cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ceramic-supported polymer membranes for pervaporation of binary organic/organic mixtures

Abstract Asymmetric tubular alumina-supported poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) membranes were created and characterized by pervaporation separation of binary mixtures of methanol and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). The active separation layer was created by free-radical graft polymerization of PVAc and PVP onto a vinylsilane-modified alumina substrate with an average native pore diameter of 50 A. The separation layer consisted of a surface phase of terminally anchored polymer chains with estimated radius of gyration about a factor of 4.5–6.8 larger than the membrane pore radius. The methanol separation factors for the PVP and PVAc-grafted pervaporation membranes reached values of 26 and 100, respectively, at the lower range of methanol concentrations (1–5% v/v) tested in the study. The separation impact of the grafted polymer chains was apparent given that the native (unmodified) and vinylsilylated alumina membranes lacked selectivity for the MTBE/methanol system. Total permeate flux attained with the PVAc and PVP-based membranes ranged from 0.055 to 1.26 and 0.55 to 6.19 kg/m2 h, respectively, over the respective feed methanol concentration ranges of 1–90 and 5–90% (v/v). A tradeoff between separation and permeate flux was apparent from the decrease in permeation flux with increasing separation factor.
The Measurement of Government Size: Implications for the Study of Government Growth

Most studies of government growth have employed the ratio of government expenditures to the total output of the economy (e.g., GDP) as the measure of the size of government. Unfortunately, this ratio may grow for two reasons: (1) the scope of government activity may broaden; and (2) the costs of providing a constant level of goods and services may rise relative to the prices of goods and services in the private sector. It is clear that most of the extant models of government growth purport to explain the former--that is, changes in the scope of government activity. But by employing the ratio of expenditures to total output unadjusted for relative price changes, empirical tests of these models may be seriously confounding changes in the scope of government activity with changes in the relative costs of goods and services between the public and private sectors. We assess the severity of this problem by testing several models of U.S. government growth from 1948 to 1978 using both undeflated and deflated meas...
Radar Measurements of Turbulent Eddy Dissipation Rate in the Troposphere: A Comparison of Techniques

Abstract Two independent radar methods for estimating the turbulent eddy dissipation rate ϵ are applied to a common dataset, and the results are compared. The first method estimates ϵ from backscattered power and relies on the effects of turbulent mixing of atmospheric refractive index gradients. It requires additional measurements of temperature and humidity from a balloon sounding. The second makes use of broadening of the backscattered Doppler spectrum by turbulent motions. The turbulent eddy dissipation rate ϵ is a measure of the energy cascade through scales of inertial subrange turbulence. Data were collected with the Millstone Hill UHF radar in Westford, Massachusetts, and with Cross-chain Loran Atmospheric Sounding System thermodynamic soundings launched from Hanscom Field about 25 km away. Encouraging similarities are found both in the magnitude and shape of the measured profiles, though differences are also found. Some differences may be explained by characteristics of the measurement techniques...
High‐ and low‐dose Mazindol for cocaine dependence in methadone‐maintained patients: A preliminary evaluation

We conducted a preliminary investigation comparing high‐dose mazindol (8 mg/day), low dose mazindol (1 mg/day), and placebo for cocaine abstinence initiation in a 12‐week, double‐blind, randomized clinical trial enrolling 17 cocaine‐dependent, methadone‐maintained patients. Outcome data did not support a difference between the two dose levels on percentage positive urine screens positive for cocaine (1 mg mazindol=68%, 8 mg mazindol=75%, placebo=91%). Doses of mazindol greater than 8 mg may be needed for a cocaine blocking effect, although potential pressor effects may be a limiting factor.
APPLICATION OF CONTROLLED THERMAL EXPANSION IN MICROLAMINATION FOR THE ECONOMICAL PRODUCTION OF BULK MICROCHANNEL SYSTEMS

Diffusion bonding has been widely used within microlamination architectures for the fabrication of micro energy and chemical systems (MECS). MECS are microsystems with the ability to process bulk amounts of fluid within highly parallel microchannel arrays capable of accelerated heat and mass transfer. Thus far, diffusion bonding of microchannel arrays is commonly done in a vacuum hot press system. The use of the hot press greatly restricts the production rate due to vacuum pump-down time and heating-up and cool-down periods. Furthermore, larger substrates are gaining interest in the system design of MECS devices, and it is not apparent that uniaxial pressing within a hydraulic vacuum hot press will provide the bonding pressure uniformity necessary for large substrate bonding. This article presents a novel fabrication approach for high-volume thermal bonding of MECS devices with the use of controlled thermal expansion. A thermal bonding fixture based on the principle of differential thermal expansion was d...
Factors that control the development of fault-bend versus fault-propagation folds: Insights from mechanical models based on the discrete element method (DEM)

