cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
External beam radiation therapy for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma

Technical challenges in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma with radiotherapy remain. When there is limited or no resection of disease, delivery of high-dose RT to the entire hemithorax in the setting of an intact lung has not been shown to be associated with any survival benefit, and the toxicity is clearly significant. Conversely, the use of palliative RT delivered to limited fields (less than hemithorax) can provide pain relief in 50% to 70% of cases. After pleurectomy and decortication, delivery of a tumoricidal dose of radiation to potential microscopic mesothelioma is similarly problematic. Details of various sophisticated radiation techniques, such as photon and electron matching, intraoperative RT, and the use of multiple small treatment beams using IMRT, have been published, and the former two techniques have been used. Although these approaches are innovative and creative, they have significant limitations in terms of the total dose that can be delivered, dose homogeneity, and the ability to cover fully all the areas at risk (e.g., fissures). Finally, implementation of RT after EPP permits delivery of higher doses than in the post-pleurectomy setting using treatment techniques such as photon/electron matching and IMRT. The dosimetry remains limited by the surrounding normal structures (heart and liver, particularly). Studies have shown that it is feasible to deliver nominal doses of 50 to 54 Gy after EPP, and local control rates have improved . Although the target volumes may not be covered fully by these doses, it is a significant improvement over lower dose treatment plans. In the future, it is reasonable to continue to pursue aggressive surgical resection with EPP and further refine these complex radiotherapy techniques. Treatment with novel agents, such as alimta, in the neoadjuvant setting also may further enhance local and systemic control of pleural mesothelioma.
What! Me a spy? Intrigue and reflexivity in Zanzibar

This article describes and attempts to analyze an incident in which the author, an anthropologist conducting research on the Solar New Year's festival in Zanzibar, is suddenly and without warning ordered out of the country. Like all human beings meaningfully engaged with others, practicing anthropologists are politically positioned within the local and global contexts in which they live and work. But the consequences of such positioning, whether intentional or not, can be most keenly experienced in the context of polarizing political situations. And such situations can substantially influence the collaborative process that shapes an anthropologist's persona in the field. Linking personal narrative, Bourdieu's theory of habitus, and postcolonial studies, the author suggests that the events described and his response to them, which followed an election crisis in 1995, have important implications for anthropologists conducting fieldwork in the postcolonial milieu.
Hydrogen falls into line

Hydrogen ions, both positive and negative, have a pervasive influence on the properties of materials and solutions. A unified picture of the behaviour of these ions has now been drawn.
One or More Labile Proteins Regulate the Stability of Chimeric mRNAs Containing the 3′-Untranslated Region of Cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase mRNA

Multiple AUUUA elements similar to those that regulate the degradation of several different mRNAs are conserved in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of cholesterol-7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) mRNAs from several species. We examined if stabilization of mRNA decay could account for the >20-fold increase in the expression of CYP7A1 mRNA without a detectable change in transcription following dexamethasone treatment of rat hepatoma cells (L35 cells). Following RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription block or protein synthesis block, the decay of CYP7A1 mRNA displayed a short half-life ( approximately 30 min). Control experiments showed that in cells pre-treated with a RNA polymerase II inhibitor, dexamethasone had no detectable effect on CYP7A1 mRNA decay. Stable expression of luciferase reporter mRNAs in L35 cells showed that the CYP7A1 3'-UTR was required to observe a dexamethasone induction. To examine the hypothesis that a labile protein is required for dexamethasone-induced mRNA stabilization, cells were stably transfected with a tetracycline-repressible promoter that drives the expression of a green fluorescent protein analogue (ECFP) with or without the 3'-UTR of CYP7A1. Cells expressing ECFP with the 3'-UTR of CYP7A1 displayed a 3-fold dexamethasone induction of ECFP mRNA, whereas cells expressing ECFP without the 3'-UTR did not. Moreover, specific block of the transcription of ECFP containing the 3'-UTR by adding the tetracycline analogue doxycycline clearly displayed dexamethasone-induced stabilization of mRNA decay. These data provide compelling evidence that a putative labile protein and the 3'-UTR of CYP7A1 act together to decrease the rate of CYP7A1 mRNA degradation.
Solar-heated-air receivers☆☆☆

Abstract Receiver design alternatives for a central tower, heat-air receiver of a solar/gas turbine electrical generation plant are considered. Apertured and unapertured, domed-surface and -cavity receivers are examined and losses such as incident flux reflection and reradiation from the receiver are included. The receiver, constructed of ceramic domes that are individually cooled by impingement-jet heat-transfer techniques, is designed to supply heated air at 1800°F and operate in a pressurized condition at a pressure ratio of four. It is shown that high thermal conversion efficiencies (80–90%) may be achieved with cavity receivers where the interior cavity surfaces are formed from single or multiple domes. The efficiencies of surface receiver elements are found to be substantially less than those of cavities, from 54 to 70 per cent. The difference lies in the higher reradiation flux losses of surface receivers.
Eight new mtDNA sequences of glass sponges reveal an extensive usage of +1 frameshifting in mitochondrial translation.

