cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PROPERTIES OF COMPACTED SEWAGE ASH

PROPERLY COMPACTED SEWAGE ASH FROM A LOCAL TREATMENT PLANT EXHIBITS SUFFICIENT STRENGTH AND STABILITY TO RECOMMEND ITS USE ON A TRIAL BASIS AS A BACKFILL, LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURAL FILL, OR SUBBASE MATERIAL. LIME IS ADDED DURING SEWAGE TREATMENT, AND SUBSEQUENTLY IS CONCENTRATED IN THE ASH RESIDUE AS A RESULT OF INCINERATION. THE HIGH LIME CONTENT OF THE ASH IS LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS AGE-HARDENING PROPERTIES AND RESISTANCE TO MOISTURE AND FROST. THE COMPACTION CHARACTERISTICS OF SEWAGE ASH ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF A CONVENTIONAL SOIL, EXCEPT THAT MAXIMUM DRY DENSITIES ARE LOWER AND OPTIMUM WATER CONTENTS ABOUT DOUBLE. USE OF COMPACTED SEWAGE ASH IN CIVIL ENGINEERING PRACTICE WOULD SERVE A TWO-FOLD PURPOSE,VIZ., WASTE DISPOSAL ON THE ONE HAND, AND PROVISION OF A LIGHTWEIGHT FILL OR EMBANKMENT MATERIAL. /AUTHOR/
The Production of Petawatt Laser Pulses

Chirped-pulse amplification applied to broad-bandwidth solid-state lasers has created a revolution in the production and use of terawatt and now petawatt class lasers.1,2 The concepts and technology contributing to this revolution have evolved continuously since the early 1970’s. Following the grating compressor work of Treacy3, Bischell4 and others described the application of chirped-pulse amplification to Nd:Glass lasers. This was followed by a large amount of work on fiber-grating pulse compression for communication research.5 In 1985, Strickland and Mourou combined many of these ideas into the first practical demonstration of chirped-pulse amplification with a solid-state laser.6 Following this initial demonstration, rapid developments in technology such as the stretcher design of Martinez7 led to small scale systems capable of terawatt8 and multiterawatt pulses.9–11 Occurring in parallel with the development of chirped-pulse amplification technology using Nd:Glass lasers, was the development of the new laser material, titanium-doped sapphire. The commercial availability of this unique laser material dramatically propelled the revolution in CPA based solid-state lasers. An overwhelming majority of CPA lasers now employ Ti:sapphire either throughout the entire laser system or at least as the oscillator material.13 These early developments and the large amount of effort that has gone into the laser technology in recent years have culminated in high pulse energy systems producing pulses with a peak power of 125 TW14 and very short-pulse systems producing multiterawatt pulses which only contain a few optical cycles.15–18 Here, we describe the limits of CPA technology in the context of a large scale system producing pulses with a peak power exceeding 1.25 petawatts (1250 TW).
Principles of Animal Extrapolation (1991)

ANIMAL EXTRAPOLATION: AN INTRODUCTION. Federal Legislation and Predictive Toxicology. The Early Use of Animal Models. How Much Testing Is Needed? Are Perfect Testing Schemes Possible? Inadequacies of Present Predictive Schemes. Animal Rights, Humane Considerations, and Human Needs. Educating the Public: Perception Versus Reality. Regulatory Needs. ABSORPTION: INTERSPECIES DIFFERENCES. The Gastrointestinal Tract. Dermal Absorption. Respiratory Tract Absorption. INTESTINAL MICROFLORA. Introduction. Interspecies Differences. Summary. TISSUE DISTRIBUTION: INTERSPECIES DIFFERENCES. Protein Binding. Biliary Excretion. The Blood-Brain Barrier: The Toxicological Implications of Interspecies Differences in Maturation. Interspecies Differences in the Tissue Distribution of Mercury. COMPARATIVE METABOLISM: THE PRINCIPAL CAUSE OF DIFFERENTIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY TO TOXIC AND CARCINOGENIC AGENTS. General Principles. Organophosphate Insecticides: A Specific Application. Other Examples. A REEVALUATION OF THE RAT AS A LABORATORY ANIMAL. ANIMAL MODELS FOR SELECTED HIGH-RISK GROUPS. Introduction. Hereditary Blood Disorders. White Blood Cells: Interspecies Differences in the Detoxification of Hydrogen Peroxide by Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes. Cardiovascular Disease Models. Sulfite Oxidase Deficiency in the Hepatic Disease Model: A High-Risk Factor in Sulfur Dioxide, Sulfite, and Bisulfite Toxicity, and Possible Animal Models. Respiratory Disorders. DERMATOXICITY: PREDICTIVE MODELS. Ocular Toxicity. Contact Dermatitis. Allergic Hypersensitivity. Phototoxicity. GENOTOXICITY: PREDICTIVE MODELS. The Relationship of Mutagenicity to Carcinogenicity. Quantitative Interspecies Comparisons of Genetic Damage. An Attempt to Establish the Biological Basis of Interspecies Predictions of Mutation Rates. DNA REPAIR: INTERSPECIES DIFFERENCES. Introduction. DNA Repair and Carcinogenesis. Interspecies Comparisons of DNA Repair Processes. Summary. TERATOGENICITY: PREDICTIVE MODELS. The Use of Predictive Animal Models in Teratogenicity Testing Before the Thalidomide Tragedy. The Predictive Potential of Animal Models. New Approaches. Interspecies Differences in Metabolism. Comparative Placental Morphology and Function in Animal Models. Discussion and Conclusions. SCALING: AN ATTEMPT TO FIND A COMMON DENOMINATOR. Introduction. The Scaling Concept. Pharmacokinetics: Dependence on Body Weight. The Use of Scaling in Carcinogen Evaluation. The use of Allometry in Extrapolation: A Summary. Lifespan, a Common Denominator for Interspecies Comparisons in Carcinogenicity Studies: Another Example of Scaling Effects. DOWNWARD EXTRAPOLATION. Establishing Dose-Response Relationships. Safety Factors. Attempts to Determine Safe Doses for Carcinogens. Latency as a Function of Dose in Cancer Development. Quantitative Approaches to Downward Extrapolation. The Biological Plausibility of the Models. Attempts to Validate Downward Extrapolation Models. The Use of Quantitative Risk Evaluation by U.S. Regulatory Agencies. ANIMAL EXTRAPOLATION: A SUMMARY. INDEX.
Approximation Schemes for Geometric NP-Hard Problems: A Survey

