cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contributors to the American Sociological Review, 2010

This study examines the profile of the contributors of full-length articles to the American Sociological Review (ASR) in 2010. Examining over a dozen variables, the study compared the findings with both the 2010 regular issues of the v and the American Sociological Review (ASR). Although substantial gender and racial inequalities are observed in all three journals and the disciplines that own those journals, the ASR tends to have more gender and racial representations. Some explanations are provided for this finding. For example, in 2010 women accounted for 29 (36.3%) of the 80 contributors of all full-length articles to the ASR, but only 28 (12.6%) out of 222 contributors to the AER, and 11 (13.9%) of 79 contributors to the APSR. Among other findings in the data are that the APSR tends to publish articles of scholars based in North America. Scholars in a selected group of private and public institutions in the United States tend to have more influence in the pages of the ASR. The most common degree earned by contributors to the ASR is the Ph.D., with over 9 out of every 10 of them having at least one. The Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States awarded almost two-thirds of all degrees earned by contributors to the ASR, and the South awarded only 7 (8.7%) of all degrees. The Northeast and Midwest also employed 53% of the contributors to the ASR.
1603 URINE N-ACETYL-|[beta]|-D-GLUCOSAMINIDASE(NAG) AND |[beta]|2-MICRO-GLOBULINS (B2M) IN VERY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT INFANTS FED MINERAL SUPPLEMENTED FORMULA

Generalized aminoaciduria and high urinary calcium/urinary creatinine (Cr) seen in infants 200 mmol (>2SD) and 4 hypoproteinemic infants had both NAG <5 (<2SD) and β2M <.05 (data on these 7 infants excluded from mean calculations seen in table). Though continued study is needed to define optimal mineral supplementation, these data are reassuring that the aminoaciduria seen probably represents renal immaturity or transport competition rather than tubular damage.
Pre-diagnostic serum levels of inflammation markers and risk of ovarian cancer in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer (PLCO) Screening Trial

Abstract Objective Pro-inflammatory mechanisms may explain the increased ovarian cancer risk linked to more lifetime ovulations, endometriosis, and exposure to talc and asbestos, as well as decreased risk with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Limited data are available to estimate ovarian cancer risk associated with levels of circulating inflammatory markers. Methods We conducted a nested case–control study within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Pre-diagnostic serum levels of 46 inflammation-related biomarkers (11 with a priori hypotheses; 35 agnostic) were measured in 149 incident ovarian cancer cases and 149 matched controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression and adjusted for identified covariates. Results Increased ovarian cancer risk was associated with elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) [tertile (T)3 vs. T1: OR (95% CI) 2.04 (1.06–3.93), p-trend=0.03], interleukin (IL)-1α [detectable vs. undetectable: 2.23 (1.14–4.34)] and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) [T3 vs. T1: 2.21 (1.06–4.63), p-trend=0.04]. Elevated IL-8 was non-significantly associated with risk [T3 vs. T1: 1.86 (0.96–3.61), p-trend=0.05]. In analyses restricted to serous ovarian cancer (n=83), the associations with CRP and IL-8 remained or strengthened [CRP T3 vs. T1: 3.96 (1.14–11.14), p-trend=0.008; IL-8 T3 vs. T1: 3.05 (1.09–8.51), p-trend=0.03]. Elevated levels of CRP and TNF-α remained positively associated with ovarian cancer risk in analysis restricted to specimens collected at least 5years before diagnosis (n=56). Conclusion These results suggest that CRP, IL-1α, IL-8, and TNF-α are associated with increased risk of subsequently developing ovarian cancer.
Phase diversity in an exo-planet imager

A possible system for imaging an exo-planet uses a telescope, coronagraphic mask, and Lyot stop. However, the optics must be nearly flawless for a planet to be imaged, since imperfections cause the image to have speckles which mask the planet. The speckle pattern can be suppressed by removing its phase with an adaptive optic and by reimaging it through a lens with a small, central obscuration. We show how phase diversity can be used to determine the phase.
Rimonabant: a novel approach for the treatment of obesity and cardiometabolic risk by blockade of the endocannabinoid system

Obesity, the metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiometabolic risk are increasing at epidemic rates worldwide. Without interventions, the healthcare ramifications and costs of this epidemic will be astronomical. Current available treatment modalities have demonstrated limited effectiveness to deal with this metabolic epidemic. A novel metabolic pathway, the endocannabinoid system, plays a significant and direct role in appetite regulation, glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Activation of the endocannabinoid system increases hunger and decreases satiety, and promotes insulin resistance and lipogenesis. Studies indicate that the endocannabinoid system is chronically activated in abdominal obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, blockade of the endocannabiniod receptor type-1 improves multiple cardiometabolic parameters and may represent a potential mechanism to combat obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and other cardiometabolic risks. Rimonabant, a novel agent, blocks the endocannabinoid-recept...
A survey of various tactics for generating Lagrangian multipliers in the context of Lagrangian duality

Abstract This study concerns itself with Lagrangian duality for continuous and discrete mathematical programming problems. Properties of the dual function, including subdifferentiability, differentiability, ascent, and steepest ascent directions are discussed. We show the relationship between directions of steepest ascent and shortest subgradients under different normalization constraints. We then discuss various strategies for generating and updating the Lagrangian multiplier vectors in the course of dual optimization.
The radar system and information flow