Abstract We investigate the role and relative importance of a range of geometric and mechanical factors in the development of contractional fault-related folds, with an emphasis on defining the factors that promote the development of fault-bend and fault-propagation folds. We construct a series of discrete-element mechanical models in order to test the effects of fault dip, bulk material strength, mechanical layer anisotropy and spacing, sedimentation rate, and boundary conditions on the style of fault-related fold that develops. We find that fault-bend folding is most favored at low fault ramp dips, with thinly-spaced mechanical layers, and strong layer strength contrasts. In contrast, conditions that inhibit slip on a potential upper detachment surface, such as increased friction and a fixed foreland boundary, encourage the development of fault-propagation folds. Additionally, steeper fault dips, more widely-spaced mechanical layers, and decreased layer strength contrast favor the increased localization of shear during the growth of structures. This leads to structures that deform by a mixture of fault-bend and fault-propagation folding styles. Observations of the distortional strains that develop in the model provide insight into the relationship between the different deformation mechanisms, such as flexural slip and localized shear, which accommodate structural growth and ultimately determine fault-related folding style. Thus, these models provide a context for understanding how rock and fault properties influence whether structures evolve as fault-bend or fault-propagation folds, or as combinations of these end members. We apply these insights to interpret two natural examples from the offshore Niger Delta outer fold-and-thrust belt that exhibit changes in structural style through time as a result of changes in fault properties and syntectonic sedimentation.
IFNγ and IL-4 production by CD4, CD8 and WC1 γδ TCR+ T cells from cattle lymph nodes and blood

Abstract The synthesis of IFNγ and IL-4 by CD4, CD8 and WC1 γδ TCR+ T cell sub-populations, and T cells stained with activation/memory-sub-set markers has been examined by flow cytometric analysis. Cells from blood, prescapular, bronchial and mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches were incubated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), ionomycin and brefeldin-A before staining. Lymphocytes that stained for cytoplasmic IFNγ were evident within the CD4 and CD8 populations from all tissues and also in the WC1 population from lymph nodes. IL-4 producing cells were primarily evident within the CD4 population. IFNγ synthesis was evident within both CD45RO+ and CD45RB+ populations, but IL-4 synthesis was predominantly by cells that were CD45RO+/CD45RB−. Expression of CD62L is not related to functional memory in CD4+ T cells from cattle and CD62L+ cells, particularly from the lymph nodes draining the skin and the lungs, stained with mAb to IFNγ and IL-4. The findings indicate that at least for CD4+ T cells, where CD45 isoform expression is related to functional memory, these two cytokines are produced predominantly by cells with a memory phenotype. The observation that some WC1+ cells produce IFNγ implies the presence of distinct sub-sets of this γδ TCR+ population cattle and suggests a functional role.
The Growth of Farm Tenancy in the United States

Introduction, 393.— I. "Land ownership," 394.— II. Tenancy and mortgage indebtedness, 396.— III. Share croppers, 398; leases to relatives, 399.—IV. Farm laborers, 402.—V. The "agricultural ladder," 407.— VI. Analysis by decades, 411.— VII. Analysis by regions and groups, 413.—VIII. Growth 1930–35, 416.—IX. Descent of the "ladder," 417.— X. Character of our tenancy, 421.— XI. Conclusions, 423.
History of mercury use and environmental contamination at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant.

Abstract Between 1950 and 1963 approximately 11 million kilograms of mercury (Hg) were used at the Oak Ridge Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12 NSC) for lithium isotope separation processes. About 3% of the Hg was lost to the air, soil and rock under facilities, and East Fork Poplar Creek (EFPC) which originates in the plant site. Smaller amounts of Hg were used at other Oak Ridge facilities with similar results. Although the primary Hg discharges from Y-12 NSC stopped in 1963, small amounts of Hg continue to be released into the creek from point sources and diffuse contaminated soil and groundwater sources within Y-12 NSC. Mercury concentration in EFPC has decreased 85% from ∼2000 ng/L in the 1980s. In general, methylmercury concentrations in water and in fish have not declined in response to improvements in water quality and exhibit trends of increasing concentration in some cases.
Urodynamic and neurophysiologic evaluation of patients with diastematomyelia

Diastematomyelia is a form of an occult dysraphism, which can present with lower urinary tract dysfunction. We present the findings in 21 patients with diastematomyelia evaluated at the Children's Hospital in Boston. Seventy-six percent of the patients were female. Eighty-six per cent had a cutaneous lesion present overlying the spine. Urodynamic and electrophysiologic studies showed abnormalities in 17 (81%) of 21 patients, of whom 13 (62%) had upper motor neuron dysfunction. Seventeen patients underwent corrective spinal surgery and none of the patients deteriorated on a follow-up urodynamic and electrophysiologic study. We recommend that patients with cutaneous, midline lower back lesions with or without lower urinary tract dysfunction be evaluated with a urodynamic and electrophysiologic study to characterize the extent of neurologic and urologic dysfunction. (J Child Neurol 1997; 12:97-100).
Do Procedures for Verbal Reporting of Thinking Have to Be Reactive? A Meta-Analysis and Recommendations for Best Reporting Methods

