cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ergodic averages on spheres

LetU 1,U 2, …,U n denoten commuting ergodic invertible measure preserving flows on a probability space (X,Σ,m). LetS r denote the sphere of radiusr inR n , and αr the rotationally invariant unit measure onS r. WriteU tx to denote $$U_1^{t_1 } ...U_n^{t_n } x$$ x wheret=(t 1 …,tn). Define the ergodic averaging operator $$S_r f\left( x \right) = \int_{S_r } f \left( {U^t x} \right)d\sigma _r (t)$$ . This paper shows that these averages converge for eachf ∈L p(X), p>n/(n−1), n≥3. This is closely related to the work on differentiation by E. M. Stein, S. Wainger, and others. Because of their work, the necessary maximal inequality transfers quite easily. The difficulty is to show that we have convergence on a dense subspace. This is done with the aid of a maximal variational inequality.
Infrastructure Maintenance Management System Development

Public concern over the deterioration of the infrastructure calls for rational solutions to the problem of neglect of dangerously failing water, wastewater, and transportation networks. In particular, decisions over maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation planning require sound methodologies and data‐collection practices. In this paper, the concepts of maintenance management incorporating preventive maintenance principles in lieu of crisis management are presented. The information hierarchy and structure for a modern maintenance management system is analyzed in light of its different functions. The case of the development of a maintenance management system for a water distribution system is described, including the different necessary modules and their interfaces. The phased development approach is suggested for the best integration of a maintenance management information system (MIS) by the sponsoring organization.
Interpersonal trust and empathy online: a fragile relationship

An empirical study was conducted focusing on the effect of empathic accuracy and response type on online interpersonal trust in textual IM. The results suggest both empathic accuracy and response type have significant influence on online interpersonal trust. However, the interaction between empathic accuracy and response type is the dominant factor on interpersonal trust. The results also imply an interesting relationship between general trust attitude and online interpersonal trust.
Transition to the Ferroelectric State in Barium Titanate

The phase transition in BaTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ at the Curie point was investigated on single crystals with optical and electrical techniques. Besides raising the cubic-tetragonal transition about 15\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C in the usual way with an electric field along the cube-edge direction, an orthorhombic phase was induced above the Curie point by a field along a face-diagonal direction. Birefringence, polarization, and dielectric constant were measured above and below the Curie point as functions of field strength and field direction. The data fit a unified description using the free energy equation of Devonshire. An atomic model for the induced orthorhombic phase is proposed with Ti ions displaced in alternate cube-edge directions. The shift of the ferroelectric transition with electric field was observed optically and compared with predictions derived from the free-energy curves. Two types of transition were observed: In the slow transition the new phase nucleates at the edges of the crystal and grows by domain-wall motion; in the fast transition, which occurs only if the electric field is changed faster than about 1 kv/cm sec, the entire crystal switches in a uniform, continuous motion in 1 to 2 \ensuremath{\mu}sec.
Duration and Reversibility of Sulfonamide‐Resistance in Chilomonas Paramecium

Resistance to sulfanilamide has persisted in a strain of Chilomonas Paramecium for 255 transfers (63 months) in a drug-free medium. In attempts to modify resistance, stocks derived from sulfonamide-resistant and normal strains have been acclimatized to and then maintained in media containing p-aminobenzoic acid at 5.0, 10.0, 15.0 and 20.0 mgJ100 ml. Each PABA-acclimatized strain was more susceptible to sulfanilamide than its parent stock. In other words, sulfanil-amide-resistant strains lost their resistance and normal strains became hypersensitive. One strain, adapted first to sulfanilamide, subsequently to PABA (15 mgJ100 ml) and again to sulfanilamide, showed a loss of and finally a restoration of sui-fonamide-resistance (but to a degree somewhat lower than the original level).
NDE for utilities: maintaining reliability in a competitive environment

US utilities are facing an increasingly deregulated market place in which price competition will be featured. Correspondingly, utilities are aggressively pursuing cost reduction efforts in all phases of electric power production. Power plant operating and maintenance cost reduction efforts must be carefully managed, however, to avoid a potential reduction in operating reliability. To succeed in this effort will require new NDE techniques and decision support tools. Key attributes of such new techniques will be improved measurement speed and accuracy, reduced preparation requirements, automated data acquisition, and computer-based analysis support. Tools will be required to assist power plant personnel in making the best decisions on what, when, and how to inspect plant components to achieve overall economic objectives.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
“TRANSPARENCY AND LIGHT, STRUCTURE AND SUBSTANCE”: ENAMEL PAINTS IN LáSZLó MOHOLY-NAGY'S Z VII (1926)

