cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study on the Effects of Hydrogen Pretreatment on Nickel Catalyst Used for Multi Walled Carbon Nanotube Growth

We investigated the effects of hydrogen pretreatment on nickel catalyst of different thicknesses and deposition methods on a silicon substrate and how it will affect the growth of carbon nanotubes using microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MPECVD). Nickel catalyst of 10, 50, 100, 200, 350 and 500 A thickness was treated with hydrogen flowing at 135 standard cubic centimeter per minute (sccm), substrate temperature of 400 °C, microwave power of 400 W, and pressure of 20 torr. The treated catalyst granule size and density was determined optically through scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and atomic force microscope (AFM) measurements. We found that sputtered catalyst needs a longer pretreatment than evaporated catalyst. As expected, the pretreatment time must be increased as the catalyst thickness increases to get granule sizes and densities favorable for carbon nanotube (CNT) growth. CNT growth took place with a hydrogen flow of 120 sccm, methane flow of 15 sccm, substrate temperature of 650 °C, microwave power of 1000 W and a pressure of 20 torr. We determined the catalyst can be over treated causing catalyst conglomeration that result in poor CNT growth.
Aphra Behn: Sexuality and self‐respect

(1980). Aphra Behn: Sexuality and self‐respect. Women's Studies: Vol. 7, “Where my own nature would be leading”: The triumph of the woman poet, pp. 67-78.
Esterified Dendritic TAM Radicals with Very High Stability and Enhanced Oxygen Sensitivity

In this work, we have developed a new class of dendritic TAM radicals (TG, TdG, and dTdG) through a convergent method based on the TAM core CT-03 or its deuterated analogue dCT-03 and trifurcated Newkome-type monomer. Among these radicals, dTdG exhibits the best EPR properties with sharpest EPR singlet and highest O2 sensitivity due to deuteration of both the ester linker groups and the TAM core CT-03. Like the previous dendritic TAM radicals, these new compounds also show extremely high stability toward various reactive species owing to the dendritic encapsulation. The highly charged nature of these molecules resulting from nine carboxylate groups prevents concentration-dependent EPR line broadening at physiological pH. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these TAM radicals can be easily derivatized (e.g., PEGylation) at the nine carboxylate groups and the resulting PEGylated analogue dTdG–PEG completely inhibits the albumin binding, thereby enhancing suitability for in vivo applications. These new dendriti...
Time- and frequency-domain analyses of atrial fibrillation activation rate: The optical mapping reference

Background Time- and frequency-domain estimates of activation rate have been proposed to guide atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in patients, but their electrophysiological correlates are unclear. Objective This study sought to examine the relative correlation of average electrical cycle length (CL) and dominant frequency (DF) during AF with reference optical mapping measures. Methods Eight sheep hearts were Langendorff-perfused and superfused with oxygenated Tyrode solution inside a tank representing the human thorax. Optical mapping (DI-4-ANEPPS) of 4 × 4 cm 2 in the left atrium was performed at 0.5 mm/pixel and 600 fps. A 20-pole catheter was placed in the optical field of view to acquire 1.2-kHz unipolar recordings by the EnSite NavX System (ENS; St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN) optimized for CL and DF calculation. During AF, 5-second-long simultaneous optical and electrical signals were analyzed for CL and DF. Results During pacing, DF measurements had fewer false results than CL (6.6% to 2.5% vs. 21.5% to 4.4% depending on filtering, P 2 : 0.58879 vs. 0.12902; P −6 ). DFs of unipolar signals correlated better than CLs with DFs of optical signals. Similarly, bipolar DF correlation with optical DF was not different from identity ( P >.157), but the bipolar CL showed smaller identity with the optical CL ( P Conclusion DF values of unipolar and bipolar signals correlate with those of optical signals better than CL values for the respective signals.
Serine/Threonine Kinase 17A Is a Novel p53 Target Gene and Modulator of Cisplatin Toxicity and Reactive Oxygen Species in Testicular Cancer Cells

Testicular cancer is highly curable with cisplatin-based therapy, and testicular cancer-derived human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells undergo a p53-dominant transcriptional response to cisplatin. In this study, we have discovered that a poorly characterized member of the death-associated protein family of serine/threonine kinases, STK17A (also called DRAK1), is a novel p53 target gene. Cisplatin-mediated induction of STK17A in the EC cell line NT2/D1 was prevented with p53 siRNA. Furthermore, STK17A was induced with cisplatin in HCT116 and MCF10A cells but to a much lesser extent in isogenic p53-suppressed cells. A functional p53 response element that binds endogenous p53 in a cisplatin-dependent manner was identified 5 kb upstream of the first coding exon of STK17A. STK17A is not present in the mouse genome, but the closely related gene STK17B is induced with cisplatin in mouse NIH3T3 cells, although this induction is p53-independent. Interestingly, in human cells containing both STK17A and STK17B, only STK17A is induced with cisplatin. Knockdown of STK17A conferred resistance to cisplatin-induced growth suppression and apoptotic cell death in EC cells. This was associated with the up-regulation of detoxifying and antioxidant genes, including metallothioneins MT1H, MT1M, and MT1X that have previously been implicated in cisplatin resistance. In addition, knockdown of STK17A resulted in decreased cellular reactive oxygen species, whereas STK17A overexpression increased reactive oxygen species. In summary, we have identified STK17A as a novel direct target of p53 and a modulator of cisplatin toxicity and reactive oxygen species in testicular cancer cells.
The impact of career boundarylessness on subjective career success: The role of career competencies, career autonomy, and career insecurity ☆

