cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental and numerical analysis of the energy performance of building windows with solar NIR-driven plasmonic photothermal effects

Abstract Thin films made of metallic nanoparticles can exhibit strong photothermal effects (PPE) on near-infrared light irradiation, paving a way for new designs of spectrally selective building windows for solar infrared modulation that operates without the need to compensate for visible transmittance. More importantly, the surface plasmon-induced light-to-heat conversion creates strong localized heating effects with a much smaller fraction resulting in the heating of the substrate. Incorporating such nanoscale PPE into the design of complex building fenestrations, this research conducted a comprehensive analysis to better understand the PPE-induced heating effect and conductive, convective, and radiative heat exchanges between windowpane surfaces and the surrounding indoor and outdoor environments. The authors first developed and then validated a numerical analysis method to incorporate spectral features, solar spectral irradiance, and nanoscale PPE. Subsequently, using the established numerical method, two-dimensional windowpane temperature profiles and solar heat gains were yielded under different boundary conditions. To understand the energy performance of windows with solar near-infrared-dependent PPE, a series of parametric energy simulations was employed. The results show the photothermal coating can be used as a new energy-efficient retrofit technology for single-pane windows, with heating energy saving 16.2–20.8%, which performs similar to the double pane windows. Notably, these energy savings were not achieved by increasing the thermal insulation via additional layers or insulating materials, but rather by the spectrally selective design of glazing materials and utilization of solar near-infrared energy. This work presents the energy saving mechanism on an architectural scale due to the nanoscale surface plasmon-induced photothermal effect and associated heat gain coefficient enhancement. It also poses a fundamental reference for the future integration of this novel nanoscale phenomenon into the building envelope systems.
Research Associating Gender and Government Privatization: Lessons from International Literature

It is well known that prominent features of the New Public Management movement include market-like mechanisms, such as privatization and outsourcing in the public sector. It is also known that in the quest for efficiency and effectiveness, public sector values may slip through the cracks, including the protection of women’s interests. As governments have not yet been able to eliminate the need to protect women’s interests amidst an ever changing and expanding global economy, it is likely that once responsibilities associated with protecting women’s interests are privatized, government has even less control over outcomes and fewer incentives to regain control, which can further disenfranchise women. This study reviews several studies that have examined the association between government privatization and outsourcing and women, an area of inquiry that remains vastly understudied. The reviewed studies shed light on the examined association in Italy, India and the United States. As DeLysa Burnier (2003) stated, American public administration has a “gender room” that has not been fully established; this paper suggests gender work related to privatization is in need of further empirical attention that will have academic and practical implications.
Investigation of the cellular mechanism of apoptosis in renal failure during sepsis

Sepsis, a condition that affects 750,000 people per year, is characterized as a severe inflammatory response to infection. Patients exhibit highly increased concentrations of circulating cytokines as a result of their immune response. Consequently, end-organ failure observed in many septic patients has been linked to these increased cytokine levels, with tissue damage resulting, at least in part, via apoptosis. Specifically, acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by sepsis is a serious problem, and is poorly characterized. This study aims to determine the cellular mechanism of apoptosis during sepsis using an in vitro model of sepsis-induced AKI. Cultured kidney cells were treated with either cytokines secreted from THP1 cells exposed to LPS, or recombinant cytokines. Then, MTT assays, at various times post-exposure, were used to measure changes in cell viability. Furthermore, flow cytometry of whole cells stained with Annexin-V-FITC determined specifically the amount of apoptosis incurred. Our results show a ...
COMPARATIVE DYNAMICS OF FOUR SMOKING WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOM SCALES

Aims To examine the association of person-specific trajectories of withdrawal symptoms of urge-to-smoke, negative affect, physical symptoms and hunger during the first 7 days after smoking cessation with abstinence at end of treatment (EOT) and at 6 months. Design Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to model person-specific trajectory parameters (level, slope, curvature and volatility) for withdrawal symptoms. Setting University-based smoking cessation trials. Participants Treatment-seeking smokers in clinical trials of transdermal nicotine versus nicotine spray (n = 514) and bupropion versus placebo (n = 421). Measurements Self-reported withdrawal symptoms for 7 days after the planned quit date, and 7-day point prevalence and continuous abstinence at EOT and 6 months. Findings In regressions that included trajectory parameters for one group of withdrawal symptoms, both urge-to-smoke and negative affect were predictive of abstinence while physical symptoms and hunger were generally not predictive. In stepwise regressions that included the complete set of trajectory parameters across withdrawal symptoms (for urge-to-smoke, negative affect, physical symptoms and hunger), with a single exception only the trajectory parameters for urge-to-smoke were predictive. Area under the receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.594 for covariates alone, and 0.670 for covariates plus urge-to-smoke trajectory parameters. Conclusions Among a number of different withdrawal symptoms (urge-to-smoke, negative affect, physical symptoms and hunger) urge-to-smoke trajectory parameters (level, slope and volatility) over the first 7 days of smoking cessation show the strongest prediction of both short- and long-term relapse. Other withdrawal symptoms increase the predictive ability by negligible amounts.
Gout of the temporomandibular joint. Report of three cases.

