cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inelastic Processes in Seismic Wave Generation by Underground Explosions

There are similarities and differences between chemical and nuclear explosions underground. Most of the differences are in the early stages of the explosions. The later stages are similar with respect to seismic wave generation. Three sources of seismic waves from explosions are coincident in space and time, or nearly so: the explosion itself, explosion-induced tectonic strain release, and (probably) spall-closure following explosion-produced spall. Cavity collapse and explosion-induced aftershocks are two sources of delayed seismic signals. Theories, computer calculations, and measurements of spherical stress waves from explosions are described and compared, with emphasis on the transition from inelastic to almost-elastic relations between stress and strain. Two aspects of nonspherical explosion geometry are considered: tectonic strain release and surface spall. Tectonic strain release affects the generation of surface waves; spall closure may also. The forward problem in seismology can, in principle, be solved by calculations beginning with explosive detonation and ending with the synthetic seismogram. The inverse problem can also, in principle, be solved by inverting observed seismic data to obtain an “equivalent elastic source,” but the solution cannot extend backward in space and time into the nonlinear inelastic processes of the explosion. The reduced-displacement potential is a common solution (the “equivalent elastic source”) of the forward and inverse problems, assuming a spherical source. Measured reduced-displacement potentials are compared with potentials calculated as solutions of the direct and inverse problems; there are significant differences between the results of the two types of calculations and between calculations and measurements. The simple spherical model of an explosion is not sufficient to account for observations of explosions over wide ranges of depth and yield. The explosions environment can have a large effect on explosion detection and yield estimation. The best sets of seismic observations for use in developing discrimination techniques are for high-magnitude high-yield explosions; the identification problem is most difficult for low-magnitude low-yield explosion. Most of the presently available explosion data (time, medium, depth, yield, etc.) are for explosions in a few media at the Nevada Test Site; some key questions concerning magnitude vs yield and mb vs Ms relation can be answered only by data for explosion in other media at other locations.
The coronal and interplanetary magnetic fields at the time of the solar eclipse of 7 March, 1970

The magnetic field in the outer corona and in interplanetary space has been calculated from the photospheric magnetic fields measured around the time of the 7 March, 1970 eclipse. The field-line maps are compared with eclipse photographs showing coronal structures out to about 12 r⊙. The projected field lines as well as the observed streamers appear straight. This is caused by the rapid expansion of the outer corona and is not an indication of corotation. The calculations show that the angular velocity of the coronal plasma decreases rapidly with distance.
Interactive Maps for Community in Online Learning

ABSTRACT The online courses studied here used the visual medium of the interactive geographic map as a form of dialogue to reduce students’ sense of transactional distance during the course, build their skills with Web 2.0 media, and increase their motivation. Using the dynamic map and the related online spreadsheet, the course participants created digital maps in which they interacted spatially. The maps supported active participation in the course and put the students in control as they visualized the relationships between other course members’ locations and themselves. Interactive course maps are recommended for reducing transactional distance and to support team building.
Simple Near-Realtime Crane Workspace Mapping Using Machine Vision

Overhead cranes are widely used in industries all over the world. It is not easy to move crane payloads without oscillation, increasing the likelihood of obstacle collisions and other accidents. Even experienced crane operators make mistakes that cause loss of money and time. Some reasons for these incidents are limitations of the operator’s field of view, depth perception, knowledge of the workspace, and the dynamic environment of the workspace. One possible solution to these problems could be aiding the operator with a dynamic map of the workspace that shows the current position of obstacles. The probable areas of finding obstacles based on the previous positions of obstacles could also be shown. This paper describes a simple method of generating such a map of the crane workspace using machine vision.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Gene expression profiling of rat hippocampus following exposure to the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor soman.

Soman (O-pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate) is a potent neurotoxicant. Acute exposure to soman causes acetylcholinesterase inhibition, resulting in excessive levels of acetylcholine. Excessive acetylcholine levels cause convulsions, seizures, and respiratory distress. The initial cholinergic crisis can be overcome by rapid anticholinergic therapeutic intervention, resulting in increased survival. However, conventional treatments do not protect the brain from seizure-related damage, and thus, neurodegeneration of soman-sensitive brain areas is a potential postexposure outcome. We performed gene expression profiling of the rat hippocampus following soman exposure to gain greater insight into the molecular pathogenesis of soman-induced neurodegeneration. Male Sprague−Dawley rats were pretreated with the oxime HI-6 (l-(((4-aminocarbonyl)pyridinio)methoxyl)methyl)-2-((hydroxyimino)methyl)-pyridinium dichloride; 125 mg/kg, ip) 30 min prior to challenge with soman (180 μg/kg, sc). One minute after soman challe...
Measurements of circular polarization correlations following excitation of Ar and Kr by electron impact