Geometric optimization problems arise in many disciplines and are often NP- hard. One example is the famous Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP): given n points in the plane (more generally, in ℜd), find the shortest closed path that visits them all.
Use of mindful reappraisal coping among meditation practitioners.

Objective By enhancing positive affect and cognitive flexibility, mindfulness practice may promote reappraisal of stressors. We hypothesized that coping through mindful reappraisal would be common among mindfulness practitioners from an array of traditions. Method A sample of 118 meditation practitioners completed an online survey comprising assessments of the prevalence and frequency of mindful reappraisal, as well as measures of well-being and distress. Results Regular use of mindful reappraisal was reported by over half of the sample and was significantly correlated with years of meditation practice (r = .31, p = .01), meditation practice days per month (r = .30, p = .001), and meditation hours per week (r = .30, p = .001). Controlling for frequency of meditation practice and trait mindfulness, mindful reappraisal frequency explained significant portions of variance in well-being (P <.001) and distress (P <.001). Conclusions Meditation practitioners commonly employ mindful reappraisal coping as a positive emotion regulatory strategy in stressful contexts.
Are Chaplygin gases serious contenders for the dark energy

We study the implications on both background and perturbation evolution of introducing a Chaplygin gas component in the universe's ingredients. We perform likelihood analyses using wide-ranging, SN1a, CMB and large scale structure observations to assess whether such a component could be a genuine alternative to a cosmological constant, $\ensuremath{\Lambda}.$ We find that the current data favors behavior in an adiabatic Chaplygin gas that is akin to a cosmological constant.
Stress-timing and syllable-timing reanalyzed.

Abstract: Comparisons of data from continuous texts in English, Thai, Spanish, Italian and Greek, show that interstress intervals in English, a stress-timed language, are no more isochronous than interstress intervals in Spanish, a syllable-timed language, or any of the other languages investigated. A tendency for stresses to recur regularly appears to be a language universal property. The difference between stress-timed and syllable-timed languages has to do with differences in syllable structure, vowel reduction, and the phonetic realization of stress and its influence on the linguistic system. Languages, language varieties, or historical stages of a language can be considered more or less stress-based depending on differences in these characteristics. It seems likely that rhythmic grouping takes place even in languages which have been called syllable-timed.
Role for microglia in sex differences after ischemic stroke: importance of M2

Inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. This process depends, in part, upon proinflammatory factors released by activated resident central nervous system (CNS) microglia (MG). Previous studies demonstrated that transfer of IL-10(+) B-cells reduced infarct volumes in male C57BL/6 J recipient mice when given 24 h prior to or therapeutically at 4 or 24 h after experimental stroke induced by 60 min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The present study assesses possible sex differences in immunoregulation by IL-10(+) B-cells on primary male vs. female MG cultured from naive and ischemic stroke-induced mice. Thus, MG cultures were treated with recombinant (r)IL-10, rIL-4 or IL-10(+) B-cells after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation and evaluated by flow cytometry for production of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors. We found that IL-10(+) B-cells significantly reduced MG production of TNF-α, IL-1β and CCL3 post-MCAO and increased their expression of the anti-inflammatory M2 marker, CD206, by cell-cell interactions. Moreover, MG from female vs. male mice had higher expression of IL-4 and IL-10 receptors and increased production of IL-4, especially after treatment with IL-10(+) B-cells. These findings indicate that IL-10-producing B-cells play a crucial role in regulating MG activation, proinflammatory cytokine release and M2 phenotype induction, post-MCAO, with heightened sensitivity of female MG to IL-4 and IL-10. This study, coupled with our previous demonstration of increased numbers of transferred IL-10(+) B-cells in the ischemic hemisphere, provide a mechanistic basis for local regulation by secreted IL-10 and IL-4 as well as direct B-cell/MG interactions that promote M2-MG.
A discrepancy theory of the relationship between communication and job satisfaction

