cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Miscible blends of zinc‐neutralized sulfonated polystyrene and poly(2,6‐dimethyl 1,4‐phenylene oxide)

Zinc-neutralized sulfonated polystyrene ionomers (ZnSPS) and poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PXE) form miscible blends up to at least 7.8 mol% sulfonation as measured by thermal and mechanical criteria. The addition of an equal weight of PXE raises the T g of ZnSPS by 40-50°C. However, this miscibility is not achieved by eradicating the microdomain structure present in ZnSPS. SAXS indicates that while the average interaggregate spacing is roughly the same in ZnSPS and its 50/50 blend with PXE at a given sulfonation level; hte extent of phase separation is reduced upon PXE addition
The reduction in paired-pulse inhibition in the rat hippocampus by gabapentin is independent of GABAB receptor activation

Previously we have shown that gabapentin causes a reduction of paired-pulse inhibition in the dentate gyrus of the urethane-anesthetized rat, which looks very much like the effect of baclofen on paired-pulse inhibition. In addition, it has been proposed that gabapentin increases release of GABA from non-vesicular stores and may, therefore, interact with GABA(B) mechanisms. Here we tested the ability of a GABA(B) agonist, baclofen, and a GABA(B) antagonist, CGP35348, to block the effect of gabapentin on paired-pulse inhibition in the dentate gyrus in urethane-anesthetized adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Both baclofen (6 mg/kg) and gabapentin (100 mg/kg) caused a long-lasting reduction of paired-pulse inhibition in the dentate gyrus when given alone or in combination. CGP35348 (45 mg/kg) blocked the effect of baclofen on paired-pulse inhibition, but did not alter the effect of gabapentin. Gabapentin also caused a reduction of inhibition in the CA1 region, indicating that its effect is not specific for the dentate gyrus. These results suggest that gabapentin produces its effect on paired-pulse inhibition independent from the effect of baclofen and not through non-vesicular release of GABA interacting with the GABA(B) receptor system.
The Development of Preference for Cognitive Balance

Summary A task was used in which subjects at three different Piagetian stages of intellectual development were to induce the missing relationship in different triadic situations. The findings of Blanchard and Price (2) that formal operational subjects show a preference for balance while concrete operational subjects show a preference for positivity were largely confirmed. Preoperational subjects, however, tended to respond in random fashion.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Practical and theoretical considerations in their selection

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed frequently for patients with painful musculoskeletal conditions: Each year, physicians write approximately 60 million NSAID prescriptions. Because of the magnitude of patient exposure, gastrointestinal and other side effects of NSAIDs are a significant clinical concern. The mechanism of action of NSAIDs is inhibition of cyclooxygenase with secondary inhibition of proinflammatory prostaglandins. This mechanism also accounts for gastrointestinal toxic side effects of NSAIDs. Two forms of cyclooxygenase, cox-1 and cox-2, appear to be differentially inhibited by NSAIDs. Because cox-1 is responsible for maintaining normal physiologic function in gastric mucosa and other tissues, "ideal" NSAIDs would suppress only cox-2. The design of future NSAIDs may be influenced by this concept. NSAID-related peptic ulceration is characterized by its location in the gastric antrum, asymptomatic nature, and ability to develop through both topical and systemic effects of NSAIDs. Major risk factors for patients with rheumatoid arthritis include age >60 years, magnitude of disability, concomitant use of corticosteroids, larger doses/longer duration of NSAID treatment, and a history of peptic ulcer disease. A prophylactic strategy includes the identification of high-risk patients and, if NSAIDs must be used, the addition of misoprostol.
The synthesis of 2'-bromoacetamido-2'-deoxyuridine and its reaction with ribonuclease A.

Abstract Bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A reacts with 2′-bromoacetamido-2′-deoxyuridine at pH 5.5 and 25°C rapidly and with absolute specificity. The single product formed has been tentatively identified as N-3-(2′-carboxamidomethyl-2′-deoxyuridinyl)-histidine-12-ribonuclease A. The reaction exhibits binding kinetics, Km being equal to 0.11 M for the nucleoside derivative and k3 equal to 57 × 10−4 sec−1. The reaction of 2′-bromoacetamido-2′-deoxyuridine with ribonuclease A occurs at a rate which is approximately 4000 times faster than its corresponding reaction with L-histidine.
Identification and quantitation of a metabolite of anethol dithiolthione in rat and mouse urine using high-performance liquid chromatography

Urine samples from rats and mice fed anethol dithiolthione (ADT) [3-(p-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dithiol-3-thione] were analyzed using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Urine was introduced directly on the liquid chromatograph which was modified by replacing the sample loop with a guard column. Highly polar urine components were washed off the guard column prior to chromatography. A major metabolite and the parent compound (ADT) were separated and detected using the chromatographic conditions described in this study. The metabolite was identified as desmethyl ADT. The identification was based on co-chromatography on two columns using two mobile phases and peak height ratios of the metabolite and the reference standard. Data pertaining to the pattern of excretion of ADT and desmethyl ADT in the animals studied are reported.
Hydraulic potential in Lake Michigan bottom sediments

