cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dual function surface-enhanced Raman active extractor for the detection of environmental contaminants.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has lagged behind other analytical techniques utilized in routine chemical analyses despite the information-rich spectra produced. This can be attributed in part to the difficulties in finding effective substrates that provide high sensitivity and highly reproducible SERS responses. Herein, we have developed a silver-coated polypropylene filter (AgPPF) as a highly sensitive and promising SERS substrate for the detection of environmentally significant chemicals, including selected pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and possible endocrine disruptors. The present approach involves preconcentration studies of selected environmental compounds with 3M's High Performance Extraction Disc Cartridges (HPEDCs) and characterization of the same HPEDC filters as a SERS substrate. The polypropylene microfiber prefilter that encloses the empore extraction medium is modified by physical vapor deposition with silver and used as the SERS substrate. The HPEDC itself is used to concentrate analytes into a desired concentration range, achieving maximum sensitivity. Surface roughness and nanoscale structure of silver films on the microfiber were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The mass thickness of the silver and volume were optimized for the highest SERS signal using rhodamine 6G as a model compound. A novel component of our HPEDC studies involves the hyphenation of the concentration protocol and SERS. The hyphenation of sample concentration and SERS allows more sensitive surface-enhanced detection. Mitoxanthrone dihydrochloride, crystal violet dye, 4-aminobenzoic acid, and rhodamine 6G were employed to study the sensitive SERS detection and were observed as low as 5 × 10−8 M to 1 × 10−10 M without any preconcentration step. Additionally, SERS signatures of some flavonoids, targeted as possible Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals by the US Environmental Protection Agency, such as Apigenin and Daidzein, are reported along with their sensitive detection down to ng/mL for the first time with preconcentration.
Polymer-stabilized liquid crystal light modulators

We discuss examples involving the development of ordered polymer thin films for application as light bending devices. This paper focus on the preparation of ordered polymer architectures using self-assembled or field-induced optical patterns of various liquid crystal hosts for imprinting or templating polymer or functional materials. The various images of ordered polymer are provided by the polarized optical microscopy (POM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study. Slantwise UV irradiation technique was applied for the formation of the asymmetric polymer patterns. Various UV irradiation angles were used and significant differences in the polymer patterns with respect to the applied angle were observed. Transmission grating patterns are investigated. The electro-optical measurements for the analysis of patterned cells will be presented.
Redox signaling: globalization of gene expression.

Here we show that the extent of electron flow through the cbb3 oxidase of Rhodobacter sphaeroides is inversely related to the expression levels of those photosynthesis genes that are under control of the PrrBA two-component activation system: the greater the electron flow, the stronger the inhibitory signal generated by the cbb3 oxidase to repress photosynthesis gene expression. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we show that intramolecular electron transfer within the cbb3 oxidase is involved in signal generation and transduction and this signal does not directly involve the intervention of molecular oxygen. In addition to the cbb3 oxidase, the redox state of the quinone pool controls the transcription rate of the puc operon via the AppA–PpsR antirepressor–repressor system. Together, these interacting regulatory circuits are depicted in a model that permits us to understand the regulation by oxygen and light of photosynthesis gene expression in R.sphaeroides.
Pseudocoloring schemes for thermal imaging

In industrial applications, thermal infrared radiance mainly corresponds to the surface temperature of the target being studied. Since the contrast of an infrared image is usually much lower than that of a visible image, pseudocoloring techniques are usually used in real- time thermal image display. Pseudocoloring schemes for infrared video should be evaluated according to its ease with which the temperature variance can be distinguished intuitively. In this paper, two uniform brightness schemes for thermal infrared image pseudocoloring are presented. One of the new schemes is derived from the well-known Bezier/Bernstein blending function, and the other one is based on the popular HSI color model. They are compared with a conventional pseudocoloring scheme and a modified conventional scheme. Some representative experimental results are illustrated to show the unique features of the new pseudocoloring schemes.
Applications of Polymer Matrix Syntactic Foams

A collection of applications of polymer matrix syntactic foams is presented in this article. Syntactic foams are lightweight porous composites that found their early applications in marine structures due to their naturally buoyant behavior and low moisture absorption. Their light weight has been beneficial in weight sensitive aerospace structures. Syntactic foams have pushed the performance boundaries for composites and have enabled the development of vehicles for traveling to the deepest parts of the ocean and to other planets. The high volume fraction of porosity in syntactic foams also enabled their applications in thermal insulation of pipelines in oil and gas industry. The possibility of tailoring the mechanical and thermal properties of syntactic foams through a combination of material selection, hollow particle volume fraction, and hollow particle wall thickness has helped in rapidly growing these applications. The low coefficient of thermal expansion and dimensional stability at high temperatures are now leading their use in electronic packaging, composite tooling, and thermoforming plug assists. Methods have been developed to tailor the mechanical and thermal properties of syntactic foams independent of each other over a wide range, which is a significant advantage over other traditional particulate and fibrous composites.
Damage-free reactive ion etch for high-efficiency large-area multi-crystalline silicon solar cells