This study found moderate differences in correlations between communication and job satisfaction using a discrepancy framework when high, as opposed to low, valence rewards are communicated and significant differences in job satisfaction when high valence rewards are communicated versus when high valence rewards are not communicated.
Law Enforcement and Security Challenges in the U.S.-Mexican Border Region

Abstract This article examines law enforcement and security challenges of the U.S.‐Mexican border region in light of the emergent, but still inchoate policy regime following from the September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. Unlike long‐standing challenges rooted in basic economic forces of supply‐and‐demand, the new national security challenges confronted in the post‐9/11 context are the result of the deliberate intent to cause harm. In order to be effective in guarding against this new set of challenges, policy makers and enforcers have therefore begun to adapt existing mechanisms—currently devoted to curbing market driven behaviors—to preventing and reducing harm.
A Fundamental Theorem of Calculus that Applies to All Riemann Integrable Functions

(1991). A Fundamental Theorem of Calculus that Applies to All Riemann Integrable Functions. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 64, No. 5, pp. 347-348.
International Conflict as a Decision System

Recent conflict studies that combine the behavioral decision-making approach with quantitative systems theory are yielding new insights and new verification methods in policy analysis. They can be characterized as "decision system" studies. The present study proposes and quantitatively verifies several hypotheses about how the British Navy budget was decided over a seventy-year period before World Wars I and II. It concludes that actual decisions can be very precisely modeled in terms of an arms budget race with goals that shifted intermittently due to (a) changes in the countries identified as antagonists, and (b) changes in relative aspiration levels. The levels and changes of goals are validated by reference to known historical incidents. Although technological and strategic military factors were prominently discussed in public debates, they had little direct influence on budget levels. Similarly, domestic economic and political party factors were often mentioned in connection with the naval budget, bu...
Structural perfection of the Si(111)-(1 x 1) As surface.

We have used medium-energy ion scattering to determine the structure of the arsenic-saturated Si(111) surface. Unlike the clean surface, which is reconstructed with a (7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7) symmetry, the arsenic chemisorbed surface exhibits a (1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1) symmetry at near monolayer coverages. Ion-scattering yields show a decrease in the number of displaced silicon atoms due to a partial removal of the reconstruction accompanied by some disorder. The arsenic-silicon spacing is relaxed outwards from the bulk silicon interplanar spacing by 0.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 A\r{}.
Dynamics of Hypoid Gears With Emphasis on Effect of Shaft Rotation on Vibratory Response

The effect of large displacement rotational motion of the shafting system on the higher frequency, small displacement vibratory motion primarily excited by gear transmission error and variation of gear mesh stiffness is examined in this paper. Traditional hypoid gear dynamic analysis based on a pure vibration model assumes that the system perturbs about its mean position without coupling to the large displacement rotational motion. To improve on this approach and understanding of the influences of the dynamic interaction, a coupled multi-body dynamic and vibration simulation of the hypoid geared rotor system is performed. In the proposed formulation, a multi-degrees-of-freedom, multi-body hypoid geared rotor system dynamic model is developed to calculate the combined motion of the large displacement rotation of the shaft and small vibratory motion of the gear pair. The formulation may be generalized to other forms of gearing because hypoid gears have more complicated geometry and time-varying mesh characteristics when compared to parallel axis gears. Numerical simulation results are compared to those derived from the classical analytical method that only considers pure vibration effect. The proposed theory also provides new approaches to investigate both steady-state and transient geared rotor system dynamics.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Microprogramming and microcontrol a hardware definition

Abstract This paper tries to give a simple and effective definition of ‘microprogramming’ by reducing this notion to the concept of a “microcontrolled” machine. The class of micro-controlled machines can rigorously be defined using the terminology of switching algebra. These definitions are then used to specify quantitative parameters for the classification of microcontrolled machines.
A galloylated dimeric proanthocyanidin from grape seed exhibits dentin biomodification potential.

Abstract Grape seeds are a rich source of polyphenols, especially proanthocyanidins (PACs), and are also known for the presence of galloylated oligomeric PACs (OPACs). The present study focuses on the phytochemical methodology for grape seed (O)PACs and their potential role as dentin biomodifiers to be used in restorative and reparative dentistry. A new method using centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) was developed for the preparative separation of the grape seed (O)PACs. Orthogonal phytochemical profiling of the resulting CPC fractions was performed using C18 and diol HPLC, normal phase HPTLC, and IT-TOF MS analysis. A galloylated procyanidin dimer ( 1 ) was isolated from a CPC fraction in order to evaluate its potential to enhance dentin bio-mechanical properties. Moreover, it helped to evaluate the impact of the galloyl moiety on the observed bioactivity. Structure elucidation was performed using ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR analyses. For the first time, 1 H iterative full spin analysis (HiFSA) was performed on this type of molecule, enabling a detailed proton chemical shift and coupling constant assignment. The CPC fractions as well as 1 showed promising results in the dentin stiffness bioassay and indicate that they may be used as dental intervention biomaterial.
Aneurysm growth, elastinolysis, and attempted doxycycline inhibition of elastase-induced aneurysms in rabbits.

