cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spin diffusion and relaxation in solid state spin quantum computer

The processes of spin diffusion and relaxation are studied theoretically and numerically for quantum computation applications. Two possible realizations of a spin quantum computer (SQC) are analyzed: (i) a boundary spin chain in a 2D spin array and (ii) an isolated spin chain. In both cases, spin diffusion and relaxation are caused by a fast relaxing spin located outside the SQC. We have shown that in both cases the relaxation can be suppressed by an external non-uniform magnetic field. In the second case, our computer simulations have revealed various types of relaxation processes including the excitation of a random distribution of magnetic moments and the formation of stationary and moving domain walls. The region of optimal parameters for suppression of rapid spin relaxation is discussed.
Patenting and the gender gap: should women be encouraged to patent more?

The commercialization of academic science has come to be understood as economically desirable for institutions, individual researchers, and the public. Not surprisingly, commercial activity, particularly that which results from patenting, appears to be producing changes in the standards used to evaluate scientists’ performance and contributions. In this context, concerns about a gender gap in patenting activity have arisen and some have argued for the need to encourage women to seek more patents. They believe that because academic advancement is mainly dependent on productivity (Stuart and Ding in American Journal of Sociology 112:97–144, 2006; Azoulay et al. in Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization 63:599–623, 2007), differences in research output have the power to negatively impact women’s careers. Moreover, in the case of patenting activity, they claim that the gender gap also has the potential to negatively affect society. This is so because scientific and technological advancement and innovation play a crucial role in contemporary societies. Thus, women’s more limited involvement in the commercialization of science and technology can also be detrimental to innovation itself. Nevertheless, calls to encourage women to patent on grounds that such activity is likely to play a significant role in the betterment of both women’s careers and society seem to be based on two problematic assumptions: (1) that the methods to determine women’s productivity in patenting activities are an appropriate way to measure their research efforts and the impact of their work, and (2) that patenting, particularly in academia, benefits society. The purpose of this paper is to call into question these two assumptions.
Design and Implementation of Three-Phase Two-Stage Grid-Connected Module Integrated Converter

Module integrated converters (MICs) in single phase have witnessed recent market success due to unique features such as improved energy harvest, improved system efficiency, lower installation costs, plug-and-play operation, and enhanced flexibility and modularity. The MIC sector has grown from a niche market to mainstream, especially in the United States. Assuming further expansion of the MIC market, this paper presents the microinverter concept incorporated in large size photovoltaic (PV) installations such as megawatts (MW)-class solar farms where a three-phase ac connection is employed. A high-efficiency three-phase MIC with two-stage zero voltage switching (ZVS) operation for the grid-tied PV system is proposed which will reduce cost per watt, improve reliability, and increase scalability of MW-class solar farms through the development of new solar farm system architectures. The first stage consists of a high-efficiency full-bridge LLC resonant dc-dc converter which interfaces to the PV panel and produces a dc-link voltage. A center points iteration algorithm developed specifically for LLC resonant topologies is used to track the maximum power point of the PV panel. The second stage is comprised of a three-phase dc-ac inverter circuit which employs a simple soft-switching scheme without adding auxiliary components. The modeling and control strategy of this three-phase dc-ac inverter is described. Because the dc-link capacitor plays such an important role for dual-stage MIC, the capacitance calculation is given under type D voltage dip conditions. A 400-W prototype was built and tested. The overall peak efficiency of the prototype was measured and found to be 96% with 98.2% in the first stage and 98.3% in the second stage.
Determination of Solid Fraction from Cooling Curve

A new method to determine directly the solid fraction using the cooling curve was proposed for solidification of undercooled melts. Then, to construct three different baselines, a sudden function ξα(x) is introduced. In terms of the ξα(x) function, accordingly, the solid fractions during solidification of Ni-3.3 wt pct B, Al-7 wt pct Si, Al-14 wt pct Cu, and Fe-4.56 wt pct Ni alloys were predicted. The predictions of the primary, the regular lamellar eutectic, the anomalous eutectic, and the peritectic phases from cooling curves of the solidified samples coincide with the results of measurement or the available methods.
Effect of size of rearing group on emotionality: possible confounding with cage size.

In all studies varying size of rearing group, cage size has been confounded with size of rearing group. Thus extinction of natural responses due to living in a larger cage could make group-housed Ss appear to be less emotional than individually housed Ss. 24 albino rats were divided into three conditions: individually housed in small cage, individually housed in large cage, two Ss housed in large cage. After 6 wk. all Ss were tested in an open field and measures recorded were center entry, corner occupancy, number of lines crossed, rearing, grooming, and freezing. Cage size was found to have a slight effect but not sufficient to explain the differences in emotionality found in studies of group vs individual housing.
Temporal Trends in New and Recurrent Esophageal Strictures in Department of Veterans Affairs

Temporal Trends in New and Recurrent Esophageal Strictures in Department of Veterans Affairs
Tourism, seasonality and social change.

