cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scrapie prions aggregate to form amyloid-like birefringent rods

A large scale purification protocol employing zonal rotor centrifugation has been developed for scrapie prions. The extensively purified fractions derived using this protocol contained only one major protein, designated PrP, and rod-shaped particles. The rods measured 10 to 20 nm in diameter and 100 to 200 nm in length by negative staining; no other particles were consistently observed. SDS denaturation caused the rods to disappear, prion infectivity to diminish, and PrP to become sensitive to protease digestion. Arrays of prion rods ultrastructurally resembled purified amyloid and showed green birefringence by polarization microscopy after staining with Congo red dye. The rods appear to represent a polymeric form of the scrapie prion; each rod may contain as many as 1,000 PrP molecules. Our findings raise the possibility that the amyloid plaques observed in transmissible, degenerative neurological diseases might consist of prions.
Steroidal regulation of rat uterine in vitro mRNA translation products

Abstract Total rat uterine mRNA was isolated following 1,2 or 3 days of estradiol, 3 days of progesterone, or 3 days of progesterone and estradiol treatment of immature animals. The mRNA translation products were analyzed by 2-dimensional electrophoresis. The results demonstrate that a number of mRNA products were affected by varying the hormonal conditions. Estradiol consistently caused an increase in mRNA in vitro translation products corresponding to polypeptides with mol. wt of 40,000 Daltons (p40), 59,000 Daltons (p59). A polypeptide with a mol. wt of 37,000 Daltons (p37) consistently decreases in concentration following estradiol administration. Progesterone, alone, caused a decrease in p37, p59, and a slight increase in p40. When progesterone was combined with estradiol we detected translation product levels similar to those seen following 1 day of estradiol treatment. Thus, the change in mRNA populations as a response of the immalure rat uterus to estradiol and progesterone can be utilized to characterize the tissue's response to these hormones. This type of study also provides a method for detecting gene products which may possibly be utilized as potential markers to investigate estrogen and progesterone action.
Performance Measurements Of A Diode Laser Optical Communications Link With Q=4 PPm Signaling

The theoretical and measured performance characteristics of a direct detection optical communication system are reported. The system consisted of a semiconductor diode laser, silicon avalanche photodiode detector, and used Q = 4 optical pulse position modulation signaling to transmit binary source data at a rate of 25 megabits/sec. Operation at a receiver bit error probability of 10 to the -6th was demonstrated at received signal energies corresponding to an average of 160 detected photons per PPM symbol, or 80 photons per source bit.
Hydrothermal plumes along the East Pacific Rise, 8°40′ to 11°50′N: Plume distribution and relationship to the apparent magmatic budget

Abstract The interactions between hydrothermal circulation and large-scale geological and geophysical characteristics of the mid-ocean ridge cannot be ascertained without large-scale views of the pattern of hydrothermal venting. Such multi-ridge-segment surveys of venting are accomplished most efficiently by mapping the distribution and intensity of hydrothermal plumes. In November 1991, we mapped hydrothermal temperature ( Δθ ) and light attenuation ( Δc ) anomalies above the East Pacific Rise (EPR) continuously from 8°40′ to 11°50′N, a fast spreading ridge crest portion bisected by the Clipperton Transform Fault. Plume distributions show a precise correlation with the distribution of active vents where video coverage of the axial caldera is exhaustive (9°09′–54′N). Elsewhere in the study area the sketchy knowledge of vent locations gleaned from scattered camera tows predicts only poorly the large-scale hydrothermal pattern revealed by our plume studies. Plumes were most intense between 9°42′ and 9°54′N, directly over a March/April, 1991, seafloor eruption. These plumes had exceptionally high Δc Δθ ratios compared to the rest of the study area; we suggest that the phase-separated gas-rich vent fluids discharging here fertilize an abundant population of bacteria. Hydrothermal plume distributions define three categories: intense and continuous (8°48′–8°58′N, 9°29′–10°01′N and 11°05′–11°27′N), weak and discontinuous (8°58′–9°29′N) and negligible. The location of each category is virtually congruent with areas that are, respectively, magmatically robust, magmatically weak and magmatically starved, as inferred from previous measurements of axial bathymetric undulations, cross-axis inflation and magma chamber depth and continuity. This congruency implies a fine-scale spatial and temporal connection between magmatic fluctuations and hydrothermal venting. We thus speculate that, at least along this fast spreading section of the EPR, cyclic replenishment, eruption and freezing of the thin axial melt lens exerts greater control over hydrothermal venting than the more enduring zones of crystal mush and hot rock. We found intense, and continuous, plumes along 33% of the surveyed ridge crest, an observation implying that any point on the ridge is, on average, hydrothermally active one-third of the time. Combining this result with the 20% plume coverage found along the medium-rate Juan de Fuca Ridge suggests that superfast ( ∼ 150 mm/yr) spreading ridges should support vigorous venting along ∼ 50% of their length, if spreading rate and along-axis plume coverage are linearly related.
Sympatho-adrenal secretion in humans: factors governing catecholamine and storage vesicle peptide co-release *