Abstract Three cases in which pain in the temporomandibular joint was diagnosed as gout were successfully treated. The possibility exists that dentists and physicians may be missing or misdiagnosing gout of the temporomandibular joint.
Changes in corneal morphology associated with chronic epithelial injury.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic epithelial scrape injury on corneal morphology. METHODS The corneal epithelia in one eye of 8-week-old New Zealand White rabbits were scraped at weekly intervals. Central corneal thickness was measured by ultrasonic pachymetry before epithelial scrape each week. Control never wounded (C), chronic wounded with scrape the last week (W), and chronic wounded without scrape the last week (WW) corneas were processed for histologic analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The time intervals for histologic analysis were 4 (4 C, 2 W, 2 WW), 8 (4 C, 2 W, 2 WW), and 16 (7 C, 2 W, 5 WW) weeks. Histologic findings were monitored using hematoxylin and eosin staining, the TdT-dUTP terminal nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, and TEM. RESULTS Chronic wounded corneas developed marked epithelial hyperplasia and a subepithelial acellular zone. Keratocytes undergoing apoptosis were primarily detected adjacent to the acellular zone by TUNEL assay and TEM. Total central corneal thickness measured by ultrasonic pachymetry (n=7) was significantly thinner in chronically scraped eyes compared with control eyes after 8, 12, and 16 weeks (P < 0.05). Control corneas increased in total thickness over the 16 weeks of the study, but there was no significant change in total thickness of the corneas that had chronic epithelial scrape injury over this time interval. Two scraped corneas had marked decreases in total corneal thickness relative to the corneal thickness at the beginning of the study. Epithelial hyperplasia developed in all scraped corneas examined histologically after 4, 8, or 16 weeks of scraping. When central epithelial thickness measured on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections was subtracted from the total pachymetric corneal thickness to give approximate stromal thickness, the stromal thickness was 23% lower in the chronic wounded (277+/-15 microm) compared with the unwounded (356+/-6 microm) corneas (P=0.0008) after 16 weeks of wounding. CONCLUSIONS Chronic epithelial injury induces stromal thinning and epithelial hyperplasia. These changes in cornea structure associated with chronic epithelial injury may have relevance to the pathophysiology of keratoconus.
Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis: a focus on the EIF2AK4 mutation in onset and pathogenesis

Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) is a pulmonary vascular disease that mainly affects small capillaries in the lung, and is often misdiagnosed as pulmonary arterial hypertension or pulmonary veno-occlusive disease due to similarities in their clinical presentations, prognosis, and management. In patients who are symptomatic, there is a high mortality rate with median survival of 3 years after diagnosis. Both idiopathic and familial PCH cases are being reported, indicating there is genetic component in disease etiology. Mutations in the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α kinase 4 (EIF2AK4) gene were identified in familial and idiopathic PCH cases, suggesting EIF2AK4 is a genetic risk factor for PCH. EIF2AK4 mutations were identified in 100% (6/6) of autosomal recessively inherited familial PCH and 20% (2/10) of sporadic PCH cases. EIF2AK4 is a member of serine/threonine kinases. It downregulates protein synthesis in response to a variety of cellular stress such as hypoxia, viral infection, and amino acid deprivation. Bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) is a major genetic risk factor in pulmonary arterial hypertension and EIF2AK4 potentially connects with BMPR2 to cause PCH. L-Arginine is substrate of nitric oxide synthase, and L-arginine is depleted during the production of nitric oxide, which may activate EIF2AK4 to inhibit protein synthesis and negatively regulate vasculogenesis. Mammalian target of rapamycin and EIF2α kinase are two major pathways for translational regulation. Mutant EIF2AK4 could promote proliferation of small pulmonary arteries by crosstalk with mammalian targets of the rapamycin signaling pathway. EIF2AK4 may regulate angiogenesis by modulating the immune system in PCH pathogenesis. The mechanisms of abnormal capillary angiogenesis are suggested to be similar to that of tumor vascularization. Specific therapies were developed according to pathogenesis and are proved to be effective in reported cases. Targeting the EIF2AK4 pathway may provide a novel therapy for PCH.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE OF MYXOMA VIRUS AND SOME REACTIVABLE DERIVATIVES

