cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CHARACTERIZATION OF ACIDIC CA2+ -INDEPENDENT PHOSPHOLIPASE A2 OF BOVINE LUNG

An acidic Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (aiPLA2) has been isolated previously from rat lung and a human cDNA has been described. This study applied the method to larger scale isolation of the native protein from the bovine lung. A polyclonal antibody was generated to a 15 amino acid synthetic peptide based on a conserved rat/human sequence. This antibody recognized a single protein band with an estimated molecular mass of ≈29 kDa in a soluble fraction obtained from bovine lung homogenate. A 29 kDa protein that reacted with the aiPLA2 antipeptide antibody was detected in fractions containing aiPLA2 activity on sequential column chromatographies. The partially purified enzyme showed 176-fold increase over the homogenate in Ca2+-independent PLA2 activity at pH 4. Activity was maximal with phosphatidylcholine substrate and was significantly less with phosphatidylethanolamine and anionic phospholipids. The enzyme had no acyl group preference in phosphatidylcholine and showed no preference for oxidized substrate, but activity was less with 1-O-alkyl phosphatidylcholine. aiPLA2 activity was inhibited by a transition state phospholipid analog (MJ33, 1-hexadecyl-3-trifluoroethylglycero-sn-2-phosphomethanol), serine protease inhibitors, and the anti-peptide antibody but was insensitive to arachidonoyl trifluoromethyl ketone, bromoenol lactone, p-bromophenacyl bromide, and ATP. Analysis of N-terminal amino acid sequence for the 29 kDa protein demonstrated its high homology to human 26 kDa aiPLA2. These was no significant change in molecular mass of the protein following treatment with endoglycosidase F. Western blot of subcellular fractions from rat lung indicated aiPLA2 immunoreactivity with lamellar body, lysosomal, and cytosolic fractions. These results indicate isolation from bovine lung of a 29 kDa acidic Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 homologue of the rat and human enzyme and provide evidence for specificity in the metabolism of lung surfactant phosphatidylcholine.
Lightweight structured text processing

Text is a popular storage and distribution format for information, partly due to generic text-processing tools like Unix grep and sort. Unfortunately, existing generic tools make assumptions about text format (e.g., each line is a record) that limit their applicability. Custom-built tools are one alternative, but they require substantial time investment and programming expertise. We describe a new approach, lightweight structured text processing, which overcomes these difficulties by enabling users to define text structure interactively and manipulate the structure with generic tools. Our prototype system, LAPIS, is a web browser that can highlight, filter, and sort text regions described by the user. LAPIS has several advantages over other systems: (1) the ability to define custom structure with a simple, intuitive pattern language; (2) interactive specification, showing pattern matches in context and letting users choose the most convenient combination of manual selection and pattern matching; and (3) external parsers for standard text formats. The pattern language in LAPIS, text constraints, describes text structure in high-level terms, with region relationships like before, after, in, and contains. We describe an implementation of text constraints using a novel, compact representation of region sets as collections of rectangles, or region intervals. We also illustrate some examples of applying LAPIS to web pages, text files, and source code.
Principles of Integrated Flow Modeling

Integrated flow modeling is the combination of a traditional flow simulator with a petrophysical model. By combining a petrophysical model with a traditional flow model, it is possible to perform calculations that improve our ability to monitor fluid movement in porous media. This paper outlines the formulation of an integrated flow model IFLO and its multi-variable, Newton–Raphson IMPES solution procedure. The benefits of integrated flow modeling and the underlying principles involved in the integration of a flow model with a petrophysical model are presented. Results from the IFLO model are used to illustrate the principles.
High precision alignment process for future 3D wafer bonding

A new precision alignment process suitable for bonding distorted CMOS wafers is proposed. This process includes the following critical procedures: (A) correction of distorted wafers, (B) enhanced global alignment (EGA) for wafer-to-wafer (W2W) bonding, (C) contact between wafers with high alignment accuracy, and (D) clamping to maintain pre-bonding accuracy. The alignment capability was measured by our newly developed IR metrology tool. We obtained an alignment capability of better than 100 nm both theoretically and experimentally.
Fetal death certificates as a source of surveillance data for stillbirths with birth defects.