1 In postganglionic sympathetic neurones and adrenal chromaffin cells, catecholamines are co-stored in vesicles with soluble peptides, including chromogranin A (CgA) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), which are subject to exocytotic co-release with catecholamines. 2 Plasma catecholamine, CgA and NPY responses to stimulators and inhibitors of sympatho-adrenal catecholamine storage and release were measured in humans. Short-term, high-intensity dynamic exercise, prolonged low-intensity dynamic exercise, and assumption of the upright posture, in decreasing order of potency, predominantly stimulated noradrenaline (NA) release from sympathetic nerve endings. Only high-intensity exercise elevated CgA and NPY, which did not peak until 2 min after exercise cessation. Stimulated NA correlated with plasma CgA 2 min after exercise, and with NPY 5 min after exercise. 3 Insulin-evoked hypoglycaemia and caffeine ingestion, in decreasing order of potency, predominantly stimulated adrenaline (AD) release from the adrenal medulla. During insulin hypoglycaemia AD and CgA rose, but NPY was unchanged. Neither NPY nor CgA were altered by caffeine. The rise in CgA after intense adrenal medullary stimulation was greater than its rise after intense sympathetic neuronal stimulation (1.4-versus 1.2-fold, respectively). 4 Infusion of tyramine, which disrupts sympathetic neuronal vesicular NA storage, elevated systolic blood pressure and NA, while NPY and CgA were unchanged. After reserpine, another disruptor of neuronal NA storage, NA transiently rose and then fell; NPY and CgA were unaltered. After the non-exocytotic adrenal medullary secretory stimulus glucagon, AD rose while NA, CgA and NPY did not change. After amantadine, an inhibitor of protein endocytosis, both CgA and fibrinogen rose, while NA and NPY remained unaltered. Neither CgA, NPY, nor catecholamines were altered by the catecholamine uptake and catabolism inhibitors desipramine, cortisol, and pargyline. 5 Human sympathetic nerve contained a far higher ratio of NPY to catecholamines than human adrenal medulla, while adrenal medulla contained far more CgA than sympathetic nerve. 6 It is concluded that peptides are differentially co-stored with catecholamines, with greater abundance of CgA in the adrenal medulla and NPY in sympathetic nerve. Activation of catecholamine release from either the adrenal medulla or sympathetic nerves, therefore, results in quite different changes in plasma concentrations of the catecholamine storage vesicle peptides CgA and NPY. Only profound, intense stimulation of chromaffin cells or sympathetic axons measurably perturbs plasma CgA or NPY concentration; lesser degrees of stimulation perturb plasma catecholamines only. Neither CgA nor NPY are released during non-exocytotic catecholamine secretion.
Power and gender negotiations during interviews with men about sex and sexually degrading practices

The topic of female researchers interviewing male subjects has received previous attention, but few scholarly works focus specifically on sensitive topics such as sexual behaviors. The discrepancy suggests that even though women researchers interview men about sensitive issues, sexuality still seems out of bounds. Based on our research, we found it intellectually and emotionally challenging to interview men about sexually degrading behaviors. In the present article, we focus on the gender performances by both the interviewees and interviewers, including how the structure of the interview affects gendered interactions in interviews and the vulnerability we experienced as a result. We conclude by suggesting a few strategies that future women researchers can employ when conducting cross-gender, in-depth interviews with men about sex. We also raise questions for feminist researchers about how best to handle sexist, racist, and derogatory remarks made by interviewees.
Reducing the cost of headache medication

Although medication costs make up one of the smallest portions of the overall expense of headache care, it is the segment of expense that often impacts the patient most directly. The advent of triptans marked a major advance in migraine therapy, but their high cost has limited their widespread use. Four options can be considered as potential means to reduce the cost of triptans. These include compulsory licensing, exclusive contracting, over-the-counter availability, and the introduction of generic triptans. Each method impacts the consumer, third-party payer, or pharmaceutical company in a different manner.
Rotating-frame nuclear spin-lattice relaxation due to the motion-induced time variation of quadrupolar and dipolar interactions in crystals

Starting from Hebel and Slichter's single-spin-temperature theory, the comprehensive perturbation formalism developed recently for the calculation of ${T}_{1\ensuremath{\rho}}$ due to the motion-induced time dependence of nuclear dipole interactions in both high and low rotating fields is extended to include quadrupolar effects in crystals. The total relaxation rate ${T}_{1\ensuremath{\rho}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ is written in terms of dipolar and quadrupolar "lattice correlation functions" associated with the internal motions, and "spin correlation functions" governed by processes of internal equilibration of the Zeeman, dipolar, and quadrupolar Hamiltonians of the spin system. While the lattice correlation functions are found to determine the high-field ${T}_{1\ensuremath{\rho}}$ minima in the motionally-narrowed regions, low field ${T}_{1\ensuremath{\rho}}$ minima occurring at temperatures between the weak- and strong-collision regions are found to be strongly influenced by the processes accounted for by the spin correlation functions. In the limiting case of strong collisions (so-called Slichter-Ailion region) the results of Rowland and Fradin are confirmed. The applicability of the present method to interpret rotating-frame relaxation studies of defect migration in cubic crystals such as, e.g., self- or impurity diffusion via randomly migrating point defects, or dislocation dynamics during plastic deformation, is discussed.
Detection of circulating immune complexes by the inhibition of anti-antibody.

