cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neoliberal Governmentality and Neohumanism: Organizing Suzhi/Value Flow through Labor Recruitment Networks

On a hot afternoon in July 1999 in the northern city of Tianjin, a dozen or so young rural women are gathered inside a small waiting room of the municipal Family Service Company. Sitting on a narrow wooden staircase or standing with their bodies leaning against each other, they are waiting for urban families to employ them as domestics. Outside, in the courtyard, more women seek refuge in the shade as they too wait to be called. The room occupied by the waiting women connects to an air-conditioned office through a sliding glass door, which remains closed to keep out both the heat and the women waiting outside. Through its glass panes, however, the office staff inside keep an eye on the women whom the manager privately refers to as "smelly hicks" (lao ta'er). Following the staircase up to the third floor, one can find the office of the general manager. Here the new wooden floor is smooth and gleaming. An air conditioner works quietly in one corner of the room, the abundant coolness in the office testifying to its power. On the wall facing the manager hang several red silk banners awarded for good performance by the municipal government and the city branch of the All China Women's Federation under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. The office is very quiet. This Family Service Company, the largest among two hundred or so in the city of Tianjin, is officially attached to the Women's Federation although it is financially responsible for its own profits and losses.' However, in view of its
Very Large Earthquakes Centered Southwest of the New Madrid Seismic Zone 5,000–7,000 Years Ago

Earthquake-induced liquefaction features, including large sand blows, occur near Marianna, Arkansas, about 75 km southwest of Memphis, Tennessee, and 80 km south of the southwestern end of the New Madrid seismic zone. The Marianna sand blows formed between 5,000 and 7,000 years ago and predate paleoearthquakes attributed to the New Madrid seismic zone. The Marianna sand blows are similar in size to New Madrid sand blows, suggesting that they too formed as a result of very large earthquakes but were centered near Marianna and outside the New Madrid seismic zone. A large sand blow that formed about 3500 B.C. (5,500 years B.P.) may correlate with smaller sand blows to the northeast and southwest up to 175 km away. A compound sand blow that formed about 4800 B.C. (6,800 years B.P.) may have formed as the result of several very large, closely timed earthquakes. A fault zone associated with the eastern Reelfoot Rift margin seems the most likely source of large Middle Holocene earthquakes because of its great length (∼300 km), history of seismic activity, Late Wisconsin–Early Holocene fault movement in western Tennessee, and structural relationship to the New Madrid fault system. Additional study is needed to verify our initial findings, to identify the earthquake source, and to further define the earthquake potential of the Marianna area. If the eastern Reelfoot Rift margin were confirmed to be the source of Middle Holocene earthquakes near Marianna, seismicity would appear to vary in space and time within the Reelfoot Rift system. This would have important hazard implications for currently aseismic faults of the rift system and possibly of other aulacogens embedded in intraplate regions.
Optical properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated In2O3 nanoparticles

Abstract An experimental study of the optical properties of PVA coated In2O3 nanoparticles was performed with characterization methods including photoluminescence, absorption and point source, photogenerated current–voltage measurements. The photoluminescence results show that PVA can suppress the parasitic green emission by modifying defect energy states introduced by oxygen vacancies. Thin films fabricated from PVA coated In2O3 nanoparticles show higher photocurrent and suppressed dark current, which may be promising for UV photodetector applications.
Increasing the Accuracy of Productivity and Survival Estimates in Assessing Landbird Population Status

: The conservation of species with declining populations requires information on population demography and identification of factors that limit population growth. For landbird species, an understanding of large-scale population declines often requires assessment of local population processes, including the production of offspring, the survival of those offspring, and adult survival. Population growth has been modeled for several species of landbirds to date, and these studies have provided important information on relationships between population status and population-limiting factors. Several recent studies have illuminated field methods and analytical techniques that can aid in increasing the accuracy of productivity and survival estimates for population models. We reviewed these methods and recommend their implementation, including quantification of the season-long productivity of individuals, collection of empirical data on juvenile survival during the postfledging and overwintering periods, and incorporation of adult breeding dispersal into annual adult survival estimates. Such methods will allow for more accurate assessment of population status and provide a better understanding of the factors on which to focus our conservation efforts. Resumen: La conservacion de especies con poblaciones en declinacion requiere de informacion sobre su demografia y la identificacion de factores que limitan el crecimiento poblacional. Para especies de aves terrestres, el entendimiento de declinaciones poblacionales a gran escala a menudo requiere de la evaluacion de procesos poblacionales locales, incluyendo la produccion de descendencia, la supervivencia de esa progenie y la supervivencia de adultos. A la fecha, se ha modelado el crecimiento poblacional de varias especies de aves terrestres, y esos estudios han proporcionado informacion importante de las relaciones entre estatus de la poblacion y factores que limitan a la poblacion. Varios estudios recientes han clarificado metodos de campo y tecnicas analiticas que pueden ayudar a incrementar la precision de estimaciones de productividad y supervivencia en modelos poblacionales. Revisamos estos metodos y recomendamos su aplicacion, incluyendo la cuantificacion de la productividad estacional de individuos, la recolecta de datos empiricos de supervivencia de juveniles durante los periodos de postemplumaje e invierno y la incorporacion de dispersion reproductiva de adultos en estimaciones de supervivencia anual de adultos. Tales metodos permitiran una evaluacion mas precisa del estatus de la poblacion y proporcionaran un mejor entendimiento de los factores a enfocar en nuestros esfuerzos de conservacion.
Comparison of continuous versus pulsed ultraviolet light emitting diode use for the inactivation of Bacillus globigii spores.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) in the ultraviolet (UV) range offer a promising alternative for the disinfection of water. LEDs have many advantages over conventional UV lamps but there are concerns related to the operating life of the LED lamps. In this project Bacillus globigii was inactivated using UV LED technology. The experimental strategy included using pulsed ultraviolet (PUV) output rather than continuous UV (CUV) current in order to reduce the power requirements and extend the life of the lamps. The kinetic profiles for CUV experiments reached 6-log inactivation faster than PUV at 9.1% duty cycle (approx. 840 vs. 5,000 s) but the PUV required lower fluence (365 vs. 665 J/m 2 ). In addition, the inactivation rate constants associated with PUV were generally higher than those of CUV (4.6–5.1 vs. 3.6–4.4 m 2 /J), which supports the notion that high energy bursts are more effective at causing cellular damage. Multi-target kinetics applied to most of the kinetic observations and tailing effects were generally observed. PUV LED appears to have potential to extend the lifetime of the LEDs for inactivation of spore-forming pathogens.
An optimal storage format for sparse matrices