The information flow through a radar system channel is studied for various component design choices including the radar measurement function, signature feature selection, and classifier decision rule. A simplified target scattering model is used to analyze the application of the information theoretical channel model.
Spectral properties of ice‐particulate mixtures and implications for remote sensing: 1. Intimate mixtures

From laboratory spectra of many ice-particulate mixtures with high, medium, and low albedo particulates, the band depths, continuum reflectance, and ratio of band depth to continuum reflectance are derived as a function of the logarithm of thef particulate weight fraction in the sample. Ice band depths are dependent on the particulate albedo, and increase with smaller weight fractions of particulates until the bands saturate and their depths decrease. While the continuum reflectance is a complex function of the particulate albedo and wavelength of light, the band depth-to-continuum reflectance ratios appear independent of particulate albedo in such a fashion that, for a given grain size of particulate, a calibration curve to the abundance of ice and particulates is derived. Theoretically produced frost spectra show similar curves of growth for band depth, continuum reflectance, and corresponding ratio vs the photon mean optical path length.
America and the Garrison Stadium: How the US Armed Forces Shaped College Football

American military institutions importantly shaped the popular sport of college football. From support at its two oldest service academies, interest in football spread through military units across the country with military actors involved in the formation of the country’s first collegiate athletic conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Subsequently, the US military functioned as an agent of authoritative diffusion, fostering interest in college football after the First World War. Furthermore, military institutions, including the draft, affected not only which team would be most successful during the Second World War but also how civilians would play the game. These effects call to mind Charles Tilly’s work on state formation and security-driven resource extraction as well as Harold Lasswell’s garrison state idea.
Observation of Ferromagnetic Ordering in hcp 3He.

High-density bcc and hcp3He have been cooled into the magnetically ordered state by direct nuclear demagnetization. Pressure changes during precooling and demagnetization indicated the magnetic state of the system. For a bcc sample withv=20.10 cm3/mole, the two well-known magnetic transitions were observed. For hcp samples precooled to 0.614 mK in a field of 2.485 T, for which the spin entropy is almost zero, the transition to the ferromagnetic state was observed.
Zero dimensionality and Josephson coupling in granular niobium nitride

Ultrathin granular niobium nitride films have been found to behave like an array of zerodimensional superconducting grains coupled through grain boundaries by a Josephsontype interaction. The temperature dependence of the current at which a voltage first appears fits the Josephson-junction-like critical-current predictions remarkably well. The films exhibit a paraconductivity which extends to 24 K, more than twice the critical temperature, ${T}_{\mathrm{cG}}$, of the grains and varying as ${(T\ensuremath{-}{T}_{\mathrm{cG}})}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$.
Intranuclear destruction of heterochromatin in two species of armored scale insects

Spermatogenesis is described in two species of armored scale insects,Parlatoria proteus andParlatoria ziziphus. In the males of both species, a haploid set of four chromosomes becomes heterochromatic during early embryogeny. The heterochromatic chromosomes are lost later by two different mechanisms during spermatogenesis. Just before meiosis begins one or more heterochromatic chromosomes disappear from each primary spermatocyte as a consequence of a rapid intranuclear chromosome destruction. Meiosis consists of a single achiasmatic division. At prophase four euchromatic and from one to three heterochromatic chromosomes are present in each cell. Although both the euchromatic and remaining heterochromatic chromosomes divide, the heterochromatic chromosomes are later eliminated by posttelophase ejection; the eliminated chromosomes then disintegrate slowly in the cytoplasm. Each of the two species displays a species specific level of heterochromatin retention and both differ in this regard from the previously describedParlatoria oleae. The evolution of a chromosome system involving intranuclear chromosome destruction is discussed.
Development of cornel transparency in embryonic chick: Influence of exogenous thyroxine and thiouracil on structure, water and electrolyte content

Abstract Thiouracil and thyroxine (T 4 ) were injected onto the chick chorioallantois at various developmental stages to study their effects on corneal cellularity, dehydration and structure. Corneas were excised 2–9 days after treatment for histological examination and for analyses of water content, sodium concentration [Na + ] and potassium concentration [K + ]. Untreated chick corneas showed that water content and [Na + ] decreased with advancing embryonic age, while [K + ] increased up to stage 42 and then rapidly declined. Corneas from embryos injected with 10 mg thiouracil at stage 36 had a significantly reduced [K + ] at stages 40 and 42. Corneas at stages 40, 42 and 45 had a significantly elevated water content when compared with controls. Injection of 15 μg of T 4 prior to stage 36 or at or after stage 40 did not produce significant changes in corneal water and ionic content compared with controls; injection of 15 μg of T 4 during the cell proliferation period of corneal development (stages 36–40) produced a significant increase in [K + ]. Similar results were obtained in corneas from embryos injected with 1 μg of T 4 . Total corneal thickness was increased in thiouracil treated corneas, and decreased in T 4 treated corneas. Epithelial growth was markedly decreased with thiouracil treatment, while T 4 had little effect. It is likely that thiouracil treatment decreases cell division in the cornea, and prevents formation of the epithelial barrier, whereas T 4 accelerates these processes.
Wavelength predictions for lines of interest in the Ne i sequence