PURPOSE To establish the relationship between elastin degradation and aneurysm growth in New Zealand white rabbit model aneurysms, and to explore the potential for pharmacologic inhibition of elastinolysis and aneurysm growth with use of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor doxycycline. MATERIALS AND METHODS Elastase-induced, saccular aneurysms created in the right common carotid artery in 30 animals randomly divided into controls ( n = 16) and doxycycline treated ( n = 14) were studied. Aneurysm growth was determined by angiography and aneurysm specimens were collected at 7 and 14 days for histologic and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS Aneurysms were characterized by marked elastin degradation and thickening of the arterial wall media in the absence of inflammatory cell markers. There was no evidence for expression of MMPs in the aneurysm wall at any time point. Aneurysm formation and growth were not prevented by the systemic administration of doxycycline. Mean aneurysm width increased from 3.1 = 0.7 mm at 3 days to 3.7 = 0.8 mm at 7 days and 4.2 = 0.8 mm at 14 days ( P = .012 and P = .017, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in aneurysm size and elastin content at any time point between doxycycline treated and control animals. CONCLUSION Elastase-induced rabbit aneurysm formation is accompanied by total elastin destruction that was not inhibited by the administration of doxycycline. Aneurysms in this model may be caused by the initial infusion of elastase, rather than by ongoing degradation from endogenous proteases released by inflammatory cells.
Effects of nanoclay morphology on the mechanical, thermal, and fire-retardant properties of vinyl ester based nanocomposite

The purpose of this study was to find the optimum mixing technique that leads to maximum gain in mechanical, thermal, and fire-retardant properties of vinyl ester based nanocomposites. Specifically, five combinations of incremental mixing intensity were applied to five groups of samples that were made of vinyl ester resin reinforced by 1.0 wt.% of montmorillonite (MMT). Changes in mechanical properties associated with each mixing combination were examined through a variety of tests, which were low velocity impact test, bending test, compression test, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Additionally, changes in thermal properties (thermal diffusivity, glass transition temperature) and fire-retardant properties associated with each mixing combination were also evaluated. The results were compared with pure vinyl ester resin. Finally, an optimum mixing combination was proposed. This study will be a meaningful addition to the current nanocomposites research literature because few studies were comprehensive ones where various mixing combinations were compared and ultimately an optimum mixing technique was recommended.
Nonreciprocal optical resonators in 2D photonic crystals

We explore non-reciprocal resonators in 2D photonic crystal system. Magnetic domain walls are patterned to introduce complex-valued hybridization from two doubly-degenerate cavity modes. A four-terminal optical isolator structure is demonstrated in numerical simulations.
Parametric fixed point algorithms with applications to economic policy analysis

Abstract Parametric fixed point algorithms are developed which construct the general equilibrium paths of continuous one-parameter families of economies. The algorithms are used to devise a dynamic framework for economic policy analysis in a general equilibrium setting. Applications to taxation policy issues are developed in detail.
What we know and don't know about the bioeffects of nanoparticles: developing experimental approaches for safety assessment.

The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates nano-based medical products and therefore is required to address the safety and biological effects of nano-scale materials used in these products. Both in vitro and in vivo toxicological research studies are being conducted at the FDA to help determine the risks versus benefits of these new products. This article will briefly summarize some of the initial research findings from FDA-CDRH studies using TiO2, polystyrene, and silicon nanoparticles.
Multiply charged magnetic monopoles, SU(3) pseudoparticles, and gravitational pseudoparticles

We demonstrate how the finite-energy unit magnetic monopole of an SU(2) gauge theory generalizes to configurations with multiple magnetic charge when properly embedded in higher-rank gauge theories. Masses and stability properties of these topologically distinct solutions are discussed. This same generalization is shown to hold for the pseudoparticle solution of Euclidean Yang-Mills theories. Finally, properties of the gravitational pseudoparticle solutions to the Einstein field equations are exhibited and discussed.
Fabrication Mechanism of in-Situ Synthesized Al3Ti-Mg Composites by Vacuum Hot-Pressing

For getting better properties and simplifying processes, the in-situ synthesized Al3Ti/Mg composites were prepared by vacuum hot-pressing. Phase composites and microstructures of composites were researched by methods such as XRD and SEM. The result indicated that fine Al3Ti particulates with size of 0.5~2.0 μm were distributed uniformly in Magnesium matrix and combined closely with the matrix. The mechanism of in-situ synthesized Al3Ti in Magnesium matrix was discussed and a model of micro structural reaction between Ti and Al was brought forward.
Effects of fixed partial root-zone drying irrigation and soil texture on water and solute dynamics in calcareous soils and corn yield

Abstract Water dynamics and salt distribution in the soil were studied under Fixed Partial Root zone Drying irrigation (FPRD) conditions in corn fields in Northern Greece. FPRD irrigation technique was applied without deficit treatment in two calcareous soils, a sandy clay loam and a sandy loam. Soil water content was recorded in the vertical profile of 0.6 m with the use of capacitance sensors in the row and interrow positions of plants. Salt built-up was monitored to the depth of the root zone, bi-weekly, by measuring electrical conductivity (ECe) and the concentrations of soluble cations Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ of the saturation extract on irrigated and non irrigated interrow positions. Soil moisture distribution and salt built-up in soil were used to evaluate the potentials and constraints of FPRD efficiency to sustain plant growth and crop production as a low cost drip irrigation technique. The results indicated that FPRD application on both soils was capable of supplying sufficient amounts of water on plant row. Soil analyses showed that salts accumulated to high levels in the soil surface and decreased in depth at the non irrigated interrow positions. Spatial and temporal variability of salt movement and distribution in the soil profile of 0.6 m were ascribed to soil textural differences. The development and yield of corn plants for both soils reached the usual standards for the area with a minor decrease in the sandy loam soil.
Lateral line morphology and cranial osteology of the rubynose brotula, Cataetyx rubrirostris.

