cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Persistent decrease in multiple components of the perineuronal net following status epilepticus

In the rodent model of temporal lobe epilepsy, there is extensive synaptic reorganization within the hippocampus following a single prolonged seizure event, after which animals eventually develop epilepsy. The perineuronal net (PN), a component of the neural extracellular matrix (ECM), primarily surrounds inhibitory interneurons and, under normal conditions, restricts synaptic reorganization. The objective of the current study was to explore the effects of status epilepticus (SE) on PNs in the adult hippocampus. The aggrecan component of the PN was studied, acutely (48 h post-SE), sub-acutely (1 week post-SE) and during the chronic period (2 months post-SE). Aggrecan expressing PNs decreased by 1 week, likely contributing to a permissive environment for neuronal reorganization, and remained attenuated at 2 months. The SE-exposed hippocampus showed many PNs with poor structural integrity, a condition rarely seen in controls. Additionally, the decrease in the aggrecan component of the PN was preceded by a decrease in hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1) and hyaluronan synthase 3 (HAS3), which are components of the PN known to stabilize the connection between aggrecan and hyaluronan, a major constituent of the ECM. These results were replicated in vitro with the addition of excess KCl to hippocampal cultures. Enhanced neuronal activity caused a decrease in aggrecan, HAPLN1 and HAS3 around hippocampal cells in vivo and in vitro, leaving inhibitory interneurons susceptible to increased synaptic reorganization. These studies are the foundation for future experiments to explore how loss of the PN following SE contributes to the development of epilepsy.
Indoor propagation characteristics for wireless communications in the 30 GHz range

The millimeter wave band is emerging as a promising choice for wireless communication systems for indoor environments. The 30 GHz frequency range offers higher bandwidth for higher data rates. This frequency also opens up capability for multiple antennas on mobile units. In this work, we explore the small-scale indoor propagation channel fading characteristics in the 30 GHz range using directional antennas. An experimental setup has been developed to measure the statistical characteristics of the signal. Data processing methods have been developed to compute the cumulative distribution function (CDF) from the measured data. The measured CDF is compared to Rician and Nakagami distribution models. This work explores how the model coefficients change over a small frequency range.
A method to improve signal quality in wireless ad-hoc networks with limited mobility

A wireless ad-hoc network is a collection of nodes that are dynamically and arbitrarily located in such a manner that the interconnections between each node are capable of changing on a continual basis. In this paper, we provide a novel way to improve node interconnects without changing the overall network topology by allowing nodes to have limited mobility. Received signal strength (RSS) measurements are recorded from neighboring nodes as the node makes small changes in position. This allows the node to move out of fades due to multi-path or shadowing, and is a form of selection diversity that requires only a single antenna. This algorithm is tested using a full 3-D ray tracing propagation model as well as physical measurements in an indoor scenario.
Innovation in the Tropics: An Autoethnography of a Multidisciplinary Field School

In today's academic environment, institutions often present students with the opportunity to participate in a field school, allowing students to experience an abridged form of fieldwork and providing a hands-on approach to the application of classroom-oriented theory. While field schools vary in topic and length, many remain firmly bound to a specific discipline. Breaching the exclusivity of a discipline-specific field school to accommodate a variety of academic perspectives is itself innovative in approach, as is encouraging trans-discipline collaboration and facilitating opportunities for cross-discipline discourse. In contrast with that tradition, George Mason University's School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution's field school in Bali, Indonesia, takes an innovative multi-disciplinary approach to the field school experience. Additionally, the field school takes a more action-oriented approach to research in which students produce research materials that are immediately usable to the community under study. Â This paper presents an auto-ethnographic account of this novel field school approach.
Effects of Cognitive Strategy Instruction on Math Problem Solving of Middle School Students with Learning Disabilities.

The purpose of the study was to improve mathematical problem solving for middle school students with learning disabilities by implementing a research-based instructional program in inclusive genera...
The Quantum Defect Method

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the use of a one-electron Hamiltonian in solid-state calculations, with particular reference to the Hartree-Fock equation. It makes use of the arguments given by Wigner and Seitz in support of the assumption that a one-electron operator which, near an ion of the lattice, equals the Hamiltonian appropriate to the valence electron in the corresponding free atom is sufficiently accurate for many solids. Assuming at the start that one can approximate the interaction operators in the one-electron Hamiltonian by a simple potential function, it introduces the fundamental features of QDM, with which the solutions of the resulting one-electron Schrodinger-like equation involving this potential are obtained, by reviewing the original proposal of Kuhn and Van Vleck. This chapter discusses several of the methods for calculating energy bands, notably those of Wigner and Seitz, Bardeen, Howarth and Jones, and Kohn and Rostoker, for which Quantum Defect Method (QDM) can be used.
Hemodynamics of Acute Right Heart Failure in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

