cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HUNGARIAN URBANIZATION AND SOCIALIST IDEOLOGY

This paper addresses the extent to which urbanization in Hungary has fulfilled socialist planning ideology. In particular, aspects of overall urban systems and regional development, industrialization, housing, and features of the so-called "socialist cities" are examined. Results indicate that although the urban system has become more balanced in recent years, marked disparities exist in the regional pattern of city growth rates, trends of industrialization, and in the provision of housing. Furthermore, the socialist cities have not met all expectations. Socialism appears to be producing a fundamentally new-though still contradictory-process of urbanization based on the State's concern for efficiency rather than equity.
ABSENCE OF THE PLASMA GROWTH HORMONE-BINDING PROTEIN IN LARON-TYPE DWARFISM*

We recently described a specific, high affinity binding protein (BP) for growth hormone (GH) in normal human plasma. Little is known about the source, regulation and biological role of this BP. Because its specificity is similar to that of the GH receptor, we considered the possibility that it represented a circulating receptor subunlt or fragment. Laron-type dwarfism is a rare disorder characterized by severe growth failure, resistance to GH, and GH receptor deficiency. To probe the relationship between the receptor and the circulating binding protein, we measured the binding of GH to plasma from a child with Laron-type dwarfism and compared it with that in plasma of normal children and adults. Normal plasma samples were supplemented with unlabeled GH to the endogenous GH level in the plasma of the Laron patient to yield comparable saturation of the BP. After incubation of plasma with radlolabeled GH, bound GH was separated from free GH by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. There was no detectable binding...
Phytochrome control of electrical potentials and intercellular coupling in oat-coleoptile tissue.

Microelectrodes were used to demonstrate two electrical responses which occur in oat (Avena sativa L.) coleoptile parenchyma-cells during exposure to red light. The membrane potential of these cells depolarized 5–10 mV in several seconds in red light and repolarized more slowly in far-red light. By pulsing current through the cells, it was found that cellular coupling along the longitudinal axis of the coleoptile increased about 2-fold in red light, but that coupling along the lateral axis was not affected. The rapid changes in membrane potential are consistent with the idea of a membrane locale for early phytochrome action. The coupling experiments suggest that phytochrome may also affect plasmodesmata in this system.
Human paraoxonase 1 hydrolysis of nanomolar chlorpyrifos-oxon concentrations is unaffected by phenotype or Q192R genotype.

Abstract The organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos has been widely used. Its active metabolite chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPO) is a potent anticholinesterase and is detoxified by paraoxonase 1 (PON1). PON1 activity is influenced by numerous factors including a Q192R polymorphism. Using forty human blood samples bearing homozygous genotypes and either high or low activity phenotypes (as determined by high concentration assays of paraoxon and diazoxon hydrolysis) the serum PON1 hydrolysis of high (320 μM) and low (178 nM) CPO concentrations was assessed using direct or indirect spectrophotometric methods, respectively. PON1 activity at high CPO concentration reflected the phenotype and genotype differences; subjects with the high activity phenotype and homozygous for the PON1 R192 alloform hydrolyzed significantly more CPO than subjects with the low activity phenotype and/or PON1 Q192 alloform (high RR = 11023 ± 722, low RR = 9467 ± 798, high QQ = 8809 ± 672, low QQ = 6030 ± 1015 μmol CPO hydrolyzed/min/L serum). However, PON1 hydrolysis of CPO at the lower, more environmentally relevant concentration showed no significant differences between the PON1 192 genotypes and/or between high and low activity phenotypes (high RR = 231 ± 27, low RR = 219 ± 52, high QQ = 193 ± 59, low QQ = 185 ± 43 nmol CPO/min/L serum). Low CPO concentrations were probably not saturating, so PON1 did not display maximal velocity and the PON1 genotype/phenotype might not influence the extent of metabolism at environmental exposures.
Solving the Biaxial Bending Problem in Reinforced Concrete by a Three‐Level Iteration Procedure

This article describes a computer algorithm which will give the nominal axial load strength at given eccentricities ex and ey from the geometric center of a rectangular reinforced-concrete column. A subroutine is first written to obtain the eccentricities ex and ey from an assigned location of the neutral axis. This subroutine is then repeatedly used to locate the neutral axis to satisfy the given ex and ey values by a three-level iteration procedure. Once the neutral axis is located, the nominal axial load strength is simply the by-product.
Efficacy of Danazol in Hematologic Disorders