It is noted that the resonance lines of ions in the neon isoelectric sequence are prominent at short wavelengths. Recent observations and calculations in the literature are used to derive estimated wavelengths of likely observable lines emitted by neonlike ions. Optimal conditions for observation are briefly discussed, and estimated wavelengths for three transitions of the neon isoelectric sequence are presented.
Applications Of InP Photoconductive Switches

The operational principles and performance of InP photoconductive switches are reviewed. The results suggest that these devices may be better suited for high-speed photodetection and signal processing applications than comparable Si or GaAs devices. The switches have a response time of -50 psec, an off-state impedance of 10 fF and 100 MΩ and an on-state impedance of 45 Ω for 40 pJ of incident energy. In a variety of experiments with cw mode-locked lasers, the switches have been used as fast optical pulse detectors, high-speed pulse-train generators and as wide-band analog samplers. In the latter application, a 70-MHz sine wave has been sampled at 275 MS/sec with 98% accuracy. Extension of this sampling application to analog-to-digital-conversion demultiplexing operation is proposed.
Preface to a practical theology of aging

To address theologically the issue of aging is to confront the problems of practical theology. The problems of aging give us an opportunity to begin afresh our reflections upon the nature of practical theology. A practical theology of aging must take experience seriously. It must use phenomenological description and empirical analysis to open up the surface and the depth dimensions of experience. But then the results of these labors must be correlated with a hermeneutics of Christian symbols. When the results of these endeavors are pooled, the key to meaningful aging emerges as learning to “care” for oneself, one's future, and the future of the race.
The Role of Expatriates in the Management of Interdependence Complexity and Risk in Multinational Corporations

A multilevel analysis of environmental (country) and organizational (affiliate) factors is used to explain the differential utilization rates of U.S. nationals in overseas professional positions of a major U.S. bank with 84 branches in 43 countries. The research suggests that to the extent that the affiliates of a multinational corporation operate in environments with differing levels of political risk, cultural distance, and competition and have operations with different levels of complexity and interdependence, a single staffing policy may be inappropriate.
Mutations at the arginine residues in α8 loop of Bacillus thuringiensis δ-endotoxin Cry1Ac affect toxicity and binding to Manduca sexta and Lymantria dispar aminopeptidase N

The functional role of the α8 loop residues in domain II of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac toxin was examined. Alanine substitution mutations were introduced in the residues from 275 to 293. Among the mutant toxins, substitutions at R281 and R289 affected toxicity to Manduca sexta and Lymantria dispar. Loss of toxicity by these mutant toxins was well correlated with reductions in binding affinity for brush border membrane vesicles and the purified receptor, aminopeptidase N (APN), from both insects. These data suggest that the two arginine residues in the α8 loop region are important in toxicity and APN binding in L. dispar and M. sexta.
Alloantigen presentation by ethylcarbodiimide-treated dendritic cells induces T cell hyporesponsiveness, and prolongs organ graft survival.

Abstract Ethylcarbodiimide (ECDI) couples soluble antigens (Ag) to lymphoid cells bestowing tolerizing potential. We examined whether ECDI-treated allogeneic dendritic cells (DC) could promote Ag-specific T cell unresponsiveness and prolong graft survival. Exposure of murine myeloid DC to ECDI did not affect surface immunophenotype but reduced their ability to cluster with T cells, enhanced their apoptotic death, and markedly reduced their allostimulatory activity. Anti-donor proliferative and cytotoxic T cell responses of mice primed with ECDI-treated DC were markedly inhibited. Secretion of both Th1 (IFNγ) and Th2 cytokines (IL-5, IL-10) was suppressed. Cardiac allograft survival in mice preconditioned with a single injection of ECDI-DC was prolonged significantly. These results indicate that ECDI-treated DC promote T cell unresponsiveness to donor alloAgs and prolong transplant survival. The effects are not associated with sparing of Th2 responses, but may reflect inhibitory effects of apoptotic donor DC on host immune reactivity.
Preparation, characterization, and heck reaction of siloxane films derived from carbosilane dendrons with a bromophenyl group at the focal point and up to 27 SiCl3 groups at the periphery.

Multidentate organosiloxane thin films were prepared on SiO 2 /Si surfaces by solution phase deposition of carbosilane dendrons containing a bromophenyl group at the focal point and 3 (Br-GO), 9 (Br-Gl), and 27 (Br-G2) SiCl 3 groups at the periphery. The films were characterized by contact angle goniometry, ellipsometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that about six Br-GO molecules covered the same surface area as three Br-Gl molecules and one Br-G2 molecule. Hence, the density of the bromophenyl groups in the films could be defined by the size (generation) of the dendron adsorbates. We also demonstrated that the bromophenyl groups on the film surfaces could serve as a handle for attaching conjugated molecules via formation of C-C bonds. Thus, upon treatment of the films with 4-fluorostyrene under Heck reaction conditions, XPS analysis showed that about 90, 66, and 51% of the bromine atoms in the films prepared from Br-G0, Br-G1, and Br-G2 were consumed, and 94, 82, and 58% of the consumed bromine atoms were replaced by fluorostyryl groups. The remaining bromophenyl groups were probably not accessible to the reactants because of their unfavorable orientation. The overall yields for the surface Heck reaction were estimated to be 84, 54, and 30% for the films prepared from Br-G0, Br-G1, and Br-G2, respectively.
Predictors of substance use and family therapy outcome among physically and sexually abused runaway adolescents