Abstract Three previously studied mitochondrial genomes of glass sponges (phylum Porifera, class Hexactinellida) contained single nucleotide insertions in protein coding genes inferred as sites of + 1 translational frameshifting. To investigate the distribution and evolution of these sites and to help elucidate the mechanism of frameshifting, we determined eight new complete or nearly complete mtDNA sequences from glass sponges and examined individual mitochondrial genes from three others. We found nine new instances of single nucleotide insertions in these sequences and analyzed them both comparatively and phylogenetically. The base insertions appear to have been gained and lost repeatedly in hexactinellid mt protein genes, suggesting no functional significance for the frameshifting sites. A high degree of sequence conservation, the presence of unusual tRNAs, and a distinct pattern of codon usage suggest the “out-of-frame pairing” model of translational frameshifting. Additionally, we provide evidence that relaxed selection pressure on glass sponge mtDNA – possibly a result of their low growth rates and deep-water lifestyle – has allowed frameshift insertions to be tolerated for hundreds of millions of years. Our study provides the first example of a phylogenetically diverse and extensive usage of translational frameshifting in animal mitochondrial coding sequences.
Effects of extended access to high versus low cocaine doses on self-administration, cocaine-induced reinstatement and brain mRNA levels in rats.

The investigation of rodent cocaine self-administration (SA) under conditions that promote escalating patterns of intake may provide insight into the loss of control over drug use that is central to human addiction. This study examines the effects of daily long-access (LgA) SA of high or low cocaine doses on drug intake, extinction, reinstatement, and brain mRNA levels. Three groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to self-administer cocaine during multiple-dose sessions. Short-access (ShA) rats were tested daily for multi-dose SA then remained in the chambers for 7 h with no cocaine available. LgA rats had access to low (0.5 mg/kg per infusion; LgA-LD) or high (2.0 mg/kg per infusion; LgA-HD) cocaine doses for 7 h after multi-dose SA. After 14 days, responding was extinguished, cocaine-induced reinstatement was determined, and preproenkephalin (ppENK), preprodynorphin (ppDYN), corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) mRNA levels were measured in various brain regions using a quantitative solution hybridization RNase protection assay. Whereas SA was not altered in ShA rats and only increased during the “loading phase” in LgA-LD rats, a general escalation of intake was found in LgA-HD rats. LgA, particularly LgA-HD, rats were more susceptible to reinstatement than ShA rats. Caudate-putamen ppENK and nucleus accumbens D2R mRNA levels were elevated in LgA-HD rats. Overall, D2R mRNA levels were positively correlated with reinstatement. The escalation of cocaine SA under LgA conditions is dose-dependent and is associated with heightened susceptibility to drug-induced relapse. The characterization of neurobiological alterations that accompany escalated SA should facilitate the identification of mechanisms underlying the onset of human addiction.
A Lipid-signaled Myosin Phosphatase Surge Disperses Cortical Contractile Force Early in Cell Spreading

When cells cease migrating through the vasculature, adhere to extracellular matrix, and begin to spread, they exhibit rapid changes in contraction and relaxation at peripheral regions newly contacting the underlying substrata. We describe here a requirement in this process for myosin II disassembly at the cell cortex via the action of myosin phosphatase (MP), which in turn is regulated by a plasma membrane signaling lipid. Cells in suspension exhibit high levels of activity of the signaling enzyme phospholipase D2 (PLD2), elevating production of the lipid second messenger phosphatidic acid (PA) at the plasma membrane, which in turn recruits MP and stores it there in a presumed inactive state. On cell attachment, down-regulation of PLD2 activity decreases PA production, leading to MP release, myosin dephosphorylation, and actomyosin disassembly. This novel model for recruitment and restraint of MP provides a means to effect a rapid cytoskeletal reorganization at the cell cortex upon demand.
The collision-induced dissociation of O2- studied using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer

Abstract The collision-induced dissociation of O 2 − was examined using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The cross-section for O − formation reached a maximum at about 11 eV (centre-of-mass energy) and was estimated to be 2 A 2 , in good agreement with earlier measurements using a tandem magnetic sector instrument. The expected threshold of 4.1 eV was observed, with the cross-section above threshold rising with the square of the excess energy. The O − energy distributions were interpreted in terms of scattering angles involved in the collision. The most probable scattering angle decreases as the energy rises above the threshold and is near 90° at the cross-section maximum. At a particular collision energy, only a relatively narrow range of scattering angles was observed.
Effect of an Elevated Level of Carbon Dioxide Containing Atmosphere on the Growth of Spoilage and Pathogenic Bacteria at 2, 7, and 13 C

