cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Video-Based Surveillance for Chem-Bio Protection of Buildings

In the wake of recent global events the threat of a chemical and biological (chem-bio) attacks became very real. The community of technology and policy experts has recognized this threat way ahead of its time and a very extensive treatise of the matter can be found at [1]. There are various scenarios that the terrorists may follow to stage a chem-bio attack. One such scenario by testimony of one terrorist is to attack through the air-intakes of commercial or Government buildings. In July 2001, the terrorist Ahmed Ressam described in his court testimony how the training he and many others received in Al-Qaeda camps included attacking buildings with chemical agents ([2]). In particular, he detailed how he was trained to use cyanide and sulfuric acid to create deadly fumes and how to inject these fumes into building air-intakes. The targeting of air-intakas meant to maximize the number of deaths in the building without creating a risk for the attacker.
Fundamental Cooling Limits for High Power Density Gallium Nitride Electronics

The peak power density of GaN high-electron-mobility transistor technology is limited by a hierarchy of thermal resistances from the junction to the ambient. Here, we explore the ultimate or fundamental cooling limits for junction-to fluid cooling, which are enabled by advanced thermal management technologies, including GaN–diamond composites and nanoengineered heat sinks. Through continued attention to near-junction resistances and extreme flux convection heat sinks, heat fluxes beyond 300 kW/cm $^{2}$ from individual 2- $\mu \text{m}$ gates and 10 kW/cm $^{2}$ from the transistor footprint will be feasible. The cooling technologies under discussion here are also applicable to thermal management of 2.5-D and 3-D logic circuits at lower heat fluxes.
Reaction of a cobalt-containing Ziegler-type system with carbon monoxide

Abstract Propionylcobalt tetracarbonyl and dicobalt octacarbonyl are formed at room temperature from triethylalaminum and cobalt stearate containing hexane solutions by reacting with carbon monoxide. The formation of the acylcobalt tetracarbonyl complex proves the presence of ethylcobalt groups in this Ziegler-type system and is the first direct synthesis of an acylmetal carbonyl derivative. Nickel and iron containing analogous solutions give nickel tetracarbonyl and iron pentacarbonyl, respectively.
Cory L. Armstrong (Ed.). Media Disparity: A Gender Battleground

“I am struck by how much has changed—and also by how much has stayed the same,” writes Gaye Tuchman in her preface to Media Disparity: A Gender Battleground. This one phrase nicely sets up what fol...
Epidemiological considerations in studies of microbial adhesion.

Publisher Summary Epidemiological considerations regarding study design, data collection and analysis, and interpretation of results are fundamental to studies of microbial adhesion, when relevance to the pathogenesis of clinical infection is a goal. The host, an obligate participant in all host-pathogen interactions, is a necessary component of microbial adhesion and thus is explicitly or implicitly included in studies of adhesion. This chapter address the host component of microbial adhesion and specifically its epidemiological aspects (i.e., characteristics of human or microbial populations related to disease causation by adhering microorganisms). The chapter discusses the principles of study design and analysis fundamental to (but not exclusive to) sound epidemiological investigation. Examples are drawn primarily from the literature regarding adhesins of uropathogenic Escherichia coli, but the underlying principles apply equally well to other organisms and other clinical settings. Pitfalls to be avoided include type II statistical errors, inattention to confounding variables, and post hoc hypotheses; absence of internal controls; nonuniform evaluation of subjects; failure to characterize subjects adequately, or to stratify analyses according to important clinical characteristics; inattention to the in vivo relevance of the adhesin or receptor studied, or of the assay system used; and overconcluding from research findings to recommendations for clinical practice.
Sugars as the optimal biosynthetic carbon substrate of aqueous life throughout the universe

Our previous analysis of the energetics of metabolism showed that both the biosynthesis of amino acids and lipids from sugars, and the fermentation of organic substrates, were energetically driven by electron transfer reactions resulting in carbon redox disproportionation (Weber, 1997). Redox disproportionation--the spontaneous (energetically favorable) direction of carbon group transformation in biosynthesis--is brought about and driven by the energetically downhill transfer of electron pairs from more oxidized carbon groups (with lower half-cell reduction potentials) to more reduced carbon groups (with higher half-cell reduction potentials). In this report, we compare the redox and kinetic properties of carbon groups in order to evaluate the relative biosynthetic capability of organic substrates, and to identify the optimal biosubstrate. This analysis revealed that sugars (monocarbonyl alditols) are the optimal biosynthetic substrate because they contain the maximum number of biosynthetically useful high energy electrons/carbon atom while still containing a single carbonyl group needed to kinetically facilitate their conversion to useful biosynthetic intermediates. This conclusion applies to aqueous life throughout the Universe because it is based on invariant aqueous carbon chemistry--primarily, the universal reduction potentials of carbon groups.
Proxy Access: A Sheep, or Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?

