cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring Ethnic Voting: Do Proportional Electoral Laws Politicize Ethnicity?

Although the “ethnicization” of electoral politics is widely held to be problematic, there currently exists no method for comparing the politicization of ethnicity across countries. This paper develops four related measures that can be used to this end. Each measure increases as group identity becomes more central to vote choice, but the measures differ along two theoretical dimensions. The first dimension contrasts a group-based perspective (which focuses on cohesion in the voting patterns of group members) with a party-based perspective (which focuses on the composition of group support within political parties). The second dimension contrasts a fractionalization perspective (which assume that more groups or parties cause more problems) with a polarization perspective (which assumes that governance problems are most severe when there are two equal sized groups). The paper uses survey data to estimate the four measures and describes the relationships between them. It then examines the correlation between electoral laws and ethnicization. The central empirical finding is that ethnicization is lowest in systems using proportional electoral laws ‐ the opposite of what is typically assumed. The paper discusses several reasons why proportional electoral laws should be associated with lower levels of ethnicization.
New reactor design for growth of InP and related alloys

Abstract A new reactor has been designed for atmospheric pressure MOVPE growth of InP and InGaAsP alloys. This has a chimney geometry with a sidearm added for susceptor rotation and fully mechanized substrate loading. A high aspect ratio rectangular body permits growth on a 50 mm diameter wafer with relatively high gas velocities at modest flows. A two-step growth of InP on GaAs substrates has been used to evaluate thickness uniformity in this reactor. Two flow regimes have been identified from this study. At low flows, thermal buoyancy effects are important and the growth uniformity is improved by use of a dense carrier gas (N 2 H 2 mixture) and cooling of the reactor wall opposite the substrate. At high flows the best thickness uniformity is obtained with a pure H 2 carrier gas without the opposite wall cooling.
Toxicity Mechanisms Identification via Gene Set Enrichment Analysis of Time-Series Toxicogenomics Data: Impact of Time and Concentration

The advance in high-throughput “toxicogenomics” technologies, which allows for concurrent monitoring of cellular responses globally upon exposure to chemical toxicants, presents promises for next-generation toxicity assessment. It is recognized that cellular responses to toxicants have a highly dynamic nature, and exhibit both temporal complexity and dose-response shifts. Most current gene enrichment or pathway analysis lack the recognition of the inherent correlation within time series data, and may potentially miss important pathways or yield biased and inconsistent results that ignore dynamic patterns and time-sensitivity. In this study, we investigated the application of two score metrics for GSEA (gene set enrichment analysis) to rank the genes that consider the temporal gene expression profile. One applies a novel time series CPCA (common principal components analysis) to generate scores for genes based on their contributions to the common temporal variation among treatments for a given chemical at ...
Phosphorylation of steroid hormone receptors.

IV. Steroid receptors as substrates for protein kinases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 A. Progesterone receptor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 B. Estrogen receptor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 C. Glucocorticoid receptor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 D. Androgen receptor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 E. Vitamin D-3 receptor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Pattern Analysis Based on Type, Orientation, Size, and Shape

Quantifying the pattern of geographically defined areas has proven useful in analyzing and understanding geographic processes. Pattern analyses most commonly used by geographers measure the spatial distribution of nonspatial variables at each point or in each area. The objective of this research is to develop and assess a pattern analysis for area-class maps that considers more than the nonspatial attributes when describing a spatial pattern. We examine whether similar geographic areas—similar with respect to attribute type and several geometric properties—exhibit particular spatial patterns (e.g., clustered, random, or dispersed). The additional attributes we include are orientation, size, and shape. We refer to the method as TOSS, reflecting the Type, Orientation, Size, and Shape of areas. The goal of considering these additional attributes is to capture the geometric aspects of pattern that other approaches to pattern analysis do not. Sets or groups of similar areas are created using cluster analysis, based on a variable standardization score using the Gower coefficient of similarity. The spatial distributions for each set of geographic objects are then calculated using nearest neighbor analysis. To test the effectiveness of the TOSS method, results from pattern analysis and the TOSS method are qualitatively and quantitatively compared. The TOSS method offers a novel approach to pattern analysis.
Examining What Makes Violent Crime Victims Unique: Extending Statistical Methods for Studying Specialization to the Analysis of Crime Victims

Objectives Much victimization research focuses on specific types of crime victims, which implies that the factors responsible for some victimization outcomes are distinct from others. Recent developments in victimization theory, however, take a more general approach, postulating that victimization regardless of type will share a similar basic etiology. This research examines how and whether the risk factors that are associated with violent victimization significantly differ from those that predict nonviolent victimization.
Effects of online communication practices on consumer perceptions of performance uncertainty for search and experience goods