Cranial osteology, canal neuromast distribution, superficial neuromast distribution and innervation, and cephalic pore structure were studied in cleared and stained specimens of the deep sea brotulid Cataetyx rubrirostris. The cranial bone structure of C. rubrirostris is similar to other brotulids (Dicrolene sp.) and zoarcids (Zoarces sp.), except for an unusual amount of overlapping of the bones surrounding the cranial vault. The superficial neuromasts are innervated by the anterodorsal, anteroventral, middle and posterior lateral line nerves and are organized similarly to those of the blind ophidioid cave fish Typhliasina pearsei. The cephalic pores open into a widened lateral line canal system. The canal is compartmentalized into a series of neuromast-containing chambers that probably amplify signals received by the system.
Legitimizing Technical Communication in English Departments: Carolyn Miller's “Humanistic Rationale for Technical Writing”

Carolyn Miller's oft-cited “Humanistic Rationale for Technical Writing,” published in 1979, tries to give technical communication faculty more cultural capital in English departments controlled by ...
One Dimensional Infinite-horizon Variational Problems arising in Continuum Mechanics

In this paper we study a variational problem for real valued functions defined on an infinite semiaxis of the line. To wit, given x ∈ ℝ2 we seek a “minimal solution” to the problem Minimize the functional given by $$I\left( {w\left( \cdot \right)} \right) = \int\limits_{0}^{\infty } {f\left( {w\left( s \right),\ddot{w}\left( s \right)} \right)} ds,w \in Ax = \left\{ {\upsilon \in W_{{loc}}^{{2,1}}\left( {0,\infty } \right):\left( {\upsilon \left( 0 \right),\dot{\upsilon }\left( 0 \right) = x} \right)} \right\}.$$ (P∞)
High-Resolution Electrochemical Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (EC-STM) Flow-Cell Studies

Atomic-level studies involving an electrochemical scanning tunneling microscope (EC-STM) flow-cell are presented. Multiple electrochemical atomic layer epitaxy (EC-ALE) cycles of CdTe formation were observed. For a binary compound (i.e., CdTe), an EC-ALE cycle involves exposure of the substrate to a solution of the first precursor (CdSO4), followed by exposure to the second precursor (TeO2), while maintaining potential control. Interleaving blank rinses may also be used, but were omitted in the present studies. To allow the exchange of solutions, the EC-STM cell was modified to allow solution exchange via a single peristaltic pump. A selection valve was used to choose the solution to be introduced into the cell. There is evidence that the growth of the initial layer of CdTe on Au(111), the (√7 × √7)-CdTe monolayer, can be improved in homogeneity and morphology by repeatedly depositing and stripping the Cd atomic layer. Therefore, a new starting cycle, which should improve the quality of deposits formed vi...
Aggressive reactions to a frustrating phone call.

Summary Ninety male and female Chicano and Anglo Ss were called by six Es who were either polite or aggressive and had either called and hung up previously or not. No differences due to sex or ethnic background of Ss were found nor any effect of a previous ring. However, Ss called by a male E or by an aggressive E were more aggressive as evidenced by their tone of voice at the beginning and end of the call, their comments, and E's overall impression. Particularly in the aggressive condition, but even in the polite condition, Ss increased the aggressiveness of their tone of voice from beginning to end of the call.
Estrogen Receptor Antagonists Are Anti-Cryptococcal Agents That Directly Bind EF Hand Proteins and Synergize with Fluconazole In Vivo

ABSTRACT Cryptococcosis is an infectious disease of global significance for which new therapies are needed. Repurposing previously developed drugs for new indications can expedite the translation of new therapies from bench to beside. Here, we characterized the anti-cryptococcal activity and antifungal mechanism of estrogen receptor antagonists related to the breast cancer drugs tamoxifen and toremifene. Tamoxifen and toremifene are fungicidal and synergize with fluconazole and amphotericin B in vitro . In a mouse model of disseminated cryptococcosis, tamoxifen at concentrations achievable in humans combines with fluconazole to decrease brain burden by ~1 log 10 . In addition, these drugs inhibit the growth of Cryptococcus neoformans within macrophages, a niche not accessible by current antifungal drugs. Toremifene and tamoxifen directly bind to the essential EF hand protein calmodulin, as determined by thermal shift assays with purified C. neoformans calmodulin (Cam1), prevent Cam1 from binding to its well-characterized substrate calcineurin (Cna1), and block Cna1 activation. In whole cells, toremifene and tamoxifen block the calcineurin-dependent nuclear localization of the transcription factor Crz1. A large-scale chemical genetic screen with a library of C. neoformans deletion mutants identified a second EF hand-containing protein, which we have named calmodulin-like protein 1 (CNAG_05655), as a potential target, and further analysis showed that toremifene directly binds Cml1 and modulates its ability to bind and activate Cna1. Importantly, tamoxifen analogs (idoxifene and methylene-idoxifene) with increased calmodulin antagonism display improved anti-cryptococcal activity, indicating that calmodulin inhibition can be used to guide a systematic optimization of the anti-cryptococcal activity of the triphenylethylene scaffold. IMPORTANCE Worldwide, cryptococcosis affects approximately 1 million people annually and kills more HIV/AIDS patients per year than tuberculosis. The gold standard therapy for cryptococcosis is amphotericin B plus 5-flucytosine, but this regimen is not readily available in regions where resources are limited and where the burden of disease is highest. Herein, we show that molecules related to the breast cancer drug tamoxifen are fungicidal for Cryptococcus and display a number of pharmacological properties desirable for an anti-cryptococcal drug, including synergistic fungicidal activity with fluconazole in vitro and in vivo , oral bioavailability, and activity within macrophages. We have also demonstrated that this class of molecules targets calmodulin as part of their mechanism of action and that tamoxifen analogs with increased calmodulin antagonism have improved anti-cryptococcal activity. Taken together, these results indicate that tamoxifen is a pharmacologically attractive scaffold for the development of new anti-cryptococcal drugs and provide a mechanistic basis for its further optimization.
Basic steps in genetic engineering