At most companies, the board of directors has sole authority to nominate candidates for election to the board. In recent years, some governance experts have advocated rules lessening these restrictions and allowing shareholders greater access to nominate candidates.Supporters of proxy access argue that, because directors are the representatives of shareholders, shareholders should have the right to nominate individuals to serve on their behalf. Opponents argue that shareholders lack firm-specific knowledge about the qualifications necessary to fill a board vacancy, and that proxy access will open the board to “special interests.”We examine the issue. What impact will proxy access have on director elections? Will it improve or impair governance quality? Topics, Issues and Controversies in Corporate Governance and Leadership: The Closer Look series is a collection of short case studies through which we explore topics, issues, and controversies in corporate governance. In each study, we take a targeted look at a specific issue that is relevant to the current debate on governance and explain why it is so important. Larcker and Tayan are co-authors of the book Corporate Governance Matters, and A Real Look at Real World Corporate Governance.
Boeck's Sarcoid of the Stomach with Comments on the Etiology of Regional Enteritis

In the two patients described here the occurrence of Boeck's sarcoid in the stomach has been demonstrated about as conclusively as is ever possible. As far as can be determined the gastritis with regional lymphadenopathy is the only manifestation of sarcoidosis in these patients. Sarcoid of the stomach is of some practical significance since it represents another cause of massive hemorrhage from the upper gastrointestinal tract, and since it may simulate gastric carcinoma. It is of considerable theoretical interest in connection with the etiology of regional enteritis.
Combinatorial mixing of microfluidic streams

We have devised a microfluidic mixer design that produces all the mixture combinations of a given number of dilutions of the input compounds. As proof of the concept, we present a device that generates four titrations of two dye solutions, blue and yellow, and combinatorially mixes the blue titrations with the yellow titrations to deliver the sixteen mixture combinations in separate outlet microchannels. Our device features four different flow levels made by stacking nine laser-cut Mylar laminates. The fluidic network has a symmetric design that guarantees that the flow rates are the same at all the outlets, with deviations attributable to imperfections in the fabrication, assembly, or perfusion processes. Design rules for scaling up the number of compounds and/or dilutions are presented. The mixing scheme has broad applicability in high-throughput combinatorial testing applications such as drug screening, cell-based biochemical assays, lab-on-a-chip devices, and biosensors.
Methionine control of cephalosporin C formation

DL-Norleucine, a nonsulfur analogue of methionine was found to markedly stimulate synthesis of cephalosporin C by Cephalosporium acremonium strain CW19 in three different chemically defined media. Methionine, but not norleucine, stimulated cephalosporin C biosynthesis in a crude medium. The lack of stimulation by norleucine in complex medium was shown to be due to lack of uptake of this amino acid by mycelia growing in such a medium. In defined media containing a suboptimal methionine concentration, norleucine stimulated antibiotic production up to the level reached by optimal methionine. At an optimal dose of methionine, norleucine elicited no further increase in cephalosporin C production, indicating that these two amino acids act by the same mechanism. The data strongly indicate that stimulation by methionine is not a function of its ability to donate sulfur for antibiotic formation. Methionine was found to neither repress nor inhibit cysteine metabolism.
Band-Structure Effects in the Field-Induced Tunneling of Electrons from Metals

The theory of electron tunneling from metals into vacuum is investigated. Certain ambiguous conclusions reached in previous theoretical treatments are reconsidered. It is found that band-structure information is contained in the total energy distribution of field-emitted electrons. The problem of electron tunneling from narrow energy bands with a high density of states, well described in the tight-binding approximation, is treated. Expressions for the tunneling matrix element of electrons in tight-binding $d$ bands tunneling to free-electron states outside the metal are obtained within the field-ionization approximation of Oppenheimer. Calculations are then given for the energy distribution of field-emitted electrons coming from a model of a real metal in which the band structure is a superposition of a free $s$-like band and a tight-binding $d$ band. This is a reasonable qualitative model for the band structure of a noble metal. The relationship between the energy distribution and the band structure is established.
One Property of Ring Q -Homeomorphisms With Respect to a p -Module

We establish sufficient conditions for a ring Q-homeomorphisms in $ {{\mathbb{R}}^n} $ , n ≥ 2, with respect to a p-module with n − 1 < p < n to have the finite Lipschitz property. We also construct an example of the ring Q-homeomorphism with respect to a p-module at a fixed point which does not have the finite Lipschitz property.
Parametric empirical Bayes estimation for a class of extended log-linear regression models