We report measurements of the circular polarization correlation parameterP3 for the excitation of the 4s′[1/2]j=1 state in Ar by 40 eV electrons and for the excitation of the Kr 5s[3/2]J=1 state by 30 eV electrons at electron scattering angles up to 50°. The measured Ar data are compared to predictions of a distorted wave Born approximation (DWBA). The agreement is in general not very good with theory predictingP3 values considerably larger than the measured values in the regime of small scattering angles. In Kr, where the measured data are compared to theoretical predictions from a DWBA, a first-order many-body theory (FOMBT) and a relativistic distorted wave theory (RDW), the level of agreement between experiment and theory is somewhat better. The measuredP3 parameters in conjunction with the previously measured linear coherence parametersP1 undP2 under the same scattering conditions yield the total polarizationPtot+ which is a measure for the level of coherence in the excitation process. In both cases studied here, we found values of eliminatePtot+ that were consistent with a fully coherent excitation process.
Testing excision models for responses of mismatch-repair systems to UV photoproducts in DNA

Mismatch-repair (MMR) systems correct DNA replication errors and respond to a variety of DNA lesions. Previous observations that MMR antagonizes UV mutagenesis, and that the mismatch-recognition protein heterodimer MSH2•MSH6 (MutSα) selectively binds DNA containing “mismatched” photoproducts (T[CPD]T/AG, T[6-4]T/AG) but not “matched” photoproducts (T[CPD]T/AA, T[6-4]T/AA), suggested that mismatched photoproducts would provoke MMR excision similar to mismatched bases. Excision of incorrect nucleotides inserted opposite template photoproducts might then prevent UV-induced mutation. We tested T[CPD]T/AG DNA, in a sequence context in which it is bound substantially by hMutSα and in three other contexts, for stimulation of 3′ MMR excision in mammalian nuclear extracts. T[CPD]T/AG was inactive in HeLa extracts, or in extracts deficient in the photoproduct-binding proteins DDB or XPC• hHR23B, arguing against interference from the nucleotide excision repair pathway. Prior incubation with hMutSα and MLH2·PMS2 (hMutLα) did not increase excision relative to homoduplex controls. T[6-4]T/AG also failed to provoke excision. T/G, C/A, and T/T substrates, even though bound by hMutSα no better than T[CPD]T/AG substrates, efficiently provoked excision. Even a substrate containing three T[CPD]T/AG photoproducts (in different contexts) did not significantly provoke excision. Thus, MMR may suppress UV mutagenesis by non-excisive mechanisms. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Hazards of amniocentesis: An unidentifiable fragment

A 38-year-old woman had amniocentesis performed for advanced maternal age. The karyotype of the cultured amniotic fluid cells showed a minute fragment in all cells analyzed, 47,XY+Fg. The fragment could not be identified. For medical reasons the pregnancy had to be terminated at 34 weeks. Both skin and blood cultures from the aborted fetus showed a 47,XY,21+ karyotype.
Studies on Infectious Bursal Disease in Chickens. 1. Effect of Infectious Bursal Disease on Gnotobiotic and Battery Raised White Leghorns

Abstract The effect of microflora on the severity of infectious bursal disease (IBD) in growing chickens was studied. SPF White Leghorn chicks from non-immune dams were used in Trials 1 and 2 and chicks from immune White Leghorns were used in Trials 3 and 4. Each trial consisted of the following treatments: non-inoculated battery chickens, IBD-inoculated battery chickens, non-inoculated gnotobiotic chickens, and IBD-inoculated gnotobiotic chickens. Chickens were inoculated between 11 and 19 days of age and non-inoculated chickens acted as negative controls. In Trials 1, 2, and 3 a maximum of six different bacteria and two fungi were isolated and identified from the gnotobiotic units. Gnotobiotic units in Trial 4 remained germfree. Severity of the disease in gnotobiotic and battery-inoculated chickens was evaluated at 3 and 4 days postinoculation. External signs and gross lesions characteristic of IBD occurred in battery-inoculated and gnotobiotic-inoculated chickens in all four trials. Gross lesions involved the bursa, spleen, kidney, liver, and skeletal muscles. Microscopic lesions were seen in the bursa, spleen, thymus, kidney, and liver, but not in the cecal tonsil. There were no consistent differences in microscopic lesion scores (for the bursa, thymus, spleen, and kidney) between battery-inoculated and gnotobiotic-inoculated chickens within any trial. However, inoculated chickens in Trials 1 and 2 had higher lesion scores than the inoculated chickens in Trials 3 and 4. The presence or absence of microflora did not affect the severity of IBD in White Leghorns.
An experimental study of the generation and characteristics of a two-layer thermally stable environment