Abstract An inhibition test of agglutination of sensitized erythrocytes by human or rabbit anti-antibody was established for the detection of circulating immune complexes. Anti-antibody is a previously described IgM serum factor which combined specifically with homologous IgG antibodies that underwent molecular transformation in reaction with their corresponding antigen. In testing in vitro -formed immune complexes by human or rabbit IgG antibodies, it was found that this test is capable of detecting immune complexes at antigen concentration as low as 2–3 μg/ml. After the addition of corresponding antigens, all 14 serum-sickness sera and all 9 chronic thyroiditis sera which contained precipitating antibodies inhibited human anti-antibody. IgG of normal human sera, heataggregated IgG, and repeatedly frozen and thawed normal sera gave negative inhibition tests. By means of this inhibition test, immune complexes were demonstrated in 35% of the systemic lupus erythematosus sera, 69% of the rheumatoid arthritis sera, 54% of the malaria sera, 22% of the postrenal transplantation sera, 22% of the liver disease sera, 32% of the leukemia sera, and 35% of the lymphoma sera. All 19 of the leprosy sera from India also gave positive results. None of the sera of 36 healthy staff members and only 3% of the sera of random blood donors gave positive results.
The diversity of premenstrual changes as reflected in the Premenstrual Assessment Form.

The Premenstrual Assessment Form (PAF) is a new self report procedure designed to measure changes in mood, behavior, and physical condition during the premenstrual period. It reflects the great variability of premenstrual syndromes as opposed to the common practice of viewing these changes as a single entity. In comparison to commonly used procedures, the PAF 1) contains a broader variety and more specific descriptions of positive as well as negative changes; 2) provides Unipolar Summary Scales and Bipolar Continua which are sensitive measures for indexing levels of severity on various types of change; and 3) provides specific criteria for Typological Categories descriptive of different syndromes of change, especially those of mood and behavior. The paper describes the development of the PAF and the three scoring Systems and illustrates the sensitivity of the individual items and scoring Systems in reflecting the great diversity of change manifested during the premenstrual period.
A convenient and efficient synthetic approach to mono-, di-, and tri-O-mannosylated Fmoc amino acids

A convenient and highly efficient synthesis of mono-, di-, and tri-O-mannosylated Fmoc-Ser and Thr is described. The short synthetic route and high overall yield highlight the synthetic utility of this unified approach.
A distributed Gray-Markel filter

The distributed arithmetic philosophy has been shown to support very high data rate linear shift-invariant filtering. These filters traditionally exhibit a Direct I structure. A distinctly different architecture, namely the Gray-Markel filter, is studied in this note. Efficient and high-speed distributed arithmetic Gray-Markel filters are shown to be feasible.
Long-term evaluation of arthrocentesis for the treatment of internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint.

Purpose: Arthrocentesis is being used for treatment of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders, including anterior disc displacement with and without reduction. This study was designed to examine the long-term effects of temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis in such patients and to evaluate their overall satisfaction with this treatment. Patients and Methods: The study was based on the review of patients' records, a written questionnaire (self-evaluation), and clinical examination. Visual analog scales (VAS) were used for evaluation of pain and dysfunction. Twenty-six patients (39 joints) who had been treated at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital, Virginia Commonwealth University, were included in the study. There were 32 joints with anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADsR) and 7 joints with anterior displacement with reduction (ADcR). Patients all had undergone arthrocentesis as outpatients. Follow-up evaluations ranged from 10 to 96 months, with a mean of 48.7 months. Results: Maximum vertical opening (MVO) prearthrocentesis ranged from 20 to 40 mm, with a mean of 25.3 ± 5.5 mm. Immediately after arthrocentesis, the MVO ranged from 30 to 55 mm, with a mean of 43.8 ± 5.6 mm. Maximum vertical opening at long-term follow-up ranged from 15 to 50 mm, with a mean of 37.1 ± 8.8 mm. There was a significant increase in MVO between prearthrocentesis and postarthrocentesis both short- and long-term (P <.001). The short- and long-term postoperative VAS values for pain and dysfunction showed a significant decrease (P <.001) when compared with the VAS values preoperatively. Fourteen of the 26 patients (54%) no longer experienced pain, and the remaining 9 had less pain than before arthrocentesis as assessed by self-evaluation and clinical examination. Three of 26 patients had improvement for a period, later relapsed, and required subsequent surgery. Twenty-three of the 26 patients (88%) were completely satisfied with their treatment. Overall, an 88% success rate was achieved. Conclusion: Arthrocentesis can reduce pain and dysfunction, both short- and long-term, in patients with anterior disc displacement. © 2000 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Static vs dynamic loads as an influence on bone remodelling