Padgett, Billie L. (University of Wisconsin, Madison), Margaret J. Wright, Anne Jayne, and Duard L. Walker. Electron microscopic structure of myxoma virus and some reactivable derivatives. J. Bacteriol. 87:454-460. 1964.-The phosphotungstate negative staining technique was used to study the fine structure of myxoma virus particles and of reactivable derivatives in an electron microscope. Two general types of particles were observed in preparations of myxoma virus grown in rabbit kidney cells in tissue culture. The most common form is rounded or rectangular, with an average length and width of 296 by 254 mmu. The surface of this type of particle is convoluted, and is composed of tubular elements arranged in a complex fashion; the particle is frequently surrounded by a membrane. The second form, which was seen less frequently, is more rectangular and slightly larger. It has a closely fitting membrane, a finely granular surface, and the only internal structures discernible are present in a zone about 150 A wide, just beneath the membrane. Reactivable myxoma virus particles were prepared by treating myxoma virus with heat, urea, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and ethyl ether. The appearance of the particles after inactivation by heat, urea, and sodium dodecyl sulfate is described.
Design of experiments combined with high-throughput experimentation for the optimization of DeNOx catalysts

Abstract Design of experiments in combination with high-throughput experimentation (HTE) is a powerful toolbox for the systematic study of vast parameter spaces encountered in the design and optimization of heterogeneous catalysts. We will present the general approach as applied to NO x storage and reduction (NSR) catalysts using response surface analysis. Empirical models were developed to predict the catalyst performance as a function of cycle time, lean fraction of cycle time, and catalyst composition. These models provide useful insight about the factors controlling the NO x storage and NO x conversion of NSR catalysts. Using these empirical models, new catalyst formulations that maximize NO x conversion and selectivity to N 2 were found. In addition, high-throughput experimentation allows for simultaneous synthesis and screening of large arrays of different materials which further accelerates the discovery and optimization process. We have also tested a variety of new materials for NSR applications, composed of different transition metals added to standard Pt/Ba-based NSR catalysts, and have discovered that a noble metal free 5Co/15Ba catalyst stores NO x as efficiently as a standard 1Pt/15Ba NSR catalyst. Using the response surface strategy we have verified that the addition of Co to NSR catalsyts improves the performance at higher lean fractions, allowing a substantial improvement in the fuel efficiency. These studies clearly establish the utility of HTE when combined with design of experiments for the efficient analysis of such vast multidimensional systems and for the discovery of new materials, which is the guiding factor for any major technological advances.
Neurokinin-1 Receptor (NK1-R) Expression in the Brains of SIV-Infected Rhesus Macaques: Implications for Substance P in NK1-R Immune Cell Trafficking into the CNS

Recent studies suggest a link between neuropsychiatric disorders and HIV/SIV infection. Most evidence indicates that monocytes/macrophages are the primary cell type infected within the CNS and that they contribute to CNS inflammation and neurological disease. Substance P (SP), a pleotropic neuropeptide implicated in inflammation, depression, and immune modulation via interaction with its cognate receptor, the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1-R), is produced by monocyte/macrophages. While the presence of NK1-R on neurons is well known, its role on cells of the immune system such as monocyte/macrophages is just beginning to emerge. Therefore, we have examined the expression of SP and NK1-R and their relationship to SIV/HIV encephalitis (SIVE/HIVE) lesions and SIV-infected cells. These studies demonstrated intense expression of SP and NK1-R in SIVE lesions, with macrophages being the principal cell expressing NK1-R. Interestingly, all of the SIV-infected macrophages expressed NK1-R. Additionally, we examined the functional role of SP as a proinflammatory mediator of monocyte activation and chemotaxis. These studies demonstrated that treatment of monocytes with SP elicited changes in cell-surface expression for CCR5 and NK1-R in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, pretreatment with SP enhanced both SP- and CCL5-mediated chemotaxis. All of these findings suggest that SP and NK1-R are important in SIV infection of macrophages and the development of SIVE lesions.
Changes in diversity of cultured bacteria resistant to erythromycin and tetracycline in swine manure during simulated composting and lagoon storage.

UNLABELLED This study investigated the impact of composting and lagoon storage on survival and change in diversity of tetracycline-resistant (Tc(r) ) and erythromycin-resistant (Em(r) ) bacteria and the resistance genes they carry in swine manure. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial design: composting vs lagoon storage and 0 vs 1% Surround WP Crop Protectant (a clay product) in three replicates. After 48 days of treatments, resistant bacteria were enumerated by selective plating and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The erm and the tet gene(s) carried by the resistant isolates were screened using class-specific PCR assays. The plate counts of Tc(r) and Em(r) bacteria decreased by 4-7 logs by composting, but only by 1-2 logs by the lagoon treatment. During the treatments, Acinetobacter gave way to Pseudomonas and Providencia as the largest resistant genera. The clay product had little effect on survival or diversity of resistant bacteria. Of six classes of erm and seven classes of tet genes tested, changes in prevalence were also noted. The results indicate that composting can dramatically shift Tc(r) and Em(r) bacterial populations, and composting can be an effective and practical approach to decrease dissemination of antibiotic resistance from swine farms to the environment. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The presented research provided evidence that composting is much more effective than lagoon storage in dramatically decreasing culturable bacteria resistant to erythromycin and tetracycline in swine manure. Considerable diversity changes of resistant bacteria were also demonstrated during composting or lagoon storage. Overall, Acinetobacter was the major resistant genus in untreated swine manure, but pseudomonads and Providencia became the major resistant genera after the treatments. This is the first study that investigated diversity changes of cultured bacteria resistant to these two antibiotics during composting and lagoon storage of swine manure. New genes encoding resistance to the two antibiotics were also implied in the cultured isolates.
Help-seeking from public authorities: Who arrives at the agency door?