Abstract The “intangible” nature of e-commerce may cause shoppers to be uncertain about whether products ordered online will fit their needs or perform up to expectations. Such uncertainty is a dimension of consumer risk, or feelings that result because the actual outcome of a purchase decision can only be known in the future. However, the ability of e-retailers to offer a plethora of product-related information can ameliorate this uncertainty. This research assesses the influence of three online retailer communication practices—evoking vividness through pictures, allowing consumers to control information presentation, and presenting information from third-party sources. We demonstrate that these practices materially affect consumer perceptions of product performance uncertainty. Importantly, we also find that the influence of the practices differs by the search or experience orientation of the product, sometimes in counterintuitive ways. These results can serve to help enhance the effectiveness of e-retailers’ communications and, in the case of multichannel retailers, help determine which products are best suited for different channels.
Polymer nanocomposite infiltration of silicon photonic crystals

Infiltration of planar 2D silicon photonic crystals with nanocomposites using a simple melt processing technique is presented. The nanocomposites that were developed by evenly dispersing functionalized TiO 2 nanoparticles into a photoconducting polymer exhibit high optical quality and tunable refractive index. The infiltrated photonic crystals show tuning of the photonic band-gap that is controllable by the adjustment of the nanoparticle loading level. These results may be useful in the development of tunable photonic devices, hybrid light emitting diodes and photovoltaics.
Chemical sputtering from amorphous carbon under bombardment by deuterium atoms and molecules

We perform classical molecular dynamics simulations of the chemical sputtering of deuterated amorphous carbon surfaces by D and D2, at energies of 7.5–30 eV D−1. Particular attention is paid to the preparation of the target surfaces for varying impact projectile fluence, energy and species, to the vibrational state of D2 projectiles, as well as to the variation in sputtering yields with target surface and impact projectile. The methane and acetylene sputtering yields per deuteron, obtained with atomic and molecular projectiles, agree quantitatively with recent experimental values. We study the distribution of sputtered species, as well as their kinetic energy and angular spectra.
Profitability comparison of the partitioned aquaculture system with traditional catfish farms

Abstract The Partitioned Aquaculture System (PAS) provides a promising intensive aquaculture technology that is efficient and profitable, while simultaneously solving a variety of culture problems. This creates a sustainable aquaculture technology, which is environmentally safe and economically feasible. The PAS eliminates water discharge and reduces land usage and ground water requirements. The PAS system production process was modeled for catfish production using a growth model developed from observed data. The results of the PAS economic analysis were compared with two traditional catfish production scenarios. Comparisons were made between estimated investment requirements, operating costs and internal rates of return and breakeven points for alternate production systems and land ownership status. The results look promising, but research is ongoing on how best to manage the filter feeder component of the PAS.
INHIBITION OF HUMAN PARAINFLUENZA VIRUS-3 REPLICATION BY INTERFERON AND HUMAN MXA

We have investigated the IFN-mediated inhibition of human parainfluenza virus-3 (HPIV-3) replication in cultured human A549 cells. IFN-alpha inhibited the virus yield significantly with concomitant reduction of viral RNA accumulation by more than 90%. Further studies indicated that the inhibitory action of IFN was at the level of primary transcription of HPIV3 replication. Since the IFN-inducible protein, MxA, has been shown to inhibit virus replication in several RNA viruses, we examined the role of MxA in HPIV-3 replication using a stably transfected human glioblastoma cell line expressing MxA. In these cells HPIV-3 replication was decreased by more than 100-fold depending on the virus dosage used with concomitant inhibition of viral RNA synthesis by about 80%. However, the viral primary transcription was not affected in this MxA-producing cell line. In contrast, in the parental cell line IFN-mediated inhibition occurred at the primary transcription step of HPIV-3 replication. These data suggest that in addition to MxA, other IFN-inducible proteins are involved in the anti-HPIV-3 effect of IFN in both the cell lines used.
Assessment of body fat and lean in the elderly by measuring body carbon and oxygen: Validation against hydrodensitometry

Abstract Based on the observation that the carbon-to-oxygen ratio (C/O) in tissue isa measure of fat content, we developed a model which correlates C/O to percent body fat. Carbon and oxygen mass and their ratio are measured in vivo by fast neutron inelastic scattering, using a miniature D-T neutron generator, at a radiation exposure of less than 0.06 mSv. We tested the validity of this model against hydrodensitometry with 19 healthy adult volunteers. The method was found to be accurate and insensitive to assumptions about the composition of lean tissue and, therefore, appropriate for studying the elderly and patients with catabolic conditions.
New laser medium: dye-doped sol-gel fiber

Abstract Rhodamine-6G, a well-known laser dye, was doped in a sol-gel-derived fiber. For the first time, lasing was demonstrated from a dye-doped sol-gel-derived fiber device. Lasing was demonstrated under excitation with an 8 ns pulsed, frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm operating at a 1 2 Hz repetition rate. The dye-doped fiber was pumped longitudinally and placed in a cavity consisting of a ∼ 100% reflecting flat mirror and a ∼ 70% reflecting flat output coupler. The lasing emission peak for a 2 × 10 −5 M Rhodamine-6G doped fiber was observed at ∼568 nm with a full width at half maximum of ∼ 7 nm. A slope efficiency of ∼ 2.8% was observed for a 1 × 10 −4 M Rhodamine-6G doped fiber. A much higher slope efficiency is expected by improving the coupling into the fiber, decreasing the intrinsic fiber optical losses, optimizing the concentration-length relationship (preventing aggregation effect) and improving the cavity design.
Sarafina! in Black and White: revival, colour-conscious casting and new social cohesion paradigms