The irregular nature of sparse matrix-vector multiplication, Ax = y, has led to the development of a variety of compressed storage formats, which are widely used because they do not store any unnecessary elements. One of these methods, the Jagged Diagonal Storage format (JDS) is, in addition, considered appropriate for the implementation of iterative methods on parallel and vector processors. In this work we present the Transpose Jagged Diagonal Storage format (TJDS) which drew inspiration from the Jagged Diagonal Storage scheme but requires less storage space than JDS. We propose an alternative storage scheme which makes no assumptions about the sparsity pattern of the matrix and only needs three linear arrays instead of the four linear arrays required by JDS. Specifically, the data is aligned in such a way that the permutation array used in JDS, to permute the solution vector back to the original ordering, is unnecessary. This allow us to save the memory space required to store an integer vector of length n, where n stands for the number of columns in the sparse matrix A. This storage saving reaches, for the selection of matrices used in this work, from 14% up to 45% of the number of non-zero values of the sparse matrices. We present a case study of a 6 × 6 sparse matrix to show the data structures and the algorithm to compute Ax = y using the TJDS format.
Tandem mass spectrometry for the examination of the posttranslational modifications of high-mobility group A1 proteins: symmetric and asymmetric dimethylation of Arg25 in HMGA1a protein.

High-mobility group (HMG) A1a and A1b proteins are among a family of HMGA proteins that bind to the minor groove of AT-rich regions of DNA. Here we employed tandem mass spectrometry and determined without ambiguity the sites of phosphorylation and the nature of methylation of HMGA1 proteins that were isolated from the PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. We showed by LC−MS/MS that Ser101 and Ser102 were completely phosphorylated in HMGA1a protein, whereas only a portion of the protein was phosphorylated at Ser98. We also found that the HMGA1b protein was phosphorylated at the corresponding sites, that is, Ser90, Ser91 and Ser87. In addition, Arg25, which is within the first DNA-binding AT-hook domain of HMGA1a, was both mono- and dimethylated. Moreover, both symmetric and asymmetric dimethylations were observed. The closely related HMGA1b protein, however, was not methylated. The unambiguous identification of the sites of phosphorylation and the nature of methylation facilitates the future examination of the...
Jitter Analysis of an MMPP{2 Tagged Stream in the presence of an MMPP{2 Background Stream

Abstract We first consider a single-server queue that serves a tagged MMPP-2 stream and a background MMPP-2 stream in a FIFO manner. The service time is exponentially distributed. For this queueing system, we obtain the CDF of the tagged inter-departure time, from which we can calculate the jitter, defined as a percentile of the inter-departure time. The formulation is exact, but the solution is obtained numerically, which introduces an error that has been found to be negligible. Subsequently, we consider a tandem queueing network consisting of N tandem queues, which is traversed by the MMPP-2 tagged stream, and where each queue also serves a local MMPP-2 background stream. For this queueing network, we obtain an upper bound on the CDF of the inter-departure time from the Nth queue using a heavy traffic approximation, and we verify it by simulation.
Recent indomethacin tocolysis is not associated with neonatal complications in preterm infants.