For ordinary citizens, political life is increasingly characterized by a request for a check, not a trip to the polls. Yet for all their frequency, very little is known about help-seeking encounters. This article asks the question “Who gets to the agency door?” or, more formally, “How do individuals decide to apply for public social benefits or services, and what does that decision signify?” Three topics are explored. The first defines help-seeking as a type of political participation. The second conceptualizes the process by which individuals decide to seek help from public social agencies. The third presents an agenda for research and action on the politics of help-seeking.
Lessons from Sickle Cell Disease in the Treatment and Control of Malaria

Persons with sickle cell disease and carriers of the trait are protected against malaria. A study of mice infected with a plasmodium species similar to Plasmodium falciparum provides insight into how the severity of infection in humans may be modulated.
Immunotherapy for Mold Allergy

The objective of this article is to review the available studies regarding mold immunotherapy. A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE to identify peer-reviewed articles related to mold immunotherapy using the following keywords: mold, allergy, asthma, and immunotherapy. In addition, references cited within these articles were also reviewed. Articles were selected based on their relevance to the topic. Allergic responses to inhaled mold antigens are a recognized factor in allergic rhinitis and asthma. There are significant problems with respect to the production of relevant allergen material for the diagnosis and treatment of mold allergy with immunotherapy. Mold allergens contain proteases and should not be mixed with other allergens for immunotherapy. Most of the immunotherapy studies focus on two molds, Alternaria and Cladosporium. There is a lack of randomized placebo-controlled trials when evaluating the efficacy of mold immunotherapy with trials only focusing on immunotherapy to Alternaria and Cladosporium. Additional studies are needed regarding mold allergy and immunotherapy focusing on which molds are important for causing allergic disease.
Molecular predictors of survival after adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer.

Background Adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival among patients with stage III colon cancer, but no reliable molecular predictors of outcome have been identified. Methods We evaluated loss of chr...
Free actions of virtually FC-groups

If an infinite group G admits a free action by a group of automorphisms A which is virtually an FC-group and which has only finitely many orbits, then G is isomorphic to the additive group of a field and the action is that of a group of semilinear transformations.
A digital word generator

Abstract A system capable of producing digital words is described. Its principle of operation is based on a multistage current switch. Thus, the use of a single transistor for each word digit is achieved. The generator, through two independent outputs, supplies the digital word in the form of both pulse and level logic. The sequence of digits can be generated once or repetively.
Sedimentary processes on the Atlantic Continental Slope of the United States

Abstract Until recently, the sedimentary processes on the United States Atlantic Continental Slope were inferred mainly from descriptive studies based on the bathymetry and on widely spaced grab samples, bottom photographs, and seismic-reflection profiles. Over the past 6 years, however, much additional information has been collected on the bottom morphology, characteristics of shallow-subbottom strata, velocity of bottom currents, and transport of suspended and bottom sediments. A review of these new data provides a much clearer understanding of the kinds and relative importance of gravitational and hydrodynamic processes that affect the surface sediments. On the rugged slope between Georges Bank and Cape Lookout, N.C., these processes include: (1) small scale mass wasting within submarine canyons and peripheral gullies; (2) density flows within some submarine valleys; (3) sand spillover near the shelf break; (4) sediment creep on the upper slope; and (5) hemipelagic sedimentation on the middle and lower slope. The area between Georges Bank and Hudson Canyon is further distinguished by the relative abundance of large-scale slump scars and deposits on the open slope, the presence of ice-rafted debris, and the transport of sand within the heads of some submarine canyons. Between Cape Lookout and southern Florida, the slope divides into two physiographic units, and the topography is smooth and featureless. On the Florida—Hatteras Slope, offshelf sand spillover and sediment winnowing, related to Gulf Stream flow and possibly to storm-driven currents, are the major processes, whereas hemipelagic sedimentation is dominant over the offshore slope along the seaward edge of the Blake Plateau north of the Blake Spur. Slumping generally is absent south of Cape Lookout, although one large slump scarp (related to uplift over salt diapirs) has been identified east of Cape Romain. Future studies concerning sedimentary processes on the Atlantic slope need to resolve: (1) the ages and mechanisms of mass wasting; (2) the accumulation rates and thicknesses of hemipelagic sediments; and (3) the causes and variability of offshelf sand spillover, sediment winnowing, and canyon transport.
Pediatric cardiac retransplant: Differing patterns of primary graft failure by age at first transplant