Abstract An experimental system has been developed to generate a thermally stratified, two-layer, environment in an enclosure, with air as the fluid. Such a stably stratified circumstance, in which an essentially isothermal heated layer overlies a relatively cooler isothermal layer, frequently arises in several practical problems such as those related to heat rejection, heat transfer from isolated thermal sources in confined regions, and enclosure fires. A detailed study of the thermal field is carried out to determine the basic characteristics of the stratified environment and the dependence of the physical parameters such as interface location and temperature level on the governing variables. The location of the interface, between the two layers can be controlled by varying the temperature and the velocity of the heated fluid discharged at the top of the enclosure for stratifying the enclosed region. It is found that the interface moves down as the Richardson number Ri, based on the conditions of the heated air entering at the top of enclosure, is increased. The stratification can be maintained essentially constant with time. Also, the temperature levels in the two zones can be varied over fairly wide ranges to simulate practical circumstances. The nature of such a stably stratified region is studied, particularly the effect of the inflow and outlet conditions.
Is there a bias against telephone interviews in qualitative research

Telephone interviews are largely neglected in the qualitative research literature and, when discussed, they are often depicted as a less attractive alternative to face-to-face interviewing. The absence of visual cues via telephone is thought to result in loss of contextual and nonverbal data and to compromise rapport, probing, and interpretation of responses. Yet, telephones may allow respondents to feel relaxed and able to disclose sensitive information, and evidence is lacking that they produce lower quality data. This apparent bias against telephone interviews contrasts with a growing interest in electronic qualitative interviews. Research is needed comparing these modalities, and examining their impact on data quality and their use for studying varying topics and populations. Such studies could contribute evidence-based guidelines for optimizing interview data.
Development and validation of a model predicting graft survival after liver transplantation

This study aimed to develop and validate a comprehensive model that predicts survival after liver transplantation based on pretransplant donor and recipient characteristics. Complete data were available from the United Network for Organ Sharing for 20,301 persons who underwent liver transplantation in the United States between 1994 and 2003. Proportional-hazards regression was used to identify the donor and recipient characteristics that best predicted survival and incorporate these characteristics in a multivariate model. A data-splitting approach was used to compare survival predicted by the model to the observed survival in samples not used in the derivation of the model. A model was derived using 4 donor characteristics (age, cold ischemia time, gender, and race/ethnicity) and 9 recipient characteristics (age, body max index, model for end-stage liver disease score, United Network for Organ Sharing priority status, gender, race/ethnicity, diabetes mellitus, cause of liver disease, and serum albumin) that adequately predicted survival after liver transplantation in patients without hepatitis C virus, and a slightly different model was used for patients with hepatitis C virus. The models illustrate that variations in both pretransplant donor and recipient characteristics have a large effect on posttransplant survival. In conclusion, the models presented here can be used to derive scores that are proportional to the excess risk of graft loss after liver transplantation for potential donors, recipients, or donor/recipient combinations. The models may be used to inform liver transplant candidates and their doctors what posttransplant survival would be expected when a given donor is offered and may be particularly helpful for marginal or high-risk donors. Liver Transpl, 2006. © 2006 AASLD.
X-ray absorption and magnetic studies of trivalent lanthanide ions sorbed on pristine and phosphate-modified boehmite surfaces

The feasibility of immobilizing radionuclides on mineral surfaces was examined in the absence and the presence of phosphate anions, using trivalent lanthanide ions (Eu3+, Gd3+, and Dy3+) as chemical analogues of trivalent actinide radionuclides. The amount of lanthanide ions (Ln3+) sorbed on boehmite (γ-AlOOH) surfaces dramatically increased in the presence of phosphate below pH 5. The structure of the sorbed lanthanide was determined by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. We proved Dy3+ forms precipitates on boehmite surfaces in the presence of phosphate, and Gd3+ both in the presence and the absence of phosphate. In the presence of phosphate, however, these rare-earth cations react to form ultrafine particles of LnPO4 surface precipitates on boehmite surfaces.
The interplay of nuclear and atomic physics in the synthesis of the elements

In many astronomical environments, physical conditions are so extreme that matter is almost completely ionized. The absence of bound atomic electrons can dramatically alter the decay rates of a number of radioactive nuclei. Several examples of this interplay of nuclear and atomic physics relevant to the synthesis of the chemical elements are described. 16 refs., 4 figs.
Macromolecular engineering by controlled/living ionic and radical polymerizations

Various methods for the synthesis of well-defined (co)polymers with controlled dimension, polydispersity, topology, composition and functionality are discussed. They include controlled/living vinyl polymerization using anionic, cationic and radical intermediates being in equilibria with dormant species. Special emphasis is placed on the radical polymerization and on the needs for the comprehensive structure property correlation.
Supplemented-orthogonalized-plane-wave expansion for energy-band calculations

We study the convergence of a plane-wave expansion supplemented (SOPW) by $d$ basis functions for $d$ states in iron [for hybridized states orthogonalized plane waves (OPW's) would be used]. We find a $d$ basis function which leads to convergence with only two sets of plane waves (to within 0.021 Ry), whereas the $d$ basis functions proposed by Deegan and Twose are 0.069 Ry from convergence. The advantages of the SOPW expansion over the augmented-plane-wave expansion for thin-film calculations are discussed.
Distorting Tendencies in Research on the Homeless