Danazol, an attenuated androgen developed for the treatment of endometriosis, has recently been found useful in the treatment of several hematologic disorders, including idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, myelodysplastic syndrome, and others. Our studies of the past 6 years have demonstrated that danazol is advantageous in the treatment of AIHA, and in specifically defined populations of ITP patients. Of 96 ITP patients treated with danazol 61% overall had excellent/good responses, but this rate varied markedly with prognostic factors, e.g. 82% in older women versus only 18% in younger women. Of 28 AIHA patients, 77% with idiopathic type and 60% with secondary type were excellent/good responders. When the drug was discontinued after 1 year or more of therapy, lasting unmaintained remissions of up to 5 years were often observed in both ITP and AIHA, a notably important benefit. The side-effects of danazol are generally much less serious than with glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids can be tapered off and in most cases discontinued completely with danazol therapy in AIHA and chronic ITP. Approximately one third of ITP patients who failed on glucocorticoids are successfully maintained on danazol. Its mechanism of action in these disorders is currently under study in our laboratory, stimulated by new findings. Tentatively, danazol appears to modify cell membranes in a manner leading to specific immune modulations, as discussed. Further study is warranted to explore its application to other autoimmune and membrane-related disorders, and to clarify its mechanism of therapy.
Filament-Producing Mutants of Influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) Virus Have Higher Neuraminidase Activities than the Spherical Wild-Type

Influenza virus exhibits two morphologies – spherical and filamentous. Strains that have been grown extensively in laboratory substrates are comprised predominantly of spherical virions while clinical or low passage isolates produce a mixture of spheres and filamentous virions of varying lengths. The filamentous morphology can be lost upon continued passage in embryonated chicken eggs, a common laboratory substrate for influenza viruses. The fact that the filamentous morphology is maintained in nature but lost in favor of a spherical morphology in ovo suggests that filaments confer a selective advantage within the infected host that is not necessary for growth in laboratory substrates. Indeed, we have recently shown that filament-producing variant viruses are selected upon passage of the spherical laboratory strain A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) [PR8] in guinea pigs. Toward determining the nature of the selective advantage conferred by filaments, we sought to identify functional differences between spherical and filamentous particles. We compared the wild-type PR8 virus to two previously characterized recombinant PR8 viruses in which single point mutations within M1 confer a filamentous morphology. Our results indicate that these filamentous PR8 mutants have higher neuraminidase activities than the spherical PR8 virus. Conversely, no differences were observed in HAU:PFU or HAU:RNA ratios, binding avidity, sensitivity to immune serum in hemagglutination inhibition assays, or virion stability at elevated temperatures. Based on these results, we propose that the pleomorphic nature of influenza virus particles is important for the optimization of neuraminidase functions in vivo.
Quantitative Analysis of Changes in the Molecular Species of Glycerolipids in Cultured Cells during Signal Transduction

Abstract A method for the quantitative analysis of the molecular species of glycerolipids present In biological samples has been described. 1,2-Diacyl- sn -glycerol, either isolated from biological samples or enzymatically generated from phosphoglycerides, is benzoylated at the sn -3 position and then subjected to reverse-phase (C 18 -silica) HPLC to separate the molecular species of different hydrophobicitles. An internal standard (1,2-distearoyl- sn -glycerol) is used to identify and quantify the various species eluted from the reverse-phase column. Examples are given for the quantitative analysis of molecular species and precursor-product relationships of glycerolipids generated In SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells after stimulation of the cell-surface muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
Apparent high-magnetic-field fluctuation superconductivity in the 2–3TC range

Measurements of the magnetic-field dependence of the electrical resistivity in bulk specimens of very-short-coherence-distance superconducting alloys suggest the presence of fluctuation superconductivity up to at least 3 TC, and up to 40 kG in the vicinity of 2.5 TC.
An Acute Effect of Estradiol on Steroid Hydroxylation by the Rat Adrenal

It has previously been shown that adrenal homogenates from rats treated chronically with estradiol hydroxylate desoxycorticosterone (DOC) to a greater degree than control glands and that 10-5M estradiol added in vitro stimulates succinate-supported hydroxylation. Estradiol, administered iv 30 min prior to adrenalectomy, stimulates in vitro hydroxylation of DOC to corticosterone and 18-hydroxy-DOC in a succinate-supported system. The stimulation is demonstrable in stressed animals which are already maximally producing corticosterone in vivo but does not occur in the absence of ACTH. Estradiol thus appears to stimulate 11β- and 18- hydroxylation in vivo at a dose level at which it is without effect in vitro (Endocrinology 86: 175, 1970)
Honey Caches Help Female Paper Wasps (Polistes annularis) Survive Texas Winters

Polistes annularis females store honey in their nests in autumn. They return to their nests on warmn winter days, eat honey, and defend itfrom non-sisters. Honey deprivation decreases numbers surviving the winter; females that do survive without honey build smaller spring nests.
Effect of deamidation of asparagine 146 on functional and structural properties of human lens alphaB-crystallin.