In critically ill patients with circulatory shock, the role of the left ventricle has long been appreciated and the object of measurement and therapeutic targeting. The right ventricle is often under appreciated and dysfunction may be overlooked. Generally, the right ventricle operates passively to support the ejection of the left ventricular diastolic volume. A loss of right ventricular wall compliance secondary to pulmonary pressures may result in an alteration in the normal pressure-volume relationship, ultimately affecting the stroke volume and cardiac output. Traditional right heart filling indices may increase because of decreasing compliance, further complicating the picture. The pathophysiology of pulmonary vascular dysfunction in acute respiratory distress syndrome combined with the effects of a mean airway pressure strategy may create an acute cor pulmonale.
A note on teaching “international”

Having been awakened to the phenomenon of globalization of crime and justice, some educational administrators in our field have decided on the addition of a course or seminar on "Comparative Criminal Justice" or "International Criminal Justice." But all too frequently, such a course is little more than a palliative, a glance at how things are done in Canada or England, or perhaps Japan or Germany. That is not the way I would propose to deal with the globalization phenomenon--although it is superior to the isolationism that has marked our curricula in the past. Rather, I would propose, as afirst, that undergraduate students of criminal justice be coum seled to take preparatory or complementary courses in geography, geopolitics, world history, and international relations. Second, I would propose that specific comparative courses be developed for both the criminology and criminal justice curricula. By "comparative criminology" we generally understand the application of the comparative method in the science of criminology, internationally and cross-culturally. This study includes comparisons of crime and of international responses thereto. A course on "comparative criminal justice" focuses on the mechanisms employed in different cultures to deal with crime control. There may be room for a third basic course in the international curriculum, namely one focusing on transnational as well as international crime. By "transnational" crime we mean an identifiable category of (criminologically, not legally) defined criminality that affects more than one country. A recent U.N. report has clearly identified 19 of these categories including money laundering, terrorist activities, theft of art and cultural objects, theft of intellectual property, illicit trafficking in arms, aircraft hijacking, sea piracy, land hijacking, insurance fraud, computer crime, environmental crime, trafficking in persons, trade in human body parts, illicit drug trafficking, fraudulent bankruptcy, infiltration of legal business, corruption and bribery of officials, and others (United Nations 1995). The study of national and international mechanisms to deal with transnational criminality is particularly important. By "international" crime we mean approximately 20 groups of crimes defined and recognized by international law (whether or not also included in national law), such as aggression, genocide, apartheid, systematic or mass
Can the medical home reduce cancer morbidity and mortality

Addressing our current health care crisis will demand 2 forms of health care reform: reform of health care coverage and transformation of health care delivery. Most policy makers have accepted that primary care must play a prominent role in a new health care delivery vehicle. A new concept, the medical home, has emerged as a possible model of how primary care can improve performance and help control costs. Although the medical home concept has not yet been applied to cancer care, elements of the concept have the potential to improve cancer prevention efforts and to help coordinate care of individuals diagnosed with cancer. This article explores the possible role of the medical home in the war on cancer.
Interfacial scattering from surfactant monolayers in microemulsions

Abstract Although conceptually very simple, the statistical mechanics of surfactant monolayers in solution give rise to the rich phase behavior and novel physical properties of these systems. The fluctuations due to capillary waves of a single saturated monolayer are studied using X-ray reflectivity. The interfacial tension and bending rigidity are found to be very small and account for the disordered structure of bicontinuous microemulsions. Neutron scattering techniques are also used to measure the decay of structural correlations among the surfactant monolayers within a microemulsion phase, and these results are explained using a Ginzburg—Landau theory.
Yohimbine potentiates cold-water swim analgesia: re-evaluation of a noradrenergic role.

Abstract Continuous cold-water swims (CCWS) elicit a nonopioid and neurohormonal analgesia which displays adaptation. The norepinephrine (NE) system has been implicated since parallel alterations in NE occur following acute and repeated CCWS exposure, and since CCWS analgesia is reduced by locus coeruleus lesions and is potentiated by clonidine and desipramine. The present study evaluated the effects of the alpha-2 NE receptor antagonist, yohimbine upon CCWS (2°C for 3.5 min) analgesia on the jump and tail-flick tests, CCWS hypothermia, and basal nociceptive and thermoregulatory measures in rats. Yohimbine (0.1–2.0 mg/kg, IP) dose-dependently increased basal jump thresholds and potentiated CCWS analgesia: these effects appeared to be additive. Yohimbine potentiated CCWS analgesia on the tail-flick test without altering basal latencies. Yohimbine failed to alter either CCWS hypothermia or basal thermoregulation. Since yohimbine and clonidine, an alpha-2 NE receptor antagonist and agonist respectively, similarly potentiate CCWS analgesia, it appears that NE effects are orthoganol to the intrinsic system mediating CCWS.
Detection of homoserine lactone-like quorum sensing molecules in bradyrhizobium strains.