There is a dearth of research that examines the impact of family systems therapy on problems among sexually and/or physically abused youth. Given this void, differential outcome and predictors of substance use change were evaluated for abused, as compared with nonabused, runaway adolescents who were randomly assigned to family therapy or treatment as usual. Abused adolescents reported lower family cohesion at baseline, although both abused and nonabused adolescents showed similar substance use reductions. Utilizing hierarchical linear modeling, we found that substance use changed with change in cohesion over time. These findings link change in family functioning to change in adolescent substance use, supporting fiamily systems theory. Findings suggest that a potent target of intervention involves focus on increasing positive communication interactions. Language: en
Taking FLITE: how new libraries are visioning their way into the future

The author takes on the assertion posed in recent educational articles that technology is driving down book circulation and contributing to the decline of reading‐center learning. In his interview with Richard Cochran, Dean of the Ferris State University Library for Information, Technology, and Education, the two discuss the importance of incorporating technology to support all types of learning, and using faculty buy‐in to insure that as many media as possible are integrated into the final building design.
The structure of δ-alumina evolved from the melt and the γ → δ transformation

Abstract Electron diffraction patterns are used to analyze the structure of a metastable alumina (δ) found in powders 2 O 3 . The δ phase is believed to form directly from the liquid and also by solid state transformation of the cubic spinel γ. Both phases are based on an f.c.c. packing of anions with the interstitial cations having a higher degree of order in the δ phase. The γ → δ transformation begins with the ordering of tetrahedral cations in domains ~ 1–2 nm in size. The intensity distribution in reciprocal space indicates that the transformation is continuous from the spots of the disordered spinel, through diffuse scattering and finally the appearance of discrete superlattice reflections of the δ-phase. The δ is orthorhombic with crystal axes parallel to those of the parent spinel and unit cell dimensions that are simple multiples of the lattice parameter of γ. Two variants of the structure were observed with lattice parameters a δ = 2 a γ , b δ = 1.5 a γ , c δ = either a γ or 2 a γ . The allowed reflections indicate a space group of P2 1 2 1 2 1 for the structure with c δ = a γ , which is the more commonly observed.
Earthquake damage detection in the Imperial County Services Building III: Analysis of wave travel times via impulse response functions

The majority of structural health monitoring methods are based on detecting changes in the modal properties, which are global characteristics of the structure, and are not sensitive to local damage. Wave travel times between selected sections of a structure, on the other hand, are local characteristics, and are potentially more sensitive to local damage. In this paper, a structural health monitoring method based on changes in wave travel times is explored using strong motion data from the Imperial Valley Earthquake of 1979 recorded in the former Imperial County Services (ICS) Building, severely damaged by this earthquake. Wave travel times are measured from impulse response functions computed from the recorded horizontal seismic response in three time windows—before, during, and after the largest amplitude response, as determined from previous studies of this building, based on analysis of novelties in the recorded response. The results suggest initial spatial distribution of stiffness consistent with the design characteristics, and reduction of stiffness following the major damage consistent with the spatial distribution of the observed damage. The travel times were also used to estimate the fundamental fixed-base frequency of the structure f1 (assuming the building deformed as a shear beam), and its changes during this earthquake. These estimates are consistent with previous estimates of the soil–structure system frequency, fsys, during the earthquakes (f1<fsys as expected from soil–structure interaction studies), and with other estimates of frequency (f1 from ETABS models, and fsys from ambient vibration tests, and “instantaneous” f1 from high-frequency pulse propagation).
In-Vivo Tibiofemoral Contact Stress in the Knee After TKA

Polyethylene wear is a leading cause of failure in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Knowing the stresses experienced by the polyethylene would be pivotal information for efforts to improve polyethylene longevity. Previous investigations into the stress and wear of the polyethylene have required estimates of in-vivo conditions [1]. This work investigates the feasibility of using actual in-vivo kinematics obtained using dual fluoroscopy as boundary conditions for finite element analysis of the polyethylene.© 2007 ASME
Molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Objectives To determine whether patients who were colonized or infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) persistently carried the same strain and to identify the extent of strain variation within a population of patients. Design Molecular typing by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of stored MRSA isolates. Setting A Veterans Administration Medical Center with 288 hospital, 45 intermediate-care, and 75 extended-care beds. ISOILATES: Between January 1991 and March 1993, 91 patients had MRSA identified in routine cultures. One hundred isolates from 57 patients (63%) were available for typing. Results Before 1988, only occasional MRSA isolates were identified. By 1993, 50% of S. aureus isolates from unique patients were resistant to methicillin. PFGE identified 7 MRSA strains, 3 of which were identified in specimens from 1 patient each. The most common strains were SD4 (20 patients), SD1 (12 patients), SD2 (12 patients), and SD5a (5 patients). Twenty patients had 2 or more isolates obtained at least 1 week apart (mean, 30.7 weeks; range, 1 to 102 weeks). Of these patients, 12 were colonized or infected with only one strain (mean time observed, 25.1 weeks; range, 1 to 82 weeks). Eight patients had at least 2 different strains (mean time observed, 39 weeks; range, 2 to 102 weeks). Conclusion Numerous MRSA strains circulated in this endemic setting, 40% of patients observed over time were colonized or infected with more than one strain. Molecular typing was an essential tool for evaluating the epidemiology of MRSA in this setting.
Voltammetric behavior of some selected metal ions in acetic acid