Objective This study compared graft failure leading to retransplant in infants versus older children at initial heart transplant. Methods Twenty-six retransplant recipients were compared by age at first transplant: infant group ( Results Early retransplant survival was 92%. Retransplant survivals at 1, 3, and 5 years were 83%, 74%, and 67%. There were 15 infant and 11 pediatric patients. First transplant ages were 0.4 ± 0.3 vs. 8.5 ± 5.7 years in infant and pediatric groups, respectively ( P P = .032), and rejection rate was higher (1.5 ± 1.1 vs 0.4 ± 0.4, P = .0024). Median first graft survival was longer in infant group (10.7 years vs 3.9 years, P P P = .032). Conclusions Infant heart transplant recipients had longer primary graft survival, fewer cellular rejection episodes, and higher incidence of cardiac allograft vasculopathy relative to older graft recipients requiring retransplant. Advantages in adaptive immunity in infant heart recipients confer improved primary graft survival, but longer graft life in these patients is limited by cardiac allograft vasculopathy. Older recipient first graft failure was rejection related, and shorter graft life probably limited development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.
Cerebral blood flow in migraine accompaniments and vertebrobasilar ischemia.

Transient neurological symptoms of brain stem or occipital lobe origin may be caused by transient ischemic attack in the vertebrobasilar territory (VB-TIA) or late-onset (or late-life) migraine accompaniment (LOMA). It is often clinically difficult to distinguish between VB-TIA and LOMA.Cerebral blood flow of 23 patients with VB-TIA, 24 with LOMA, and 28 age-matched control subjects was measured using the 133Xe inhalation regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) technique.After adjusting for differences in baseline variables such as blood pressure, hematocrit, and PCO2, patients with VB-TIA had (1) lower mean rCBF than control subjects (P < .003) as measured by the initial slope index method; (2) more frequent anterior rCBF asymmetries than control subjects and patients with LOMA (P < .03 for both comparisons); and (3) higher mean interhemispheric rCBF differences compared with patients with LOMA (P = .08) and control subjects (P < .02).Regional CBF patterns in patients with VB-TIA and LOMA differ, with lower ...
Transient c-fos expression and dendritic spine plasticity in hippocampal granule cells

A transient expression of Fos protein occurs in nuclei of partially deafferented dentate granule cells within 1 h of transecting perforant path and fornix inputs. This was followed within 24 h by widening of spine necks, elaboration of the spine apparatus, and appearance of coated vesicles, multivesicular bodies, and ribosomes in remaining spines. This study supports the hypothesis that immediate early genes such as c-fos activate late response genes for generating building blocks of plasticity in partially deafferented neurons of adult rats.
Reliability of voiding cystourethrogram for the grading of vesicoureteral reflux.

Abstract Objective The voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) is a commonly employed radiographic test used in the management of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Recently, the reliability of VCUG to accurately grade VUR has been questioned. The purpose of this study is to examine reliability of the VCUG for the grading of VUR in a setting mimicking daily practice in a busy pediatric hospital. Materials and methods Two-hundred consecutive VCUGs were independently graded by two pediatric urologists and two pediatric radiologists according to the International Classification of Vesicoureteral Reflux. A weighted kappa coefficient was calculated to determine inter-rater agreement and a modified McNemar test was performed to assess rater bias. Further assessment for impact on clinical and research decision-making was made for disagreement between grades II and III. Results Weighted kappa values reflect strong reliability of VCUG for grading VUR between and among urologists and radiologists ranging from 0.95 to 0.97. There was statistically significant bias with radiologists reporting higher grades. Despite high kappa values, disagreement between raters was not infrequent and most common for grades II–IV. Conclusions VCUG is reliable for grading VUR, but small differences in grading between raters were detected and may play an important role in clinical decision-making and research outcomes.
Ignitable Liquid Classification and Identification Using the Summed-Ion Mass Spectrum

Abstract The mass spectra calculated by summing the intensities of each nominal mass over all chromatographic times, the summed ion spectra, were calculated for a set of 440 commercially available ignitable liquids that had been analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Each ignitable liquid is generally comprised of a mixture of chemicals, and the mixtures may be very complex in some cases, e.g., petroleum distillates, gasoline, etc. The summed ion spectra were evaluated to determine if they contained sufficient information content to allow their use for rapid and accurate identification of the ignitable liquid in a database or library. The summed ion nominal mass spectra were encoded in one bit per channel at 1% transition intensity and a set of 96,580 unique pairwise comparisons were made between spectra, resulting in an average of approximately 50 differing channels per comparison. A subset of 62 summed ion spectra were further compared by a similarity metric and found by cluster analysis to g...
Comparison of the sets of polynomials p and q such that X=p(A) and Y=q(B) are solutions of the matrix equations f(X)=A and f(Y)=B