Abstract The magnitude and direction of groundwater flux in the bottom sediments of Lake Michigan were deduced from measurements made during three shipboard cruises between 1973 and 1975. These factors affect the geochemical environment of the sediments and therefore the distribution of trace elements reported to be present. The near-shore, sandy-bottom and fine-grained, soft, deep-lake sediments were investigated; areas of hard till or bedrock were not included in the study. Thirty-three piezometers were placed in near-shore sands in waters 5–15 m deep. The piezometers were placed an average of 3 m into the bottom sediment. Water levels from the piezometers averaged 0.6 cm above the lake level, equivalent to an upward hydraulic gradient of about 0.002 cm/cm. Water samples taken from the piezometers have a distinctly different chemical composition from that of the lake water. The total dissolved mineral content and hardness of the groundwater are about twice those of the lake water. Twenty-two hydraulic gradient measurements were made in the fine-grained soft deep-lake sediments in waters 48–140 m deep by using a differential-pressure transducer dropped into the sediments. These measurements show an upward gradient averaging 0.2 cm/cm. No chemical data were obtained for the groundwater in the deep-lake sediments. The results of this study indicate that the groundwater flux is upward through the bottom sediments into Lake Michigan and that there is a chemical change in the water near the water-sediment contact.
Effects of Acetone, Ultraviolet Irradiation and Formalin on West Nile Virus Infectivity and Immunofluoroescent Antigenicity

An effort was made to ascertain whether infectious virus in thin sections could be inactivated without destroying either the antigenicity of the virus or the integrity of the tissue. Adjacent sections of the head from a suckling mouse dying of the Egypt 101 strain WN virus infection were exposed for varying lengths of time to the atmosphere (in the dark), to ultraviolet light, and to acetone (analytic grade) at room temperature, or to 10% buffered formalin at 4 deg C. Infectivity of West Nile Virus in frozen sections was inactivated by UV light in a matter of minutes while antigenicity persisted for several hours. Immersion of infected frozen sections in acetone inactivated 99% of virus infectivity in minutes yet antigenicity was not impaired for up to two weeks at room temperature. In our hands fixation by formalin was found to be unsatisfactory. (auth)
Valid capillary pressure data at low wetting-phase saturations

Description of air/brine capillary pressures measured in berea core plugs, for brine saturations ranging from 10 to 3% PV with three different techniques: high-speed centrifuge, porousplate, and water-vapor desorption (WVD). The capillary pressure ranged from 97 to 1.380 psi (0.67 to 9.5 MPa). All three techniques yielded data that were in good agreement. The concept of an irreductible water saturation is not valid
A problem of bookkeeping

Abstract Looking at the government’s budget it spends a certain amount every year on things that it actually buys and another amount to pay interest on the debt. The existing debt shrinks by about 2 percent a year in real terms because of the inflation. In each year, however, it continues to expand in terms of the inflated currency. The problem, which I wish to address, is whether the annual shrinkage of the debt should be included in income for the nation. If so it would be one of the largest items in the income side of the balance sheet. Indeed, in many years it would turn out that there was no deficit at all.
Reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatographic separation of retinoids, including retinylphosphate and mannosylretinylphosphate

Abstract Reverse phase hplc was used to separate retinylphosphate mannosylretinylphosphate from other retinoids. These phosphorylated retinoids constituted 12 and 42% of the extracted radioactivity in OEL mouse intestine at 3 and 24 h respectively after the intubation of [1- 3 H]retinol. A detailed procedure for the chemical synthesis of retinylphosphate is described.
Does FIRO-B relate better to interpersonal or intrapersonal behavior?

After meeting for 33 hours over 7 weeks, 64 undergraduates from 11 small interpersonal skills groups rated themselves on Schutz's (1958) Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientations-Behavior (FIRO-B). Three weeks and 17 more group interaction hours later, they also described each same-group participant, including self, on Lorr and McNair's (1963) Interpersonal Behavior Inventory (IBI). Correlations between self-ratings on 6 FIRO-B and 15 IBI scales yielded 25 significant statistically (p less than .05) values, but merely 5 among FIRO-B's 90 parallel correlations with individual's mean IBI ratings from pooled small group peers. Of all 30 significant correlations, 19 linked FIRO-B's overlapping affection and inclusion measures positively, but narrowly, with 4 IBI scales that address affiliativeness/sociability. The findings challenge Schutz's (1958) paradoxical claim that FIRO-B validly assesses interpersonal behavior by an intrapersonal method.
14-3-3 proteins in Schistosoma mansoni; identification of a second epsilon isoform.