Since its establishment, psychology has struggled to find valid methods for studying thoughts and subjective experiences. Thirty years ago, Ericsson and Simon (1980) proposed that participants can give concurrent verbal expression to their thoughts (think aloud) while completing tasks without changing objectively measurable performance (accuracy). In contrast, directed requests for concurrent verbal reports, such as explanations or directions to describe particular kinds of information, were predicted to change thought processes as a consequence of the need to generate this information, thus altering performance. By comparing performance of concurrent verbal reporting conditions with their matching silent control condition, Ericsson and Simon found several studies demonstrating that directed verbalization was associated with changes in performance. In contrast, the lack of effects of thinking aloud was merely suggested by a handful of experimental studies. In this article, Ericsson and Simon's model is tested by a meta-analysis of 94 studies comparing performance while giving concurrent verbalizations to a matching condition without verbalization. Findings based on nearly 3,500 participants show that the "think-aloud" effect size is indistinguishable from zero (r = -.03) and that this procedure remains nonreactive even after statistically controlling additional factors such as task type (primarily visual or nonvisual). In contrast, procedures that entail describing or explaining thoughts and actions are significantly reactive, leading to higher performance than silent control conditions. All verbal reporting procedures tend to increase times to complete tasks. These results suggest that think-aloud should be distinguished from other methods in future studies. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Special Feature A Keynote Address on Concurrent Programming

Delivered at COMPSAC 78, this address draws a parallel between the major development phases of the first 20 years of concurrent programming and the present challenge of distributed computing.
System Theoretic Aspects of Influenced Consensus: Single Input Case

This technical note examines the dynamics of networked multi-agent systems operating with a consensus-type algorithm, under the influence of an attached node or external agent. Depending on the specific scenario, the attached node can be viewed as a network intruder or an administrator. We introduce an influence scheme, naive of the network topology, involving predictable excitation of the network with the objective of manipulating, disrupting, or steering its evolution. The spectrum of the corresponding Dirichlet matrix provides bounds on the system-theoretic properties of the resulting influenced network, quantifying its security-or viewed differently-its manageability. Finally, the controllability gramian for influenced consensus is examined, providing insights into its H2-norm and controllability properties.
High Temperature Nanoindentation for the Study of Flow Defects

Our recent progress in elevated temperature nanoindentation is reviewed, with an emphasis on the study of discrete events (i.e., pop-in phenomena) observed during nanoindentation. For crystalline materials the incipient plasticity problem is associated with the nucleation of dislocations, an effect which we show to be significantly temperature dependent. For metallic glasses it is the operation of individual shear bands beneath the indenter that gives rise to pop-in events; here we also show this to be a temperature dependent phenomenon. Approaches to extract the activation volume and energy of defects involved in plastic flow beneath the indenter are also briefly described.
$S^1$ actions and elliptic genera

A proof is given of Witten's conjectures for the rigidity of the index of the Dirac-Ramond operator on the loop space of a spin manifold which admits anS 1 symmetry.
Convection-radiation from a continuously moving, variable thermal conductivity sheet or rod undergoing thermal processing

Abstract A numerical study of the heat transfer process in a continuously moving sheet or rod of variable thermal conductivity that loses heat by simultaneous convection and radiation is reported. The process is governed by five dimensionless parameters, namely Peclet number Pe, thermal conductivity parameter a , convection-conduction parameter N c , radiation-conduction parameter N r , and sink-to-base temperature-ratio, θ a . The effects of these parameters on the temperature distribution, base heat conduction rate, advection and surface heat loss are illustrated and explained. The dimensionless length parameter, L ∗ , that the material must traverse to cool to within one percent of the sink temperature is determined for various combinations of the five parameters. This information gives the designer the fabrication time if the material is moved at a certain speed or it gives the speed if the processing of the material is to be completed in a fixed period of time.
Specific HIV-1 TAR RNA Loop Sequence and Functional Groups Are Required for Human Cyclin T1−Tat−TAR Ternary Complex Formation†

Replication of human immunodeficiency virus requires Tat protein which activates elongation of RNA polymerase II transcription at the HIV-1 promoter through interaction with the cyclin T1 (CycT1) subunit of the positive transcription elongation factor complex (P-TEFb). Tat binds directly through its transactivation domain to the CycT1 subunit of the P-TEFb and induces loop sequence specific binding of the P-TEFb onto nascent HIV-1 TAR RNA. By using a gel electrophoresis method and a comprehensive set of TAR loop mutants, we have identified the sequence and structural determinants for high-affinity CycT1-Tat-TAR ternary complex formation. Our results show that CycT1 and Tat binding to TAR RNA is highly cooperative, and a capacity of 85%, a Hill coefficient of 2.7, and a dissociation constant (K(D)) of 2.45 nM were observed. These results indicate that there are three binding sites on TAR RNA. CycT1 does not bind TAR RNA in the absence of Tat, and Tat binding to TAR, while detectable, is very inefficient in the absence of CycT1. It is conceivable that the CycT1-Tat heterodimer directly binds to TAR RNA in the U-rich RNA bulge region and this binding facilitates the interactions of the CycT1-Tat heterodimer at the other two sites in the RNA loop region. On the basis of our results, we suggest a model where CycT1 interacts with Tat protein and positions the protein complex to make contacts with the G34 region of the loop sequence; G34 is critical for CycT1-Tat binding and forms a C30.G34 base pair. Two functional groups, O6 and N7, at nucleotide positions 32 and 34 in the TAR loop are essential for CycT1-Tat interactions with TAR RNA. The identity of two nucleotides, U31 and G33, is not critical, but they contribute to the stabilization of the RNA-protein complex. The presence of a single-nucleotide bulge of A35 or C35 is essential for distortion of the backbone RNA structure as well as the accessibility of functional groups in the major groove of the double-helical region. CycT1-Tat interaction with TAR RNA represents another example of the flexibility and complexity of RNA structure involved in protein recognition.
A Statistical Anaysis of the University of Houston Business Communication Laboratory Program