The effect of 80% CO2 (balance air) on the survival and growth of microorganisms most often associated with spoilage and foodborne disease in poultry carcasses was compared to air at 2, 7, and 13 C. The CO2 atmosphere substantially retarded the growth of the total bacterial load in uninoculated ground chicken meat and parts at all temperatures when compared to air; however, temperature had a larger overall effect than atmosphere. Ground chicken meat and synthetic broth were inoculated (greater than 10(4) cells/ml or g) with Pseudomonas fragi, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, or Clostridium sporogenes and the influence of 80% CO2 and incubation temperature studied. With the exception of Cl. sporogenes, 80% CO2 was inhibitory when compared to air at any given temperature. In most cases, CO2 was more inhibitory at 2 C than at 7 or 13 C. The Cl. sporogenes inoculum failed to grow above initial inoculum levels in any combination of temperature and atmosphere, but samples packed in 80% CO2 had higher numbers of colony forming units than air-packaged samples. This study does not indicate that modified atmosphere packaging of refrigerated poultry in elevated CO2 atmospheres increases the microbial hazards when compared to air at the same temperature.
Supported Constrained-Geometry Catalysts on Cross-Linked (Aminomethyl)polystyrene: Studies of Ethylene and 1-Octene Polymerizations

The reaction of TiCl4 with (chlorodimethylsilyl)(trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadiene results in the chemoselective elimination of Me3SiCl and cleanly affords ((chlorodimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl)titanium trichloride (2). Likewise, the reaction of TiCl4 with (chlorodimethylsilyl)(trimethylsilyl)tetramethylcyclopentadiene (6) also results in the chemoselective elimination of Me3SiCl and cleanly affords ((chlorodimethylsilyl)tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium trichloride (7). This observation is in sharp contrast to the reaction of 6 with ZrCl4, which results in the chemoselective elimination of Me3SiCl but affords a mixture of half-sandwich and zirconocene complexes. Support of complex 2 or 7 on (aminomethyl)polystyrene (AMPS, 1% cross-linking, 1.3 wt % N, 0.928 mmol of N/g of support), where the mole ratio of amine content of the support to precursor catalysts was selected to be 3:1, leads to the assembly of the constrained-geometry catalyst (CGCs) 8 or 9, respectively. From the 29Si NMR, the presence of a ...
Increased Medial Thalamic Choline in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as Detected by Quantitative in Vivo Spectroscopic Imaging

The thalamus has been implicated in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Using a multislice spectroscopic imaging sequence, we reported reductions in right and left medial thalamic N-acetylaspartate/cytosolic choline + creatine/phosphocreatine and N-acetylaspartate/cytosolic choline levels in 11 pediatric patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, 8 to 15 years, versus 11 case-matched healthy controls. These changes may reflect a change in N-acetylaspartate, cytosolic choline, or creatine concentrations. Therefore, using a validated phantom replacement methodology, we obtained absolute measures (mmol/L) of N-acetylaspartate, a putative marker of neuronal viability, cytosolic choline, and creatine in these subjects. A significant increase in cytosolic choline was observed in right and left medial but not lateral thalami in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder versus controls. N-acetylaspartate and creatine did not differ significantly between case-control pairs in the medial or la...
Study of staggered array configurations for enhancing phased array radiation properties

A staggered array configuration is presented to solve the problem of grating lobes at higher frequencies of wideband phased arrays. The new array is obtained by rotating each element by 45°. This modification allows for a smaller distance between array elements (29% less), while the actual distance between elements in the diagonal direction is kept the same (No increase in the coupling). Reducing the distance between elements results in eliminating/reducing the grating lobes in a wider frequency range from the impedance bandwidth, which improves the array usable bandwidth. In addition, the proposed array produces better gain and maximum steering angle.
Some Letters on Hardy's "Tess"

Letters from the Symington Collection are transcribed here. They relate to the reception of Thomas Harty's novel "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" and Harty's reaction to it.
Mother‐child interaction and mirror behavior

Toddlers and children, aged 6 to 38 months, with their mothers, were observed in free-play that included a hand and standing mirror. The mother-toddler interaction was assessed according to a proposed profile that described 34 categories of maternal behaviors, such as empathy, attunement, acceptance of the child as a separate individual, and capacity to provide a referencing framework. Fourteen maternal modes or styles, such as consistency, genuineness, intrusiveness, and pleasure in maternal role, also were coded. The global ratings of maternal behaviors were related to the behaviors in front of the mirrors as outlined by Amsterdam (1972). Initial observations suggest that deviant mirror behaviors parallel deficits in the mother-toddler interaction. In contrast, mirror behavior is appropriate or beyond the chronological age if the mother-toddler interaction is satisfactory. Because mirror behavior reflects a sense of self and covaries with the quality of the mother-toddler interaction, the behavior in front of the mirror may be used as a clinical diagnostic tool.
Alloy development for the enhanced stability of Ω precipitates in Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys

The coarsening resistance and thermal stability of several Ω plate-dominated microstructures were controlled through altering the chemistry and thermomechanical processing of various Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys. Quantitative comparisons of Ω nucleation density, particle size, and thermal stability were used to illustrate the effects of alloy composition and processing conditions. The long-term stability of Ω plates was found to coincide with relatively high levels of silver and moderate magnesium additions, with the latter limiting the competition for solute with S-phase precipitation. This analysis revealed that certain microstructures initially dominated by Ω precipitation were found to remain stable through long-term isothermal and double-aging heat treatments, which represents significant improvement over the previous generation of Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys, in which Ω plates dissolved sacrificially after long aging times. The quantitative precipitate data, in conjunction with a thermodynamic database for the aluminum-rich corner of the Al-Cu-Mg-Ag quaternary system, were used to estimate the chemistry of the α/Ω-interphase boundary. These calculations suggest that silver is the limiting species at the α/Ω interfacial layer and that Ω plates form with varying interfacial chemistries during the early stages of artificial aging, which is directly related to the overall stability of certain plates.
Probe surface chemistry dependence and local polymer network structure in F-actin microrheology.

We investigate the dependence of F-actin microrheology on probe surface chemistry using diffusing wave spectroscopy. Polystyrene probe particles exhibit subdiffusive mean-squared displacements, where 〈Δr2(t)〉 ∼ t0.77±0.03 consistent with previous experiments and theory. However, polystyrene probes preadsorbed with bovine serum albumin (BSA) interact weakly with the surrounding polymer network and exhibit a scaling exponent similar to pure diffusion 〈Δr2(t)〉 ∼ t, which decreases as particle size and actin concentration increases. Using models of particle diffusion in locally heterogeneous viscoelastic microenvironments, we find that the microrheological response of BSA-treated particles is consistent with the formation of a polymer-depleted shell surrounding the probes. The shell thickness scales with particle size but not polymer concentration. These results suggest that the depletion is caused by exclusion or orientation of actin filaments near probes due to their long length and rigidity.
Subnasoalveolar anatomy and hominoid phylogeny: Evidence from comparative ontogeny

The present analysis evaluated extant hominoid subnasal morphological variation from an ontogenetic perspective, documenting both qualitative and allometric details of subnasal maturation in Hylobates, great apes and modern humans. With respect to intraspecific variation, results of log-linear modeling procedures indicate that qualitative features of the subnasal region shown previously to discriminate extant taxa (Ward and Kimbel, 1983; McCollum et al., 1993) do not vary appreciably with either age or sex. In terms of quantitative variation, aside from observed changes in the position of the anterior attachment of the nasal septal cartilage relative to the lateral margins of the nasal cavity, the morphology of the subnasal region does not vary appreciably with age. Furthermore, it was found that sexual dimorphism in subnasal form is present only in Pongo and Gorilla and is the result of sexual bimaturism rather than sexual variation in canine size. In considering interspecific variation in subnasal form, there is a propensity among hominoid taxa for the nasal cavity floor to be free of substantial topographic relief. The smoothly continuous nasal floor topography identified in the majority of hominoid taxa appears to be produced by extensive resorption of the anterior nasal cavity floor that accompanies an upward rotation of the anterior maxilla during craniofacial ontogeny. Comparisons of ontogenetic allometric trajectories indicate that relatively little of the variation in hominoid subnasal form can early be attributed to variation in body/cranial size. Instead, variation in craniofacial orientation, vascular anatomy and incisor size and inclination were identified as potential mediators of hominoid subnasoalveolar anatomy. Although results of this analysis confirm that many detail of the orangutan subnasal morphology are derived for this taxon, there is only little conclusive evidence to support recent reports that the morphology displayed by Gorilla is primitive for great apes.
Process synthesis under uncertainty: A penalty function approach

With the growing environmental concern, it is necessary to improve process simulation and develop design tools to account for environmental factors in the synthesis of large-scale chemical processes. A major obstacle in tackling this problem is uncertainties in some of the technical and economic parameters, which lead to uncertainties in design, plant performance, and cost estimates. Further, a conceptual process design involves the identification of an optimal flowsheet structure from many alternatives stituting the “superstructure.” Synthesis and optimization of large-scale processes involving uncertainties often require considerable computational effort. A novel algorithm presented here is based on simulated annealing for the process synthesis of large-scale flowsheets having several configurations and considers uncertainties in the process design systematically. This new “stochastic annealing algorithm,” provides an efficient approach to stochastic synthesis problems by incorporating a penalty term in the objective function and balances the trade-off between accuracy and efficiency based on the annealing temperature. It has been used to study a benchmark synthesis problem in the HDA process. Savings of up to 80% in CPU time has been achieved without significant loss of solution precision with stochastic annealing, compared to simulated annealing with a fixed sample size. It can be applied to analyze efficiently any complex process flowsheet and provide valuable insights into process feasibility based on optimal design, plant performance, and uncertainty issues.
REDUCING DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIORS OF ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS WITH SIT AND WATCH