Abstract A new member of the 14-3-3 protein family in Schistosoma mansoni has been identified. Sequence analysis demonstrated that this protein is a member of the epsilon sub-group and is the orthologue of Schistosoma japonicum 14-3-3e. Since we had previously identified a 14-3-3e protein from S. mansoni , we termed the original protein 14-3-3e-1 and this second epsilon protein 14-3-3e-2. Schistosoma mansoni encodes at least four different 14-3-3 isoforms: the two epsilon proteins and 14-3-3 protein 1 and protein 2, which are zeta-like isoforms. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the early divergence of the epsilon isoforms, and that schistosome proteins 1 and 2 are among the oldest non-epsilon 14-3-3 proteins yet identified. Schistosoma mansoni 14-3-3e-1, 14-3-3e-2, and protein 1 are stage specifically expressed in a similar manner, being absent in cercariae and schistosomula, and abundant in lung stage and adult male and female worms. Protein 2 transcript was not detected at any of the life cycle stages examined. All three detected 14-3-3 isoforms elicit an immune response during infection, with the greatest response directed against protein 1. Binding studies with S. mansoni receptor kinase-1 (SmRK1) and human Raf kinase revealed that the three 14-3-3 isoforms exhibit a preference for target protein binding. Although all three isoforms do bind to both targets, 14-3-3 protein 1 interacts most strongly with Raf, whereas the 14-3-3e-1 isoform binds SmRK1 preferentially. These results suggest that the individual 14-3-3 proteins may have evolved to play isoform-specific roles in the development and survival of S. mansoni within its host.
Abciximab and Excessive Bleeding in Patients Undergoing Emergency Cardiac Operations

Abstract Background . Abciximab (ReoPro; Eli Lilly and Co, Indianapolis, IN) is a monoclonal antibody that binds to the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor and produces powerful inhibition of platelet function. Clinical trials of abciximab in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty have demonstrated a reduction in thrombotic complications and have encouraged the widespread use of this agent. We have observed a substantial incidence of excessive bleeding among patients who receive abciximab and subsequently require emergency cardiac operations. Methods . The records of 11 consecutive patients who required emergency cardiac operations after administration of abciximab and failed angioplasty or stent placement were reviewed. Results . The interval from the cessation of abciximab administration to operation was critical in determining the degree of coagulopathy after cardiopulmonary bypass. The median values for postoperative chest drainage (1,300 versus 400 mL; p p = 0.02), platelets transfused (20 versus 0 packs; p = 0.02), and maximum activated clotting time (800 versus 528 seconds; p = 0.01) all were significantly greater in the early group (cardiac operation 12 hours after abciximab administration; n=5) group. Conclusions . This report suggests that the antiplatelet agent abciximab is associated with substantial bleeding when it is administered within 12 hours of operation.
Ninth graders’ learning differences in a healthful-living curriculum

Physical education and health education are relevant avenues for adolescents to learn knowledge and behavior related to energy-balanced living. Grounded in the framework theory of conceptual change, this study examined ninth graders' energy balance knowledge (i.e., concepts, principles, and strategies underlying the scientific mechanism and the outcome of energy balanced/imbalanced living) and physical activity in a healthful-living curriculum (i.e. combination of physical education and health). The students (N = 195) were measured using concept mapping, accelerometers, and three-day physical activity recall. It was found that the students differed in energy balance knowledge where most (83%) lacked a higher-order relational understanding. Physical activity in physical education class or after school did not significantly differ by students' mental model levels concerning energy balance knowledge. The findings suggest that an ecological learning context with moderate physical activity should be provided to help students make sense of energy balance knowledge through lived experiences.
High Pressure Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Isoniazid and Acetylisoniazid in Human Plasma

Abstract A quantitative high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay has been developed for the determination of isoniazid (INH) and acetylisoniazid (ACINH) in human plasma. Plasma samples were taken from a patient after oral administration of INH (with proven tuberculosis infection). A C18 reversed phase radial compression column was used to separate INH and ACINH from other plasma components. The analysis takes 10 minutes per sample and the lower limit of detection for each compound is 0.10 ug/ml plasma.
ISCHEMIC ACUTE RENAL FAILURE: DELAYED INFUSION OF ATP-MGCL 2

We have shown that the infusion of ATP-MgCl2 will accelerate the recovery from either 45 minutes or 60 minutes of renal ischemia. Since, in previous studies, ATP-MgCl2 was infused immediately after the ischemic injury, this study was designed to determine the efficacy of ATP-MgCl2 when given several hours after the initial insult. Rats were subjected to either 45 or 60 minutes of bilateral renal artery occlusion and then eight or 24 hours later the animals were infused with normal saline (NS) or ATP-MgCl2 (25 μmoles each). Inulin clearance (C in) was determined 48 hours after the initial injury in all groups. In animals with 45 minutes of ischemia: accelerated recovery of Cin occurred when ATP-MgCl2 was given either eight hours (637 ± 40 μl/min/100 gmBW, P < 0.01) or 24 hours (661 ± 46, P < 0.01) after the ischemic insult. In contrast, Cin was only 429 ± 45 in NS treated animals as compared to controls (1107.8 ± 51.4). In animals with 60 minutes of ischemia: the infusion of ATP-MgCl2 eight hours after the injury failed to have an effect on Cin (475 ± 39) in comparison to NS treated animals (430 ± 69, P - NS). The present investigation demonstrates that: 1) ATP-MgCl2 will effectively accelerate recovery even when given eight or 24 hours after moderate (45 minutes) ischemic insult, but 2) when the renal injury was more severe (60 minutes of ischemia), this agent was not effective.
Effects of chronic administration of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on rat testicular esterase isozymes.