In the Summer issue of this journal we were offered a de scription of the program in communications at the Univer sity of Houston. This article is an analysis of the results of a laboratory study of stu dents who had achieved low scores on an examination of verbal skills. The Houston laboratory proved to be help ful in strengthening student's verbal ability and might well be added to the communica tions offerings at other uni versities.
2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose imaging with positron emission tomography for initial staging of Hodgkin's disease and lymphoma.

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of 2-Deoxy-2-[F-18] Fluoro-D-Glucose positron emission imaging (FDG-PET) for staging Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) compared to conventional staging (CS) and to evaluate the impact on patient management. Methods: Forty-five consecutive patients with lymphoma underwent whole-body FDG-PET imaging for initial staging. Discordant lesions were verified with biopsy or clinical follow-up. The impact on staging and management was reviewed retrospectively. Results: A total of 129 sites of disease were identified, and 88 of those were concordant. FDG-PET and conventional staging demonstrated 24 and 17 additional sites, respectively. FDG-PET correctly upstaged five patients and down-staged two patients (16% total), leading to a change in therapy in 6/45 (13%) patients. However, FDG-PET understaged three patients (7%), correctly staged by conventional staging modalities. Assuming that the addition of FDG-PET to conventional staging modalities is 100% accurate for staging lymphoma, the accuracy of FDG-PET alone was 91%, compared to 84% for conventional staging modalities. Conclusions: FDG-PET is a noninvasive and efficient imaging modality for staging patients with lymphoma and should be used in conjunction with conventional staging modalities, as they appear complementary. (Mol Imag Biol 2002;4:105–114)
Year and season effects on oestrus and ovarian activity in ewes of different breeds and crosses

Abstract The dates of onset and cessation of ovulation and oestrus and the duration of the ovulatory, oestrous, anovulatory and anoestrous seasons were determined for Suffolk, Rambouillet, Dorset, Finnish Landrace and reciprocal F 1 crosses between the last three breeds in a study which extended over 3 years. Ovulation rate, duration of oestrus and cycle length were also examined. Among the purebreds the major source of variation in these traits could be attributed to differences between the Rambouillet and the remaining breeds. Rambouillet ewes commenced and ceased ovarian and oestrous activity earlier than the Finn; first ovulation also occurred earlier in the Rambouillet than in the Suffolk and the duration of ovarian activity was longer for the Rambouillet than for either of these breeds. The oestrous season was 27 days shorter for the Rambouillet than for the Dorset, due to a higher incidence of ovulation without oestrus in the Rambouillet. The anoestrum was between 27 and 65 days longer for the Rambouillet than for any of the other purebreds. The period of anovulation was longest for the Suffolk breed. There was little evidence for heterosis in the duration of the breeding and non-breeding seasons. The repeatability of components of the breeding season was generally low. Ovulation rate increased slightly from early to mid-season and then declined significantly as the breeding season advanced, in all breeds.
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence of the lithium salts of 8-hydroxyquinoline and 2-methyl-8-hydroxyquinoline.

The spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of [(q)(qH)Li]x (qH = 8-hydroxyquinolinato) and [(Meq)(MeqH)Li]x (MeQH = 2-methyl-8-hydroxyquinolinato) have been investigated. In both acetonitrile and aqueous solutions, [(q)(qH)Li]x and [(Meq)(MeqH)Li]x have absorption maxima at 320 and 309 nm, respectively. When excited at these wavelengths, the complexes emit around 500 nm (blue–green) in acetonitrile. Photoluminescence efficiencies (ϕem) were 0.036 for [(q)(qH)Li]x and 0.012 for [(Meq)(MeqH)Li]x when compared to Ru(bpy)32+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) with ϕem = 0.042. No photoluminescence was observed in aqueous media. The complexes show irreversible oxidative electrochemistry and quasi-reversible reductions in acetonitrile. ECL efficiencies (ϕecl) were 0.097 for [(q)(qH)Li]x and 0.080 for [(Meq)(MeqH)Li]x when compared to Ru(bpy)32+ (ϕecl = 1) in aqueous buffered solution and 0.035 for [(q)(qH)Li]x and 0.028 for [(Meq)(MeqH)Li]x in acetonitrile (0.05 M tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) as an oxidative–reductive ECL co-reactant). The ECL peaks at a potential corresponding to oxidation of both the TPrA and [(q)(qH)Li]x or [(Meq)(MeqH)Li]x. Also, qualitative studies using transmission filters suggest that both complexes emit ECL in approximately the same blue–green region as their photoluminescence, indicating that the same excited state is formed in both experiments.
Fate and Transport Model of CRYPTOSPORIDIUM