PURPOSE To elucidate the effect of deamidation on the structural and functional properties of human alphaB-crystallin. METHODS Site-directed mutagenesis was used to generate three deamidated mutants of alphaB-crystallin: N78D, N146D, and N78D/N146D. The mutations were confirmed by DNA sequencing and matrix-assisted desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Recombinant native alphaB-crystallin (wild type [WT]) and the three mutated alphaB species were expressed, and each species was purified to homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography followed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The structural and functional properties compared with WT protein were investigated, respectively, by static light scattering (SLS), circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence spectroscopy and by determining chaperone activity with the use of three substrates. RESULTS Native WT and the N78D mutant showed relatively higher chaperone activity compared with the N146D and N78D/N146D mutants with all the substrates. Further, during binding experiments with 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS), the WT and N78D mutant showed relatively more solvent-exposed hydrophobic residues than the N146D and N78D/N146D mutants. On determining far-UV circular dichroism and tryptophan (Trp) fluorescence spectra, significant secondary and tertiary structural changes were observed in the N146D and N78D/N146D mutants compared with WT and the N78D mutant. The static light scattering data showed a high order of oligomerization in all the three mutants. N146D and N78D/N146D formed the largest oligomers of 750 and 770 kDa, respectively, compared with WT (580 kDa). CONCLUSIONS The results show that the deamidation of N146 but not of N78 have profound effects on the structural and functional properties of alphaB-crystallin.
A simple and efficient curved beam element for the linear and non-linear analysis of laminated composite structures

Abstract The paper reports on the development and application of a curved, two-noded beam finite element capable of analyzing the pre- and post-buckling behavior of laminated anisotropic structures undergoing large elastic deformations (displacements and rotations). The total number of the elemental degrees-of-freedom equals six. The formulation of the geometrically non-linear problem is performed along the lines of the ‘updated Lagrangian’ (UL) description of motion. The development of the pertinent element matrices is based on a modified version of the variational theorem due to Hellinger and Reissner which—unlike the ‘classical’ assumed displacement formulation—allows for stress resultants and displacements to be approximated independently from one another. In order to assess the performance of the element, a number of sample problems were investigated. Some of the numerical results obtained are presented and discussed in the final part of the paper.
BECOMING WHO WE ARE: A THEORETICAL EXPLANATION OF GENDERED SOCIAL STRUCTURES AND SOCIAL NETWORKS THAT SHAPE ADOLESCENT INTERPERSONAL AGGRESSION

A conceptualization of gendered interpersonal aggression that is grounded in the social ecological framework is presented to explicate factors in adolescents' gendered environments that give rise to aggression and victimization. The focus is on gendered social structures and social networks. Our framework for prevention suggests that violence prevention requires that we move our culture from one that continually recreates gendered structures that reinforce power and authority as masculine and that confer opportunities and constraints in ways that favor men over women. It will require deliberate action to legitimize the feminine in our culture and develop laws and practices that abolish gender inequities.
Design Requirements for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines

This paper presents the research in support of the development of design requirements for floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs).An overview of technical challenges in the design of FOWTs is discussed, followed by a summary of the case studies using representative FOWT concepts. Three design concepts, including a Spar-type, a TLP-type and a Semisubmersible-type floating support structure carrying a 5-MW offshore wind turbine, are selected for the case studies. Both operational and extreme storm conditions on the US Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) are considered. A state-of-the-art simulation technique is employed to perform fully coupled aero-hydro-servo-elastic analysis using the integrated FOWT model. This technique can take into account dynamic interactions among the turbine Rotor-Nacelle Assembly (RNA), turbine control system, floating support structure and stationkeeping system. The relative importance of various design parameters and their impact on the development of design criteria are evaluated through parametric analyses.The paper also introduces the design requirements put forward in the recently published ABS Guide for Building and Classing Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Installations (ABS, 2013).Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Shear Behavior and Mode of Failure for ASTM C1433 Precast Box Culverts

This study evaluates the shear behavior and capacity of the precast concrete box culverts subjected to HS 20 truck wheel load. The most critical culvert behavior was considered by studying culverts subjected to zero depth of the fill and placed on a rigid bedding material. Full-scale experimental tests, with wheel load placed at the distance d from the tip of the haunch to the edge of the load plate, were conducted on 24 typical precast concrete box culverts designated as per ASTM C1433-05. The test results further indicated that flexure governed the behavior up to and beyond AASHTO 2005 factored load. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite-element models (FEMs) of the test specimens were developed and verified with the experimental results. The three-dimensional volumetric shear force distributions on the top slab of the 42 ASTM C1433-05 boxes were obtained by using the FEM from which the distribution width for each box was calculated. This was used to obtain the critical factored shear force for all the box...
Technical Note-An Importance Ranking for System Components Based upon Cuts

Measures and rankings of a system's components relative to their importance to the system reliability have been developed by a number of authors to aid in the identification of those components on which to concentrate the resources for reliability improvement. This note proposes a new definition of component importance that is based upon minimal cuts and compares it with earlier definitions. We conclude that the new definition has distinct advantages when the system is composed of highly reliable components.
The prevalence of asthma in an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic program.

Purpose. To determine the prevalence of asthma among all varsity athletes in a large National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I program. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records for all varsity athletes at The Ohio State University (OSU). Data were abstracted from patient charts that contained a Medical Health Questionnaire, annual physical examinations, and medical encounters by the OSU Sports Medicine staff. A diagnosis of asthma was defined by self-report of physician diagnosis as recorded in the medical record. Results. Overall, 130 of 763 (17.0%) athletes had a diagnosis of asthma. Females (67/280 or 23.9%) had a significantly higher prevalence of asthma than males (63/483 or 13.0%) (p value = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of asthma between high- and low-ventilation sports. (p value = 0.201). Conclusions. The prevalence of asthma among varsity athletes at The Ohio State University is 17.0%, which is significantly higher than the reported...
Beguiled by the gallium. Thymic rebound in an adult after chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease.