Abstract Texturing of silicon (Si) wafer surface is a key to enhance light absorption and improve the solar cell performance. While alkaline texturing of single-crystalline Si (sc-Si) wafers was well established, no chemical solution has been successfully developed for multi-crystalline Si (mc-Si) wafers. Reactive-ion-etch (RIE) is a promising technique for effective texturing of both sc-Si and mc-Si wafers, regardless of crystallographic characteristics, and more suitable for thin wafers. However, due to the use of plasma source generated by high power, the wafer surface gets a physical damage during the processing, which requires an additional subsequent damage-removal wet processing. In this work, we developed a damage-free RIE texturing for mc-Si solar cells. An improved self-masking RIE texturing process, developed in this study, produced ∼0.7% absolute efficiency gain on 156×156 mm 2 mc-Si cells, where the gas ratio and the plasma power density were keys to mitigate the plasma-induced-damage during the RIE processing while maintaining decent surface reflectance. In the self-masking RIE texturing, a mixture of SF 6 /Cl 2 /O 2 gases was found to significantly affect the surface morphology uniformity and reflectance, where an optimal etch depth was found to be 200–400 nm. We achieved J sc gain of ∼1.3 mA/cm 2 while maintaining decent FFs of ∼0.78 without a V oc loss after optimization of firing conditions.
Prevalence and risk factors for diabetes-related foot complications in Translating Research Into Action for Diabetes (TRIAD)

Abstract Aims The objective was to describe the prevalence of diabetes-related foot complications in a managed care population and to identify the demographic and biological risk factors. Methods We assessed the period prevalence of foot complications on 6992 patients using ICD-9 diagnosis codes from health plan administrative data. Demographic and biological variables were ascertained from surveys and medical record reviews. We defined four mutually exclusive groups: any Charcot foot, DFU with debridement, amputation ± DFU and debridement, and no foot conditions. Results Overall, 55 (0.8%) patients had Charcot foot, 205 (2.9%) had DFU with debridement, and 101 (1.4%) had a lower-extremity amputation. There were 6631 patients with no prevalent foot conditions. Racial/ethnic minorities were less likely to have Charcot foot (OR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.46) or DFU (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.84) compared to non-Hispanic Whites, but there were no racial/ethnic differences in amputation. Histories of micro- or macrovascular disease were associated with a two- to four-fold increase in the odds of foot complications. Conclusion In managed care patients with uniform access to health care, we found a relatively high prevalence of foot complications, but attenuation of the racial/ethnic differences of rates reported in the literature.
PHYTOEXTRACTION OF Pb AND Cd FROM A SUPERFUND SOIL: EFFECTS OF AMENDMENTS AND CROPPINGS

In a growth chamber, maize (Zea mays) and Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) were grown over two croppings in soil from a Superfund site (PbTotal = 65,200 mg/kg and CdTotal = 52 mg/kg). Soil treatments consisted of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, sodium citrate and composted sewage sludge, each at two rates (EDTA .05%, EDTA .2%, citrate .05%, citrate .2%, CSS 5% and CSS 10%, respectively). In most cases, the EDTA and citrate treatments were superior in terms of solubilizing soil Pb for root uptake and translocation into above-ground biomass. In the first maize crop, the EDTA .2% treatment resulted in 2435 and 9389 mg/kg Pb in shoot and root tissues, respectively. The CSS treatments typically resulted in lowest Pb and Cd removal efficiencies. Lead remaining in the soil after two croppings was mainly associated with the carbonate, organic, and residual fractions, which represent the less bioavailable forms. Soil Cd was generally more mobile for plant uptake than soil Pb. The EDTA .2% and citrate treatments w...
An Economic Interpretation of the Transportation Problem

triangles indicate that there are no connections among the individual markets. The "M-boxes" stand for the n independent markets. The upper m rows, which represent quantity available from each of the m regions to each of the n markets, can be viewed as the linking constraints for all markets in the system. Note that each market or region contains different unknowns. A given variable appears in two and only two of the constraints in the whole system.1 This decomposition-like structure, along
Void swelling resistance of phosphorus-modified austenitic stainless steels during HFIR irradiation at 300–500°C to 57 dpa