This paper examines various aspects of seasonality in recreational travel and tourism. There is an institutionalized and a natural seasonality which both affect tourism. Since tourist seasonality is subject to change and the appraisal of climatic resources for recreation varies from culture to culture, a historical and cross-cultural perspective is necessary. In advanced western societies a swift change of place and season is possible, so that travel agencies are able to offer particular seasonal environments, which could also be understood on a global scale as ‘space-time packages’. Seasonality is usually a problem for a regional tourist service system. An economically-oriented policy stresses a more evenly-spread tourist seasonality. This may also be beneficial for the social environment and ecological base of a tourist region.
Receptor progesterone complex in the nuclear fraction of the rat uterus: demonstration by 3H-progesterone exchange.

Abstract We have previously shown that 3H-estradiol exchange can be used to measure the quantity of estrogen receptor complex in the nuclear fraction of target tissue cells. This method has been modified for the measurement of the progesterone receptor complex (Rn·P) in the nuclear fraction of uterine cells. Nuclear fractions were incubated for 5 hrs. at 15°C in the presence of varying concentrations of 3H-progesterone (3H-P) with or without a 250-fold excess of non-labeled progesterone (P). Rn·P was determined by subtracting the 3H-P bound in the presence of excess P (non-specific binding) from 3H-P bound in the absence of excess P (total binding). All Rn·P studies were done in adult castrate female rats that had received estradiol benzoate (0.4 mg) one week before use. The quantity of Rn·P increased in the uterine nuclear fractions by 280% 30 min. after injection of 5 mg of P. Rn·P was not increased in muscle or fat pad by this treatment. Injections of corticosterone (B), cortisol (F), dexamethasone (Dx) or testosterone (T) failed to increase Rn·P. The exchange reaction was specific for P; B, F, Dx or T did not compete. These results demonstrate the existence of a low capacity, high affinity, stereospecific progesterone binding site in the nuclear fraction of the uterus.
The Degradation of Trichloroethylene in Mixed Methanogenic Cultures

Symbiosis between nonmethanogenic fermenters and methanogens, which occurs through a phenomenon called the interspecies hydrogen transfer, can play an important role in the growth of these microorganisms. In the degradation of natural materials, methane production is frequently supported by this interspecies hydrogen transfer from fermenters that degrade the primary substrate, to methanogens that use the hydrogen to reduce carbonate to methane. The objective of this work was to evaluate the role of the fermenters in the degradation of trichloroethylene during methanogenesis. The results show that the fermentation process enhances the anaerobic degradation of trichloroethylene. In addition, it is shown that chloroethane appears as one of the products of the degradation of trichloroethylene by this mixed culture. The production of chloroethane indicates that hydrogenation of the double bond of a chlorinated ethene occurs during the degradation of trichloroethylene by cultures containing nonmethanogenic fermenters and methanogens. The metabolism involved in this degradation process may therefore provide a possible mechanism to completely degrade trichloroethylene under anaerobic conditions, because it is known that chloroethane is degraded rapidly to inorganic carbon.
Nonlinear optics, active plasmonics and metamaterials with liquid crystals

Abstract Nematic liquid crystals possess large and versatile optical nonlinearities suitable for photonics applications spanning the femtoseconds to milliseconds time scales, and across a wide spectral window. We present a comprehensive review of the physical properties and mechanisms that underlie these multiple time scales nonlinearities, delving into individual molecular electronic responses as well as collective ordered-phase dynamical processes. Several exemplary theoretical formalisms and feasibility demonstrations of ultrafast all-optical transmission switching and tunable metamaterials and plasmonic photonic structures where the liquid crystal constituents play the critical role of enabling the processes are discussed. Emphasis is placed on all-optical processes, but we have also highlighted cases where electro-optical means could provide additional control, flexibility and enhancement possibility. We also point out how another phase of chiral nematic, namely, Blue-Phase liquid crystals could circumvent some of the limitations of nematic and present new possibilities.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES AS A NEW POWER SOURCE FOR ELECTRIC UTILITIES

Abstract Electric-drive vehicles, whether fueled by batteries or by liquid or gaseous fuels generating electricity on-board, will have value to electric utilities as power resources. The power capacity of the current internal combustion passenger vehicle fleet is enormous and under-utilized. In the United States, for example, the vehicle fleet has over 10 times the mechanical power of all current U.S. electrical generating plants and is idle over 95% of the day. Electric utilities could use battery vehicles as storage, or fuel cell and hybrid vehicles as generation. This paper analyzes vehicle battery storage in greatest detail, comparing three electric vehicle configurations over a range of driving requirements and electric utility demand conditions. Even when making unfavorable assumptions about the cost and lifetime of batteries, over a wide range of conditions the value to the utility of tapping vehicle electrical storage exceeds the cost of the two-way hook-up and reduced vehicle battery life. For example, even a currently-available electric vehicle, in a utility with medium value of peak power, could provide power at a net present cost to the vehicle owner of $955 and net present value to the utility of $2370. As an incentive to the vehicle owner, the utility might offer a vehicle purchase subsidy, lower electric rates, or purchase and maintenance of successive vehicle batteries. For a utility tapping vehicle power, the increased storage would provide system benefits such as reliability and lower costs, and would later facilitate large-scale integration of intermittent-renewable energy resources.
Supergravity torsion constraints from the 10D superparticle