Abstract Based on the theoretical frameworks of the career enactment and the stress perspectives, this study develops and tests a model in which career boundarylessness affects subjective career success through its effect on three career competencies—knowing-why, knowing-how, and knowing-whom—and career autonomy and career insecurity. The results provided empirical support for the importance of career autonomy, career insecurity, and the development of knowing-why and knowing-how competencies in the successful pursuit of a boundaryless career. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Achieving IT Infusion: A Conceptual Model for Small Businesses

This paper reports on a survey of literature on the implementation of information technology IT, primarily in small businesses. The result of this survey is the identification of key factors that impact an IT implementation, with a special focus on the infusion stage. Infusion is the last stage of a suggested IT implementation model. This stage, representing IT implementation success, is important because studies show that increasing the depth and breadth of IT penetration into a small business should lead to increased efficiency and effectiveness. From this literature review, we develop a conceptual model showing how the infusion stage is evaluated using a stepwise scheme of analysis. The model is an extension of the Ein-Dor and Segev model originally used to evaluate management information systems and later, end-user computing.
A Theory of Third World Social Revolutions: Iran, Nicaragua, and El Salvador Compared:

Existing theories of revolution are briefly presented and critiqued. Building on recent work, a new model is introduced in which the key variables are the effects of dependent development on social structure, the exclusionary nature of repressive, personalistic dictatorships, the elaboration of political cultures of resistance, and a dual crisis consisting of a simultaneous economic downturn and an "opening" in the world-system. The combination of these necessary and sufficient conditions predicts the outbreak of a successful social revolution. The model is then applied to the similar cases of Iran and Nicaragua and contrasted with the negative case of El Salvador.
Prenatal magnetic resonance imaging of fetal anomalies

LINICAL MAGNETIC resonance imaging (MRI) has been available for the last 15 years; however, its use in the evaluation of the fetus has been minimal. Reports of the use of prenatal MRI in the mid-1980s were primarily for evaluation of the abnormal uterus or ovaries. 1,2 As more imaging was performed, reports appeared documenting abnormalities of the fetus. TM Because of the long acquisition times of standard spin-echo images, fetal motion significantly degraded many scans. Good examinations were obtained using paralyzing agents in the fetus, either direct intramuscular or umbilical cord injection of pancuronium to obtain motion-free spin-echo images. 5 Development of ultrafast MRI sequences and fast scanners, such as echo planar, began in the early 1990s. 6,7 More recently, ultrafast MRI sequences using single-shot turbo spin-echo techniques were developed. 8 These sequences were used in the abdomen and found to be breathing independently. This type of sequence has T2weighting and a single anatomic image can be obtained in less than 500 msec. These sequences are now being applied to imaging the human fetus. 9-~2 The ultrafast scanning technique decreases or eliminates the amount of artifacts caused by fetal motion. Fetal sedation is no longer necessary to obtain good images. Overall, fetal anatomy has been well documented in fetuses over 18 weeks' gestational age. 9,n Prenatal MRI is now at a time of great growth and has the potential to become a valuable adjunct to high-resolution ultrasonography in further defining abnormalities in the fetus, which may help prenatal counseling and therapy. Safety is always an issue in evaluating the developing fetus. The biological effects of MR on the human are very complex. To date, no known harmful effects to the developing fetus have been documented using clinical scanners at field strengths of 1.5 Tesla or less. One 3-year follow-up study of fetuses scanned using echo planar technique has shown no untoward biological effect. 13 The safety committee of the Society of Magnetic Resonance Imaging issued guidelines for patient safety in 1991. ~4 It stated that MRI may be used in pregnant woman if other nonionizing forms of diagnostic imaging were inadequate. It recommended that
The role of metabolism in carbon tetrachloride-mediated immunosuppression. In vitro studies.

