cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Giving Priority to Sex Crime Prosecutions at International Courts: The Philosophical Foundations of a Feminist Agenda

In light of serious resource constraints, international criminal courts are required to select a small number of crimes for prosecution, leaving others to national courts or, more often, impunity. In recent years, feminists have advocated that such courts give priority to prosecuting sex crimes even at the expense of other serious crimes, including those involving killing. Many international prosecutors have headed this call, placing special emphasis on the prosecution of sex crimes. At the same time, empirical evidence shows that many people consider sex crimes less serious than crimes resulting in death. There is thus a need to ground the selection of sex crimes for prosecution in the purposes of international criminal law. This essay examines the four primary philosophical bases advanced for international prosecutions – retribution, deterrence, expressivism, and restorative justice – to determine how they inform decisions whether to give priority to sex crime prosecutions. It concludes that retribution and deterrence support such selections at least some of the time, and expressivism and restorative justice provide an even stronger foundation for giving priority to sex crimes.
Optimal routing and scheduling for a simple network coding scheme

We consider jointly optimal routing, scheduling, and network coding strategies to maximize throughput in wireless networks. While routing and scheduling techniques for wireless networks have been studied for decades, network coding is a relatively new technique that allows for an increase in throughput under certain topological and routing conditions. In this work we introduce k-tuple coding, a generalization of pairwise coding with next-hop decodability, and fully characterize the region of arrival rates for which the network queues can be stabilized under this coding strategy. We propose a dynamic control policy for routing, scheduling, and k-tuple coding, and prove that our policy is throughput optimal subject to the k-tuple coding constraint. We provide analytical bounds on the coding gain of our policy, and present numerical results to support our analytical findings. We show that most of the gains are achieved with pairwise coding, and that the coding gain is greater under 2-hop than 1-hop interference. Simulations show that under 2-hop interference our policy yields median throughput gains of 31% beyond optimal scheduling and routing on random topologies with 16 nodes.
1025. Therapeutic Effect of a Self-Cleaving Hammerhead Ribozyme in a Mouse Model of Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Hammerhead ribozymes are small catalytic RNA molecules that can be targeted to any RNA molecule containing a putative cleavage site, and can selectively eliminate mutant gene products producing dominant negative effects, such as those found in severe variants of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). We recently reported that self-cleaving multimeric hammerhead ribozymes targeted to a truncated COL1A1 transcript are extremely effective in cellulo (Peace, B. E., et al.; |[ldquo]|Endogenously expressed multimeric self-cleaving hammerhead ribozymes ablate mutant collagen in cellulo|[rdquo]|, Molecular Therapy, 2005). To determine if this ribozyme form is also effective in vivo, transgenic mice were produced that express the truncated COL1A1 plasmid pMG155 (T) or the self-cleaving multimeric hammerhead ribozyme M8Rz547 driven by the COL1A1 promoter (R). Three independent R transgenic lines were selected for further testing The pattern of self-cleavage of the multimeric ribozyme in vivo appeared to be identical to that observed in cellulo. To determine if expression of the ribozyme would have a therapeutic effect in vivo, doubly transgenic mice were produced by breeding male mice heterozygous for pMG155 (T) to females heterozygous for expression of the ribozyme M8Rz547 (R). In doubly transgenic mice (T+R), truncated collagen transcripts in calvaria were reduced by up to 75%. A quantitative assay of activity was then used as a behavioral surrogate for the health status of the mice. While mice expressing pMG155 showed a rapid reduction in movement in a one hour test period, the activity of the doubly transgenic mice was equivalent to the wild-type mice. Biomechanical testing testing and microCT analysis of bone is being performed. These biochemical and behavioral tests demonstrate that self-cleaving multimeric hammerhead ribozymes can produce a therapeutic effect in vivo in a dominant negative mutant disease model.
Discovering stellar core collapse events using satellite-born RF detectors

Previous research has shown that a massive electromagnetic pulse (MEMP) is the precursor to type II stellar core collapse events. While Earth’s ionosphere makes ground-based detection of this RF (radio frequency) electromagnetic pulse improbable, it can be readily observed by satellite-born detectors. The expected radius of detection using presently available COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) equipment is 2.67 billion light-years. A new class of astronomical objects is predicted to exist.
On the optimal quality of domestic higher education programs

Abstract To curb the brain drain problem, a developing country may establish its own higher education programs. Assume the government imposes a uniform quality on all programs. This paper characterizes the optimal quality of the domestic program. When abroad education is prohibited, the optimal domestic program is the one comparable with the average quality of abroad programs. If abroad education is allowed, then the developing country should establish the best possible program.
Learning and discovery: one system's search for mathematical knowledge