This study reduced the disruptive behaviors of students in two elementary physical education classes: a regular fourth-grade class comprised of 30 students and an alternative education class containing 14 fourth- and fifth-grade boys with severe behavior problems. Using a multiple baseline design, we introduced a modified time-out procedure called "Sit and Watch." The procedure reduced the frequency of disruptive behaviors by 95%. Sit and Watch proved to be socially acceptable to parents, school personnel, and the physical education teacher.
Initial description of radiofrequency catheter ablation as treatment for atrial flutter in Marfan’s syndrome: A case report and literature review

Marfan's syndrome is a common connective tissue disease with different musculoskeletal, ophthalmic and cardiac manifestations. Marfan's patients carry increased risk for cardiac arrhythmias. Only three cases of atrial flutter in Marfan's patients are described in the literature. We report a fourth case of a young Marfan's patient who presents with typical atrial flutter after motor vehicle accident. After electrical cardioversion, sinus rhythm was restored but he had recurrent atrial flutter on follow up. The patient then underwent electrophysiological study and successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of the flutter circuit. Since discharge, the patient has had no documented arrhythmias on follow up.
Effect of metatarsal phalangeal joint extension on plantar soft tissue stiffness and thickness.

Background Plantar soft tissue stiffness and thickness are important biomechanical variables to understand stress concentrations that may contribute to tissue injury.
Postural status as a factor in memory

The role of posture in nonsense-syllable learning was assessed by testing 32 Ss under contrasting conditions of congruent (i.e., learn erect-relearn erect; learn supine-relearn supine) and incongruent (i.e., learn erect-relearn supine; learn supine-relearn erect) body orientations in learning and relearning. Under congruent postures there is significantly greater saving in relearning; this effect holds only in the early stages of the process of recall (i.e., with a weak criterion).
Low-temperature neutron structure determinations of a series of scorpionate complexes of molybdenum containing BHMo agostic bonds

Abstract The structures of four dihydrobis(pyrazol-1-yl)borate (Bp) complexes of molybdenum have been determined at low temperature by single crystal neutron diffraction in order to accurately characterize the three-center B H Mo agostic bonding. The B H1A (agostic) distance is found to be elongated by about 0.05–0.08 A compared to the B H1B distance (not agostically bound to the metal center). This systematic study of a series of molecules with different substituents on the Bp ligand permits us to examine the effects of electronic and steric factors on the overall structure and bonding, and particularly on the agostic bond. It is observed that a closer approach of H1A to Mo leads to a longer trans-Mo CO bond distance, analogous to the trans hydride structural effect in hydride complexes. In addition Fenske–Hall calculations were performed on these complexes, and the results are reported herein.
Yota Devices: a case study of a successful PR campaign by a Russian IT start-up

Yota Devices, a Russian IT start-up, was able to successfully promote its first smartphone product to customers using public relations (PR) without running traditional advertising campaigns. This research explores what made the company's communication with publics effective. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze existing data on the company's PR activities. The study assessed usability of the company's websites, effectiveness of communication with prospective buyers in social media, and analyzed the means that were used to communicate product information to mass media. The findings suggest that Yota Devices implemented a symmetric two-way PR approach. Together with an innovative product idea, it helped the company to attract extensive positive coverage from mass media.
A First-Principles model for Prediction of Product dose Uniformity based on Drug Substance Particle Size Distribution

The unit dose uniformity (UDU) of low-dose drug products can be affected by active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) particle size. UDU relative standard deviation increases as the fraction of large API particles increases and/or as the unit dose decreases. Control of API particle size has traditionally been based on the empirical relationship of d(90) and/or d(50) statistics to drug product uniformity. Several articles have been written that have identified a theoretical relationship between these particle size statistics, dose, and the probability of meeting US Pharmacopeial UDU testing criteria (Huang CY, Ku S. 2010. Int J Pharm 383:70-80; Rohrs B, Amidon G, Meury R, Secreast P, King H, Skoug C. 2006. J Pharm Sci 95(5):1049-1059; Huang CY, Ku S. 2010. J Pharm Sci 99:4351-4362; Yalkowsky SH, Bolton S. 1990. Pharm Res 7(9):962-966). However, these theoretical relationships assume a fixed shape for the API particle size distribution (PSD, i.e., lognormal) and do not account for changes in the distribution shape. A more rigorous method for predicting the effect of a given PSD on UDU is to evaluate the contribution of individual particle size bins on UDU variability. The latter approach is taken in this work, and the derivation reveals that the individual contribution of particles size bins can be expressed completely in terms of a single-particle-size statistic, D[6,3]. D[6,3] is therefore a valid predictor of UDU, regardless of the shape of the PSD (e.g., multimodal) and can form the basis of a particle size control strategy for low-dose drug products.
A Hexamethyl Derivative of [9]Mercuracarborand-3: Synthesis, Characterization, and Host−Guest Chemistry