Abstract The austenitic stainless steel prime candidate alloy (PCA) is a Ti-modified alloy (14Cr16Ni) developed for void swelling resistance at 400–600°C by the US Fusion Reactor Materials (FMR) program. During irradiation in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) to 34 and 57 dpa (70–75 appm He/dpa) at 300–600°C, th e PCA (and the closely related D9 type alloy) has been shown to be highly susceptible to void swelling at 500°C. Generally such alloys show good void swelling resistance to higher doses during irradiation in fast-breeder reactors (FBRs, 0.5–1 appm He/dpa) in the 20–25% cold-worked (CW) condition. New multiply-stabilized, phosphorus-modified PCA alloys have been developed, with specific amounts and combinations of minor alloy elements added for improved MC formation and stability characteristics during irradiation. After HFIR irradiation at 300–500°C to 34–57 dpa, the multiply-stabilized, phosphorus-modified PCA and phosphorus-modified D9 alloy showed better swelling resistance (by density-change measurements) than similar alloys without phosphorus, particularly at 500°C. Microstructural studies after 34 dpa at 500°C showed that void swelling resistance in the multiply-stabilized, phosphorus-modified PCA alloys was directly related to the formation of ultrafine dispersions of MC precipitates during HFIR irradiation.
A capacitance-type chemical sensor that employs VAPO-5, MnAPO-5 and MAPO-36 molecular sieves as the dielectric phase

Abstract We have developed a chemical sensor based on a capacitor design that utilizes molecular sieves as the dielectric phase. In this study, thin films of vanadium aluminum phosphate (VAPO-5), the isostructural manganese aluminum phosphate (MnAPO-5) and magnesium aluminum phosphate (MAPO-36) were deposited onto titanium nitride-coated silicon wafers by laser ablation. The molecular sieve films function as the dielectric phase and were patterned with Au/Pd to complete the capacitor. The molecular sieve-based sensors exhibited capacitance changes upon exposure to CO2, CO, N2 and H2O at room temperature. Significant responses to CO2 and CO were registered at levels as low as 50 and 100 ppm, respectively.
Nonequilibrium size distributions of fluid membrane vesicles

We investigate nonequilibrium behavior of polydisperse ensembles of fluid membrane vesicles by means of a diffusive Boltzmann transport equation that incorporates vesicle diffusion and reactions between vesicles. This approach is used to study time evolutions of size distributions of initially monodisperse vesicle ensembles. We investigate various nonequilibrium paths that ensembles of vesicles may follow during the equilibration process. Depending on the initial size distribution of vesicles, the thermodynamic equilibrium may be reached either via a fusional growth of vesicles, or via their fissional decay. In the former case, typical vesicle size grows as $R(t)\ensuremath{\sim}{t}^{1/2}$ until it saturates to its equilibrium value, whereas in the latter case we find that vesicle size decays in a finite time proportional to $[R(0){]}^{1/3},$ where $R(0)$ is the initial vesicle size. The latter behavior is related to the length scale dependence of membrane bending and saddle splay rigidity.
Research in Management Information Systems: The Minnesota Experiments

The use of computer based information-decision systems to support decision making in organizations has increased significantly in the last decade. Very little effort has been devoted, however, to determine what relationships exist between the structure of information presented for decision making and the ensuing effectiveness of the decision. This article summarizes a series of experiments. The Minnesota Experiments, which were conducted to examine the significance of various information system characteristics on decision activity. Several research programs administered in the period 1970--1975 are discussed in this paper. By varying the manner in which information was provided to participants in each experiment, the impact of various information system characteristics and individual differences on decision effectiveness was investigated. Analysis of the results shows that, in many cases, the decisions/decision-making process of the participants was affected by the information system structure and/or attributes of individual decision makers. The results suggest guidelines for the designers of information systems and fruitful avenues for continued research.
Responses of a plethodontid salamander to conspecific and congeneric intruders

Abstract After inhabiting their home sites for a few days, both males and females of the salamander Desmognathus monticola directed agonistic behaviour toward intruding salamanders. Resident D. monticola were significantly more aggressive toward D. fuscus intruders than toward conspecific ones, although both conspecific and congeneric intruders were frequently attacked. Responses of D. monticola residents were independent of sex, and no difference was found in the behaviour of residents toward conspecific male and female intruders. Small D. fuscus intruders were attacked and injured more frequently than similar-sized D. monticola intruders and, in general, smaller-sized salamanders were the victims of aggressive attacks more frequently than larger ones. The proportions of bites on the head and tail of intruders were similar, although injuries were much more frequent to the tail than to the head. This species-related and size-related agonistic behaviour may be functional in maintaining the spatial distribution of species in communities of Desmognathus salamanders.
The role of rewards and reinforcements in early education programs: III the use of concrete rewards ☆

Abstract Discussion in this paper centers on the role of concrete reinforcers in educational programs. It is argued that despite “language” differences, considerable overlap exists in the papers presented by Hodges and Brophy (see previous two articles, this issue). Further, it is suggested that the inconsistencies and contradictions which do exist cannot be reconciled with existing data and that new research must be undertaken to clarify the issues.
Behavioral Self-Control and the Contract Problem

An empirical study suggests that a self-control project can have lasting effects on students' coping skills.
Resonant Raman study of LO + acoustic phonon modes in CdSe

Abstract In studying resonant Raman scattering in the vicinity of the A and B excitons of CdSe, we have observed three new Raman peaks. Two of the peaks have been identified as two-phonon modes consisting of a longitudinal optical (LO) phonon plus respectively a transverse acoustic (TA) and a longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonon. A theory which involves the scattering of photoexcited B excitons to the A exciton by acoustic phonons via the piezoelectric exciton-phonon interaction was found to explain quantitatively the peak positions, lineshape and resonance enhancements of the observed peaks.
Refuting Misconceptions about Classroom Discussion.