One hundred and forty-two Bradyrhizobium strains were screened for their ability to produce N-acyl homoserine lactone-like molecules (AHLs) by using an Agrobacterium tumefaciens biosensor strain containing a traI-lacZ fusion. Approximately 22% (31 of 142) of the tested strains produced AHLs that induced moderate to elevated β-galactosidase activity levels in the biosensor strain. Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium elkanii strains were both shown to produce AHLs. Age of culture, and media composition were each shown to influence production of AHL(s), with greater production occurring in 2 day-old cultures grown in rich media. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography analyses indicated that the B. japonicum strain USDA 290 produced at least two types of AHLs. Our results indicate that the production AHL-like autoinducers is widespread among both B. japonicum and B. elkanii strains.
Diffusion behavior of lipid vesicles in entangled polymer solutions

Dynamic light scattering was used to follow the tracer diffusion of phospholipid/cholesterol vesicles in aqueous polyacrylamide solutions and compared with the diffusive behavior of polystyrene (PS) latex spheres of comparable diameters. Over the range of the matrix concentration examined (Cp = 0.1–10 mg/ml), the diffusivities of the PS spheres and the large multilamellar vesicles exhibited the Stokes-Einstein (SE) relation, while the diffusivity of the unilamellar vesicles did not follow the increase of the solution's viscosity caused by the presence of the matrix molecules. The difference between the diffusion behaviors of unilamellar vesicles and hard PS spheres of similar size is possibly due to the flexibility of the lipid bilayer of the vesicles. The unilamellar vesicles are capable of changing their shape to move through the entangled polymer solution so that the hindrance to their diffusion due to the presence of the polymer chains is reduced, while the rigid PS spheres have little flexibility and they encounter greater resistance. The multilamellar vesicles are less flexible, thus their diffusion is similar to the hard PS spheres of similar diameter.
Religiosity and HIV-Related Drug Risk Behavior: A Multidimensional Assessment of Individuals from Communities with High Rates of Drug Use

We examined the relationship between religiosity and HIV-related drug risk behavior among individuals from communities with high rates of drug use who participated in the SHIELD (Self-Help in Eliminating Life-Threatening Disease) study. This analysis examined the dimensions of religious ideation, religious participation, and religious support separately to further understand the relationship with risk taking. Results indicate that greater religious participation appeared to be the dimension most closely associated with drug behaviors. Specifically, we found that those with greater religious participation are significantly less likely to report recent opiates or cocaine use; injection drug use; crack use; and needle, cotton or cooker sharing. Future work to understand the nature of these associations will assist in the development of interventions in communities with high rates of drug use.
Clinical practice. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

A 33-year-old woman reports irritability, periods of crying, mood swings, and severe fatigue beginning one week before the start of menses and ending within three days after its onset. The symptoms have begun to interfere with her usual social functioning. How should the physician treat this patient?
Solid-State Devices Other than Semiconductors

The solid-state properties of matter are of interest not only to the research scientist but also to the engineer who has translated the findings of basic research into endeavors of great technological significance. The research in ferromagnetism has led to the magnetic amplifier, which for certain applications is superior to amplifiers using vacuum tubes and to the development of new materials such as ferrites, which are now finding use at radio frequencies in pulse transformers, radio frequency inductors, antenna rods, magnetic core delay lines, computer elements, and magnetic recording media. Ferrites and antiferromagnetic materials are now also widely used at microwave frequencies and millimeter wavelengths as nonreciprocal phase shifters, load isolators, filters, ferrite switches, ferrod radiators, modulators and power limiters. Such phenomena as piezoelectricity, ferroelectricity and magnetostriction have resulted in the use of ultrasonic waves for the study of phononelectron and phonon-spin interactions as well for such practical devices as the detection of imperfections and faults in solids, electromechanical transducers, resonators, filters, delay lines, computer memories, ultrasonic soldering, cleaning, drilling and cutting, and strain and acceleration gauges. Dielectric materials have found applications as prisms, polarizers, restrahlen plates and more recently in dielectric wave guides and fiber optics.
Sound level protrusions as physical correlates of sonority

Abstract A long-standing controversy in the interface between phonetics and phonology involves the nature of sonority: does it even exist and, if so, what are its phonetic correlates, and how can this be empirically demonstrated? This paper seeks to help resolve this problem by providing physical evidence supporting the sonority hierarchy. This is accomplished by reporting the results of a rigorous experiment measuring sound levels of realizations of all phonemes in English, Spanish, and Quechua. The obtained intensity values yield an overall mean Spearman's correlation of .91 with the proposed sonority indices. Consequently, one possible way to informally characterize sonority is in terms of a linear regression equation based on the observed intensity results. In light of these findings, the frequent claim that sonority lacks a reliable phonetic basis can no longer be maintained.
The centrosome and asymmetric cell division