In vitro studies were performed to determine the role of metabolic bioactivation in mediating immunosuppression by CCl4. Direct addition of CCl4 to naive spleen cell cultures sensitized with either sheep erythrocytes, DNP-Ficoll or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in a marked inhibition of the antibody forming cell (AFC) response to all three of the selected antigens at 3.0 mM concentration in culture. However, this inhibition was primarily due to the direct cytotoxic effects of CCl4 on spleen cells following 3-5 days of culture in the presence of the chemical as evidenced by a decrease in cell number and viability and by the absence of selective effects on T-cell dependent humoral responses which is contradictory to the effects observed in vivo. Co-incubation of splenocytes for 1 h with primary hepatocytes, but not with subcellular metabolic activation systems, such as S9 or microsomes, enhanced the immunotoxic effects of CCl4 in vitro. Interestingly, a 3-h co-incubation of spleen cells with metabolically active hepatocytes in primary culture resulted in an even greater potentiation of the immunotoxic effects of CCl4 as determined by the T-cell dependent IgM AFC response. Conversely, under identical conditions, CCl4 did not suppress humoral responses to the polyclonal B-cell activator LPS which is in agreement with the effects produced by in vivo exposure to CCl4. It is important to emphasize that for the metabolic activation studies (i.e. co-incubation with either S9, microsomes or hepatocytes), spleen cells were washed free of CCl4 immediately following the co-incubation period. Control splenocyte cultures (i.e. no metabolic activation system) incubated in the presence of CCl4 alone at 3.0 mM over a 3-h time-period, had no effect on spleen cell function, number or viability. In agreement with our previous findings which indicate that pretreatment of mice with inducers and inhibitors of the mixed function oxygenase system prior to CCl4 administration modulated the immunotoxic effects of CCl4 in vivo, these results lead us to conclude that immunotoxicity by CCl4 requires metabolic activation.
Activation of beta1 integrins on CML progenitors reveals cooperation between beta1 integrins and CD44 in the regulation of adhesion and proliferation

Adhesion of normal colony-forming cells (CFC) to bone marrow (BM) stroma and the extracellular matrix (ECM) component fibronectin (FN) depends at least in part on the alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1 integrins and the CD44 receptor. Aside from anchoring progenitors in the marrow microenvironment, beta1 integrin-dependent adhesion of normal CFC is associated with inhibition of their proliferation. In contrast to normal CFC, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) Ph+ CFC adhere significantly less to either stroma or FN. CML Ph+ CFC proliferation is also not inhibited by coculture with stroma or FN. However, equal numbers of alpha4, alpha5, and beta1 integrins and CD44 are present on CML and normal CD34+ cells. We have previously demonstrated that beta1-dependent adhesion to and subsequent proliferation inhibition by FN can be restored when CML Ph+ CFC are incubated with the beta1 integrin activating antibody, 8A2, and demonstrated a role for the alpha5beta1 integrin in this phenomenon. Since the integrin alpha4beta1 and the proteoglycan form of CD44 may cooperate in establishing normal CFC adhesion to FN, we examined if treatment of CML Ph+ CFC with 8A2 also restores the cooperativity between beta1 integrins and CD44. We demonstrate that 8A2 induces adhesion of CML Ph+ CFC not only to intact FN but also to alpha4beta1, alpha5beta1, and proteoglycan binding fragments of FN. 8A2-induced adhesion to these fragments and peptides also results in a significant inhibition of the proliferation of CML Ph+ CFC. Addition of antibodies to either the alpha5, alpha4, or beta1 integrins, antibodies against the CD44 receptor, or removal of chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans from the surface of CML CD34+ HLA-DR+ cells significantly reduced the 8A2-induced adhesion to and adhesion-mediated inhibition of proliferation by FN. These studies demonstrate that activation of beta1 integrins on CML Ph+ CFC not only results in upregulation of beta1 integrin-dependent adhesion and adhesion-mediated inhibition of proliferation, but also in the restoration of cooperation between beta1 integrins and CD44. These studies suggest that decreased beta1 integrin avidity may also affect the function of the proteoglycan adhesion receptor CD44, both of which may contribute to the abnormal circulation and expansion of malignant progenitors in CML.
Cytoplasmic and intra-nuclear binding of gentamicin does not require endocytosis.

Abstract Understanding the cellular mechanism(s) by which the oto- and nephrotoxic aminoglycoside antibiotics penetrate cells, and the precise intracellular distribution of these molecules, will enable identification of aminoglycoside-sensitive targets, and potential uptake blockers. Clones of two kidney cell lines, OK and MDCK, were treated with the aminoglycoside gentamicin linked to the fluorophore Texas Red (GTTR). As in earlier reports, endosomal accumulation was observed in live cells, or cells fixed with formaldehyde only. However, delipidation of fixed cells revealed GTTR fluorescence in cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. Immunolabeling of both GTTR and unconjugated gentamicin corresponded to the cytoplasmic distribution of GTTR fluorescence. Intra-nuclear GTTR binding co-localized with labeled RNA in the nucleoli and trans-nuclear tubules. Cytoplasmic and nuclear distribution of GTTR was quenched by phosphatidylinositol-bisphosphate (PIP 2 ), a known ligand for gentamicin. Cytoplasmic and nuclear GTTR binding increased over time (at 37 °C, or on ice to inhibit endocytosis), and was serially competed off by increasing concentrations of unconjugated gentamicin, i.e., GTTR binding is saturable. In contrast, little or no reduction of endocytotic GTTR uptake was observed when cells were co-incubated with up to 4 mg/mL unconjugated gentamicin. Thus, cytoplasmic and nuclear GTTR uptake is time-dependent, weakly temperature-dependent and saturable, suggesting that it occurs via an endosome-independent mechanism, implicating ion channels, transporters or pores in the plasma membrane as bioregulatory routes for gentamicin entry into cells.
Tactile Teaching: Exploring Protein Structure/Function Using Physical Models.