Objective We assessed fetal death certificates (FDCs) as a source of surveillance for stillbirths with birth defects by linkage with data from the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP), a population-based birth defects surveillance system. Methods Stillbirths with defects in MACDP were identified from 1994 through 2002 and linked to FDCs. Sensitivity of FDCs for capturing stillbirths with defects was estimated, and predictors for a case being reported were assessed. Concordance for selected variables from each data source was evaluated. RESILTS: Two hundred twenty-four of 257 stillbirths with birth defects in MACDP were linked to an FDC (linkage rate = 87.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 82.4, 91.0). Stillbirths of non-Hispanic black and Hispanic/other mothers were more likely to be issued an FDC (odds ratio [OR] = 5.6 [95% CI 1.9, 17.0] and 14.0 [95% CI 1.7, 114.0], respectively). Cases undergoing autopsy were more likely to be issued an FDC (OR = 3.2; 95% CI 1.1, 8.7). Performance of an amniocentesis was poorly recorded on FDCs. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of FDCs for selected classes of defects ranged from 10% to 70% and 25% to 93%, respectively. Conclusions Compared to FDCs, MACDP's active case identification improves the ascertainment of stillbirths with birth defects and the quality of certain recorded data.
Prenatal Exposures of Male Rats to the Environmental Chemicals Bisphenol A and Di(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate Impact the Sexual Differentiation Process

The increasing incidence of reproductive anomalies, described as testicular dysgenesis syndrome, is thought to be related to the exposure of the population to chemicals in the environment. Bisphenol A (BPA) and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), which have hormonal and antihormonal activity, have attracted public attention due to their presence in consumer products. The present study investigated the effects of BPA and DEHP on reproductive development. Timed-pregnant female rats were exposed to BPA and DEHP by gavage from gestational days 12 to 21. Results showed that prenatal exposures to test chemicals exerted variable effects on steroidogenic factor 1 and GATA binding protein 4 protein expression and increased (P < .05) sex-determining region Y-box 9 and antimullerian hormone protein in the infantile rat testis compared with levels in the control unexposed animals. Pituitary LHβ and FSHβ subunit protein expression was increased (P < .05) in BPA- and DEHP-exposed prepubertal male rats but were decreased ...
What is civic professionalism in public relations? Practitioner perspectives—A pilot study

Abstract This paper explores public relations’ fit with the concept of civic professionalism as a means of engagement. Ten public relations practitioners were interviewed to gather their thoughts on civic professionalism and public relations. Based on these interviews, the author of this manuscript argues that civic professionalism may be a practical way for practitioners to engage with community and explain the field's contributions to society.
fMRI Activation During Executive Function Predicts Response to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Older, Depressed Adults

Objectives To test our hypothesis that pre-treatment executive function and brain regional activation during executive function would discriminate between responders and non-responders to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in elderly depressed outpatients. Design Clinical cohort study. Setting University-affiliated hospital. Participants Sixty outpatients (age 59 years and older) completed 12 weeks of CBT between July 2010 and December 2011. Forty-four completed fMRI procedures. Measurements The main outcome consisted of a conversion from a clinical diagnosis (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview) of depression to no clinical diagnosis of depression or a significant improvement in diagnostic criteria. Brain activation measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging during the Wisconsin Card Sorting task (WCST) was the primary predictor variable. Results 67% of patients had a positive response to CBT. Decreased activation in the left inferior frontal triangle and right superior frontal gyrus as well as increased activity in the right middle frontal gyrus and left superior frontal gyrus predicted a positive response to CBT. Demographic and neurocognitive measures of WCST performance were not significant predictors of a positive CBT outcome, whereas the measure of WCST-induced activity in the prefrontal cortex was a significant predictor. Conclusions These data are among the first to suggest that measures of prefrontal brain activation during executive functioning predict response to CBT in older adults. Further exploration of the specific underlying processes that these prefrontal cortical regions are engaging that contributes to better CBT outcomes is warranted in larger, randomized studies.
A survey of run-time and logic errors in a classroom environment

This paper presents the results of a survey of programming errors in an introductory programming class conducted at Kansas State University. The objective of the study was to gain a better understanding of some of the errors made by beginning student programmers, particularly those effors normally detected by run-time packages (e.g., undefined variables, division by zero, arithmethic overflow) as well as the many effors that pass undetected by compilers and run-time tools (e.g., logic and conceptual effors). The survey involved the analysis of 1088 program runs collected from approximately 50 students in a FORTRAN programming course.The effors were tallied and analyzed, and were then recorded under eight general categories: Input/Output (e. g., missing I/O statements, missing or incorrect I/O variables or data); Assignment (e. g., incorrect operators, missing assignments); Loops (e. g., incorrect loop parameters, missing or extra loops); Decision and Branching (e. g., jump to wrong places, incorrect decisions; Arrays (e. g., incorrect subscripts, missing array); Subprograms (e. g., incorrect or missing parameters, incorrect number of calls); Declarations (e. g., issing or wrong declaration statements, wrong names in declaration statements); and Miscellaneous (e. g., unused variables, redundant decisions, wrong logic). The study found that two classes of errors accounted for over half of all noncompiletime errors: those errors related to input/output and assignment statements. Further analysis showed that less than half of the run-time error messages generated by the compiler actually pinpointed the cause of error or provided a meaningful hint.
Health Benefits of Soy Isoflavonoids and Strategies for Enhancement: A Review

Soybean consumption has been linked to a reduced risk for certain cancers and diseases of old age. The health benefits associated with soybean consumption have been linked to the action of isoflavonoids, the major phenolic phytochemicals found in soybean. Isoflavonoids possess numerous biological activities that may support chemoprevention through the promotion of apoptosis in diseased cells. In this study, we discuss the current state of knowledge concerning soybean isoflavonoids, their chemopreventive actions against postmenopausal health problems, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, and also biotechnology approaches toward the enrichment of soybean for isoflavonoid content.
Acute metabolic responses to myocardial infarction. Changes in glucose utilization and secretion of insulin and growth hormone.