An 18-year-old woman was diagnosed as having Hodgkins disease involving the mediastinal lymph nodes and lung parenchyma. A pretreatment gallium 67 scan showed increased uptake in the mediastinum. Chest radiograph and chest computed tomographic (CT) scans after chemotherapy demonstrated resolution of disease, and a repeated gallium scan was normal. Four months later, a surveillance gallium scan showed increased activity in the mediastinal and hilar regions with corresponding chest CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing a retrosternal mass. Prior to committing the patient to aggressive treatment for presumed disease relapse, a biopsy of the mass was performed and a specimen showed normal thymus tissue. The patient has continued in remission without further therapy 3 years after her initial treatment, with subsequent normal gallium scans and a stable mass on CT and MRI. Thymic enlargement following chemotherapy can occur with Hodgkin's disease in young adults, and interpretation of imaging studies, including gallium scanning, must be made with this consideration in mind.
FUNCTION THEORY AND MULTIPLICATIVE LINEAR FUNCTIONALS

The principal result of this paper is that HO is a logmodular algebra on the maximal ideal space of Lw(m), i.e., that each real-valued function in L(m) is the logarithm of the modulus of an invertible function in the algebra H'. This enables us to deduce from (a) and (b) the bulk of the generalized analytic function theory which is valid for logmodular algebras [ 8]. Srinivasan and Wang [ 10] have shown that this "function theory" follows if one assumes (a), (b), and (c) A + A is dense in L2(m). Lumer [9] has demonstrated the results under the assumption that A is an algebra of continuous functions on a compact Hausdorff space, m is a Borel measure on X which is multiplicative on A, and no other positive measure on X induces the same linear functional on A as does m. In ?5, we shall comment on this function algebra setting.
Remote Ischemic Conditioning Restores Contractile defect Following Ischemia by Reversing Ischemia-Induced Decreases in Phosphorylation of Sarcomeric Proteins

Non-invasive remote ischemic conditioning, repetitive brief ischemia of the arm or leg through alternating inflation and deflation of a blood-pressure cuff, has been demonstrated to produce cardioprotection in animal models and in clinical studies. Our previous study using an in vivo rat ischemia model demonstrated a decrease in maximal force per cross-sectional area (Fmax) and the rate constant of force activation (kact) following flash photolysis of caged Ca2+ (NP-EGTA), which correlated with a decrease in phosphorylation of troponin I (TnI) and myosin binding protein-C (MyBP-C), important regulators of muscle contraction and targets of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) upon β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation. Therefore, we hypothesized that remote ischemic conditioning would mitigate the decrease in mechanical function following acute ischemia by reversing ischemia-derived decreases in phosphorylation of sarcomeric proteins and/or of PKA subunits. To test this hypothesis, we examined Fmax, kact, and phosphorylation status of MyBP-C, TnT, TnI, and PKA subunits in control, ischemic and conditioned rat myocardia. Remote ischemic conditioning was simultaneously applied to experimental rats undergoing 30-min acute myocardial ischemia with LAD ligation by executing 3 cycles of 5-min inflation and deflation of a blood-pressure cuff mounted on the left hind limb. Our data show that remote ischemic conditioning significantly blunts the reduction in Fmax (72.5 ± 4.9 vs 53.7 ± 3.4 vs 64.9 ± 2.4 mN/mm2; control vs ischemic vs conditioned, n=9; P < 0.05) and in kact (24.4 ± 1.9 vs 19.1 ± 1.0 vs 23.1 ± 1.1 s−1; control vs ischemic vs conditioned, n=9; P < 0.05), which correlates with reversal of ischemia-derived decreases in phosphorylation of target proteins of PKA. These data suggest that remote conditioning merits additional study for its beneficial role in ischemia-induced myocardial dysfunction.
Circular plate under a uniformly distributed impulse

Abstract Experiments are described in which simply supported circular plates are subjected to uniformly distributed impulses and the permanent deformations obtained are compared with those predicted by the bending theory of rigid-plastic plates. As opposed to the behavior of beams it is found that agreement between theory and experiment deteriorates as the impulse increases beyond a certain value especially when the predicted permanent central deflection is greater than about one-quarter of the plate radius. This illustrates the appreciable strengthening of plates due to membrane forces not taken into account in the theory.
Vague Names and Vague Objects

Michael Tye soutient que certains noms sont vagues parce qu'ils referent a des objets vagues. Tye, cependant, ne distingue pas entre referer a un objet vague et referer vaguement. Je suggere, a partir de certaines suppositions, que les noms vagues doivent referer vaguement. Et si les noms vagues doivent referer vaguement, alors l'argument de Tye echoue, puisque des noms qui referent a des objets vagues n'ont pas besoin de referer vaguement. Neanmoins, l'indetermination dans la meta-semantique de la relation d'etre porteur d'un nom peut creer des noms qui referent vaguement. Cette conclusion ne depend pas de la supposition que les noms ont un contenu descriptif, ni de l'idee que les enonces d'identite peuvent etre indetermines quant a leur valeur de verite.
Fossil dust shells around luminous supergiants