Abstract The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on the esterase isozymes of rat testicular tissue were examined using acrylamide gel electrophoretic techniques followed by staining for non-specific esterase activity. Both Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol caused a specific depression of an esterase isozyme located in the interstitial tissue of the testis.
IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT OF DAY-2 EQUINE EMBRYOS CO-CULTURED WITH OVIDUCTAL EXPLANTS OR TROPHOBLASTIC VESICLES

This study compared the in vitro development of Day-2 equine embryos co-cultured with either trophoblastic vesicles or oviductal explants. Embryos were collected surgically from the oviducts of pony mares 2 d after ovulation and assessed for stage of development. Culture medium was Ham's F12 and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (50:50 v/v) in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO(2) in air at 38.5 degrees C with either trophoblastic vesicles or oviductal explants. The quality score of embryos was assessed daily. After 4 d in culture, embryos were stained (Hoechst 33342) and evaluated with epifluorescence to determine the number of nuclei present. Six of seven embryos co-cultured with oviductal examples developed to the morula/blastocyst stage, while four of seven embryos co-cultured with trophoblastic vesicles developed to the morula stage. More (P = 0.1) embryos co-cultured with oviductal explants reached the blastocyst stage than embryos co-cultured with trophoblastic vesicles (3/7 vs 0/7, respectively). The number of cells was higher (P = 0.1) for embryos co-cultured with oviductal explants than for embryos co-cultured with trophoblastic vesicles (162.6 +/- 32 vs 87.3 +/- 28, respectively). The number of cells for embryos co-cultured with either oviductal explants or trophoblastic vesicles appeared to be lower than for embryos matured in vivo that were recovered from the uterus at Day 6 (378, 399, >1000). The co-culture of early equine embryos in a completely defined medium with either trophoblastic vesicles or oviductal explants can support development to at least the morula stage. The co-culture of embryos with oviductal explants resulted in superior development of four-to eight-cell embryos, as indicated by the proportion that reached the blastocyst stage and by the number of cells.
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Neural Fields on Product Spaces

Motivated by the functional architecture of the primary visual cortex, we analyze solutions to a neural field equation defined on the product space $\mathbb{R}\times S^1$, where the circle $S^1$ represents the orientation preferences of neurons. We show how standard solutions such as orientation bumps in $S^1$ and traveling wavefronts in $\mathbb{R}$ can destabilize in the presence of this product structure. Using bifurcation theory, we derive amplitude equations describing the spatiotemporal evolution of these instabilities. In the case of destabilization of an orientation bump, we find that synaptic weight kernels representing the patchiness of horizontal cortical connections yield new stable pattern forming solutions. For traveling wavefronts, we find that cross-orientation inhibition induces the formation of a stable propagating orientation bump at the location of the wavefront.
Influence of the Screening Function on Theoretical Calculations of the Structure Factor of Liquid Aluminum

Abstract The structure factor S(k) of liquid aluminum is calculated using the Metropolis Monte Carlo method. The effective two-body ion-ion interaction used in the calculations are the Shaw optimized model and the local approximation suggested by Harrison calculated using two screening function in each case, the screening function of Vashishta and Singwi and that of Utsumi and Ichimaru. The calculated structure factors from each case are compared with experiment.
Potentiation of 2,6-dinitrotoluene genotoxicity in Fischer 344 rats by pretreatment with pentachlorophenol☆

Abstract The organochlorine pesticide, pentachlorophenol, a potent sulfotransferase inhibitor, reportedly reduces the binding of 2,6-dinitrotoluene, an industrial hepatocarcinogen to hepatic DNA by 95% after a single i.p. injection. Activation of 2,6-dinitrotoluene to genotoxic metabolites involves enzymes in both the liver and the intestinal flora. Since pentachlorophenol also has bactericidal activity and induces hepatic mixed function oxidase activity after longer treatment, the effect of pentachlorophenol on intestinal enzyme activity and the biotransformation of 2,6-dinitrotoluene to genotoxic metabolites was studied after 1, 2, 4, and 5 weeks of treatment. Male Fischer 344 rats were dosed daily, by gavage, with either 20 mg/kg pentachlorophenol or the peanut oil vehicle. After 1, 2, 4, and 5 weeks, select control and treated animals were injected p.o. with 75 mg/kg 2,6-dinitrotoluene and transferred to metabolism cages, where urine was collected for 24 hr and tested for mutagenic activity by the Ames Salmonella typhimurium reversion assay. At 2 and 4 weeks, six control and six treated animals were sacrificed and nitroreductase, azo reductase, β-glucuronidase, dechlorinase, and dehydrochlorinase activities were analyzed in homogenates of the small intestine, large intestine, and cecum. At 5 weeks, hepatic DNA adduct formation was assayed by the 32 P-postlabeling of DNA. Results from this study indicated that pentachlorophenol accelerated the biotransformation of 2,6-dinitrotoluene to genotoxic metabolites and potentiated the formation of 2,6-dinitrotoluene-induced DNA adducts in the liver. This is the first report of a chemical interaction leading to increased DNA adduct formation and indicates that chemical interactions could be important to risk assessment since they alter the relationship between exposure, dose, and the effect of genotoxicants.
Consequences of avidity in lymphocyte receptor-multivalent antigen binding in affinity maturation.