Abstract Objective: We sought to determine whether indomethacin tocolysis immediately before delivery is associated with any increased complications in neonates delivered between 24 and 32 weeks' gestation. Study Design: We performed a case-control analysis of neonates delivered between 24 and 32 weeks' gestation after maternal indomethacin treatment for preterm labor. All infants were delivered within 48 hours of indomethacin exposure. Seventy-five patients were matched with 150 control subjects in a patient/control ratio of 1:2. Matching variables in order of priority included gestational age at delivery, fetal number, betamethasone exposure >24 hours before delivery, magnesium sulfate use, mode of delivery, infant sex, and race. Data were analyzed by using the Student t test, χ 2 analysis, and the Fisher exact test and Yates' correction. Results: The gestational age at delivery (mean ± SD) was 28.7 ± 2.3 weeks in the indomethacin group and 28.3 ± 2.1 weeks for the control subjects. Birth weights (mean ± SD) were 1121 ± 243 and 1141 ± 287 g, respectively. All mothers received both magnesium sulfate and betamethasone before delivery. The median cumulative dose of indomethacin was 225 mg. The median interval from last dose of indomethacin until delivery was 12 hours. There were no significant differences between the groups in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-3.84), grade III/IV intraventricular hemorrhage (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.10-1.19), patent ductus arteriosus (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-1.64), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.49-1.91), pulmonary hypertension (odds ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-4.80), anuria (odds ration, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-6.01), thrombocytopenia (odds ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.53-2.42), sepsis (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-6.01), or neonatal death (odds ratio, 1.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.55-3.25). Conclusion: Maternal indomethacin exposure immediately before delivery was not associated with increased neonatal complications for infants delivered between 24 and 32 weeks' gestation. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:1083-6.)
Lithospheric thinning and chemical buoyancy beneath the Hawaiian Swell

The source of the buoyancy that supports the Hawaiian Swell is not well understood. The swell may be supported by replacement of negatively buoyant lithosphere with buoyant mantle or by emplacement of buoyant material beneath lithosphere of normal thickness. These mechanisms can be distinguished by examining the quadratic relationship between geoid height and bathymetry. At the Hawaiian Swell, the curvature of the geoid height vs. swell topography relationship is negative, indicating that the swell is supported by thinned lithosphere. The magnitude of the curvature suggests that the mantle filling in the region of thinned lithosphere is both thermally and chemically buoyant.
An analysis of the processes of infection and induction of E. coli mutant hfl-l by bacteriophage lambda

The E. coli mutant hfl -1 is lysogenized with almost 100% efficiency by λ + and by λ c III mutants and at a three-to fivefold increase in frequency by a λ c II mutant. Elevated levels of lysogenization were also found with other lambdoid phage bearing the c III gene of lambda (λ imm 434 and λ imm 21 ), but not with more distantly related lambdoid phages (λ imm 80 , o 80, and 424). Lytic development in the absence of repress-sor within hfl -1 and hfl + strains is the same with respect to burst size and the expression of β -exonuclease, while there is within hfl -1 strains a 3–10-min delay in the time of lysis and in appearance of lysozyme. This delay in lysozyme synthesis in an hfl -1 host is dependent on the presence of the λ c II gene product. Lysogens of hfl -1 strains behave normally with respect to spontaneous phage release, immunity to superinfection hy λ c I, and with respect to burst size upon heat and UV induction. The latent period following UV induction of an hfl -1 strain is extended by 5–10 min. The reduced immunity of a λ rim prophage is largely restored in an hfl -1 host. Nonlysogenic hfl -1 strains are abortively infected by λ c l7 in the presence of functional repressor, but not in its absence. These observations suggest that the E. coli hfl -1 mutant provides an abundance of a λ c III-like product to infecting lambda phage, which, in turn, is responsible for a delay in lytic gene expression. It is this delay which enhances the establishment of repression in hfl -1 strains in the presence of normal levels of repressor.
The automation of an interfacial tensiometer

Abstract Interfacial tension at a liquid-liquid interface is an important property of immiscible liquid mixtures, such as in chemical emulsion processes. Quantitative measurement of interfacial tension most often requires the use of specialized laboratory equipment which is not readily adaptable to on-line use. In order to continuously monitor an interfacial tension-dependent process, an automated device based on a relatively simple method of determination would be preferable. A drop-weight method of interfacial tension determination, based on a static force balance of a drop of one phase suspended from a capillary tip and surrounded by the second phase, has been chosen as the basis for an automated interfacial tensiometer. The principal purpose of the device is to measure, with a microcomputer-based data acquisition system, flow rate and drop frequency of the disperse phase, in order to calculate the primary unknown parameter of a drop-weight equation — the drop volume. The device has been successfully tested over the range of interfacial tensions of O.l to 5O dynes cm−1 using various liquid-liquid systems.
A randomized trial of polyunsaturated fatty acids for refractory epilepsy.