Z VII (1926), a painting by Hungarian-born artist Laszlo Moholy-Nagy in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., is striking for its richly varied surface, a quality unusual for his paintings from the period. Recent conservation treatment exposed a range of carefully calibrated and deliberate juxtapositions of smooth glossy and subtly textured matte paints on its surface. Subsequent scientific analysis conducted at the Gallery indicates that enamel paints were used discretely in several areas of the painting. This study addresses the use of these new materials in the artist's repainting of Z VII.
Evaluation of respiratory emergencies in infants and children

Respiratory emergencies are common causes of presentations to the office and emergency department. After rapid assessment of the ABC's including stability of the airway and respiration, one should pursue an anatomic assessment. This can be very useful starting from the upper airway, to the lower airway, to the neuromuscular control of respiration, to the mechanics of respiration, to the lung parenchyma. Lastly, assess for non-respiratory causes of respiratory distress. Integration of the history, physical exam, and laboratory data are critical to assistance in establishing etiology and management schema.
Brain-specific aminopeptidase: from enkephalinase to protector against neurodegeneration.

The major breakthrough discovery of enkephalins as endogenous opiates led our attempts to determine their inactivation mechanisms. Because the NH2-terminal tyrosine is absolutely necessary for the neuropeptides to exert analgesic effects, and aminopeptidase activities are extraordinarily high in the brain, a specific “amino-enkephalinase” should exist. Several aminopeptidases were identified in the central nervous system during the search. In fact, our laboratory found two novel neuron-specific aminopeptidases: NAP and NAP-2. NAP is the only functionally active brain-specific enzyme known. Its synaptic location coupled with its limited substrate specificity could constitute a “functional” specificity and contribute to enkephalin-specific functions. In addition, NAP was found to be essential for neuron growth, differentiation, and death. Thus, aminopeptidases are likely important for mental health and neurological diseases. Recently, puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase (PSA) was identified as a modifier of tau-induced neurodegeneration. Because the enzymatic similarity between PSA and NAP, we believe that the depletion of NAP in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains plays a causal role in the development of AD pathology. Therefore, use of the puromycin-sensitive neuron-aminopeptidase NAP could provide neuroprotective mechanisms in AD and similar neurodegenerative diseases.
A call for critical care training of emergency physicians

Abstract [Osborn TM, Scalea TM. A call for critical care training of emergency physicians. Ann Emerg Med. May 2002;39:562-563.]
The Invisible, the Unclean, the Uncanny: The Feminine Black Other in Lispector's THE PASSION ACCORDING TO G. H.

Although the cockroach is a rather familiar insect in Clarice Lispector's works, common to both The Passion According to G. H. (1964) and “The Fifth Story” (1971), where it is nothing more than a h...
Projections of f-Vectors of Four-Polytopes

respectively. While many partial results are known, it is still an open problem to characterize the complete set of f-vectors for all d-dimensional polytopes if d >~ 4. In view of Euler's formula, an equivalent problem is the characterization of the orthogonal projections of all d-dimensional f-vectors onto any (d- 1)-dimensional subspace which does not contain a normal to the Euler hyperplane. In particular, if all triples involving some three of f0, fl, f2, fs were known (a triple for each four-polytope), then Euler's formula Jo--fl +f~--f~ = 0 would allow us to determine all f-vectors of four-polytopes. A more tractable problem in R ~ appears to be the determination of all projections off-vectors of four-polytopes onto two of the four coordinates f0, f~, .f2, .fa. Specifically, for i < j and i, j ~ {0, 1, 2, 3}, let ~r(i, j) =
The question of rent: the emerging urban housing crisis in the new century

The emergence of a new housing crisis in the United States for low-income renter households at the outset of the twenty-first century can be traced to an increasing lack of affordability, where the average cost of housing as a portion of income has risen steadily over the last half-century. In turn, this rise in housing costs can be attributed to a growing and dramatic shortage of low-cost rental housing. Ultimately, the evocation of homeownership as the embodiment of the ‘American Dream’ has made renting the ‘stepchild’ of housing options, and this has had hidden, but nonetheless deleterious effects upon US cities, which remain major concentrations of rental housing and financially-strapped tenants. Aux Etats-Unis, on peut imputer la nouvelle crise du logement du debut du vingt-et-unieme siecle touchant les menages locataires a faibles revenus a une impossibilite croissante d'accessibilite financiere, la part du cout moyen d'un logement dans le revenu ayant progresse constamment au cours du demi-siecle precedent. Par ailleurs, cette elevation des couts du logement peut etre attribuee a une penurie accrue et dramatique de l'habitat a loyer modere. Enfin, evoquer l'accession a la propriete comme incarnation du ‘Reve americain’ a fait de la location le ‘parent pauvre’ des possibilites de logement, ce qui a eu des effets latents, quoique nefastes, sur les grandes villes americaines, lesquelles restent des concentrations dominantes de logements locatifs et d'occupants desargentes.
An Experimental 600-Foot Sonic Delay Line for the Navy Space Surveillance System