The technology now exists to construct physical models of proteins based on atomic coordinates of solved structures. We review here our recent experiences in using physical models to teach concepts of protein structure and function at both the high school and the undergraduate levels. At the high school level, physical models are used in a professional development program targeted to biology and chemistry teachers. This program has recently been expanded to include two student enrichment programs in which high school students participate in physical protein modeling activities. At the undergraduate level, we are currently exploring the usefulness of physical models in communicating concepts of protein structure and function that have been traditionally difficult to teach. We discuss our recent experience with two such examples: the close-packed nature of an enzyme active site and the pH-induced conformational change of the influenza hemagglutinin protein during virus infection.
A program for relapse prevention in schizophrenia: a controlled study.

Background: This study examined whether a program for relapse prevention (PRP) is more effective than treatment as usual (TAU) in reducing relapse and rehospitalization rates among outpatients with schizophrenia. Methods: Eighty-two outpatients with DSM-III-R schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomly assigned to receive either PRP (experimental group, n = 41) or TAU (control group, n = 41) and were followed up for an 18-month prospective controlled study. Patients in both groups were prescribed standard doses of maintenance antipsychotic medication. Treatment with PRP consisted of a combination of psychoeducation, active monitoring for prodromal symptoms with clinical intervention when such symptoms occurred, weekly group therapy for patients, and multifamily groups. The TAU consisted of biweekly individual supportive therapy and medication management. Results: Outcome rates over 18 months were 17% for relapse (7 patients) and 22% for rehospitalization (9 patients) in the PRP group, compared with 34% for relapse (14 patients) and 39% for rehospitalization (16 patients) in the TAU group (P = .01 and P = .03, respectively). Addition of age, sex, baseline Global Assessment Scale score, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores (3 measures), and substance abuse to the proportional hazards regression models all yielded nonsignificant effects. The PRP teams were much more likely than the TAU psychiatrists to identify prodromal episodes before patients met objective relapse criteria or needed hospitalization. Conclusions: The PRP was effective in detecting prodromal symptoms of relapse early in an episode. Crisis intervention including increased antipsychotic medication use during the prodromal phase reduced relapse and rehospitalization rates.
A Comparison of Four Modes of Evaluating Depth of Cure of Light-activated Composites

Four commonly used methods for evaluating depth of cure in light-activated composites were compared. Optical and scraping methods correlate well, but severely overestimate depth of cure as compared with hardness testing or degree of conversion analysis. Degree of conversion appears to be the most sensitive test of depth of cure.
Anisotropic flux pinning in a network of planar defects.

We consider a strong flux pinning by a network of high-${\mathit{j}}_{\mathit{c}}$ planar defects which can result in high macroscopic critical current densities ${\mathit{J}}_{\mathit{c}}$ in bulk superconductors. Such a pinning potential gives rise to a qualitative change of the structure of normal cores which turn into highly anisotropic phase cores described by equations of nonlocal Josephson electrodynamics. We obtained a solution of these equations for a vortex parallel to the planar defect and calculated the magnetic-field distribution and the transversal pinning force ${\mathit{f}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\perp}}}$ between the vortex and the defect. The longitudinal pinning force ${\mathit{f}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\parallel}}}$ of vortices along the defect is determined by both their magnetic interaction with pinned intragrain fluxons and local inhomogeneities of the defect. The force f(H) is shown to be highly anisotropic with respect to the current direction, the value ${\mathit{f}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\parallel}}}$ along the defect being much smaller than the perpendicular component ${\mathit{f}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\perp}}}$. This can result in the preferential flux motion along the percolative paths formed by planar defects, giving rise to a nonmonotonic ${\mathit{J}}_{\mathit{c}}$(H) dependence due to the increase of ${\mathit{f}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\parallel}}}$ with H caused by magnetic interaction of inter- and intragrain fluxons. The effect of topology of the pinning network on ${\mathit{J}}_{\mathit{c}}$ and flux creep is discussed. We also calculate the low-field dependences of ${\mathit{J}}_{\mathit{c}}$(H) and consider the regions of the T-H space, where a magnetic granularity transition can occur.
Mercury cycling in stream ecosystems. 2. Benthic methylmercury production and bed sediment-pore water partitioning.