The observed frequency with which infrared excesses appear in F, G, and K supergiants of luminosity class Ia supports the idea that these excesses arise in a 'fossil' circumstellar dust shell that was formed during a prior M-super-giant phase of evolution. The required leftward evolution of the star on the H-R diagram would then imply that the Ledoux, rather than the Schwarzschild, criterion for convective mixing is the correct criterion to use in stellar evolution calculations.
Steady state Joule heating with temperature dependent conductivities

A general solution is given to the nonlinear steady state heat conduction equation for the case in which a metal is heated by electrical conduction currents. The solution is valid for any temperature variation in the thermal and electrical conductivities and is illustrated by application to a typical Joule heating situation in one dimension. Comparison of the case of temperature dependent conductivities for a metal with the solution which assumes both of these conductivities to remain constant with varying temperature reveals some interesting differences between the two cases.
Assessment of the effects of ISIS 2302, an anti-sense inhibitor of human ICAM-1, on cellular and humoral immunity in mice.

ISIS 2302 is a phosphorothioate oligonucleotide designed to inhibit human ICAM-1 and is intended for treatment of inflammatory diseases. Molecules of this class are known to elicit pro-inflammatory effects, and immunotoxicity studies were performed in mice to elucidate the nature of effects of ISIS 2302 on mammalian immune function. ISIS 2302 (1, 5, 20, or 50 mg/kg/dose) was administered intravenously every other day for 27 days. The pro-inflammatory properties of the drug were observed at doses ≥ 20 mg/kg. A dose-dependent increase in spleen weight was associated with increased absolute splenocyte and B-lymphocyte counts after the 50 mg/kg/dose regimen. The mitogenic response of B-lymphocytes to bacterial lipopolysaccharide was increased after the 20 and 50 mg/kg/doses but antibody-forming cell activities remained unchanged. Total serum IgG concentration was decreased after the 20 and 50 mg/kg/dose regimens but IgM titers were unchanged. Increases in IL-6, IL-12, and MCP-1 as well as NK cell activity wer...
Direct numerical simulation of a vigorously heated low Reynolds number convective boundary layer

Abstract Computations of the buoyantly unstable Ekman layer are performed at low Reynolds number. The results are obtained by directly solving the three-dimensional time-dependen Navier-Stokes equations with the Boussinesq buoyancy approximation, resolving all relevant scales of motion (no turbulence closure is needed). The flow is capped by a stable temperature inversion and heated from below at a rate that produces an inversion-height to Obukhov-length ratio −z i L ∗ = 32 . Temperature and velocity variance profiles are found to agree well with those from an earlier vigorously heated under-resolved computation at higher Reynolds number, and with experimental data of Deardorff and Willis (Boundary-Layer Meteorol., 32: 205–236, 1985). Significant helicity is found in the layer, and helical convection patterns of the scale of the inversion height are observed.
Investigating Instructional Leadership for Special Education

Instructional leadership has been studied since the inception of public education in the United States, but few studies have addressed the supervisory practices used to ensure that students who have disabilities receive an appropriate public education. We used grounded theory methods to investigate how instructional leadership for special education occurs in elementary schools. Our analysis produced detailed descriptions of the central processes, influencing factors, and resulting strategies used to support teaching and learning for students who have disabilities. The grounded theory portrays principals as the designated leaders of instruction for all students in their schools. Principals negotiated among competing priorities and contextual factors in attempting to provide instructional leadership for special education. The outcome of this negotiation was the dispersal, rather than the distribution, of responsibility among administrators and teachers in ways that weakened instructional leadership for spec...
Characterization of water-vapour retrievals from TOVS/HIRS and SSM/T-2 measurements

This paper studies the retrieval characteristics of water-vapour retrievals from infrared TOVS TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder) radiances and microwave SSM/T-2 (Special Sensor Microwave/Water-vapour Sounder) radiances. An optimal-estimation retrieval scheme is built around a radiative-transfer model that uses a spectral-band model based on the Malkmus line distribution for the infrared and the MPM92 transmission model for the microwave. Characteristics from synthetic retrievals show that the sensitivity to water vapour in the lower troposphere is low for TOVS and SSM/T-2 over land, but high for SSM/T-2 over ocean. The sensitivity to water vapour in the middle and upper troposphere is high for TOVS, but low for SSM/T-2. The vertical resolution of the retrievals is restricted to a few kilometers for both instruments. The dependence on a priori information is therefore substantial, especially in the lower troposphere. A global retrieval with real data from the TOVS instrument and a priori data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction re-analysis constrained by an extra total-column constraint from SSM/I (Imager) data shows that the retrieval scheme is able to produce monthly-mean fields similar to other data on monthly-mean precipitable-water fields and layered information about column water vapour. The approach presented allows for a useful error characterization that quantifies the dependence on the a priori information. In general, the best performance of the retrieval scheme is achieved in the tropical upper troposphere.
The effect of design strategy on productivity

Abstract The paper discusses a deductive strategy for the design of systems in contrast to the more conventional inductive strategy, and indicates the improvements which may be achieved by the use of the Ideals Concept. Practical examples are quoted indicating the effectiveness of the strategy
Using LinkedIn in the Marketing Classroom: Exploratory Insights and Recommendations for Teaching Social Media/Networking.