Since the Navy Space Surveillance System operates continuously, there is a large yearly expenditure for recording paper. It was suggested that the recorders be turned on only during a satellite "pass" providing enough signal delay could be introduced so that the recorders could overcome their starting inertia. The requirement for delaying the composite (IRIG) FM telemetering signals from a Space Surveillance site by one-half second was fulfilled by converting the phone line frequencies into sound, which is then transmitted through a pipe long enough to provide the desired delay, and then reconverted into electrical signals for transmission over the line. The results of the experiment were satisfactory.
Unimolecular and hydrolysis channels for the detachment of water from microsolvated alkaline earth dication (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+) clusters

We examine theoretically the three channels that are associated with the detachment of a single water molecule from the aqueous clusters of the alkaline earth dications, [M(H2O) n ]2+, M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, n ≤ 6. These are the unimolecular water loss (M2+(H2O) n-1 + H2O) and the two hydrolysis channels resulting the loss of hydronium ([MOH(H2O) n-2]+ + H3O+) and Zundel ([MOH(H2O) n-3]+ + H3O+(H2O)) cations. Minimum energy paths (MEPs) corresponding to those three channels were constructed at the Moller–Plesset second order perturbation (MP2) level of theory with basis sets of doubleand triple-ζ quality. We furthermore investigated the water and hydronium loss channels from the mono-hydroxide water clusters with up to four water molecules, [MOH (H2O) n ]+, 1 ≤ n ≤ 4. Our results indicate the preference of the hydronium loss and possibly the Zundel-cation loss channels for the smallest size clusters, whereas the unimolecular water loss channel is preferred for the larger ones as well as the mono-hydroxide clusters. Although the charge separation (hydronium and Zundel-cation loss) channels produce more stable products when compared to the ones for the unimolecular water loss, they also require the surmounting of high-energy barriers, a fact that makes the experimental observation of fragments related to these hydrolysis channels difficult.
Evaluation of public research by Japanese industry: the importance of knowledge transfer pass on public-private research collaboration

Due to the recent trend towards the incorporation of increasingly advanced and complex technologies in high-tech products and services, the full benefit of these advanced technologies cannot be realised without access to adequate science-based knowledge. Consequently, the distance of university and industry has become closer. This paper focuses on recent trends in public-private research collaboration in Japan and examines the importance of information sources/activities from public research by assessing the results of a questionnaire survey for the industry. The main findings are that 'discussions', 'cooperative research with the public sector' and 'publications from public research' are the most useful information sources for industrial R&D, while 'patents/licensing from public research' are the least. A serious mismatch is seen in incentives between the public sector and private sector on publicprivate collaboration and intellectual property transfer system.
The Role of Orbitofrontal Cortex in Drug Addiction: A Review of Preclinical Studies

Studies using brain imaging methods have shown that neuronal activity in the orbitofrontal cortex, a brain area thought to promote the ability to control behavior according to likely outcomes or consequences, is altered in drug addicts. These human imaging findings have led to the hypothesis that core features of addiction like compulsive drug use and drug relapse are mediated in part by drug-induced changes in orbitofrontal function. Here, we discuss results from laboratory studies using rats and monkeys on the effect of drug exposure on orbitofrontal-mediated learning tasks and on neuronal structure and activity in orbitofrontal cortex. We also discuss results from studies on the role of the orbitofrontal cortex in drug self-administration and relapse. Our main conclusion is that although there is clear evidence that drug exposure impairs orbitofrontal-dependent learning tasks and alters neuronal activity in orbitofrontal cortex, the precise role these changes play in compulsive drug use and relapse has not yet been established.
Arthrocentesis outcomes through an evaluation of mouth opening and intra articular pain relief in a Venezuelan population

Lead iodide (PbI2) thin filmswere successfully prepared by the thermal evaporation method on a glass substrate at room temperature. The optical properties were investigated as a function of film thickness. The optical absorption data indicate an allowed direct transmission with optical energy gap varies continuously from (2.35–2.40 eV) .The absorption coefficient and band gap energy were determined at room temperature by UV–vis spectrum The low fluctuation in energy gap indicates that the grain size is quite small. This is finding in agreement with AFM results. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijom.2013.07.019
Your mouse is a database

Web and mobile applications are increasingly composed of asynchronous and real-time streaming services and push notifications.
Acute cholesterol depletion impairs functional expression of tissue factor in fibroblasts: modulation of tissue factor activity by membrane cholesterol