The authors argue that the most common research strategy used to study homeless individuals unwittingly presents a distorted picture of the very phenomenon it seeks to illuminate and understand.
Some effects of pulse irradiation on semiconductor devices

The effects of pulse irradiation upon majority and minority carrier properties of semiconductor devices are presented, with emphasis on those effects peculiar to radiation rates of the orderof 1016 neutrons/cm2 per second and 107 rontgens (?)/sec. Experimental data and semiconductor theory are employed to obtain expression for the dependence of device parameters on integrated neutron exposure in germanium and silicon. Comparisons are made of the effects produced by neutrons and ?-rays. Experimental data for the transient photo-voltaic effect observed in junction devices under pulse irradiation are discussed on the basis of current theory.
A synchronous reference frame sliding mode based estimator for the speed and flux magnitude of the induction motor drive

The paper discusses the problem of speed and rotor flux magnitude estimation for the induction motor (IM) drive and presents a sliding mode observer (SMO) that is constructed based on the IM model in the synchronous reference frame. To implement the control scheme of the IM drive, generally, the speed and the flux magnitude are needed. In a control scheme with speed and flux regulation, they are used for d and q axis feedback. If the current control scheme uses a decoupling compensator, the flux and speed are needed to compute the decoupling voltages. The paper develops a SM observer for the flux magnitude based on the synchronous reference frame model of the IM. The method assumes that the d-q voltages and currents are available. The observer requires knowledge of the motor speed - instead, the SMO is fed with a speed estimate (assumed inaccurate). Using a specific gain design, the SMO is made insensitive to the input speed inaccuracy. Using the equivalent controls of the observer, the initial speed estimate is corrected to obtain two secondary speed estimates. A weighted average speed estimate that combines the secondary estimates is also shown. The theoretical findings are supported with simulations.
Critical current states of superfluid 3He in a realistic channel

Abstract Recent experimental results have motivated renewed studies of superfluid 3He in confined geometries. A novel boundary condition by Rainer (Recent Progress in Many-Body Theories, Vol. 1, Plenum Press, New York, 1988) is applied for the first time to superfluid 3He in such configurations. Our study of the critical current in a thin channel with very diffuse boundaries served as a rigorous test of the boundary condition and verified its physicality in every detail observed. We observed a phase transition from a ‘bulk B phase-like’ to a ‘planar-like’ state for sufficiently narrow channels. This state is, apparently, absolutely stable only for channels thinner than the critical width. Nonetheless, it competed with the expected slab solution at all calculated widths and proved highly metastable.
Evidence against fluvial seeding of recurrent toxic blooms of Microcystis spp. in Lake Erie's western basin

Abstract For almost two decades, the western basin of Lake Erie has been plagued with recurring toxic algal blooms dominated by the colonial cyanobacterium, Microcystis spp. Since the Maumee River is a major source of nutrients and sediment inputs into the lake, and Microcystis spp. has been identified as a member of the upstream river algal assemblage, the possibility exists that the river Microcystis species serve as a seed population for the toxic blooms occurring in the lake. Genetic profiling of toxic cyanobacteria using the microcystin synthesis gene, mcyA , clearly indicates that the toxic cyanobacteria of the river are distinct from the toxic Microcystis spp. of Lake Erie. Indeed, mcyA sequences are almost exclusively from toxic Planktothrix spp., similar to what has been documented previously for Sandusky Bay. UniFrac statistical analysis of cyanobacterial community composition by comparison of 16S–23S ITS sequences also show that the Maumee River and Lake Erie communities are distinct. Overall, these data show that despite the importance of nutrient inputs and sediments from the river, the toxic cyanobacterial blooms of Lake Erie do not originate from toxic species endemic to the Maumee River and instead must originate elsewhere, most likely from the lake sediments.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: A Zero Tolerance Professor and Student Registration Choices

College and university faculty and administrators are responsible for constructing academic honesty policies and communicating them to students. This is often attempted through institutional honesty policies and university-wide honor codes. While these approaches have been widely researched, less attention has been given to the role of individual faculty members. That role is examined in this study by addressing student reactions to professors based on their academic honesty policies. In addition to demographic information, data were gathered about student attitudes and beliefs concerning academic dishonesty and their decision to enroll in or avoid a course being taught by a professor with zero tolerance for academic dishonesty. The findings regarding different instructors’ approaches toward academic dishonesty indicate that an intolerant policy will keep dishonest students away, but at a price—it will also detract many honest students.
Boinding of S35-Labeled Sulfate in Serum of Rats as Studied by Filter-Paper Electrophoresis.∗

SummaryThe binding of S35-labeled sulfate in rat serum has been investigated by filter paper electrophoresis. About 40% of the whole serum S35-sulfate activity was found to be combined with a serum constituent having the electrophoretic mobility of an α1-globulin. Although the chemical identity of the labeled substance has not yet been established, the results of these experiments suggest that it may be a protein with a sulfonated carbohydrate prosthetic group.
Signal peptide peptidases: a family of intramembrane-cleaving proteases that cleave type 2 transmembrane proteins.