Abstract The classical superparticle propagating in a curved superspace is studied. Requiring that there be a local fermionic symmetry imposes restrictions on the background. The equivalence relation among background superfields which is implied by the superparticle dynamics is discussed, and it is shown that up to such equivalences the torsion superfields obey the supergravity constraints.
Extracellular enzymes of some additional fungi associated with mushroom culture

Twenty-four fungus isolates from the compost utilized in commercially growing Agaricus brunnescens were tested for their ability to produce extracellular enzymes involved in the degradation of cellulose, lignin and xylan, the major components of the straw of the compost. All 24 isolates were able to degrade carboxymethyl cellulose. Most were classified as weak or moderate producers of exo-β-glucanase. Twenty of the 24 were also able to hydrolyze filter paper, a crystalline cellulose. Nineteen of the 24 were able to hydrolyze xylan, a hemicellulose. The production of extracellular polyphenol oxidases was detected utilizing two tests; the blueing of alcoholic gum guaiacol, which indicates tyrosinase production, and the browning of malt extract-gallic acid agar, which indicates laccase production. Twenty produced tyrosinase, but only eight produced laccase. Agaricus brunnescens was also included in all of the tests. It produced exo-β-glucanase, hemicellulase, tyrosinase and lactase.
From Old French to the Theory of Pro-Drop

The pattern of pro-drop found in OF suggested a revision in the theory of pro-drop. The theory proposed removes the phenomenon from the set of universal parameters and argues for the possibility of reducing it to directional government and feature identification. In this way we begin to explain why some languages do and some do not allow empty subjects. Notice that when one attributes a property to a parameter one is saying, in effect, that that property cannot be explained, at least not linguistically. The main purpose of this paper has been to try to explain linguistically the pro-drop parameter. The model of pro-drop proposed in this paper has a number of interesting consequences well beyond its ability to account for the facts of OF. Synchronically, it helps explain the distribution of pro within languages and across languages. Diachronically, it helps explain the change from a system which licenses pro to one which does not. Many questions remain. How and why, for example, did OF acquire V2 effects? Can we simply write this off as a consequence of Frankish-Galloroman bilingualism, or were there dynamics internal to Galloroman itself which made it receptive in some way? We know little about the Gallic (Celtic) substratum, but we do know that the modern Celtic languages have VSO word order. Is it too farfetched then to speculate that this substratum was instrumental in the receptivity of Galloroman to the V2 structure? Another provoking question is why Romance free inversion should have been unusual in OF. Possibly Romance inversion is incompatible with Germanic inversion and was dispensed with prior to the emergence of written documents. On the other hand, Romance inversion may never have been a property of the Galloroman language which became French. That is, VOS order may have been a development peculiar to Italian and Spanish or to the spoken Latin which became Italian and Spanish. Without Romance inversion, what device did OF use to extract a subject from an embedded clause: optional que, que/que, que/qui? When and how did the que/qui rule of ModF originate? As in English, complementizer and relative que was sometimes omitted in OF. Whether this exactly paralleled the English situation and whether or not the omission was used as a means of proper government is a topic under study.
Enhanced antibody production in mice to the malaria antigen AMA1 by CPG 7909 requires physical association of CpG and antigen

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides are potent immunostimulants. In this study, CPG 7909 was formulated with the recombinant Plasmodium falciparum protein AMA1-C1 adsorbed to Alhydrogel (aluminum hydroxide) and used to immunize mice. Mice receiving free CPG 7909 in a separate same site injection to the AMA1-C1/Alhydrogel had the same antibody responses as mice receiving AMA1-C1/Alhydrogel alone. For mice immunized with CPG 7909 bound to the AMA1-C1/Alhydrogel formulation, there was a bell shaped CPG 7909 dose-response curve with the highest antibody response co-incident with the concentration of CPG 7909 that saturated binding to the Alhydrogel. At a higher CPG 7909 dose where 74% was unbound, there was no enhancement of response over AMA1-C1/Alhydrogel alone. Our results suggest that the adjuvant effects of CpGs are optimal when adsorbed to Alhydrogel and highlight the need for careful characterization of the vaccine formulation.
Borylation, Silylation, Fluorination and Fluoroalkylation