This paper presents a fully parametric empirical Bayes approach for the analysis of count data, with emphasis on its application to environmental toxicity data. A hierarchical structure for the mean response is developed from a generalized linear model, based on a Poisson distribution. The linear predictor is embedded at the prior level of the hierarchy. This allows for enhanced flexibility when accounting for extra-Poisson variation, which is often displayed with count data from environmental bioassays. The model expands upon the traditional log-linear model in two different ways: (1) it extends the Poisson distributional assumption; and (2) it incorporates an extended family of link functions that includes the log link as a special case. The main advantage of this approach is that it combines relative computational simplicity with hierarchical modeling flexibility. In this paper, we emphasize the model's development and the practical issues related to the analysis. We describe an application of the proposed model to data from an environmental mutagenesis experiment.
RF-MEMS Varactor With Minimal Contact

An innovative RF-MEMS varactor has been developed for use in distributed RF-MEMS circuits such as phase shifters and tunable matching networks where the capacitance ratio between on- and off- state must be limited to 2–10. By fabricating standoffs on the bottom side of the beam, this device eliminates the intimate contact between the FR-MEMS and dielectric, that is found in typical RF-MEMS beam capacitive switches. These standoffs limit the range of motion, allowing the capacitance ratio to be set, and also greatly reduces the contact area thus preventing stiction from occurring. The RF-MEMS switch has been fabricated with initial measurements demonstrating a capacitance ratio of 2.5. Preliminary reliability testing results demonstrate that this RF-MEMS design is very robust.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Further on nonlinearity, persistence, and integration properties of real exchange rates

Abstract Integration, nonlinearity, and persistence dynamics of several quarterly US-Dollar-denominated real exchange rates are investigated by using new unit root tests, simulated p-values for linearity tests, estimation of smooth transition autoregressive (STAR) models, and simulation of autocorrelation functions. This paper uses a simulation-based approach to study covariance stationarity and persistence dynamics of the estimated models. Findings in the paper provide evidence of nonlinear mean reversion for several series albeit with some persistence. Results also reveal considerable variation in the degree of persistence and timing of switches across extreme regimes in ESTAR models between Euro and non-Euro area currencies.
The Logic of Positive Engagement: Dealing with Renegade Regimes

This article is intended to offset, partially at least, the lopsided stress placed by international relations scholarship on punitive pressures, at the expense of positive inducements, as tools for bringing renegade regimes into compliance with internationally accepted norms of behavior. I discuss the focus on punishment as a tool of foreign policy and the reasons why this bias has provided disappointing results. Using a parallel theoretical framework, I then discuss the forms that inducements can assume and the circumstances encouraging their success. The hypotheses thus derived are applied to a number of specific policy challenges. The bottom line is that inducements can, at times, produce a direct quid pro quo from the target regime and, occasionally, can modify that regime's basic motivations, so that both punishments and rewards become less necessary. In any case, positive engagement is most effective when regime's position is being challenged from within.
Threshold and dose response estimation using the “filter model”

The “filter model” has been developed to explain the biologic effects of radiation and chemicals. We have examined nearly 300 sets of dose response data, of which 50 are presented here. Responses (induced by radiation and chemicals) which have been examined include in vitro survival studies on animal and plant tissues, induction of cellular aberrations and time to tumor or death. Similar data from in vivo studies has also been examined. All of the data appear to fit the model R = a lnD + b(lnD)2 + c, where R is the response, a and b are parameters fitted by regression to a particular set of data, and c is the response at zero (or lowest) dose. By writing this model in exponential form, it can be seen that the response R results from multistage filtering (by net amounts a and b) of the initial dose, D. The threshold is obtained from this model as the point, DT, at which the second derivative becomes zero. This is given by DT = exp(1 − a2b) when a and b are oppositelt signed.
Silent ships sometimes do encounter more fish. 1. Vessel comparisons during winter pollock surveys

Avoidance of approaching vessels by fish is a major source of uncertainty in surveys of fish stocks. In an effort to minimize vessel avoidance, international standards for underwater-noise emission by research vessels have been established. Despite widespread investment in noise-reduced vessels, the effectiveness of noise reduction on vessel avoidance remains poorly understood. Here, we report on vessel comparisons of pollock abundance recorded by the NOAA ships “Oscar Dyson” (OD), a noise-reduced vessel, and “Miller Freeman” (MF), a conventionally designed vessel. The comparisons were made during three acoustic surveys of prespawning aggregations of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in Alaska. The experiments demonstrate that a noise-reduced vessel will detect significantly more fish backscatter than a conventional vessel in some situations. OD detected 31% more pollock backscatter than MF in the Shumagin Islands, where pollock were distributed between 100 and 200 m deep, and 13% more pollock backscatter in Shelikof Strait, where pollock were primarily distributed 200– 300 m deep. However, there was no difference in the Bogoslof Island area where pollock were found at 400– 700 m. In the Shumagin and Shelikof areas, the discrepancy between vessels tended to decrease with fish depth, consistent with a decreasing response to a stimulus propagating from the surface. Analysis of the depth distributions of pollock supports the conclusion that the discrepancies in backscatter stem from differential behavioural responses to the two vessels.
Teaching Religion Religiously: A Dialogue

