cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synergistic mutations in soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) reveal a key role for interfacial regions in the sGC activation mechanism

Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is the main receptor for nitric oxide (NO) and a central component of the NO-cGMP pathway, critical to cardiovascular function. NO binding to the N-terminal sensor domain in sGC enhances the cyclase activity of the C-terminal catalytic domain. Our understanding of the structural elements regulating this signaling cascade is limited, hindering structure-based drug design efforts that target sGC to improve the management of cardiovascular diseases. Conformational changes are thought to propagate the NO-binding signal throughout the entire sGC heterodimer, via its coiled-coil domain, to reorient the catalytic domain into an active conformation. To identify the structural elements involved in this signal transduction cascade, here we optimized a cGMP-based luciferase assay that reports on heterologous sGC activity in Escherichia coli and identified several mutations that activate sGC. These mutations resided in the dorsal flaps, dimer interface, and GTP-binding regions of the catalytic domain. Combinations of mutations from these different elements synergized, resulting in even greater activity and indicating a complex cross-talk among these regions. Molecular dynamics simulations further revealed conformational changes underlying the functional impact of these mutations. We propose that the interfacial residues play a central role in the sGC activation mechanism by coupling the coiled-coil domain to the active site via a series of hot spots. Our results provide new mechanistic insights not only into the molecular pathway for sGC activation but also for other members of the larger nucleotidyl cyclase family.
A strategic approach for adapting the CUDA course at computer science departments within united states universities

The purpose of this study was to encourage United States universities to offer CUDA courses as one of the main courses within the computer science department. This study included a target population of professors of both genders who were teaching CUDA at 100 universities. The general findings indicated that CUDA is an important technology and should be taught as one of the main courses within all computer science department at United States Universities. This study provided a business plan that addressed all the resources needed to create new CUDA courses. It also offered an effective solution for the financing problems that might prevent other schools from offering CUDA courses.
Improving quality of care in conflict settings: access and infrastructure are fundamental.

Quality problem or issue Armed conflicts pose significant challenges to ensuring timely access to quality health care services for millions around the world. Initial assessment Ensuring access and basic infrastructure for conflict-affected populations are overlooked in the global movement to provide quality of care. Choice of solution This paper identifies strategies and interventions to improve access to good quality care in settings and communities afflicted by conflict. Lessons learned t is crucial to focus more attention on, and develop an evidence base for, ensuring access and basic infrastructure to improve quality of care in conflict-affected regions.
Evidence of Steric Factors in the Fungitoxic Mechanisms of 8-Quinolinol and Its 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-Chloro and Bromo Analogues

A study was made of the fungitoxicity of 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-chloro and bromo-8-quinolinols againstAspergillus niger,A. oryzae,Myrothecium verrucaria,Trichoderma viride andTrichophyton mentagrophytes in Sabouraud dextrose broth and in Yeast Nitrogen Base supplemented with 1%D-glucose and 0.088%L-asparagine. Based on the presence or absence of synergism between pairs of substituted 8-quinolinols and reversal or nonreversal of toxicity byL-cysteine or N-acetyl-L-cysteine, the following conclusions were reached: (1) substituents on the quinoline ring change the site(s) of action of the toxicant; (2) the sites of action of the 5-, 6-, and 7-chloro-8-quinolinols are different from each other and from 8-quinolinol and its 2-, 3-, and 4-chloro analogues, and the same is true for the corresponding bromo compounds; (3) 8-quinolinol and its 3- and 4-chloro and bromo analogues appear to share common sites of action; (4) for good antifungal activity the 2 position of the ring must not be substituted by sterically bulky groups; (5) the geometry of the binding sites of action are not so constrained that they cannot accommodate the analogously substituted chloro- and bromo-8-quinolinols.
NEUTRINO OSCILLATION IN MATTER AND PARAMETERS s13, δCP

We estimate the dependence of νμ to νe conversion on parameters θ13 and δCP for several experimental facilities studying neutrino oscillations. We use the S-Matrix theory to estimate νe disappearance and compare estimates based on an older theory being used to extract θ13 from the Double Chooz, Daya Bay, and RENO data, to assist in extracting an accurate value for θ13 from these projects. We use values of θ13 within known limits, and estimate the dependence of νμ-νe CP violation (CPV) probability on δCP in order to suggest new experiments to measure CPV for neutrinos moving in matter.
COVID-19’s Effect on Students: How School Counselors Rise to the Rescue

The COVID-19 global pandemic has brought about many changes to our society, which will have long-term effects for our youth and adolescents. Due to social isolation and adverse childhood experience...
Vision-Based Autonomous Walking in a Lower-Limb Powered Exoskeleton