Abstract The polarographic behavior of copper(II), copper(I), thallium(I), cadmium(II), lead(II), zinc(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), iron(III), and silver(I) in acetic acid 1.0 F in lithium perchlorate has been investigated. The potentials of all the couples, except the Fe(III)/Fe(II) system, are more positive than those in water. The potentials of the copper couples, unlike those in water, are in the normal order: E 1 2 Cu(II),Cu(I) = +0.390 V vs. S.C.E. and E 1 2 Cu(I),Cu(Hg) = +0.320 V vs. S.C.E.
Effects of MDR1 and MDR3 P-glycoproteins, MRP1, and BCRP/MXR/ABCP on the transport of 99mTc-Tetrofosmin

Multidrug resistance (MDR1) P-glycoprotein (Pgp), multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1), and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/MXR/ABCP) are members of the ATP-binding-cassette (ABC) superfamily of membrane transporters and are thought to function as energy-dependent efflux pumps of a variety of structurally diverse chemotherapeutic agents. We herein report the characterization of (99m)Tc-Tetrofosmin, a candidate radiopharmaceutical substrate of ABC transporters. (99m)Tc-Tetrofosmin showed high membrane potential-dependent accumulation in drug-sensitive KB 3-1 cells and low antagonist-reversible accumulation in MDR KB 8-5 and KB 8-5-11 cells in proportion to levels of MDR1 Pgp expression. In KB 8-5 cells, EC(50) values of the potent MDR antagonists N-(4-[2-(1,2,3, 4-tetrahydro-6,7-dimethoxy-2-isoquinolinyl)ethyl]-phenyl)-9, 10-dihydro-5-methoxy-9-oxo-4-acridine carboxamide (GF120918), (2R)-anti-5-?3-[4-(10, 11-difluoromethanodibenzo-suber-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-2 -hydroxypropoxy ?quinoline trihydrochloride (LY335979), and (3'-keto-Bmt')-[Val(2)]-cyclosporin A (PSC 833) were 40, 66, and 986 nM, respectively. Furthermore, only baculoviruses carrying human MDR1, but not MDR3, conferred both a decrease in accumulation of (99m)Tc-Tetrofosmin in host Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells and a GF120918-induced enhancement. Transport studies with a variety of stably transfected and drug-selected tumor cell lines were performed with (99m)Tc-Tetrofosmin and compared with (99m)Tc-Sestamibi, a previously validated MDR imaging agent. MDR1 Pgp readily transported each agent. To a lesser extent, MRP1 also transported each agent, likely as co-transport substrates with GSH; neither agent was a substrate for the BCRP/MXR/ABCP half-transporter. In mdr1a(-/-) and mdr1a/1b(-/-) mice, (99m)Tc-Tetrofosmin showed approximately 3. 5-fold greater brain uptake and retention compared with wild-type, with no net change in blood pharmacokinetics, consistent with transport in vivo by Pgp expressed at the capillary blood-brain barrier. Molecular imaging of the functional transport activity of ABC transporters in vivo with (99m)Tc-Tetrofosmin and related radiopharmaceuticals may enable non-invasive monitoring of chemotherapeutic and MDR gene therapy protocols.
First passage time analysis of metastable states in laser phase transitions

Abstract We consider a laser with a saturable absorber, exhibiting a first order phase transition whth a metastable state below threshold. The stability of this metastable state relative to the true equilibrium solution (corresponding to zero electric field) is analysed through a calculation of the first passage time for the decay of the metastable state.
Unique Sequence and Lesional Tropism of a New Variant of Neuropathogenic Friend Murine Leukemia Virus