Cholesterol, in addition to providing rigidity to the fluid membrane, plays a critical role in receptor function, endocytosis, recycling, and signal transduction. In the present study, we examined the effect of membrane cholesterol on functional expression of tissue factor (TF), a cellular receptor for clotting factor VIIa. Depletion of cholesterol in human fibroblasts (WI-38) with methyl-β-cyclodextrin–reduced TF activity at the cell surface. Binding studies with radiolabeled VIIa and TF monoclonal antibody (mAB) revealed that reduced TF activity in cholesterol-depleted cells stems from the impairment of VIIa interaction with TF rather than the loss of TF receptors at the cell surface. Repletion of cholesterol-depleted cells with cholesterol restored TF function. Loss of caveolar structure on cholesterol removal is not responsible for reduced TF activity. Solubilization of cellular TF in different detergents indicated that a substantial portion of TF in fibroblasts is associated with noncaveolar lipid rafts. Cholesterol depletion studies showed that the TF association with these rafts is cholesterol dependent. Overall, the data presented herein suggest that membrane cholesterol functions as a positive regulator of TF function by maintaining TF receptors, probably in noncaveolar lipid rafts, in a high-affinity state for VIIa binding.
Rapid transport of muco-inert nanoparticles in cystic fibrosis sputum treated with N-acetyl cysteine

Aims: Sputum poses a critical diffusional barrier that strongly limits the efficacy of drug and gene carriers in the airways of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Previous attempts to enhance particle penetration of CF sputum have focused on either reducing its barrier properties via mucolytics, or decreasing particle adhesion to sputum constituents by coating the particle surface with non-mucoadhesive polymers, including polyethylene glycol (PEG). Neither approach has enabled particles to penetrate expectorated sputum at rates previously observed for non-mucoadhesive nanoparticles in human cervicovaginal mucus. Here, we sought to investigate whether a common mucolytic, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), in combination with dense PEG coatings on particles, can synergistically enhance particle penetration across fresh undiluted CF sputum. Materials & methods: We used high-resolution multiple particle tracking to measure the diffusion of uncoated and PEG-coated nanoparticles in native and NAC-treated CF sputum. R...
Towards an example of a nonconvex monotone follower control problem

A one-dimensional monotone follower control problem with a nonconvex Lagrangian is considered. The control problem consists in tracking a standard Wiener process by an adapted nondecreasing process starting at 0. The verification theorem for the problem is presented. The optimal control and the value function are explicitly defined. For some values of parameters of the problem, it is shown that the value function belongs to C2. An interesting feature of the optimally controlled state process is that for some initial states it has jumps at times other than the inital time.
War loss and political reform: An ongoing pattern in Russian history

This paper argues that the collapse of the Soviet state in 1991 was part of a distinct and ongoing pattern in Russian history in which each major alteration of the political fabric of Russia has been accompanied by a loss in an interstate conflict. It is not argued that loss in a foreign war is the sole cause for political reform; rather, it is shown that major political changes in Russian history have never occurred in the absence of defeat in a foreign war. As such, it is shown that during periods of military gain or recent war victory, all attempts at fundamental political reform in Russia's governing structures have failed. As an explanation of this phenomenon, it is proposed that war loss undermined both the state's political legitimacy within Russian society and the crucial instrumentalities of power on which both czarist and communist regimes relied to remain in power.
Persistence of hepatitis B viral DNA after serological recovery from hepatitis B virus infection

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a major medical problem worldwide. Apart from HBsAg carriers, hepatitis B virus has also been identified in some HBsAg—individuals with or without antibodies to viral antigens. The molecular mechanisms underlying hepatitis B virus persistence in HBsAg—individuals are unresolved, however. To identify a possible genetic basis for viral persistence, we cloned the viral genome from the liver of a patient serologically immune to hepatitis B virus infection. DNA sequence analysis of the complete viral genome identified numerous mutations in all viral genes. Analysis of the biological effects of these mutations revealed three major findings: a low level of HBsAg synthesis, absence of HBeAg production and a defect terminating viral replication. These data suggest that mutations accumulating during the natural course of hepatitis B virus infection may be a mechanism underlying viral persistence in HBsAg—individuals, presumably through escape from immune surveillance. (HEPATOLOGY 1991;14:56–62.)
Marginal Vitamin and Mineral Intakes of Young Adults: The Bogalusa Heart Study

Purpose: To determine reported vitamin and mineral intakes, vitamin supplement use, and food consumption patterns of young adults. Methods: Twenty-four-hour dietary recalls were collected from 1988–1991 on a cross-sectional sample of 504 young adults in Bogalusa, Louisiana, between the ages of 19 and 28 years (58% female; 70% white). Reported vitamin and mineral intake data were analyzed for race and gender differences. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated where appropriate. Food sources of selected vitamins and minerals were also examined. Results: Reported intakes of vitamins A, B 6 , E, D, and C, folacin, magnesium, iron, zinc, and calcium were most likely to be inadequate compared with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA); with more females than males reported nutrient intakes less than two thirds of the RDA. Approximately 10% of the population reported taking a vitamin/mineral supplement over the 24-h survey period. Food source data indicated that breads and grains, milk, vegetables and soups, fruits, and beef were the primary contributors of the selected vitamins and minerals. Conclusions: Public health organizations and dietitians need to educate young adults on practical strategies for making wise food choices rich in nutrient content relative to energy value to ensure intakes that approach the RDAs.
Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid: a chromophore, electrophore and pre-column derivatizing agent for high-performance liquid chromatography of alkylamines