Glucose utilization and secretion of insulin and growth hormone after intravenous administration of glucose were measured during the evolution of myocardial infarctions. Two patterns of responses were found. Patients who developed myocardial infarction with either no prior cardiovascular disease or stable coronary artery disease had depressed glucose utilization for the first 48 hours and exhibited a hyperinsulinemic response to glucose during the sixth to fourteenth day; and, about 50% of them, had an increase in the secretion of growth hormone during the initial 4 days of the infarction. Patients who had had progressively increasing angina in the 7 to 14 days preceding infarction showed a different pattern. No initial depression of glucose utilization was found. Their hyperinsulinemic response occurred within the first 96 hours of the occlusion. Growth hormone secretion was increased in 83% of the patients during the first 96 hours. The data suggest the possibility that the exaggerated insulin secretion may be associated with myocardial repair processes while the changes in growth hormone secretion may be related to the acute stress or necrosis of the infarction.
Hitting times of sequences

Abstract Let X be an ergodic Markov chain on a finite state space S 0 and let s and t be finite sequences of elements from S 0 . We give an easily computable formula for the expected time of completing t , given that s was just observed. If A 0 is a finite set of such sequences, we show how that formula may be used to compute the hitting distribution on A 0 .
Investigation of gravity lanthanide separation chemistry

Lanthanides are common fission products and the ability to separate and quantify these elements is critical to rapid radiochemistry applications. Published lanthanide separations using Eichrom Ln Spec resin utilize an HCl gradient. Here it is shown that the efficacy and resolution of the separation is improved when a nitric acid gradient is used instead. The described method allows parallel processing of many samples in 1.5 h followed by 60 min counting for quantification of 9 radioisotopes of 7 lanthanide elements.
Ultrafast photo-enhanced ferromagnetism in GaMnAs

We present the observation of ultrafast photo-enhancement of ferromagnetism in Mn-doped III-V semiconductor GaMnAs via photoexcited transient carriers. Our time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr spectroscopy reveals transient enhancement of the magnetization amplitude on a 100 ps time scale after initial sub-picosecond demagnetization. The dynamic enhancement of the magnetic ordering shows a maximum below the Curie temperature T c and completely dominates the demagnetization at high temperatures approaching T c . We attribute the observed ultrafast collective ordering to the transiently enhanced hole-Mn p-d exchange interaction, leading in particular to a correlation-induced maximum bellow T c and transient increase of T c . These results constitute the evidence for non-thermal, cooperative spin manipulation in (III,Mn)Vs on the ultrafast time scale.
Faculty/practitioner differences: Skills needed for industrial marketing entry positions

Abstract In this study, the judgements of industrial marketing faculty and industrial marketing practitioners are measured with respect to a set of 16 predefined skills in the recruitment of undergraduate marketing majors for entry-level positions in industrial marketing. The results indicate disagreement among faculty and practitioners on several of the skills evaluated.
Mak16p is required for the maturation of 25S and 5.8S rRNAs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The nucleolar Mak16p protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been implicated in 60S ribosome biogenesis. To learn more about the role of Mak16p in this process, ribosomal RNA processing was examined in a mak16-1 temperature-sensitive yeast strain. Steady-state levels of the 25S and 5.8S mature rRNA species dropped dramatically over a 4 h period in the mak16-1 yeast after a shift to the non-permissive temperature, while 18S and 5S rRNA levels decreased only moderately. Ribosomal RNA processing (rRNA) analyses showed that the most prominent defect at the non-permissive temperature was a dramatic decrease in 27SB precursor RNA levels, with no significant increase in the levels of any precursor. These data indicate an essential role for Mak16p in the stability of the 27SB precursor rRNA. Association of Mak16p with the 66S preribosomal complex does not appear to be sufficient for its function, because the mutant Mak16-1p protein was detected in sucrose density gradient fractions corresponding to the 66S pre-RNP complex. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Halogenated Aromatic Thiols on Gold Electrodes