Genetic engineering is accomplished in three basic steps. These are (1) The isolation of DNA fragments from a donor organism; (2) The insertion of an isolated donor DNA fragment into a vector genome and (3) The growth of a recombinant vector in an appropriate host. These steps are briefly reviewed and the part∗that they each play in a genetic engineering experiment is discussed.
STUDIES IN BOVINE MASTITIS : I. NON-HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI IN INFLAMMATION OF THE UDDER.

Aside from the streptococci, micrococci have been the next most frequent group of organisms isolated from inflamed udders. They produce various types of disease. Some give rise to only a mild catarrh of the larger milk ducts and cystern, while others produce more or less severe parenchymatous inflammation. On the whole, the prognosis is more favorable with micrococcic infection than with that associated with streptococci. Cases of considerable severity have, however, been attributed to staphylococci. Micrococci similar in many respects to those associated with mastitis have been found to occur in the normal udder. This has led Savage to question their true etiological significance. In many instances micrococci may gain access to the udder and produce slight disturbances that are entirely overlooked. Even more severe changes may follow infection. After recovery the organisms still remain in the milk. This was observed in the case of Cow 60 infected with staphylococci. One frequently observes the elimination of streptococci from the udder even after apparent recovery from an attack of streptococcic mastitis. Doubtless streptococci and micrococci observed in these udders would be classed as belonging to the normal flora. Even though micrococci do occur in supposedly normal udders Evans has shown that many are pathogenic for rabbits. The introduction of these organisms into the udders of non-resistant individuals might well give rise to more or less intense inflammation. The multiplication would doubtless be rapid until resistance had been established. In addition to the micrococci two other groups of rod-shaped organisms have been found associated with udder inflammation. In two instances Bacillus coli has been isolated from cases of mastitis and in another Bacillus lactis aerogenes. In four, tiny motile Gramstaining microorganisms have been obtained in pure culture. Two of these strains (Nos. C.79 and M.44) have been identified as Bacillus pyogenes.
Polystyrene freeze-dried from dilute solution : Tg depression and residual solvent effects

Abstract The calorimetric glass transition temperature, T g , was measured for both linear and cyclic polystyrenes freeze-dried from dilute solutions of 0.10, 0.05, and 0.02% of polymer by weight in benzene. Upon freeze-drying, T g was found to be depressed by 4–15 K depending on the sample, solvent concentration, and freezing conditions. Annealing under vacuum at moderate temperatures, from 40 to 140 °C and 0.05 Torr, resulted in the shift of T g back towards its bulk value and was accompanied by a decrease in sample weight. The data is consistent with the observed weight loss being due to residual solvent. The amount of residual solvent is a strong function of the annealing temperature and the initial freeze-drying solution concentration; exposure to vacuum at temperatures far below T g is generally insufficient for residual solvent removal.
Photoinitiated collisions between cold Cs Rydberg atoms

Experimental studies of a photoinitiated collision in an ultracold Cs Rydberg gas are presented. The process is characterized by measuring the laser intensity dependence of the absorption, the number of particles leaving each collision, and the recoil velocity of the collision fragments. The results of the experiment are compared to ab initio Rydberg pair interaction potentials.
Displacement cascades in the ordered compound CuTi studied by molecular-dynamics simulations

Abstract The properties of displacement cascades of up to 5 keV in energy in the ordered intermetallic compound CuTi were investigated by molecular-dynamics simulations. Various aspects of the cascade evolution were examined, including the production of Frenkel pairs, “pure” replacements, and antisite defects, as well as the anisotropy of the displacement threshold energy. The minimum displacement threshold energy (15 eV) is found for the 〈100〉 recoil directions. The average threshold energy for displacement initiated by a Ti primary-knock-on atom (78 eV) is ∼ 1.7 times larger than that by a Cu primary-knock-on atom (47 eV). The damage function was analyzed, based on the average number of stable Frenkel pairs generated by both kinds of primary knock-on atoms in 18 directions. Multiple defect production is found for cascade energies ≥ 500 eV. Around this energy, ∼ 25 replacements are created for each stable Frenkel pair. Planar cascades occur in the (100), (010) and (110) planes under certain conditions, producing significantly more Frenkel pairs than in the case of three-dimensional cascades. Melting of the core of a 5 keV cascade during the first 5 ps causes efficient, local atomic mixing. After recrystallization at the end of the event, the impact region shows a high degree of chemical disorder, characterized by a chemical short-range order parameter of 0.49. The efficiency of Frenkel-pair production by a 5 keV recoil is estimated to be 0.14.
Hemodynamic effect of progressive right atrial dilatation in atriopulmonary connections.