Abstract Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid is shown to be an ideal pre-column derivatizing agent for high-performance liquid chromatography of alkylamines. The reaction is quantitative and the trinitrophenyl derivatives are amenable to ultra-violet and electrochemical detection. Electrochemical detection with either a glassy carbon or pressure-annealed pyrolytic graphite working electrode provides lower detection limits than ultraviolet detection and thus is preferable for trace determinations.
Species divergence and the measurement of microbial diversity

Diversity measurement is important for understanding community structure and dynamics, but has been particularly challenging for microorganisms. Microbial community characterization using small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequences has revealed an extensive, previously unsuspected diversity that we are only now beginning to understand, especially now that advanced sequencing technologies are producing datasets containing hundreds of thousands of sequences from hundreds of samples. Efforts to quantify microbial diversity often use taxon-based methods that ignore the fact that not all species are equally related, which can therefore obscure important patterns in the data. For example, α-diversity (diversity within communities) is often estimated as the number of species in a community (species richness), and β-diversity (partitioning of diversity among communities) is often based on the number of shared species. Methods for measuring α- and β-diversity that account for different levels of divergence between individuals have recently been more widely applied. These methods are more powerful than taxon-based methods because microorganisms in a community differ dramatically in sequence similarity, which also often correlates with phenotypic similarity in key features such as metabolic capabilities. Consequently, divergence-based methods are providing new insights into microbial community structure and function.
184 LASER DOPPLER MONITORING OF TISSUE PERFUSION

Laser doppler (LD) velocimetry theoretically offers a noninvasive objective measurement of tissue perfusion, an important clinical parameter that is currently only subjectively assessed. The laser doppler (Med Pacific)uses a skin sensor to measure reflected light from a helium-neon laser that penetrates tissue about 15 mm over a 1 mm2 area. It utilizes the doppler principle to calculate the root-mean-square frequency of the reflected light. Because of the extremely small cross sectional area of the vessels in the microcirculation that this technique samples, this continuously monitored number represents changes in tissue blood flow. We used the LD to assess tissue perfusion on 10 critically ill neonates (480 to 1600 gm) in the NICU to evaluate the feasibility of its clinical application. During the study we recorded temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and hematocrit to determine what factors might influence perfusion. We monitored the infants during procedures that were stressful or would alter cardiac output such as ET tube suctioning, blood transfusion and intubation. The LD was very sensitive, in fact, too sensitive to changes in tissue blood flow. There was no correlation between any of our measured parameters and changes in perfusion as measured by the LD. Obvious stress with procedures such as suctioning and intubation caused immediate decreases in perfusion, but changes in the readings from minute to minute varied just as much. In fact, moving the skin sensor as little as 1 mm would cause as much as a 300% change in readings. The LD appears to be an extremely sensitive monitor of local tissue perfusion, being more indicative of effects of local factors (skin temperature changes or application pressure) rather than changes in cardiac output. Non-invasive measurement of perfusion as measured by laser doppler still appears to be problematic.
Hit-and-Run Crashes: Use of Rough Set Analysis with Logistic Regression to Capture Critical Attributes and Determinants

In this paper, an innovative mathematical tool, rough set analysis (RSA), combined with logistic regression modeling, is used to understand the key factors associated with hit-and-run collisions in Hawaii. After a description of the nature of the problem in Hawaii and some background on the RSA, the methods are applied to a comprehensive database of police-reported accidents over the period 2002 to 2005. RSA is used to extract the key determinants of hit-and-run collisions. With the information from the RSA, a logistic regression model is built to explain the key factors associated with hit-and-run crashes in Hawaii. Factors such as being (a) a male, (b) a tourist, and (c) intoxicated and driving a stolen vehicle are strong predictors of hit-and-run crashes. In addition to the obvious human factors associated with these crashes, there are interesting roadway features, such as horizontal alignment, weather, and lighting, that are also significantly related to hit-and-run crashes. Some suggestions for reducing hit-and-run crashes as well as opportunities for additional research are identified.
Metal-Catalyzed Oxidation of Extracellular Matrix Proteins Promotes Human Mesangial Cell Apoptosis and Is Associated with Enhanced Expression of Bax and Caspase Activation