(2004). Refuting Misconceptions about Classroom Discussion. The Social Studies: Vol. 95, No. 1, pp. 33-39.
Early Intervention May Prevent the Development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Pilot Civilian Study with Modified Prolonged Exposure

Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a major public health concern with long-term sequelae. There are no accepted interventions delivered in the immediate aftermath of trauma. This study tested an early intervention aimed at modifying the memory to prevent the development of PTSD before memory consolidation. Methods Patients ( n = 137) were randomly assigned to receive three sessions of an early intervention beginning in the emergency department compared with an assessment only control group. Posttraumatic stress reactions (PTSR) were assessed at 4 and 12 weeks postinjury and depression at baseline and week 4. The intervention consisted of modified prolonged exposure including imaginal exposure to the trauma memory, processing of traumatic material, and in vivo and imaginal exposure homework. Results Patients were assessed an average of 11.79 hours posttrauma. Intervention participants reported significantly lower PTSR than the assessment group at 4 weeks postinjury, p p p p = .004) and week 12 ( p = .05). Conclusions These findings suggest that the modified prolonged exposure intervention initiated within hours of the trauma in the emergency department is successful at reducing PTSR and depression symptoms 1 and 3 months after trauma exposure and is safe and feasible. This is the first behavioral intervention delivered immediately posttrauma that has been shown to be effective at reducing PTSR.
Fast inverse identification of delamination of E-glass/epoxy laminated composite panels

In this paper, a novel vibration-based methodology for fast inverse identification of delamination in E-glass/epoxy composite panels has been proposed with experimental demonstration using a scanning laser vibrometer (SLV). The methodology consists of 1) a parameter subset selection for delamination damage localization and 2) iterative inverse eigenvalue analysis for damage quantification. It can potentially lead to a functional formulation relating spatial and global damage indices such as curvature damage factor to local damage parameters. The functional relationship will be suitable to fast or real-time in-situ delamination damage identification. To accomplish the objectives, a shear-locking free higher-order finite element model has been combined with a micromechanics theory-based continuum damage model as an identification model for locating delamination. Applications of the proposed methodology to an Eglass/ epoxy panel [CSM/UM1208/3 layers of C1800]s = [CSM/0/(90/0)3]s with delamination have been demonstrated both numerically and experimentally using a piezoelectric actuator, a PVDF sensor and non-contact measuring SLV. Experimental modal analysis has been successfully conducted using the sample specimen to demonstrate the proposed methodology.
Roles of uptake, biotransformation, and target site sensitivity in determining the differential toxicity of chlorpyrifos to second to fourth instar Chironomous riparius (Meigen)

Early life stages of aquatic organisms tend to be more sensitive to various chemical contaminants than later life stages. This research attempted to identify the key biological factors that determined sensitivity differences among life stages of the aquatic insect Chironomous riparius. Specifically, second to fourth instar larvae were exposed in vivo to both low and high waterborne concentrations of chlorpyrifos to examine differences in accumulation rates, chlorpyrifos biotransformation, and overall sensitivity among instars. In vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) assays were performed with chlorpyrifos and the metabolite, chlorpyrifos-oxon, to investigate potential target site sensitivity differences among instars. Earlier instars accumulated chlorpyrifos more rapidly than later instars. There were no major differences among instars in the biotransformation rates of chlorpyrifos to the more polar metabolites, chlorpyrifos-oxon, and chlorpyridinol (TCP). Homogenate AChE activities from second to fourth instar larvae were refractory to chlorpyrifos, even at high concentrations. In contrast, homogenate AChE activities were responsive in a dose-dependent manner to chlorpyrifos-oxon. In general, it appeared that chlorpyrifos sensitivity differences among second to fourth instar C. riparius were largely determined by differences in uptake rates. In terms of AChE depression, fourth instar homogenates were more sensitive to chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-oxon than earlier instars. However, basal AChE activity in fourth instar larvae was significantly higher than basal AChE activity in second to third instar larvae, which could potentially offset the apparent increased sensitivity to the oxon.
Distribution of antibodies to native dna, single-stranded dna, and double-stranded rna in mouse serums.