Under the direction of Josias Moleele, a group of students from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Pretoria revived Mbongeni Ngema's iconic anti-apartheid musical Sarafina! at the Soweto Theatre in July 2013. Moleele cast Tumi Lesejane, a black actress, and Suzaan Helberg, a white Afrikaans-speaking performer, in the title role. His casting decision angered some and inspired others. This article argues that colour-blind casting is a misnomer. Moleele employed, instead, colour-conscious casting. When the performance initially premiered at Pretoria's Breytenbach Theatre, Lesejane and Helberg played Sarafina in repertory. This served only to reinscribe the racial separations institutionalized by apartheid. In its final two performances at the Soweto Theatre, Sarafina! in Black and White overcame this limitation. Both Sarafinas appeared in the same performance. Lesejane played the first act, Helberg the second, and both performers appeared hand-in-hand dressed as Nelson Mandela in the musical's final m...
Fabrication of Nanometer Scale Patterns within Self-Assembled Monolayers by Nanografting

A nanofabrication method, nanografting, has been developed to fabricate nanometer scale patterns on surfaces with specified size and geometry. The nanografting process combines the displacement of selected resist molecules by an atomic force microscopy tip and the adsorption of new adsorbate. The present work details the procedure for nanografting and discusses various kinds of patterns produced and the stability of the resulting patterns. Compared with other methods for microfabrication, nanografting allows a more precise control over the size and geometry of patterned features and their locations on surfaces. Nanopatterns comprising various thiol-based components can be produced, where we have demonstrated the fabrication of nanopatterns from thiols with either the same or different chain lengths and terminal groups from the matrix SAM. Furthermore, nanografting allows the fabricated patterns to be altered in situ without the need to change masks or repeat entire fabrication processes. The patterned SAM...
Self-regulated dynamical criticality in human ECoG

Mounting experimental and theoretical results indicate that neural systems are poised near a critical state. In human subjects, however, most evidence comes from functional MRI studies, an indirect measurement of neuronal activity with poor temporal resolution. Electrocorticography (ECoG) provides a unique window into human brain activity: each electrode records, with high temporal resolution, the activity resulting from the sum of the local field potentials of \sim 10^5 neurons. We show that the human brain ECoG recordings display features of self-regulated dynamical criticality: dynamical modes of activation drift around the critical stability threshold, moving in and out of the unstable region and equilibrating the global dynamical state at a very fast time scale. Moreover, the analysis also reveals differences between the resting state and a motor task, associated with increased stability of a fraction of the dynamical modes.
Carotid endarterectomy in octogenarian veterans: does age affect outcome? A single-center experience.

Abstract Background The efficacy of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in octogenarians is controversial. Recent reports have examined this question in the general population, but little data exist on veterans. With the emergence of carotid artery stenting, we need to evaluate the role of CEA in treating elderly veterans with carotid stenosis. Methods Retrospective chart review of all CEAs performed between January 1995 and December 2004. Results A total of 286 procedures were performed in 239 patients; 39 procedures were performed in 33 octogenarians, and 247 procedures were performed in 206 younger veterans. Both groups had similar preoperative comorbidities. There were no statistically significant differences between octogenarians and younger veterans for postoperative stroke (2% vs. 1%), death (0% vs. 1%), myocardial infarction (5% vs. 2%), length of stay (7 ± 19 vs. 3 ± 8 days), or 4-year survival (53% vs. 57%). Conclusions CEA can be safely performed in octogenarian veterans with outcomes similar to younger veterans.
Quality of life among people with epilepsy and mild intellectual disabilities in residential care

This study examined quality-of-life (QOL) evaluations among people with epilepsy and mild intellectual disabilities in residential care to determine their covariation and potential determinants. Participants were 111 clients of the Bethel Institute, Bielefeld, Germany. They completed questionnaires on their overall QOL and life satisfaction, the PESOS scales on epilepsy-related QOL, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and scales on activities of daily life and work-related problems in face-to-face-interviews. QOL evaluations differed in the various domains and tended to be better on more concrete items. Correlations of generic QOL parameters with scales on epilepsy-related QOL were only weak. BSI scores reflecting the current emotional state were identified as the most influential predictors of all QOL measures. The weak relationship between non-health-related parameters of subjective QOL and epilepsy-related QOL requires further investigation and theoretical explanation, whereas the influence of negative affect on different QOL dimensions is in line with previous QOL findings.
Stimulated Raman Gain Spectroscopy Utilizing Counter-Propagating Pulsed Dye Lasers