Abstract A mathematical model proposed by Crothers & Metzger ( Immunochemistry 9 , 341–357, 1972), describing the influence of multiple site interactions on the effective antigen binding property of anti-bodies was used to assess the possible role of lymphocyte receptor affinity in antibody affinity maturation. The model proposed that observed association constants ( K OBS s ) were primarily dependent on the number of allowed active site antigen interactions (n), the density and orientation of antigenic sites and the intrinsic association constant ( K 1 ) of an univalent antibody active site interacting with an univalent antigen. Because of the inherent uncertainty involved in the estimation of lymphocyte membrane structure and molecular parameters necessary to utilize other mathematical models, the Crothers and Metzger model was applied to the case of surface membrane bound immunoglobulin (sm1g) on B-lymphocytes interacting with polyvalent antigens as a simple and direct concept. Consideration of red blood cells, dinitrophenyl 16 guinea-pig albumin, and fluorescyl 220 keyhole limpet hemocyanin as model antigens revealed that K OBS was many orders of magnitude higher than K 1 when only a few interactions were allowed. A dissociation rate of several hours for release of polyvalent antigen from cooperating sm1g was calculated for receptors with a K 1 as low as 10 3 M −1 . Assuming prolonged antigen contact as necessary to activate lymphocytes, cells bearing low-affinity receptors are functionally indistinguishable from those carrying higher-affinity smIg in their ability to retain antigen. The presumed role for antigen-driven selection of lymphocytes bearing increasingly higher-affinity smlg, which results in antibody affinity maturation, must be reexamined if the K 1 of smIg does not confer a selective advantage to lymphocytes for retaining antigen.
Dermal and Subcutaneous Plexiform Soft Tissue Neoplasms

This article presents an overview of soft tissue tumors that have a plexiform histomorphology. The more commonly encountered entities, including plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor, cellular neurothekeoma, dermal nerve sheath myxoma, plexiform schwannoma, and plexiform neurofibroma, are discussed in detail, and other tumors are noted. Information on clinical features, microscopic findings, ancillary studies, differential diagnosis, and prognosis is provided for each entity.
The invention of Argentina

The nations of Latin America came into being without a strong sense of national purpose and identity. In "The Invention of Argentina", Nicholas Shumway offers a cultural history of one nation's efforts to determine its nature, its destiny, and its place among the nations of the world. His analysis is crucial to understanding not only Argentina's development but also current events in the Argentine Republic.
Text classification using stochastic keyword generation

This paper considers improving the performance of text classification, when summaries of the texts, as well as the texts themselves, are available during learning. Summaries can be more accurately classified than texts, so the question is how to effectively use the summaries in learning. This paper proposes a new method for addressing the problem, using a technique referred to as 'stochastic keyword generation' (SKG). In the proposed method, the SKG model is trained using the texts and their associated summaries. In classification, a text is first mapped, with SKG, into a vector of probability values, each of which corresponds to a keyword. Text classification is then conducted on the mapped vector. This method has been applied to email classification for an automated help desk. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method based on SKG significantly outperforms other methods.
Dispersal of viable row-crop seeds of commercial agriculture by farmland birds: implication for genetically modified crops

To address some concerns about the expansion of genetically engineered pharmaceutical and industrial crops to outdoor plantings and potential impacts on the human food supply, we determined whether commercial agriculture seeds of maize or corn Zea mays L., barley Hordeum vulgare L., safflower Carthamus tinctorius L. and rice Oryza sativa L. are digested or pass viably through the digestive tract, or are transported externally, by captive mallard ducks Anas platyrhynchos L., ring-necked pheasants Phasianus colchicus L., red-winged blackbirds Agelaius phoeniceus (L.) and rock pigeons Columba livia Gmelin (with the exception of whole maize seeds which were too large to feed to the blackbirds). These crop seeds, whether free-fed or force-fed, did not pass through the digestive tract of these bird species. The birds nonetheless did retain viable seeds in the esophagus/crop and gizzard for several hours. For example, after foraging for 6 h, mallards had retained an average of 228 ± 112 barley seeds and pheasants 192 ± 78 in the esophagus/crop, and their germination rates were 93 and 50%, respectively. Birds externally transported seeds away from the feeding location, but in only four instances were seeds found attached to their muddy feet or legs and in no case to feathers. Risk of such crop seeds germinating, establishing and reproducing off site after transport by a bird (externally or internally) or movement of a carcass by a predator, will depend greatly on the crop and bird species, location, environmental conditions (including soil characteristics), timing, and seed condition.
Oscillator strengths for neutral atomic uranium