With the rapid growth of social networking and media comes their consideration for use in the marketing classroom. Social networking skills are becoming essential for personal branding (e.g., networking, self-marketing) and corporate/product branding (e.g., marketing communication). This paper addresses the use of LinkedIn (i.e., an online professional social network) in the marketing classroom as a means of developing these important skills, along with other supporting skills such as communication and creativity.
Mortgage markets in Middle East and North African countries: Market development, poverty reduction, and growth

Abstract This paper argues that making affordable home mortgage loans available to a large cross-section of the population will serve both the redistributive and growth-enhancing objectives of poverty reduction policies. The current state of housing and mortgage markets in selected Middle East and North African countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia) is examined. The study evaluates Turkey and Mexico as middle-income comparator countries. Historical experience of the US is also described. Simulations based on US parameters provide some guide to the effects on economic growth of alleviating housing shortages by improving access to mortgage financing.
Effects of Cure on the Mechanical Properties of Composites

Tests were performed to evaluate the effects of cure on the mechanical properties of composite laminates. The longitudinal and transverse tensile and compressive moduli and strengths and the longit...
Lattice dynamics of halogen crystals

We propose a lattice dynamical model of halogen crystals based on central force pair interactions between atoms. The force constants are derived by fitting the model to observed Raman and infrared frequencies at the zone centre. The phonon dispersion relations are then calculated along the symmetry directions [010] and [001]. In the case of iodine, where measured dispersion curves are available, the agreement between our calculations and the phonon frequencies measured by neutron scattering is within 10 per cent. For the cases of chlorine and bromine where neutron data are not available, phonon dispersion curves along [001] are predicted. We also present the eigenvectors of all the modes at the zone centre which clarify the existing ambiguity in the symmetry assignment in the literature. Finally, a simple procedure for evaluating the slopes of the acoustic modes at the zone centre is given based on a second order perturbation theory. As an illustration, the elastic constants along [001] direction for the ...
Sudden oak death in California: Disease progression in oaks and tanoaks

Sudden oak death (SOD), caused by Phytophthora ramorum, is killing oaks and tanoaks in the Coast Ranges of California, from Monterey County to Humboldt County. In March 2000, 20 disease progression plots were established in Marin County, California, to characterize the progress of disease symptoms, and to determine the fidelity of the association of three or more bark and ambrosia beetle species (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) with diseased oaks and tanoaks. Symptoms of sudden oak death and signs of associated organisms were recorded from coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia), California black oaks (Q. kelloggii), valley oaks (Q. lobata), and tanoaks (Lithocarpus densiflorus), four times per year, from March 2000 through March 2003. Symptoms and signs in Q. agrifolia progressed from bleeding, to infestation by scolytid beetles, to the development of fruiting structures of the fungus Hypoxylon thouarsianum. Mortality of symptomatic trees increased from 2000 to 2003 as follows: Q. agrifolia (n = 668), 5.8‐17.4%; Q. kelloggii (n = 53), 3.8‐9.4%; and L. densiflorus (n = 164), 8.3‐22.2%. All 31 Q. lobata remained asymptomatic. From 2000 to 2003, bleeding trees were 25.0‐23.6% of living Q. agrifolia, 15.5‐25.0% of Q. kelloggii, and 39.0‐62.4% of L. densiflorus. Scolytid beetles colonized more than 95% of the living symptomatic Q. agrifolia that subsequently died. Same-symptom cohorts were followed from March 2000 through March 2003. In the asymptomatic Q. agrifolia cohort, 12.0% developed bleeding by 2003. For the bleeding only cohort, 22.7% of Q. agrifolia died, but 73.5% of the beetle-colonized bleeding cohort died. Bleeding developed in 40.9% of the initially asymptomatic L. densiflorus cohort. By 2003, 24.6% of the initially bleeding L. densiflorus cohort had died. Both Weibull and Cox Proportional Hazards regression were
Alkaline phosphatases of the mosquito, Culex tarsalis coquillett