A simplified experimental arrangement, in which the laser beams are counter-propagating, has allowed the acquisition of Raman gain spectra without the aid of optically dispersive devices. The method allows high spectral resolution with the spatial rejection of fluorescence typical of coherent Raman techniques. Access to the low-frequency spectral region has revealed stimulated gain involving mechanical waves of the bulk medium. Quasi-continuous scans of the entire vibrational region have been made using only two laser dyes.
Inactivation of MEF1 Poliomyelitis Virus by Ionizing Radiation

SummaryBaby mouse adapted MEF1 poliomyelitis virus has been bombarded by deuterons and alpha particles. The inactivation of infectivity corresponds to a cross section of 7.1 ± 3.5 × 10-12 cm2 for alpha particles and 6.0 ± 5.3 × 10-12 cm2 for deuterons. The radius of an assumed spherical sensitive volume so deduced is 15.7 ± 4.8 mμ.
Identification of a peptide recognized by five melanoma-specific human cytotoxic T cell lines

Of several thousand peptides presented by the major histocompatibility molecule HLA-A2.1, at least nine are recognized by melanoma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify and to sequence one of these peptide epitopes. Melanoma-specific CTLs had an exceptionally high affinity for this nine-residue peptide, which reconstituted an epitope for CTL lines from each of five different melanoma patients tested. Recognition by multiple CTL lines suggests that this may be a promising candidate for use in peptide-based melanoma vaccines.
Shear and normal strain sensing with electroactive polymer composites

Deformation induced variations in dielectric properties of an elastic material is called electrostriction. This effect can be detected using capacitance measurements and employed for sensing shear and normal strains. Almost any solid dielectric can be used as a sensing medium, but electroactive polymeric composites present a unique advantage. A composite’s structure can be locally micro-tailored and optimized for a given sensing application by exposing liquid polymeric suspensions to an electric field and curing the obtained structure. A single plane sensor configuration for shear and normal loads is analyzed. Such a design has no moving electrodes, can be implemented using surface micro-machining and supplied with on-chip electronics. Advantages of electroactive polymeric sensors include: intrinsic sensitivity to shear strain, robustness and flexibility, high tolerance to overloads, a large selection of candidate material for specific applications, simplicity in the manufacture, and operation and potential for miniaturization.
Physical environment near the surface of plowed and no-tilled soils

Mechanical tillage is a dynamic soil process that influences the physical environment near the surface, thus affecting biological processes in the soil. Water content, bulk density, air permeability, hydraulic conductivity and organic carbon were compared for moldboard plowed and non-tilled conditions at five locations from east-central U.S.A. to the Great Plains. Soils were Blount, Maury, Nicollet, Webster and Crete-Butler cropped to continuous corn (Zea mays L.), and Alliance and Duroc cropped to wheat/fallow (Triticum aestivum L.). Major differences in soil physical characteristics between tillage practices were largely confined to the top 75 mm of soil. The volumetric water and organic carbon (C) contents of the 0–150-mm layer at time of sampling ranged from 8 to 66% and 12 to 75% higher, respectively, in no-tilled than in plowed soils. Bulk density was greater and total porosity in the surface layer was as much as 10% less for no-tilled than for plowed treatments. Because of generally higher water contents and/or lower porosity, the water-filled pore space (WFPS) in the 0–150-mm layer of no-tilled soils was 6–28% higher than that of plowed soils. Air permeability in the surface layer of no-tilled soil was less than for plowed, but there were no differences due to tillage in the 75–150-mm depth. Physical soil characteristics influence the soil water regime, and thereby affect rate of biological reactions in the soil. At many points in the soil drying cycle, water added to a no-tilled soil usually creates a less aerobic environment compared to adding the same amount of water to plowed counterpart.
Multiple factors insulate Msh2-Msh6 mismatch repair activity from defects in Msh2 domain I.

Abstract DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is a highly conserved mutation avoidance mechanism that corrects DNA polymerase misincorporation errors. In initial steps in MMR, Msh2–Msh6 binds mispairs and small insertion/deletion loops, and Msh2–Msh3 binds larger insertion/deletion loops. The msh2Δ1 mutation, which deletes the conserved DNA-binding domain I of Msh2, does not dramatically affect Msh2–Msh6-dependent repair. In contrast, msh2Δ1 mutants show strong defects in Msh2–Msh3 functions. Interestingly, several mutations identified in patients with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer map to domain I of Msh2; none have been found in MSH3. To understand the role of Msh2 domain I in MMR, we examined the consequences of combining the msh2Δ1 mutation with mutations in two distinct regions of MSH6 and those that increase cellular mutational load (pol3-01 and rad27). These experiments reveal msh2Δ1-specific phenotypes in Msh2–Msh6 repair, with significant effects on mutation rates. In vitro assays demonstrate that msh2Δ1–Msh6 DNA binding is less specific for DNA mismatches and produces an altered footprint on a mismatch DNA substrate. Together, these results provide evidence that, in vivo, multiple factors insulate MMR from defects in domain I of Msh2 and provide insights into how mutations in Msh2 domain I may cause hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer.
THE SOLUBILITIES, APPARENT DISSOCIATION CONSTANTS, AND THERMODYNAMIC DATA OF THE DIHALOGENATED TYROSINE COMPOUNDS