The waterborne pathogen \ICryptosporidium\N has been identified in surface drinking water supplies. Suspected sources of this pathogen include sewage and the feces of animals, particularly dairy calves. There are many dairy cattle and significant sewage effluent discharges in the Catskill-Delaware watershed that is part of the New York City water supply system. This water supply serves 8,000,000 customers with 5.8 × 10\u9 L (1.5 billion gal.) of water daily. This paper is concerned with the movement and fate of pathogens form wastewater and dairy sources and the resulting raw water quality for New York City. Manure and \ICryptosporidium\N oocysts are modeled as surface pollutants and assumed to move in response to runoff events in the six watershed-reservoir systems within the Catskill-Delaware watershed. Oocyst degradation in manure and in water is modeled with first-order kinetics. Rudimentary stream routing and reservoir modeling with a first-order decay function complete the fate and transport modeling of oocysts in the watercourse. Reported effluent discharge rates and oocyst concentrations in secondary treated sewage allow estimation of wastewater-derived oocyst contributions. This research highlights the importance of wastewater-derived oocysts, the need for expanded research into oocyst fate in streams and reservoirs, and the concentration of oocysts in sewage effluent.
Examining the influence of articles involving marketing history, thought, and theory: A Journal of Marketing citation analysis, 1950s-1990s:

Using citation count data we examined the impact on the discipline of a number of articles dealing with marketing history, thought, and theory. This examination was made on a decade-by-decade basis...
Skeletal muscle adaptations following blood flow-restricted training during 30 days of muscular unloading.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of low-load resistance training with a blood flow restriction (LLBFR) to attenuate muscle loss and weakness after 30 days of unilateral lower limb suspension ...
Environmental links to alosine at-sea distribution and bycatch in the Northwest Atlantic midwater trawl fishery

The bycatch of river herring (Alosa pseudoharengus and A. aestivalis) and American shad (A. sapidissima) by midwater trawl vessels targeting Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) and Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) has become a possible threat to their conservation. Most bycatch occurs during winter when the regional distributions of these five species overlap. The life histories and habits of these species suggest that there are times and areas during winter where overlap is low and bycatch could be reduced. This study identified environmental conditions associated with the presence of river herring and American shad during winter in the US Mid-Atlantic area by testing the hypothesis that fish were detected in an equal proportion to the amount of samples taken within an environmental condition. River herring were associated with colder temperatures and relatively shallow depths, while American shad appeared to be associated with a broader habitat. To determine whether these associations could be used to reduce bycatch, the proportion of effort and catch of target and bycatch species under the conditions associated with bycatch species presence was quantified in a fishery-dependent dataset. Targeting Atlantic mackerel in waters with surface temperatures above 68C appeared to be the most effective advice for reducing river herring bycatch.
The US Army Projects the Effect of Merit Pay on Payroll Growth

The National Security Personnel System (NSPS) was designed to provide greater opportunity for merit-based pay raises than the preexisting civil service system. However, a US Army organization was concerned that over time the accumulation of merit raises would make the total payroll unaffordable. We were asked to investigate the conditions under which this situation would be likely to happen. We used the Vensim® modeling software to produce a model of the influences and events that would cause payroll to rise or fall from year to year. Our analysis showed that the merit pay policies in place at the start of our study were very likely to lead to undesirable growth in total pay and a concentration of all employees near the maximum allowed salary, defeating the purpose of NSPS—to reward better service with more pay. The most important factors were the fraction of merit pay that was given as merit raises (as opposed to bonuses) and the salaries of people newly hired to replace those who left the organization. We showed how departing senior employees should be replaced with less-senior ones to avoid long-term payroll growth. We used the model to find the combinations of merit pay and new-hire policies that would balance the effect of these two major influences and produce little or no long-term payroll growth. We also showed that some other influences that had concerned the client were actually of small effect compared to the stochastic uncertainty in payroll growth. Another influence, attrition, produced a more substantial effect. The interactive nature of the model allowed real-time exploration of alternatives with the client and helped build confidence in the robustness of the results. These results highlight potential problem areas needing careful analysis in implementing similar merit pay systems.
Sexual dimorphism in ischemic stroke: lessons from the laboratory

Ischemic stroke is emerging as a major health problem for elderly women. Women have lower stroke incidence than men until an advanced age, when the epidemiology of ischemic stroke shifts and incidence rises dramatically in women. Experimental models of rodent stroke have replicated this clinical epidemiology, with exacerbated injury in older compared with young female rodents. Many of the detrimental effects of aging on ischemic stroke outcome in females can be replicated by ovariectomy, suggesting that hormones such as estrogen play a neuroprotective role. However, emerging data suggest that the molecular mechanisms leading to ischemic cell death differ in the two sexes, and these effects may be independent of circulating hormone levels. This article highlights recent clinical and experimental literature on sex differences in stroke outcomes and mechanisms.
Modeling and simulation of FM detection by zero-crossing in the presence of noise and FH interference