Lower-limb powered exoskeletons have the potential to help patients who suffer from mobility impairments to regain their independence. Unlike traditional exoskeletons with predefined gait patterns, some recently developed exoskeletons are capable of planning gait patterns autonomously based on environmental information and human perception. However, patients may have difficulty navigating through unfamiliar environments due to the slow or miscommunication between the exoskeletons and users. Verbal or manual adjustments cannot continuously or adaptively manage the mechanical motions either. In this study, we propose and demonstrate an autonomous walking pattern generator based on shared visual information between human and a powered lower-limb exoskeleton. This control scheme is to understand the user’s intention during walking and help the patient who has trouble walking to overcome obstacles. Human gazing positions in a 3-D environment are measured and evaluated via an eye tracker system to detect objects in the walking path. A model predictive controller (MPC) is formulated, which generates and modifies the footsteps and the center of mass trajectory of the powered exoskeleton in real time considering the visual feedback. Preliminary experiments are performed by having a human subject walking toward a target sign indicating a physical obstacle. Our results show the feasibility of integrating the walking pattern generator with visual feedbacks to achieve autonomous control for a lower-limb powered exoskeleton.
Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: A case report.

Being considered among the most fatal neurological conditions, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy characterized by its unknown etiology and rapidly progressive neurodegenerative symptoms that often lead to a mean survival of 6 to 12 months. The accumulation of the prionic protein causes brain matter degeneration, which leads to a set of clinical findings that include rapidly progressive dementia, myoclonus, tremors, cerebellar ataxia, and extrapyramidal signs. This clinical presentation is non-specific, which makes CJD a very difficult condition to diagnose, due to the low level of clinical suspicion. However, combining this clinical presentation with neuroimaging, a lumbar puncture and an encephalogram will help us make the correct diagnosis. We present the case of a 57-year-old male presenting to the Emergency department with complaint of personality change and intermittent memory loss. The patient's physical exam was significant for resting pill roll tremor, bilateral cogwheel rigidity, dysmetria, and shuffling gait. Magnetic resonance imaging of his brain showed symmetric bilateral diffusion signal abnormality involving the cortex, bilateral caudate heads and putamina. Continuous electroencephalogram revealed multiple bifrontal delta discharges with triphasic morphology. Lumbar puncture was significant for presence of 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid. The multiple examinations performed in conjunction with the previous findings supported the diagnosis of acute encephalopathy secondary to sporadic CJD.
An investigation of the mission, vision, funding strategies and student services for distance learning in land grant and state universities

This study was an investigation of mission, vision, funding strategies, and student services for distance learning as expressed by university administrators in land grant universities and state universities, and those institutions that are designated as both land grant and state universities by the state legislature. Three research questions guided the study. The study employed a survey distributed through e-mail. The questionnaire was sent to 261 senior administrators; the chief academic officers, chief business officers, and chief information officers in 37 land grant and state universities and 13 institutions that are both land grant and state universities. The return rate was 30%. The institutional mission and administrator's vision for offering distance learning survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study also used correlation, confirmed by factor analysis, to determine if there was a relationship among the administrators' responses regarding mission, vision, and funding. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and fishers least means difference test. These tests determined if there were differences in the administrators' responses between the type or sizes of higher education institutions on mission, vision of administrators. The data analysis indicated that the type of institution did not yield significant differences. The difference of means test indicated there were differences in the student population size of the institutions. The responses indicated the mission or purpose for offering distance learning was to save money for the institution, and support degree completion for former students. The responses related to administrative vision show initiating a distance learning program and a being leader among higher education institutions were the reasons for a distance learning program. The content analysis method was employed to determine the roles of the administrators in the survey. The administrators' responses related to distance learning were consistent with their roles in the institution. The study also produced results related to student services institutions provide for distance learning students, how the student services were provided, on or off campus or both locations and the funding sources for the student services.
Cross‐national invariance of the effect of personal collectivistic orientation on brand loyalty and equity

Purpose – This study seeks to examine whether or not the effect of personal cultural orientation on brand‐related consumer behaviors functions invariably at the individual level in two culturally opposite countries (South Korea and the USA).Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from college students from South Korea and the USA. A total of 415 eligible questionnaires were collected: 212 South Korea and 203 USA. Data analysis was conducted using Multivariate analysis of variance.Findings – It was found that personal collectivistic orientation had a significant effect on both brand loyalty and equity among both Americans and Koreans. Brand loyalty was higher among people of high collectivism than those of low collectivism across brands in both the US and South Korean samples. Likewise, brand equity was also higher among people of high collectivism than those of low collectivism across brands in both countries. These findings indicated that regardless of their national culture, collectivist consu...
Lenalidomide and vorinostat maintenance after autologous transplant in multiple myeloma