Two theologians teaching religion at the same college engage in a dialogue about differences in their understandings of teaching religion in order to explore serious pedagogical and theological issues. Their reflections on their teaching touch on issues of learning goals, institutional identity, student freedom, faculty self-revelation, and the liberal arts that most teachers of religion face. Along the way, they explore the relation of pedagogy to theological topics like grace and ecclesiology. We invite readers to join the conversation begun in this article by engaging Webb, Placher, and one another through the public discussion list we've created for this article on the Wabash Center Discussion Forum at http://ntweb.wabash.edu/wcdiscus/.
Social Capital and Mental Distress in an Impoverished Community

According to recent investigations of social capital, this social resource represents a key ingredient in a community’s capacity to respond to environmental challenges and promote change. This arti...
The role of the state in fiscal theory

This paper traces the nexus between fiscal theory and the theory of state as it emerged from the close of the 18th century to date. Four variants of the fiscal state are distinguished. First, there is the classical view of the service state, needed to adjust for externality-based market failure, and to do so to approximate a market solution. Next, there is the welfare state, designed to correct the market-determined state of distribution, based on what society views as a fair or optimal pattern. Attention then turns to the communal model, where individuals recognize communal as well as private concerns. Finally, note is taken of the flawed state, where maximizing behavior of governmental agents shifts attention from market to policy failure. The changing nexus between state and fiscal theory, and its place in various fiscal traditions is noted.
Una estrategia única para la promoción de comunidades de educación a distancia: la escritura de un diario como base del discurso

El presente informe examina la viabilidad de la escritura de un diario como tecnica de docencia en la educacion a distancia, concebida para proporcionar una comprension y un dominio mas profundos del contenido del plan de estudios en los cursos de educacion para postgraduados. En la tarea de crear unas experiencias de aprendizaje optimas, pueden utilizarse cuatro clases diferentes de escritura de diarios, en diversas clases de entornos de aprendizaje a distancia; no obstante, el modelo que se muestra se emplea en video/audio-conferencias interactivas de doble direccion. Esta estrategia educativa sirve como base para el discurso de clase y para que los estudiantes tomen parte en debates polemicos y en actividades de resolucion de problemas. Los aumentos del contenido pueden llevarse a cabo tanto en entornos sincronicos como asincronicos.
Effect of massive antigen dosage on antigen retention and antibody response in rabbits.

SummaryAntigen elimination rates for massive doses of bovine albumin from the circulation of rabbits were resolved into two relative groups: (a) those eliminating the antigen rapidly, and (b) those retaining residual antigen for an extended period. All antibody-forming sites were assumed to be saturated with this antigen, and in the latter group antibody formation was suppressed. Data are presented suggesting that the breakdown and/or removal of an antigen from an antibody-forming site may be a necessary prerequisite to antibody formation. The rates of elimination of antigen from the various organs of the host are discussed in relation to postulated mechanisms concerned with serum sickness and the late sequelae of streptococcal infections.
Evidence on Transferability of Trip-Generation Models

Full and partial transfer results of trip-production models among intercity, intracity, and intraregional locations are reported in this paper. Nineteen models were transferred 208 times among the locations. The variety of transfer conditions and number of transfers permitted inferences to be drawn on the conditions influencing transferability. It was observed that the quality of local data seriously affects the ability to discern transferability, and may account for the variable results observed in the literature. It was also observed that model quality and income affect transferability. For all transfers conducted in this study, the transferred models explained an average of 57% of the variation in trip-making behavior explained by locally estimated models. When locally estimated constants were used to replace transferred constants in the model, the transfer models explained, on average, 87% of the variation in trip-making behavior explained by locally estimated models. It was concluded that the adjustment of transfer-model parameters with local information (partial transfer) has the potential to improve transferability to such an extent that the need to predict transferability becomes redundant.
Development of ecosystem management in the Pacific Northwest

ABSTRACT During the last decade, the concept of ecosystem management has increasingly influenced forestry practice, but in different ways on federal and private forests. In western Oregon, about two thirds of federal land is reserved for non-commodity use and federal forest managers follow a strict path of ecosystem management. Stands are managed to retain or develop structural complexity and species diversity while landscapes are managed to mimic natural disturbance patterns. On private lands, state and federal regulations and incentives such as Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) and green certification influence how private forestlands are managed. Large industrial owners continue to focus on timber production within the limits of state and federal laws, with some adopting HCP's that increase landscape planning and landscape diversity. Small private forest managers are more likely to define sustainable forestry in terms of balancing ecological requirements defined in state and federal laws against their a...
Performance of wavefront-guided soft lenses in three keratoconus subjects