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been used to characterize monolayers of p-substituted benzenethiols (XBTs) and p-substituted benzenemethanethiols (XBMTs) (substituent = X = F, Cl, Br) on gold electrodes. Detailed vibrational assignments have been made for the Raman and SER spectra of all six compounds. All of these molecules exist on the surface as thiolates, with the aromatic ring tilted relative to the surface normal. Monolayers of the XBTs and XBMTs remain intact on the surface throughout the potential range between the oxidation of the gold surface at ∼ +800 mV vs SCE and the reduction of water at ca. −1000 mV at neutral pH. Monolayers of ClBT and BrBT can be partially reduced electrochemically to form mixed monolayers of the halogenated BT and benzenethiol itself. The reductive elimination of the halide occurs at potentials more positive than are required for reduction of the same molecules in solution. FBT, FBMT, and ClBMT cannot be reduced at the surface, and the BrBMT monolayer is o...
Teachers’ Thoughts on Teaching Reading: An Investigation of Early Childhood Teachers’ Perceptions of Literacy Acquisition

Teachers’ assumptions about teaching and learning have a critical impact on pedagogical practices. This study was conducted to investigate the perceptions of early childhood educators regarding children’s acquisition of literacy in an attempt to gain a picture of current instructional practices. Prekindergarten through second grade teachers (n = 76) responded to the Literacy Acquisition Perception Profile. Responses on the reading readiness and emergent literacy subscales served as the dependent variables in a series of ANOVAs conducted with educational level, teaching assignment, and teaching experience as the independent variables. Results revealed a statistically significant difference [F(4, 65) = 3.31, p = .03, η2 = .17] between the teachers who had 6–10 years of experience and more than 21 years, with teachers who had 6–10 years clearly ascribing to reading readiness as the preferred way of teaching reading over teachers with 21+ years. This finding may be attributed to many teachers with more than 21 years experience having received initial teacher training during the late 1980s and early 1990s when an emergent literacy perspective, a departure from the traditional view of reading readiness, was the predominant view. It is posited that differentiated instruction rather than the application of a single instructional approach fully grounded in a particular perception may be the best approach to facilitating young children’s literacy acquisition.
Esterase isozyme patterns in developing embryos of Brachydanio rerio (zebra danio), Brachydanio abolineatus (pearl danio), and their hybrids

The ontogeny of esterase isozymes in Brachydanio rerio (zebra danio), Brachydanio albolineatus (pearl danio), and hybrids formed by their reciprocal crosses was investigated using polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis. Seven esterase isozymes were identified in each species from the unfertilized egg stage to nine days posthatch. Electrophoretic analysis of qualitative changes in enzyme pattern indicated that some esterases were present at all stages of development while other esterases abruptly appeared at a specific stage of morphological differentiation. The esterases of both species were classified on the basis differential substrate and inhibitor specificities. In developing hybrids formed by B. rerio eggs inseminated with B. albolineatus sperm, the maternal isozyme pattern persisted until Stage 17 (gastrulation). Embryonic extracts from Stage 17 onward showed a slow-moving, DFP-sensitive carboxylesterase of paternal origin. In developing hybrids formed by B. albolineatus eggs inseminated with B. rerio sperm, a paternal contribution to the esterase pattern was probably present by the end of gastrulation; esterase activity of distinctively paternal origin was present by Stage 22 (retinal pigmentation) The maternal contribution to the total esterase profile appeared to remain high through hatching. Additional evidence for gene activity at gastrulation was obtained in experiments utilizing actinomycin-D and cycloheximide. Results of exposing embryos of B. rerio to 15 mug/ml of actinomycin-D indicated that transcription of the template RNA coding for cholinesterase occurred during gastrulation or some 20-30 hours prior to the appearance of the isozyme at Stage 22. This template RNA was translated sometime during that 10-hour interval immediately preceding Stage 22.
Oxidative metabolism in sepsis and sepsis syndrome

The high mortality associated with sepsis syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome has persisted despite extraordinary research efforts in the laboratory and the intensive care unit. These syndromes produce systemic tissue damage that is likely to result from widespread inflammation and subsequent endothelial injury. This article reviews the oxidative metabolic effects and responses to sepsis syndrome at several levels: the oxygen transport system, the cell, and the mitochondrion. Specifically, aerobic metabolism of carbon substrates and oxygen is altered in sepsis. As a result of systemic inflammation and nonmetabolic oxygen use, oxidative stress may occur both outside and inside the cell. The consequences of these oxidative processes during sepsis may be ongoing cell damage mediated by reactive oxygen and nitrogen oxide species that culminates in multisystem organ failure.
Mitochondrial-catalyzed ATP hydrolysis in highly enriched [18O]H2O. Frequency distributions of 18O-labelled Pi species.