SummaryHemagglutinating antibodies to native DNA were found to occur selectively in NZB/W mice and rarely in other strains. In contrast, antibodies to single-stranded DNA and double-stranded RNA have a more widespread distribution. They occur in NZB and NZB/W mice as well as other strains of mice. Poly A·poly U and poly I·poly C are shown to be immunogenic in mice without the use of Freund's adjuvant or in vitro coupling to a protein carrier.
Effects of melatonin on estrogen receptor expression in the forebrain of outbred (Lak.LVG) golden hamsters

Studies have shown that the pineal gland via its hormone, melatonin, induces the involution of male and female reproductive systems in seasonally reproducing animals. Melatonin has direct inhibitory effects on both hypothalamic and pituitary functions, which are also exquisitely sensitive to the feedback effects of estradiol. Since melatonin can modulate estrogen receptor (ER) expression in other tissues, immunocytochemical and ribonuclease protection analyses were used to examine the effects of 12 weeks of daily late afternoon injections of melatonin on ER protein and mRNA levels in the hypothalamus of Lak.LVG golden hamsters. Significant decreases in ER-immunoreactivity were noted in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) in response to melatonin, while other hypothalamic areas which express ER, e.g. the anterior hypothalamus, showed less dramatic changes. Hypothalamic ER mRNA was decreased in response to melatonin in both intact and ovariectomized animals by 25%. In intact, cycling female hamsters, there was a significant reduction in uterine weight after melatonin treatment. These results suggest that melatonin exerts its anti-reproductive effects in hamsters by modulating ER levels in neurons of the MPOA and BNST, thereby influencing steroid feedback mechanisms.
Demographic examination of sex ratio in the two‐spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae

Abstract Primary sex ratio of arrhenotokous tetranychid mites depends on the age-specific schedule of ratios of progeny produced by individual females. Since primary sex ratio is conditional upon female age and since the proportion of females of a given age in a population is influenced by the rate of increase, both the age-specific ratio of males to females and the overall ratio of males to females depends on the rate of increase. We given an expression for this dependence and compare it to experimental results for the two-spotted spiter mite. These results imply that there is no ‘standard’ sex ratio of spider mites because of interpopulation variation in rates of increase. Resume Etude demographique du taux sexuel de Tetranychus urticae Koch Le taux sexuel des acariens tetranychides arrhenotoques est defini comme le rapport de la somme des nombres de mâles sur la somme des nombres de femelles pour chaque âge de la distribution en âges. Comme le taux sexuel primaire depend de l'âge de la femelle et comme la proportion de femelles d'un âge donne dans la population est influencee par le taux d'accroissement, alors le rapport mâle/femelle specifique d'un âge determine et le rapport global mâle/femelle dependent du taux d'accroissement. Nous avons cherche a exprimer cette dependance et a la comparer aux resultats experimentaux pour Tetranychus urticae. Ces resultats signifient qu'il n'y a pas de taux sexuel caracteristique de Tetranyques par suite des variations du taux d'accroissement suivant les populations.
Managing eResource Processes and Projects

Janetta Waterhouse presented “Managing eResource Processes and Projects” at the eResources & Emerging Technologies Summit held at Mississippi State University Libraries on August 2, 2013. At the time of the presentation, she was the Director of Library Systems and Technical Services at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). Waterhouse discussed updates to eResource processes at UIS, during the time that eResource management was fully integrated into the Technical Services unit, and the projects needed to get those processes and their data and related systems to the desired state.
Infanticide and moral consistency

The aim of this essay is to show that there are no easy options for those who are disturbed by the suggestion that infanticide may on occasion be morally permissible. The belief that infanticide is always wrong is doubtfully compatible with a range of widely shared moral beliefs that underlie various commonly accepted practices. Any set of beliefs about the morality of abortion, infanticide and the killing of animals that is internally consistent and even minimally credible will therefore unavoidably contain some beliefs that are counterintuitive.
Lipid Signaling and Synaptic Plasticity

Lipids are essential components of plasma- and organelle-membranes, not only providing a frame for embedded proteins (e.g., receptors and ion channels) but also functioning as reservoirs for lipid mediators. Increasing evidence indicates that bioactive lipids such as eicosanoids, endocannabinoids, and lysophospholipids serve as intercellular and intracellular signaling molecules participating in physiological and pathological functions in the brain. The discovery of some of these lipid receptors and novel lipid signaling mediators has sparked an intense interest in lipidomic neurobiology research. Classic prostaglandins (PGD(2), PGE(2), PGF(2alpha), PGI(2), and TXA(2)), catalyzed by cyclooxygenases (COX), are synthesized from arachidonic acid (AA). Experimental studies demonstrate that prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), mainly derived from the COX-2 reaction, is an important mediator, acting as a retrograde messenger via a presynaptic PGE(2) subtype 2 receptor (EP(2)) in modulation of synaptic events. Novel prostaglandins (prostaglandin glycerol esters and prostaglandin ethanolamides) are COX-2 oxidative metabolites of endogenous cannabinoids (2-arachidonyl glycerol and arachidonyl ethanolamide). Recent evidence suggests that these new types of prostaglandins are likely novel signaling mediators involved in synaptic transmission and plasticity. This means that COX- 2 plays a central role in metabolisms of AA and endocannabinoids (eCBs) and productions of AA- and eCB- derived prostaglandins. Thus, in the present review article, the authors will mainly discuss COX-2 regulation of prostaglandin signaling in modulation of hippocampal synaptic transmission and plasticity.
Diagenesis of fibrous magnesian calcite marine cement: Implications for the interpretation of δ18O and δ13C values of ancient equivalents