Bone remodelling activity in the avian ulna was assessed under conditions of disuse alone, disuse with a superimposed continuous compressive load, and disuse interrupted by a short daily period of intermittent loading. The ulna preparation is made by two submetaphyseal osteotomies, the cut ends of the bone being covered with stainless steel caps which, together with the bone they enclosed, are pierced by pins emerging transcutaneously on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the wing. The 110 mm long undisturbed section of the bone shaft can be protected from functional loading, loaded continuously in compression by joining the pins with springs, or loaded intermittently in compression by engaging the pins in an Instron machine. Similar loads (525 n) were used in both static and dynamic cases engendering similar peak strains at the bone's midshaft (-2000 x 10-6). The intermitent load was applied at a frequency of 1 Hz during a single 100 second period per day as a ramped square wave, with a rate of change of strain during the ramp of 0.01 per second.
Krowd: A Key-Value Store for Crowded Venues

Attendees of live events want to capture and share rich content using their mobile devices, during the events. However, the infrastructure at venues that host live events provide poor, low-bandwidth connectivity. Instead of relying on infrastructure provided by the venue, we propose to stand up a temporary "infrastructure" using the very devices that need it, to enable content-sharing with nearby devices. To this end, we developed Krowd, a novel system that provides a key-value store abstraction to applications that share content among local, nearby users. We evaluated Krowd using over 200 hours of real-world traces from sold-out NBA and NHL playoffs and show that it is 50% faster and consumes 50% less bandwidth than alternative systems. We believe that Krowd is the only decentralized and distributed system to provide a key-value store made for neighboring mobile devices and of neighboring mobile devices.
COMPLETE OXIDATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND METHANE OVER METAL-PROMOTED FLUORITE OXIDE CATALYSTS

Abstract Cu-Ce-O binary oxide catalysts were found to have high activity for the oxidation of CO and methane by oxygen to carbon dioxide and water as well as oxidation of CO by sulfur dioxide to carbon dioxide and elemental sulfur. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning transmission electron microscopy. It was found that copper in the Cu-Ce-O system existed in the form of clusters dispersed in the cerium oxide matrix and in the form of segregated agglomerates (> 10nm). The former are present in all catalyst compositions, while the latter increased with the copper content. The dispersed copper clusters may be stabilized by diffusion of copper ions into interstitial metal ion sites of the cerium oxide lattice forming Cu +1 species in the process. Cu +1 species were identified by XPS. A synergistic reaction model is proposed to explain the enhanced catalytic activity and stability. In the model, the Cu +1 species on the copper cluster provide surface sites for CO adsorption and the cerium oxide provides the oxygen source. The adsorbed CO reacts with oxygen at the interface of the two materials.
Removal of Infected Canine Cemented Total Hip Prostheses Using a Femoral Window Technique

Objective— To evaluate a femoral window technique for retrieval of cemented total hip prostheses. Study Design— Retrospective clinical study. Animals— Twelve dogs with infection of a cemented modular total hip prosthesis. Methods— Implant removal was performed by an extended craniolateral approach to the hip and proximal femur without trochanteric osteotomy. The femoral cement mantle was fragmented and removed with simple orthopedic instrumentation by a lateral femoral window that was repaired using cerclage wires. Surgical technique, intraoperative and postoperative complications, bacterial culture results, histopathologic findings, and completeness of cement removal were recorded. Follow-up radiographs were taken 5 to 9 weeks postoperatively. Long-term follow-up information was obtained by client questionnaire. Functional outcome was assessed by scoring ability to stand, sit, walk, run, play, climb stairs, and get into a car. Results— Prosthesis retrieval was performed 2 to 41 months after implantation (median, 14 months). Complete removal of femoral cement was achieved in 10 dogs. A nondisplaced femoral fissure, extending proximally from the window, was an intraoperative complication in 2 dogs. Staphylococcus spp was most commonly isolated (6 dogs) from interfacial membrane samples. Systemic antibiotic therapy, dependent on susceptibility testing, was administered for 3 to 10 weeks postoperatively. There was radiographic evidence of osteotomy healing at 5- to 9-week reassessment. Recurrence of osteomyelitis was not observed. Long-term functional outcome was considered mildly abnormal. Conclusions— The lateral window was an effective technique for retrieval of retained femoral cement. Clinical Relevance— Removal of an infected prosthesis using this technique generally resulted in a clinical outcome comparable to that with ab initio femoral head and neck excision.
Conformation of T4 lysozyme in solution. Hinge-bending motion and the substrate-induced conformational transition studied by site-directed spin labeling