Abstract 1. 1. The 2,4-dinitrophenol-resistant intermediate phosphate ⇌ water oxygen exchange reaction which accompanies the hydrolysis of ATP catalyzed by heart submitochondrial vesicles was studied in highly enriched 18 O-labelled water. The phosphate formed was converted into the tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphate derivative which was analyzed by chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The amount of exchange relative to that of ATP hydrolysis, and the ATP dependence of the exchange on the ATP concentration were measured. The results were in good agreement with previous studies carried out on water of low enrichment. However, the new procedure enabled the determination of the relative frequency distributions of phosphate species with 1, 2, 3, or 4 oxygen atoms derived from water. Oxygen from water was not found only in singly or quadruply 18 O-labelled species. This finding further helps to exclude the possibility that the vesicles contain two separate ATPases, one non-exchanging, the other highly exchanging. 2. 2. The frequency distributions of 18 O-labelled P i species were measured at high (6 mM) and low (0.01 mM) ATP, as well as at three intermediate ATP concentrations. Regression analysis was carried out to see if the frequency distributions found with the intermediate ATP concentrations were simple composites of the patterns obtained at the high and low ATP levels. The analysis did not support the idea that the phosphate formed at the intermediate ATP levels was a binary mixture of phosphate produced by the hydrolysis of ATP at a high and a low affinity ATP site. This finding excluded models involving two independent Michaelis-Menten ATPases, as well as simple two-site negatively cooperative models. 3. 3. Oxygen from water was incorporated into all four oxygens of phosphate, and the extra oxygen (i.e., that incorporated over and above the single oxygen needed for the hydrolytic step) was distributed approximately binomially. This implies that the four oxygen atoms of P i were equivalent during the time enzyme-bound P i underwent exchange. Thus a pseudorotation mechanism in which one oxygen was strongly liganded to a group on the enzyme does not appear likely. The exchange may thus reflect the dynamic reaction, ATP + H 2 O ⇌ ADP + P i on the enzyme surface. The effect of ATP concentration upon exchange may thus reflect the extent of hydrolysis and reesterification which occurs prior to P i release from the enzyme.
Detection of nitrated benzodiazepines by indirect laser-induced fluorescence detection on a microfluidic device

Recently there has been concern regarding the use of flunitrazepam and other low-dose benzodiazepines in drug-facilitated sexual assault. These compounds are placed in drinks of unsuspecting victims and produce a sedative effect with anterorgrade amnesia. Chip-based microfluidic systems can provide a quick and disposable procedure for the detection of flunitrazepam and other nitrated benzodiazepines used in these crimes. This paper describes the application of indirect quenching of cyanine dye (Cy5) for detection of nitrated benzodiazepines. The separation is performed on a microfluidic device with a separation channel 8 cm long and 50 microm wide and utilizes indirect fluorescence detection with 635 nm laser excitation. The optimization of the separation using micellar electrokinetic chromatography with organic modifiers is described. A borate buffer containing 2.6 microM Cy5 dye, 15 mM sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and 20% methanol is used. Complete separation of four target drugs occurs in under 2 min with limits of detection in the low microg/ml range. Overall the method provides a rapid and simple analysis for the presence of nitrated benzodiazepines in beverages and other similar preparations.
The formation of hydroxyapatite‐gelatin composites at 38°C

Composites comprised of calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (CA/P = 1.5) and gelatin form in about 4 h at 38°C. The solid reactants used are CaHPO4 and Ca4(PO4)2O and the liquid reactant is gelatin solution. The reaction forming hydroxyapatite occurs in several steps. Based on the measurement of heat liberation, there is an initial period where the reaction rate is low. This is followed by a period of constant reaction until the reaction is complete. Analysis of the variation in pH shows that hydroxyapatite formation occurs at a steady state pH near 8.2. Analyses of the evolution of crystalline phases indicates that Ca4(PO4)2O is consumed prior to complete reaction resulting in a phase assemblage of hydroxyapatite (CA/P > 1.5) and CaHPO4. Further reaction results in compositional adjustments in hydroxyapatite as CaHPO4 is consumed. Microstructurally, the composites which form consist of clusters of hydroxyapatite embedded in a gelatin network. The presence of gelatin does not influence the morphology of the hydroxyapatite which forms nor does it retard its rate of formation. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Interconnection and Noise Immunity of Circuitry in Digital Computers

This paper describes the mutual dependence of interconnection and noise immunity in digital circuitry. Utilizing the charge control concept, the static thresholds of a transistor are defined in terms of the saturation charge and the depletion layer charge. These are subsequently translated into dynamic thresholds of circuitry by means of the network theory. The various noises encountered in digital computers are outlined. The noise due to interconnections is discussed in detail, and remedies are suggested. Design criteria for interconnections are then formulated by selecting the impedance and the routing of the wiring according to the noise margins of the circuits. Engineers are encouraged to view the system as a whole and to treat interconnections as an integral part of circuit design. A numerical example serves to illustrate the important points.
Support groups for parents of children with emotional disorders: a comparison of members and non-members.