The furnace absorption method has been applied to the spectrum of neutral atomic uranium. In the wavelength interval 335 < λ (nm) < 361, the oscillator strengths for 497 transitions in neutral uranium have been determined. For the strongest transition at 358.48773 nm, the result was f = 0.043 ± 0.005, where the stated uncertainty represents one root-mean-square variance. The latter result may be compared with the absolute oscillator strength, f = 0.041 ± 0.003, derived from opacity measurements in the uranium nitride system. The excellent agreement between these two determinations permits the establishing of a single absolute scale for oscillator strengths in neutral atomic uranium.
Functional languages in microcode compilers

This paper discusses the advantages of using high-level languages in the development of microcode. It also describes reasons functional programming languages should be considered as the source language for microcode compilers. The emergence of parallel execution in microarchitectures dictates that parallelism must be extracted from the microcode programs. This paper shows how functional languages meet the needs of microprogrammers by allowing them to express their algorithms in natural ways while allowing the microcode compiler to extract the parallelism from the program.
Efficient communication primitives on hypercubes

We give practical algorithms, complexity analysis and implementation for one-to-all broadcasting, all-to-all personalized communication and matrix transpose (with two-dimensional partitioning of the matrix) on hypercubes. We assume the following communication characteristics: circuit-switched, e-cube routing and one-port communication model. For one-to-all broadcasting, we give an algorithm that combines the well-known recursive doubling algorithm[1] and the algorithm based on edgedisjoint spanning trees[2]. The measured times of the combined algorithm are always superior to those of the edge-disjoint spanning tree algorithm and outperform the recursive doubling algorithm. For all-to-all personalized communication we propose a hybrid algorithm that combines the well-known recursive doubling algorithm[3,4] and the recently proposed direct-route algorithm[5,6] Our hybrid algorithm balances between data transfer time and start-up time of these two algorithms, and its communication complexity is estimated to be better than the two previous algorithms for a range of machine parameters. For matrix transpose with two-dimensional partitioning of the matrix, we relate a two-phase algorithm to the previous result in Reference 7. The algorithm is predicted to be better than the recursive transpose algorithm[8] by n nearest-neighbor communications[4]. It takes advantage of circuit-switched routing and is congestion-free within each phase. We also suggest a way of storing the matrix such that the transpose operation can be realized in one phase without congestion.
Delimiting species in recent radiations.

Despite considerable effort from the systematics community, delimiting species boundaries in recent radiations remains a daunting challenge. We argue that genealogical approaches, although sometimes useful, may not solve this impor- tant problem, because recently derived species often have not had sufficient time to achieve monophyly. Instead, we suggest that population genetic approaches that rely on large sets of informative markers like single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) provide an alternative framework for delimiting very recently derived species. We address two major challenges in applying such markers to species delimitation: discovering markers in nonmodel systems and using them to delimit recently derived species. Using turtles as a test case, we explore the utility of a single, relatively low-coverage genomic resource as an aid in gene and marker discovery. We exploit an end-sequenced bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library from an individual painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) and outline a novel protocol that efficiently identifies primer pairs that amplify homologous sequences across the tree of living turtles. Preliminary data using this library to discover SNPs in Emydura macquarii ,a species that diverged from C. picta ∼210 million years ago, indicate that sequences identified from the Chrysemys BAC library provide useful SNPs even in this very distantly related taxon. Several recent methods in wide use in the population genetics literature allow one to discover potential species, or test existing species hypotheses, with SNP data and may be particularly informative for very recently derived species. As BAC and other genomic resources become increasingly available for scattered taxa across the tree of life, we are optimistic that these resources will provide abun- dant, inexpensive markers that will help delimit boundaries in problematic, recent species radiations. (BAC end sequence; Chrysemys; comparative genomics; Emydura ;r ecent speciation; species delimitation; turtle.)
Investigations of Metal Gate Electrodes on HfO2 Gate Dielectrics

As traditional poly-silicon gated MOSFET devices scale, the additional series capacitance due to poly-silicon depletion becomes an increasingly large fraction of the total gate capacitance, excessive boron penetration causes threshold voltage shifts, and the gate resistance is elevated. To solve these problems and continue aggressive device scaling we are studying metal electrodes with suitable work-functions and sufficient physical and electrical stability. Our studies of metal gates on HfO 2 indicate that excessive inter-diffusion, inadequate phase stability, and interfacial reactions are mechanisms of failure at source drain activation temperatures that must be considered during the electrode selection process. Understanding the physical properties of the metal gate – HfO 2 interface is critical to understanding the electrical behavior of MOS devices. Of particular interest is Fermi level pinning, a phenomenon that occurs at metal – dielectric interfaces which causes undesirable shifts in the effective metal work function. The magnitude of Fermi level pinning on HfO 2 electrodes is studied with Pt and LaB 6 electrodes. In addition, the intrinsic and extrinsic contributions to Fermi level pinning of platinum electrodes on HfO 2 gate dielectrics are investigated by examining the impact of oxygen and forming gas anneals on the work function of platinum-HfO 2 -silicon capacitors. The presence of interfacial oxygen vacancies or Pt-Hf bonds is believed to be responsible for a degree of pinning that is stronger than predicted from the MIGS model alone. Interface chemistry and defects influence the effective metal work function.
Sourcing Through Auctions and Audits