T4 lysozyme and mutants thereof crystallize in different conformations that are related to each other by a bend about a hinge in the molecule. This observation suggests that the wild type protein may undergo a hinge-bending motion in solution to allow substrate access to an otherwise closed active site cleft [Faber, H.R., & Matthews, B.W. (1990) Nature 348, 263-266]. To test this hypothesis, either single or pairs of nitroxide side chains were introduced into the protein to monitor tertiary contact interactions and inter-residue distances, respectively, in solution. A set of constraints for these structural parameters was derived from a reference state, a covalent enzyme-substrate adduct where the enzyme is locked in the closed state. In the absence of substrate, differences in both inter-residue distances and tertiary contact interactions relative to this reference state are consistent with a hinge-bending motion that opens the active site cleft. Quantitative analysis of spin-spin interactions between nitroxide pairs reveals an 8 A relative domain movement upon substrate binding. In addition, it is demonstrated that the I3P mutation, which produces a large hinge-bending angle in the crystal, has no effect on the solution conformation. Thus, the hinge motion is not the result of the mutation but is an integral part of T4 lysozyme catalysis in solution, as suggested recently [Zhang, X.J., Wozniak, J.A., & Matthews, B.W. (1995) J. Mol. Biol. 250, 527-552]. The strategy employed here, based on site-directed spin labeling, should be generally applicable to the study of protein conformation and conformational changes in solution.
Long-term fracture prediction by bone mineral assessed at different skeletal sites

Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine and cervical and intertrochanteric regions of the proximal femur by dual-photon absorptiometry and bone mineral content was assessed at the distal and midradius by single-photon absorptiometry in an age-stratified random sample of 304 Rochester, Minnesota women aged 30-94 years. Over follow-up extending to 10 years (median 8.3 years), 93 women experienced 163 new fractures. After adjusting for age, these bone mineral measurements predicted the likelihood of any incident fracture due to moderate trauma, with relative hazards varying from 1.4 to 1.6 per SD decrease in baseline bone mineral. A 1 SD decrease in lumbar spine BMD increased the risk of a new vertebral fracture comparably to a 17 year increase in age; a 1 SD decrease in femoral BMD was comparable to a 13-14 year increase in age on the risk of a hip fracture. We conclude that bone mineral measurements made at a variety of skeletal sites can predict the occurrence for at least 8-10 years of moderate trauma fractures of the sort that might be related to osteoporosis.
A unidraw-based user interface builder

Ibuild is a user interface builder that lets a user manipulate simulations of toolkit objects rather than actual toolkit objects. Ibuild is built with Unidraw, a framework for building graphical editors that is part of the InterViews toolkit. Unidraw makes the simulation-based approach attractive. Simulating toolkit objects in Unidraw makes it easier to support editing facilities that are common in other kinds of graphical editors, and it keeps the builder insulated from a particular toolkit implementation. Ibuild supports direct manipulation analogs of InterViews'' composition mechanisms, which simplify the specification of an interface''s layout and resize semantics. Ibuild also leverages the C++ inheritance mechanism to decouple builder-generated code from the rest of the application. And while current user interface builders stop at the widget level, ibuild incorporates Unidraw abstractions to simplify the implementation of graphical editors.
Characterization of multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA) carrier protein

Abstract A cloned rat liver cell line (BRL-3A) synthesizes and secretes the somatomedin, Multiplication-Stimulating Activity (MSA), in association with its specific carrier protein (MCP). Affinity-purified MCP is a single-chain polypeptide with a molecular weight of 31500 under non-reducing conditions and 34000 when fully reduced. The formation of a M r , 42000 complex following chemical crosslinking of purified MSA ( M r 8700) and MCP ( M r 34000) suggests that these components bind in a 1:1 molar ratio on the basis of the sum of their combined molecular weights. The amino acid composition and the N-terminal amino acid sequence of MCP were also determined. Polyclonal MCP-antibody preparations were used to determine if MCP could be detected in normal rat sera. MCP could not be detected in adult rat serum, but was present at high concentrations in fetal rat serum. These results suggest that MCP is a fetal somatomedin carrier protein and that MSA-MCP complexes may be important during fetal development. The availability of antibodies directed against a purified somatomedin carrier protein will provide the opportunity to investigate further the role of carrier proteins in the biological activity of the somatomedins.
Community Activeness in Response to Forest Disturbance in Alaska

Community theorists have long grappled with the question of whether or not communities collectively respond to threats. Community, risk, disaster, and natural resource management theories all inform an understanding of community action. Here, a conceptual model of community activeness is empirically tested using survey data from six Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, communities. Data analysis revealed that socioeconomic and biophysical vulnerability, proximity to hazard, experience, risk perception, and local interactional capacity significantly influenced community activeness on the part of residents in response to forest disturbance associated with an outbreak of spruce bark beetles. Implications for theory, forest management and policy, and natural resource-based communities are advanced.
Kinetics and mechanisms of water sorption in hydrophobic, ionizable copolymer gels