The Graph Theorist, GT, is a system that performs mathematical research in graph theory. From the definitions in its input knowledge base, GT constructs examples of mathematical concepts, conjectures and proves mathematical theorems about concepts, and discovers new concepts. Discovery is driven both by examples and by definitional form. The discovery processes construct a semantic net that links all of GT's concepts together. Each definition is an algebraic expression whose semantic interpretation is a stylized algorithm to generate a class of graphs correctly and completely. From a knowledge base of these concept definitions, GT is able to conjecture and prove such theorems as “The set of acyclic, connected graphs is precisely the set of trees” and “There is no odd-regular graph on an odd number of vertices.” GT explores new concepts either to develop an area of knowledge or to link a newly acquired concept into a pre-existing knowledge base. New concepts arise from the specialization of an existing concept, the generalization of an existing concept, and the merger of two or more existing concepts. From an initial knowledge base containing only the definition of “graph,” GT discovers such concepts as acyclic graphs, connected graphs, and bipartite graphs. Le Theoricien des graphes (TG, Graph Theorist) est un systeme qui effectue des recherches mathematiques a l'interieur de la theorie des graphes. A partir des definitions dans sa base de connaissances, le TG construit des exemples de concepts mathematiques, fait des conjectures, prouve des theoremes mathematiques a propos de concepts et decouvre de nouveaux concepts. La decouverte est le resultat d'exemples et d'une forme definitionnelle. Le processus de decouverte construit un reseau semantique qui relie tous les concepts du TG. Chaque definition est une expression algebrique dont l'interpretation semantique est un algorithme stylise pour produire correctement et entierement une classe de graphes. a partir d'une base de connaissances de ces definitions de concepts, le TG est en mesure de faire des conjectures et de prouve des theoremes comme « L'ensemble de graphes acycliques, continus est precisement l'ensemble d'arbres » et « Il n'y a pas de graphe impair normal sur un nombre impair de sommets ». Le TG explore de nouveaux concepts soit pour mettre au point un domaine de connaissances ou pour relier un concept nouvellement acquis dans une base de connaissances qui existait auparavant. Les nouveaux concepts decoulent de la specialisation et de la generalisation d'un concept existant, ainsi que de la fusion de deux concepts existants ou plus. A partir d'une base de connaissances initiale contenant seulement la definition de graphe, le TG decouvre des concepts comme les graphes acycliques, les graphes continus et les graphes bipartites.
New estimator for functions of the canonical correlation coefficients

Abstract Let ρ1,…,ρp be the population canonical correlation coefficients from a normal distribution. This paper considers the estimation of δ1,…,δp, where δ i =ρ i 2 /(1−ρ i 2 ), i=1,…,p , in a decision theoretic way. Since the distribution of δi's is complicated, two-staged estimation has been a usual method so far; i.e., first find a good estimator of a matrix whose eigenvalues are the δi's, then use its eigenvalues as the estimators of δi's. In this paper we directly estimate δi's and evaluate the estimators with respect to a quadratic loss function. We propose a new class of estimators and prove its dominance over the usual estimator.
Influence of Ammonium and Nitrate Nutrition on the Pyridine and Adenine Nucleotides of Soybean and Sunflower

Total pyridine nucleotide concentration of root tissue for young soybean ( Glycine max var. Bansei) and sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L. var. Mammoth Russian) plants is the same with either ammonium or nitrate, but nitrate results in an increased proportion of total oxidized plus reduced NADP (NADP[H]) seemingly at the expense of NAD. The activity of NADH- and NADPH-dependent forms of glutamic acid dehydrogenase is correlated with the ratio of total oxidized plus reduced NAD to NADP(H). The low NAD: NADH ratio maintained in nitrate roots despite active NADH utilization via nitrate reductase and glutamic acid dehydrogenase may be the result of nitrate-stimulated glycolysis. Nitrate roots also maintain a high level of NADPH, presumably by the stimulatory effect of nitrate utilization on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In the presence of nitrate rather than ammonium, the highly active nitrate-reducing leaves of soybean show a greater proportion of total pyridine nucleotide in the form of NADP(H) than do the inactive leaves of sunflower. For all tissues examined, ammonium nutrition yields a higher concentration of total adenine nucleotide than is found with nitrate. The data indicate the production of a higher level of metabolites that enter into purine synthesis with ammonium than with nitrate. Glutamine synthetase activity can be correlated with the concept that enzymes utilizing ATP for biosynthetic purposes increase in activity in accordance with the energy level of the cell.
The Goodman spectrograph control system

The Goodman spectrograph is an all-refracting articulated-camera high-throughput imaging spectrograph for the SOuthern Astrophysical Research telescope (SOAR). It is designed to take advantage of Volume Phase Holographic (VPH) gratings. Due to the high level of mechanical complexity, a fully graphical control system with parallel motor control was developed. We have developed a software solution in LabVIEW that functions as a control system, component management tool, and engineering platform. A modular software design allows other instrument projects to easily adopt our approach. Distinguishing features of the control system include automated configuration changes, remote capability, and PDA control for component swaps.
Minocycline‐related cutaneous hyperpigmentation as demonstrated by light microscopy, electron microscopy and X‐ray energy spectroscopy*