Asymmetric stem cell division is a mechanism widely employed by the cell to maintain tissue homeostasis, resulting in the production of one stem cell and one differentiating cell. However, asymmetric cell division is not limited to stem cells and is widely observed even in unicellular organisms as well as in cells that make up highly complex tissues. In asymmetric cell division, cells must organize their intracellular components along the axis of asymmetry (sometimes in the context of extracellular architecture). Recent studies have described cell asymmetry in many cell types and in many cases such asymmetry involves the centrosome (or spindle pole body in yeast) as the center of cytoskeleton organization. In this review, I summarize recent discoveries in cellular polarity that lead to an asymmetric outcome, with a focus on centrosome function.
Regulation of high-affinity GABAA receptors in the dorsal hippocampus by estradiol and progesterone

The effects of estradiol benzoate (EB) and of progesterone (P) treatment on high-affinity [3H]muscimol binding in the dorsal hippocampal formation were examined in ovariectomized and adrenalectomized female rats by in vitro autoradiography. EB injected subcutaneously increased [3H]muscimol binding in specific subregions of the Ammon's horn (CA1 and stratum radiatum of CA4) and of the dentate gyrus (dorsal molecular layer). In these particular regions, estrogen receptors have been shown to be present. P did not significantly affect [3H]muscimol binding in any region of the hippocampus when administered alone or in combination with EB. Results suggest that estrogens may regulate the activity of specific hippocampal neurons by modulating their sensitivity to GABA.
Bayesian principal component analysis

Principal component analysis (PCA) is a dimensionality reduction modeling technique that transforms a set of process variables by rotating their axes of representation. Maximum likelihood PCA (MLPCA) is an extension that accounts for different noise contributions in each variable. Neither PCA nor any of its extensions utilizes external information about the model or data, such as the range or distribution of the underlying measurements. Such prior information can be extracted from measured data and can be used to greatly enhance the model accuracy. This paper develops a Bayesian PCA (BPCA) modeling algorithm that improves the accuracy of estimating the parameters and measurements by incorporating prior knowledge about the data and model. The proposed approach integrates modeling and feature extraction by simultaneously solving parameter estimation and data reconciliation optimization problems. Methods for estimating the prior parameters from available data are discussed. Furthermore, BPCA reduces to PCA or MLPCA when a uniform prior is used. Several examples illustrate the benefits of BPCA versus existing methods even when the measurements violate the assumptions about their distribution. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automatic generation of vaccines for malware immunization

Inspired by the biological vaccines, we explore the possibility of developing similar vaccines for malware immunization. We provide the first systematic study towards this direction and present a prototype system, AGAMI, for automatic generation of vaccines for malware immunization. With a novel use of several dynamic malware analysis techniques, we show that it is possible to extract a lightweight vaccine from current malware, and after injecting such vaccine on clean machines, they can be immune from future infection from the same malware family. We evaluate AGAMI on a large set of real-world malware samples and successfully extract working vaccines for many families such as Conficker and Zeus. We believe it is an appealing complementary technique to existing malware defense solutions.
Synergetic Effect of Dual Compatibilizers on in Situ Formed Poly(Lactic Acid)/ Soy Protein Composites

In this work, biobased poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/soy protein concentrate (SPC) composites were prepared by twin screw extrusion and injection molding. Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEOX) and polymeric m...
Perioperative alterations in plasma endothelin-1 and echocardiographic correlates of right heart function☆

Abstract Objective: To determine whether greater changes in plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations and right ventricular systolic pressure occur after major thoracic surgery than after major abdominal operations. Design: Prospective study. Setting: University hospital. Participants: Patients undergoing elective thoracotomies (n = 12) or laparotomies (n = 10). Interventions: ET-1 was measured from blood obtained before anesthesia and again on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, and 5 (or 6). Transthoracic echocardiography was performed before surgery and on postoperative day 2 to evaluate right-sided heart function. Measurements and Main Results: After abdominal and thoracic surgery, systemic and estimated pulmonary vascular pressures were normal in both groups and unaffected by surgery. Plasma ET-1 concentrations decreased from baseline values during the first postoperative week with no differences between the groups. Conclusions: In patients without organic heart disease, plasma ET-1 levels do not increase in response to major abdominal or thoracic surgery. Whether or not plasma ET-1 concentrations are elevated in patients developing clinically significant postoperative pulmonary hypertension requires further study.
What can researchers do to improve security of data and documents? (panel description)

Data security (protection of information rather than systems) goes far beyond the traditional questions of RDBMS grant/revole, or security markings on documents. We will discuss what the new research agenda should be to impact the masses of systems.
Some effects of early experience on feeding responses in the common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis

The effects of early experience on chemoreceptive and feeding responses were studied using 224 naive, newborn snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) from a single locality in California. The effect of experience depends on the kind of prey. Responses to some prey (fish) can be modified by early experience. Response to dead, motionless fish can be enhanced by a single experience with a live, moving fish. Responses to other prey were not affected by experience. Snakes attacked and ate frogs and tadpoles on nearly all occasions regardless of prey movement and experience with other prey.
DNA binding and IκB inhibition of the cloned p65 subunit of NF-κB, a rel-related polypeptide