Speech This lecture will present a combination of methodology and underlying principles addressing the functionalization of C-H bonds of arenes and alkanes with main group reagents and the fluorination and fluoroalkylation of arenes, heteroarenes, and organic halides. The development of reactions that regioselectively convert aromatic and aliphatic C-H bonds to aryl and alkyl borane and silane derivatives will be presented, along with reactions of these main group species to form a series of functionalized products. The development of reactions of aryl and heteroaryl halides that form fluoroarenes and fluoroalkylarenes also will be presented. The relationships between C- B, C-Si, C-F and C-Rf bond-forming processes will be discussed. REFERENCES 1 Mkhalid, I. A. I.; Barnard, J. H.; Marder, T. B.; Murphy, J. M.; Hartwig, J. F. Chem. Rev. 2010, 110, 890. 2 Simmons, E. M.; Hartwig, J. F. Nature 2012, 483, 70. 3 Morimoto, H.; Tsubogo, T.; Litvinas, N. D.; Hartwig, J. F. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 3793.
Electrophoretic analysis of four high molecular weight sialoglycoproteins produced by metastatic human colon carcinoma cells

We have found that polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 3% gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate is suitable for the separation of cellular glycoproteins having molecular weights ranging from 200,000 to 1,000,000. The gels secured on a rigid support (Gelbond) allow blotting techniques with lectins and antibodies for the detection of glycoproteins. Using these methods we have separated lysates of HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells and detected at least four distinct high molecular weight sialoglycoproteins having molecular weights of 900,000, 740,000, 560,000, and 450,000. The expression of the 900,000 component, as revealed by wheat germ agglutinin binding, was much higher in a subline of HT-29 cells established from liver metastases in a nude mouse than it was in the parental cells. The relative intensity of wheat germ agglutinin binding to these four sialoglycoprotein components differs depending upon their growth phase in vitro. These glycoproteins were also detectable by the binding of peanut agglutinin, provided the glycoproteins were previously treated in the gels with mild acid to remove the sialic acid from their carbohydrate chains, suggesting that mucin-type carbohydrate chains are present on these glycoproteins. The same set of glycoproteins can be detected by metabolic labeling of the cells with [3H]glucosamine in tissue culture. Very similar glycoprotein profiles are revealed by metabolic labeling of fresh colon carcinoma tissues with [3H]glucosamine in vitro.
Detection of Cardiac Biomarkers Using Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography and a Cleavable Tag Immunoassay

Biomarkers provide clinicians with an important tool for disease assessment. Many different biomarkers have been discovered, but few of them suffice as stand-alone indicators for disease presence or prognosis. Because no single biomarker can be relied upon for accurate disease detection there has been a substantial push for new multianalyte screening methods. Furthermore, there is a need to push assays toward a point-of-care technology to reduce the time between clinical analysis and medical intervention and minimize artifacts created during sample storage. There currently are, however, few inexpensive multianalyte methods for disease detection that can function in a point-of-care setting. A new approach which bridges the gap between traditional immunoassays and high-density microarrays by utilizing microfluidics, immunoassays, and micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) is discussed here. This chemistry, the cleavable tag immunoassay (CTI), is a low- to medium-density heterogeneous immunoassay desi...
Creating community in the classroom : Modeling new basic skills in teacher education

Si un enfant ne se sent pas en securite et en confiance dans sa salle de classe, il ne pourra jamais se concentrer sur le contenu de son apprentissage. L'un des principaux roles de l'enseignant est de creer ce sentiment de securite, il doit etre forme a faire de la salle de classe une communaute dans laquelle les enfants, quelques soient leur appartenance ethnique et culturelle, sentent qu'ils appartiennent a un seul groupe
Theoretical Density Functional Analysis of Maleic Anhydride Chemisorption on Pd(111), Re(0001), and Bimetallic PdML/Re(0001) and PdML/Mo(110) Pseudomorphic Overlayers

Nonlocal density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to analyze the di-σ, π, and atop chemisorption modes of maleic anhydride on the close-packed Pd(111), Re(0001), and pseudomorphi...
Lymphoid cell populations in splenectomized and nonsplenectomized SJL/J mice bearing Hodgkin's disease-like reticulum cell sarcoma.

Abstract Using the reticulum cell sarcoma (RCS) of the solSJLJ mouse as a model for Hodgkin's disease, the effects of tumor growth and splenectomy on the T-cell and B-cell populations were evaluated. Although splenectomy improved survival and reduced gross observable tumor growth in secondary tumor sites, no effect on T-cell and B-cell populations was detected. We conclude that tumor growth appears to be undetected by the immune system; previously reported immunosuppression in RCS-bearing mice must be due to functional changes and not cell population changes; and splenectomy contributes to survival and suppression of tumor cell growth in secondary sites.
Improved regional selectivity of hepatic arterial mitomycin by starch microspheres.

Biodegradable starch microspheres, 40 μm in diameter, were administered through hepatic arterial catheters in 16 subjects with primary and metastatic liver tumors. These microspheres temporarily obstruct blood flow at the precapillary arteriole (microcirculation) level. Our study was undertaken to determine whether such occlusion would enhance hepatic deposition of, and thereby decrease systemic exposure to, simultaneously administered hepatic arterial mitomycin C (mito). When mito (10 mg/m2 over 1 min) was given with 90 × 106 microspheres (10 subjects), there was a 17% to 70% reduction in systemic mito exposure. When mito (10 mg/m2 over 1 min) was given with 36 × 106 microspheres (six subjects), there was a 15% to 60% reduction in systemic exposure, which may correlate with dose-dependent shunting (8% to 29%) through the liver to the lung (and hence to the systemic circulation), attributed to the starch microspheres. No life-threatening myelosuppression was noted; hepatic toxicity consisted of transient pain and elevation of liver enzymes. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1983) 34, 259–265; doi:10.1038/clpt.1983.163
Complement activation in experimental IgA nephropathy: an antigen-mediated process.