Argenyi ZB, Finelli L, Bergfeld WF, Tuthill RJ, McMahon JT, Ratz JL, Pefroff N. Minocycline-related cutaneous hyper-pigmentation as demonstrated by light microscopy, electron microscopy and X-ray energy spectroscopy. A 70-year-old patient with a chronic cutaneous ulcer treated by minocyclinc hydrochloride developed hyperpigmentation of the forearms. Biopsy material was studied by light microscopy, electron microscopy and X-ray energy spectroscopy. Granular gold-brown pigment was found in dermal histiocytes and eccrine myoepithelial cells, which gave positive reaction with Prussian blue and Fontana-Masson stains. Electron microscopy revealed intracytoplasmic granules of dark, homogeneous material and small fine particles. X-ray energy spectroscopy showed iron and other elements in smaller amounts. The different types of minocycline-related hyperpigmentation and the possible patho-mechanism are discussed with special regard to the importance of the diagnostic methods.
Compressing new product success-to-success cycle time

Abstract Despite nearly 30 years of research focused on improving new product development (NPD) processes, recent research reveals that these improvements have failed to materialize as expected. Additionally, in today's continuous-change business environment, managers are focused on reducing cycle time in nearly all operations, including NPD, in order to realize acceptable returns on investments more quickly. Thus, we must not only be better but also faster at NPD, specifically at compressing the cycle time between new product successes, i.e., accelerating success-to-success velocity and not just accelerating each NPD project. But, how can businesses both improve the probability of new product successes and also speed up the process of doing so? This paper proposes that formalizing front-end processes will certainly help. Specifically, a process is presented which draws on customer value research that ought to help clarify the traditional “fuzzy front end” of NPD processes, resulting in consistently more successful new products.
Xerography and Preservation: Problems and Potential

A recent issue of the Association of Research Libraries' Newsletter reported that 70.3 percent of United States libraries have photocopying machines for interlibrary loan and on‐site user services, producing an average of 273,000 page impressions annually. This figure, added to the number of copies made by patrons using coin‐operated machines, copies made for in‐house duplication of dissertations, and those made as a conservation alternative for items printed on badly deteriorated or embrittled paper, indicates our reliance on photoduplication as a means of transmitting and preserving our cultural records.
Protein Crosslinking by the Maillard Reaction: Dicarbonyl-Derived Imidazolium Crosslinks in Aging and Diabetes

alpha-Dicarbonyl compounds that arise from various metabolic pathways react with proteins to form a variety of adducts in a reaction known as the Maillard reaction. These adducts are collectively known as advanced glycation end products or AGEs. Methylglyoxal (MG) and glyoxal (GXL) are two such dicarbonyls. They react with proteins to produce lysine-lysine imidazolium crosslinking AGEs. The imidazolium crosslinks derived from MG (MOLD-methylglyoxal-lysine dimer) and GXL (GOLD-glyoxal-lysine dimer) are present in human tissue proteins. In this study, we report an HPLC method for the simultaneous quantification of GOLD and MOLD in biological specimens. The method consists of reverse-phase HPLC of acid-hydrolyzed proteins, collection of eluate-containing imidazoliums, phenylisothiocyanate derivatization, followed by a second reverse-phase HPLC. This method was linear for both the imidazolium compounds in the range of 0.5-300 pmol. The levels of GOLD and MOLD in aging lenses (20 to 80 years) were trace-8.4 pmol and 15-93 pmol per milligram of protein, respectively. Cataractous lenses showed significantly higher levels of both GOLD and MOLD (mean +/- SD, 14.5 +/- 1.8 and 141 +/- 18.4 pmol per milligram of protein, P < 0.05). Brunescent lenses had the highest levels of imidazolium crosslinks (GOLD, 18.36 +/- 2.5; and MOLD, 179. 2 +/- 32.3 pmol per milligram of protein, P < 0.05). The GOLD and MOLD levels were higher in diabetic plasma proteins when compared to that of normal (GOLD, 17.5 +/- 6.34 pmol per milligram of protein vs 43.5 +/- 15.96 pmol per milligram of protein; and MOLD, 172.5 +/- 32. 53 pmol per milligram of protein vs 273 +/- 62.67 pmol per milligram of protein, P < 0.05). GOLD and MOLD are significant in terms of tissue damage in aging and diabetes because they represent protein crosslinking by compounds that are major precursors of AGEs. Our method can be used for quantification of imidazolium crosslinks in tissue proteins to assess alpha-dicarbonyl-mediated protein damage in vivo.
Histological Findings of Bronchial Biopsies and De Novo Donor Specific HLA Antibodies: Comparing Notes