Single-agent post-autologous transplant maintenance therapy with lenalidomide is standard of care for patients with multiple myeloma. The tolerability and effectiveness of combination post-transplant maintenance therapy is unknown, so we investigated lenalidomide and vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid) in this setting, hypothesizing that the regimen would be well tolerated and associated with an improved post-transplant response. This trial followed a standard 3 × 3 dose escalation phase 1 design. Vorinostat was administered beginning day +90 post-haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for days 1–7 and 15–21, and lenalidomide was started at 10 mg days 1–21, both on a 28-d cycle. The primary endpoint was maximum tolerated dose and dose limiting toxicities were assessed during the first cycle. Treatment was well tolerated in 16 enrolled patients. During Cycle 1, the most common toxicities included cytopenias, gastrointestinal complaints and fatigue. Seven patients improved their transplant response after starting combination therapy. The median follow-up was 38·4 months, and the median progression-free survival and overall survival have yet to be reached. This oral post-transplant maintenance regimen was well tolerated. This is the first trial to publish results on the use of a histone deacetylase inhibitor in the maintenance setting, and it provides rationale for the ongoing randomized trial in maintenance (ISRCTN 49407852). Trial Registration: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00729118","term_id":"NCT00729118"}}NCT00729118
Private Bar Monitors Public Defense: Oversight Committee Sets Standards for Indigent Defense Providers

The oversight committee drafted standards and guidelines with the primary goal of creating a yardstick for defense services organizations against which to measure performance and the hope that a practical set of standards serve multiple purposes, including: educating a skeptical public about what it takes to provide quality defense services; promoting an understanding of why adequate funding is necessary (to engender public support for more spending); and providing notice to the organizations themselves of what is expected of a publicly funded defense office.
Distribution and Within-Family Specificity of Quantitative Autistic Traits in Patients with Neurofibromatosis Type I

Objective To examine the distribution of quantitative autistic traits (QATs) in an independent neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) sample, the relationships between QAT, sex, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomatology, and to explore evidence for QAT mutational specificity within families. Study design Age-appropriate versions of the Social Responsiveness Scale, second edition and the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales were completed for 103 patients with NF1 from the Washington University Neurofibromatosis Center. Results Patients with NF1 exhibited a pathologically shifted unimodal distribution for QAT. Forty-four percent of the subjects exhibited a QAT burden at or above 1 SD from the population mean; 13% scored at or above the extreme first percentile of the general population distribution. Elevations in ADHD symptomatology exhibited a distinct bimodal distribution; however, mean ADHD index scores were equivalent in patients who had been diagnosed in the community with ADHD compared with those who had not. We observed striking within-family associations for QAT, reflected by an Social Responsiveness Scale, second edition intraclass correlation of 0.77 in pairings of first degree relatives with NF1. Conclusions Impairments in reciprocal social behavior and attention affect a large proportion of patients with NF1 throughout life and are often clinically unrecognized. Further exploration of genotype-phenotype correlation is strongly warranted for the purpose of gaining insights into mechanisms by which specific mutational variations in the NF1 gene may influence autistic trait severity.
Distributed streaming query planner in Calder system

The contribution of this work has two folds. First, we extend the current query planners' cost metric space by introducing network bandwidth cost, query deployment cost and query re-using cost; second, we develop a suite of algorithms for re-using existing query fragments under different scenarios. One of the most important reusable queries is called structure-sharable query.
Optimal design of frame structures using multivariate spline approximation

The objective of this work is to demonstrate the efficiency and applicability of the optimization algorithm using a multivariate spline approximation. In the present algorithm, based on the function values and first-order derivatives of the constraints available at the intermediate points of optimization, an explicit approximation of constraint functions is created by using the least squares spline algorithm. The nonlinearity of the function is adaptively updated using feedback information from the previous two iterations for finding the order of spline approximation. In addition, constraint deletion and design variable linking concepts are employed in solving the approximate problem by using the quasianalytical sequential quadratic programming and dual methods. The behavior constraints include stresses, displacements, and local buckling in the optimum design of frame structures. To demonstrate the broad applicability of the optimization algorithm, the cross-sectional dimensions are directly selected as the design variables for frame problems having thin-walled rectangular and tube cross-sectional members, and the cross-sectional areas are selected as design variables for an /-section problem.
Religious Freedom and its Enemies, or Why the Smith Decision may be a Greater Loss Now than it was Then

Threats to religious freedom change over time. In the early modern period, the dominant threat was imposed religious orthodoxy. Although the First Amendment religion clauses were a good response to this threat, by the time they were adopted the threat had already receded, to be replaced by a different challenge that we might call democratic disregard. The Sherbert “compelling interest” test was a plausible response to that newer threat, except that by the time Sherbert was decided the problem of democratic disregard had likewise declined. Consequently, the doctrine had little occasion for application, and Smith’s rejection of Sherbert was no big deal at the time. Today, though, the most serious threat to religious freedom comes from the cultural and legal ascendency of secular egalitarianism – a development that in many ways parallels the classical phenomenon of imposed religious orthodoxy. The Sherbert doctrine, if it were still in force, might be of some help in protecting religious freedom against the demands of secular egalitarianism. Hence, Smith’s repudiation of Sherbert is a more serious loss now than it was at the time.
The effect of obesity on inflammatory cytokine and leptin production following acute mental stress