Abstract FrC6 murine leukemia virus (MuLV) is a replication-competent, neuropathogenic variant derived from Friend MuLV (F-MuLV) complex. The A8 virus (a molecular clone of the FrC6 virus) induced marked spongiform degeneration in the brain similar to the FrC6 virus, but only mild lesions were found in the spinal cord. In contrast, PVC211 virus, which is also a neuropathogenic F-MuLV variant, caused marked spongiform degeneration in the spinal cord. Virus recovery from the spinal cord of A8 virus-infected rat was the same as that of PVC211-infected rat, indicating that there is no direct correlation between the titer of virus and the intensity of lesions. Furthermore, rats infected with the A8 virus at 3 weeks of age did not undergo spongiform degeneration, although recovery of high titer of virus occurred in the central nervous system (CNS). Studies using chimeric viruses between the A8 virus and nonneuropathogenic F-MuLV clone 57 also indicated that the sequences responsible for virus titers in the CNS and neuropathogenicity are different. The chimeric virus studies proved that the env gene and the LTR and/or 5′ leader sequence of A8 are critical for the induction of neuropathogenicity. These sequences in A8 and PVC211 were compared, focusing in on the sites that account for neurovirulence and viral lesional tropism.
Freeze-fracture of reconstituted model membranes used as targets for cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Abstract In a recent communication (Hollander, N., Mehdi, S.Q., Weissman, I.L., McConnell, H.M. and Kriss, J.P. (1979) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 76, 4042–4045) we reported that reconstituted model membranes containing murine tumor cell membrane proteins can be substituted for living cells as targets for cell-mediated cytolysis by allosensitized T-lymphocytes. The specificity of the lytic process was governed by the appropriate histocompatibility antigen (H-2). It was stressed, however, that although a standard protocol was faithfully followed for the reconstitution of the target membrane vesicle, the system was not uniformly reproducible. Some experiments showed high levels of specific vesicle killing while no lysis was observed in others. This work extends our description of the structural requirements of reconstituted membrane vesicles.
Doorway-state approach to the calculation of fission widths

An expression for the fission width of actinide nuclei is obtained, using a model in which vibrations in the fission degree of freedom are considered to be doorway states for fission. The coupling of these states to compound states in both potential wells is considered explicitly. Comparisons to other models for the calculations of the fission widths are made.
Safety Effects of Speed Limit Changes: Use of Panel Models, Including Speed, Use, and Design Variables

This work estimates the total safety effects of speed limit changes on high-speed roadways by using traffic detector data and Highway Safety Information System data from 1993 to 1996. To gauge the total effects, the study applies a sequential modeling approach: average speed and speed variance models are first estimated on the basis of roadway design, use, and speed limit information. Then, crash counts (of varying severity) are estimated on the basis of the speed estimates, design, and use variables. The 4 years of data come from 63,937 homogeneous roadway segments along seven Interstates and 143 state highways in Washington State. A random effects negative binomial model was selected among several alternative panel and nonpanel models for count data. Results indicate that the average road segment in the data set can be expected to exhibit lower nonfatal crash rates up to a 55 mph (88 km/h) speed limit. In contrast, fatality rates appear unresponsive to speed limit changes. Fatal and nonfatal rates fall for design reasons, including wider shoulders and more gradual curves, which appear to be key design variables. However, fatal and nonfatal rates move differently when traffic levels rise, with nonfatal rates remaining unchanged and fatal rates falling.
Wetting Behavior of Water and Oil Droplets in Three-Phase Interfaces for Hydrophobicity/philicity and Oleophobicity/philicity†

Biomimetics, mimicking nature for engineering solutions, provides a model for the development of superhydrophobic/superoleophobic and self-cleaning surfaces. A number of biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces have been developed by using a hydrophobic coating, surface roughness, and the ability to form air pockets between solid and water. Oleophobic surfaces that have the potential for self-cleaning and antifouling from biological and organic contaminants in both air and water need to be studied. The surface tension of oil and organic liquids is lower than that of water, so to create a superoleophobic surface, the surface energy of the solid surface in air should be lower than that of oil. The wetting behavior of water and oil droplets for hydrophobic/philic and oleophobic/philic surfaces in three-phase interfaces was studied. In order to make the surface oleophobic at a solid-air-oil interface, a material with a surface energy lower than that of oil was used. In underwater applications, the oleophobicity/philicity of an oil droplet in water was studied on the surfaces with different surface energies of various interfaces and contact angles of water and oil droplets in air. A model for predicting the contact angles of water and oil droplets was proposed. To validate the model, the wetting behavior of flat and micropatterned surfaces with varying pitch values were studied. Furthermore, the wetting behavior of the nano- and hierarchical structures found in Lotus plant surfaces and the shark skin replica as an example of aquatic animal were also studied. On the basis of the experimental data and the model, the trends were explained.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors for IgA nephropathy

IgA nephropathy (IgAN), characterized by renal mesangial deposits of antibodies (of the IgA subtype), is the most common glomerulonephritis worldwide. The cause of IgAN is not known. IgAN can often lead to end stage renal disease (ESRD), and there is no known treatment proven to prevent ESRD in IgAN. Long term use of steroids or other immunosuppressant drugs carry severe toxicities and other risks. IgAN patients have high serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). Increased monoamine levels, via increased cellular cyclic AMP, can decrease TNF elaboration. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO-Is) have been found effective in case studies for a number of diseases, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, characterized by high TNF levels. Here I suggest that MAO-Is might be of utility in IgAN by decreasing TNF levels.
Formaldehyde Residue in Striped Bass Muscle