Purpose De novo development of donor HLA specific antibodies (DSA) after lung transplantation has been implicated in acute and chronic rejection. However, the diagnostic criteria of antibody mediated rejection (AMR) in lung allografts remain unclear. In addition, the association between DSA and histological findings on lung biopsies is unclear. In this study we investigate the association between development of DSA and lung biopsy findings. Methods and Materials We retrospectively analyzed the records of 85 lung transplant recipients (53 males, 32 females, mean age at transplant 55.5, range 20-70) who had for-cause post-transplant monitoring for DSA performed using single antigen Luminex assay (One Lambda, Canoga Park, CA) within ±1 week of the a biopsy date (paired biopsies). Some patients had multiple paired biopsies (n=116). All recipients had protocol bronchial biopsies at 2 weeks, 1, 3, and 6 months, at 1 year and for cause thereafter. We attempted to correlate de novo DSA with the following histological findings: C4d staining, acute rejection ≥ISHLT grade 2A, acute lung injury (ALI), organizing pneumonia (OP). Results 25 patients developed de novo DSA (29%), of those 4 had HLA class I DSA, 18 had class II, and 3 had both class I and II. The average post-transplant day for detection of class I DSA was 166 (range: 6-528) and 296 for class II (range: 6-790). The distribution of histological findings in patients with and without DSA is shown in table 1 . In this cohort, we did not observe an appreciable difference in the mean graft survival among patients with and without DSA (600 vs. 606, respectively). Conclusions These data suggest that de novo DSA following lung transplant is significantly associated with acute rejection > ISHLT A2, and lesser degree with C4d but not ALI or OP and warrant further prospective investigation in larger cohorts. AR≥A2 C4d+ ALI OB All Bipsies, n=116 20, 17% 5, 4% 41, 35% 8, 7% DSA+, n=62 16, 26%, p .01 5, 8%, p .06 23, 37% 5, 8%, p .7 DSA-, n=54 4, 7% 0 18, 33%, p .7 3, 6%
Spinal cord biopsy: a review of 38 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Neurosurgeons are frequently asked to evaluate patients for spinal cord biopsies when preoperative magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrate nonspecific features, These lesions often appeal unresectable, but surgeons must decide whether a-biopsy is warranted. To determine the best approach to these cases, we evaluated the clinicopathoiogical findings for patients with unknown spinal cord lesions who underwent spinal cord biopsies. METHODS: Thirty-eight consecutive patients who underwent spinal cord biopsies at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) between August 1988 and July 1998 were studied. A detailed review of the case histories, radiological. results, surgical notes, histotogical findings, and outcomes was performed. RESULTS: Spinal cord biopsies were performed for 21 male and 17 female patients (mean age, 42.1 yr) with progressive neuroiogical deficits related to spinal cord lesions: All patients underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging evaluations High 12-weighted signal intensity and spinal cord expansion were identified in 92 and 87% of cases, respectively. After gadolinium infusion, the majority (94%) of the inflammatory lesions demonstrated patchy and often peripherally situated enhancement. This neuroradiological pattern was less common for neoplasms (50%) and benign lesions (40%). The most common pathological findings were-inflammatory changes of demyelination or sarcoidosis, which together accounted for 13 cases (34%).Nonspecific changes or benign lesions were observed in 10 cases(26%). Neoplasms were identified in eight cases (21%). One case of tuberculosis and one of schistosomiasis were found. Overall, 47% of the preoperative diagnoses made by the attending surgeon were correct. For 26% of the patients, specific treatment was based on the biopsy results. The average follow-up period was 12 months (standard deviation, 14 mo; range, 0-50 mo). CONCLUSION: Preoperative laboratory and imaging studies are often diagnostically inconclusive in cases of spinal cord lesions with nonspecific features. Biopsies should be considered for patients with progressive symptomatic lesions.
A model of secondary Farley‐Buneman waves in the auroral electrojet

[1] We present a model of type II radar echoes associated with Farley-Buneman instability in the auroral E region. The plasma waves responsible for broad-type auroral radar echoes are described as secondary ion acoustic structures driven by the electric fields of the primary Farley-Buneman waves. Numerical solutions of a one-dimensional model of the secondary structures exhibit density irregularities advecting in the background electron flow direction while propagating and evolving in the transverse direction. The velocity of transverse propagation depends on amplitude, a circumstance that leads to nonlinear proper evolution in the form of compression or steepening. On the basis of symmetry, radar Doppler spectra should exhibit spectral shifts and widths proportional to the cosine and sine of the electron flow angle, respectively. This prediction is in line with a number of theoretical and experimental observations.
Use of an intermediate wavelength laser for alignment to inertial confinement fusion targets

The conceptual design of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) 192 beam laser incorporates a low-power alignment beam injected in the pinhole plane of the final spatial filter with a wave length intermediate between the 1053 mn laser output and the 351 mn frequency-converted beam that illuminates the target Choosing the specific wavelength for which the spatial filter plane is reimaged in the same target chamber plane as the frequency-converted main laser pulse, achieves optimum accuracy without the need for additional means to insure precise overlap between the two beams. Insertion of the alignment beam after the last laser amplifier also allows alignment to the target while the amplifiers are still cooling from a previous shot.
Predicting post-fire hillslope erosion in forest lands of the western United States

