, greater than or equal to 93% of the children shed virus, and 74% shed on day 4. The average peak quantity of virus shed in the nasal wash was 4.0 log10 50% tissue culture infective doses/ml(range, 1.5-6.0), which gradually declined over four days to 2.4 log10 50% tissue culture infective doses/ml. The quantities of virus shed correlated significantly with severity of illness and fever score, but not with sex, type of illness, or occurrence of myositis. These results suggest that the degree of clinical illness may be directly related to the cytotoxic effects of the virus and to the transmissibility of the disease.
Real Space Transfer Electron Device OscillatorÃ¢â¬â?A New Candidate For The Near Millimeter Range

This paper reports on the demonstration of a new solid state oscillator principle based upon the real space transfer (RST) of electrons from a high mobility GaAs layer to a low mobility A1GaAs layer in a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure. The RST of electrons is achieved by applying a DC bias plus the AC field parallel to the layered interface of the heterostructure to periodically heat and cool the electrons. When the electric field increases, the current decreases and a negative differential resistance effect is realized. The transit time in the oscillator is associated with electron motion across the thin (100-1000 YR) heterostructure layers and not with the electron motion between voltage contacts. A theory of the oscillator predicts it should be capable of generating frequencies well beyond 100 GHz. The power output of the oscillator depends on the number of pairs of GaAs/A1GaAs layers. Since the number of pairs can be made quite large without increasing capacity effects, the total power promises to be substantial.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Assessment of remineralization via measurement of dehydration rates with thermal and near-IR reflectance imaging

Objectives Previous studies have demonstrated that the optical changes due to the loss of water from porous lesions can be exploited to assess lesion severity with QLF, thermal and near-IR imaging. Since arrested lesions are less permeable to water due to the highly mineralized surface layer, changes in the rate of water loss can be related to changes in lesion structure. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the rate of water loss correlates with the degree of remineralization and whether that rate can be measured using thermal and near-IR reflectance imaging.
Hydrogen Radicals, Nitrogen Radicals, and the Production of O3 in the Upper Troposphere

The concentrations of the hydrogen radicals OH and HO2in the middle and upper troposphere were measured simultaneously with those of NO, O_3, CO, H_(2)O, CH_4, non-methane hydrocarbons, and with the ultraviolet and visible radiation field. The data allow a direct examination of the processes that produce O_3 in this region of the atmosphere. Comparison of the measured concentrations of OH and HO_2 with calculations based on their production from water vapor, ozone, and methane demonstrate that these sources are insufficient to explain the observed radical concentrations in the upper troposphere. The photolysis of carbonyl and peroxide compounds transported to this region from the lower troposphere may provide the source of HO_x required to sustain the measured abundances of these radical species. The mechanism by which NO affects the production of O_3 is also illustrated by the measurements. In the upper tropospheric air masses sampled, the production rate for ozone (determined from the measured concentrations of HO_2 and NO) is calculated to be about 1 part per billion by volume each day. This production rate is faster than previously thought and implies that anthropogenic activities that add NO to the upper troposphere, such as biomass burning and aviation, will lead to production of more O_3 than expected.
How are semiconductor suppliers responding to the growing demand for automotive safety features

The world's embracement of automotive safety features means that numerous challenges lie ahead for safety system and component suppliers. More specifically, semiconductor suppliers will be challenged as car makers push for increased supply, increased reliability and increased performance, all within the framework of decreasing cost. This article will discuss the demand increase for safety related semiconductors, the challenges that lie ahead for their suppliers and how these suppliers will respond to the challenges.
Molecular Components of T-Cell Recognition

We review recent data that increase our understanding of the ternary complex of the T cell receptor (TCR), antigenic peptides, and molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Studies using synthetic peptide analogs for T-cell antigens have identified peptide residues that appear to interact with the MHC molecule and/or the TCR. The logical extension of these studies, using a complete replacement set of peptide analogues for a model peptide antigen, has more precisely defined the biochemical character of putative MHC and TCR contact residues, and indicated that the TCR is highly sensitive to subtle changes in peptide conformation. Insight into the binding site for peptide on the TCR has recently come from variant peptide immunization of TCR single-chain transgenic mice. These experiments indicate that residues encoded by the V(D)J junctions of both TCR chains contact peptide directly. TCR-MHC contacts have also been studied, using in vitro-mutagenized MHC molecules, particularly those altered at residues predicted to point "up," toward the TCR. These studies reveal that TCR-MHC contacts appear to be quite flexible, and vary between even closely related TCRs. A measure of the affinity of TCR for peptide/MHC complexes has come from competition experiments using soluble MHC complexed with specific peptides. This affinity, with a KD of 5 x 10(-5) M, is several orders of magnitude lower than that of most antibodies for their protein antigens and suggests that the sequence of events leading to T-cell activation begins with antigen-independent adhesion.
Development of intrinsic tone in isolated pulmonary arterioles

In isolated porcine pulmonary arterioles with endothelium, intraluminal diameter measured at a transmural pressure of 20 mmHg decreased spontaneously from 233 ± 11 to 171 ± 12 μm in 135 min. This i...
External and Internal Asset Partitioning: Corporations and their Subsidiaries

This chapter analyzes the economic consequences of external and internal asset partitioning, and it considers implications of this analysis for creditor remedies. External partitioning refers to the legal boundaries between business firms and their equity investors, while internal partitioning refers to the legal boundaries within corporate groups. The chapter begins by cataloguing the benefits and costs of corporate partitioning; it then employs this catalogue to analyze the relative economics of external and internal partitioning. Non-partitioning functions of subsidiaries also are identified. The chapter then considers whether cost-benefit analysis predicts how courts actually apply de-partitioning remedies, with particular emphasis on veil piercing and enterprise liability. The chapter concludes by arguing that courts should employ the distinction between external and internal partitioning when applying creditor remedies that disregard corporate partitions, and it identifies factors — in addition to whether a partition is internal or external — that courts should consider when deciding whether to de-partition.
Foundation Construction and Design

Foundation construction is vital to the success of the project and for this reason much effort is channelled into the foundation design and construction. An important message which must be given to the Client from an early stage is that money spent on the foundations is money well spent. It must be considered as an investment in the structural integrity of the building which will pay dividends well into the future. The consequences of a foundation failure can be huge and even threaten personal safety; for this reason a Chartered Civil Engineer must be employed to gain sufficient information about the ground conditions, design the foundations and oversee the construction.