Abstract Objective Though polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) reduce seizures in several animal models, results have been inconsistent in humans. The goal of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of a PUFA supplement as adjunctive treatment for intractable focal or generalized epilepsy in humans. Methods Adults with uncontrolled epilepsy were randomized to either mineral oil placebo or a PUFA supplement (eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexanoic acid (DHA), 2.2 mg/day in a 3:2 ratio). Following a 4-week prospective baseline and 1-week titration, subjects entered a 12-week treatment period, followed by an optional 4-week open-label phase. Results Of 21 subjects (12 PUFA and 9 placebo), 0 on PUFA versus 2 on placebo had at least a 50% decrease in seizure frequency from baseline (P = 0.17). Overall, seizure frequency increased 6% on PUFA and decreased 12% on placebo (P = 0.21). During optional open-label administration, however, 15 of 19 subjects had fewer seizures than during baseline (P = 0.02). Conclusions Based on the randomized, blinded portion of this study, the PUFA preparation used was not superior to placebo as adjunctive treatment for intractable epilepsy. It is not known whether different doses or different EPA:DHA ratios would be effective.
New Inorganic–Organic Coordination Polymers Generated from Rigid or Flexible Bidentate Ligands and Co(NCS)2·xH2O

Abstract The coordination chemistry of the long rigid bidentate Schiff-base ligands 1,4-bis(3-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene (L1), 2,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene (L2), and of the flexible ligand 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane with Co(NCS)2·xH2O has been investigated. Three new coordination polymers were prepared and fully characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The magnetic behavior of all compounds was also investigated and found to follow the Curie law. [Co(NCS)2(L1)2·2CH2Cl2]n (1, monoclinic, C2/m; a= 11.995(2) A, b=14.596(3) A, c=10.846(2) A, β=110.99(3)°, Z=2) features a two-dimensional non-interpenetrating distorted square pattern. [Co(NCS)2(L2)2]n (2, monoclinic, P21/n; a=9.5315(19) A, b=17.299(4) A, c=9.6646(19) A, β=99.11(3)°, Z=2) features a one-dimensional ring-like chain motif. Important C–H···S hydrogen bonding interactions exist in 2, which play a significant role in aligning the polymer strands in the crystalline solid. [Co(1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane)2(NCS)2·0.33 H2O]n (3, monoclinic, P21/n; a=18.701(4) A, b=16.593(3) A, c=20.696(4) A, β=114.45(3)°, Z=4) exhibits a polymeric pattern similar to that of 1. All three compounds feature similar {CoN6} pseudooctahedral coordination spheres.
Molecular cloning and mapping of the ecotropic leukemia provirus Emv-23 provides molecular access to the albino-deletion complex in mouse chromosome 7.

Abstract Genetic analysis of radiation-induced deletion mutations involving the chromosome 7 albino (c) locus has expanded the functional map of this 6 to 11-cM region of the mouse genome. To generate one of many points of molecular access necessary for intensifying the analysis of the genes and phenotypes associated with this particular complex of deletions, we have cloned an endogenous ecotropic leukemia provirus (Emv-23), known to be closely linked to c, along with its flanking chromosome 7 sequences. A unique-sequence probe (23.3), derived from a region immediately 5′ to the proviral integration site, was found to map less than 0.5 cM from c in a standard backcross analysis. Southern blot analysis of DNAs from animals carrying homozygous or overlapping albino deletions demonstrated that the 23.3 probe was deleted in several relatively small c-region deletions. The deletion mapping of the 23.3 probe places the Emv-23 locus between c and Mod-2, just proximal to a region important for male fertility and juvenile fitness. Mapping of this locus also provides a refinement of the genetic/deletion map for several mutations within this deletion complex.
Blurred images of complete fusion and incomplete fusion: Reaction simulation analysis of fission-fragment angular correlations

We use Monte Carlo reaction simulation calculations to reassess several studies of fissionfragment angular correlations. The reactions chosen are 15–30 MeV/nucleon14N +238U and 14.6 MeV/nucleon20Ne +197Au. Reanalysis by means of these stimulations leads to much lower limits than originally reported for the fraction of complete fusion. We infer that at these energies the probability is very large for the direct emission of at least one light particle prior to fission. This implies that the distinction between “complete fusion” and “incomplete fusion” has become blurred beyond meaningful distinction.
To BAM or Not to BAM?: A Closer Look at Balloon-Assisted Maturation