Elevated levels of both lower and higher order aberrations present in the eye disease keratoconus make it difficult for subjects to achieve excellent optical and visual performance with traditional soft contact lenses or spectacles. Consequently, rigid contact lenses have become the current gold standard for the correction of keratoconus, with approximately 65% of keratoconus subjects being fitted with some form of rigid lens correction in both eyes.1 Rigid lenses reduce unwanted aberrations where conventional soft lenses and spectacles fail due to the ability of the rigid lens to maintain its shape during wear. This results in the formation of a tear lens between the aberrated cornea and rigid lens which masks a portion of the aberration present in these highly aberrated eyes. However, prescribing a rigid lens may not decrease higher order aberration to normal levels, and the elevated levels of residual aberration may continue to have a negative impact on visual performance.2–4 Simulation work in the area of customization has demonstrated that customized correction of lower and higher order aberrations in the keratoconic eye would be beneficial, and that this benefit would remain in the presence of typical lens movements.5–8 Simulation has also been used in an effort to determine what subset of optical aberrations is visually significant in keratoconus. Earlier simulation work by this research group demonstrated that correction of aberration through the 5th radial order may return visual performance in the majority of keratoconic subjects to near-normal levels.9 Work from multiple laboratories has demonstrated that the technology exists to implement both high and low order optical corrections in a custom wavefront-guided soft contact lens modality.10–13 Further, the use of custom soft lenses to treat the aberrations in keratoconus subjects has demonstrated both the hypothesized reduction of lower and higher order aberrations in keratoconic eyes and a resulting visual benefit for the patient.11,12 These previous demonstrations compared custom soft contact lens performance to second order corrections for three subjects as well as to one subject’s habitual gas permeable (GP) correction11 and to one subject’s habitual soft contact lens correction.12 In the current report, the clinical relevance of custom wavefront guided soft contact lenses is investigated by comparing custom wavefront-guided soft contact lens performance to performance achieved with GP lens performance in three keratoconus subjects.
The sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide induces apoptosis of human acute myelogenous leukemia stem and progenitor cells

Recent studies have described malignant stem cells as central to the initiation, growth, and potential relapse of acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia (AML and CML). Because of their important role in pathogenesis, rare and biologically distinct leukemia stem cells (LSCs) represent a critical target for therapeutic intervention. However, to date, very few agents have been shown to directly target the LSC population. The present studies demonstrate that parthenolide (PTL), a naturally occurring small molecule, induces robust apoptosis in primary human AML cells and blast crisis CML (bcCML) cells while sparing normal hematopoietic cells. Furthermore, analysis of progenitor cells using in vitro colony assays, as well as stem cells using the nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) xenograft model, show that PTL also preferentially targets AML progenitor and stem cell populations. Notably, in comparison to the standard chemotherapy drug cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), PTL is much more specific to leukemia cells. The molecular mechanism of PTL-mediated apoptosis is strongly associated with inhibition of nuclear factor κ B (NF-κB), proapoptotic activation of p53, and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). On the basis of these findings, we propose that the activity of PTL triggers LSC-specific apoptosis and as such represents a potentially important new class of drugs for LSC-targeted therapy.
Pictorial and Graphemic Processing in Fluent Aphasia

Some research suggests that people with aphasia may have deficits in processing pictorial materials; other studies suggest this is contradictory. Moreover, it is not known how these potential defic...
Cation specificity of propranolol‐induced changes in RBC membrane permeability: Comparative effects in human, dog and cat erythrocytes

Propranolol, in the presence of calcium, causes marked K efflux from human red blood cells (high K, low Na). The studies reported here indicate this effect of propranolol is specific for K and does not represent a nonspecific permeability increase for intracellular cations to leave the cell. Amphotericin-treated human RBC's (high Na, low K) and dog RBC's (high Na, low K) both gain K and increase in size when incubated in a K-medium containing propranolol and calcium. No effect was noted when cat RBC's (high Na, low K) were similarly treated. Propranolol, independent of added calcium, also inhibited the normally increased Na efflux observed when dog RBC's are suspended in K-medium. These species differences in response to propranolol thus may serve as a focus for elucidating the mechanism by which this drug alters normal membrane physiology. The unique drug effect on Na permeability of canine erythrocytes also may be a useful probe for the study of dog RBC volume regulation.
Target Article: "Posttraumatic Growth: Conceptual Foundations and Empirical Evidence".

This article describes the concept of posttraumatic growth, its conceptual foundations, and supporting empirical evidence. Posttraumatic growth is the experience of positive change that occurs as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life crises. It is manifested in a variety of ways, including an increased appreciation for life in general, more meaningful interpersonal relationships, an increased sense of personal strength, changed priorities, and a richer existential and spiritual life. Although the term is new, the idea that great good can come from great suffering is ancient. We propose a model for understanding the process of posttraumatic growth in which individual characteristics, support and disclosure, and more centrally, significant cognitive processing involving cognitive structures threatened or nullified by the traumatic events, play an important role. It is also suggested that posttraumatic growth mutually interacts with life wisdom and the development of the life narrative, and t...
Solute-Free Interfacial Zones in Polar Liquids

Large, solute-free interfacial zones have recently been described in aqueous solutions. Found next to hydrophilic surfaces, these “exclusion zones” are commonly several hundred micrometers wide and...
Critical temperature bounds of quantum lattice gases

We prove rigorous critical temperature upper bounds of quantum lattices in the infinite volume limit and with many-body potentials which conserve the number of particles. The results are obtained from the analyticity properties of the reduced correlation functionals. As an example the isotropic Heisenberg model is considered. The method also extends previous results on the analyticity and the critical temperature of a classical lattice.
Isolation of laminin from human placental basement membranes: amnion, chorion and chorionic microvessels.