Obesity may contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by eliciting chronic systemic inflammation and impairing the immune response to additional stressors. There has been little assessment of the effect of obesity on psychological stress, an independent risk factor for CVD. Therefore, it was of interest to examine interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and leptin following an acute mental stress task in nonobese and obese males. Twenty college-aged males (21.3 ± 0.56 years) volunteered to participate in a 20-min Stroop color-word and mirror-tracing task. Subjects were recruited for obese (body mass index: BMI > 30) and nonobese (BMI < 25) groups, and blood samples were collected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. The acute mental stress task elicited an increase in heart rate, catecholamines, and IL-1β in all subjects. Additionally, acute mental stress increased cortisol concentrations in the nonobese group. There was a significant reduction in leptin in obese subjects 30 min posttask compared with a decrease in nonobese subjects 120 min posttask. Interestingly, the relationship between the percent change in leptin and IL-1Ra at 120 min posttask in response to an acute mental stress task was only observed in nonobese individuals. This is the first study to suggest that adiposity in males may impact leptin and inflammatory signaling mechanisms following acute mental stress.
Nucleotide sequence analysis of zein mRNAs from maize endosperm

A comparison of the DNA and protein sequences of a group of zein cDNA clones reveals that they share extensive sequence homology and probably originated from a common ancestral gene. A comparison of clones corresponding to Mr 22,000 polypeptides shows they are 92% homologous, while five clones corresponding to the Mr 19,000 zeins vary in homology from 75 to 95%. The clones corresponding to the Mr 22,000 proteins are 60-65% homologous to clones encoding the Mr 19,000 zein proteins. A clone corresponding to the Mr 15,000 zein has little homology to either the Mr 22,000 or 19,000 zeins. Clones corresponding to both the Mr 22,000 and 19,000 zeins have two putative polyadenylation signals. S1 nuclease mapping indicates that the first polyadenylation signal following the stop codon is utilized by the Mr 22,000 sequences, while primarily the second polyadenylation signal is utilized by the Mr 19,000 sequences.
No measure is perfect, but some measures can be quite useful.

The comment articles in this issue by Friese and Fiedler (FF S&G). F&F concluded that construct validity of the BIAT can be established only by conducting studies that experimentally manipulate association strengths. We suggest that this conclusion overvalues experimental strategies and undervalues correlational validation strategies. R&W’s critique was predicated on their use of a semantic-network theoretical understanding of the concept of association. In contrast, S&G offered the BIAT as a technique for measuring association strengths in the context of a broader concept of association that has roots in antiquity – and remains widely used in psychology. With this broader understanding of association, some of the phenomena that R&W treated as threats to the BIAT’s validity are viewed, instead, as contributors to its validity.
Optimal combinational multi-level logic synthesis

Within the field of automated logic design, the optimal synthesis of combinational logic has remained one of the most basic design objectives. However, the computational complexity of this optimization problem has limited the practical application of optimal synthesis for large circuits. Since much of the exact synthesis literature predates many advances in both computer hardware as well as reasoning and search techniques, it was our objective to revisit optimal synthesis. Through this investigation we hoped to complete optimal synthesis on more complex functions. In this dissertation, we provide a general formulation of logic synthesis as an expanding search problem and describe BESS, an optimal multi-level branch-and-bound synthesis algorithm for combinational circuits. The formulation of synthesis as an expanding search problem provides insights into the difficulty of optimal synthesis. The generality of the formulation provides the flexibility in the options under which synthesis could be completed. Since BESS was created based on this formulation, it completes optimal synthesis under a variety of options while guaranteeing that an optimal network will be produced. In this dissertation, we provide a comprehensive evaluation of BESS. First we describe an extensive study of the search strategies for BESS, including both empirical and theoretical arguments which explain why these strategies are able to provide a more efficient search. Then through an analysis of the algorithm, we provide proofs of both completeness and convergence as well as an analysis of the search space. Empirically, we discuss the findings yielded by BESS. We give a database of optimal circuits. Optimal implementations of all 2-, 3-, and 4-input functions are given, including for the first time the optimal implementation of the 4-input xor function. We then extend this database of know optimal circuits to include 4,745 5-input functions. We also provide optimal networks and cost formula for n-input functions for a variety of common functions based on an analysis of optimal network structures. Finally, we provide networks for larger function that are with-in a known distance from optimal by modifying the bounding technique in BESS. Networks with as many as 17 inputs and 16 outputs are completed.
Effect of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor/cachectin on glucose turnover in the rat.