This study involving more than 800 parents whose children have emotional disorders focuses on comparisons between parents who are members of support groups and those who are not. While no difference was found between members and non-members on most demographic variables, members reported needing and using more information and services and found each more difficult to locate than nonmembers. Thirty-one percent of all respondents identified involvement with other parents as the most helpful activity in coping with their child's problems.
Spatial distribution of attentional inhibition is not altered in healthy aging

Inhibition of return (IOR) is a phenomenon of attentional orienting that is indexed by slower responses to targets presented at previously attended locations. The purpose of this study was to examine adult age differences in the distribution of IOR to multiple locations. In three experiments, young adults (ages 18–30 years) and older adults (ages 60–87 years) completed an IOR task that varied in the number of simultaneous onset cues (one to seven) and the number of display locations (four or eight). Analyses were conducted to explore whether IOR patterns were most consistent with limited inhibitory resources, with regional distribution of inhibition, or with vector averaging of cues. The IOR effects were most consistent with vector averaging, such that multiple cues initiated a directional gradient of inhibition centered on the average direction of the cues. The IOR patterns varied minimally with age, consistent with the conclusion that older adults and young adults distributed inhibition in a similar manner.
A technique for recording activity of subcortical neurons in moving animals

Abstract The technique which has been described allows stereotaxic orientation of micro-electrodes for single unit recording in the intact monkey. The method provides for vertical penetrations and for minimum loss of time between completion of one penetration and reorientation of the electrode for the subsequent penetration.
A practical approach to the reformed IPC

Abstract In a global collaborative effort, the Version 8 International Patent Classification Codes (IPC-8) have been applied to patent documents published prior to 2006 (backfile). This unprecedented effort employed multiple techniques, including use of earlier IPC versions, use of ECLA codes, and propagation of codes from one document to another within Inpadoc patent families. The result is that most records bear a relatively high number of codes, and family members from different authorities are coded relatively uniformly, at least at present. It is also notable that patent documents are not easily differentiated based on selective use of inventive codes because the vast majority of codes have been designated as inventive even where they cover subject matter that would be likely to figure as additional information in a substantial number of cases. Creating high precision search strategies relying on codes may be helped by requiring 2 or more codes to be present on individual documents or families. Sample searches presented are exemplary, and search strategies must be tested individually for optimizing searching in each subject matter area. Whether the reclassification effects and the propensity to make most codes “inventive” makes the IPC more akin to an indexing system is a question only time will answer.
Microfinance Self-Sustainability and Outreach in Uganda: A Case of Teso Rural Development Trust Limited

In Uganda, microfinance institutions (MFIs) have been able to reach the poor but economically active people in rural areas, where the traditional commercial banks deliver limited financial services due to the high transaction costs and risks involved in lending to this clientele. MFIs have developed ways of reducing these transaction costs and risks through group lending and solidarity guarantee, among others. Those that will become licensed by the central bank will take deposits and on-lend if need be under the MDI ACT 2003. This is an important step towards financial savings mobilization that has been neglected in the past. However, this calls for better governance and efficiency in running the MFIs if they are to be self-sustainable and improve on their outreach. As more MFIs get registered and regulated by the central bank, they will invariably in the long-run have to shift to higher degrees of financial self-sufficiency and outreach. The objectives of this study was to determine the level of self-sustainability using Subsidy Dependence Index /Ratio and depth of outreach for a representative microfinance institution in Uganda, Teso Rural Development Trust Ltd (TERUDET). The study was conducted in districts of Soroti, Katakwi and Kaberamaido. Primary data were collected from 180 randomly selected active clients of TERUDET and secondary data were obtained from audited and un-audited financial statements of TERUDET for the period 1998-2003. The results show that TERUDET was heavily dependent on external funds. It was not profitable and self-sustainable through its own income in the period 1998-2003. Its depth of outreach was also low in that it covered more of the non-poor people than the poor. Key words: financial self-sustainability, microfinance institutions, outreach performance. Eastern African Journal of Rural Development Vol.20(1) 2004: 34-44
Distributed parameter thermal system control and observation by Green–Galerkin methods

This article addresses the problem of distributed parameter control and observation in thermal processing of materials. A novel numerical technique is developed for infinite-dimensional thermal conduction systems, based on Galerkin optimization of an energy index employing Green's functions. Various simulations are conducted to prove that despite the complexities that arise from the distributed parameter nature of the system, the proposed method successfully observes the temperature field that exists inside a solid body by employing strictly surface temperature measurements. Moreover, the existence of a duality principle between distributed parameter thermal control and thermal observation is also investigated. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aerodynamic loading on a two-dimensional airfoil during dynamic stall.