Hexamethyl[9]mercuracarborand-3, [(CH3)2C2B10H8Hg]3 (3), was isolated in 60% yield from the reaction of closo-1,2-Li2-9,12-(CH3)2-1,2-C2B10H8 with mercuric acetate. The title compound was character...
Pressures on Urban Water Resources in Russia: The Case of St. Petersburg

An American geographer evaluates the process of water resources planning and management in the city of St. Petersburg, Russia, based on regional government documents, interviews with local water management officials, and follow-up field observations in 2007. St. Petersburg is a microcosm for challenges to assessing and managing water resources in urban environments in transition economies more broadly, and thus the present study yields insights into obstacles confronting water planners in many large cities in the post-Soviet realm, and augments the body of empirical data on the impacts of economic transition on environmental management. 3 figures, 46 references.
Pulse bleeding in thin-film helicoidal bianisotropic mediums

We report numerical time-domain simulations that reveal the continued reflection of an axially propagating optical pulse as it travels through a dielectric thin-film helicoidal bianisotropic medium (TFHBM) half- space, when the handedness of the pulse is the same as that of the medium. This phenomenon is dubbed pulse bleeding, and is a central feature of the spatio-temporal anatomy of the circular Bragg phenomenon.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Activity of polyadenosine diphosphoribose polymerase during the human cell cycle.

Summary Polyadenosine diphosphoribose polymerase was assayed in nuclei derived from various phases of the HeLa cell cycle. The enzyme showed maximal specific activity during G1 and a significantly lower specific activity during various periods of S phase.
A Study of Hydrophobic Interactions between Stainless Steel and Silanated Glass Surface Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract The passive film at a stainless steel surface which consists mainly of chromium and iron oxides, has a surface energy that can be strongly reduced by the adsorption of organic contamination. We have investigated the effect of surface pretreatments of stainless steel on the long-range surface forces and the adhesion forces. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) has been used to analyze the chemical composition of the surface film and to estimate the thickness of the organic contamination layer. An atomic force microscope has been used to measure the long-range hydrophobic attraction forces and the adhesion force between the stainless steel surface and a silanated silica sphere immersed in water. The adhesion forces on both the contaminated hydrophobic and cleaned hydrophilic surfaces have been correlated with the interfacial energies obtained by contact angle measurements. Both long-range attractive and adhesive forces are stronger for the noncleaned surface possibly due to the "hydrophobic effect." This hydrophobic interaction becomes neutralized in the presence of hydrophilic groups (i.e., potassium salt) on the surface. On the other hand, contact angle measurements indicate a higher surface energy for the Ar-plasma-treated surface than for the contaminated sample. This shows that these forces are not only dependent on the surface properties but are also markedly dependent on the nature of the surrounding medium, which can drastically alter the interactions between two macroscopic bodies.
RESIDUAL DEPTH‐MIGRATION: ENHANCING DIPS1

Residual migration can correct for migration done with the wrong velocity. The initial migration can be done with a less accurate, fast time-migration algorithm followed by a residual depth-migration operator. This combines the speed and accuracy of different migration schemes. The residual depth-migration equation can be obtained by an appropriate transformation of a typical finite-difference, depth-migration equation. Since the cheaper, initial time-migration has already partially migrated the data, the residual depth-migration has less work to do than if the depth-migration were done in a single step. As a result, the overall process has increased the speed and reduced the dip limitations associated with typical depth-migration operators. Results on a steeply dipping model demonstrate the validity and usefulness of residual depth-migration.
Measuring Informational Intervention for Chemotherapy Knowledge and Self‐Care Behavior

Little is known about how cancer patients manage the side effects of chemotherapy, so 48 cancer patients in chemotherapy were randomized into four groups to determine their self-care behaviors. The first group received drug information only; the second group received information on side-effect management techniques (SEMT); the third group received combined drug and SEMT information; the fourth group were controls. Pre- and postintervention scores on chemotherapy knowledge, self-care behavior, and general affective state were evaluated by analysis of covariance. Patients who received drug information alone or in combination with other information had higher chemotherapy knowledge scores. Patients who received SEMT information alone or in combination with other information performed more self-care behaviors. Although an additive effect of combined information was noted, i.e., patients who received both types of information showed improved chemotherapy knowledge and self-care behaviors, the combined information did not produce a significantly improved affective state.
Identification of Equivalent Residues in the γ, δ, and ε Subunits of the Nicotinic Receptor That Contribute to α-Bungarotoxin Binding