Abstract The sequence and biochemical properties of the product of the cloned cDNA for the p65 subunit of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) have been determined. The cDNA has an open reading frame of 549 amino acids capable of encoding a 60 kd protein. NF-κB p65 contains an amino-terminal region of 320 amino acids with extensive similarity to the oncogene c- rel and lesser similarity to NF-κB p50. In vitro translated p65 forms a DNA-binding complex with NF-κB p50, and the binding of this complex can be specifically inhibited by purified IκB. Progressive carboxy-terminal deletions of p65 show that, contrary to previous assumptions, p65 does include a DNA-binding domain that in vivo might become activated only through hetero-oligomerization with p50. DNA binding by truncated p65 is inhibited by IκB, thus mapping the IκB interaction domain to the rel -homologous region and suggesting that IκB exerts its inhibitory effect upon NF-κB primarily through interaction with p65.
TREHALOSE: OCCURRENCE AND RELATION TO EGG DIAPAUSE AND ACTIVE TRANSPORT IN THE DIFFERENTIAL GRASSHOPPER, MELANOPLUS DIFFERENTIALIS.

Abstract Trehalose was shown to be the principal sugar in the haemolymph, infertile, diapause, and about-to-hatch eggs of M. differentialis . Glycerol and sorbitol were not major constituents of diapause eggs. Glucose was not actively transported by the midgut.
Trifluoromethylation by bis(trifluoroacetyl) peroxide of polymers bearing benzene rings

Bis(trifluoroacetyl) peroxide was prepared in good yield by the reaction between trifluoroacetic anhydride and sodium peroxide under anhydrous conditions. Polymers bearing benzene rings, polystyrene, poly(phenylene oxide) and poly(diphenylacetylene) were modified chemically by the peroxide. The resulting trifluoromethylated polymers have good solubilities in common organic solvents, and their cast films have good water repellency. The trifluoromethylated poly(diphenylacetylene)s have high gas and vapor permeabilities.
A Distributed Algorithm of Appliance Scheduling for Home Energy Management System

Demand side management encourages the users in a smart grid to shift their electricity consumption in response to varying electricity prices. In this paper, we propose a distributed framework for the demand response based on cost minimization. Each user in the system will find an optimal start time and operating mode for the appliances in response to the varying electricity prices. We model the cost function for each user and the constraints for the appliances. We then propose an approximate greedy iterative algorithm that can be employed by each user to schedule appliances. In the proposed algorithm, each user requires only the knowledge of the price of the electricity, which depends on the aggregated load of other users, instead of the load profiles of individual users. In order for the users to coordinate with each other, we introduce a penalty term in the cost function, which penalizes large changes in the scheduling between successive iterations. Numerical simulations show that our optimization method will result in lower cost for the consumers, lower generation costs for the utility companies, lower peak load, and lower load fluctuations.
Angiotensin II stimulates superoxide production in the thick ascending limb by activating NOX4.

Angiotensin II (ANG II) stimulates production of superoxide (O2−) by NADPH oxidase (NOX) in medullary thick ascending limbs (TALs). There are three isoforms of the catalytic subunit (NOX1, 2, and 4...
Pulmonary autografts in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Abstract Background Performing a Ross operation in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction is controversial. The objective in this retrospective study was to determine the outcome of 15 patients with aortic valve disease (11 had aortic insufficiency and 4 had aortic insufficiency and aortic stenosis) associated with reduced left ventricular function (ejection fraction Methods We identified 15 patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction from 226 consecutive pulmonary autograft procedures done between age 18 and 50 years from 1986 to 2001. Patients had documented preoperative ejection fraction less than 40% and were in New York Heart Association class III or IV. Preoperative ejection fraction ranged from 18% to 37% (mean, 31% ± 6.5%). Transthoracic echocardiograms obtained preoperatively and at 1-week, 6-month, and 1- and 2-year intervals were reviewed. Records were evaluated for survival, clinical status, left ventricular function, and valve function. Results There were no operative deaths, late deaths, or reoperations. All patients had follow-up examinations within the past year and are clinically well (67% > 2 years follow-up). Ten of 15 patients (67%) had substantially improved ventricular function (> 20% increase). The average ejection fraction increased from 31% ± 7% preoperatively to 51% ± 11% at 2 years, and the increase is significant from 1 week on ( p p = 0.009) and by 44% at 2 years (n = 9; p = 0.02). Mean Z values for left ventricular mass decreased from 7.6 to 3.6 after more than 2 years ( p = 0.007). Conclusions The Ross operation is an appropriate option in adults age 50 or younger in the presence of decreased left ventricular ejection fraction. Neither operative mortality nor postoperative sequelae were identified in our subset of patients. Excellent survival and ventricular recovery are predicted.
Sisyphus in the castle: Improving European Union strategies for democracy promotion and governance conditionality