Fibrous, high Mg-calcite (HMC) marine cement from the Pliocene Hope Gate Formation, Jamaica occurs as 1–2 mm thick isopachous coatings on skeletal grains in local occurrences of Halimeda grainstone and is commonly syntaxially overgrown by clear, prismatic low Mg-calcite (LMC) interpreted as a mixing zone cement. The presence of inclusions at discrete levels in the fibrous marine cement produces internal growth banding wherein clear, inclusion-free zones alternate with cloudy, inclusion-rich zones. Clear zones have uniform Mg contents (13.7 ± 0.2 mol% MgCO3) and stable isotopic compositions (δ18O = 0.8 ± 0.1%; δ13C = 3.2 ± 0.1%) consistent with a marine origin. In contrast, inclusion-rich zones contain fine-scale intergrowths of LMC, dolomite, and HMC, and have carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions that define a linear mixing trend between compositions of inclusion-free HMC and prismatic LMC cement overgrowths. Petrographic observations indicate that the mixing trend defined by isotopic data from inclusion-rich zones is related to the addition of large volumes of secondary LMC as cement in primary pore space, as intergrowths among fibers of primary HMC marine cement, and/or as replacements of primary HMC crystallites. Dolomite is present in inclusion-rich zones in volumes generally compatible with amounts predicted to result from the closed-system stabilization of HMC to LMC and dolomite. In addition, isotopic and geochemical data from some areas of inclusion-rich zones are consistent with mass balance constraints assuming a closed-system, which require that bulk isotopic and geochemical compositions are retained. These relations suggest that small remnants of HMC in inclusion-rich zones of Hope Gate marine cement have altered to LMC and dolomite while isolated from system pore fluids, such that primary marine isotopic signatures were imparted on diagenetic products. Similar petrographic, geochemical, and isotopic relations have been noted in ancient occurrences, suggesting that δ18O and δ13C values from some former marine cements should be useful for the determination of isotopic compositions of original marine cements and ultimately for the determination of ocean chemistry in the geologic past.
Cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive function

Modifiable factors related to lifestyle have been extensively studied in terms of their effects on the vascular system, particularly the risk of heart disease. In recent years, however, it has become increasingly evident that many of these coronary risk factors also account for a large proportion of strokes, as well as cognitive impairment, dementia, and even Alzheimer's disease occurring in the absence of a clinically recognized vascular "event." Observational studies support a role for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus as risk factors for cognitive decline in late life, although there are conflicting results from some studies. Available evidence, although limited, also supports a role for some medical therapies targeting risk factors as a means to reduce the risk of subsequent cognitive decline. In many instances, however, basic lifestyle interventions show great promise for ameliorating the risk of cognitive decline. Such interventions include regular physical exercise or moderate alcohol consumption.
Radical stabilizing ability of the ferrocenyl and cyclobutadieneiron tricarbonyl groups

Computational studies indicate that ferrocenyl-substituted methyl radicals owe their stability to a spin delocalization mechanism involving Fe and a major contribution from an η4 form. Cyclobutadieneiron tricarbonyl substituted methyl radicals are also calculated to be highly stabilized by spin delocalization onto Fe and a major contribution from an η3 form.
Marketing Rebellion: Insurgent Groups, International Media, and Ngo Support

Many scholars view an emergent “global civil society” as an accessible, democratic alternative to the state system–a new political space where social movements frustrated at home can gain support from “principled” transnational advocacy networks. But, only a few movements from the developing world attract transnational backing. This article first proposes a framework clarifying the process, and then identifies structural and strategic factors explaining the variation. The article compares two movements that secured significant international support, Nigeria's Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and Mexico's Zapatista Army of National Liberation (Ejercito Zapatista de Liberacion Nacional, EZLN), against similar groups from the same countries that failed to do so. On this basis, the article argues that “global civil society” requires reconceptualization–as a competitive arena where weak domestic challengers vie for scarce transnational resources, where those groups that gain support have structural or strategic advantages over others, and where transnational supporters act on interest as well as principle.
Elastic properties of a magnetic fluid with an air cavity retained by levitation forces

The paper describes the process of an air cavity rising in a magnetic fluid filling a tube with a bottom, transport, and retention of the cavity by magnetic levitation forces. The elastic and dissipative properties of a vibratory system with an inertial element that is a column of a magnetic fluid over an air cavity are considered. The possibility of using a transported air cavity as a movable reflector for a sound wave is evaluated.
AN EXPANDED COMMERCIAL PAPER RATING SCALE: CLASSIFICATION OF INDUSTRIAL ISSUERS