Abstract Given a complex square matrix M and a holomorphic function ⨍, we consider the set P(ƒ, M) of all polynomials p ϵ C [x] such that X = p(M) is a solution of ƒ(X) = M . We show that if A is an m × m matrix and B is an n × n matrix, then P(ƒ, A ⊆ P(ƒ, B) if and only if the minimal polynomial of B divides the minimal polynomial of A. We establish a sufficient condition for two polynomials p ϵ P(ƒ, A) and q ϵ P(ƒ,B) to be equal. We apply these results to the case where the minimal polynomials of A and B differ by a linear factor.
Relation between allosteric effects and changes in the energy of bonding between molecular subunits

Abstract Allosteric effects (dependencies of the ligand affinity of certain specific ligand binding sites on the state of other ligand binding sites) which occur in a protein with multiple subunits but not in the isolated subunits can all be expressed in terms of changes in the inter-subunit bonding energy that must occur during ligand attachment. Co-operative allosteric interactions such as the heme-heme interaction in hemoglobin require that the change in inter-subunit bonding energy accompanying the attachment of a ligand be not uniform but depend rather on the extent to which the protein is already liganded. It is suggested that changes in the energy of subunit bonding may be the primary co-operative parameter. With these considerations in mind, the equilibrium and kinetic constants for the reactions of hemoglobin and of the isolated chains of hemoglobin with oxygen and carbon monoxide are compared and some conclusions are drawn about the structural basis of the heme—heme interaction. At pH 7 and 20 °C the interaction energy between the chains in hemoglobin decreases by 8 kcal./mole hemoglobin when the molecule is saturated with ligand. Since the ligand reactivity of fully liganded hemoglobin is very similar to that of the isolated chains, it is postulated that in deoxyhemoglobin the chains exist in a strained conformation which has a low ligand affinity but permits a higher inter-chain interaction energy. The presence of a ligand raises the free energy of this conformation and therefore reduces the interchain bonding energy.
Aerobic Responses of the Cornea to Aminoglycoside Antibiotics

AbstractThe effects of the aminoglycoside antibiotics gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin on the corneal epithelium were evaluated by measurement of oxygen uptake rate following a single 60 sec application of various concentrations of each (3, 10, and 20 mg/ml gentamicin and tobramycin; 10, 20, 30, and 50 mg/ml amikacin). Statistically significant (p<0.05, Student's t-test) depressions in the oxygen uptake rate were found 1 min after exposure to all of the solutions except amikacin 10 mg/ml. The oxygen uptake returned towards baseline by 30 min after exposure. Tobramycin caused less depression in oxygen uyptake rate at each concentration level and all measurement times up to 1 hr postexposure (p<0.05). Amikacin, at concentrations used topically (30-50 mg/ml), showed results similar to those with tobramycin (10-20 mg/ml).
Sympathoinhibitory effects of atrial natriuretic peptide in rats with heart failure.

Abstract Background: It has been suggested that a blunted sympathoinhibitory response to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) may contribute to the elevation of sympathetic activity seen in heart failure. Methods and Results: Experiments were performed in anesthetized rats 6 to 9 weeks after coronary ligation to induce heart failure. Responses to intravenous injections of ANP (4 μg/kg) did not differ between the sham-operated (n = 11) and heart-failure (n = 7) rats. Before sinoaortic denervation, ANP decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP) by 8 mm Hg in both the heart-failure and sham rats, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) by 9% to 10% in both groups, and heart rate (HR) by 12 to 13 beats/mm in both groups. After baroreceptor denervation, ANP decreased MAP by approximately 22 mm Hg, RSNA by 14%, and HR by 16 beats/mm in both the heart-failure and sham rats. After vagotomy, there was no longer a significant decrease in RSNA or HR in response to ANP. Conclusion: The sympathoinhibitory effects of ANP are maintained in heart failure. This suggests that the elevated sympathetic activity observed in heart failure cannot be attributed to a blunting of the response to ANP.
Stable matchings with couples

Abstract We examine several results for the stable marriage problem and show that they do not hold if some participants are couples who express their preferences over pairs of the other participants. This generalization has applications to the National Resident Matching Program.
Immigrants as Victims: A Framework

Concern for immigrants as victims of crime or immigrant victims' access to justice has been scarce. The lack of research on the victimization of immigrants is undoubtedly related to the difficulty of obtaining valid data on the immigration status of crime victims. Another reason for the lack of research on immigrants as victims is what researchers working within the social constructionist tradition would describe as the process of defining victim categories and of 'making claims' (Spector and Kitsuse, 1977) on behalf of those categories. Victim-activists have been remarkably successful at placing a variety of victim categories and victim issues on the public agenda including elder abuse, hate crime, child abuse, intimate partner violence, and crime against the elderly. The fact that they have not cast 'immigrants' in the role of star victim' does not necessarily mean that concern about immigrant victimization does not exist at all. Rather, it is because certain immigrant troubles have been subsumed under politically hotter topics, such as 'hate crime' and 'domestic violence'. The articles included here reflect the fragmented and thin state of our knowledge about immigrants as victims of crime. Each of the articles makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of the various dimensions of this increasingly significant problem. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)
Polar Wandering on Mars