This study sets out to assess the thrust, direction and scope of the current reform of European Community (EC) aid policies, strategies and structures, as it pertains to the efforts of the EC to encourage democracy, strengthen good governance and prevent violent conflict in developing countries. It explores the difficult combination of democracy assistance and governance conditionality to prevent democratic decay in developing countries. It argues that recent reforms have a technocratic bias, as they tend to focus on improving the administrative and managerial dimensions of European foreign aid. Less attention is paid to enhancing its political thrust and devising effective operational strategies. The study assesses the conceptual foundations of the EC's new policies for electoral assistance and conflict prevention and underlines their inadequacy to address the contemporary challenges of democratic governance. The strategic challenges of European foreign aid reside not only in designing efficacious strategies to consolidate democracy and strengthen governance in developing countries, but also in devising the right mix of positive and negative measures to respond to democratic decay and crises of governance. The article concludes with a series of proposals for enhancing the European Commission's ability to manage democracy assistance programmes and governance conditionality.
125-Labelled cortisol-tme for competitive protein binding

Abstract The suitability of 125 I-labelled TME-cortisol (tyrosine methyl ester coupled through the C 21 position of steroid molecule) as a tracer for competitive protein binding assay was checked comparing the results obtained with those related to tritiated cortisol. Though a somewhat lower affinity resulted for the iodinated tracer, the comparison of dose-response curves, cross-reactions from interfering steroids, solvent blank effects and analytical results indicated that the differences in terms of assay sensitivity, precision and accuracy were negligible from a practical point of view.
Sulfur Storage Pits in Petrochemical Plants: Deterioration Mechanism, Materials Selection, and Repair

AbstractTo mitigate concrete sulfur storage pits deterioration, it is important to understand the mechanisms leading to concrete deterioration. The Claus chemical process is the industry standard for obtaining sulfur from hydrogen sulphide gas (derived from natural gas). The deterioration of concrete pits can be from both environmental factors and chemical effects of the Claus process. This may take the form of corrosion, sulfation, acidic attack, thermal expansion, or polymerization. Corrosion occurs as a result of sulfuric acid formation. Reactions occur because of Claus products presence, ingress of water through the concrete matrix or from leaks in steam coils. Sulfation occurs mainly from catalyzing some of Claus products by concrete or its admixtures. An acid environment lowers the pH value of the concrete and leads to impacting the passive film protecting the reinforcing rebars. Effects of thermal expansion and polymerization are also discussed in this paper. Selection of the proper materials is cr...
New methods for shortest path selection for multimedia traffic with two delay constraints

Path selection based on two criteria, propagation delay and maximum delay jitter, is often a requirement in high-speed networks carrying multimedia traffic. Shortest path selection with multiple additive or multiplicative criteria is a NP-complete problem. Simply adding propagation and jitter delay bounds into a single delay criterion is shown to eliminate from consideration a large number of otherwise acceptable path choices. In this paper, four new solutions for polynomial-time, two-criteria path selection are presented. The first solution is a two-pass modified Bellman-Ford algorithm. The other solutions are based on a weighted single-criterion path search and are described via a novel geometric construction of the path selection problem. The new solutions are mathematically proved and their effectiveness demonstrated with a simulation experiment. Applications of the new solutions to ATM PNNI and IP routing are described.
Genie’s middle-finger points and signs: A case study

The ubiquity of index-finger pointing, and its early emergence in child development, has suggested that such pointing may be biologically-determined. However, cross-cultural variation in the form of pointing has also been noted, with some observations of middle-finger pointing. Here we examine the limited corpus of publically-available video data on the signs and gestures of Genie, a child who suffered severe social and linguistic deprivation throughout her childhood. These data suggest that Genie favored the use of the middle finger in points, in ASL signs that have an index-finger target handshape, and in object exploration. We speculate that middle-finger pointing in children may reflect an articulatory preference that is not limited to pointing, but that may encompass a range of manual behaviors.
Flight simulation testing of advanced composites for supersonic cruise aircraft applications

The goal of this program is to characterize advanced composite systems before and after exposures to simulated supersonic cruise environments for real times of up to 50,000 hours. Fatigue data for specimens tested at various temperatures and stress ratios are presented. The changes in properties and the degradation mechanisms during high temperature aging are discussed and illustrated using metallographic and fractographic techniques. Initial results of long term flight simulation tests are presented and compared with wearout model predictions based on accelerated flight simulation exposures.
TH‐E‐BRB‐10: A New Arc‐Modulated Inverse‐Planned Technique for Total Body Irradiation