A signal model for a frequency-hop (FH) spread spectrum system and an FM system is presented, and the demodulation of an FM signal in the presence of interfering FH and noise is described. The FM receiver presented uses a zero-crossing scheme for demodulation. To demonstrate the zero-crossing technique, two algorithms are developed and examined. The results show that for many applications, FM systems could reasonably coexist with frequency-hopping spread-spectrum systems. Furthermore, zero-crossing demodulation schemes are shown to be useful with microprocessor-based detector systems. >
Constructing and Staffing the Cultural Bridge: The School as Change Agent in Rural Appalachia.

Rural American schools still educate almost 28 percent of the nation's children, but only educational historians and rural sociologists have paid much attention to issues and dynamics of such places. Here, rural educators often intentionally teach and model national norms, values, expectations, and skills. Such teachings, they allege, are particularly critical to children's successful participation in the national culture, as rural communities typically do not have the types of complementary social or economic institutions that support metropolitan schooling aims. Meanwhile, these schools themselves often continue as targets of state and federal reform efforts since their local tax base often makes them particularly dependent upon outside funding sources. In the following essay I briefly develop a number of these themes. I then illustrate various rural school dynamics and issues with data from a West Virginia school system in which I have been involved in various research capacities during the past five years.
Speculative Locks: Concurrent Execution of Critical Sections in Shared-Memory Multiprocessors*

Multithreaded applications typically use coarse- or fine-grain locks to enforce synchronization when needed. While fine-grain synchronization enables higher concurrency, it often involves significantly more programming effort than coarsegrain synchronization. To address this trade-off, this chapter proposes speculative locks. In speculative locks, threads access a critical section without synchronizing while the underlying hardware monitors for conflicting accesses. If a conflict is detected, threads are rolled back and restarted on the fly. Forward progress in an active lock is guaranteed by the presence of a nonspeculative lock owner at all times, and all in-order conflicts between owner and speculative threads are tolerated. Overall, speculative locks allow the programmability of coarse-grain synchronization, while enabling the concurrency of fine-grain synchronization.
Expression of Basigin, an Inducer of Matrix Metalloproteinases, in the Rat Ovary

Abstract The extensive tissue remodeling that occurs during follicular development, ovulatory rupture, and the formation and regression of the corpus luteum (CL) requires local degradation of the extracellular environment by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). This report characterizes the expression pattern of basigin (Bsg), a putative regulator of MMP induction, in the rat ovary. An induced superovulation model (eCG/hCG) was used in immature rats to evaluate Bsg expression profiles in ovaries collected during the follicular phase, the preovulatory period, and the luteal lifespan. Levels of Bsg mRNA were unchanged through follicular growth (0–48 h post-eCG) and increased during postovulatory luteinization (24 and 48 h post-hCG; P < 0.01). Bsg expression persisted into pseudopregnancy (4–8 days post-hCG) and after functional luteal regression (12 days post-hCG). The profile of Bsg expression during regression of the CL was examined using a model of induced luteolysis. Both functional and structural regressi...
The importance of nuclear import in protection of the vitamin D receptor from polyubiquitination and proteasome‐mediated degradation

Others and we previously showed that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is subject to degradation by the 26S proteasome and that treatment with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) inhibited this degradation. In the present study, we found that in osteoblasts, but not in intestinal epithelial cells, the VDR was susceptible to degradation by the 26S proteasome. The subcellular site for degradation of the VDR in osteoblasts is the cytoplasm and the site for ligand-dependent protection of the VDR from the 26S proteasome is the chromatin. These direct relationships between nuclear localization and protection of the VDR from 26S proteasome degradation led us to hypothesize that the unoccupied cytoplasmic VDR is a substrate for polyubiquitination, which targets VDR for degradation by the 26S proteasome, and that nuclear localization has the ability to protect the VDR from polyubiquitination and degradation. To test these hypotheses, we used Cos-1 cells transfected with human VDR and histidine-tagged ubiquitin expression vectors. We found that unoccupied VDR was polyubiquitinated and that 1,25D3 inhibited this modification. Mutations in the nuclear localization signal of VDR (R49W/R50G and K53Q/R54G/K55E) or in the dimerization interface of VDR with retinoid X receptor (M383G/Q385A) abolished the ability of 1,25D3 to protect the VDR from polyubiquitination, although these mutations had no effect on the ligand-binding activity of VDR. Therefore, we concluded that in some cellular environments unoccupied cytoplasmic VDR is susceptible to polyubiquitination and proteasome degradation and that ligand-dependent heterodimerization and nuclear localization protect the VDR from these modifications. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 926–934, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Structure and self-association of the Rous sarcoma virus capsid protein