Background Balloon assisted maturation (BAM) is a recent, innovative, yet controversial method for developing autogenous arterio-venous fistulae (AVF), with little supportive data. Few retrospective studies have addressed the efficacy of BAM and cofactors affecting successful maturation. We conducted a retrospective analysis of our vascular access database to compare possible factors associated with a successful BAM, as determined by increase in volume flow of the fistulae. Methods Between 2009 and 2010, data was prospectively collected on patients undergoing BAM of their AVF under ultrasound guidance at our institution. 30 of these patients, consisting of 143 BAMs, were retrospectively analyzed. Data collection included: past medical history, age, number of BAM procedures preformed, volume flow measurement (VFM) in mid-fistulae, size of balloon used, and presence of post procedural wall hematoma. VFM was determined with duplex within one month prior to and subsequent to each BAM performed. Results Of the 30 patients, consisting of 143 BAMs, the average age was 69 years old + 15 (range 38–92) with 20 males and 10 females. The most common risk factors were hypertension (n = 27) and diabetes mellitus (n = 16). The average BAM per patient was 4.8 (range 1–7). Of the 143 BAM procedures, 4 were excluded due to absence of preoperative or postoperative duplex. In 139 BAMs, 74 developed a post procedural hematoma as observed on duplex, and 76 showed an increase in VFM. In all BAMs analyzed, there was no correlation observed between the presence of a hematoma and increase in VFM ( P = 0.87). Hematomas occurred most frequently during the second BAM procedure, with 24.3% of all hematomas observed. In 139 BAMs, 8 different balloon sizes were used, 3 mm–10 mm, with the 7mm balloon being the most frequently used (n = 34). No significant difference was noted between increase in VFM in 3 mm to 7 mm balloons. A 8 mm balloon was used in 31 BAMs with 22 developing hematomas. Of the 8mm balloon group, a statistical difference was noted between percent increase in VFM with presence of a hematoma and percent increase in VFM without presence of a hematoma ( P = 0.027). Conclusions These preliminary data, suggest that a more aggressive approach to BAM, with use of larger balloons to create hematoma formation and minimizing excessive dilatation procedures, may have a significant impact on performing a successful maturation in respects to increase in VFM.
Nano-faceting of the Ru (112¯0) surface

Abstract Nano-faceting of Ru ( 1 1 2 ¯ 0 ) induced by NO2 is studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The surface becomes fully faceted and covered with oxygen upon annealing the sample at T ⩾ 650 K in NO2 (10−8 Torr) and the faceted surface is stable in ultra high vacuum (UHV) for sample temperatures ( 1 0 1 ¯ 1 ) , ( 0 1 1 ¯ 1 ) , ( 1 0 1 ¯ 1 ¯ ) , and ( 0 1 1 ¯ 1 ¯ ) on the ridges.
Serotonin and/or an excitatory amino acid in the medial medulla mediates stimulation-produced antinociception from the lateral hypothalamus in the rat

Abstract Several lines of evidence have demonstrated a role for the lateral hypothalamus (LH) in an endogenous system of descending inhibition. Descending inhibition from the LH relies, at least in part, on a relay(s) in the midbrain and/or medulla. The medullary nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) serves as one such relay. The present study, in rats lightly anesthetized with pentobarbital, was undertaken to systematically examine the transmitter(s) in the medial medulla mediating descending inhibition of the nociceptive tail flick (TF) reflex produced by focal electrical stimulation in the LH. The microinjection of pharmacologic receptor antagonists (5 μg) into the NRM revealed that the glutamate receptor antagonists, γ- d -glutamylglycine and 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate produced the largest increases in stimulation thresholds in the LH for inhibition of the TF reflex (107.6% and 102.6%, respectively). Methysergide, a serotonin receptor antagonist, also produced a significant increase (81.5%) in the stimulation threshold in the LH for inhibition of the TF reflex. The opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone, however, was without effect, producing only a 4.0% increase in the LH stimulation threshold. These results suggest that serotonin and/or an excitatory amino acid are transmitters at the bulbar relay in the medial medulla mediating descending inhibition of the TF reflex produced by focal electrical stimulation in the LH.
Weight factors in normal weight bulimia nervosa : a controlled family study

Normal weight bulimia nervosa (BN) is often clinically associated with weight control problems, frequent dieting, weight loss, and weight gain. However, few controlled research studies have evaluated the role of personal and familial weight history as risk factors for normal weight BN. To evaluate the role fo body weight as a risk factor for normal weight BN we evaluated 25 women with DSM-III-R BN and 25 non-bulimic age- and weight-matched controls for personal and family history of being overweight, obesity, and weight variability. BN probands had larger historical body mass indices (BMI) and larger lifetime BMI variability than control probands
The abdominal and iliac fatfolds in nutritional assessment

As shown in 2,491 adults and in 6,388 parent‐child comparisons, the abdominal fatfold (taken two centimeters to the right of the umbilicus) and the iliac fatfold (measured just above the crest of the ilium) are not less useful measures of fatness than the conventional triceps and subscapular fatfolds. With intra‐individual correlations up to 0.87–0.90 in adults, the abdominal and iliac fatfolds may be singularly valuable for nutritional appraisal.
Effect of protonation on the Cotton effects of nucleic acids

Abstract Both DNA and RNA exhibit conformation-dependent Cotton effects below 300 mμ, but protonation of the bases can also change the magnitude of these Cotton effects even without disrupting the secondary structure of the nucleic acids. The rotation of the peak near 280–290 mμ for several DNA's was reduced reversibly about 10% from pH 7 to 4, and about 50% from pH 7 to 3; rotation for RNA decreased almost one half from pH 7 to 4. Difference spectra (with pH 7 as reference) revealed a corresponding hyperchromic effect around 280–290 mμ; the 260 mμ absorption maximum was little affected. Similar study on the dAT alternating copolymer did not detect any pH effect, but the Cotton effect profile of poly (I + C) was greatly changed at low pH. The results strongly suggest that the protonation of cytosine bases is responsible for the changes of the Cotton effects.
New Directions in Structural Seismic Designs