Abstract We studied the effect of recombinant human interleukin-1β (IL-1) and recombinant human tumor necrosis factor α/cachectin (TNF) on glucose kinetics in healthy rats by means of a primed constant infusion of d -(6-3H)glucose and d -[U-14C]glucose. During the isotope (6-hour) and monokine (4-hour) infusion, plasma levels of glucagon and insulin were determined and correlated with changes in glucose metabolism. The rates of glucose appearance (Ra) and disappearance (Rd) were elevated only with IL-1 and were associated with an increase in glucagon and a concomitant decrease in the ratio of insulin to glucagon. Plasma glucose concentration was increased early after IL-1 administration and coincided with the peak in the Ra. The augmentation of the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) and percent of flux oxidized by IL-1 suggest that this monokine induces the utilization of glucose as a substrate. TNF administration failed to modify the Ra or Rd, percent of flux oxidized, or MCR. TNF-treated rats increased the percent of glucose recycling, but not the total rate of glucose production. The results of this experiment suggest that endogenous macrophage products participate in the diverse alterations of carbohydrate metabolism seen during injury and/or infection.
Are We Ready to Screen the General Population for Microalbuminuria

The United States Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend screening for proteinuria in adults[1][1]; however, this recommendation has not be reviewed since 1989 and therefore cannot take into consideration newer information on benefits of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or
Mirror-image anterior crown fabrication with computer-aided design and rapid prototyping technology: A clinical report

This clinical report describes the fabrication of a maxillary central incisor single crown with rapid prototyping (RP) technology. A patient with a recently replaced metal ceramic crown had discomfort due to the nonanatomic lingual contour of the crown. With computer-aided design (CAD) software and rapid prototyping (RP) technology, the shape of the contralateral central incisor was duplicated and reproduced to make a mirror-image for a new crown. The prosthodontic planning and treatment approach are discussed.
Synthesis of hybrid ZnO/CNTs nanoparticles and their reinforcement in nylon‐6 polymer fibers

In this investigation, in situ synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles in the presence of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been carried out using a sonochemical technique. Zinc(II)acetate was used as a source of ZnO in the presence of ethylene glycol (EG) to obtain zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. The synthesized hybrid ZnO/CNTs nanoparticles were used as reinforcements to enhance the mechanical, thermal and UV absorbing properties of Nylon-6 composite fibers. The polymer nanocomposites (PNC) were fabricated by dry mixing Nylon-6 polymer powder with the ZnO/CNTs hybrid nanoparticles as the first step, then followed by the drying and melt extrusion process of fiber materials in a single-screw extruder. The extruded fibers were stretched and stabilized using a godet set-up and wound on a Wayne filament winder machine. The hybrid ZnO/CNTs infused Nylon-6 composite fibers were compared with commercial ZnO, CNTs infused Nylon-6 composite fibers and neat Nylon-6 fibers for their structural and thermal properties. The morphological characteristics of ZnO/CNTs nanoparticles were carried out using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The Nylon-6 PNC fibers which were of ∼80 μ size were tested mechanically. The tensile tests revealed that failure stress of the 1% infused ZnO/CNTs Nylon-6 PNC fibers is about 73% higher than the neat extruded Nylon-6 fiber and the improvement in the tensile modulus is 377.4%. The DSC results show an increase in the glass transition temperature and crystallization for ZnO/CNTs infused Nylon-6 PNC fibers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Prevalence of Walleye Dermal Sarcoma by Age-Class in Walleyes from Oneida Lake, New York

Abstract Walleye dermal sarcoma is a seasonally limited neoplasm caused by a retrovirus. The in-lake transmission patterns of this disease are unknown. We followed the prevalence of visible neoplasms among walleyes Stizostedion vitreum aged 3–8+ years from 1995 to 1999 in Oneida Lake, New York. The percentage of fish developing tumors increased from age 3 to age 6 but decreased thereafter. These findings give further support to the hypothesis that walleyes from Oneida Lake contract the disease during the spawning run and develop visible neoplasms in the fall and winter of that same year but return in the spring with regressing tumors that disappear by summer and do not return. Over time, almost all walleyes of a year-class may contract the disease. These findings are not consistent with the hypothesis that walleyes that have visible neoplasms in the spring will develop the disease again the following year.
Electrochemically controlling ligand binding affinity for transition metals via RHLs: The importance of electrostatic effects