1. The solubilities and differential heats of solution of d-tyrosine, dl-tyrosine, diiodo-dl-tyrosine, dibromo-l-tyrosine (hydrated), dibromo-l-tyrosine (anhydrous), and dichloro-l-tyrosine (hydrated) have been determined. 2. Evidence has been advanced that dl-tyrosine is a compound. 3. From the solubility determinations at various acidities, the apparent acid and basic dissociation constants of dibromo-l-tyrosine and dichloro-l-tyrosine have been determined at 25° and 40°C. From these data the apparent heats of ionization have been calculated. 4. The question concerning which of the groups in l-tyrosine and its dihalogenated substitution products is responsible for each dissociation constant has been discussed.
Comparative and functional anatomy of Proconsul phalanges from the Kaswanga Primate Site, Rusinga Island, Kenya

Abstract The fossil remains of nine individuals attributable to the Miocene hominoid genus Proconsul were recovered during 1984 and 1985 from the Kaswanga Primate Site on Rusinga Island, Kenya. Among the thousands of bone fragments recovered were hundreds of phalangeal fragments, which have been collected and assembled into 247 separate identifiable phalanges or phalangeal fragments, representing nine of ten identified Kaswanga individuals. This sample is many times larger than any other Miocene hominoid phalangeal sample, and preserves several examples of every hand and foot phalanx from both sexes (deduced from associated cranial remains) in several age categories. This allows for a much greater understanding of normal ranges of variation and for a more detailed reconstruction of positional behavior in Proconsul.
Phenprocoumon Binding to Bovine and Human α1-Acid Glycoprotein

Abstract The binding of the anticoagulant drug phenprocoumon to bovine and human α 1 -acid glycoprotein (AGP) was studied using a fluorescence titration technique. Phenprocoumon was found to have one moderate strength binding site on bovine AGP with n = (0.78 ± 0.04) and a Scatchard association constant, K = (2.2 ± 0.1) × 10 4 M −1 . Phenprocoumon was bound more strongly to human AGP; a primary binding site was found with binding affinity, n 1 K 1 = 4.6 × 10 5 M −1 , along with weaker secondary binding, n 2 K 2 = 1.8 × 10 4 M −1 .
Leg asymmetries and coordination dynamics in walking.

ABSTRACT Models of interlimb coordination (H. Haken, J. A. S. Kelso, & H. Bunz, 1985; P. N. Kugler & M. T. Turvey, 1987) were tested in walking by examining the role of asymmetries between limbs. Participants walked on a treadmill with and without a metronome. Five asymmetry conditions were created via ankle loads of 0, 3, or 6 kg on either leg. With the metronome, participants matched the target period. Without the metronome, stride rate slowed as the mass was increased on either leg. The loads led to an increase in stride period that was predicted by Huygens’ law and the hybrid pendulum-spring model. In agreement with extended Haken–Kelso–Bunz model predictions, leg asymmetries led to deviations from antiphase coordination. Also, perception–action coordination was influenced by the asymmetry between the legs and metronome. In contrast, no predicted stability effects were observed. These findings reveal that some properties of interlimb coordination, apparent in laboratory-based tasks, can also be observ...
Sequential behavior and stability properties of enzymatic neuron networks.

The cycle structure of enzymatic neural networks may be characterized in terms of number of cycles exhibited, size of cycle state sets and cycle lengths. Simulation experiments show that the stability properties of these networks have some unusual features which are not exhibited by networks of two-state switching elements or by randomly constructed ecosystem models. The behavioral and structural stability of these systems decreases with their structural complexity, as measured by the number of components. The behavioral and structural stability of enzymatic neural networks also decreases with structural complexity, as measured by the number of excitase types, but only up to the middle level of excitases per neuron. This is the point of highest potential responsiveness of the system to environmental stimuli. Beyond this point the behavioral and structural stability increase. This is due to the fact that the number of possible states increases up to this point and decreases beyond it. The number of possible states, not the number of components, serves as the useful measure of complexity in these types of systems. The selection circuits learning algorithm has been used to evolve networks whose cycle structures have desired features.
Water Permeability of the Fetal Erythrocyte

The rate constant for the diffusion of tritiated water across the fetal erythrocyte membrane has been measured as 0.056 ± SD 0.013 msec.-1 The equivalent pore radius calculated by the method of Paganelli and Solomon for the fetal erythrocyte is 3.9 A. The effect of a normal distribution of channel sizes within the erythrocyte membrane is discussed and the theoretical effect of variation of the distribution on the diffusion to bulk flow ratio is evaluated. Since membrane channels of 4 A characterize a variety of membranes, it is suggested that permeability differences may be associated with slight variations in the statistical distribution of the channel sizes within the membrane. The limits of ±0.5 A standard deviation that qualitative experiments place on the expected variability of channel size will not account for the lower rate of water diffusion in the fetal cell.
Post-traumatic infections of the extremities