Abstract The code stipulated seismic force requirements for buildings from the historical point of view are described first. This is followed by examples of the emerging criteria of inelastic seismic spectra for displacement ductility, and number of yield reversals as a function of building period and strength. Novel spatial representations of seismic input energy and hysteresis energy, interpreted as damage energy, are given next. The available structural resistance countering the imposed seismic demand is illustrated by the ductile behavior of steel moment resisting frames (MRFs) and eccentrically braced frames (EBFs). A discussion of a practical and versatile frictional energy dissipating connection is given at the end.
Explicit functional approximations for the Z dependence of self-energy radiative corrections in hydrogen-like atoms

Explicit approximate expressions are developed that accurately represent the self-energy radiative corrections of an electron in a hydrogen-like atom as a function of effective nuclear charge Z. Known perturbation expansions valid for low Z are compared with existing numerical calculations for the 1s, 2s and 2p shifts, and the differences are parameterised to extend their validity to include the Z values of all stable elements. These expansions are applied to make extrapolative predictions for principal quantum numbers n<or=4. The results have applications in the semi-empirical study of Rydberg states in complex atoms.
Butyl acrylate porous polymer monoliths in fused-silica capillaries for use in capillary electrochromatography

Capillary electrochromatography incorporates features of both capillary electrophoresis and liquid chromatography. Butyl acrylate polymers, cast in-situ with heat initiated polymerization and no retaining frits have been made. Van Deemter plots of chrysene have been examined at a variety of operating temperatures to examine column behavior. Hmin moves to faster flow-rates and increases slightly in magnitude as temperature is increased. The longevity and reproducibility of the columns have been examined with a homologous series. Performance is very reproducible between two different columns of different diameters, operated on different systems and prepared from the same polymeriation batch. The relative standard deviation of retention factors is a maximum of 3.1% with most values calculated at less than 1%. The uniformity of the polymers as a function of length has also been studied with a series of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and the columns have proved to be very uniform across their length as measured by the consistency of retention factors with a maximum relative standard deviation of 3.4% and most values calculated between 1 and 2%. Plate numbers of between 65000 and 80000 plates/m have been attained for compounds with retention factors of 3 to 12. These columns have proved easy to make, are quite reproducible, and long lived.
Tailoring optimization algorithms to process applications

Over the past decade the application of efficient nonlinear programming tools has become a powerful and established strategy for process analysis and design. While simple coupling of standard optimization codes to process applications has demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach, further development is needed for the efficient large-scale use of these tools. This is particularly true for dynamic optimization problems and on-line applications, as well as design problems with complex models. This paper centers on exploiting the structure of process optimization problems. Here we consider the tailoring of Newton-type optimization algorithms for various process applications. In particular, the Successive Quadratic Programming (SQP) algorithm has been successful over the past decade; it has also been extended in a number of ways to optimization problems involving several thousand variables. After describing a large-scale, general purpose NLP solver, we briefly describe specialized SQP algorithms for the following problem classes: − optimization of complex, structured process models with few degrees of freedom − optimization of dynamic systems, where structured sets of nonlinear equations are created from discretization of differential-algebraic systems (DAEs) − treatment of parameter estimation problems with many degrees of freedom Each of these aspects is illustrated with a small process application and efficient techniques for handling these problems are outlined. Also, these methods are briefly compared to general purpose algorithms in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.
Role of Stranded Gas from Central Asia and Russia in Meeting Europe’s Future Import Demand for Gas

Stranded gas is natural gas in discovered fields that is currently not commercially producible for either physical or economic reasons. This study examines stranded gas from Russia and Central Asia and the role it can play in addressing Europe’s growing demand for imported natural gas requiring additional volumes of gas in excess of 130 trillion cubic feet. We find sufficient volumes of stranded gas in fields in the Central Asian state of Turkmenistan in the Amu-Darya Basin and in Russian fields in the West Siberian Basin. The analysis focused on the estimated cost of extraction and delivery to a single market location for various concentrations of gas in stranded gas fields in Central Asia and Russia. At import prices of $10 per million British thermal units (MMBTU), there are sufficient gas resources in stranded fields that can be commercially developed and delivered to the European market. If, however, imported gas prices fall below $7 per MMBTU, most of the stranded gas evaluated from West Siberia will not be commercial. The costs of delivering gas from the largest stranded gas fields in Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan were calculated to be greater than 30% below the costs of delivering gas from the largest stranded gas fields in Russia, which are located in the Yamal Peninsula. Central Asian gas producers, particularly those east of the Caspian Sea, have limited market options due to the near monopoly position that Gazprom holds in transporting pipeline gas from east of Europe. This study examines several additional options to supply gas to Europe by reviewing expected delivered costs from North African and Atlantic basin suppliers.
Assay for S-adenosylmethionine: guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase activities of rat liver homogenates.