Abstract Tissue residues of formaldehyde were determined for striped bass Morone saxatilis of three size-groups (total length, mean ± SD): 13.0 ± 0.9 cm, 15.5 ± 2.8 cm, and 33.9 ± 1.9 cm. The experiments conducted were a 144-h exposure to a static solution of 25 mg formalin/L (9.3 mg formaldehyde/L) and a 1-h exposure to a static solution of 250 mg formalin/L (92.5 mg formaldehyde/L). There were no statistical differences between formaldehyde residues in untreated (control) fish and fish exposed to 25 mg formalin/L for 24 h, but exposed fish did have significantly higher formaldehyde residues after 48 and 72 h of this treatment. Formaldehyde levels were back to normal after 96 h. Muscle formaldehyde residues were not significantly different between treated and control fish after treatment with 250 mg formalin/L. Additional formaldehyde was produced in tissues of control fish during decomposition during storage.
Gary Becker (1930–2014)

Gary Becker, who died on 3 May 2014 at the age of 83, redefined economics both in its methodology and scope. He radically expanded the sphere of economic analysis. As the range of issues and especially data in economics increased over the last half century, Becker's approach became more and more relevant and modern. He was awarded the 1992 Nobel Prize in Economics for “having extended the domain of microeconomic analysis to a wide range of human behavior and interaction, including nonmarket behavior.”
In vitro evaluation of antibiotic diffusion from antibiotic-impregnated biodegradable beads and polymethylmethacrylate beads.

Antibiotic-impregnated beads are used in the dead bone space following debridement surgery to deliver local, high concentrations of antibiotics. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), 2,000-molecular-weight (MW) polylactic acid (PLA), Poly(DL-lactide)-coglycolide (PL:CG; 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30), and the combination 2,000-MW PLA-70:20 PL:CG were individually mixed with clindamycin, tobramycin, or vancomycin. Beads were placed in 1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and incubated at 37 degrees C. The PBS was changed daily, and the removed PBS samples were stored at -70 degrees C until the antibiotic in each sample was determined by microbiological disk diffusion assay. Nondissolving PMMA beads with tobramycin and clindamycin had concentrations well above breakpoint sensitivity concentrations (i.e., the antibiotic concentrations at the transition point between bacterial killing and resistance to the antibiotic) for more than 90 days, but vancomycin concentrations dropped by day 12. ALl PLA, PL:CG, and the 2,000-MW PLA-70:30 PL:CG biodegradable beads release high concentrations of all the antibiotics in vitro for the period of time needed to treat bone infections (i.e., 4 to 8 weeks). Antibiotic-loaded PLA and PL:CG beads have the advantage of better antibiotic elution and the ability to biodegradable (thereby averting the need for secondary surgery for bead removal) compared to the PMMA beads presently used in the clinical setting.
Liquid fuel supplies

This paper presents an overview of United States and world petroleum, natural gas, and natural gas liquids presumed recoverable but as-yet undiscovered resources and suggests that the depletion of these fuels may not occur as quickly as frequently predicted. the paper points out that the construction of a synthetic fuels industry will be very costly and will provide only a small amount of increased energy independence. the fear is expressed that haste in accepting a specific synfuels process on the basis of present technology may serve to forestall the development of a better technology in order to gain better understandings of the various technologies, more information on costs and the essential but as yet unknown information on environmental and socioeconomic effects of large scale plants.
The Dimensions and Policy Impact of Feminist Civil Society Democratic Policymaking on Violence against Women in the Fifty US States

In this article, I develop the concept of feminist civil society, that is, the idea that women's self-organizing to further their own empowerment constitutes a sort of counter-public of women that can influence the broader, male-dominated (and raced and classed) public sphere in which it is embedded. The development of feminist civil society, particularly the proliferation of feminist civic and political organizations, makes democratic policymaking processes more inclusive of women's voices and reflective of their perspectives. I apply this conceptualization in a study of feminist politics and democratic policymaking in the fifty United States. Using factor analysis, I discern three distinct dimensions of women's organizing: externally oriented (political and civic) organizing; internally oriented (cultural and self-development) organizing; and intra-state organizing. I examine the association of these different aspects of civil society with government responsiveness to violence against women across the f...
Autogenous skull cranioplasty : fresh and preserved (frozen), with consideration of the cellular response

Every craniotomy requires immediate replacement of a fresh autograft of skull or, in the presence of cerebral swelling, delayed reimplantation of preserved autogenous skull. Resumption of osteogenesis, the index of viability, determines the effectiveness of these segments of calvaria in protecting the brain and restoring skull conformity. The cellular response in skull replaced either at the end of craniotomy or after frozen preservation was studied by light and fluorescence microscopy, skull roentgenograms, and radionuclide scintigraphy. In 5 patients eventual total remodeling of skull was found at the time of a second craniotomy performed from 1 to 19 years after the first. In 12 patients skull sections removed aseptically at craniotomy were frozen and stored for 1 to 35 months at -20 degrees C in bacitracin. This cytotoxic preservative method fixed the tissue, which appeared unchanged on light microscopy and was sterile on bacteriological and fungal cultures. In 53 patients who underwent autogenous cranioplasty with skull stored frozen for 3 weeks to 19 months, 48 operations were totally successful. Complications included infections in 2 patients, resorption in 2 infants, and incomplete restoration in 1 adult. In 10 patients the sequential dynamics of skull revitalization were found to be: revascularization, resorption, and accretion. The repair of membranous skull is similar to that of endochondral bone of the skeleton. Skull is metabolically intensely active after reimplantation and is the ideal material for cranioplasty.
Discussion of “impact reduction in complete and partial dentures, a pilot study”