A series of redox-switchable hemilabile ligands (RHLs) has been synthesized that incorporates ferrocene as the redox group and phosphine ether or phosphine thioether moieties as binding groups. These ligands, which complex to Rh(I) and Pd(II), yield electrochemical control over ligand binding affinity for transition metals in complexes of the following type: [M(η4-(η5-C5H4XCH2CH2PR2)2Fe)]y+ (5: M = Rh, X = O, R = Ph (phenyl), y = 1; 6: M = Rh, X = O, R = Cy (cyclohexyl), y = 1; 9: M = Rh, X = S, R = Ph, y = 1; 10: M = Pd, X = O, R = Ph, y = 2; 11: M = Pd, X = O, R = Cy, y = 2). In the case of 11, ligand based oxidation decreases the ligand to metal binding constant by nearly ten orders of magnitude. An examination of the crystal structures of 5, 9, 10, and 11 and the electrochemical behavior of a series of RHL-complexes and isoelectronic model complexes reveals that electrostatic effects play a significant role in the charge dependent behaviors of these complexes. Additionally, there is a correlatio...
Analysis of Tantalum Coatings Produced by the Kinetic Spray Process

Tantalum (Ta) coatings have been produced using a relatively new process, kinetic spray. Ta starting powders having particle diameters greater than 65 µm are injected into a de Laval-type nozzle, entrained in a supersonic gas stream, and accelerated to high velocities due to drag effects. The particles’ kinetic energy is transformed via plastic deformation into strain and heat on impact with the substrate surface. Particles are not thermally softened or melted, producing relatively low oxide, reduced residual stress, high adhesion and low porosity coatings. Analysis of the mechanical and physical properties of these Ta coatings demonstrated increasing hardness, cohesive adhesion, and decreasing porosity as a function of particle velocity. Comparison between kinetically sprayed coatings and coatings produced using conventional coating methods will be discussed.
Low Living and High Thinking at Modern Times, New York

This text examines the Modern Times community which championed every kind of reform from abolitionism, women's rights and vegetarianism to hydropathy, pacifism, total abstinence and the bloomer costume. It relies on primary sources such as land deeds, census entries and eyewitness accounts.
The Dialectics of Religious Rationalization and Secularization: Max Weber and Ernst Bloch

Ernst Bloch stood in intellectual opposition to Max Weber, yet they have a similar framework through which they both analyzed religion. Both Weber and Bloch engaged in a class analysis of the Bible. In Ancient Judaism, Weber provides the historical, political, and socio-economic context in which we can understand the origins of the belief in the Messiah. Bloch's dialectical theory of secularization of Judeo-Christian Messianism into Marxism has a parallel structure to Weber's theory of religious rationalization in Ancient Judaism. For Weber, ancient Judaism experienced a process of religious rationalization that is marked by a dialectic between the charisma of the prophet and the tradition of the priest, between value and substantive rationality, between disaster and salvation. Bloch's dialectical theory of secularization, which takes place from Moses through the prophets to Jesus and from Feuerbach to Marx, views the process of secularization as being driven by a contradiction between faith in God and fa...
Extraction of the natural frequencies of a radar target from a measured response using E-pulse techniques

A new scheme is introduced for extracting the natural resonance frequencies of a radar target from a measured response. The method is based on the E -pulse technique and is shown to be relatively insensitive to random noise and to estimates of modal content. Verification of the technique is accomplished by comparing the natural frequencies extracted from the measured responses of a thin cylinder and a circular loop with those obtained from theory. The applicability of the technique to low- Q targets is also demonstrated, using the measured response of a scale model aircraft.
Cell-Type-Specific adhesion mechanisms mediated by fibronectin adsorbed to chemically derivatized substrata

Plasma fibronectin (pFN) adhesion mechanisms on inert substrata were evaluated for murine fibroblasts (3T3) and human neuroblastoma (Platt) cells using glass coverslips Chemically derivatized with a self-assembled monolayer of aliphatic chains terminated with a specific endgroup to interact with adsorbed pFN: [CH3], [SH], [SCOCH3], NH2 [S03H] or underivatized glass [SiOH]. All surfaces bound similar amounts of pFN and facilitated attachment of both cell types within narrow ranges. However, spreading/differentiation responses of cells differed considerably among the surfaces. While 3T3 cells spread and developed microfilament stress fibers comparably on all surfaces, inclusion of an RGDScontaining synthetic peptide i n t h e medium revealed variation in resistance to stress fiber formation mediated by an RGDS-recognizing integrin: [NH3] > [CH3] >> [SiOH],[SH],[SCOCH3]. Different patterns of neurite formation were observed for neuroblastoma cells: [SiOH], [NH3]. Similarity in cell responses to both [CH3] and [NH2] surfaces argues against pattern dependent upon the hydrophobicity of substrata. When pFN was diluted to a subsaturable concentration with albumin for adsorption, neuroblastoma responses changed significantly from those observed on pFN-saturated surfaces, for both spreading and neurite generation: [NH2],[S03H] >> [SH], [SCOCH3] > [SiOH],[CH3]. Responses to the pFN :albumin mixture were markedly improved from responses after sequential adsorptions, demonstrating optimization of pFN conformation (not merely binding) by coadsorption of albumin molecules. In most cases, the [NH2] surface yielded responses distinctively different from the other surfaces. Overall, these data suggest many variations in the conformation of pFN molecules adsorbed to specific inert surfaces, as well as variations in the responses of cell surface receptors to conformationally specific pFNs. They also reveal cell-type-specific changes in differentiated cell responses on derivatized substrata, mediated by different classes of cell surface receptors for the two cell types, and provide optimism for regulating FN-dependent adhesion mechanisms in either positive or negative contexts on biomaterial surfaces derivatized with one or more of these chemical end-groups. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The case of the toothless watchdog: Language rights and ethnic mobilization in South Africa