Abstract An assay for S-adenosylmethionine: guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase ∗ activities in tissue homogenates has been developed. The creatine formed is converted to methylguanidine by o-nitrobenzaldehyde and the methylguanidine separated from guanidinoacetic acid by ion-exchange chromatography. The methylguanidine is quantified by means of a modified Sakaguchi color reaction. Livers from rats fed a complete diet supplemented with guanidinoacetic acid have twice the enzyme activities of livers from rats fed the complete diet.
B-type natriuretic peptide increases after gastric bypass surgery and correlates with weight loss.

Background Coronary artery disease is the primary cause of death in the United States, with obesity as a leading preventable risk factor. Previous studies have established the beneficial effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on both weight and cardiac risk factors. Further assessment of cardiac function may be accomplished using B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which has demonstrated clinical utility in diagnosing congestive heart failure. This study aimed to assess changes in BNP after intentional weight loss through gastric bypass surgery.
Porphyromonas gingivalis–mediated Epithelial Cell Entry of HIV-1

HIV-1 relies on the host’s cell machinery to establish a successful infection. Surface receptors, such as CD4, CCR5, and CXCR4 of T cells and macrophages, are essential for membrane fusion of HIV-1, an initiate step in viral entry. However, it is not well defined how HIV-1 infects CD4-negative mucosal epithelial cells. Here we show that there is a specific interaction between HIV-1 and an invasive oral bacterium, Porphyromonas gingivalis. We found that HIV-1 was trapped on the bacterial surface, which led to internalization of HIV-1 virions as the bacteria invaded CD4-negative epithelial cells. Both bacterial and viral DNA was detected in HeLa and TERT-2 cells exposed to the HIV-1–P. gingivalis complexes 2 hr after the initial infection but not in cells exposed to HIV-1 alone. Moreover, epithelial cell entry of HIV-1 was positively correlated with invasive activity of the P. gingivalis strains tested, even when the binding affinities of HIV-1 to these strains were similar. Finally, it was demonstrated that the viral DNA was integrated into the genome of the host epithelial cells. These results reveal a receptor-independent HIV-1 entry into epithelial cells, which may be relevant in HIV transmission in other mucosal epithelia where complex microbial communities can be found.
Ignition delay time measurements behind reflected shock-waves for a representative coal-derived syngas with and without NH3 and H2S impurities

Abstract The composition of a representative coal-derived syngas was determined by averaging 40 practical coal syngas compositions from the literature and corresponds to a departure from many recent studies which only focus on syngas blends containing just CO and H2. Ignition delay times have been measured behind reflected shock waves for this averaged mixture with an equivalence ratio of 0.5 (0.4554% CO/0.3297% H2/0.1032% CO2/0.0172% CH4/0.2407% H2O/0.8538% O2 in 98% Ar (mol.%)) at around 1.7, 13, and 32 atm. The same mixture was also investigated with impurities (200 ppm of NH3 and 50 ppm of H2S). Care was taken when working with the blends containing H2O and NH3 to avoid errors in the shock-tube composition; direct measurement of the water vapor mole fractions were performed using a tunable diode laser absorption diagnostic near 1.38 μm. The effect of the various constituents on the ignition delay time was also investigated by comparing to results from a baseline mixture (H2/CO/O2/Ar) and results with this baseline mixture with only one of the other constituents of the syngas (i.e., CO2, CH4, H2S). Experimental data were compared with recent detailed kinetics mechanisms from the literature. Results showed that, under the conditions of this study, extending the mixture composition to include realistic concentrations of species beyond just the CO and H2 does not have a very large effect on the ignition delay time for a coal-derived syngas. However, a comparison of this coal-derived syngas with a syngas derived from biomass, tested in an earlier study by the authors, exhibited large differences due to the larger CH4 concentration in the bio-derived syngas. Two chemical kinetic models from the literature were found suitable to reproduce these data over most of the range of mixtures, temperatures, and pressures investigated, namely the mechanisms associated with Galway and with Princeton.
Predicting soil erosion in conservation tillage cotton production systems using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE)

Despite being one of the most profitable crops for the southeastern USA, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is considered to create a greater soil erosion hazard than other annual crops such as corn (Zea mays L.) and soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Reduced tillage systems and cover cropping can reduce soil erosion and leaching of nutrients into ground water. The objectives of this study, which was conducted in north Alabama from 1996 to 1998, were to assess the impact of no-till and mulch-till systems with a winter rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop and poultry litter on soil erosion estimates in cotton plots using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). Soil erosion estimates in conventional till plots with or without a winter rye cover crop and ammonium nitrate fertilizer were double the 11 t ha ˇ1 yr ˇ1 tolerance level for the Decatur series soils. However, using poultry litter as the N source (100 kg N ha ˇ1 ) gave soil erosion estimates about 50% below the tolerance level under conventional till. Doubling the N rate through poultry litter to 200 kg N ha ˇ1 under no-till system gave the lowest soil erosion estimate level. No-till and mulch-till gave erosion estimates which were about 50% of the tolerance level with or without cover cropping or N fertilization. This study shows that no-till and mulch-till systems with cover cropping and poultry litter can reduce soil erosion in addition to increasing cotton growth and lint yields, and thus improve sustainability of cotton soils in the southeastern USA. # 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
Isolation and characterization of the rat β-subunit gene of the high affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E