Abstract Oxidative injury in glomerular disease may oxidize extracellular matrix proteins which might modulate their interaction with mesangial cells and thereby account for the hypocellularity seen in advanced glomerulosclerosis. In this study we evaluated whether oxidation of extracellular matrix could modulate human mesangial cell apoptosis. Human mesangial cells were seeded onto plates coated with unmodified (control) or oxidized Matrigel, laminin, or type IV collagen. Mesangial cell apoptosis was increased on oxidized Matrigel as well as on oxidized laminin and type IV collagen. Mesangial cells behaved similarly on plates coated with control and oxidized forms of the integrin ligand-containing peptide GRGDSP. Cells on oxidized matrix demonstrated enhanced expression of Bax, increased fragmentation of PARP, and diminished apoptosis in the presence of the interleukin-1β converting enzyme inhibitor Ac-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-aldehyde. These data suggest that oxidation of extracellular matrix proteins may enhance human mesangial cell apoptosis via a mechanism that appears to involve enhanced expression of Bax and caspase activation. This may account for irreversible mesangial hypocellularity in glomerulosclerosis.
A new mass spectrometric method for determining the degree of labeling with heavy isotopes: The study of deuterated toluenes

A new method of general applicability for determining the percentage deuterium labeling in organic compounds is described. It uses the heights of ‘metastable peaks’ in the mass spectrum to determine the relative amounts of deuterated and undeuterated species. The method is illustrated by describing the analysis of mixtures of toluene-o-d1 and toluene, of toluene α-d1 and toluene, and of toluene-2,6-d2, toluene-o-d1 and toluene.
Galling wear of materials at high speed sliding contact

Abstract Wear by galling is detrimental to the service life of bearing surfaces of machine elements in relative motion. This is especially so in the case of high speed rotating machinery when the lubricants fail to be effective. It is proposed, in this paper, that wear leading to galling can be influenced by changes (metallurgical, mechanical and chemical) that take place in situ during sliding. Experiments were conducted at high sliding speed (20,000 s.f.p.m.) using a newly developed microfeed mechanism on a grinding machine to simulate the conditions of rubbing. Various micromechanisms of wear leading to accelerated adhesive wear (galling) are identified and discussed. Using Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopic and Auger Electron Spectroscopic techniques, the micromechanisms leading to galling were investigated.
The role of Gadd45a in the survival of melanocytes and melanoma cells.

Despite improvements in prevention and screening, mortality from advanced melanoma has not improved (Geller et al., 2007) and ultraviolet radiation (UV) is a major risk factor for melanoma development (Fears et al., 2002). Greater understanding of the mechanisms of melanoma development may lead to novel treatment options. As opposed to keratinocytes, which routinely undergo apoptosis after UVB irradiation, melanocytes resist apoptosis. In previous work, melanocytes and melanoma cells responded to UVB by activating an original pathway involving Gadd45a, one of the several growth-arrest and DNA damage–inducible genes (Lefort et al., 2001).
Structure and dynamics of colloidal depletion gels: Coincidence of transitions and heterogeneity

Transitions in structural heterogeneity of colloidal depletion gels formed through short-range attractive interactions are correlated with their dynamical arrest. The system is a density and refractive index matched suspension of 0.20 volume fraction poly(methyl methacyrlate) colloids with the nonadsorbing depletant polystyrene added at a size ratio of depletant to colloid of 0.043. As the strength of the short-range attractive interaction is increased, clusters become increasingly structurally heterogeneous, as characterized by number-density fluctuations, and dynamically immobilized, as characterized by the single-particle mean-squared displacement. The number of free colloids in the suspension also progressively declines. As an immobile cluster to gel transition is traversed, structural heterogeneity abruptly decreases. Simultaneously, the mean single-particle dynamics saturates at a localization length on the order of the short-range attractive potential range. Both immobile cluster and gel regimes show dynamical heterogeneity. Non-Gaussian distributions of single particle displacements reveal enhanced populations of dynamical trajectories localized on two different length scales. Similar dependencies of number density fluctuations, free particle number, and dynamical length scales on the order of the range of short-range attraction suggests a collective structural origin of dynamic heterogeneity in colloidal gels.
The labor-market effects of an anti-poverty program: results from hierarchical linear modeling

Abstract Using Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM), this paper estimates the impact of random assignment into an anti-poverty program, New Hope, on earnings. The use of HLM allows for an examination of program impacts on levels, as well as trends, in quarterly data spanning more than two years of earnings. Results show that New Hope is associated with higher final levels of earnings. Additionally, results indicate that experimental group members experienced rapid earnings growth immediately after the quarter of random assignment, but that their earnings growth did not increase at a significant rate over the subsequent two-year period. Like many welfare recipients today, New Hope participants were required to work in order to receive the program’s benefits. The results from this paper indicate that such a policy can lead to a rapid increase in participants’ earnings, but that earnings may not continue to increase over time and may not increase enough to lift families out of poverty.
On the preimage sets of entire functions