Purpose: To develop a new inverse‐planned total body irradiation (TBI) technique for treating a patient as they lay on a stationary couch, near to the floor, that improves dose homogeneity over the conventional forward‐ planned treatment. Methods: The developed technique uses a collection of open‐field beams distributed along an arc to deliver dose to the patient. A 170 cm long, full‐body anthropomorphic water phantom was constructed for validating the technique. Treatment plans were optimized on a CT of the phantom with Pinnacle using the standard beam model. These plans explored the optimal field size and total number of beams. Additionally, these plans were compared to the conventional extended source‐to‐skin distance (SSD) treatment and also tested for the benefits of multi‐leaf collimator(MLC) motion. From each plan the fraction of the volume within 10% of the prescription dose, V(±10), is extracted. The optimal treatment plan was delivered to the phantom on a Siemens Artiste. Measurements of the delivered dose were performed with a combination of a linear diode array and an ion chamber at six different positions inside the phantom. These measurements were compared directly to the dose predictions. Results: The optimal setup for this phantom has treatment beams distributed in gantry angle at 5° steps from 305° to 55°, with a 40×40 cm field size. For the extended SSD, open field and MLC techniques, the values for V(±10) were 78%, 85% and 85%, respectively. The root of the mean square difference between dose predictions and measurements was 2.5%. Conclusions: The developed technique improves homogeneity over the conventional TBI method, allows treating a patient in a comfortable lying position and enables for dose delivery in a standard‐sized vault. A specific TBI beam model is being developed to further improve agreement between dose measurements and predictions. Work supported in part by Siemens OCS.
Prediction of mechanical properties of three-dimensional fabric composites reinforced by transversely isotropic carbon fibers

Three-dimensional fabric composites have evolved as an attractive structural material for multi-directional load bearing and impact application. However, research on prediction of their behavior before being fabricated is inadequate. This article reports a two-step modeling approach for predicting the effective mechanical properties of three-dimensional fabric carbon fiber-reinforced composites. In step one, the micro-heterostructural composites were represented by microscale cylindrical, square, or hexagonal prismatic representative volume elements, containing a long carbon fiber surrounded by polymer matrix, taking into account the transversely isotropic properties of carbon fibers. The mechanical properties of each representative volume element were extracted from the modeling results of uniaxial tensile, lateral expansion, and transverse shear tests, using appropriately derived formulae, and averaged as the equivalent mechanical properties of the micro-heterostructures. In step two, a three-dimensiona...
Physicochemical properties of enteric films prepared from aqueous dispersions and organic solutions.

Cast films composed of mixtures of Eudragit® S100:L100 (1:1) and plasticized with triethyl citrate (TEC) were prepared from aqueous dispersions and organic solutions, and the physicochemical properties and the weight loss of cast films during dissolution testing were examined. The tensile strength of the organic cast films was significantly higher and the percent elongation was lower than that of the aqueous cast films. The weight loss of the organic films was also lower than that of the aqueous films. Furthermore, leaching of the TEC from the aqueous films was rapid and the TEC was found to diffuse from the films within one hour at pH 6.0, the pH at which the Eudragit® S100:L100 (1:1) films were insoluble. In contrast to the aqueous films, minimal levels of the TEC diffused from the organic cast films, and the disintegration of acrylic polymers occurred simultaneously with the release of TEC from the film during dissolution testing at pH 7.0. For Eudragit® L100-55, which could form films at lower TEC levels than Eudragit® S100:L100, both the organic and aqueous films showed the same weight loss after four hours in pH 5.0 media. These results demonstrated that for Eudragit® S100:L100 cast films, the high levels of TEC needed for film formation from aqueous dispersions resulted in rapid dissolution and disintegration at pH 6.0 and above. While aqueous dispersions are preferred for the coating of solid substrates, for Eudragit® S100:L100 film coatings, a change from organic solutions to aqueous dispersions in the coating process will impact film properties and product performance.
Permeability of thermally damaged skin V: Permeability over the course of maturation of a deep partial-thickness wound

The permeability of eschar is an important factor governing rational approaches to topical control of burn wound sepsis. Previous work has shown the burn wound to have a highly variable permeability immediately after burning depending on the manner of burning. But the burn is also a dynamic wound and its physical state changes during the process of maturation. The present studies are an early attempt to characterize wound permeability as a function of maturation. Hairless mice were burned dorsally for 15 seconds on a metal surface maintained at 80 degree C. The time and temperature conditions were chosen to effect a deep partial-thickness to full-thickness injury on the animal. Mice were sacrificed daily post burn over a 2-week period and the permeabilities of 3H-methanol and 14C-butanol through the excised eschar were measured. Te eschar permeability coefficients were directly compared to permeability coefficients for the same compounds found with abdominal skin sections taken concurrently from each animal. It was observed that the branding initially caused a 50 per cent increase in the permeability of methanol and a 300-400 per cent increase in the permeability of maturation. Thereafter permeabilities tended to increase, gradually at first, but accelerating to a maximum which was observed at approximately 10 days. At the maximum, methanol's permeability was 20 times and butanol's 12 times their normal values. For both compounds permeability of eschar decreased past the maximum until termination of the studies at 14 days.
Role of Atomic Size and Valence in Bonding and Diffusion at Metal Surfaces