Five genes encode the five human signal peptide peptidases (SPPs), which are intramembrane-cleaving aspartyl proteases (aspartyl I-CLiPs). SPPs have been conserved through evolution with family members found in higher eukaryotes, fungi, protozoa, arachea, and plants. SPPs are related to the presenilin family of aspartyl I-CLiPs but differ in several key aspects. Presenilins (PSENs) and SPPs both cleave the transmembrane region of membrane proteins; however, PSENs cleave type 1 membrane proteins whereas SPPs cleave type 2 membrane proteins. Though the overall homology between SPPs and PSENs is minimal, they are multipass membrane proteins that contain two conserved active site motifs YD and GxGD in adjacent membrane-spanning domains and a conserved PAL motif of unknown function near their COOH-termini. They differ in that the active site YD and GxGD containing transmembrane domains of SPPs are inverted relative to PSENs, thus, orienting the active site in a consistent topology relative to the substrate. At least two of the human SPPs (SPP and SPPL3) appear to function without additional cofactors, but PSENs function as a protease, called γ-secretase, only when complexed with Nicastrin, APH-1 and Pen-2. The biological roles of SPP are largely unknown, and only a few endogenous substrates for SPPs have been identified. Nevertheless there is emerging evidence that SPP family members are highly druggable and may regulate both essential physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. Further study of the SPP family is needed in order to understand their biological roles and their potential as therapeutic targets.
Long-time existence of quasilinear wave equations exterior to star-shaped obstacles via energy methods

We establish long-time existence results for quasilinear wave equations in the exterior of star-shaped obstacles. To do so, we prove an analogue of the mixed-norm estimates of Keel, Smith, and Sogge for the perturbed wave equation. The arguments that are presented rely only upon the invariance of the wave operator under translations and spatial rotations.
Characterization of porous substrates for biochemical energy conversion devices

Bimolecules have demonstrated the potential to function as active components in energy harvesting devices, biosensors and bioinspired actuators. The bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) formed from lipid molecules and supported in the pores of porous substrates is the standard platform for fabricating the biomolecule based devices. The techniques for forming BLM in an in-vitro environment like lipid painting, Lagmuir-Blodgett, Langmuir-Schaffer and lipid folding methods were developed by researchers in the biophysical community to investigate the properties of membrane bound proteins. While all of these methods can form a BLM and has been used in laboratory research for few decades, they are not equally well-suited for fabricating an engineering device. Of the different methods, the lipid deposition technique for BLM self-assembly and protein insertion is the closest in its qualities to an engineering prototyping method. This article presents a detailed electrical model of the substrates and the BLM formed in the pores from SOPC, POPS:POPE and DPhPC lipids using lipid deposition technique. The equivalent circuits of the substrates and the BLM are used to interrogate the quality of the BLM by impedance spectroscopy. The deviations of the prepared BLMs from desirable parameters are traced to the preparation procedure that could be used as a feedback information for fabricating a single BLM in the pores of the substrate. The impedance response is also used to understand the change in electrical properties of BLMs formed in an array of pores of a multi-porous substrate.
EVIDENCE FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM IN ENDEMIC CRETINISM IN BRAZIL

Abstract Twelve apparently euthyroid patients from Goiaz, Brazil, with the neurological form of endemic cretinism manifested by mental retardation, short stature, upper-motor-neurone disease, deaf-mutism, and multinodular goitre were studied. Although standard thyroid-function studies were normal, subtle evidence of thyroid dysfunction was uncovered. Three of the twelve had total and free thyroxine levels slightly below normal; six had raised basal thyrotrophin levels; five had an increased thyrotrophin response to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (T.R.H.); and six had a diminished thyroidal response to T.R.H. In contrast, pituitary response to gonadotrophin-releasing hormone was normal. The demonstration that cretins previously thought to be euthyroid do indeed have evidence of thyroidal failure supports the view that these patients were hypothyroid during a critical stage of embryogenesis, resulting in irreversible neurological damage.
Unexpected effects of masking: differential EDR conditioning without relational learning.