Cysteine was introduced from residues 116 to 121 of the gamma subunit of the fetal mouse acetylcholine receptor, and the mutant receptors were treated with methanethiosulfonate reagents and examined for changes in ligand binding properties. Of the 18 combinations of mutant and reagent, only receptors harboring gammaL119C treated with the quaternary ammonium reagent MTSET (trimethylammonium-ethyl methanethiosulfonate) show a decreased number of alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-btx) sites. The decrease of 50% suggests that alpha-btx binding to the site harboring gammaL119C is blocked. Analysis of binding of the site-selective ligands dimethyl-d-tubocurarine (DMT) and alpha-conotoxin M1 (CTX) confirm specificity of modification for the site harboring gammaL119C. Cysteines placed at equivalent positions of the delta and epsilon subunits also lead to selective loss of alpha-btx binding following MTSET treatment. gammaL119C receptors treated with the primary amine reagent MTSEA (aminoethyl methanethiosulfonate) retain alpha-btx binding to both sites but show reduced affinity for DMT and CTX at the modified site. Lysine mutagenesis of Leugamma119, Leudelta121, and Leuepsilon119 mimics MTSEA treatment, whereas mutagenesis of Thralpha119 and Glnbeta119 is without effect, demonstrating subunit and residue specificity of MTSEA modification. MTSET modification of nearby gammaY117C does not block alpha-btx binding but markedly diminishes affinity for DMT and CTX. The overall findings indicate a localized point of interaction between alpha-btx and the modified gammaL119C, deltaL121C, and epsilonL119C.
A tectonic boundary for the southern Colorado plateau

Abstract A tectonic boundary should be defined by changes in tectonic elements. Tectonic elements would include such parameters as structural style, stress orientations, volcanism, heat flow, seismicity and changes in crustal thickness. Examination of these tectonic elements for the southern Colorado Plateau suggests that the southwestern part of the physiographic plateau appears to be tectonically part of the Basin and Range province. I therefore propose a boundary at 112° W longitude, the locus of seismicity and recent volcanism and also the site of crustal thickening and a change of structural style. The tectonic boundary of the southern Colorado Plateau is suggested to form part of the eastern boundary of the southern Basin and Range seismotectonic region. This seismotectonic region is bounded on the north by the Las Vegas shear zone/Nevada seismic zone and has a different stress orientation than the Northern Basin and Range from which it began to evolve separately 13 m.y. ago. The present principal stress orientation of the southern Basin and Range of Arizona appears to be the result of compound movements of the San Andreas transform and Garlock-Las Vegas shear zone resulting in a shear couple affecting the crust in Arizona and an associated NE-SW least principal stress orientation.
High precision 230Th/232Th and 234U/238U measurements using energyfiltered ICP magnetic sector multiple collector mass spectrometry

We have developed new chemical and mass spectrometric techniques for the precise determination of 234U/238U and 230Th/232Th ratios in geological materials. The isotope ratio measurements were performed using an inductively coupled plasma double focusing magnetic sector multiple-collector mass spectrometer (MC-ICPMS) equipped with an additional energy filter. Following sample dissolution, U and Th are first separated from the rock matrix by a new and highly efficient column chromatographic procedure utilizing TRU-Spec resin. The strong affinity of U and Th for this material allows the use of extremely small ( < 0.5 ml resin) columns, even for the processing of silicate samples as large as ∼5 g. Our new mass-spectrometric techniques permit precise corrections for mass discrimination and gain variation during analysis. As a consequence, the precision and external reproducibility of uranium and thorium isotopic analysis is improved by a factor of ∼3–5 compared with previous results by conventional thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). A sensitivity of ∼0.04% is routinely achieved for Th and this is comparable to the best values achieved by TIMS for large sample sizes. Recent instrumental improvements, however, have further increased our sensitivity by about a factor of five. Our Th and U isotope data for standard reference materials and other geological samples are in excellent agreement with previously published values from other laboratories, further highlighting the reliability and analytical capabilities of our new techniques.
Conceptual Models of Vadose Zone Flow and Transport beneath the Pajarito Plateau, Los Alamos, New Mexico

The Pajarito Plateau in northern New Mexico, on which the Los Alamos National Laboratory is situated, is characterized by a thick vadose zone overlying the regional aquifer of the western Espanola Basin. In this study, conceptual models of vadose zone flow and transport processes are presented and then supported through the interpretation of field data, including synthesis with numerical models. The conceptual models differentiate the rate of percolation by their location and surface hydrologic setting, including wet and dry canyons, and wet, dry, and disturbed mesas. Net infiltration beneath wet canyons is the highest, with rates on the order of a meter per year (100–1000 mm yr −1 ). Transport to the regional aquifer beneath the wettest canyons is likely on the order of several years to several decades, depending on the thicknesses of the various hydrostratigraphic layers. Perched water is sometimes found beneath wetter canyons and is associated with near-surface alluvial systems and at intermediate depths along low-permeability interfaces such as buried soils or unfractured regions of basalt flows. Percolation through the volcanic tuffs is generally considered to be via matrix-dominated flow, whereas fracture flow may play a key role in contaminant transport through densely welded tuffs or basalt units beneath wet canyons. Infiltration beneath dry canyons and dry mesas is much slower (10 mm yr −1 or less), yielding transport times to the aquifer of hundreds to several thousands of years. However, long-term surface disturbances at mesa-top locations may alter infiltration rates such that at a local scale, the infiltration rates temporarily approach those of wetter canyons.
Input information complexity, perceived time pressure, and information processing in GSS-based work groups: An experimental investigation using a decision schema to alleviate information overload conditions