From the classical Weierstrass factorization theorem we know that for any given sequence {an} of complex numbers that has no finite limit point, there exists an entire function / such that the sequence {an} is precisely the zeros of / (counted by multiplicities). A natural question to ask is: given a sequence {an} that has no finite limit point, does there exist an entire function / such that the sequence {an} is precisely the zeros and one-points of / ? A similar but more restrictive question was posed by Rubel and Yang [14, p. 289]. The answer to the question here, in general, is no. Gross [4] made the following general definition.
An overview of the pointing control system for NASA's Space Infra-red Telescope Facility (SIRTF)

This paper discusses the pointing control system for NASA's Space Infra-Red Telescope Facility (SIRTF). After an introduction to the SIRTF mission and telescope, an overview is given of the pointing control hardware, pointing control architecture, pointing requirements and capability, attitude constraints and commanding, attitude observers and required calibrations.
Structure and organization of the chicken H2B histone gene family.

Abstract The results of Southern blotting experiments confirm that the chicken H2B histone gene family contains eight highly homologous members. One or two more sequences which are considerably divergent from the others appear to exist in the chicken genome. Seven of the eight H2B genes have been cloned and sequenced. All seven genes fall in two histone gene clusters, but no common arrangement exists for the clusters themselves. Three different H2B protein variants are encoded by these seven genes. The nucleotide sequence homology among the genes within their coding sequences appears to exceed that required for the corresponding protein sequences, suggesting that histone H2B mRNA sequence and structure are both selected during evolution. An analysis of the 5' flanking sequence data reveals that these genes possess CCAAT and TATA boxes, elements commonly associated with genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II. In addition, these genes all share an H2B-specific element of the form: ATTTGCATA. The 3' sequences of these genes contain the hyphenated symmetrical dyad homology and downstream purine-rich sequence shared by histone genes in general.
Liver transplantation for sickle cell hepatopathy

Hepatomegaly and liver biochemical abnor-malities are nearly universal in affected persons; mostpatients have increased serum unconjugated bilirubinand aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels as a resultof ongoing hemolysis. Serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT) increases reﬂect hepatocellular injury, and in-creased serum alkaline phosphatase levels are usuallyof bone origin.
Teaching language organization to a child with pervasive developmental disorder: a case study

This investigation determined the effects of a treatment programme, The Expression Connection (1991), on the language organization of a firstgrade male child with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (...
Voters' perceptions of government performance and attributions of responsibility: Electoral control in Poland

We test the claim that elections function as a mechanism of accountability in the case of Poland, a new democracy with a fluid party system. We ask whether individuals’ vote intentions are based on assessments of governing parties’ performance. Taking into consideration attributions of responsibility for such performance, accountability exists if assessments of poor performance decrease the probability of voting for a ruling party. We use two criteria of performance: perceived change in unemployment rate and level of corruption between two consecutive elections. Using data from the Polish POLPAN panel survey, our results confirm the existence of a heterogeneous sanctioning model.
Effect of pulse administration of glucose or glucagon on insulin secretion in vitro

Abstract The isolated perfused pancreas of the rat was modified as follows from that previously used in this laboratory: Albumin buffer was substituted for rat plasma as perfusate, permitting controlled addition of agents with no interference from unknown plasma components; pulse experiments were performed in which agents were rapidly added and complete pancreatic eluates were collected at 30-sec. intervals, allowing measurement of the time relationship between stimulation and insulin response during a single passage of an agent through the pancreas. After addition of glucose, insulin secretion was prompt, occurring within 30 sec. Levels followed the rise and fall of glucose and notably there was no pancreatic memory, insulin secretion terminating 30 sec. after completion of the glucose pulse. Glucagon, containing glucagon-I 131 as an isotopic marker, directly stimulated insulin secretion in the absence of any added glucose. Insulin secretion occurred within 30 sec. after the glucagon entry in the pancreas and paralled glucagon concentration. As with the glucose-stimulated pancreas, there was no pancreatic memory, insulin secretion decreasing to basal levels within 30 sec. after the glucagon pulse was cleared. Glucagon did not affect the chromatographic integrity of simultaneously infused insulin-I 131 . Casein, an inhibitor of “insulinase”, did not duplicate the effect of glucagon. Theophylline, an inhibitor of cyclic AMP degradation, stimulated secretion in the absence of glucose. It was concluded that insulin secretion promptly responds to changes in glucose concentration and there is no significant pancreatic memory. Glucagon can also stimulate insulin secretion by a mechanism not requiring glucose or a sparing effect on insulin degradation, but possibly requiring the production of cyclic AMP.
The Use of AERMOD Air Pollution Dispersion Models to Estimate Residential Ambient Concentrations of Elemental Mercury