The aqueous kinetic swelling properties of a class of cross-linked hydrophobic polyamine copolymer gels based on n-alkyl esters of methacrylic acid (nAMA) and N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMA) have been studied as a function of solution ionic composition (pH, ionic strength, and buffer content), gel composition, and temperature. Water uptake and swelling in these gels are driven by ionization of the DMA amine groups, which overcomes the hydrophobic tendency of these gels to exclude water in the unionized state. Sorption kinetics in initially glassy gel disks are generally biphasic, characterized by an initial phase of relatively slow water uptake followed by an accelerated phase during which significant volume expansion of the gel occurs. This sorption/swelling behavior strongly suggests a moving penetrant front mechanism. The initial rate of water sorption increases markedly as (1) solution pH decreases, (2) gel nAMA comonomer content decreases, (3) gel nAMA side-chain length decreases, and (4) temperature increases. Furthermore, the initial phase of sorption in initially glassy gels is generally non-Fickian and approaches zero-order behavior as (1) pH increases, (2) nAMA content increases, and (3) temperature decreases. In direct contrast, sorption in initially dry, rubbery gels is monophasic, but non-Fickian, and approaches zero-order behavior as temperature increases. This behavior is contrary to the Fickian sorption behavior normally observed in polymers above their glass transition temperatures. Finally, sorption kinetics critically depend upon the nature of the ions in solution: Kinetics are significantly faster in the presence of weak electrolytes than that of strong electrolytes. We discuss the importance of the rate of ion transport in determining the overall sorption kinetics and how sorption kinetics can be non-Fickian in rubbery gels. Also, we propose a mechanism for the observed enhanced kinetics in the presence of weak electrolytes.
Multiple Resistance of Horseweed to Glyphosate and Paraquat and Its Control with Paraquat and Metribuzin Combinations

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted in 2007 and 2008 to investigate possible multiple-resistance of horseweed to paraquat and glyphosate, and to evaluate the effect of the addition of metribuzin to paraquat on control of paraquat-resistant horseweed. Results indicated that the GR50 (herbicide dose required to cause a 50% reduction in plant growth) value for the susceptible population S102 was 0.066 kg ae/ha glyphosate, and for the resistant population MDOT was 0.78 kg/ha glyphosate. The level of glyphosate resistance for MDOT was 12-fold compared with S102. The GR50 value for the susceptible population S102 was 0.078 kg ai/ha paraquat, and for the resistant population MDOT was 0.67 kg/ha paraquat. The level of paraquat resistance for MDOT was 9-fold compared to S102, suggesting multiple-resistance to glyphosate and paraquat in the MDOT population. In field studies the addition of metribuzin to paraquat improved horseweed control.
Electrical injuries--morbidity, outcome and treatment rationale

Electrical injuries are unique with respect to low mortality rates, but very high rates of short- and long-term morbidity, and overall outcome. Controversy still exists regarding the advantages of one-stage debridement versus early serial debridement of necrotic tissue. The purpose of this study was a retrospective evaluation of treatment, morbidity and outcome in a group of patients with electrical injuries. Over a 13-year period 1992 patients were admitted with acute burns to our burn centre. Electrical injuries occurred in 129 (6.5 per cent) of these patients. There were 38 high-tension injuries and 91 low-tension injuries. The average age was 33.7 years (5 months to 63 years), with burn wounds ranging from 1 to 57 per cent total body surface area (mean 9.5 per cent). Ninety-four (72.9 per cent) of these injuries were work related, and most occurred in males (85 per cent). A total of 323 surgical procedures were performed on those 129 patients. An average of 0.48, surgical debridements per patient was necessary in the low-tension injury group and only three partial finger or toe amputations were necessary. In the high-tension group, 27 major limb amputations were performed after 2.3 debridements per patient, resulting in an overall major limb amputation rate of 35 per cent. The average length of stay was 22 days, and the cost of hospitalization ranged from $900 to $120 000 (mean !4,901). Significant long-term neurological deficits persisted in 73 per cent of patients at long-term follow-up (mean 4.5 years). Only 5.3 per cent of patients after high-voltage electrical injury were able to return to their premorbid job.
Quotidian Disruption and Women's Activism in Times of Crisis, Argentina 2002-2003

Argentina recently underwent a period of economic crisis that shook societal foundations. People turned to collective action for social and political change, and women were at the forefront of many protests. This crisis offers an opportunity to study a moment of “quotidian disruption”—when routine practices and ingrained assumptions are threatened—as an impetus for mobilization. The authors draw on ethnographic observations and analyze 44 in-depth interviews with activist women in Argentina to explore their responses to quotidian disruption. The authors show that the Argentine crisis challenged everyday practices and expectations that were often gendered, fostering activism that drew on previous social frameworks while also creating new ones. Activism became a new quotidian for many women and transformed their identities and experiences with politics and gender relations.
Nonlinear optical studies of molecular adsorbates

In recent years, the possibility of employing laser interaction with surfaces as a surface diagnostic tool has attracted a great deal of attention. Optical second harmonic generation (SHG) and sum-frequency generation (SFG) have been proven to be most effective and versatile for surface and interfacial studies.1 By symmetry, these processes are forbidden in media with centrosymmetry, and can therefore be highly surface-specific. They have the advantages of being capable of high spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions, suitable for in-situ, remote sensing of samples in hostile environment, and applicable to all interfaces accessible to light. Indeed, they have been applied with great success to a large variety of surface and interfacial problems1: probing adsorption and desorption of molecules from surfaces, measuring average molecular orientation of adsorbates, monitoring surface symmetry and surface phase transitions, conducting surface microscopy and spectroscopy, and many others. Here, we shall describe a few experiments recently carried out in our laboratory using these techniques.
Plasmodium falciparum: continuous cultivation in a semiautomated apparatus.