Abstract Laminin components were solubilized from basement membranes of amnion, chorion and chorionic microvessels of human placenta without prior protease digestion. These structures, after isolation, were initially processed in a sonicator bath containing a solution of Triton X-100, EDTA and 2M NaCl and the laminins extracted sequentially with 0.5M NaCl, 8 M urea, and 8 M urea + 2% 2-mercaptoethanol + 2% SDS. A high molecular weight (appr. 1×10 6 ) complex containing laminins was purified by gel filtration on a Sepharose CL-2B column. This complex migrated as a single band on gel electrophoresis before reduction but resolved, after reduction, into four major laminin components, laminin A (350,000 M.W.), laminin M (240,000 M.W.) and laminins B 1 and B 2 (195,000 and 185,000 M.W.). Laminin M is a new molecular species of this protein.
Biodiversity on the brink: an assessment of conservation strategies for North American freshwater mussels

The North America freshwater mussel fauna has suffered an inordinately high recent extinc- tion rate, and the small size and isolation of many remaining populations portends a continued diminish- ment of this fauna. Causes of extinction and imperil- ment are varied but revolve around massive habitat loss, deterioration, and fragmentation. The National Strategy for the Conservation of Native Mussels, published in 1997, has guided efforts to address this crisis. Considerable progress has been made toward several of the Strategies' goals, particularly increasing our knowledge of mussel biology, promoting mussel conservation, and development of techniques for captive mussel propagation. However, mussel conser- vation should focus more directly on reducing frag- mentation through bold and aggressive habitat restoration. In addition to dam removal, improvement in dam tailwater flows, and restoration of channelized streams, identification of factors that eliminated mussels from many otherwise intact streams is critical. Translocation and captive propagation will be key elements in reestablishing mussel assemblages in restored habitats, but these techniques should be used with caution and primarily to increase the occurrence of a species throughout its historical range. Conserving mussel diversity in an ever-changing world is depen- dent on promoting the natural, long-term sustainability and evolutionary potential of mussel populations.
Enzymatic catalysis in cosolvent modified pressurized organic solvents.

An important advantage of carrying out enzymatic catalysis in organic media is the increased solubility of hydrophobic substrates. This study compares a model lipase catalyzed esterification of cholesterol using vinyl acetate (VA) in two such nontraditional media: high-pressure hexane and supercritical (SCF) ethane. The effect of using one of the reactants (VA) as a cosolvent to increase the solubility of the other reactant (cholesterol) in SCF ethane has been investigated. The thermodynamic activity of water (a(w)) in the reaction media was controlled by the direct addition of the salt hydrate pair Na(4)P(2)O(7)/Na(4)P(2)O(7).10H(2)O. The a(w) of the salt hydrate system is shown to be a function of pressure and its variation over the pressure range 104-173 bar has been estimated. The initial reaction rate in pressurized hexane was found to vary linearly with the cholesterol concentration. The reaction rate was also a function of pressure-the effect being more pronounced in ethane than in hexane. This is consistent with the large negative partial molar volumes observed in SCFs, although the sign of the resulting activation volume differs from previous investigations of lipase-catalyzed reactions in SCFs. When corrected for substrate concentration, the initial rate of catalysis in SCF ethane was determined to be greater than in pressurized hexane over the conditions investigated. This study shows that proper solvent choice can be used to regulate reaction rates in pressurized solvents.
An advanced off-axis holographic particle image velocimetry (HPIV) system

Holographic PIV (HPIV) is the most promising candidate for the next generation full-field velocimetry that can measure high spatial resolution instantaneous three-dimensional (3D) velocity fields. To explore the maximum performance capabilities of HPIV including spatial resolution, off-axis holography based HPIV has become a major direction of development. A fully automated off-axis HPIV system based on an injection-seeded dual-pulsed YAG laser and 3D data processing software has been implemented in the laser flow diagnostics lab (LFD). In our system, 90-degree particle scattering, dual reference beams, in situ reconstruction/data processing, and 3D velocity extraction based on a fast “concise cross correlation” (CCC) algorithm are utilized. The off-axis HPIV system is tested for an acoustically excited air jet and the wake of a surface-mounted tab in a water channel flow, giving instantaneous 3D velocity fields for both flows. Experimental data of instantaneously measured 3D flow structures using this technique show great promise.
On the convergence of the midpoint method