Numerous scholars and activists have advocated a notion of language rights as a tool by which minority ethnic groups may protect their cultural integrity against the incursions of hegemonic groups. At the same time, critics have problematized language rights as a dangerous notion that may provoke inter-ethnic competition or worse. This article seeks to contribute to this debate a case study of the ‘rights mediation function’ of the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), a central component of South Africa’s uniquely progressive language rights framework. First, it is considered whether PanSALB’s support of ‘group’ language rights gives incentive to potentially divisive ethnic mobilization. Second, the efficacy and equitability of PanSALB’s service delivery is interrogated, as are the responses of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to ethnolinguistic grievance. This article concludes that PanSALB does not give incentive to ethnic mobilization, but fails to protect language rights, and, as a st...
Mixed culture biooxidation of phenol. I. Determination of kinetic parameters

A mixed culture derived from soil and activated sludge organisms was used to degrade phenol which was inhibitory to microorganisms at higher concentrations. The purpose of the experiments was to determine the kinetic parameters governing growth of the organisms by measuring growth rates in batch culture. To maintain a constant inoculum for the experiments inoculum was taken from a continuously operating continuous culture. Two populations were studied corresponding to two separate residence times in the continuous culture apparatus. One contained predominantly filamentous organisms, the other nonfilamentous. Five kinetic models were applied to the data and the best kinetic parameters for each model were determined by nonlinear least squares techniques. The models were then evaluated for best relative fit to the data. No significant differences were found between the models on the basis of fit and so a choice was made on the grounds of simplicity. A model proposed by Haldane was chosen as the best. No function however gave a satisfactory fit at the highest growth rates obtained. This experimental maximum in the plot of growth rate against substrate concentration was very sharp.
Brain Circuits Regulating Energy Homeostasis

For decades, increasingly sophisticated methods have been designed to address the problem of the involvement of the brain in the physiology of energy homeostasis and the pathogenesis of obesity. A vast number of experimental observations have been made from novel genetic and physiologic approaches that allowed the identification of metabolic hormones and their relationship to key peptidergic systems in the brain. Although the central integration of afferent signals reflecting acute and chronic energy requirements is becoming clearer, the blueprint of the central regulation of energy expenditure is not known. This review offers a look at central neuronal circuitries that are implicated in metabolism regulation and strongly suggests that without a blueprint, attempts to intervene and control energy balance will remain futile.
The nuclear magnetic double resonance spectrum of ammonia: An unusual “contraction”

Abstract NMDR spectra of liquid ammonia at values of ν2N below that required for decoupling display an unusual “contraction,” in that the experimental spectra are similar to, but not congruent to, spectra simulated using the usual Hamiltonian. A possible interpretation of the “contraction” lies in large, real, off-diagonal elements of the Liouville operator for relaxation. The detection of a “contraction” in NMDR spectra may make this aspect of relaxation more accessible to measurement.
Beta-endorphin response to an acute pain stimulus

Abstract The timing of the measurement of biological samples (e.g. biomarkers) is not always standardized. Biomarkers are the focus of many recent studies and treatments. The purpose of this study was to determine the timing of the release of beta-endorphin (BE), a possible biomarker, after exposure to pain and/or handling stress in order to standardize measurements. Mouse plasma was collected for BE analysis following handling i.e. being picked up by the investigator, exposure to a painful (55 °C hot-plate), or exposure to a nonpainful stimulus (room temperature hot-plate). The groups exposed to either a painful or nonpainful stimulus released BE in response to the stimulus, but the duration of the response was longer in mice exposed to a painful stimulus than in mice exposed to a nonpainful stimulus. The BE in the mice exposed to a nonpainful stimulus peaked at 1 min and returned to baseline levels by 5 min while the BE response of the mice exposed to a painful stimulus peaked at 10 min and remained elevated for 25 min. The results of this study indicate that BE can be a biomarker for pain and handling stress, however, the timing of the measurement should differ.
A Genetic Approach to the Control of Adult Mortality in the Fowl