Many forests and their associated water resources are at increasing risk from large and severe wildfires due to high fuel accumulations and climate change. Extensive fuel treatments are being proposed, but it is not clear where such treatments should be focussed. The goals of this project were to: (1) predict potential post-fire erosion rates for forests and shrublands in the western United States to help prioritise fuel treatments; and (2) assess model sensitivity and accuracy. Post-fire ground cover was predicted using historical fire weather data and the First Order Fire Effects Model. Parameter files from the Disturbed Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) were combined with GeoWEPP to predict post-fire erosion at the hillslope scale. Predicted median annual erosion rates were 0.1–2 Mg ha–1 year–1 for most of the intermountain west, ~10–40 Mg ha–1 year–1 for wetter areas along the Pacific Coast and up to 100 Mg ha–1 year–1 for north-western California. Sensitivity analyses showed the predicted erosion rates were predominantly controlled by the amount of precipitation rather than surface cover. The limited validation dataset showed a reasonable correlation between predicted and measured erosion rates (R2 = 0.61), although predictions were much less than measured values. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of predicting post-fire erosion rates on a large scale. The validation and sensitivity analysis indicated that the predictions are most useful for prioritising fuel reduction treatments on a local rather than interregional scale, and they also helped identify model improvements and research needs.
Effects of human epidermal growth factor gene-transfected mesenchymal stem cells on fibroblast migration and proliferation

Objectives We were interested in determining whether epidermal growth factor gene-transfected mesenchymal stem cells (EGF-MSC) would accelerate fibroblast migration and proliferation. Materials and methods Fibroblasts were cultured in serum-free conditioned media from EGF-MSC; RT-PCR was performed to detect expression of EGF gene in EGF-MSCs. EGF protein levels in cell culture supernatants from EGF-MSC were assayed by ELISA and proliferation of EGF-MSC-treated fibroblasts was performed using MTT assay. Effects of EGF-MSC on fibroblast migration were evaluated using scratch wound and transmigration assays. Cell adhesion molecules, cell dynamics molecules and phospho-(Ser) kinase substrate expressions of EGF-MSC-treated fibroblasts were evaluated by western blotting. Results EGF gene expression increased in EGF-MSCs and viability of EGF-MSC-treated fibroblasts was elevated. EGF-MSC-treated fibroblasts showed increased migration compared to controls. Expressions of cell adhesion molecules (β-catenin, N-cadherin), cell dynamics molecules (cofilin, ezrin) and phospho-(Ser) kinase substrates (phospho-MAPK/CDK substrate, phospho-Arg-(Ser)-X-Tyr/Phe-X-pSer motif) increased in EGF-MSC-treated fibroblasts. These results imply that EGF-MSCs contributed to enhancing the wound healing process by increased cell adhesion, dynamic effects, fibroblast migration, and proliferation. Conclusions This study indicates that EGF-MSCs had a positive influence on fibroblast migration and proliferation and EGF-MSC may provide a useful strategy for wound healing.
Theory and experiment on imaging of walls' interior structures using diffraction tomography

This paper presents an overview of walls' interior structure imaging with a novel real-time intra-wall imaging algorithm. The linearization of the inversion scheme and the employment of FFT/IFFT in the imaging formula make the imaging algorithm suitable for on-site applications. An experimental result is presented to show the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm for real time intra-wall characterization.
Preliminary Evidence of Periodontal Disease in Lemmus trimucronatus Skulls from Northern Alaska

A random collection of 100 Lemmus trimucronatus skulls obtained on the tundra near Point Barrow, Alaska, were examined for evidence of periodontal disease. Alveolar bone pathosis was observed in 26% of the skulls. The severity or frequency of this disorder in lemming populations may show cyclic fluctuations that can be correlated with the cyclic fluctuations of population density.
Positive and negative religious coping, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in people with HIV

The present study examined the relationships of positive and negative types of religious coping with depression and quality of life, and the mediating role of benefit finding in the link between religious coping and psychological outcomes among 198 individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The results of multiple hierarchical analyses revealed that negative religious coping was significantly associated with a high level of depressive symptoms and a low level of quality of life, controlling for demographic and clinical variables. On the other hand, positive religious coping was significantly associated with positive domains of outcome measures such as positive affect and life satisfaction, but not with overall depressive symptoms or quality of life. Tests of mediation analyses showed that benefit finding fully mediated the relationship between positive religious coping and the positive sub-domains of psychological outcomes. The importance of investigating both positive and negative types of religious coping in their relationships with psychological adaptation in people with HIV was discussed, as well as the significance of benefit finding in understanding the link between religious coping and psychological outcomes.
Physicochemical Study of Percutaneous Absorption Enhancement by Dimethyl Sulfoxide: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Determinants of Dimethyl Sulfoxide Mediated Mass Transfer of Alkanols

Abstract By first determining the thermodynamic activities and activity coefficients of methanol, 1-butanol and 1-octanol in binary dimethyl sulfoxide:water media, it has been possible to separate solubilizing (thermodynamic) effects of dimethyl sulfoxide from its kinetic (diffusive) influence as they relate to the skin permeation of these small, nonelectrolyte alkanols. This was done by normalizing the experimental permeability coefficients found with full-thickness hairless mouse skin membranes to unit activity in the vehicle. When the dimethyl sulfoxide media were placed on both sides of the skin sections in a two compartment diffusion cell, activity-adjusted permeability coefficients of the permeants were invariant to dimethyl sulfoxide concentrations of 50% strength. Thus, up to this concentration and in the absence of net solvent crosscurrents, the permeabilities of methanol, 1-butanol, and 1-octanol appear to be strictly determined by partitioning into the stratum corneum. However, when the dimethyl sulfoxide percentage strength was raised to ≥ 75%, activity-adjusted permeability increased systematically and profoundly, indicating severe barrier impairment with increased diffusion across the horny layer (kinetic effect). When neat dimethyl sulfoxide was placed on both sides of the skin, the experimental permeability coefficients of the three alcohols were maximal and equal in magnitude, suggesting total functional impairment of the stratum corneum. When the dimethyl sulfoxide media were placed in contact with the stratum corneum surface of the skin membranes only, accelerating effects were noted at dimethyl sulfoxide concentrations
Statistical mechanical deconvolution of thermal transitions in macromolecules. III. Application to double‐stranded to single‐stranded transitions of nucleic acids