Mercury speciation, controls on methylmercury (MeHg) production, and bed sediment−pore water partitioning of total Hg (THg) and MeHg were examined in bed sediment from eight geochemically diverse streams where atmospheric deposition was the predominant Hg input. Across all streams, sediment THg concentrations were best described as a combined function of sediment percent fines (%fines; particles < 63 μm) and organic content. MeHg concentrations were best described as a combined function of organic content and the activity of the Hg(II)-methylating microbial community and were comparable to MeHg concentrations in streams with Hg inputs from industrial and mining sources. Whole sediment tin-reducible inorganic reactive Hg (Hg(II)R) was used as a proxy measure for the Hg(II) pool available for microbial methylation. In conjunction with radiotracer-derived rate constants of 203Hg(II) methylation, Hg(II)R was used to calculate MeHg production potential rates and to explain the spatial variability in MeHg conce...
Consistency and asymptotic efficiency of slope estimates in stochastic approximation schemes

Adaptive stochastic approximation schemes for choosing the levels of x at which y is to be observed are useful in applications of the following nature. Suppose that in (1.1) x~ is the dosage level of a drug given to the i-th patient who turns up for treatment and that Yi is the response of the patient. Suppose also that an optimal response value y* is desired. Without loss of generality, we shall (replacing y~ by y~-y* if necessary) assume that y*=0. If 0 were known, then the dosage levels should all be set at 0. Since 0 is usually unknown, how can the dosage levels xi be chosen so as to approach the
Sex of teacher and referral frequency of sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade children

This investigation studied whether frequency of referral for special education services was dependent upon the sex of the teacher. The referrals for special education services for sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students of one school system were reviewed. The results indicated that male teachers referred proportionately significantly fewer students than did female teachers. Possibilities for the cause of this difference include different cultural expectations for both sex teachers and students, different abilities of male and female teachers, and the manner in which referrals are perceived by other school staff members.
The relationship of mathematics self-efficacy expectations to the selection of science-based college majors

Abstract The major purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship of mathematics self-efficacy expectations to the selection of science-based majors in college males and females. Based on results obtained from a pilot sample of college students, an instrument assessing mathematics self-efficacy expectations was developed. The items used in the mathematics self-efficacy scale included everyday math tasks, math problems, and math-based college courses. Subjects, 153 female and 109 male undergraduates, completed the mathematics self-efficacy scale, the Bem Sex Role Inventory, an adapted version of the Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Attitudes Scales, and a questionnaire concerning their college major choices. Results indicated that mathematics self-efficacy expectations were significantly related to the extent to which students selected science-based college majors, thus supporting the postulated role of cognitive mediational factors in educational and career choice behavior. In addition, the math-related self-efficacy expectations of college males were significantly stronger than were those of college females. Implications of the findings for the process of educational and career decision-making are discussed.
Urinary excretion of cyclic nucleotides and electrolytes in response to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT) in man

Urinary excretion of cyclic nucleotides and electrolytes in response to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT) in man
Photodissociation of metal-silicon clusters : Encapsulated versus surface-bound metal

Metal-silicon cluster cations of the form MSi(n)+ (M = Cu, Ag, Cr) are produced in a molecular beam with pulsed laser vaporization. These species are mass-selected in a reflectron time-of-flight spectrometer and studied with laser photodissociation at 532 and 355 nm. For the noble metals copper and silver, photodissociation of the n = 7 and 10 clusters proceeds primarily by the loss of metal atoms, indicating that the metal is not located within the interior of silicon cages, and that metal-silicon bonding is weaker than silicon-silicon bonding. Chromium-silicon clusters for n = 7 also lose primarily the metal atom, but at n = 15 and 16 these dissociate via the loss of silicon, producing smaller metal-silicon species. This behavior is consistent with stronger metal-silicon bonding and encapsulated metal structures, as suggested previously by theory. MSi6(+) cations are produced efficiently in all of these photodissociation processes, indicating that these species have enhanced stability compared to other small clusters. Improved values are obtained for the ionization potentials of Si7 and Si10.
The Advanced Raven’s Progressive Matrices: Normative Data for an American University Population and an Examination of the Relationship with Spearman’s g

AbstractNormative data for the Advanced Raven’s Progressive Matrices are presented based on 300 University of California, Berkeley, students. Correlations with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and the Terman Concept Mastery Test are reported. The relationship between the Advanced Raven’s Progressive Matrices and Spearman’s g is explored.
Comparison of Angiographic and Intravascular Ultrasonic Detection of Myocardial Bridging of the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, location, and clinical features of myocardial bridging (MB) detected by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and to compare IVUS-detectable versus angiographically detectable MBs. IVUS images were analyzed in 331 consecutive patients with de novo coronary lesions located in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). MB was defined as a segment of coronary artery having systolic compression and echocardiographically lucent muscle surrounding the artery (IVUS) or systolic milking (angiography). Although angiography detected MB in only 3% of patients (11 of 331), 75 MB segments (23%, 75 of 331, p or=0.5 mm) was not observed within the bridged segment of any patient with MB, although the study population had advanced atherosclerosis. Vessel and lumen areas in the MB segment were significantly smaller than those in adjacent proximal and even distal reference segments. Angiographically detectable MB was significantly longer, located more proximally in the LAD, and had more severe systolic compression by IVUS. Angiographically silent MB more often occurred in the presence of an adjacent proximal stenosis and lower left ventricular ejection fraction. In conclusion, IVUS may provide useful anatomic information for the accurate diagnosis of MBs that are largely angiographically silent. IVUS-detectable MBs were observed in approximately 1/4 of patients undergoing LAD imaging at our center.
Integrated marketing communications: From media channels to digital connectivity