The finance literature contains many examples of attempts to classify bond issuers into rating categories and to identify the key variables which contribute to bond rating differences. This study extends the classification literature to include industrial commercial paper issuers. Standard and Poor's has expanded its A- 1 commercial paper category, and hypothesized division characteristics are proposed, followed by the classification test. The relative comparability of key variables in this study to those in bond studies is striking.
Parkinson's Disease and Apolipoprotein E: Possible Association with Dementia but not Age at Onset

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-dependent, neurodegenerative condition frequently associated with dementia. Although it is predominantly a sporadic disease, 20-30% of cases are familial, suggesting a complex mode of inheritance. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) allele epsilon4 has been associated with familial and sporadic late-onset senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type. To investigate the role of this gene in the development of dementia associated with PD and age at onset of PD, we evaluated the frequency of APOE gene polymorphism in a sample of PD patients with (n=118) and without (n=167) a family history, as well as matched normal controls (n=96). The PD sample was categorized according to age at onset and presence or absence of dementia. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to plot genotype-specific age at onset distribution curves. Allele frequencies of APOE in PD patients with and without a family history and normal controls were not significantly different. APOE genotypes were also similar between the groups. However, the frequencies of epsilon4 allele and epsilon4/- genotype in the PD group with dementia were more than twofold higher than in normal controls, and the differences were statistically significant. There were no differences in the allele and genotype frequencies of the APOE gene between PD groups with different age at onset. The familial PD had significantly earlier age at onset than sporadic PD (Log-rank test, P=0.027). The age at onset distribution curves for different genotype groups were similar, and their differences were not statistically significant (P=0.38). After the Bonferroni's correction for multiple tests, the positive results are not significant at the P<0.05 level. We conclude that APOE does not play an important role in susceptibility to PD or age at onset of PD, but may play a role in dementia associated with PD in our sample.
Interspersed sequence organization and developmental representation of cloned poly(A) RNAs from sea urchin eggs

A random primed complementary DNA (cDNA) clone library constructed from total maternal poly(A) RNA of sea urchin eggs was screened with two cloned genomic repetitive sequence probes. Sets of cDNA clones reacting with each of these repetitive sequences were recovered. Most of the cloned transcripts included both single copy and repeat sequence elements. Except for the shared repeat sequence element, both the repetitive and single copy regions of the members of each set of clones failed to crossreact. Single copy probes linked to the repeats on the cloned maternal RNAs are represented in an asymmetric manner. It follows that many different genomic members of a given dispersed repeat sequence family are represented in the maternal RNA. RNA gel blots carried out with several repeat probes display about 10 to 20 prominent maternal poly(A) RNAs containing transcripts of each repetitive sequence family. The interspersed maternal transcripts are 3000 to 15,000 bases in length. Maternal transcripts reacting with single copy probes derived from the cloned cDNAs persist during embryonic development, and in some cases appear to be augmented by similar, newly synthesized embryo transcripts. Two examples were found in which additional transcripts of different length appear at specific developmental stages. The transcribed single copy regions are highly polymorphic in the genomes of different individual sea urchins, and comparisons of closely related sea urchin species showed that both the prevalence and length of specific maternal transcripts change rapidly during evolution. Nucleotide sequences of two homologous repeat elements occurring on different cloned transcripts displayed translation stop codons in every possible reading frame. These repeat sequences display structural features suggesting that there has been evolutionary transposition into transcription units active during oogenesis. The repeat elements and their flanking single copy regions reside either in very long 3′ or 5′-terminal sequences, or in unprocessed intervening sequences in the maternal poly(A) RNA. These findings lead us to the proposal that the majority of the cytoplasmic poly(A) RNA in echinoderm eggs and early embryos is similar in form to RNAs that occur in the nucleus rather than to the messenger RNA of later cells.
Vertical structure of hyper-accreting disks and consequences for gamma-ray burst outflows

We discuss the physics of the power source for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). There is a great variety of stellar systems proposed as progenitors of long and short GRBs, but any current model for the engine ultimately involves the formation of a hyper-accreting disk around a newly-formed black hole of a few solar masses. The study of such disks can shed light onto the burst composition and energy content. We present preliminary results from disk vertical structure calculations. These include neutrino transport, a height-dependent determination of the nuclear composition, and a simplified treatment of turbulent mixing. We find that vertical mixing is rapid enough to largely erase compositional gradients, and as a consequence the upper layers of the disk reflect the neutron-rich composition of the midplane close to the black hole. We review the implications of this for the nuclear composition of outflows in GRBs. Our models suggest an increasing role for pairs in the upper regions of the disk, and we speculate that a pair-driven wind could be a significant source of cooling.
Studies on the specificity of sperm binding in echinoderm fertilization