Abstract Background: The capsid protein (CA) of retroviruses, such as Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), consists of two independently folded domains. CA functions as part of a polyprotein during particle assembly and budding and, in addition, forms a shell encapsidating the genomic RNA in the mature, infectious virus. Results: The structures of the N- and C-terminal domains of RSV CA have been determined by X-ray crystallography and solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, respectively. The N-terminal domain comprises seven α helices and a short β hairpin at the N terminus. The N-terminal domain associates through a small, tightly packed, twofold symmetric interface within the crystal, different from those previously described for other retroviral CAs. The C-terminal domain is a compact bundle of four α helices, although the last few residues are disordered. In dilute solution, RSV CA is predominantly monomeric. We show, however, using electron microscopy, that intact RSV CA can assemble in vitro to form both tubular structures constructed from toroidal oligomers and planar monolayers. Both modes of assembly occur under similar solution conditions, and both sheets and tubes exhibit long-range order. Conclusions: The tertiary structure of CA is conserved across the major retroviral genera, yet sequence variations are sufficient to cause change in associative behavior. CA forms the exterior shell of the viral core in all mature retroviruses. However, the core morphology differs between viruses. Consistent with this observation, we find that the capsid proteins of RSV and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 exhibit different associative behavior in dilute solution and assemble in vitro into different structures.
Van-der Waals thin-film C 60 MEMS

We report on the first-ever pristine C 60 (Fullerene) surface micromachined structures fabricated using an all-dry etch process. These structures are used to measure the C 60 thin film MEMS electromechanical properties. These properties indicate that C 60 is promising for realizing useful boundary conditions for MEMS resonators, and stiction properties for MEMS and NEMS switch applications. The clamped-clamped and clamped-free beams are fabricated with XeF 2 silicon-etch process, with negligible damage to the fullerene films ensuring that predictable C 60 material properties can be realized in MEMS. Under substrate-attached-PZT excitation, the resonance responses of the cantilevers and beams are measured with a laser interferometer. The elastic properties of the C 60 film are thus obtained from the measured resonance frequencies.
Interaction of TorsinA with Its Major Binding Partners Is Impaired by the Dystonia-associated ΔGAG Deletion

Early onset (DYT1) torsion dystonia is a dominantly inherited movement disorder associated with a three-base pair (ΔGAG) deletion that removes a glutamic acid residue from the protein torsinA. TorsinA is an essential AAA+ (ATPases associated with a variety of cellular activities) ATPase found in the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope of higher eukaryotes, but what it does and how changes caused by the ΔGAG deletion lead to dystonia are not known. Here, we asked how the DYT1 mutation affects association of torsinA with interacting proteins. Using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we first established that the related transmembrane proteins LULL1 and LAP1 are prominent binding partners for torsinA in U2OS cells. Comparative analysis demonstrates that these two proteins are targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum or nuclear envelope by their divergent N-terminal domains. Binding of torsinA to their C-terminal lumenal domains is stabilized when residues in any one of three motifs implicated in ATP hydrolysis (Walker B, sensor 1, and sensor 2) are mutated. Importantly, the ΔGAG deletion does not stabilize this binding. Indeed, deleting the ΔGAG encoded glutamic acid residue from any of the three ATP hydrolysis mutants destabilizes their association with LULL1 and LAP1C, suggesting a possible basis for loss of torsinA function. Impaired interaction of torsinA with LULL1 and/or LAP1 may thus contribute to the development of dystonia.
Interpreting the Language of Environmental Sounds

Comparisons are made between the perception of environmental sound and the perception of speech. With both, two types of processing are involved, bottom-up and top-down, and with both, the detailed form of the processing is, in several respects, similar. Recognition of isolated speech and environmental sounds produces similar patterns of semantic interpretations. Environmental sound "homonyms" are ambiguous in much the same manner as speech homonyms. Environmental sounds become integrated on the basis of cognitive processes similar to those used to perceive speech. The general conclusion is that environmental sound is usefully thought of as a form of language.
RELATIONSHIPS AMONG FEAR OF SUCCESS, FEAR OF FAILURE, AND ANDROGYNY

Fear of success, fear of failure, and sex role orientation were examined in engineering undergraduates using the Fear of Success Scale (FOSS; Zuckerman & Allison, 1976), the Debilitating Anxiety Scale (DAS; Alpert & Haber, 1960), and the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI; Bem, 1974), respectively. The correlation (r = .45) between fear of success and fear of failure supported the finding of Griffore (1977). BSRI subscale scores rather than BSRI sex role category scores increased the predictability of FOSS and DAS. Fear of success was found to be a sex-role-related construct whereas fear of failure was found to be a gender-related construct.
Criteria for medical repatriation and the context of inadequate access to care.