The midpoint method is an iterative method for the solution of nonlinear equations in a Banach space. Convergence results for this method have been studied in [3, 4, 9, 12]. Here we show how to improve and extend these results. In particular, we use hypotheses on the second Frechet derivative of the nonlinear operator instead of the third-derivative hypotheses employed in the previous results and we obtain Banach space versions of some results that were derived in [9, 12] only in the real or complex space. We also provide various examples that validate our results.
Rio+20: Lead by example

As host nation of Rio+20, Brazil should choose the right course for its own development, say Fabio Scarano, Andre Guimaraes and Jose Maria da Silva.
Electrical and optical characterization of gas source and solid source MBE low temperature buffers

MBE GaAs buffer layers grown at low substrate temperatures (200–300°C) have been shown to significantly reduce backgating and sidegating in GaAs integrated circuits. The isolation provided by these buffers is attributed to a high level of compensating traps in the layers induced by excess arsenic and arsenic antisite defects. Structures were grown by both gas source and solid source MBE in a VG Semicon V80H dual chamber system. The structures allow us to study characteristics of the LTB itself as well as the quality of active layers grown upon these buffer layers. The insulating characteristics of the gas and solid source LTBs are comparable. However, in contrast to control layers grown on semi-insulating GaAs, we observe considerably higher trap concentrations in FET active layers grown on LTBs. Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) measurements show several resolvable electron and hole traps, plus a band of shallow hole traps. Due to the differences in growth kinetics for gas and solid source growth such a close similarity was not expected. The resistivity of the LTBs and the traps incorporated into the active layers appear to be similar for solid source (As4) and gas source (As2) growth. Furthermore, the characteristics of proximity annealed layers continue to change for varied length low temperature anneals. This indicates that the excess arsenic continues to diffuse into the active device layers degrading device stability.
Emerging new therapies for chemotherapy—resistant cancer using adenoviral vectors

The treatment of cancer by genetic manipulation of either the tumor itself or the patient as a whole offers new avenues for the treatment of otherwise refractory cancers. Gene therapy seeks to correct underlying genetic defects in malignant tissue or to augment the host defense response or to promote selectivity of other therapies. Many innovative and exciting genetic targets have been recently identified. However, the field as a whole is still constrained by limitations of gene delivery. The most common vector for gene delivery is modified adenovirus. In this review, we survey a sampling of current therapeutic approaches that depend upon adenoviral delivery vehicles and outline the advantages and disadvantages of this vector system.
A graph-theoretical model for periodic discrete structures☆

Abstract A class of infinite graphs called periodic arrays is defined. The study of these graphs was motivated by the use of wiring diagrams which possess to a high degree a periodic structure. A characterization is obtained for those periodic arrays which are connected, planar, and point-symmetric; namely, it is shown that they are isomorphic to the eleven regular and semi-regular tessellations of the plane. Also a characterization is obtained for those directed periodic arrays which are point-symmetric and which, as undirected periodic arrays, are isomorphic to the quadratic lattice. Precisely four such arrays are possible.
Damage threshold prediction of hafnia–silica multilayer coatings by nondestructive evaluation of fluence-limiting defects

A variety of microscopic techniques were employed to characterize fluence-limiting defects in hafnia–silica multilayer coatings manufactured for the National Ignition Facility, a fusion laser with a wavelength of 1.053 µm and a pulse width of 3 ns. Photothermal microscopy, with the surface thermal lens effect, was used to map the absorption and thermal characteristics of 3 mm × 3 mm areas of the coatings. High-resolution subaperture scans, with a 1-µm step size and a 3-µm pump-beam diameter, were conducted on the defects to characterize their photothermal properties. Optical and atomic force microscopy were used to identify defects and characterize their topography. The defects were then irradiated by a damage testing laser (1.06 µm and 3 ns) in single-shot mode until damage occurred. The results were analyzed to determine the role of nodular and nonnodular defects in limiting the damage thresholds of the multilayer coatings. It was found that, although different types of defect were present in these coatings, the fluence-limiting ones had the highest photothermal signals (up to 126× over the host coating). The implication of this study is that coating process improvements for hafnia–silica multilayer coatings should have a broader focus than just elimination of source ejection, since high photothermal signals frequently occur at nodule-free regions. The study also demonstrates that, for optics subject to absorption-induced thermal damage, photothermal microscopy is an appropriate tool for nondestructive identification of fluence-limiting defects.
Modeling Military Task Performance for Army and Air Force Personnel Wearing Chemical Protective Clothing

This article provides a short discussion of several models used to develop predictive techniques to study soldier performance while personnel wear chemical protective clothing (CPC). Discussed are ...
Policy representation of constituency interests