A general theory is developed for the unsteady aerodynamic loading on an airfoil during dynamic stall. The dynamic stall process is represented by the shedding of vorticity from the vicinity of the airfoil leading edge. The theory is subsequently applied to the prediction of the stall-induced airloading on an airfoil experiencing a sudden onset of flow and on an airfoil performing oscillatory pitching motion. Satisfactory agreement between theoretical and experimental pressure distributions, forces and moments, and vortex trajectories is demonstrated.
Risk Management for Asphalt Road Construction and Maintenance under Performance-Based Contracts

Contractors have been the main risk bearers in most road construction and maintenance projects, especially when they are working under higher-risk delivery systems such as Performance Based Contracts (PBC), where the contractors are more likely to be responsible for both the construction and maintenance of the road for a certain warranty period. This research identified and analyzed the risks that the contractor is subject to under PBCs for hot mix asphalt (HMA) road construction and maintenance projects. The study used a mixed methods research design and was divided into three phases. In the first phase, employing a detailed literature review along with industry interviews, twenty-nine risks were identified in the construction and maintenance phases. In the second phase, risk severity rankings were calculated using probability and impact data that was collected from several contractors and a state agency. In the final phase, a correlation analysis was conducted. The results of this analysis will enable c...
A grass-roots feminist response to intimate violence in the Caribbean

Abstract Due in large part to feminist action, domestic violence against women is now recognized as a serious social problem in many contemporary societies. In spite of heightened awareness, state responses to protect and assist victims have usually been inadequate and underfunded. In many communities, feminists have organized to provide help to sisters in crisis. This project examines the origins, organization, and activities of an exceptionally effective grass-roots movement against violence on the small Caribbean island of St. Croix. It provides a useful model for other communities, particularly those of racial, ethnic, and economic diversity. The resource mobilization theory of social movements appears to best explain the emergence of this movement at a time when there was a large influx of new residents and capital on the island. Other relevant factors include extraordinary feminist leadership, the Caribbean cultural history of women's strength and activism, and the willingness of the Women's Coalition of St. Croix to deal with issues of race and ethnicity as well as gender in their struggle against all forms of social domination.
Understanding tablet use: a multi-method exploration

Tablet ownership has grown rapidly over the last year. While market research surveys have helped us understand the demographics of tablet ownership and provided early insights into usage, there is little comprehensive research available. This paper describes a multi-method research effort that employed written and video diaries, in-home interviews, and contextual inquiry observations to learn about tablet use across three locations in the US. Our research provides an in-depth picture of frequent tablet activities (e.g., checking emails, playing games, social networking), locations of use (e.g., couch, bed, table), and contextual factors (e.g., watching TV, eating, cooking). It also contributes an understanding of why and how people choose to use tablets. Popular activities for tablet use, such as media consumption, shopping, cooking, and productivity are also explored. The findings from our research provide design implications and opportunities for enriching the tablet experience, and agendas for future research.
In situ studies of morphology, strain, and growth modes of a molecular organic thin film

We use grazing incidence x-ray scattering to study the molecular structure and morphology of thin (70 ML) crystalline films of 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) on Au(111) surfaces as a function of film thickness, substrate temperature, and growth rate. Although the first two PTCDA monolayers grow in a layer-by-layer fashion, the film evolution beyond the second monolayer depends strongly upon the growth conditions resulting in low-temperature [i.e., nonequilibrium (NEQ)] and high-temperature [equilibrium (EQ)] growth regimes. In the NEQ regime, the films roughen monotonically with increasing film thickness, but retain a well-defined film thickness. Furthermore, we find that these films have a lattice strain which is independent of film thickness. In the EQ regime, the film acquires a three-dimensional morphology for thicknesses g2 ML, and the lattice strain decreases rapidly with increasing thickness. We also show that the transition between the NEQ and EQ regimes is sharp and depends upon the balance between the growth rate and substrate temperature. These results suggest that the PTCDA/Au(111) system is thermodynamically described by incomplete wetting, and that strain and kinetics play an important role in determining molecular organic film characteristics.
Acid-labile amino acid precursors in the Murchison meteorite. 1: Chromatographic fractionation.

The amino acid content of a hot water extract of the Murchison meteorite can be increased by over 100 per cent by subjecting the extract to acid hydrolysis. The acid-labile compounds in the extract that account for this increase were fractionated by column chromatography on a cation exchange resin. Sevently mole per cent behaved as neutral or acidic compounds and were eluted from the column with an initial water wash. The remaining 30 mole per cent (basic precursors) were retained on the column and were eluted with the free amino acids by aqueous NH4OH. The acid-labile amino acid precursors in the water eluate could be retained and further fractionated on an anion exchange column, indicating that they are acidic compounds.
Mechanism of disinfection: Incorporation of Cl-36 into f2 virus

Abstract The bacterial virus f2 was exposed for various periods of time to low concentrations of aqueous HOCl/OCl− labeled with radioactive HO36 Cl/O36Cl− (1 mg l−1 of free chlorine) buffered between pH 5.6 and 10.0. Aliquots of the reaction mixture were quenched with thiosulfate, the sample was assayed for viable f2, and the incorporation of 36Cl was measured. The virus sample was separated into its protein and RNA components by phenol extraction and the 36Cl activity was determined in each component. The rate of f2 inactivation by free chlorine paralleled the rate of 36Cl incorporation into the virus. Both rates were rapid at pH 5.6 and sluggish at pH 9.9. At pH 5.6, where f2 inactivation was most rapid, 87% of 36Cl bound to f2 was found in the RNA following exposure to the labeled hypochlorous acid. At pH 7.6 and 10.0, there was, respectively, 73 and 60% of bound 36Cl associated with the RNA. It appears that RNA has a greater affinity for chlorine between pH 5.6 and 9.9 than does protein. Associated with the slower inactivation of f2 at pH 7.6 and 9.9 was an increased amount of chlorine consumed through redox reactions. This would indicate that redox reaction rates do not parallel rates of virus inactivation.
Electroexcitation of the Roper resonance in relativistic quark models