Abstract The extent of the development of post-traumatic infections of the extremities depends upon the nature of the wound and the type of organisms introduced. These injuries may be classified as abrasions, incised, punctured, lacerated, contused and gunshot wounds. A staphylococcic or streptococcic infection may develop following abrasions but these are ordinarily of little consequence. The development of infection after incised, punctured or lacerated wounds causes little systemic reaction if the lesion is superficial. However, in deep wounds in which the fascia and muscles have been penetrated, the introduction of streptococcus, staphylococcus and anaerobic organisms is productive of more acute symptoms. The most serious type of infection following a deep puncture is tetanus, characterized by pain and spasm of the masseters, trismus, opisthotonos, convulsions and death. Tetanus antitoxin and combined tetanus and polyvalent gas gangrene antitoxin should be administered routinely to all patients with incised, lacerated or punctured wounds. The severest type of infection follows gunshot wounds because they represent a combination of punctured, lacerated and contused wounds with the addition of a foreign body. Under anaerobic conditions, the deep implantation of various organisms, extensive tissue damage and the presence of foreign bodies encourage the development of gas gangrene. This picture is characterized by intense pain for some distance about the wound, rapid pulse rate out of proportion to the moderate temperature, brick-red serosanguineous discharge and distinct, pungent, nauseating odor. The prophylactic measures of immediate implantation of sulfathiazole as a first aid measure, early debridement and reimplantation of sulfathiazole will prevent the development of this dreaded disease.
Dimensionality of a scale of adjustment to unemployment

Many of today's unemployed are middle managers or midcareer professionals who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. This study examined psychological effects of unemployment on 178 professionals using an adaptation of Kaufman's adjustment to unemployment scale. Analysis indicated two factors, negative affect (which includes anxiety, burden, irritation, resentment, and anomie; alpha = .69) and general affect (self-esteem, depression, and life satisfaction; alpha = .73). Implications for the study of unemployed professionals are discussed.
Multiphoton Control of the 1,3-Cyclohexadiene Ring-Opening Reaction in the Presence of Competing Solvent Reactions

Although physical chemistry has often concentrated on the observation and understanding of chemical systems, the defining characteristic of chemistry remains the direction and control of chemical reactivity. Optical control of molecular dynamics, and thus of chemical reactivity provides a path to use photon energy as a smart reagent in a chemical system. In this paper, we discuss recent research in this field in the context of our studies of the multiphoton optical control of the photo-initiated ring-opening reaction of 1,3-cyclohexadiene (CHD) to form 1,3,5-cis-hexatriene (Z-HT). Closed-loop feedback and learning algorithms are able to identify pulses that increase the desired target state by as much as a factor of two. Mechanisms for control are discussed through the influence of the intensity dependence, the nonlinear power spectrum, and the projection of the pulses onto low orders of polynomial phase. Control measurements in neat solvents demonstrate that competing solvent fragmentation reactions must...
Comparison of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation Procedures in Children, Adolescents, and Adults and the Impact of Accessory Pathway Location

Abstract Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is an accepted treatment for supraventricular tachycardia. However, the determinants of success, difficulty, or risk of complication associated with ablation have not been defined. This study evaluated patient age and location of the accessory or extranodal pathway as determinants of these procedural variables. Patients were stratified by age, with those aged 2 to 12 years classified as children, those aged 13 to 19 years as adolescents, and those ≥20 years as adults. Locations were defined as right, septal, or left free wall accessory pathways, or extranodal slow pathways associated with atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia. A total of 443 RF ablation procedures performed in 413 patients were evaluated. All procedures were performed in the same laboratory by the same group of physicians. Success rates for ablation of supraventricular tachycardia did not differ among the 3 age groups, ranging from 93% to 95%. Procedural aspects, including total procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and number of applications of RF energy also did not differ by age group. However, analysis of outcome and procedural complexity with respect to pathway location demonstrated that ablation of right free wall and septal accessory pathways was significantly more difficult than left free wall or slow pathway (success rates of 85% and 88% vs 97% and 98%, respectively, p = 0.01 and 0.02), irrespective of age. Additionally, right free wall pathways required significantly greater procedure time (mean = 5.1 hours), fluoroscopy time (mean = 78 minutes), and RF applications (median = 16) than ablations performed at other sites. In experienced centers, young age does not represent an independent risk factor for the failure or complexity of RF ablation procedures. However, accessory pathway location may be a critical variable affecting performance of these procedures, regardless of age.
Duality theorems in some overdetermined boundary value problems

We consider several elliptic boundary value problems for which there is an overspecification of data on the boundary of the domain. After reformulating the problems in an equivalent integral form, we use the alternate integral formulation to deduce that if a solution exists, then the domain must be an N-ball. Various Green's functions and classical boundary value problems of second, fourth and higher order are included among the problems considered here.
Exact Test of the Adiabatic Approximation for Exciton–Phonon Interactions