Media is in the midst of a digital revolution that frees news, information and advertising from the technological limits of print and broadcast infrastructures. The digitization and networking of information transform marketing communications into a vastly different set of practices for connecting consumers and brands. This paper overviews the transformation in media and describes the implications for integrated marketing communications (IMC) practice and scholarship. Digital media brings about infinite reproduction of content, consumer networking, user-generated content and an expansion of media from news and entertainment to almost any technology that has a digital interface with people. The role of media in marketing communications practices shifts from the execution of message strategies into an extension of consumer understanding. Media planning, the practice of allocating a media budget across a set of vehicles, will be replaced by a dynamic, automated process that serves ads based on information st...
Control of hydrocarbon seepage intensity on level of biodegradation in sea bottom sediments

Offshore surface geochemical surveys, which target the surface expression of potential migration pathways for sampling such as fault scarps or diapiric features, have become a commonly-applied approach in the petroleum industry. Results of such surveys help to reduce risk on key exploration play elements and are used to evaluate prospects and to predict hydrocarbon phase and expected properties. Based on geochemical surveys conducted by ExxonMobil in many basins worldwide, there is an interrelation of the seep intensity (concentration) and level of biodegradation. Results from offshore west Africa, where many active macroseeps show moderate-to-severe biodegradation, and a frontier basin offshore United Kingdom (Rockall Trough), where active microseeps show no evidence of biodegradation, are compared. The specific biochemical controls on the difference in biodegradation-proneness are not known, although it appears that a certain threshold of oil concentration is needed to sustain an active bacterial community, or to exceed clay-adsorption capacities that may protect microseeps from biodegradation. It is notable that the 25-norhopane series, often considered an indication of severe biodegradation in reservoir oils, has not been recognized in even ultra-severely biodegraded seeps. This suggests that different biodegradation pathways may be followed in marine surface seeps versus those in subsurface hydrocarbon accumulations, a likely scenario in light of the fact that physiologically diverse bacterial communities are prevalent under different physiochemical conditions.
Combustion characteristics of simulated and shredded refuse

An experimental batch incinerator was used to measure burning and ignition rates in simulated and shredded refuse beds. Provision was made for measurement of refuse weight and fuel bed temperature distributions during combustion as well as the concentrations of CO, CO 2 , H 2 , O 2 , and CH 4 within the fuel bed. The burning rates of the shredded refuse were found to be insensitive to the fineness of shredding but varied with fuel bed density. For loosely packed shredded refuse, overfire air penetrated the bed at low underfire air rates and augmented the burning rate. At high underfire air rates burning rates became ignition limited and burning bed depths were approximately constant during the steady burning regime. No difficulty was experienced in initially igniting the shredded refuse even when underfire air rates of 275 lb hr −1 ft −2 were employed at the start of a run. The fuel bed gas composition measurements suggested that the water gas shift reaction (CO+H 2 O agCO 2 +H 2 ) was close to equilibrium at the top of the bed; this result provides a rough guideline for determining overfire air requirements. For the simulated refuse drying and pyrolysis occurred for prolonged periods after the surface of the fuel element had ignited.
Hemispheric asymmetries and early infantile autism

The observation that language disorders constitute a major symptom of early infantile autism has led some researchers to speculate that the autistic syndrome may be a result of brain damage to the left hemisphere. Such speculation has fostered a number of studies in which attempts have been made to link autism with ostensibly positive signs of left hemisphere damage, such as left-handedness and preferences for "right hemisphere" functional and cognitive activities. In the present review, contributions to this area are systematically reviewed. Studies attempting to demonstrate that an unusually high incidence of left-handedness occurs in autistic samples are examined. Functional and morphological studies examining patterns of asymmetry in autistic samples are reviewed. It is shown that most studies on handedness fail to account adequately for the role that age of subjects may play in the manifestation of left-handedness. A simple cause-and-effect model of abnormal cerebral asymmetry and autism is rejected in favor of a more integrative yet parsimonious model that specifically attempts to explain the language disorder common to autism.
Response to George C. Galster’s “Consequences From the Redistribution of Urban Poverty During the 1990s: A Cautionary Tale”:

Galster proposes that the reductions in the concentration of poverty in the United States in the 1990s may have unexpected negative consequences because of nonlinearities in the effect of neighborhood poverty on individual outcomes. Although the hypothesized effect is a theoretical possibility, there is far too much uncertainty in the functional form of neighborhood effects to have any confidence in Galster’s simulations based on coefficients from existing studies. Moreover, the hypothesized effects would apply to children and materialize over time, assuming that all else was equal. Yet, declining neighborhood poverty benefits both adults and children in myriad ways, so that the small hypothesized negative effects on the rates of various social problems, if they in fact exist, are likely to be swamped by the positive direct effects on children and their parents.
The vulnerable preschool child: The impact of biomedical and social risks on neurodevelopmental function