Buyers often find that obtaining complete information about suppliers is costly. In such scenarios, there is a trade-off between the costs of obtaining information and the benefits that accrue to the owners of such information. There are also various ways in which the missing information can be obtained or inferred. In this paper, we compare the efficiency of obtaining information via the classical mechanism design approach, which relies on the information available before the contracts are designed, with that of an “audit-based” approach, which relies on the information obtained after the fact. In our model, a single buyer (the Stackelberg leader) wishes to procure a package of products or services from various competing suppliers that possess private cost information. We allow for arbitrary cost and revenue functions and can incorporate multiple cost and revenue drivers. We show how the buyer can optimize her profit and at the same time coordinate the channel by using a contract scheme involving auctions, audits, and profit sharing. We also examine the behavior of this mechanism when the supplier can exert effort to reduce cost but the cost of effort cannot be verified. We propose several mechanisms for different precontract informational scenarios and compare their performance.
Madam President: Gender, Power, and the Comparative Presidency

This article examines the paths and powers of women who have occupied presidential positions around the world from 1974 through 2008. While women have had less success in obtaining presidential posts compared to prime ministerial offices, there have been recent notable gains. Developing a typology of presidential positions, I find that presidential positions are still overwhelmingly dominated by men. Moreover, men tend to hold greater powers in their presidential posts than women. Strong women presidents are still exceedingly rare, particularly those elected by popular vote and absent familial ties to male leaders. Overall, the comparative presidency continues to be a male domain.
Response characteristics of an ebb-dominated tidal inlet channel

ABSTRACT A three-year study (July 1974 to July 1977) of Price Inlet, South Carolina, monitored inlet hydraulics and channel morphology. The inlet is strongly ebb-dominant. Both the peak and mean current velocities during ebb exceed the corresponding velocities during flood. The velocity asymmetry is caused by changes in inlet efficiency during the tidal cycle. The intertidal marsh of the Price Inlet drainage area experiences a change in open water surface area of about 670 percent during an average tidal cycle. At high tide, the large water surface of the marsh is responsible for inefficient exchange of water through the inlet. This causes a long time lag between ocean and bay tides. The small surface area of open water in the marsh at low tide, on the other hand, yields nearly no time lag. These differential time lags cause longer flood durations than ebb durations in the inlet throat and, consequently, stronger ebb elocities. Monitoring of the cross-sectional flow area of the inlet throat demonstrates rapid adjustment to changing flow conditions. The 1159 m2 cross sectional area of the inlet throat varied as much as 8.3 percent during one tidal cycle. The cross sectional area varied in phase with the tidal range. Long-term changes in the dimensions of the channel appear to be a direct result of changes in the size of ebb-tidal delta shoals. During the study period, the growth of the linear bars in the channel margin gradually reduced wave energy along the inlet shoreline and on the inner ebb-tidal delta platform. This in turn reduced sediment transport into the inlet, which resulted in a gradual increase in the cross-sectional area of the channel. Seasonal fluctuations in mean sea level appear t have little effect on the inlet channel.
Visualizing B cell capture of cognate antigen from follicular dendritic cells

The prominent display of opsonized antigen by follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) has long favored the view that they serve as antigen-presenting cells for B cells. Surprisingly, however, although B cell capture of antigen from macrophages and dendritic cells has been visualized, acquisition from FDCs has not been directly observed. Using two-photon microscopy, we visualized B cell capture of cognate antigen from FDCs. B cell CXCR5 expression was required, and encounter with FDC-associated antigen could be detected for >1 wk after immunization. B cell–FDC contact times were often brief but occasionally persisted for >30 min, and B cells sometimes acquired antigen together with FDC surface proteins. These observations establish that FDCs can serve as sites of B cell antigen capture, with their prolonged display time ensuring that even rare B cells have the chance of antigen encounter, and they suggest possible information transfer from antigen-presenting cell to B cell.
Structural characterization of TaMe3Cl2 and Ta(PMe3)2Me3Cl2, a pair of five and seven-coordinate d0 tantalum methyl compounds

The trimethylphosphine complex Ta(PMe3)2Me3Cl2 has been synthesized by addition of PMe3 to TaMe3Cl2. The molecular structures of both TaMe3Cl2 and Ta(PMe3)2Me3Cl2 have been determined by X-ray diffraction thereby demonstrating that, in the solid state, these complexes respectively adopt trigonal bipyramidal and capped trigonal prismatic geometries.
Minimally invasive surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer: recent advances and future developments

SUMMARY Laparoscopic rectal surgery is technically challenging, difficult to perform and has a steep learning curve. Initial studies comparing laparoscopic and open total mesorectal excision indicate that laparoscopy is associated with decreased hospital stays, reduced postoperative pain and equivalent oncologic outcomes, although definitive randomized controlled trial results evaluating laparoscopy for rectal cancer are still pending. Robotic proctectomy is thought to provide additional benefits to the patient (i.e., reduced sexual and bladder dysfunction postoperatively). It can be performed either as a hybrid technique accompanied with laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization, or as an entirely robotic procedure. Future investigations into robotic surgery and other new technologies that have potential use in rectal cancer surgery will be critically important as we seek to optimize patient outcomes.
Quantitative studies of microcirculatory structure and function. II. Direct measurement of capillary pressure in splanchnic mesenteric vessels.