The statistical mechanical deconvolution theory for macromolecular conformational transitions is extended to the case of nucleic acids transitions involving strand separation. It is demonstrated that the partition function, Q, as well as all the relevant thermodynamic quantities of the system, can be calculated from experimental scanning calorimetric data. In particular, it is shown that important thermodynamic parameters such as the size of the average cooperative unit during strand separation, the mean helical segment length, and the mean coil-segment length can be calculated from the average excess enthalpy function 〈ΔH〉. The theory is applied to the double-stranded to single-stranded transition of the system poly(A)·poly(U) at different salt concentrations. It is shown that the mean helical segment length is a monotonically decreasing function of the temperature well before strand separation occurs. On the other hand, the mean coil segment length remains practically constant until temperatures very close to Tm. Both experimental findings clearly indicate that the unfolding of poly(A)·poly(U) proceeds through the formation of many short helical sequences. The cooperative unit for the strand separation is calculated to be about 120 base pairs and essentially independent of the salt concentration. The existence of a minimum helical segment length of 10 ± 2 base pairs within the double-stranded form is calculated.
RENAL CALCIFICATION (RC) AND HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED URINARY TRACT INFECTION(HA-UTI) IN A NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT: RISK FACTOR OR SEQUELA? † 2159

RENAL CALCIFICATION (RC) AND HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED URINARY TRACT INFECTION(HA-UTI) IN A NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT: RISK FACTOR OR SEQUELA? † 2159
Impact-parameter dependence of 1 sσ vacancy production in 4.6-MeV/a.m.u. Xe + Pb collisions

The probability of forming 1sσ vacancies in collisions with impact parameters b ≲ 60 fm was measured using the x-ray-scattered-particle-coincidence method. The probability falls off monotonically with b, in qualitative agreement with calculations of Soff et al.
The mechanism of synchronization in isorhythmic A-V dissociation. Some observations on the morphology and polarity of the P wave during retrograde capture of the atria.

We studied 11 patients with spontaneous isorhythmic atrioventricular (A-V) dissociation occurring during cardiac surgery. The period of synchronization or accrochage was shown to result from retrograde capture of the atria by an A-V junctional rhythm. The P wave in leads II, III, and aVF was biphasic (–, +) during the period of synchronization, with the initial negative portion of the P wave or the entire P wave often buried within the QRS complex. It was concluded that isorhythmic A-V dissociation occurs only during the period when the rhythm alternates between an atrial rhythm and an A-V junctional rhythm and results when either the dominant pacemaker slows or the latent pacemaker accelerates.
Is spin lattice relaxation time independent of species

It has been suggested that the spin lattice relaxation time is independent of species. It was further stated that, from a nuclear magnetic resonance standpoint, the human muscle is similar to rat muscle and to pig muscle, etc. However, it is observed that, in normal liver and kidney of human, rat, dog, rabbit and hamster, spin lattice relaxation time varies in different species as a function of percentage of body-weight of the organ. The result shows that spin lattice relaxation time is different in different species because of the organ weight which in turn dictates the metabolism in an individual species.
Development of a pit growth resistance parameter for the study of pit growth in alloy 600

Abstract The concept of pit growth resistance parameter (PGRP) is introduced as a measure of the pit growth resistance. It incorporates the processes of pit propagation and the degree of difficulty in arresting a growing pit. This concept was used to study pit growth in commercial Inconel alloy 600 steam generator tubes in terms of the effects of secondary water contaminants (Cu++, Cl−, and SO4=) at typical operating temperature. In this work, two types of pitting corrosion experiments were conducted to evaluate the concept of PGRP: cyclic potentiodynamic measurements and isothermal capsule tests. The results from isothermal capsule tests show a dependence of pit depth on the Cl−/SO4= ratio in the presence of 6000 wppm Cu++. The most aggressive Cl−/SO4= ratio is 0.2 at 0.294 M total ion concentration, which produces 135μ deep pits after three weeks at 288°C. The PGRP was determined from cyclic potentiodynamic experiments and compared to pit depths measured from capsule tests. The values of PGRP and pit de...
Distortion component analysis of outer hair cell motility-related gating charge.