The issue of whether the autonomic activity of intellectually capable human Ss can be differentially conditioned without their knowledge of the CS-UCS relations is examined. Results from two recent studies are presented showing that differential electrodermal conditioning can be obtained when Ss are distracted from recognition of the CS-UCS relations by embedding the conditional stimuli in a probability learning task. The characteristics of conditioning with and without awareness of the stimulus relations are described, and evaluated for accord with Razran's (1955) propositions regarding relational learning and “true’ conditioning.
Heat transfer reduction in manipulated turbulent boundary layers

Abstract Turbulent boundary layers over a mildly heated plate were successfully manipulated by a set of large-eddy breakup devices in tandem. Significant skin friction and heat transfer reduction were achieved with a single pair of manipulators, and larger and longer lasting effects were attained with doubly stacked LEBUs. The results were very sensitive to the angle of attack of the manipulators, with small negative values yielding substantial skin friction and heat transfer increase. The manipulators were slightly more effective at modifying momentum transfer than heat transfer, suggesting different transport mechanisms with different relaxation lengths.
High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Phenylenediamines in Aqueous Environmental Samples

Abstract The use of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the determination of phenylenediamines has been studied. Detection limits using both ultraviolet (UV) and electrochemical (EC) detectors have been determined and EC is superior in most cases. Chromatographic conditions and sample preparation procedures are described for many phenylenediamines of environmental significance.
A systems philosophy of human values

Contemporary general systems theory encompasses systems science and technology, as well as systems philosophy. The latter is the growing edge where conceptual innovations are explored and their relevance to concrete problems examined. Philosophical value theory can be reconstructed in the framework of systems philosophy by conceiving of values as expressions of various states of adaptation of the individual to his biological and sociocultural environment. Hereby the way is opened to a science of normative values, defining patterns of optimum physical and mental development in persons. The basic conceptual map underlying this program is constructed in reference to contemporary theories of value and system-environment interaction patterns.
Nonactivated and activated glucocorticoid-receptor complexes in WEHI-7 and rat thymus cells

Abstract Our own results and those of others have indicated that nonactivated glucocorticoid-receptor complexes are oligomeric proteins with Stokes radius R s = 8–9 nm, and that activation is accompanied by a reduction in size to R s = 5–6 nm. The most convincing evidence for the large size of the nonactivated compared to the activated complex has been obtained with cytosols stabilized with molybdate. It has been suggested, however, that molybdate causes aggregation of complexes. Here we show that nonactivated rat thymus complexes in cytosols with molybdate and 400 M KCl have R s = 8 nm. Furthermore, cytosols from WEHI-cells, which are exceptionally stable, show clear indications of 8 nM nonactivated complexes even without molybdate. The principal complexes in thymus cells under physiological conditions are the nonactivated, activated and nuclear-bound forms. We have studied the rapid kinetics of formation and interconversion of these complexes in intact cells at 37°C, using our newly-developed mini-column procedure to assay nonactivated and activated complexes. These kinetic results, along with many earlier results, can be accounted for quantitatively with a simple cyclic (irreversible) model in which the dissociation rate constant of the steroid plays a key role. The model predicts correctly the different degrees of activation in the cell with glucocorticoids such as triamcinolone acetonide and dexamethasone on the one hand, and cortisol and corticosterone on the other, without assuming steroid-specific allosteric influences of each of these steroids on the receptor.
Perceived cancer-related financial difficulty: implications for patient satisfaction with quality of life in advanced cancer

Goals of work Cancer and its treatment often lead to financial difficulty in patients with advanced cancer. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived cancer-related financial difficulty and patient satisfaction with quality of life (QoL) in advanced cancer.
Automating the development of a conceptual schema

An automative file design aid is proposed. The aid will generate a conceptual view of the data by merging user's functional views. A directed graph is used to represent the relationships within the conceptual schema. The procedure will input user relationships and convert the set of relationships into a conceptual schema. The functional view is represented by the hierarchical model, while the conceptual view utilizes the relational model.
Thin bases for finite abelian groups

Abstract Let h ≥ 2 be any integer, let c = h(1 + 2 −1 h ) h − 1 . In this paper, it is proved that every finite abelian group G contains a subset A such that hA = G and |A| ≤ c |G| 1 h , where hA denotes the set of all sums of h not necessarily distinct elements in A, and |A| denotes the cardinality of the set A.
Phosphorylation of the Group A Streptococcal CovR Response Regulator Causes Dimerization and Promoter-Specific Recruitment by RNA Polymerase

The group A streptococcus (GAS), Streptococcus pyogenes, is an important human pathogen that causes infections ranging in severity from self-limiting pharyngitis to severe invasive diseases that are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The pathogenic effects of GAS are mediated by the expression of virulence factors, one of which is the hyaluronic acid capsule (encoded by genes in the has operon). The expression of these virulence factors is controlled by the CovR/S (CsrR/S) two-component regulatory system of GAS which regulates, directly or indirectly, the expression of about 15% of the genome. CovR is a member of the OmpR/PhoB family of transcriptional regulators. Here we show that phosphorylation by acetyl phosphate results in dimerization of CovR. Dimerization was not observed using a D53A mutant of CovR, indicating that D53 is the site of phosphorylation in CovR. Phosphorylation stimulated binding of CovR to a DNA fragment containing the promoter of the has operon (Phas) approximately twofold. Binding of CovR D53A mutant protein to Phas was indistinguishable from the binding of wild-type unphosphorylated CovR. In vitro transcription, using purified GAS RNA polymerase, showed that wild-type CovR repressed transcription, and repression was stimulated more than sixfold by phosphorylation. In the presence of RNA polymerase, binding at Phas of phosphorylated, but not unphosphorylated, CovR was stimulated about fourfold, which accounts for the difference in the effect of phosphorylation on repression versus DNA binding. Thus, regulation of Phas by CovR is direct, and the degree of repression of Phas is controlled by the phosphorylation of CovR.
Reduced distal embolization with transluminal extraction atherectomy compared to balloon angioplasty for saphenous vein graft disease.