Abstract A semi-automated apparatus for the continuous cultivation of the malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum , was developed. It changes the culture medium and redistributes ths infected erythrocytes at preselected intervals. Parasitemias between 2 and 16% can be maintained by adding fresh erythrocytes every 2 or 3 days. This apparatus produces approximately 10 ml of packed erythrocytes per week with parasitemias between 12 and 16%
A growth law for propagation of arbitrary shaped delaminations in layered plates

Abstract A growth law is derived which governs the propagation of a delamination embedded in a layered plate, with the shapes of the delaminated area and of the plate assumed to be arbitrary. The plate is considered to be subjected to edge loading.
Models having the thermodynamic properties of aqueous solutions of tetraalkylammonium halides

The hypernetted-chain integral-equation-approximation method is used to calculate the ion-ion pair correlation functions and the thermodynamic properties of models of the kind previously studied,(1) which are based on an ion-ion pair potential having four terms: the usual Coulomb term, a core repulsion term, a term to represent a well-known dielectric repulsion effect, and a “Gurney” term to represent the effect of the overlap of the structure-modified regions, solvation shells or “cospheres,” when the ions come close together. The coefficientAij of the last term for each pairi,j of ionic species is the only parameter that is adjusted to fit the solution data. It is determined by fitting excess-free-energy (osmotic-coefficient) data. It is scaled to represent the molar free-energy change of water displaced from the cospheres when they overlap. The corresponding entropy changeSij and volume changeVij are determined by fitting, respectively, excessenthalpy and excess-volume data. Problems of finding a uniquely “best” set of parameters are discussed together with many examples of variations of the model, most of which require further investigation. A consistent set of these parameters, which represents much of what is known about the thermodynamic excess functions of these solutions at concentrations up to about 0.5M, is interpreted as far as possible in terms of the data for thermodynamic solvation functions for the same systems.
Mutation watch: Mouse brachyury (T), the T-box gene family, and human disease

The classical mouse mutation brachyury (‘‘short tail’’), first described in 1927, is located in the T/t region of proximal mouse Chromosome (Chr) 17. Heterozygotes for null alleles of brachyury have short tails and mild skeletal defects due to haploinsufficiency. Homozygous null mice have a severe developmental disorder that includes defective mesoderm formation and regression of the notochord, and they do not survive beyond E10. Seventy years of work on the short tail mouse has resulted in isolation of an important family of transcriptional regulators of early development, as well as the recent identification of the genes responsible for two complex human developmental disorders: the Holt-Oram syndrome of cardiac and limb defects, and the ulnar-mammary syndrome affecting limb, tooth, and genital development.
Dispelling the Stigma of Schizophrenia, III: The Role of Target Gender, Laboratory-Induced Contact, and Factual Information

Abstract In this study, we investigated whether “fact sheets,” which summarize the relationship between schizophrenia and violent behavior, can reduce stigma toward actual persons with schizophrenia. We also investigated whether laboratory-induced contact, in the form of repeated videotape presentation of a person with schizophrenia, could also impact stigma. Finally, we examined whether the role of laboratory-induced contact and factual information would have a stronger effect on stigma toward males with schizophrenia relative to females with schizophrenia. Two hundred and fifteen undergraduate students were randomly assigned to three variables: Information about schizophrenia (label only; basic information about the disorder; information about the violence rates of schizophrenia compared to other disorders); Contact (watching a videotape of a person with schizophrenia once or twice); and Target Gender (viewing either a male or female with schizophrenia). Participants also completed a battery of stigma m...
The determination of the static quadrupole moments of the first 2+ states in 126Te and 128Te by Coulomb excitation

Abstract Measurements of the probabilities for Coulomb excitation of the first 2+ states in 126Te and 128Te have been made with 4He and 16O ions. The deviations observed from first-order perturbation theory are interpreted in terms of the static electric quadrupole moments Q2 of the first 2+ states of the two nuclei. The values of these static quadrupole moments in units of e · b are found to lie in the range −0.16 > Q 2 > −0.50 for 126 Te and −0.01 > Q 2 > −0.40 for 128 Te .
Factors Associated with Survival in Septicemic Foals: 65 Cases (1988–1995)

In order to identify variables obtained at admission that could be used to predict survival in septicemic foals, medical records of 65 foals diagnosed with septicemia were reviewed. Initially, variables were analyzed independently (univariate analysis) for association with survival. Of the physical examination and historical data examined using univariate analysis, the ability to stand at admission, respiratory rate > or = 60 breaths per minute (bpm), and normal-appearing mucous membranes were significantly associated with survival. Foals with history of induced parturition were significantly less likely to survive. The following hematologic and serum biochemical variables determined at admission were significantly associated with survival: white blood cell count > or = 6,000 cells/microL, neutrophil count > 4,000 cells/microL, serum albumin concentration > 2.2 g/dL, serum glucose concentration > 120 mg/dL, blood pH > or = 7.35, and positive base excess. The administration of plasma at admission was significantly associated with survival. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between survival and variables identified as significantly associated with survival in bivariate analysis. The final multivariate model selected included the variables standing, duration of clinical signs (24-hour intervals) prior to admission, respiratory rate > or = 60 bpm, neutropenia ( or = 60 bpm, and that had a neutrophil count > 4,000 cells/microL at admission. Probability of survival was significantly decreased for foals that had a longer duration of clinical signs prior to admission. For each 24 hours of duration, the estimated risk of death was increased by 5.8-fold.
A simple routing algorithm based on Schnyder coordinates