The adiabatic approximation, used recently by Davydov to study the deformation of molecular crystals in the presence of electronic excitation, is examined with the aid of a numerically exactly soluble model of an exciton in a deformable dimer. This approximation, valid when the phonon energy is small compared to the exciton–phonon binding energy, gives a generally good upper bound on the ground state exciton energy for this model, but is insufficient to characterize exciton propagation. Delocalization of the exciton wavefunction in this approximation is not necessarily equivalent to free exciton motion but implies a weak exciton–phonon correlation. Die adiabatische Naherung, die kurzlich von Davydov zur Untersuchung der Deformation molekularer Kristalle bei elektronischer Anregung benutzt wurde, wird mit Hilfe eines genau berechenbaren Dimer-Modells untersucht. Diese Naherung, die nur dann gultig ist, wenn die Phononenenergie im Vergleich zur Exziton–Phonon-Bindungsenergie gering ist, ergibt fur dieses Modell eine gute obere Grenze fur die Energie des Exzitonengrundzustandes, genugt aber nicht zur Charakterisierung der Exzitonenausbreitung. Ein bei dieser Naherung nicht-lokalisierter Exzitonenzustand setzt nicht die freie Exzitonenbewegung voraus, sondern besagt nur, das die das Exziton begleitende Gitterdeformation schwach ist.
Analysis of DNA-guided self-assembly of microspheres using imaging flow cytometry.

Imaging flow cytometry was used to analyze the self-assembly of DNA-conjugated polystyrene microspheres. This technique enables quantitative analysis of the assembly process and thereby enables detailed analysis of the effect of structural and process variables on the assembly yield. In a demonstration of the potential of this technique, the influence of DNA strand base pair (bp) length was examined, and it was found that 50 bp was sufficient to drive the assembly of microspheres efficiently, forming not only dimers but also chainlike structures. The effect of stoichiometry on the yield was also examined. The analysis demonstrated that self-assembly of 50 bp microspheres can be driven nearly to completion by stoichiometric excess in a manner similar to Le Chatelier’s principle in common chemical equilibrium.
White collar offenders under community supervision

This article presents an analysis of the beliefs held by federal probation officers concerning their role in supervising white collar offenders. The major finding is that this supervision is regarded by most officers as “going through the motions.” It is suggested that this attitude is in part due to the class standing and lifestyle of the typical white collar offender as it is perceived by probation officers. The question raised is whether community supervision of white collar offenders makes any sense, especially given the interactional patterns that typically develop between white collar offenders and their probation officers, which may facilitate denial of criminality by these offenders.
A new chromogenic agar medium for detection of potentially virulent Yersinia enterocolitica

Several outbreaks of foodborne yersiniosis have been documented and this disease continues to be source of infections transmitted through foods. The selective agars most commonly used to isolate Yersinia enterocolitica in clinical, food and environmental samples, cefsulodin-irgasan-novobiocin (CIN) and MacConkey (MAC) agars, lack the ability to differentiate potentially virulent Y. enterocolitica from other Yersinia that may be present as well as some other bacterial spp. This study proposes the use of an agar medium, Y. enterocolitica chromogenic medium (YeCM), for isolation of potentially virulent Y. enterocolitica. This agar contains cellobiose as the fermentable sugar, a chromogenic substrate and selective inhibitors for suppression of colony formation by many competing bacteria. All strains of potentially virulent Yersinia of biotypes 1B, and biotypes 2-5 formed convex, red bulls-eye colonies on YeCM that were very similar to those described for CIN agar. However, Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A and other related Yersinia formed colonies that were purple/blue on YeCM while they formed typical red bulls-eye colonies on CIN agar. When a mixture of potentially virulent Y. enterocolitica biotype 1B, Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A and 5 other bacterial species was used to artificially contaminate tofu and then spread-plated on three selective agars, Y. enterocolitica biotype 1B colonies were easily distinguished from other strains on YeCM. However, Y. enterocolitica biotype 1B colonies were indistinguishable from many other colonies on CIN and only distinguishable from those of C. freundii on MAC. When colonies were picked and identified from these agars, typical colonies from YeCM were confirmed only as Y. enterocolitica biotype 1B. Typical colonies on CIN and MAC were found to belong to several competing species and biotypes.
Modulation of [3H]flunitrazepam binding by natural and synthetic progestational agents

Progesterone is metabolized by ring-A reduction with subsequent oxidoreduction to 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone (3 alpha-OH-5 alpha-DHP), a naturally occurring metabolite that has been shown to enhance [3H]flunitrazepam ([3H]FNZ) binding. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a commonly prescribed progestational agent, is a synthetic progesterone derivative that has a metabolic profile similar to that of progesterone. In this study, the effects of MPA and its ring-A reduced metabolites DHMPA and THMPA on [3H]FNZ binding were investigated. While known modulators of specific [3H]FNZ binding demonstrated expected effects in frozen and fresh rat cortical tissue, 3 alpha-OH-5 alpha-DHP enhanced [3H]FNZ binding only in fresh, not frozen, tissue. Neither DHMPA nor THMPA affected binding, while MPA partially inhibited [3H]FNZ binding by 40%. In addition, five test drugs were used to assess the effect of gender and hormonal status on [3H]FNZ binding. Neither gender nor hormonal status influenced binding. Thus, ring-A reduced metabolites of progesterone but not of MPA enhance [3H]FNZ binding. The clinical implications of these in vitro results are currently under investigation.
MONODISPERSE DROPLET GENERATION BY SPONTANEOUS CONDENSATION OF STEAM FLOW IN NOZZLES