Abstract Objective: Right atrial dilation occurring late after the modified Fontan procedure is frequently associated with low output states, supraventricular arrhythmias, and atrial thrombus formation. We addressed the hypothesis that progressive right atrial dilatation contributes to inefficient right heart flow dynamics. Methods: Modified atriopulmonary connections were performed on explanted isolated sheep heart preparations with various degrees of surgically induced right atrial dilatation (right atrial volumes 6 to 55 cm 3 ). Flow models were perfused in an in vitro flow loop with the use of a blood analog fluid. A fluid energy balance was performed for six flow rates (1.0 to 6.0 L/min) at each degree of right atrial dilatation, and the rate of total fluid energy loss was calculated and expressed as a function of right atrial volume and flow rate. Effective pressure drop and fluid resistance across the right atrial chamber were also determined for each flow condition. Results: The rate of fluid energy loss increased with increasing right atrial dilatation and flow rate for all conditions studied ( p p Conclusions: Right atrial dilatation in atriopulmonary connections causes fluid energy losses and increases the energy required to move blood from the venae cavae to the pulmonary arteries. These observations may help explain the progressive nature of late failures of atriopulmonary connections and provide additional rationale for conversion from atriopulmonary connections to lateral tunnel total cavopulmonary connections in selected patients(J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1997;114:2-8)
Health Care Needs and Services Delivery for Older Persons with HIV/AIDS Issues and Research Challenges

This article brings together information on age differences in HIV health care needsand use patterns to shed light on distinctive aspects of health services needs and useby older individuals with H...
Descentralização, Gastos Públicos e Preferências Alocativas dos Governos Locais no Brasil: (1980-1994)

Based on study of a historical series, the article analyzes the dynamics of allocative preferences in public spending by Brazilian state and municipal governments during 1980-1994. Specifically, this contribution to the debate on decentralization and federalism in Brazil seeks to ascertain how and to what extent local governments have changed their allocative preferences as a result of decentralization
Begging the Question: A Qualified Defense

This discussion examines two of the central notions at work in Sterba’s From Rationality to Equality: question-beggingness, and the notion of a rational requirement. I point out that, against certain unreasonable positions, begging the question is a perfectly reasonable option. I also argue that if we use the sense of “rational requirement” that philosophers ought (and tend) to have in mind when defending the idea that morality is rationally required, then Sterba has not succeed in defending this idea. Rather, he has at most demonstrated the rational preferability of morality over two other positions: an extreme egoism, and a very particular form of altruism. But another position exists: one that holds altruistic reasons to exist, and to be capable of justifying sacrifices, but that also holds that they do not require us to sacrifice our interests in the way that morality sometimes does require.
Notes on Setaria viridis and S. Faberi (Gramineae)

The weedy populations of "green" foxtail grasses (Setaria spp.) in our area have become increasingly difficult to interpret since the introduction of Setaria faberi Herrm. Conventional keys do not well separate this species from S. iridis (L.) Beauv., and some authors have questioned their distinctness. However, S. viridis is diploid (n 9) and S. faberi is tetraploid (n 18). Li, Pao, and Li (1942) attempted hybridization between diploid and tetraploid species of Setaria and found almost complete sterility in their crosses. The two hybrids which they succeeded in making were S. faberi X S. italica and (S. itatica X S. viridis) X S. faberi. Like S. viridis, S. itatica is diploid (n 9). Both crosses were nearly completely sterile, as might be expected in crosses between diploids and tetraploids. Long a common weed species in the United States, S. viridis has---herbage which is glabrous except for slight ciliation on the upper margins of the sheaths. The prevalent form of S. faberi bears soft pubescence on the upper leaf surfaces only and is usually distinguished from other species on this basis. Recently we have discovered in Iowa two other variants of S. faberi, differing from the common form in pubescence pattern, but having spikelets identical with those of the widespread type, and having the same chromosome number (Fig. 1, 1-3).
Rapid development of stylohyoid syndrome after mandibular bone grafting.