Extraction atherectomy utilizes suction aspiration as an attempt to limit distal emboll during atherectomy. We sought to test the hypothesis that extraction atherectomy produces less distal embolization than balloon angioplasty when treating saphenous vein grafts. Among 163 consecutive, nonrandomized patients, 103 patients underwent transluminal extraction catheter (TEC)® atherectomy with or without adjunctive balloon angioplasty, and 60 patients had conventional balloon angioplasty. Both groups showed comparably high procedural success rates (TEC 90.3%, angioplasty 83.3%, P = NS). TEC cases had a significantly lower incidence of angiographic distal embolization, compared with angioplasty (3.9% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.005). In cases with angiographic evidence of thrombus in the grafts, TEC maintained a significantly lower incidence of distal embolization than angioplasty (5.6% vs. 31.8%, P = 0.004). There were no statistical differences between the two groups regarding the incidence of other procedure-related complications, including death, myocardial infarction, or emergency coronary artery bypass grafting. TEC atherectomy appears to have a significantly lower incidence of distal embolization than balloon angioplasty when treating saphenous vein grafts, particularly in the presence of angiographically apparent thrombus. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comment on "Anderson's Personality Trait Words: Has Their Meaning Changed?"

Examined differences in liking ratings of personality trait words for two scalings conducted 10 years apart. Results revealed that the minor differences which existed were probable due to statistical regression rather than meaning change.
Organizational Approaches to Drug Law Enforcement by Local Police Departments in the United States: Specialized Drug Units and Participation in Multi-Agency Drug Task Forces:

This paper examines the factors associated with the decision of local police departments in the United States to operate specialized drug units or to participate in multi-jurisdictional drug task forces. Combining data from the Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) Survey, the 2000 Census, and the Uniform Crime Report, we use both bivariate and multivariate methods to conduct the analysis. The findings indicate that county-level agencies, those with other formalized drug control efforts, high levels of violent crime, high degrees of task specialization and formalization, and high proportions of the resident population accounted for by renters were more likely to operate drug units, participate in multi-agency drug task forces, and allocate more officers per capita to these efforts.
Relational Information in Sentence Memory

This paper is concerned with the coding and retrieval of relational or case information in sentences. Two experiments test the strong dependence hypothesis that relational information is checked in a secondary stage following the retrieval of facts from memory, where facts are retrieved on the basis of concept-overlap alone. In particular, memory for agent and object relational information in simple reversible sentences was investigated. The first experiment showed that relational information affected the reaction time and accuracy of the falsification of sentences that could have been rejected on the basis of content information alone. The second experiment approached the same issues using a recall procedure. It demonstrated the existence of some relational memory, even in the absence of any content recall. Both sets of data argued against the dependence hypothesis, but were compatible with the hypothesis that relational information is neither dependent on, nor secondary to, content information. The current findings and previous results concerning the impact of relational distinctions on interference effects are discussed in the context of the desirable properties of information retrieval systems.
Crack Bifurcation at the Surface of Laminar Ceramics That Exhibit a Threshold Strength

Previous literature has shown that when a crack extends across a compressive layer within a two-phase laminar ceramic, the crack can bifurcate under special conditions. These special conditions appeared to require that a second crack (known as an edge-crack) had to preexist along the center line of the compressive layer. Here, it is shown that a crack can exhibit bifurcation without the formation of an edge-crack. It was found that a critical combination of residual compressive stress and layer thickness exists in which edge-cracking of the layer does not occur, yet the crack bifurcates when entering the compressive layer. Additionally, it was observed that crack bifurcation only occurs within the surface region of the compressive layer, while within the bulk, the crack extends straight across the compressive layer. These observations strongly suggest that the stresses on the surface of the compressive layer, which are known to be different from those within the bulk, will encourage crack bifurcation.
The importance of species identification and location on interspecific territorial defense by the damselfish, Stegastes fasciolatus