Abstract MANY diseases have ceased to exact heavy toll from the poultry industry, as a result of the combined efforts of nutrition workers, pathologists, and parasitologists. Rickets, pullorum, fowl pox, and blackhead are but a few examples of diseases that have yielded to the application of the results of research. Eradication of disease entities, such as pullorum and tuberculosis, by removal of reactors, and avoiding contact and exposure, as in the case of blackhead and tapeworms, have been among the more important means of achieving this result. Vaccination practices have eliminated the immediate hazard of losses from fowl pox and laryngotracheitis, although efforts to immunize against fowl cholera and fowl typhoid have not proved successful. Management factors, involving the improvement of environmental conditions, have increased the general resistance of the flock, yet control of coryza and chick bronchitis seems to depend upon segregation and avoiding exposure of susceptibles through good management, . . .
Heterochromatic silencing in Drosophila melanogaster

Heterochromatin formation serves both to help organize and package large eukaryotic genomes, and to silence many of the transposable elements (TEs) that are an abundant component of these genomes. A critical question is how the cell decides which domains should be packaged in this form. Our prior studies on the heterochromatic fourth chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster have implicated the transposable element 1360 as a target for heterochromatin formation. 1360 remnants are concentrated in heterochromatic domains. Using a P element landing-pad construct to transpose TEs into the genome, we find that a euchromatic site close to a heterochromatic mass can be targeted for ectopic heterochromatin formation, as shown both by deposition of HP1a (ChIP-qPCR) and by the variegated silencing of the associated hsp70-white reporter gene. This outcome is achieved using either 1360 (a DNA transposon remnant) or Invader4 (a retrotransposon remnant) as the target TE. The effect is dependent on piRNA sites within the TE. The piRNA system is most active in the developing oocyte and early embryo. We find that knock-down of piwi or aubergine in the female germ line results in over-expression of many, but not all, TEs, with associated loss of HP1a and H3K9me2 from these sites. Depletion of Piwi in the maternal germ line and early zygote leads to a suppression of position effect variegation (PEV) from β-gal reporters assayed in the adult, while knock-down of piwi in the somatic cells of the developing eye linage has no such effect on an hsp70-white reporter. In contrast, depletion of HP1a at any stage (maternal germ line, early embryo, somatic cell linage) will cause a suppression of PEV as assayed in the adult. We propose a model in which the assembly of heterochromatin at PEV reporters in the early zygote is dependent on the RNAi system as well as structural heterochromatin proteins, with failure producing an effect that persists in the mature animal. In contrast, maintenance of heterochromatin once set appears not to require RNAi (specifically Piwi), but does require the structural proteins, specifically HP1a. piRNA-directed heterochromatin formation appears to be a significant mechanism for down-regulating transcription from some (not all) TEs, and a significant mechanism for targeting the silencing of PEV reporters. Supported by NIH grant GM068388.
Conceptual Developments of 20th Century Field Theories

This new edition of Conceptual Developments of 20th Century Field Theories explores the conceptual foundations and historical roots of fundamental field theories. It also uncovers the underlying issues, logic and dynamics in fundamental physics. In response to new advances in the field over the past twenty years, the sections on gauge theory and quantum field theory have been thoroughly revised and elaborated. The chapter on ontological synthesis and scientific realism has also been reconsidered, now suggesting a new approach that goes beyond structuralism and historicism. Providing an integrated picture of the physical world, it is a valuable resource for theoretical physicists and philosophers of science with an interest in the development of twentieth century mathematical physics. It also provides professional historians and sociologists of science with a basis for further historical, cultural and sociological analysis of the theories discussed.
Equilateral Triangles in ℤ 4

We characterize all three point sets in ℝ4 with integer coordinates, the pairs of which are the same Euclidean distance apart. In three dimensions, the problem is characterized in terms of solutions of the Diophantine equation a 2 + b 2 + c 2 = 3d 2. In ℝ4, our characterization is essentially based on two different solutions of the same equation. The characterization is existential in nature, as opposed to the three dimensional situation where we have precise formulae in terms of a, b, and c. A few examples are discussed, their Ehrhart polynomial is computed and a table of the first minimal triangles of lengths less than $\sqrt {42}$ is included in the end.
Relative Abundance, Length Frequency, Age, and Maturity of Dolly Varden in Nearshore Waters of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

Abstract Uncertainty about the environmental effects of oil development prompted a study of Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma in the nearshore waters of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. Abundance of fish less than 400 mm fork length (FL), as indexed by tyke net catch per unit effort (CPUE), was significantly different among years, with the highest daily catch rates occurring in 1991, a year of heavy pack ice and relatively cold water temperatures. The CPUE for fish 400 mm or greater did not differ significantly among years. Within each sampling year, both large and small fish appeared to be more abundant in nearshore waters earlier in the summer. Lengths ranged from 53 to 734 mm. Growth was greater early in the season and in the years 1989 and 1990, and site-specific temporal changes in distribution were reflected in analysis of length data. Individual fish were aged at 1–13 years. A gonadosomatic index indicated that sexually mature fish were greater than 400 mm FL. Wide summer dispersal makes Do...