The underlying Boltzmann characteristics of motility-related gating currents of the outer hair cell (OHC) are predicted to generate distortion components in response to sinusoidal transmembrane voltages. We studied this distortion since it reflects the mechanical activity of the cell that may contribute to peripheral auditory system distortion. Distortion components in the OHC electrical response were analyzed using the whole-cell voltage clamp technique, under conditions where ionic conductances were blocked. Single or double-sinusoidal transmembrane voltage stimulation was delivered at various holding voltages, and distortion components of the current responses were detected by Fourier analysis. Current response magnitude and phase of each distortion component as a function of membrane potential were compared with characteristics of the voltage-dependent capacitance, obtained by voltage stair-step transient analysis or dual-frequency admittance analysis. The sum distortion was most prominent among the distortion components at all holding voltages. Notches in the sum (f1+f2), difference (f2−f1) and second harmonic (2f) components occur at the voltage where peak voltage-dependent capacitance resides (VpkCm). Rapid phase reversals also occurred at VpkCm, but phase remained fairly stable at more depolarized and hyperpolarized potentials. Thus, it is possible to extract Boltzmann parameters of the motility-related charge movement from these distortion components. In fact, we have developed a technique to follow changes in the voltage dependence of OHC motility and charge movement by tracking the voltage at phase reversal of the f2−f1 product. When intracellular turgor pressure was changed, VpkCm and distortion notch voltages shifted in the same direction. These data have important implications for understanding cochlear nonlinearity, and more generally, indicate the usefulness of distortion analysis to study displacement currents.
Comparative Morphology of Complemental Males in Four Species of Balanus (Cirripedia Thoracica) 1)

Une redescription des mâles complementaires de Balanus masignotus est donnee, en meme temps que les descriptions morphologiques des mâles complementaires, jusqu'a present inconnus, de trois autres especes de Balanus : B. galeatus, B. inerrilli et B. calceolus. Leur morphologie comparee est discutee.
Does pre‐deal research reduce IPO underpricing?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine differences in underpricing for initial public offerings (IPOs) brought to market in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States. It intends to determine whether IPO pricing accuracy in Hong Kong is facilitated by the development and dissemination of pre‐deal research.Design/methodology/approach – The study examines a broad sample of initial public offerings made between 2000 and 2004. The author conducts univariate and multivariate tests to assess the relationship between IPO underpricing and the dissemination of pre‐deal research.Findings – The author finds that Hong Kong issues experience significantly less underpricing than issues listed in Singapore and the United States. The underpricing of Singapore IPOs, on average, is not significantly different from that of US new listings. Furthermore, the author finds underpricing experienced by Hong Kong issues after adoption of the 40‐day post‐IPO quiet period is significantly higher than underpricing in the ...
Energy loss by slow magnetic monopoles traversing a metal

A simple calculation of the stopping power of a metal is given for the case of magnetic monopoles whose velocity v is small compared with the Fermi velocity. The principal result is that the dominant contribution to the stopping power is the formation of low-energy electron-hole pairs. The stopping power is found to be proportional to v and for Al with v = 10/sup -3/c, -dE/dx = 0.3 GeV/cm.
Localization of the atractyloside-sensitive nucleotide binding sites in rat liver mitochondria.

Abstract The inner membrane of the mitochondrion has been confirmed as the locus of atractyloside-sensitive adenine nucleotide binding. These binding sites were found in both inner and outer membrane fractions prepared by the digitonin fractionation procedure. However, binding by the outer membrane fraction was shown to be due to contamination by inner membrane. This was demonstrated by the effect of excess digitonin on the outer membrane fraction: the outer membrane marker-enzymes and phospholipid were solubilized while the ADP binding sites were not. The properties of the binding sites of both fractions were also shown to be identical. An inhomogeneous distribution of atractyloside-sensitive binding sites on the inner membrane was indicated by the observation that the ratio of ADP binding sites to cytochrome oxidase activity of the fragments of inner membrane contaminating the outer membrane fraction was greater than the ratio in the inner membrane fraction.
Antigen detection in immune complexes by a modified staphylococci binding assay and Western blot analysis

The combination of a modified Staphylococci binding assay for immune complexes and Western blot analysis is described for the isolation and detection of antigen in immune complexes from human sera. The strategy of the procedure is to preclear immune complexes from other serum components by sequential polyethylene glycol precipitation and incubation with insoluble protein A under conditions in which immune complexes are preferentially bound. Immune complexes are eluted from protein A in sodium dodecyl sulfate buffer and dissociated by acrylamide electrophoresis. Resolved proteins are then transblotted to nitrocellulose, and antigen is detected with specific antibody. Immune complexes were prepared in vitro with an antigen (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) that focuses well on electrophoresis and for which a potent immunologic probe (antibody) was available. In this system, antigen could be detected when immune complexes were present in sera in concentrations as low as 20 micrograms aggregated-IgG eq/ml, regardless of antigen-antibody ratio. We demonstrate the detection of horse globulin in immune complexes from a patient with acute serum sickness and hepatitis B virus antigen in complexes from a patient with vasculitis.
Electricity for the 21st century: digital electricity for a digital economy