Abstract 1. 1. Spectrophotometric and isoelectric focusing (IEF) electrophoretic characterization of the acid phosphatases (ACP) of the mosquito, Culex tarsalis, are presented. 2. 2. ACP hydrolysis of P- nitrophenylphosphate ( P np ) was optimal at 37°C, pH 5.25 in the presence of 15 mM MgCl2 and 0.1% (w/v) polyvinylpyrollidone (PVP). V max and K m values varied significantly between the various mosquito strains examined. 3. 3. Several divalent cations (i.e. Mn2+, Ca2+, Ba2+ and Co2+), either the chloride or sulphate salts, were stimulatory for ACP. Both Cu2+ and Fe2+ (15 mM) were inhibitory. 4. 4. Slight inhibition (i.e. 10%) of ACP activity was observed with dithiothreitol (100 mM) and 50% inhibition by cysteine (100 mM). 5. 5. ACP activity was cyclic during the 15-day post-adult emergence period of the study. No significant differences were noted between the ACP specific activities of males and females nor between geographic strains. 6. 6. IEF electrophoresis revealed three α-naphthyl phosphate hydrolytic ACP isozymes within the pH 4.5–5.5 range (i.e. ACP4.8, ACP5.3 and ACP5.5). 7. 7. IEF ACP isozymes were stimulated by PVP, Mg2+, Zn2+ and inhibited by cysteine, EDTA (except ACP5.3) and NaF1. 8. 8. IEF detection of ACP with P np revealed an ACP isozyme (ACP4.3) distinct from those ACP isozymes capable of α-naphthyl phosphate hydrolysis.
Social Preferences and Fairness Norms as Informal Institutions: Experimental Evidence

In many communities where the reach of government is limited, formal legal and political institutions are less important than the informal rules of the game. These “informal institutions” are defined by Douglass C. North (1995) as: “conventions, norms of behavior, and self imposed codes of conduct.” Economic experiments can be used to measure such inter nalized informal institutions by eliminating the potential for strategic or reputational consider ations which arise in nonanonymous environments. Recent experimental studies document substantial variation in generalized altruism, conditional cooperation, and costly punishment across societies. 1 In this paper, we conduct dictator games in which the relative status of the dictator and the receiving player varies across treatments. Within the experiment, relative status depends on both nominal ownership claims and earned property rights generated when subjects are paid for completing a real effort task. Experiments were conducted in two distinct cultural environments: one subject pool is made up of students from a top university in the United States, while another set of subjects are recruited from poor villages in rural Kenya. Results suggest that status influences the individual compunction to be generous in both cultural contexts. However, the type of status which matters differs substantially across subject pools. Subjects in the US lab sample reward those who exert effort but are
A comment on thyrotoxic pericarditis

We read with great pleasure the work by Inami et al. published in a recent issue of the International Journal of Cardiology [1]. The authors have described an interesting case of acute pericarditis triggered by thyrotoxic crisis in Graves' disease. The authors attribute the causation of acute pericarditis to likely an autoimmune mechanism. This has been supported by a comprehensive review of the existing literature (mostly case reports). Autoimmune forms of pericarditis are often recurrent [2]. Non-recurrent forms of acute pericarditis (as previously described by several reports) occurring only during acute thyrotoxic phase may potentially need another causative explanation. In addition to the possible autoimmune or viral causes as authors have described, we believe that a direct metabolic impact exerted by acute thyrotoxicosis possibly also plays an independent contributory role by leading to an alteration in the pericardial fat metabolism. The hypothesis is supported by the fact as the role of cholesterol-laden effusions in hypothyroidism/myxedema is previously well described [3]. In addition to the described ECG findings, we would also like to highlight yet another valuable ECG finding on the provided ECG illustration i.e. a concave JT-segment elevation with a slightly downsloping TP-segment, also now referred to as the Spodick's sign [4–6]. Spodick's sign is present in about 80% of the patients affected with acute pericarditis and is often a give-away to the diagnosis [5,6]. This finding is best visualized in the lead II and sometimes lateral precordial leads. When used along with PR-segment depression, it often serves as an important electrocardiographic tool for distinguishing the acute pericarditis from acute coronary syndrome.
Evidence of linkage of HDL level variation to APOC3 in two samples with different ascertainment

The APOA1-C3-A4-A5 gene complex encodes genes whose products are implicated in the metabolism of HDL and/or triglycerides. Although the relationship between polymorphisms in this gene cluster and dyslipidemias was first reported more than 15 years ago, association and linkage results have remained inconclusive. This is due, in part, to the oligogenic and multivariate nature of dyslipidemic phenotypes. Therefore, we investigate evidence of linkage of APOC3 and HDL using two samples of dyslipidemic pedigrees: familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) and isolated low-HDL (ILHDL). We used a strategy that deals with several difficulties inherent in the study of complex traits: by using a Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach we allow for oligogenic trait models, as well as simultaneous incorporation of covariates, in the context of multipoint analysis. By using this approach on extended pedigrees we provide evidence of linkage of APOC3 and HDL level variation in two samples with different ascertainment. In addition to APOC3, we estimate that two to three genes, each with a substantial effect on total variance, are responsible for HDL variation in both data sets. We also provide evidence, using the FCHL data set, for a pleiotropic effect between HDL, HDL3 and triglycerides at the APOC3 locus.
Novel Electromagnetic Design for a Precision Planar Positioner Moving Over a Superimposed Concentrated-Field Magnet Matrix

This paper presents the electromagnetic design and force calculation of a compact multiaxis precision positioner. A six-coil single-moving-part platen moves over a superimposed concentrated-field permanent-magnet matrix. With a rectangular coil placed in the magnetic field generated by the superimposed concentrated-field magnet matrix, the force acting on the coil is calculated by volume integration based on the Lorentz force law. The distance between the long sides and that between the short sides of a rectangular coil are designed to be a half pitch and one pitch of the magnet matrix, respectively. This allows for the simplification of force generation and calculation, compact size, and light mass (0.64 kg) of the moving platen. Six coils are divided into three two-phase linear-motor armatures with 270° or 450° phase differences. The complete force-current relation for the entire platen with the six coils is derived. Experimental results are presented to verify the working principle of the positioner designed in this paper. The positioner can be employed for the stepping and scanning applications that require 3-DOF planar motions with long travel ranges in two horizontal directions and small rotational motions about the vertical axis.
Assembly and exchange of resorcinarene capsules monitored by fluorescence resonance energy transfer.