The scope of preschool children with biological risk and social disadvantage is large and includes over 1 million (28%) newborns per year. Currently in 1996, 7% of children are born with low birth weight, 1% are born with very low birth weight, 20% have alcohol exposure, and 10% have other drug exposure. Poverty is dynamic and impacts on 25% of children less than 6 years old with increased frequency in children who are minority, have mothers with less than a high school education, or are unmarried. There has been a markedly increased survival in very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight infants in the past 10 years. Outcomes of these neonatal populations reveals that parenchymal brain injury is the major predictor of cerebral palsy which occurs in 7% to 10% of very low birth weight survivors. However, poverty is the major predictor of low IQ. Fetal alcohol syndrome occurs in 1.9 per 1,000 births and is most often assoclated with mild mental retardation and educational underachievement. Studies investigating cocaine revealed that it is a multifactorial problem overlapping with polysubstance abuse and other risk factors for social disadvantage. The overwhelming number of children do not have cerebral palsy or severe mental retardation. The long-term impact is more subtle and needs more systematic analysis as well as critical evaluation of cognitive impairments and educational under-achievement. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) cannot be determined by one biological measure. Though multiple disability occurs in 70% of children with Sarnat stage 3 HIE, 30% of survivors are not disabled. Children with mild to moderate HIE have long-term outcomes that are influenced by 9- to 12-month neurodevelopmental status and social disadvantage. By combining strategies to lessen biological risks and enhance developmentally appropriate environments, long-term outcomes of preschool children can be optimized.
A Parameterization of the Central Axis Congruence Associated with Four Positions of a Rigid Body in Space

Given four positions of a rigid body in space, there is a congruence of lines that can be used as the central axes of cylindric cranks to guide the body through the four positions. This “central axis congruence” is a generalization of the center point curve of planar kinematics. It is known that this congruence is identical to the screw congruence which arises in the study of complementary screw quadrilateral. It is less well-known that the screw congruence is the “screw surface” of the 4C linkage formed by the complementary screw quadrilateral, and it is this relationship that we use to obtain a parameterization for the screw congruence and in turn, the central axis congruence. This parameterization should facilitate the use of this congruence in computer based design of spatial mechanisms.
Polarisation holding in long-length polarising fibres

The polarisation-holding ability of two long-length polarising fibres of different design is examined. Each polarising fibre exhibits a polarisation extinction ratio per unit length comparable to or better than that of the best corresponding polarisation-holding fibre. There is potential for further improvement in the performance of both polarising fibres by increasing the birefringence and/or the differential attenuation.
Trans-spectral absorption and scattering of electromagnetic radiation by diesel soot

The mass density normalized absorption and total scattering coefficients have been measured using in situ techniques at selected wavelengths from the visible to ~1 cm for soot generated by the open combustion of diesel fuel. Particle morphologies are complex although similar to those of soots of other hydrocarbons and methods of generation. An ellipsoidal model has been applied as an approximation to the often multiconnected, chainlike aerosol and then compared with the measured results. The experimental results show an approximate (λ)−1 dependence over more than five decades of wavelength data. There is only general agreement with the simplified calculations in this feature as well as in the magnitude.
A new hardware quantum-based encryption algorithm

Cryptography is entering a new age since the first steps that have been made towards quantum computing, which also poses a threat to the classical cryptosystem in general. In this paper, we introduce a new novel encryption technique and algorithm to improve quantum cryptography. The aim of the suggested scheme is to generate a digital signature in quantum computing. An arbitrated digital signature is introduced instead of the directed digital signature to avoid the denial of sending the message from the sender and pretending that the sender's private key was stolen or lost and the signature has been forged. The onetime pad operation that most quantum cryptography algorithms that have been proposed in the past is avoided to decrease the possibility of the channel eavesdropping. The presented algorithm in this paper uses quantum gates to do the encryption and decryption processes. In addition, new quantum gates are introduced, analyzed, and investigated in the encryption and decryption processes. The authors believe the gates that are used in the proposed algorithm improve the security for both classical and quantum computing. (Against)The proposed gates in the paper have plausible properties that position them as suitable candidates for encryption and decryption processes in quantum cryptography. To demonstrate the security features of the algorithm, it was simulated using MATLAB simulator, in particular through the Quack Quantum Library.
The Soft-Bodied Goblin Spiders of the New Genus Noonops (Araneae, Oonopidae)