This paper examines two aspects of congressional representation: the responsiveness of House candidates to constituency opinion and the effect of candidate positions on House election outcomes. For both Democratic- and Republican-held seats, constituency liberalism (as measured by the constituency's vote for McGovern in 1972) is strongly related to the liberalism of incumbent candidates but less so to the liberalism of challengers. House election outcomes are visibly influenced by the positions of incumbent candidates but not those of nonincumbent candidates. The paper argues that elections contribute significantly to achieving congressional representation. Candidate positions are measured from a 1974 CBS survey of all major House candidates.
Asymptotic solutions of numerical transport problems in optically thick, diffusive regimes II

In a recent article (Larsen, Morel, and Miller, J. Comput. Phys.69, 283 (1987)), a theoretical method is described for assessing the accuracy of transport differencing schemes in highly scattering media with optically thick spatial meshes. In the present article, this method is extended to enable one to determine the accuracy of such schemes in the presence of numerically unresolved boundary layers. Numerical results are presented that demonstrate the validity and accuracy of our analysis.
Computer-controlled colorimetry

It is often necessary to determine the composition of a metal complex which absorbs light in the visible region (ref. E-13). To this end, Job (ref. E-14) introduced a method of continuous variations in 1928 which was improved upon by Vosburgh and Cooper in 1941 (ref. E-15).
Minocycline and generalized cutaneous pigmentation

The recent literature contains sporadic mention of localized pigmentary accumulations in skin, bones, teeth, and thyroid tissue, presumably related to the use of systemic minocycline hydrochloride. It is our purpose to report the occurrence of generalized, cutaneous, dark blue—gray hyperpigmentation that developed in a woman while she was being treated with minocycline (Minocin) for acne vulgaris. We believe this pigmentary change to be minocycline-induced.
K-shell capture by protons from O 2 , N 2 , and Ne

We have measured the ratio of the cross section for $K$-electron capture to that for total $K$-vacancy production for 0.75-5-MeV protons on targets of ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, and Ne. This was done by detecting Auger electrons from the target $K$-shell relaxation in coincidence with charge-neutralized projectiles. The fraction of $K$-shell vacancy production due to electron capture ranges from 0.028% to 3.3%, and the $K$-shell fraction of total electron capture from 2.5% to over 80%. By combining these data with previously measured (or calculated) cross sections for total $K$-vacancy production, we deduce cross sections for $K$-shell capture alone. The cross sections follow Oppenheimer-Brinkman-Kramers scaling laws for higher velocities, and are in fair absolute agreement with more complete charge-transfer calculations.
Mouse Complete Stasis Model of Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). In the United States (U.S.), the high morbidity and mortality rates make VTE a serious health concern (1-2). After heart disease and stroke, VTE is the third most common vascular disease (3). In the U.S. alone, there is an estimated 900,000 people affected each year, with 300,000 deaths occurring annually (3). A reliable in vivo animal model to study the mechanisms of this disease is necessary. The advantages of using the mouse complete stasis model of inferior vena cava thrombosis are several. The mouse model allows for the administration of very small volumes of limited availability test agents, reducing costs dramatically. Most promising is the potential for mice with gene knockouts that allow specific inflammatory and coagulation factor functions to be delineated. Current molecular assays allow for the quantitation of vein wall, thrombus, whole blood, and plasma for assays. However, a major concern involving this model is the operative size constraints and the friability of the vessels. Also, due to the small IVC sample weight (mean 0.005 grams) it is necessary to increase animal numbers for accurate statistical analysis for tissue, thrombus, and blood assays such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA), zymography, vein wall and thrombus cellular analysis, and whole blood and plasma assays (4-8). The major disadvantage with the stasis model is that the lack of blood flow inhibits the maximal effect of administered systemic therapeutic agents on the thrombus and vein wall.
Transitioning Coho Salmon Broodstock to a Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)-Rich Diet during Vitellogenesis: Effects on Egg Composition and Embryo and Fry Quality

Abstract Female coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch were fed one of two broodstock diets during vitellogenesis to evaluate the contribution of dietary lipids to egg lipids and to assess any embryo or fry quality differences that were attributable to treatment. The diets contained lipids with different fatty acid profiles and carbon stable isotope signatures (δ13C). Diets were formulated by top-dressing a low-fat salmon broodstock feed with either sardine oil (fish oil feed) or an algal oil–corn oil blend (algal oil feed). The added oils were balanced for total n-3 fatty acid content but contained markedly different levels of linoleic acid (LA), eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Analysis of δ13C revealed that dietary lipids were significantly incorporated into egg lipids during vitellogenesis and that polar and neutral lipid fractions were equally affected. Eggs of fish in the algal oil treatment group had significantly higher levels of DHA and significantly lower protein content than the...
The savvy student's guide to online learning

Sosulski and Bongiovanni have written a very practical, easily digested book for traditional or nontraditional students interested in being successful in the online learning environment. The book, ...