Abstract I wish to commend Dr. Parker for his original approach to the problem of impact reduction to denture foundation tissues. Most discussions allow for a review of the literature so that personal opinions can be reinforced or refuted. In discussing this pilot study no such comforting references were available. The study has appealing ideas. Is it a better answer than we have in the soft liner? For complete dentures, the resilient layer does not solve the problem of undercut areas, nonresilient mucosa, relief for exostosis, isolated bony prominences, and sensitivity to acrylic resin. The soft liner seems to have merit for complete dentures. For partial dentures with distal extension bases, the principle of the resilient layer has merit and is practical. More relief from soreness can be provided today for the chronically affected than was possible a decade ago. New techniques will be proposed for new materials that will be developed. Studies such as this give stimulation and impetus to dentistry's search for a better way to treat patients.
Cu-Co Bimetallic Anodes for Direct Utilization of Methane in SOFCs

Cu-Co bimetallic mixtures with ceria and YSZ have been investigated as solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes. While pure Co is unstable in dry CH 4 at 1073 K due to severe carbon formation, Cu-Co mixtures with even 90 wt % Co showed only small amounts of carbon following exposure to dry CH 4 for 2 h at 1073 K. Cells based on Cu-Co mixtures showed improved performance in both H 2 and CH 4 compared to cells prepared with only Cu. Finally, a cell with a 50:50 ratio of Cu and Co was shown to be stable for 500 h in humidified (3 mol % H 2 O) CH 4 at 1073 K.
Aktivierendes retikuläres System und elektrische Aktivität des Gehirns

Die verschiedenen sensorischen Bahnen (Kapitel 7–10) leiten Impulse von Sinnesorganen uber Drei- und Vierneuronen-Ketten zu den jeweiligen Projektionsflachen des Cortex; diese Impulse vermitteln Wahrnehmung und Lokalisiation der verschiedenen Sinnesreize. Impulse in diesem System werden uber Kollateralen auch zum aktivierenden retikularen System (aufsteigendes retikulares System ARS) in der Formatio reticularis des Hirnstammes geleitet; Aktivitat in diesem System halt das Bewustsein (Wachzustand) aufrecht und ermoglicht damit Wahrnehmungen.
Targeted therapies in development for non-small cell lung cancer

The iterative discovery in various malignancies during the past decades that a number of aberrant tumorigenic processes and signal transduction pathways are mediated by "druggable" protein kinases has led to a revolutionary change in drug development. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the ErbB family of receptors (e.g., EGFR [epidermal growth factor receptor], HER2 [human epidermal growth factor receptor 2]), RAS (rat sarcoma gene), BRAF (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1), MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) c-MET (c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition), FGFR (fibroblast growth factor receptor), DDR2 (discoidin domain receptor 2), PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha)), PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog), AKT (protein kinase B), ALK (anaplastic lym phoma kinase), RET (rearranged during transfection), ROS1 (reactive oxygen species 1) and EPH (erythropoietin-producing hepatoma) are key targets of various agents currently in clinical development. These oncogenic targets exert their selective growth advantage through various intercommunicating pathways, such as through RAS/RAF/MEK, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin and SRC-signal transduction and transcription signaling. The recent clinical studies, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and crizotinib were considered as strongly effective targeted therapies in metastatic NSCLC. Currently, five molecular targeted agents were approved for treatment of advanced NSCLC: Gefitinib, erlotinib and afatinib for positive EGFR mutation, crizotinib for positive echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)-ALK translocation and bevacizumab. Moreover, oncogenic mutant proteins are subject to regulation by protein trafficking pathways, specifically through the heat shock protein 90 system. Drug combinations affecting various nodes in these signaling and intracellular processes are predicted and demonstrated to be synergistic and advantageous in overcoming treatment resistance compared with monotherapy approaches. Understanding the role of the tumor microenvironment in the development and maintenance of the malignant phenotype provided additional therapeutic approaches as well. More recently, improved knowledge on tumor immunology has set the stage for promising immunotherapies in NSCLC. This review will focus on the rationale for the development of targeted therapies in NSCLC and the various strategies employed in preventing or overcoming the inevitable occurrence of treatment resistance.
Fungal Taxa Target Different Carbon Sources in Forest Soil

Soil microbes are among the most abundant and diverse organisms on Earth. Although microbial decomposers, particularly fungi, are important mediators of global carbon and nutrient cycling, the functional roles of specific taxa within natural environments remain unclear. We used a nucleotide-analog technique in soils from the Harvard Forest to characterize the fungal taxa that responded to the addition of five different carbon substrates—glycine, sucrose, cellulose, lignin, and tannin-protein. We show that fungal community structure and richness shift in response to different carbon sources, and we demonstrate that particular fungal taxa target different organic compounds within soil microcosms. Specifically, we identified eleven taxa that exhibited changes in relative abundances across substrate treatments. These results imply that niche partitioning through specialized resource use may be an important mechanism by which soil microbial diversity is maintained in ecosystems. Consequently, high microbial diversity may be necessary to sustain ecosystem processes and stability under global change.