Mark Kuczewski (2012) proposes criteria for medical repatriations to ensure that such repatriations are not, functionally speaking, delayed refusals of care premised on a lack of legal immigration ...
Processes of Clinical Change and Resistance A Theoretical Synthesis

Evidence from both experimental laboratory studies and clinical observation supports the behavioral principle that immediate (compared with delayed) consequences are most influential in shaping future actions. This presents the theoretical possibility of conflicts of consequences (e.g., short-term positive vs. long-term negative). As one example, resistance to completing therapeutic homework assignments that instruct clients to approach feared situations may result in short-term positive outcomes, such as freedom from negative emotional experience (emotional avoidance), but is dysfunctional over time. Thus, temporal conflicts of consequences is one theoretic source of resistance in clinical treatment. In this article, the authors articulate how the activation of the metacognitive level theoretically mediates conflicts between short-term (immediate) and long-term (delayed) consequences, thereby facilitating therapeutic change and reducing resistance. This synthesis unifies principles of behaviorism and contemporary clinical cognitive theory.
On compressible versions of the incompressible neo-Hookean material

We consider three different compressible versions of the conventional incompressible neo-Hookean material model. The different versions are not new and have been used in various model studies. They...
On the Stability of Internal Baroclinic Jets in a Rotating Atmosphere.

Abstract We consider the quasi-geostrophic instability of a circumpolar vortex in which there is available kinetic energy of lateral shear as well as available potential energy due to meridional temperature gradients. Stability criteria are developed for the case of an internal jet, i.e., where the meridional temperature gradients at the ground vanish. The internal jet is stable if the gradient of potential vorticity in isentropic surfaces does not vanish. If it vanishes at a closed isopleth of constant mean zonal vorticity, the jet is unstable. The special role played by the kinematic and thermodynamic boundary conditions in the theory of baroclinic stability is clarified by re-examining earlier theories in the light of an analogy to two-dimensional shear flow. Simple baroclinic flow with rigid horizontal boundaries is isomorphic to Couette flow with free boundaries. The presence of meridional temperature gradients at boundaries relaxes the constraints on the boundary pressure perturbations and makes pos...
Mitosis and Cytokinesis in Funaria are Accompanied by Inward Current Localized at the Nuclear Zone

A trigger for cell division in a wide variety of systems has been postulated to result from ionic fluxes (particularly Ca2+) across the plasma membrane. Furthermore, it has been proposed that control of the different stages of mitosis (in particular the metaphase/anaphase transition) may be regulated by spatially localized increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) that are controlled by an endomembrane system (Wolniak and Hepler, 1983). Calcium has also been implicated in the regulation of the cytokinetic apparatus in plant cells (see Gunning, 1982). In an attempt to elucidate the role of ion currents in mitosis and cytokinesis I investigated temporal and spatial localization of ion fluxes across the plasma membrane of dividing tip-growing filamentous Funaria hygrometrica cells.
Reproductive health: the MotherCare experience. Introduction.

The MotherCare project addresses acute obstetric complications sexually transmitted diseases and maternal malnutrition and anemia through demonstration projects in Indonesia Guatemala Bolivia Nigeria and Uganda. It has expanded on formative research to design strategies with local research and public health teams. Successful programming designed to improve maternal and neonatal health and nutrition is based on a change in attitude assigning a high priority to maternal and neonatal health and nutrition and the coordination of care that will address womens needs. Policy makers women spouses and partners community leaders and front-line providers must place maternal and neonatal health and nutrition on the top of the action agenda. Program managers and health providers must know and cater to the needs and constraints of the woman and her community. Decision makers must know and address the service providers needs and constraints. Health provider groups need to move maternal and neonatal services closer to the woman. Communities need to mobilize resources to move the woman or newborn to services once complications arise. Health officials must see to the provision of a comprehensive package of services to the woman and her newborn. These services begin in the home and the community. They also need to be provided at the health center level and at referral facilities. The programming process begins with formative research to understand the perceptions and health behaviors of the woman and her family and of the front line providers. This research forms the basis for a communications strategy and for a program of training and coordination of health services staff. Equipment supplies drugs logistics systems supportive supervision monitoring and evaluation means and enlightened policy guidelines are additional essential elements of a comprehensive maternal and neonatal health care system.
Improving cancer therapies by targeting the physical and chemical hallmarks of the tumor microenvironment

Tumors are highly heterogeneous at the patient, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. This multi-scale heterogeneity poses significant challenges for effective therapies, which ideally must not only distinguish between tumorous and healthy tissue, but also fully address the wide variety of tumorous sub-clones. Commonly used therapies either leverage a biological phenotype of cancer cells (e.g. high rate of proliferation) or indiscriminately kill all the cells present in a targeted volume. Tumor microenvironment (TME) targeting represents a promising therapeutic direction, because a number of TME hallmarks are conserved across different tumor types, despite the underlying genetic heterogeneity. Historically, TME targeting has largely focused on the cells that support tumor growth (e.g. vascular endothelial cells). However, by viewing the intrinsic physical and chemical alterations in the TME as additional therapeutic opportunities rather than barriers, a new class of TME-inspired treatments has great promise to complement or replace existing therapeutic strategies. In this review we summarize the physical and chemical hallmarks of the TME, and discuss how these tumor characteristics either currently are, or may ultimately be targeted to improve cancer therapies.