Collaboration technology enhances the ability of work groups to acquire and share large volumes of information within a short period. The processing of voluminous information is challenging and may lead to conditions of information overload. The issue of complexity of information processing in collaboration technology supported group work, and the mechanisms to overcome the information overload conditions have not received sufficient attention in the past. In this paper, we attempt to address this gap by building a theoretical model and validating it through a laboratory experiment. Based on prior research on information processing at individual level, we propose that information processing in groups that use group support systems (GSS) is shaped by input information complexity and time pressure. We examine information processing of GSS-supported groups to perform tasks involving cognitive conflict. We demonstrate that information processing has an inverted U-shaped relationship with input information complexity and a positive relationship with time pressure. The study also demonstrates that the inclusion of a decision schema that incorporates aggregate level information gleaned from the work of prior groups engaged in a similar decision situation alleviates the information overload, enabling groups to process larger and more complex information.
Predicting Calmodulin Binding Sites via Canonical Motif Clustering

The calcium-binding protein, calmodulin (CaM), directly binds to membrane transport proteins to regulate membrane excitability and calcium-dependent intracellular signal transduction cascades. Although 14 canonical CaM binding motifs have been defined, identifying CaM binding sites in membrane transport proteins is mostly a haphazard exploration, requiring mind numbing sequence gazing. Therefore, we developed a facile method for identifying all of the canonical CaM binding motifs within a given sequence. Analysis of the sequences from crystallized CaM-peptide structures revealed that CaM often binds to sequences that have multiple overlapping CaM binding motifs. Combining this algorithm with a simple charge discriminator results in reasonable predictive power using a test set of biochemically-characterized CaM binding motifs. Because we have found this analysis useful in both the design of experiments and analysis of experimental results, we have published the algorithm online and created a database that allows users to search for CaM binding motifs within a protein of interest, perform the meta-analysis, and then compare the results to target peptide-CaM structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank. The CaM binding motif algorithm, meta-analysis and website will be presented.
The social reception of mainstreamed children in the regular classroom.

. The purpose of the present study was to learn how a mainstreamed mentally retarded or emotionally disturbed child is received in a regular classroom by the other pupils in the class. Each of 36 fifth grade boys interacted with one of three male confederates and 36 eighth grade boys interacted with one of three other male confederates. In each case the confederate was of the same age and grade as the subjects. He was presented to the subject as an ordinary child, as a mentally retarded child, or as an emotionally disturbed child who might soon attend their school and the subject was asked to estimate how the confederate would fit into the school. The confederate was always blind to condition and, after the interaction, the subject was questioned about the confederate by an experimenter also blind to condition. Behavioural measures taken from the sound recordings of the interaction showed that the subjects in the mentally retarded and emotionally disturbed conditions behaved in a less friendly and more anxious manner than in the control condition. They also wanted more social distance from the ‘retarded’ and the ‘disturbed’ confederate and expected their peers to be more rejecting toward them relative to the control condition. Essentially the same results were obtained for fifth and eighth grade boys and little difference was found between the two types of mental handicaps. The implication of the study for deinstitutionalization are discussed.
Light and Dark Sides of Nonprofit Activities and the Rules to Manage Them: The Case of Charitable Bingo

Nonprofit organizations face numerous challenges in balancing mission and nonmission pressures. These competing demands create tensions that must be managed if nonprofits are to balance the light a...
Persistent foramen of Huschke: Possible risk factor for otologic complications after arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint

Several cases of otologic injury after arthroscopy of the TMJ have been reported. This study describes the persistent foramen of Huschke, an area of incomplete ossification of the tympanic plate of the temporal bone present in some persons. The presence of this foramen may render middle and inner ear structures vulnerable to injury during arthroscopy of the TMJ.
Development of 36Cl standards for AMS

Abstract Large-quantity dilutions of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 36Cl standard (SRM 4943) to 36 Cl Cl ratios of 5.000 × 10−13, 1.600 × 10−12, 5.003 × 10−12 and 1.000 × 10−11 have been prepared for AMS standards. Dilutions were made with an estimated uncertainty better than 1% and were then checked in three separate runs using the AMS facility at the University of Rochester. The results show excellent agreement between the gravimetric dilution factors and AMS measurements.
TEKTON: A SYSTEM FOR COMPUTER AIDED ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Tekton is an interactive system by the use of which a designer can quickly generate, view and manipulate compositions of architectural forms. The system incorporates graphic input and 3-D modeling capabilities, as well as a friendly, yet potent notational system for the representation of transformations and spatial compositions. Its graphic capabilities include hidden face elimination and shadowing, but its most significant feature is the plotting of textured surfaces, as required for the visualization of architectural forms and materials. Tekton is currently operational in black-white and color versions, both of which run on off the shelf equipment (Tektronix 4014 and 4027 respectively).