ABSTRACT A new genus, Noonops, is established to contain 23 species of soft-bodied, New World oonopine spiders that differ from those of Oonops Templeton and similar genera in having the male palpal bulb fused to the cymbium, and from those of Wanops Chamberlin and Ivie and Oonopoides Bryant in having shorter legs. Six specific names are transferred from Oonops to Noonops: O. floridanus (Chamberlin and Ivie) from Florida and Georgia (chosen as the type species), O. gertschi Chickering from the Bahama Islands (which is placed as a junior synonym of N. floridanus), O.furtivus Gertsch from Texas and Tamaulipas, O. sonora Gertsch and Davis from Arizona, California, Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur, O. puebla Gertsch and Davis from Puebla, and O. chilapensis Chamberlin and Ivie from Guerrero. Males of N. sonora and females of N. furtivus are described for the first time; 18 new species are described: N. ocotillo, N. mortem, N. Joshua, N. skinner, N. coachella, and N. californicus from Arizona a...
LINKS BETWEEN MICROBIAL POPULATION DYNAMICS AND NITROGEN AVAILABILITY IN AN ALPINE ECOSYSTEM

Past studies of plant-microbe interactions in the alpine nitrogen cycle have revealed a seasonal separation of N use, with plants absorbing N primarily during the summer months and microbes immobilizing N primarily during the autumn months. On the basis of these studies, it has been concluded that competition for N between plants and microbes is minimized along this seasonal gradient. In this study, we examined more deeply the links between microbial population dynamics and plant N availability in an alpine dry meadow. We conducted a year-round field study and performed experiments on isolated soil microorganisms. Based on previous work in this ecosystem, we hypothesized that microbial biomass would decline before the plant growing season and would release N that would become available to plants. Microbial biomass was highest when soils were cold, in autumn, winter, and early spring. During this time, N was immobilized in microbial biomass. After snow melt in spring, microbial biomass decreased. A peak in the soil protein concentration was seen at this time, followed by peaks in soil amino acid and ammonium concentrations in late June. Soil protease rates were initially high after snow melt, decreased to below detection limits by midsummer, and partially recovered by late summer. Proteolytic activity in soil was saturated early in the growing season and became protein limited later in the summer. We concluded that the key event controlling N availability to alpine plants occurs after snow melt, when protein is released from the winter microbial biomass. This protein pulse provides substrate for soil proteases, which supply plants with amino acids during the growing season. On average, microbial biomass was lower in the summer than at other times, although the biomass fluctuated widely during the summer. Within the summer months, maximum numbers of amino-acid-degrading microorganisms and the max- imum amount of microbial biomass coincided with the peak in soil amino acids, when plants are most active. All bacterial strains isolated from this summer community had the ability to grow rapidly on low concentrations of amino acids and to degrade protein. This explains the previously observed result that the soil microbial biomass can compete strongly with plants for organic N, despite the seasonal offset of maximum plant and microbial N uptake.
Pneumocystis: A Novel Pathogen in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) results in significant morbidity and mortality. Smoking has long been recognized as the primary risk factor for development of COPD, but factors determining the severity or pattern of disease in smokers are largely unknown. Recent interest has focused on the potential role of infectious agents and the associated host response in accelerating progression of airway obstruction or in perpetuating its progression following discontinuation of tobacco exposure. Pneumocystis jirovecii is a fungal pathogen that causes pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals. Recent evidence has linked this organism with COPD. Using sensitive molecular techniques, low levels of Pneumocystis have been detected in the respiratory tract of certain individuals and termed colonization. Several findings support the theory that colonization with Pneumocystis is involved in the "vicious circle" hypothesis of COPD in which colonization with organisms perpetuates an inflammatory and lung remodeling response. Pneumocystis colonization is more prevalent in smokers and in those with severe COPD. The presence of Pneumocystis in the lungs, even at low levels, produces inflammatory changes similar to those seen in COPD, with increases in numbers of neutrophils and CD8(+) lymphocytes. HIV-infected subjects who have had PCP develop permanent airway obstruction, and HIV-infected patients have a high prevalence of both emphysema and Pneumocystis colonization. In addition, a non-human primate model of colonization shows development of airway obstruction and radiographic emphysema. Additional studies are needed to confirm the role of Pneumocystis in the pathogenesis of COPD, given that this agent might be a treatable co-factor in disease progression.
Pulsed Laser Deposition of ZnO: Energetic Rydberg State Atoms and Their Impact on Film Growth

Zinc oxide films were grown on both -MgO and amorphous SiO2 substrates using either a Zn or a ZnO target in a background ambient of oxygen. Using a time-of-flight quadrupole mass spectrometer (TOFQMS), the kinetic energies (~1–2000eV) and the charge state of atoms and small molecules in the ablation plumes from both targets were examined. A unique capability of this TOFQMS is the ability to examine the dynamics of the ion-electron recombination process, and this feature was used to try to quantify long-lived excited state particles within the ablation plume. It was found that the relative amount of neutral species formed by ion recombination was larger in the case of the Zn target compared to the ZnO. A detailed comparison of the ZnO film microstructure prepared with both targets at two deposition pressures (0.01 and 0.1 torr) and a variety of substrate temperatures from 50–500°C was performed. The crystallographic and morphological results suggest that the condensation of highly electronically excited state particles, both ions and long-lived excited state neutrals likely affects film growth, and can enhance desirable surface processes, such as athermal recrystallizalion and surface mobility, that favor oriented crystal growth at lower substrate temperatures.