Source-oriented models are ideally suited to examine the impact of terrain and meteorology and source factors such as stack height when evaluating exposures to air pollutants. A source-oriented, Gaussian plume air pollution dispersion model AERMOD was used to estimate the spatial distribution of elemental mercury (Hg0) from a typical coal-fired boiler emitting 0.001 g Hg0/s. Hg0 was chosen because of its health impact related to potential neurological and reproductive effects which may be especially important for high-risk populations. Results from four simulations using meteorological data from 2004 were compared for flat and hilly terrain from 20- and 55-m stacks at a distance of 1,350 m from the source. Variations within a quadrant were affected primarily by topography. For the 20-m stack, the average annual ambient concentration for individuals living within the northeast (NE) quadrant was significantly lower at 2.5 ng Hg0/m3 (P < 0.001; confidence interval (CI), 2.4–2.6) in flat terrain versus 3.3 ng Hg0/m3 in hilly (P < 0.001; CI, 1.2–1.3). NE concentrations of the source showed high spatial variability attributed to topography with 1-h maximums of 4.0 ng Hg0/m3 flat versus 7.1 ng Hg0/m3 hilly. Not unexpectedly, average annual concentrations were considerably lower for the 55-m stack although topography remained a significant variable with 0.1 ng Hg0/m3 in flat terrain (p < 0.001; CI, 0.11–0.13) and double that exposure at 0.2 ng Hg0/m3 in hilly terrain (p < 0.001; CI, 0.16–0.18). Annual average mercury concentrations due to emissions from the 20-m stack were ~20 times higher than ambient concentrations associated with the 55-m stack. A sensitivity analysis was performed for meteorological effects, using meteorological data from years 2001–2005. Varying the roughness factor had no significant effect on the results. For all simulations, the highest concentrations were located in the NE quadrant. During 2001–2005, the highest average annual ambient Hg concentration ranged from 6.2 to 7.0 ng Hg0/m3 for the 20-m stack and 0.3–0.5 ng Hg0/m3 for the 55-m stack. Thus, this model is robust. These results demonstrate the usefulness of a source-oriented model such as AERMOD for incorporating multiple factors for estimating air pollution exposures for communities near point sources. The importance of considering topography, meteorology, and source characteristics when placing air samplers to measure air quality and when using buffer zones to estimate ambient residential exposures is also illustrated. Residential communities in hilly terrain near industrial point sources may have between two to three times the exposures as those in flat terrain. Exposures will vary depending on the stack height of the point source.
The effect of bi-directional recycle streams on extractor operations

Abstract Economic operation of extraction processes often requires that the solvents be returned to the process for reuse after the solute products have been removed from them. Complete separation of the solute from the solvent is seldom accomplished so that small quantities of solute are returned to the extractor with the solvent. An algorithm is developed and implemented which describes the effect of bi-directional solute recycle on the operation of an extractor. This algorithm enables the operator and designer to quantify the effect of recycle and to optimize the operations of extraction and solvent purification as a combined operation.
A tale of two methods: Comparing regression and instrumental variables estimates of the effects of preschool child care type on the subsequent externalizing behavior of children in low-income families

We apply instrumental variables (IV) techniques to a pooled data set of employment-focused experiments to examine the relation between type of preschool childcare and subsequent externalizing problem behavior for a large sample of low-income children. To assess the potential usefulness of this approach for addressing biases that can confound causal inferences in child care research, we compare instrumental variables results with those obtained using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. We find that our OLS estimates concur with prior studies showing small positive associations between center-based care and later externalizing behavior. By contrast, our IV estimates indicate that preschool-aged children with center care experience are rated by mothers and teachers as having fewer externalizing problems on entering elementary school than their peers who were not in child care as preschoolers. Findings are discussed in relation to the literature on associations between different types of community-based child care and children’s social behavior, particularly within low-income populations. Moreover, we use this study to highlight the relative strengths and weaknesses of each analytic method for addressing causal questions in developmental research.
Medicolegal aspects of epidural steroid injections

Objectives The clinical use of epidural steroid injection and related legal claims have increased over time. Practitioners in the field of Pain Medicine must be aware of their ethical and legal responsibilities to their patients. Physicians must also be cognizant of how their own behavior may be a liability. Methods We performed a literature search using the PubMed and American Society of Anesthesiologists database for articles and guidelines related to epidural steroid injections and/or chronic pain. Further information was obtained via the LexisNexis database, including legal cases in which complications resulting from an epidural steroid injection had formed the basis of a medical malpractice action. The legal duties of physicians, as set forth in United States law, were also reviewed. Conclusions Legal claims are filed against people who do everything correctly and those who do not—their outcome does not necessarily reflect justice. The practice of medicine is an art, which combines knowledge, technical skill, and interpersonal relations. Physicians must take a leading role not only in the medical care of their patients, but as educators in the legal arena. Where physicians fail to do so, others who lack medical training and an appreciation of the subtleties of the art will, of necessity, dictate the standards of medical care.