Polar wandering during the past 10^8 years may be recorded by unique quasi-circular structures in the polar regions of Mars. Polar wandering on Mars is likely if deep convection is involved in the origin of the very large constructional volcanic features located near the equator. The magnitude of the nonhydrostatic low order components of the gravity field and their correlation with the equatorial volcanic features may be additional evidence of deep convection and associated polar wandering.
Hyperfine interaction of impurity silver atoms in alkali halide crystals

Abstract Experimental data from Ag 0 impurities in NaCl, KCl and KBr hosts are used to extrapolate hyperfine (hf) shifts of Ag 0 impurities in the remaining 13 alkali halide crystals with rocksalt structure. The extrapolation is based on scaling relations of hf shifts with the host lattice spacing and with orbital moments of host neighbor ions. A comparison of hf shifts of Ag 0 impurities in both alkali halide and rare gas matrices indicates a large contribution from the Madelung potential. As a consequence, a revised determination of neighbor ion displacements from superhyperfine interaction may be necessary.
Risk factors for colonization or infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in HIV-positive patients: a retrospective case-control study.

Objective: To determine the risk factors for colonization or infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Design: Retrospective matched-pair case-control study. Setting: Continuity clinic and inpatient HIV service of a university medical center. Population: Patients with HIV infection from the general population of eastern and coastal Texas and from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Data Collection: Patient charts and the AIDS Care and Clinical Research Program Database were reviewed for the following: age, race, number of admissions, total hospital days, presence of a central venous catheter, serum albumin, total white blood cell count and absolute neutrophil count, invasive or surgical procedures, any cultures positive for S aureus, and a history of opportunistic illnesses, diabetes, or dermatologie diagnoses. Data also were collected on the administration of antibiotics, antiretroviral therapy, steroids, cancer chemotherapy, and subcutaneous medications. Results: In the univariate analysis, the presence of a central venous catheter, an underlying dermatologie disease, lower serum albumin, prior steroid therapy, and prior antibiotic therapy, particularly antistaphylococcal therapy or multiple courses of antibiotics, were associated with increased risk for colonization or infection with methicillin-resistant S aureus. Multivariate analysis yielded a model that included presence of a central venous catheter, underlying dermatologie disease, broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure, and number of hospital days as independent risk factors for colonization or infection with methicillin-resistant S aureus. Conclusions: In our HIV-infected patient population, prior hospitalization, exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics, presence of a central venous catheter, and dermatologie disease were risk factors for acquisition of methicillin-resistant S aureus
Selenium and glutathione peroxidase levels in patients with epidermoid carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx

Selenium ingestion may inhibit carcinogenesis. Epidemiologic studies have shown that age-adjusted death rates for cancer at most head and neck sites are lower in states where the soil and forage crops contain higher levels of selenium. The mode of action is incompletely understood, but may be mediated through an increase in the activity of the selenium dependent, antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). The authors studied blood selenium levels and blood and tissue GSH-Px activities in 50 patients with untreated cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Mean erythrocyte selenium and glutathione peroxidase were significantly depressed when compared to age-matched controls. Mean plasma selenium, on the other hand, was significantly elevated in the cancer patient group. Data from subsets within the cancer patient group were also discussed. GSH-Px activity did not differ in tumor and adjacent normal tissue. The concept of chemoprevention of carcinogenesis with inhibitory chemical compounds is particularly apropos to head and neck cancer control. Further work is indicated to determine if ingestion of supplemental selenium corrects the abnormalities identified here, and what affect, if any, this would have on the development and behavior of squamous cell cancers in the upper aerodigestive tract.
Complex analytic curves and maximal surfaces

Maximal immersions of a surfaceM 2 inton-dimensional Lorentz space which are isometric to a fixed holomorphic mapping ofM 2 into complex Lorentz space are determined. The main tool is an adaption of Calabi's Rigidity Theorem. Such an adaption is necessary because of the existence of degenerate hyperplanes in complex Lorentz space.
Characterization and cell-free activity of polyribosomes isolated from baby hamster kidney cells.