Abstract Using gametes from the sea urchins Arbacia punctulata and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus , we have evaluated the role of the acrosome reaction and the sperm-egg binding process in the block to interspecific fertilization among echinoids. The results indicate that sperm preinduced to undergo the acrosomal reaction by two different methods still bind to homologous eggs in a species specific manner. These results, taken in conjunction with an earlier study on species specificity of jelly coat induction of the acrosomal reaction (SeGall and Lennarz 1978), indicate that both the acrosome reaction and the sperm binding process contribute to the species specificity of fertilization in S. purpuratus and A. punctulata .
Serum vitamin E decreases in HIV-seropositive subjects over time

Abstract Vitamin E is an important lipid soluble antioxidant that has a number of crucial functions including protecting lipids from oxidative damage. It also may play an important role in enhancing the immune response in subjects with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. The current study measured the serum level of vitamin E in 121 HIV seropositive subjects with no prior pulmonary complications. Although the mean level was normal at 9.0 ± 0.5 μg/ml, 22.3% of the subjects had a deficient level of less than 5 μg/ml. In addition, 42 subjects were studied longitudinally and serum vitamin E levels were determined at baseline and 12 months later. The mean serum vitamin E level in this group significantly decreased after 12 months compared with baseline levels (5.9 ± 0.5 μg/ml compared with 9.6 ± 0.9 μg/ml, p = 0.001). The CD4 counts also were significantly decreased after 12 months (460.6 ± 36.0 cells/mm3 versus 390.5 ± 37.7 cells/mm3, p = 0.032). No significant correlations were observed between the decrease in serum vitamin E and the change in CD4 count, body mass index (BMI), or serum albumin levels over the 12-month period. In conclusion, a significant portion of HIV-seropositive subjects have a deficiency in serum vitamin E early in the course of their disease. Furthermore, there is a significant decrease in serum vitamin E levels in these subjects over 12 months.
Multiple trait multiple interval mapping of quantitative trait loci from inbred line crosses

Although many experiments have measurements on multiple traits, most studies performed the analysis of mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for each trait separately using single trait analysis. Single trait analysis does not take advantage of possible genetic and environmental correlations between traits. In this paper, we propose a novel statistical method for multiple trait multiple interval mapping (MTMIM) of QTL for inbred line crosses. We also develop a novel score-based method for estimating genome-wide significance level of putative QTL effects suitable for the MTMIM model. The MTMIM method is implemented in the freely available and widely used Windows QTL Cartographer software. Throughout the paper, we provide compelling empirical evidences that: (1) the score-based threshold maintains proper type I error rate and tends to keep false discovery rate within an acceptable level; (2) the MTMIM method can deliver better parameter estimates and power than single trait multiple interval mapping method; (3) an analysis of Drosophila dataset illustrates how the MTMIM method can better extract information from datasets with measurements in multiple traits. The MTMIM method represents a convenient statistical framework to test hypotheses of pleiotropic QTL versus closely linked nonpleiotropic QTL, QTL by environment interaction, and to estimate the total genotypic variance-covariance matrix between traits and to decompose it in terms of QTL-specific variance-covariance matrices, therefore, providing more details on the genetic architecture of complex traits.
Sequences Flanking the cAMP Responsive Core of the HTLV-I Tax Response Elements Influence CREB Protease Sensitivity

The human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) Tax protein activates transcription from the viral long terminal repeat and select cellular promoters by interacting with cellular DNA-binding proteins. The HTLV-I promoter contains three copies of a Tax-responsive element (TRE-1), each of which possesses a core cAMP response element (CRE). The cAMP response element-binding protein, CREB, binds TRE-1 and mediates Tax association with, and transactivation of, the viral promoter. These activities depend on DNA sequences that flank the core CRE. Although CREs are found in a variety of cellular promoters, cellular CREs vary in sequence from TRE-1, especially in the flanking regions, and are generally not Tax responsive. The molecular basis for differential Tax responsiveness of viral and cellular CREs has not been determined. Here we demonstrate that the conformation of CREB is influenced by the nucleotide sequence of its DNA-binding element. CREB showed altered sensitivity to V8, chymotrypsin, and trypsin proteases when bound to the HTLV-I TRE-1 element as compared to the rat somatostatin CRE element. The phosphorylation state of CREB did not influence its protease sensitivity on either element. Sequences flanking the core CRE-binding site in each element were found to specify protease sensitivity. Since the TRE-1-flanking sequences also modulate Tax association with CREB, and Tax transactivation of CREB-dependent LTR transcription, these results suggest that CREB conformation may determine the ability of Tax to bind CREB.
Hunting for sacred cows.

"Sacred cows" are behavioral patterns that we continue to use even though they may no longer be effective. Their continued use tramples creativity, reduces innovative thought, limits the ability to respond quickly to change, and ultimately becomes costly to individuals and organizations. In less turbulent times, sacred cows were a source of irritation that managers worked around. There is no longer time available for managers to "work around" sacred cows. They must be rounded up and dealt with. It is only by confronting their own sacred cows that nurse managers will find the energy to maintain a caring environment for patients' families and staff.