Complement activation in experimental IgA nephropathy: An antigen mediated process. Complement activation associated with immune complex glomerular deposition plays an important role in renal injury. In the present studies we performed three series of experiments to identify how IgA immune complexes activate complement. The first series of experiments was designed to determine whether the presence of an antigen within a glomerular IgA immune deposit is required for complement activation. In these experiments, large-sized covalently cross-linked IgA oligomers (X-IgA) were prepared with purified IgA anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) and a bivalent affinity-labeling antigen, bis-2,4-DNP-pimelic acid ester. These X-IgA oligomers have free antigen-binding siteis that will bind DNP-conjugated antigens. Two groups of mice were treated with either X-IgA or X-IgA followed, after two hours, by an antigen DNP-Ficoll. Immunofluorescent examination of renal tissues, obtained six hours after the initial injection, revealed an equal intensity of IgA glomerular deposits in both groups of mice. Glomerular C3 deposits were only detectable in the renal tissues of mice that had DNP-Ficoll bound to X-IgA. In the second series of experiments, a pair of preformed IgA immune complexes, differing only in one antigenic structural feature (DNP), were used to examine the role of the antigen in inducing glomerular C3 deposits in two groups of mice. These preformed immune complexes were prepared with IgA anti-phosphoryl-choline (PC) and either PC-conjugated to bovine serum albumin (PC-PSA) or PC-BSA which was further modified with DNP (PC/DNP-BSA). Although the IgA immunofluorescent intensity and pattern in the glomerular deposits were equivalent for both groups, intense C3 deposits were exclusively associated with the PC/DNP-BSA-containing immune complexes. Analysis of the relative conversion of normal human serum C3 to inactive C3b (iC3b) by X-IgA, various antigens and their respective IgA immune complexes was highly dependent on the nature of the antigen. Lack of iC3b generation by large-sized IgA aggregates (X-IgA) was in agreement with the in vivo findings. The results indicate the nature of the antigen in an IgA immune complex glomerular deposit represents the major mediator of complement activation.
Iron(+1)-carbene and -carbyne ions formed by sparking halomethanes at an iron surface

Abstract In addition to insertion processes analogous to other gas-phase reactions of transition metal ions and alkyl halides, in a spark, Fe+ and polyhalogenated methanes yield the novel iron carbenes FeCH2+, FeCHCl+, FeCCl2+, FeCHBr+, and FeCBr2+, and the novel iron carbynes FeCCl+ and FeCBr+. These are formed by previously unobserved processes of high energy. The gas-phase formation of FeCl2+ and FeBr2+ from Fe+, by oxidation with halomethanes, is also new.
Modal identities for multibody elastic spacecraft: An aid to selecting modes for simulation

The question: Which set of modes furnishes a higher fidelity math model of dynamics of a multibody, deformable spacecraft (hinges-free or hinges-locked vehicle modes) is answered. Two sets of general, discretized, linear equations of motion of a spacecraft with an arbitrary number of deformable appendages, each articulated directly to the core body, are obtained using the above two families of modes. By a comparison of these equations, ten sets of modal identities are constructed which involve modal momenta coefficients and frequencies associated with both classes of modes. The sums of infinite series that appear in the identities are obtained in terms of mass, and first and second moments of inertia of the appendages, core body, and vehicle by using certain basic identities concerning appendage modes. Applying the above identities to a four-body spacecraft, the hinges-locked vehicle modes are found to yield a higher fidelity model than hinges-free modes, because the latter modes have nonconverging modal coefficients; a characteristic proved and illustrated.
The Mechanical Response of Freestanding Circular Elastic Films Under Point and Pressure Loads

This paper provides a comprehensive description of the mechanical response of freestanding circular elastic films subjected to point and pressure loads. Regimes of behavior, such as plate, linear membrane, and nonlinear membrane, are identified in terms of two dimensionless variables that allow the creation of a single map that indicates appropriate closed-form solutions. This map provides a theoretical framework to design experiments and interpret film behavior for all orders of magnitude of: film thickness-to-span ratio, deflection, loads, prestretch, and elastic properties. The normalization approach provides the means to quickly identify appropriate simplifications to the nonlinear governing equations, and identify applicable analytical solutions. Numerical results are used to illustrate behavior in transition regions, e.g., the transition for a given plate thickness from small to large deflections under increasing load. Critical loads, thickness and prestretch are identified which indicate when asymptotic plate or membrane solutions are accurate. Asymptotic and numerical results are presented which illustrate finite-sized regions of bending-influenced deformation near point loads and clamped edges. Theoretical predictions for the width of these regions enable us to estimate the validity of analytical strain distributions, and in turn the maximum strains in the film. These results help avoiding brittle fracture or ductile yielding of the film by identifying physical parameters that limit strains to an acceptable level.
Structural characterization and expression studies of Dby and its homologs in the mouse.