The Hawaiian damselfish, Stegastes fasciolatus, defends an all-purpose territory on shallow-water reefs. By conceptually dividing each territory into 3 horizontal and 2 vertical zones, each intruder into the territory was recorded by species, zones violated, and reaction of the resident. Intruders included 3 herbivorous, 7 omnivorous, and 2 carnivorous species. A BMDP ‘4F’ analysis for multiway tables was applied to examine the relationships between the proximate causal factors eliciting the chase response by a resident. Species of intruder and their position in the territory had an additive effect on the chase response, with position in the territory as the less important factor. Distance from the bottom was not indicated as an important factor. The ecological implications of these results are discussed.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas

Squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas is a controversial entity. Although some reports show that it is metastatic from another source, others demonstrate that it is a primary tumor. Between 1988 and 1997, fourteen cases of pancreatic squamous cell carcinoma were identified in the records of our pathology department. In seven instances the features were consistent with squamous cell carcinoma with no adenomatous component. The records of six of these patients were available for review and constitute the basis for this report. Five patients were diagnosed by means of percutaneous CT-guided fine-needle aspiration, whereas the sixth patient was diagnosed using a transduodenal core needle biopsy. At the time of diagnosis four patients had lung lesions, three patients had liver lesions, and two patients had lytic bone lesions. One patient had a 6 cm esophageal lesion. Surgical intervention had no impact on treatment or palliation in one of the patients. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy, alone or in combination, were ineffective in all patients. Median survival from the time of diagnosis was 2 months. We conclude that in cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the pancreas, every effort should be made to exclude adenomatous components histologically within the tumor and to exclude another primary source of squamous cell carcinoma. This will allow a better understanding of this entity and a refinement of therapy.
Dietary manipulations influence sucrose acceptance in diet induced obese mice

The current studies examined the influence of a high fat diet on sucrose acceptance in diet induced obese (DIO) mice. C57BL/6J mice were placed on either a 45 kcal% fat diet (group DIO), or a control 10% kcal fat diet (group control) for 12 weeks followed by sucrose consumption tests and dietary manipulations. After 12 weeks exposure, body weights of DIO mice significantly exceeded those of the control mice. During subsequent sucrose consumption tests, DIO mice showed suppression in the total number of licks relative to controls. In a second experiment, consumption tests with water and a variety of sucrose concentrations revealed a hypophagic phenotype in naive DIO mice. Licking microstructure analyses were conducted on the licking behavior of all mice, which revealed a reduction in burst size and number for DIO mice. Subsequently, we examined whether 10 days exposure to regular lab chow would alter sucrose consumption and taste evaluation in DIO mice. As a result of this dietary switch, all mice showed comparable licking behavior suggesting that exposure to the high-fat diet and diet-induced obesity may reduce preferences for other tastants in C57BL/6J mice.
Mapping thermospheric winds in the auroral zone

A new all-sky imaging Fabry-Perot (ASIFP) spectrometer has been developed for ground-based mapping of upper atmospheric wind and temperature fields in the auroral zone. Although several other ASIFP spectrometers exist for atmospheric studies [Rees et al., 1984; Sekar et al., 1993; Biondi et al., 1995] these instruments have all operated with etalons of fixed optical gap, a method potentially subject to errors in the presence of auroral intensity gradients. In this instrument the etalon plate spacing is scanned periodically over one order of interference and each photon detected is assigned to a wavelength interval which is determined from both its arrival location on the detector and the etalon plate spacing prevailing at the detection time. Spectra accumulated this way are not distorted by spatial intensity gradients. Preliminary λ630 nm observations were made during the winter of 1994/95 from Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska. To illustrate some of the features we have observed in this study we present line-of-sight wind estimates derived for the night of December 7, 1994. The background wind matches averages presented previously by Sica et al. [1986] and is consistent with winds driven principally by momentum deposition from ionospheric plasma convection through ion-drag. Smaller scale curvature and divergence features are also discernable and are discussed.
Selective inhibition with sodium cyanate of protein synthesis in colon cancer cells.

Sodium cyanate, which in its tautomeric acidic form, isocyanic acid, acts as a protein carbamylating reagent, has been previously shown to inhibit selectively both DNA and protein synthesis in a variety of solid tumors. We have now compared its effects on protein synthesis in normal colonic epithelium and in colon tumors induced by the administration of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine to rats. The incorporation of 3H-amino acids into cytoplasmic and nuclear protein fractions was suppressed to a much greater extent in the tumor tissue than in colonic epithelial tissue surrounding the tumors of cyanate-treated rats. Despite its effect on tumor protein synthesis in whole animals, cyanate had little or no effect on cultured cells (HT-29) derived from a human adenocarcinoma of the colon, nor on other malignant cell lines such as HeLa S3 cells, chick fibroblasts transformed by the Rous sarcoma virus, mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, or rat Novikoff hepatoma cells. However, the administration of cyanate i.p. does suppress amino acid incorporation by Novikoff hepatoma cells in the peritoneal cavity of rats. The implication that the mechanism of cyanate inhibition of protein synthesis in tumors may require its in vivo metabolism or utilization to produce a postsynthetic modification of circulatory factors is discussed.