Abstract A case of stylohyoid syndrome is presented in which the rapid development of an elongated styloid process is documented by radiographs taken 1 year apart. The syndrome developed shortly after bone grafting of the right mandibular defect. Placement of osteogenic material in close proximity to the styloid process may have increased its potential for elongation in this case. An extraoral approach was used because previous surgery had rendered the process more presentable to the external surface.
Nematode biochemistry—XIII. Peroxisomes in the free-living nematode, Turbatrix aceti

Abstract 1. 1. The enzymes, catalase, isocitrate lyase, d -aminoacid oxidase and α-hydroxyacid oxidase, are present in the mitochondrial fraction prepared from the free-living nematode, Turbatrix aceti . Urate oxidase is absent. 2. 2. Peroxisomes could not be separated from the nematode mitochondria using a 30–60% sucrose gradient, though rat liver peroxisomes were readily distinguishable under the same conditions. A variety of other gradients failed to separate the nematode organelles. 3. 3. The differential release of catalase and isocitrate lyase compared to fumarase, as well as the presence of the above enzymes, strongly support the idea that peroxisomes are present in T. aceti .
Spectral determination and physical conditions for a class of chaotic piecewise-linear maps

Abstract We study the determination of the spectrum of the Frobenius-Perron operatorfor a class of piecewise-linear maps that satisfy an intertwining relation between the derivative operator and the Frobenius-Perron operator. The multi-Bernoulli map is used for illustration by employing an Euler-Maclaurin expansion of the resolvent of its Frobenius-Perron operator. We find that the spectrum is determined by the smoothness of the functions in the domain of the Frobenius-Perron operator. The decaying left eigenstates are Schwartz distributions which we express in terms of a class of fractal functions.
The effect of stress state on the hydrogen embrittlement of nickel

Abstract The ductility of nickel sheet subjected to in situ cathodic hydrogen charging has been investigated over a range of multiaxial stress states including uniaxial, plane-strain, and equibiaxial tension. The data show that the extent of ductility loss due to the presence of hydrogen increases as the stress state tends from uniaxial to equibiaxial tension. In all instances, the hydrogen embrittlement is characterized by intergranular fracture with failure occurring due to microcrack formation, microcrack link-up, and macrocrack growth. The increased susceptibility of nickel to intergranular hydrogen embrittlement with increasing biaxiality of stress state is shown to be a consequence of an enhanced rate of the link-up of strain-induced intergranular microcracks.
Effect of promoter strength on protein expression and immunogenicity of an HSV-1 amplicon vector encoding HIV-1 Gag

Helper-free herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) amplicon vectors elicit robust immune responses to encoded proteins, including human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) antigens. To improve this vaccine delivery system, seven amplicon vectors were constructed, each encoding HIV-1 Gag under the control of a different promoter. Gag expression levels were analyzed in murine and human cell lines, as well as in biopsied tissue samples from injected mice; these data were then compared with Gag-specific T cell responses in BALB/c mice. The magnitude of the amplicon-induced immune response was found to correlate strongly with the level of Gag production both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, the best correlation of the strength of the amplicon-induced immune response was with antigen expression in cultured DC rather than expression at the tissue site of injection or in cultured cell lines. These findings may have implications for the generation of improved HSV-1 amplicon vectors for HIV-1 vaccine delivery.
Electromagnetic Optimization Using Mixed-Parameter and Multiobjective Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy

Different variations of the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMA-ES) are used in the design and optimization of electromagnetic (EM) problems. Two different schemes for the implementation of mixed-parameter CMA-ES and one scheme for the implementation of multiobjective CMA-ES are presented. Mixed-parameter CMA-ES is attractive in EM optimization when both continuous and discrete design parameters are involved. The first mixed-parameter scheme uses a Poisson mutation operator to update the discrete variables, and the second one forces an integer mutation on discrete variables with small variances. Multiobjective CMA-ES, developed in this paper, optimizes designs with respect to multiple objective functions simultaneously. It ranks the candidate solutions according to two levels: nondominated sorting and crowding distance. Several antenna and microwave design problems are presented to evaluate the performance of these schemes and compare them with other nature-based optimization algorithms.
Sensitization of escape in female Betta splendens

Following 1 day of cohabitation with a male, female Siamese fighting fish showed heightened escape from male conspecifics (enclosed behind glass). Escape from males was general in that no particular male stimulus was required to provoke female escape. However, female conspecifics remained relatively attractive following exposure to a male. Tactile stimulation of females by males (biting, perhaps) plays some role and may be required in sensitizing females' escape from males. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An unexpected echocardiographic finding in a patient with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

We report the case of an elderly patient with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and a giant coronary artery aneurysm.
Choosing the Right Heparin Prophylaxis Strategy in Medical Patients at Risk for Developing VTE: An Evidence-Based Approach

Many acutely ill medical patients are at significant risk for developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) during hospitalization. Venous thromboembolism risk arises from both the presenting clinical condition as well as predisposing risk factors, such as advanced age. Thromboprophylaxis is underprescribed in these patients. Thrombotic risk assessment could encourage the prescribing of thromboprophylaxis and, therefore, improve patient protection against VTE. Current guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians and the International Union of Angiology (IUA) recommend thromboprophylaxis with low-dose unfractionated heparin (UFH), a low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), or fondaparinux for acutely ill medical patients with VTE risk factors. However, the optimal dose regimen for UFH is unclear. The 2006 evidence-based guidelines from the IUA recommend a 3-times-daily dose regimen for UFH. However, UFH is usually administered twice daily despite a lack of evidence for the superiority of this regimen. Both heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and bleeding are associated with UFH, and to a lesser degree with alternative anticoagulants, such as the LMWHs. If utilized, an appropriate prophylaxis regimen in medical patients can reduce the risk of VTE and its burden.