ABSTRACT: In spite of recent evidence showing the importance of DBY (DEAD-box RNA helicase Y) in spermatogenesis in human, the biologic role of its homolog Dby (also known as Ddx3y) in the mouse is less clear. The present study aims at characterizing the molecular structure of Dby and comparing its expression with its X- and autosome-linked homologs in embryonic gonads and developing germ cells in mice. Molecular cloning by rapid amplification of 3′-cDNA ends showed that the Dby gene in the mouse gives rise to 2 transcripts that differ only in the length of the 3′-untranslated region as a consequence of the use of alternative polyadenylation signals. Measurement by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that both transcripts were ubiquitously expressed and were present in male germ cells and Sertoli cells. They were more abundant in type A spermatogonia compared with pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Expression of Dby in the embryonic gonad increased from day 10.5 and reached a peak at day 17.5. The expression level of Dby decreased after birth and remained low in adult male gonads. Although the level of expression of Dby was much lower than its X chromosome homolog, Ddx3 (also known as Ddx3x) in all samples examined, the pattern of expression of the 2 genes was comparable. In contrast, their autosomal homolog, D1Pas1(also known as PL10), was predominantly expressed in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. This result is in accord with meiotic sex chromosome inactivation in that Dby and Ddx are replaced in pachytene spermatocytes by their autosomal retroposon. These observations indicate that unlike DBY in humans, the role of Dby in spermatogenesis is less obvious in the mouse and its biologic activity may be replaced by that of Ddx3 and D1Pas1.
Amino Acid and Sugar Transport in Rabbit Ileum

L-Alanine and 3-O-methyl-D-glucose accumulation by mucosal strips from rabbit ileum has been investigated with particular emphasis on the interaction between Na and these transport processes. L-Alanine is rapidly accumulated by mucosal tissue and intracellular concentrations of approximately 50 mM are reached within 30 min when extracellular L-alanine concentration is 5 mM. Evidence is presented that intracellular alanine exists in an unbound, osmotically active form and that accumulation is an active transport process. In the absence of extracellular Na, the final ratio of intracellular to extracellular L-alanine does not differ significantly from unity and the rate of net uptake is markedly inhibited. Amino acid accumulation is also inhibited by 5 x 10-5 M ouabain. 3-O-methyl-D-glucose accumulation by this preparation is similarly affected by ouabain and by incubation in a Na-free medium. The effects of amino acid accumulation, of ouabain, and of incubation in a Na-free medium on cell water content and intracellular Na and K concentrations have also been investigated. These results are discussed with reference to the two hypotheses which have been suggested to explain the interaction between Na and intestinal nonelectrolyte transport.
Parallel relational operations using clustered surrogate files on shared-nothing multiprocessors

Abstract This paper presents data parallel algorithms for selection and join operations based on clustered concatenated code word (CCW) surrogate files for very large relational databases. A multiattribute indexed extendible hashing scheme is developed to cluster the surrogate files, and the performance of the parallel selection and join algorithms are evaluated for a shared-nothing multiprocessor system. The proposed algorithms have an almost linear speedup as the number of processors increases, and the proposed join algorithm requires less processing time compared to the parallel hybrid-hash join algorithm.
Spectrophotometric determination of thallium as thallium tetriodide

Abstract Iodide ions react with thallic ions at pH 2–8 to form a complex iodide, which is suitable for the spectrophotometric determination of thallium. The reaction has a sensitivity of 0.05 μg Tl per cm2 for log I 0 I = 0.001 and obeys Beer's law up to 40 p.p.m. Optimum conditions for the reaction have been established. The standard deviation is 0.6%. The effects of temperature and pH, the ratio of thallium to reagent, stability of the complex, its conformity to Beer's law, and the rate of color formation were studied. The effect of many diverse ions was examined.
On Lienard oscillator models with a pregiven set of limit cycles

Abstract Oscillators, of the Lienard type, with an arbitrary predetermined (in number and locations) family of limit cycles are synthesized using the polynomial of the least possible degree as a nonlinear dissipative characteristic. Some new facts regarding the interplay between the set of the generating amplitudes (in the sense of quasi-linear theory) and the zeros of the nonlinear characteristic are established. On this ground a simple procedure for a concrete hardware realization of the oscillators is described. Part of the results is based on intensive numerical experiments.
Gaussian beam intensity flattener