Geometric routing is an elegant way for solving network routing problems. The essence of this routing scheme is the following: When an origin vertex u wants to send a message to a destination vertex w, it forwards the message to a neighbor t, solely based on the location information of u,w and the neighbors of u. In its simplest form, greedy routing, a message is simply forwarded to a neighbor that is closer to the destination. A greedy drawing of a graph G is an embedding of G for which the greedy routing algorithm works. Recently, Leighton and Moitra (2010) [18] found an algorithm that produces an embedding of any 3-connected planar graph in R^2 that supports greedy routing. A similar result was independently found by Angelini et al. (2010) [2]. One main drawback of these algorithms is that they need @W(nlogn) bits to represent the coordinates of the vertex locations. This is the same space usage as traditional routing table approaches, and hence makes greedy routing infeasible in applications. In the greedy routing scheme, the routing decision is based on decreasing distances between vertex locations. For this idea to work, however, the routing decision does not have to be based on decreasing distances. As long as the routing decision is solely based on the location information of the source, the destination, and the neighbors of the source, the geometric routing scheme will work fine. In this paper, we introduce a new model of geometric routing. Instead of relying on decreasing distance for routing decisions, our algorithm uses other criterion to determine the routing path, solely based on location information. Our routing algorithms are based on Schnyder coordinates which are derived from Schnyder realizers for plane triangulations and Schnyder woods for 3-connected plane graphs. The coordinates of vertex locations consist of three integers between 0 and 2n, hence the representation only needs O(logn) bits. In order to send a message from the origin u to the destination w, our routing algorithm determines the routing path from the Schnyder coordinates of u, w and all neighbors of u. The algorithms are natural and simple to implement.
US nation‐building policy in the greater Middle East

(2003). US nation‐building policy in the greater Middle East. The International Spectator: Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 21-32.
Effects of contaminated sediments on viability, length, DNA and protein content of larval surf smelt, Hypomesus pretiosus

Abstract Mortality, abnormal morphology, growth, DNA and protein content of larval surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) were evaluated after 96-h exposures to contaminated sediments from Puget Sound, Washington. Radiolabeled polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) added to sediment were accumulated by exposed larvae, providing evidence of an exposure route for hydrophobic compounds from the sediment to the larvae. Sediment mixtures with high concentrations of contaminants were often acutely toxic, while exposure to diluted sediments resulted in sublethal changes—decreases in growth and DNA content. The DNA content of larvae was found to be the most sensitive of the sublethal measures. Both DNA content and the proportion of normal larvae were inversely related to PAH and PCB concentrations of test sediments. The results suggest that measurement of DNA content in conjunction with determination of the proportion of normal larval surf smelt can provide better discrimination for assessing toxicity due to contaminants in this sediment bioassay system than measurement of mortality alone. Because some larval fish may be at risk to sediment-associated contaminants, this bioassay may be useful for assessing the effects on larval marine fishes exposed to contaminants.
Cold-start vs. warm-start miss ratios

In a two-level computer storage hierarchy, miss ratio measurements are often made from a “cold start”, that is, made with the first-level store initially empty. For large capacities the effect on the measured miss ratio of the misses incurred while filling the first-level store can be significant, even for long reference strings. Use of “warm-start” rather than “cold-start” miss ratios cast doubt on the widespread belief that the observed “S-shape” of lifetime (reciprocal of miss ratio) versus capacity curve indicates a property of behavior of programs that maintain a constant number of pages in main storage. On the other hand, if cold-start miss ratios are measured as a function of capacity and measurement length, then they are useful in studying systems in which operation of a program is periodically interrupted by task switches. It is shown how to obtain, under simple assumptions, the cache miss ratio for multiprogramming from cold-start miss ratio values and how to obtain approximate cold-start miss ratios from warm-start miss ratios.
Eisenstein series on quaternion half-space of degree N

In Kim [7], we studied an Eisenstein series on quaternion half-space of degree 2. By calculating the Siegel series using the method of Karel [5], we obtained the analytic continuation and functional equation of the Eisenstein series. In this note we study an Eisenstein series on quaternion half-space of degreen. By calculating the Siegel series in an analogous way as in Shimura [15] and Kitaoka [8], we obtain singular modular forms of weightk, k<2n and 4/k. Furthermore, we obtain the analytic continuation and functional equation of the Eisenstein series.
Hardy-Littlewood and Caccioppoli-Type Inequalities for -Harmonic Tensors

We prove the new versions of the weighted Hardy-Littlewood inequality and Caccioppoli-type inequality for -harmonic tensors. We also explore applications of our results to -quasiregular mappings and -harmonic functions in .