ABSTRACT Spontaneous Condensation (also called homogeneous Condensation)of steam flow in one dimensional nozzle has been numerically modeled. The classical (Frenkel and Volmer) and Deich's nucleation theories were used. Unlike the classical theory, Deich's theory also accounts for the critical droplet size dependence upon the expansion rate in the nozzle. Pressure ratio, mean droplet size and droplet size distributions were obtained along the axial length for various nozzles. Comparisons with experimental data were made. The agreement between the numerical results and the experimental data was good. Both theories predicted the pressure ratio properly but the classical theory tended to underestimate the droplet sizes. Deich's theory is preferred for analyzing and designing new nozzles. The classical theory cannot be used for obtaining a correlation for surface tension ratio, thereby limiting its usage for new nozzles. Effects of Inlet conditions and nozzle expansion rates on mean droplet size and droplet s...
Further studies on the inhibition of drug metabolism by pregnanolone and related steroids.

Abstract Because of our previous findings that pregnanolone and related metabolites of progesterone inhibit drug demethylation and hydroxylation reactions in vitro , a variety of other steroids and naturally occurring substances were tested for inhibition of the O -demethylation of p -nitroanisole by 9000 g hepatic supernatants from adult male rats. Of some 58 steroids tested, none was more potent than pregnanolone. Other potent inhibitors, with the exception of norethindrome, had a similar structure (C 21 ) with hydroxyl or keto groups at C 3 and C 20 . Inhibitory activity was not related to the endocrine activity of the steroid. Inhibition by a group of 11 steroids was generally greater with 9000 g supernatants from female rats, and was uniformly increased with supernatants from pregnant rats. By 10 days after delivery, inhibition returned to levels equivalent to those found with supernatants from virgin females. Cholesterol and related compounds, fatty acids and esters, ceramides, gangliosides, phosphatidyl inositol and other natural fatty acid conjugates and a variety of indoles and lipids had no inhibitory activity. Pregnanolone administration increased the duration of hexobarbital- and of barbital-induced sleep in rats, apparently due to an additive sedative effect. However, microsomes prepared from these animals exhibited lesser rates of demethylation, with kinetics compatible with uncompetitive inhibition. These results indicate that progesterone, its metabolites and structurally similar steroids are potent inhibitors of microsomal drug metabolism. Such inhibition may be responsible in part for the low rates of drug metabolism seen in the female, during pregnancy, and in the neonate.
On the complexity of computing bilinear forms with {0, 1} constants

Abstract An important class of problems in arithmetic complexity is that of computing a set of bilinear forms, which includes many interesting problems such as the multiplication problems of matrices and polynomials. Recently, this class has been given considerable attention and several interesting results have emerged. However, most of the important issues remain unresolved and the general problem seems to be very difficult. In this paper, we consider one of the simplest cases of the general problem, namely evaluation of bilinear forms with {0, 1} constants, and prove that fording the optimal number of multiplications or the optimal number of additions is NP-hard. We discuss several related problems.
The magnetic and thermodynamical structure of a coronal hole

A nonpolytropic model of a polar coronal hole of 2-5 solar radii constructed. The main assumptions are: (1) the magnetic structure of the sun can be described by a combination of dipole-like and radial fields; (2) in the magnetically dominated region rho(nu sq/2) much less than B sq/8 pi the influence of the outflow on the magnetic structure is negligible. The magnetic and thermodynamic structures are obtained by solving the force balance equation for plasma with the observationally derived electron density. Profiles of velocities in the acceleration regime are presented and the influence of the outflow on the thermodynamic structure of the solar corona above the polar region is discussed.
P2X7 receptors mediate ATP release and amplification of astrocytic intercellular Ca2+ signaling

Modulation of synaptic transmission and brain microcirculation are new roles ascribed to astrocytes in CNS function. A mechanism by which astrocytes modify neuronal activity in the healthy brain depends on fluctuations of cytosolic Ca2+ levels, which regulate the release of “gliotransmitters” via an exocytic pathway. Under pathological conditions, however, the participation of other pathways, including connexin hemichannels and the pore-forming P2X7R, have been proposed but remain controversial. Through the use of genetically modified 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells and of spinal cord astrocytes derived from neonatal Cx43- and P2X7R-null mice, we provide strong evidence that P2X7Rs, but not Cx43 hemichannels, are sites of ATP release that promote the amplification of Ca2+ signal transmission within the astrocytic network after exposure to low divalent cation solution. Moreover, our results showing that gap junction channel blockers (heptanol, octanol, carbenoxolone, flufenamic acid, and mefloquine) are antagonists of the P2X7R indicate the inadequacy of using these compounds as evidence for the participation of connexin hemichannels as sites of gliotransmitter release.