The goal of this investigation was to use commercial elements and extend the correction to a 1/e(sup 2) diameter of 3 mm over long propagation distances. Shafer discussed the use of spherical elements to generate a uniform beam to the 1/e diameter.
EARLY GRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF DEXTRALITY IN MAN

from Egypt. Certain Egyptian tombs contain wall decorations depicting workers engaged in various daily activities which are uni~nanual or in which che two hands are used unequally. In the main, these pictures represent slaves and servants who are performing services for che noble or wealthy man for whom a particular tomb was constructed. The analysis which follows is based upon published reproductions of che murals in Egyptian tombs. As the originals have in many instances undergone considerable damage or deterioration since chey were copied, at the present time the copies are the best source of data. The earliesc era from which paintings are available in numbers sufficient to warrant quantitative analysis is that of about 2500 B.C., the close of the eleventh and che beginning of the twelfth dynasty. The data come from the combs of Beni Hasan. Copies of line drawings were made under che auspice of the Egypt Exploration Fund of Great Bricain and were published between 1893-1900 ~~nder the editorship of F. L. Griffich (6). In this material we have recorded a figure as representing handedness if it shows a person performing a skilled act by means of one hand alone, or if it shows a bimanual act in which one hand is clearly performing the dominant or more difficult role. Thus if an archer's left hand holds the bow and the right hand the arrow, rhe picture is recorded as indicating dexcralicy. Similarly, a right-handed scribe is one who wrices wich his right hand, holding the writing material wich his left. We have excluded from our tabulations inscances of relatively unskilled unimanual acts, such as merely holding or carrying an object, and bimanual acts in which the two hands appear to be used equally, as in lifting a heavy object.* In the Beni Hasan pictures there are 120 usable inscances of hand pref'In seeking graphic evidence for the antiquity of right-handedness in man, attention is namrally first directed to the paintings and carvings on the walls of French and Spanish caves, which have been studied chiefly by Brueil and his collaborators. From the point of view of dextrality, these early works of art prove to be disappointing. When the human figure is depicted it is often shown in a posture not indicative of action. When action is represented, the human figure is usually shown with the fronto-dorsal surfaces parallel to the surface on which it is drawn but, because it is shown without facial features, one cannot tell whether the person is facing toward or away from the viewer. In consequence, it is not possible to distinguish with certimde between the right and the left hand. Because of the character of these representations, it is scarcely possible to analyze them for indications of the prevalent hand-preference at the time this cave art was produced. 'As the error involved in these judgements of which hand a person was using was felt to be very small, reliability was not estimated. Also, since the data are published, the study may be easily replicated.
The relationship between membrane ATPase activity in sugarcane and heat-induced resistance to helminthosporoside.

Abstract 1. 1. Heating of susceptible sugarcane leaves (4 h at 35°C) renders them resistant, for 24 h, to the effects of helminthosporoside. Membrane ATPase activity is reduced by 50% as a result of the heat treatment. When the leaves again become susceptible (after 24 h), membrane ATPase activity is fully restored. 2. 2. Inhibitors of membrane ATPase activity protect susceptible leaves from the effects of helminthosporoside (KF, EDTA, and octylguanidine). 3. 3. Helminthosporoside activates (30%) membrane ATPase in microsomes from susceptible, but not heat-treated (resistant) leaves. Once heat-treated leaves again become susceptible, helminthosporoside activation of membrane ATPase activity resumes. 4. 4. A plot of the production of helminthosporoside-induced symptoms, and membrane ATPase activity as a function of the reciprocal of the absolute temperature reveals that both have sharp breaks at 32°C. 5. 5. Protoplasts of susceptible cane are rendered insensitive to the effects of the toxin in a medium deficient in K+ and Mg2+. When these ions are added, cell sensitivity to the toxin is restored. Since K+ uptake in plants is mediated by membrane ATPase, a connection with this enzyme activity can be made to cell sensitivity to the toxin.
Psychometric testing on the NLN Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning, Simulation Design Scale, and Educational Practices Questionnaire using a sample of pre-licensure novice nurses

Summary Background In 2006, the National League for Nursing published three measures related to novice nurses' beliefs about self-confidence, scenario design, and educational practices associated with simulation. Despite the extensive use of these measures, little is known about their reliability and validity. Methods The psychometric properties of the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale, Simulation Design Scale, and Educational Practices Questionnaire were studied among a sample of 2200 surveys completed by novice nurses from a liberal arts university in the southern United States. Psychometric tests included item analysis, confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses in randomly-split subsamples, concordant and discordant validity, and internal consistency. Results All three measures have sufficient reliability and validity to be used in education research. There is room for improvement in content validity with the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning and Simulation Design Scale. Conclusion This work provides robust evidence to ensure that judgments made about self-confidence after simulation, simulation design and educational practices are valid and reliable.
Isolation and characterization of a liver-specific antigen (F-Ag) from human liver

Abstract A liver-specific antigen previously demonstrated in saline extracts of human liver has been purified by consecutive ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The purified antigen migrated as a single bank in gel electrophoresis. This antigen has a mol. wt of 44,000 daltons. Amino acid analysis showed the acidic amino acids to outnumber the basic amino acids while glycine is the most abundant neutral amino acid. No carbohydrate could be demonstrated in the purified preparation of this antigen.
Influence of Sex on Growth of Channel Catfish