A systematic study was made of capillary pressures in the microvascular bed of the mesentery of the cat. Simultaneous recordings were made with two micropipettes using a modification of the Wiederhielm servo-null system. All of the measurements were then referred to their specific location in the capillary bed by photographically reconstructing discrete networks. Pressures in different capillary branches within a given network ranged from 40 mm Hg to as low as 24 mm Hg. There was no obvious pattern in the distribution of high-pressure vessels relative to low-pressure vessels. When capillary pressure was measured in a selected vessel and averaged over a period of several minutes, it remained constant (±3 mm Hg), despite much greater fluctuations in the precapillary and postcapillary vessels. A number of different procedures was used to obtain average values for capillary pressure in a given network. Estimates of capillary pressure from venous wedge pressures in the mesentery were related to the actual capillary pressure, but the precise proportionality of the two pressures was not the same in different preparations. Possibly, the estimates of average capillary pressure based on direct measurements were higher than those obtained indirectly from calculations of fluid exchange because other factors affecting the latter were not adequately considered.
Robot-Assisted Localization Techniques for Wireless Image Sensor Networks

We present a vision-based solution to the problem of topology discovery and localization of wireless sensor networks. In the proposed model, a robot controlled by the network is introduced to assist with localization of a network of image sensors, which are assumed to have image planes parallel to the agent's motion plane. The localization algorithm for the scenario where the moving agent has knowledge of its global coordinates is first studied. This baseline scenario is then used to build more complex localization algorithms in which the robot has no knowledge of its global positions. Two cases where the sensors have overlapping and non-overlapping fields of view (FOVs) are investigated. In order to implement the discovery algorithms for these two different cases, a forest structure is introduced to represent the topology of the network. We consider the collection of sensors with overlapping FOVs as a tree in the forest. The robot searches for nodes in each tree through boundary patrolling, while it searches for other trees by a radial pattern motion. Numerical analyses are provided to verify the proposed algorithms. Finally, experiment results show that the sensor coordinates estimated by the proposed algorithms accurately reflect the results found by manual methods
Applicability of cyclic-memory networks and IEEE 1394 for fine motion control and arcade games

Motion control and arcade games require a high bandwidth and periodic transfers to meet the needs of more precise control of motors, and more players and more complex graphics in arcade games. There is a common-memory architecture called "Cyclic Memory" because the data is refreshed periodically which is well known in the field of real-time systems. IEEE 1394 has been drawing considerable attention as the need for connecting audio/visual electronics with a unified fast interface increases. We discuss the feasibility of Cyclic Memory on the IEEE 1394 with its isochronous mode. By analyzing the requirements of two prototypical applications, we evaluate the performance and other capabilities of IEEE 1394 and the other networks that have the functionality of Cyclic Memory and discuss their applicability. We also discuss the network reliability based on IEEE 1394 when it is applied to an actual motion control system.
The Construction of Moral Agency in the Narratives of High-School Drop-Outs:

Through ethnographic, discourse and grammatical analysis, this article discusses the narratives of two high-school drop-outs and describes the various resources these young people use to fashion their identities through the telling of their stories. Through analysis of both clause-level expression of grammatical agency and discursive and cultural contextualization of agentive actions, it is shown that these young people, despite their apparent limited agency in the larger society, express moral agency through their active narration of the events of their lives. It is not only the content of their narratives, but also the way these stories are told that indicate the moral agency of the speakers. A conceptualization of moral agency is developed as it relates not to static universals, but to the shared particulars among this peer group and the common language they use to talk about their experiences.
The Incidence of Disorders of Sexual Differentiation and Chromosomal Abnormalities of Cryptorchidism and Hypospadias Stratified by Meatal Location

Purpose: Routine karyotype analysis has been recommended for patients with cryptorchidism and hypospadias. However, it is unclear whether karyotyping should be obtained in all patients, or tailored to the severity or degree of hypospadias. Therefore, we analyzed the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in patients with distal or proximal hypospadias and concomitant cryptorchidism.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of patients with cryptorchidism and hypospadias treated at a pediatric hospital between 1994 and 2006. Data collected included karyotype analysis, gonad palpability, and meatal and testes location at time of surgery. Patients with retractile testes and congenital adrenal hyperplasia were excluded from analysis.Results: We identified 44 patients with hypospadias and cryptorchidism (26 with proximal and 18 with distal hypospadias). Karyotype information was available in 25 patients (19 with proximal and 6 with distal hypospadias). None of the patients with distal hypospadias and cryp...