First-principles calculations and corresponding experimental results underline the importance of basic chemical concepts in understanding bonding and diffusion of atoms at and on metal surfaces. Examples discussed include the outward relaxation of clean Be(0001), the separation energies of metal-adatom dimers, concerted substitutional self-diffusion on fcc(001) and (110) surfaces, and adsorption and diffusion barrier sites for adatoms near steps.
The distribution and character of glomerular deposits in systemic lupus erythematosus

The distribution and character of glomerular deposits in systemic lupus erythematosus. Forty renal biopsy specimens from 24 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were examined in detail to assess the amount, character, and distribution of deposits in the glomeruli. Semiquantitative electron microscopic and immunohistologic methods were used. The results were correlated with clinical and histological findings. Deposits were not randomly distributed. Rather, there was some relationship between increasing amounts of subendothelial and mesangial deposits. Subendothelial deposits were found only in active disease and were extensive only in the presence of extensive mesangial deposits. Contrary to expectation, there was an inverse relationship between the extent of subendothelial and subepithelial deposits. Extensive subendothelial deposits were found only with the most active histological changes and three of four patients with extensive subendothelial deposits died within weeks. Subendothelial deposits contained a wide variety of plasma proteins including, not only the immune globulins and β 1 C globulin, but also fibrinogen, albumin, and transferrin. In general, the clinical course of patients with extensive subepithelial deposits and intramembranous deposits was benign. Subepithelial deposits were found to contain only immune globulins and β 1 C globulin. Serial studies revealed the long term persistence of subepithelial deposits. By contrast, in patients who survived, subendothelial deposits disappeared with time and treatment.
Atomistic Study of Dislocation Loop Emission from a Crack Tip

We report the first atomistic calculation of the saddle-point configuration and activation energy for the nucleation of a 3D dislocation loop from a stressed crack tip in single crystal Cu. The transition state is found using reaction pathway sampling schemes, the nudged elastic band, and dimer methods. For the ($111$)$[\overline{1}10]$ crack, loaded typically at $75%$ of the athermal critical strain energy release rate for spontaneous dislocation nucleation, the calculated activation energy is $1.1\text{ }\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}$, significantly higher than the continuum estimate. Implications concerning homogeneous dislocation nucleation in the presence of a crack-tip stress field are discussed.
Dual Monte Carlo and cluster algorithms.

We discuss the development of cluster algorithms from the viewpoint of probability theory and not from the usual viewpoint of a particular model. From the viewpoint of probability theory, we detail the nature of a cluster algorithm, make explicit the assumptions embodied in all clusters of which we are aware, and define the construction of free-cluster algorithms. We also illustrate these procedures by rederiving the Swendsen-Wang algorithm, presenting the details of the loop algorithm for a worldline simulation of a quantum S=1/2 model, and proposing a free-cluster version of the Swendsen-Wang replica method for the random Ising model. How the principle of maximum entropy might be used to aid the construction of cluster algorithms is also discussed.
Between the state and the kino: Amateur film workshops in the Soviet Union

ABSTRACTFilm workshops were the most visible part of Soviet amateur film movement that has never been associated with home movies in the first place. Two distinct features of this movement were its high degree of institutionalization and close collaboration with professional film-makers. This article shows the impact of both conditions on the Soviet film workshop movement. It seeks the roots of Soviet amateur film culture in the 1920s avant-garde, and links the development of this culture to historic events and shifts in the Soviet official paradigm. The system of state funding for amateur film workshops created due to the efforts of professional film-makers in 1957 provided support, but was ideologically restrictive. Referring to examples from the 1970s and 80s, such as the studio Lomofilm in Leningrad, Iug-Film in Buguruslan, and underground film movements, such as the Necrorealist group, I will argue that that despite the dependence of film workshops on state funding, being on service of state ideology...
Nuclear-mitotic apparatus protein: A structural protein interface between the nucleoskeleton and RNA splicing

Abstract Vertebrate splicing factors are localized to discrete domains within the nuclei of somatic cells. The mechanism whereby such nuclear domains, identified as speckles by immunofluorescence microscopy, are generated is unclear. Recent studies suggest that the spatial order within the nucleus is maintained by nuclear matrix factors. Here we show that a protein in the nuclear matrix and mitotic apparatus [nuclear-mitotic apparatus protein, NuMA; Lydersen, B. & Pettijohn, D. (1980) Cell 22, 489-499] colocalizes with splicing factors in interphase nuclei and is associated with small nuclear ribonucleoproteins in a complex immunoprecipitated from HeLa extract with small nuclear ribonucleoprotein antibodies. Moreover, NuMA associates with splicing complexes that are reconstituted in vitro using wild-type pre-mRNA, but not with nonspecific RNA. Cumulatively, these observations suggest a function of NuMA or NuMA-like proteins in interphase cells in providing a bridge between RNA processing and the nucleoskeleton.