Resorcinarenes were functionalized with fluorophores and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was employed as a tool to probe the dynamic behavior of hydrogen-bonded hexameric assemblies at nanomolar concentrations. The encapsulation of a fluorescent guest inside the capsule made it possible to observe FRET across the mechanical boundary of the hexameric assembly.
Evidence for a Novel Mechanism of the PAK1 Interaction with the Rho-GTPases Cdc42 and Rac

P21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is activated by binding to GTP-bound Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac via its CRIB domain. Here, we provide evidence that S79 in the CRIB domain of PAK1 is not directly involved in this binding but is crucial for PAK1 activation. S79A mutation reduces the binding affinity of PAK1 for the GTPases and inhibits autophosphorylation and kinase activity of PAK1. Thus, this mutation abrogates the ability of PAK1 to induce changes in cell morphology and motility and to promote malignant transformation of prostate epithelial cells. We also show that growth of the prostate cancer cell line PC3 is inhibited by the treatment of a PAK1-inhibiting peptide comprising 19 amino acids centered on S79, but not by the PAK1 peptide containing the S79A mutation, and that this growth inhibition is correlated with reduced autophosphorylation activity of PAK1. Together, these findings demonstrate a significant role of S79 in PAK1 activation and provide evidence for a novel mechanism of the CRIB-mediated interaction of PAK1 with Cdc42 and Rac.
Using ARIMA models to predict prison populations

In this study a time-series model for predicting Louisiana's prison population was developed using the iterative Box-Jenkins modeling methodologyidentification, estimation, and diagnostic checking. The time-series forecasts were contrasted with results of regression models and an exponential smoothing model. The results indicate that the time-series model is the superior model as indicated by the usual measures of predictive accuracy. When compared with actual data the predictions appeared sufficiently adequate to meet the needs of the correctional system for short-term planning.
Artificial-lung design: sheet-membrane units.

An overall design analysis is presented for oxygenators with sheet-membrane blood channels. Those types considered are clear channels without and with transverse mixing and woven-mesh filled channels with thick and thin membranes. The analysis accounts for oxygen-transfer rates and increased flow resistance produced by the screens and for such fabrication variables as blood header length, header-thickness-to-channel-height ratio, and blood-screen void volume. For reasonable priming volumes, practical channel lengths and total widths, oxygenators having screen-filled channels with thick membranes or clear channels without mixing are only suitable for partial adult or neonatal support. Adult total bypass is feasible with screen-filled channel designs using thin or highly permeable membranes. Since the configuration of existing clear channel devices with secondary mixing (e.g. Couette or Taylor-vortex types) usually involves a single and relatively thick channel, they are restricted to neonatal or partial bypass applications despite their inherent high transfer efficiencies.
'Domestic' origin of opaque assemblages in refractory inclusions in meteorites

Experimental studies indicate that opaque assemblages rich in refractory siderophile elements were formed within host calcium- and aluminium-rich inclusions (CAIs) by exsolution, oxidation and sulphidization of homogeneous alloys, rather than by aggregation of materials in the solar nebula before the formation of CAIs. These opaque assemblages are thus not the oldest known solid materials, as was once thought, and they do not constrain processes in the early solar nebula before CAI formation. Instead, the assemblages record the changing oxygen fugacity experienced by CAIs during slow cooling in nebular and/or planetary environments.
Moist Convection at a Surface Cold Front

Abstract The motion of a surface cold front in an environment that is unstable to moist convection is studied with the aid ofboth hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic two-dimensional models. Simulations with the hydrostatic model essentially extend the work reported by Ross and Orlanski. It is shown that when deep convection occurs, Coriolis turning of the flow into the convective line creates a poleward low-level jet ahead of the front. It is also shown that after the generation and decay of the first convective element, another line develops on the order of a day later. It is found that the intensity of this line increases significantly ira north-south gradient of moisture is specified. The periodicity in convective activity at the front is explained in terms of an inertial gravity oscillation in the low-level convergence. The first convective system, which decays when the subeloud layer is dried out by the convection, forces a geostrophic imbalance in the surface front and the surrounding environment. In ret...
Basic blocks for high-frequency interconnects: theory and experiment

Proximity-coupled open-end microstrip transitions in double-layer planar structures are investigated through the method of moments solution of integral equations. Two types of EMC (electromagnetically coupled) microstrip lines are considered, namely, collinear lines and transverse lines. It is found that these transitions are broadband and provide a wide range of coupling coefficients. The theoretical model for the transverse microstrip transitions is in good agreement with measurements. >