Abstract Cytoplasmic polyribosomes from baby hamster kidney cells were isolated in high yield by homogenization in a high salt-nonionic detergent mixture. The polyribosomes were protected from degradation after deoxycholate solubilization of membranes by using dextran sulfate. As much as 80% of the total cytoplasmic ribosomes existed as polyribosomes, with more than 90% of the nascent polypeptides associated with polysomes sedimenting heavier than monomers. Cell-free incorporation of isotopic amino acids into proteins using purified baby hamster kidney polyribosomes ranged from 200 to 1200 pmoles/mg ribosomes per h depending upon the source of 100 000 × g supernatant enzyme. Additions of poly U or foot-and-mouth disease virus RNA to polyribosomes inhibited amino acid incorporation into protein. Stimulation of amino acid incorporation by poly U or foot-and-mouth disease virus RNA was observed only after preincubation or salt shocking the polyribosomes. Such dissociated polyribosomes appeared more responsive than intact polyribosomes to stimulation of amino acid incorporation by exogenous RNA.
Public Sector Technical Inefficiency in Large U.S. Cities

Abstract Technical inefficiency is the extent to which production is below the maximum possible given the mix of chosen inputs. Controlling for the determinants of local property value that a local government cannot change, a city produces local property value through the expenditure and revenue choices that it makes. If a city is generating the highest attainable market value of aggregate property within its boundaries given the local fiscal choices that it has made, then it is producing local government in a technically efficient manner. In this paper, using the concept of the stochastic frontier production function, we measure technical inefficiency in the local public sector based upon a comparison of local property values. The specification introduced allows the random component associated with the presence of technical inefficiency to depend on factors that have been suggested as limiting or enhancing technical inefficiency. Using a sample of 49 U.S. central cities, we find that large city governments in the United States are operating at different degrees of technical inefficiency and the degree of technical inefficiency varies inversely with measured levels of competitive pressures.
Entrepreneurship in the Mondragon Cooperatives

(1984). Entrepreneurship in the Mondragon Cooperatives. Review of Social Economy: Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 272-294.
Analysis of amino acids and organometallic compounds by particle beam–hollow cathode glow discharge atomic emission spectrometry

An evaluation of the particle beam–hollow cathode glow discharge atomic emission spectroscopy (PB-HC-AES) system as an element-specific detector for liquid chromatography is described for aromatic amino acids and organomercury and organolead compounds. A high-efficiency thermoconcentric nebulizer is used to introduce analyte particles into a heated hollow cathode glow discharge source for subsequent vaporization, atomization and excitation. Emission responses for hydrogen and nitrogen of amino acids in flow injection mode using 200 µL injection volumes indicate detection limits of 0.13 and 3.6 ppm elemental H and N, respectively, with RSD <10% for triplicate injections over a concentration range of 10−3–10−2 M. Analysis of the response of hydrogen and nitrogen emission signal intensities to differences in amino acid stoichiometries indicates the potential of the PB-HC-AES system for the determination of empirical formulas based on HI/NI intensity ratios. Detection limits for metals and non-metals in organomercury compounds as determined through flow injection of 200 µL sample volumes fall in the sub-ppm range. Liquid chromatographic separations of both amino acids and organolead compounds demonstrate the feasibility of the PB-HC-AES system as a detector for liquid chromatography. Retention times for 20 µL injections of the selected component mixtures as determined by CI emission for amino acids and PbI emission for organolead compounds correlate well with the corresponding UV absorbance results.
A comparison of strategies for analyzing dichotomous outcomes in genome-wide association studies with general pedigrees

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been frequently conducted on general or isolated populations with related individuals. However, there is a lack of consensus on which strategy is most appropriate for analyzing dichotomous phenotypes in general pedigrees. Using simulation studies, we compared several strategies including generalized estimating equations (GEE) strategies with various working correlation structures, generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), and a variance component strategy (denoted LMEBIN) that treats dichotomous outcomes as continuous with special attentions to their performance with rare variants, rare diseases, and small sample sizes. In our simulations, when the sample size is not small, for type I error, only GEE and LMEBIN maintain nominal type I error in most cases with exceptions for GEE with very rare disease and genetic variants. GEE and LMEBIN have similar statistical power and slightly outperform GLMM when the prevalence is low. In terms of computational efficiency, GEE with sandwich variance estimator outperforms GLMM and LMEBIN. We apply the strategies to GWAS of gout in the Framingham Heart Study. Based on our results, we would recommend using GEE ind-san in the GWAS for common variants and GEE ind-fij or LMEBIN for rare variants for GWAS of dichotomous outcomes with general pedigrees.
Localization of the target site for translational regulation of the L11 operon and direct evidence for translational coupling in Escherichia coli

Abstract The L11 ribosomal protein operon in Escherichia coli consists of the structural genes for proteins L11 and L1. Hybrid deletion plasmids were constructed carrying these two genes with decreasing amounts of the leader mRNA under lac transcriptional control. Measurements of mRNA and protein synthesis directed by these plasmids in vitro and in vivo demonstrate that the regulation of this operon is post-transcriptional and identifies a region of the mRNA, preceding the proximal L11 gene, important for successful feedback inhibition of L11 and L1 synthesis by L1. Additionally, deletions extending to the ribosome binding site of the L11 gene fail to synthesize both L11 and the downstream L1 protein although synthesis of the corresponding mRNA remains unchanged. These results directly demonstrate the presence of translational coupling in this bicistronic operon.