Abstract In August 2002, the Board of Directors of the Electric Power Research Institute encouraged the Institute to examine the serious challenges facing the electric power sector. The goal was to define the characteristics of a vital and robust sector, and to help develop an actionable leadership framework. The ultimate goal of the “Electricity Sector Framework for the Future” project is to establish a coherent set of actions and accountabilities that will enable the electricity sector to meet the escalating needs and aspirations of its customers, investors/owners, and society. In order to be effective, such a set of actions must reflect mutual self-interest and equity across the broad electricity stakeholder community. In general, this requires a unified industry leadership commitment that electricity, through innovative technology, has a service value greater than its traditional basic commodity value. This vision of innovative opportunities to transform the reliability and value of electricity for the future must be “sold” to the public and public policy leaders at the local, state, and federal levels who can credibly advocate the message. Additionally, the initiative must be expanded to educate stakeholders about mechanisms for strengthening industry credibility, building trust, and gaining broad public and political support for the sector’s vision and needed actions. Finally, the costs and benefits must be made tangible, compelling, and urgent for all stakeholders, especially consumers.
Langlands-shahidi method and poles of automorphicL-functions II

We use Langlands-Shahidi method and the observation that the local components of residual automorphic representations are unitary representations, to study the Rankin-SelbergL-functions of GL k × classical groups. Especially we prove thatL(s, σ ×τ) is holomorphic, except possibly ats=0, 1/2, 1, whereσ is a cuspidal representation of GL k which satisfies weak Ramanujan property in the sense of Cogdell and Piatetski-Shapiro andτ is any generic cuspidal representation of SO2l+1. Also we study the twisted symmetric cubeL-functions, twisted by cuspidal representations of GL2.
The Van Hiele Levels of Geometric Thought in Undergraduate Preservice Teachers.

This study operationally defined and studied the five learning levels hypothesized by P. M. van Hiele and D. van Hiele-Geldof. Tasks were designed for the first four levels using seven common geometric concepts and revised after review by 11 mathematics educators. Audiotaped interviews were given to 19 preservice elementary teachers, 13 of whom had studied high school geometry. Guttman's scalogram analysis showed that the tasks representing the levels formed a hierarchy. A test of consensus revealed that students were on different levels for different concepts. Responses, in general, showed that the typical student in the study was not ready for a formal deductive geometry course.
Determining an Optimal Sampling Frequency for Measuring Bulk Temporal Changes in Ground‐Water Quality

In the Data Quality Objectives (DQO) process, statistical methods are used to determine an optimal sampling and analysis plan. When the DQO decision rule for instituting remedial actions is based on a critical change in water quality, the monitoring program design must ensure that this change can be detected and measured with a specified confidence. Usually the focus is on the change at a single monitoring location and the process is limited to addressing the uncertainty inherent in the analytical methods and the variability at that location. However, new strategies that permit ranking the waste sites and prioritizing remedial activities require the means for assessing overall changes for small regions over time, where both spatial and temporal variability exist and where the uncertainty associated with these variations far exceeds measurement error. Two new methods for assessing these overall changes have been developed and are demonstrated by application to a waste disposal site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. These methods incorporate historical data where available and allow the user to either test the statistical significance of a linear trend or of an annual change compared to a baseline year for a group of water quality wells.
Carriage of Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria lactamica in Infants and Children

Asymptomatic carriage of Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria lactamica was studied in a total of 2,969 healthy infants and children in Danbury, Conn., between October 1971 and June 1975. The prevalence of N. meningitidis averaged 0.71% during the first four years of life and increased to 5.4% by 14--17 years. Rates of carriage of N. lactamica increased from 3.8% in three-month-old infants to a peak of 21.0% at 18 months and then declined to 1.8% by 14--17 years of age. Of the children who acquired N. lactamica, 66% developed fourfold or greater rises in titers of IgG antibody to groups A, B, and/or C meningococci as determined by immunofluorescence compared with only 5% of control children. Of new carriers of N. lactamica, 40% developed increased titers of bactericidal antibody to groups A, B, and/or C meningococci as compared with 7% of noncarriers. Carriage of N. lactamica may assist in the development of natural immunity to N. meningitidis by induction of cross-reactive antibodies.
An Examination of the Relationships Between Materialism, Conspicuous Consumption, Impulse Buying, and Brand Loyalty

Furthering the understanding of materialism has been of paramount concern to both consumer researchers and policymakers over the past several years. This paper examines the relationships between materialism, conspicuous consumption, impulse buying, and brand loyalty, as examining material-centric behavior is becoming evermore important in a consumption-based economy. This study first examines these constructs in detail and proposes hypotheses, then through the use of structural equation modeling, explores how materialism positively relates to conspicuous consumption, impulse buying, and brand loyalty utilizing survey data from over 500 respondents residing in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Managerial and consumer-oriented implications are discussed as we call for marketing managers to pay closer attention to societal outcomes stemming from the use of traditional marketing strategies.
Study of factors mediating effect of photodynamic therapy on bladder in canine bladder model

The canine bladder model was employed to study the factors mediating the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the bladder. The recovery (time taken for the bladder volume to return to pre-PDT value), gross and microscopic findings, implicate both bladder high filling pressure (60 cm H2O) and high light dose as factors mediating the effect of photodynamic therapy on bladder capacity. We recommend that photodynamic therapy to the bladder be performed under a filling pressure of 30 cm H2O, which is physiologic, and whole bladder illumination at a light dose not greater than 30 J/cm2.