Abstract Families of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus of the 1982 and 1983 year classes were maintained in separate ponds. Fish from 4 to 26 months of age were evaluated for weight, length, and sex during seven sampling periods. Sex did not influence the growth of fish weighing less than 50 g at 10 months of age. Subsequently, sex had an increasing influence with increasing age: by 26 months, males were 37% heavier and 10% longer than females. Fish whose sex was reversed from male to female with steroid hormones grew like normal females through the time of sexual maturity. Growth and reproductive characteristics were typical of the phenotypic sex rather than of the genotype. Monosex populations of male channel catfish could increase production in commercial aquaculture operations.
Identification of Relationships between Work System Parameters and Fatigue in Registered Nurses: A Data Mining Approach

Fatigue is a factor that affects nurse performance in the workplace. Previous research has investigated the relationships between work system parameters and fatigue; however, no study has considered multiple work system parameters simultaneously, and how they affect multiple dimensions of fatigue. This study used Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) to mine work system parameters and their multiple interactions on perceptions of mental, physical, and total fatigue dimensions in registered nurses. Results showed that multiple work system parameters were associated with changes in fatigue levels across mental, physical, and total fatigue dimensions. These findings expand our understanding of the relationships between work system parameters and fatigue and provide valuable information to improve the design of nursing work systems, in order to retain qualified nursing personnel and ultimately improve both patient- and provider safety.
The MDM2 Inhibitor AMG 232 Demonstrates Robust Antitumor Efficacy and Potentiates the Activity of p53-Inducing Cytotoxic Agents

p53 is a critical tumor suppressor and is the most frequently inactivated gene in human cancer. Inhibition of the interaction of p53 with its negative regulator MDM2 represents a promising clinical strategy to treat p53 wild-type tumors. AMG 232 is a potential best-in-class inhibitor of the MDM2-p53 interaction and is currently in clinical trials. We characterized the activity of AMG 232 and its effect on p53 signaling in several preclinical tumor models. AMG 232 binds the MDM2 protein with picomolar affinity and robustly induces p53 activity, leading to cell-cycle arrest and inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. AMG 232 treatment inhibited the in vivo growth of several tumor xenografts and led to complete and durable regression of MDM2-amplified SJSA-1 tumors via growth arrest and induction of apoptosis. Therapeutic combination studies of AMG 232 with chemotherapies that induce DNA damage and p53 activity resulted in significantly superior antitumor efficacy and regression, and markedly increased activation of p53 signaling in tumors. These preclinical data support the further evaluation of AMG 232 in clinical trials as both a monotherapy and in combination with standard-of-care cytotoxics.
Alluvial Cutoff Dating from Subsequent Growth of a Meander

A meander in the Des Moines River grew rapidly following a channel cutoff ca. 1880, after which the rate of growth slowed gradually as the channel approached the edge of the meander belt. A first-order rate equation of the form S/S 0 = e − Kt was found to describe the distance S of the river from the edge of the meander belt at any time t after cutoff.
Boundary maintenance in American sociology: Limitations to academic “professionalization”

The institutionalization of social scientific disciplines at the turn of the century did not, in fact, result in academic behavior consistent with the “professionalization” models now in vogue among students of this period. Formal attributes of “professional” status have not proven reliable indices to the degree of consensus predicted for a “mature” discipline, as is evident from the history of a single field, American sociology—ironically the source of many “professionalization” schemes. Such schemes may appeal to historians because they paradoxically reinforce academic ideology; they represent a new variant of “whiggish” internalism, disguised as externalist cynicism. If we are to write accurate historical accounts, we must recognize that the self-consciously “professional” social scientists of the turn of the century sought ends rather different from those imputed to them by “presentist” analysts. Notions of the socially integrative functions of work were widespread during this period and not restricted to those occupational groups we now recognize as “professional”.
Protein Modification by Oxidized Phospholipids and Hydrolytically Released Lipid Electrophiles: Investigating Cellular Responses

Oxygen is essential for the growth and function of mammalian cells. However, imbalances in oxygen or abnormalities in the ability of a cell to respond to oxygen levels can result in oxidative stress. Oxidative stress plays an important role in a number of diseases including atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and asthma. When membrane lipids are exposed to high levels of oxygen or derived oxidants, they undergo lipid peroxidation to generate oxidized phospholipids (oxPL). Continual exposure to oxidants and decomposition of oxPL results in the formation of reactive electrophiles, such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE). Reactive lipid electrophiles have been shown to covalently modify DNA and proteins. Furthermore, exposure of cells to lipid electrophiles results in the activation of cytoprotective signaling pathways in order to promote cell survival and recovery from oxidant stress. However, if not properly managed by cellular detoxification mechanisms, the continual exposure of cells to electrophiles results in cytotoxicity. The following perspective will discuss the biological importance of lipid electrophile protein adducts including current strategies employed to identify and isolate protein adducts of lipid electrophiles as well as approaches to define cellular signaling mechanisms altered upon exposure to electrophiles. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Oxidized phospholipids-their properties and interactions with proteins.