The high affinity receptor for IgE, which mediates allergic reactions, is found exclusively on mast cells, basophils and epidermal Langerhans cells. It is composed of an alpha, beta and two gamma-polypeptide chains, inserted as a complex into the plasma membrane. The alpha and beta-subunits are produced only by these cell types. This work describes the isolation and characterization of the gene which encodes the rat beta-subunit. The single copy gene spans a 9 kbp region of DNA and is composed of seven exons and six introns. Transcriptional initiation begins from a single site, which is preceded by a very unique, putative transcriptional consensus sequence, the GATA box. Analysis of the 5'-region, upstream of exon 1, also reveals a unique sequence bias and a collection of repeating elements, suggesting several other potential transcriptional cis-control elements. The origins of the two, previously reported, different beta-subunit transcripts result from the same start site of this gene, but use an alternative RNA processing mechanism involving exon 3.
Finite-Time Blow-Up for in Two Space Dimensions

On considere l'existence de solutions classiques globales aux problemes de Cauchy de la forme U tt -△ u =H(u x ,u t ) sur (x,t)∈R n ×(o,∞) u(x,o)=f(x) sur x∈R n , u t (x,o)=g(x) sur x∈R n pour des donnees de Cauchy petites
Regression-Based Identification of Behavior-Encoding Neurons During Large-Scale Optical Imaging of Neural Activity at Cellular Resolution

The advent of methods for optical imaging of large-scale neural activity at cellular resolution in behaving animals presents the problem of identifying behavior-encoding cells within the resulting image time series. Rapid and precise identification of cells with particular neural encoding would facilitate targeted activity measurements and perturbations useful in characterizing the operating principles of neural circuits. Here we report a regression-based approach to semiautomatically identify neurons that is based on the correlation of fluorescence time series with quantitative measurements of behavior. The approach is illustrated with a novel preparation allowing synchronous eye tracking and two-photon laser scanning fluorescence imaging of calcium changes in populations of hindbrain neurons during spontaneous eye movement in the larval zebrafish. Putative velocity-to-position oculomotor integrator neurons were identified that showed a broad spatial distribution and diversity of encoding. Optical identification of integrator neurons was confirmed with targeted loose-patch electrical recording and laser ablation. The general regression-based approach we demonstrate should be widely applicable to calcium imaging time series in behaving animals.
Totally implantable indwelling catheter system--alternative techniques of insertion.

Totally implantable indwelling venous catheter systems represent a major advantage for patients requiring frequent or prolonged venous accesses. These catheters are usually inserted via the cephalic vein. When this approach is not feasible, alternative venous sites include the subscapular vein, the external jug ular vein, the subclavian vein by direct puncture, the internal jugular vein by direct puncture and the saphenous vein. These techniques are herein reported to help the surgeon faced in the operating room with a difficult venous catheter placement.
A Convenient and Improved Method for the Preparation of Retinoates

Abstract The reaction of various alcohols with retinoic acid in the presence of N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide affords the corresponding retinoates in good yields.
Teachers’ Beliefs about Maltreatment Effects on Student Learning and Classroom Behavior

This study sought to examine teachers' perceptions of child maltreatment. Teachers (N = 66) responded to open-ended questions asking how physical and sexual abuse and emotional neglect affect student learning and classroom behavior in an online survey. Teachers reported that maltreatment outcomes manifest in academic difficulties, attention-deficit, disruptive and internalizing behaviors, and other maltreatment-related sequelae. Teachers reported more negative consequences from attention-deficit and disruptive behaviors on classroom behavior compared to all other maltreatment outcomes combined. Given the overlapping behaviors exhibited by maltreated children and children with attention-deficit and disruptive behavior disorders, a greater emphasis should be placed on educating teachers on these similarities to better assist them in detecting and responding appropriately to potential cases of child maltreatment.
B cell-deficient mice have increased susceptibility to HSV-1 encephalomyelitis and mortality

Abstract We studied the susceptibility of B cell-deficient mice to encephalomyelitis following intraperitoneal inoculation of HSV-1. B cell-deficient mice developed striking CNS signs including tail atony, clumsy gait and limb paralysis after HSV-1 infection. In addition, B cell-deficient mice had decreased survival (LD50=2.2×107 PFU) compared to control C57BL/6 mice (LD50=2.3×108 PFU). B cell-deficient mice had encephalomyelitis and detectable virus in the brain 7 days post-infection while C57BL/6 mice did not. Passive transfer of hyperimmune sera protected B cell-deficient mice from death, suggesting a role for antibody in susceptibility to HSV-1 encephalomyelitis.
Unweaving regulatory networks: automated extraction from literature and statistical analysis

Summary form only given. In the first part of the talk I will describe our on-going effort to build a natural language processing system extracting information on interactions between genes and proteins from research articles. In the second part of the talk I will introduce an algorithm for predicting molecular networks from sequence data and stochastic models of birth of scale-free networks.