The amplitudes of the transition gamma* N -> P11(1440) are calculated within light-front relativistic quark model assuming that the P11(1440) is the first radial excitation of the 3q nucleon state. The results are compared with those obtained in close approaches by other authors and with standard nonrelativistic results. One of the reasons for this study was to present all these results within unified definition of helicity amplitudes consistent with the definition used in the extraction of the helicity amplitudes from experimental data in one-pion electroproduction. The results of relativistic quark models are qualitatively in good agreement with each other and differ strongly from nonrelativistic calculations. At small Q2 , these results for the transverse amplitude A12 are consistent, but fail to reproduce experimental data. The most probable explanation of this discrepancy is the absence of pion cloud contribution in the approaches under consideration.
Masking additivity in the hearing-impaired

The purpose of the present study was to investigate how the effects of maskers combine in hearing-impaired listeners. The levels of two narrow bands of noise separated in frequency were selected so that each band individually produced the same amount of masking of a sinusoidal signal. Thresholds for the signal were then measured in the presence of both bands combined. For normal-hearing listeners, the effect of combining maskers was nonlinear, but, additive. A cube-root transformation of the masking produced by the individual and combined maskers preserved an additive relation among the effects of these maskers. This type of nonlinear additivity also characterized the results from the hearing-impaired listeners when the maskers were restricted to a region of normal sensitivity. In contrast, the effect of combining maskers was linear, additive without transformation, when the maskers were restricted to a region of significant loss. In many instances, the auditory filter model of masking may describe the detection performance of hearing-impaired listeners better than that of normal-hearing listeners.
Multiaxial constitutive modeling of aircraft engine materials

Based on a newly developed theory (Lu and Weng, Acta Mech., in press) the high temperature behavior of an aircraft engine material is studied under combined stress state. Both monotonic and cyclic deformations are examined to uncover its stress-strain response, as well as its cyclic hardening and strain-ratchetting characteristics. Under a biaxial loading it is disclosed that tensile cyclic hardening is greatly magnified with a superimposed lateral tension, whereas the strain-ratchetting process is led to an enhanced, unsettling state with a superimposed lateral compression. The biaxial transient and steady-state creep strains have also been calculated. The results suggest that while a superimposed lateral tension will inhibit the creep deformation, a lateral compression can greatly promote the inelastic flow. To reflect the practical service conditions of an aircraft engine, the theory is further applied to examine the effect of loading frequency on the development of inelastic strains under concurrent thermal and mechanical loading. It is found that a more frequently flying aircraft will have a greater accumulation of creep strains and, consequently, a greater possibility of material damage in its engine components over the same total flying time.
Design, Synthesis, and Self-assembly of Oligothiophene Derivatives with a Diketopyrrolopyrrole Core

Oligothiophenes containing diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) cores were synthesized, and their electrochemistry, photophysics, and film morphology were studied. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital can be tuned by changing the number of thiophene units. The compounds synthesized in this study had electrochemical gaps ranging from 1.80 to 2.25 V and intense absorption bands in the UV, assigned to the thiophene units, as well as bands in the visible part of the spectrum, attributed to charge-transfer transitions between the electron-rich thiophene moieties and the electron-withdrawing DPP core. All of the compounds were found to be luminescent in solution with emission wavelengths ranging from 562 to 682 nm. Atomic force microscopy studies show that the length and type of alkyl substitution on the DPP core affect the film morphology, and hence, the solid state photophysical and electronic properties. Long and straigh...
Deep Inspiration-induced Bronchoprotection Is Stronger than Bronchodilation

We have previously shown that in healthy subjects, deep inspiration (DI) has not only a bronchodilatory but also a bronchoprotective effect that is absent in asthmatic subjects. We conducted the study reported here to test the hypothesis that the bronchoprotective effect is stronger than the bronchodilatory effect, and to determine the extent to which these two effects are related. Ten healthy subjects underwent provocations in which single doses of methacholine, previously shown to reduce FEV1 by 10% to 20% (Dose 1) and by 20% to 40% (Dose 2) were administered after a 20-min period devoid of DI. To measure the bronchodilator effect, DIs were performed immediately after the first spirometry after methacholine, and were followed by another lung function test. To measure their bronchoprotective effect, DIs were performed before administration of a single dose of methacholine, and the FEV1 after methacholine was compared with that of another single-dose challenge in which DIs were not included. From these ou...