cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The interaction of chlorine with copper II. Bulk diffusion 0926

Abstract Auger depth profiling combined with X-ray photoemission and Rutherford backscattering has been used to study diffusion processes in Cu films exposed to C1 2 at 25°C under a large range of exposure conditions. The diffusion depths and coefficients as a function of the gas pressure and the exposure time are determined and analyzed. It is found that the pressure and the time dependences of the diffusion properties are rather complex and there is a drastic change in the diffusion behavior in the pressure range between 10 −3 and 10 −2 Torr. Below 10 −3 Torr, the average Cl concentrations in the surface regions are small and the diffusion depths are shallow. Above 10 −2 Torr, the surface Cl concentrations are high and rather thick surface layers containing constant Cl concentrations extending several thousand A or more into the bulk of the metal are found. The diffusion processes clearly affect the surface chlorination reaction of copper. These and other effects including the depth profiling technique are discussed.
Evaluating Commercial Document Suppliers: Improving Access to Current Journal Literature

This study examines the cost, access mechanisms, services, availability, and reliability of four commercial document suppliers: Faxon Finder, UMI, UnCover, and The Genuine Article. The author examined these suppliers in order to evaluate their ability to assist academic libraries in providing improved access to current journals. Results indicate that commercial suppliers provide preferable turnaround times at sensible prices. The commercial document suppliers studied in this project were able to fill an average of 76.57 percent of the total requests placed. The study found that commercial suppliers cannot replace traditional interlibrary services but do play an important role in an overall document delivery plan.
Particle formation and risk of embolization during transseptal catheterization: comparison of standard transseptal needles and a new radiofrequency transseptal needle.

Objective Anecdotally, the Brockenbrough transseptal needle generates plastic particles through a process of skiving (shaving off particles), when advanced through the dilator and sheath. This study was performed to assess particle creation by the Brockenbrough needle during transseptal catheterization. We explore strategies that may reduce this phenomenon, including use of the Brockenbrough stylet and a radiofrequency transseptal needle.
Comparison of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis induced by congeners and isomers of phenylpropanolamine.

Abstract The present experiment compared the effects of intraperitoneal injection (.0223 mMol/kg) of several phenethylamine congeners and isomers including amphetamine (AMP), ephedrine (EPH), methoxyphenamine (MET), norpseudoephedrine (NOR), pseudoephedrine (PS) and phenylpropanolamine (PPA) on in vivo interscapular brown adipose tissue temperature in adult male rats. Comparisons of isomer potency revealed that the 1-isomer was more thermogenic than the d-isomer for EPH and PPA but not for AMP, NOR and PS. Congener potency order was: AMP > PPA > EPH > NOR = MET > PS. The implications of these data for the weight-reducing activity of these compounds is discussed.
MATERIALISM AND THE FIVE-FACTOR MODEL OF PERSONALITY

The hypothesis that High and Low Materialism groups have different personality profiles was tested with 280 introductory psychology students (135 men and 145 women) who completed the Belk Materialism Scale and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory for partial course credit. Results of discriminant function analysis supported the hypothesis, indicating that groups High and Low in Materialism had significantly different personality profiles and that the standard discriminant function coefficients were substantial (>.30): for Neuroticism −.59, Agreeableness .53, and Openness .32.
DNA REPAIR IN V‐79 CELLS TREATED WITH COMBINATIONS OF PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CARCINOGENS*

— Excision repair of DNA damage was measured by the photolysis of bromodeoxyuridine incorporated into parental DNA during repair in Chinese hamster V-79 cells treated with 254 nm of ultraviolet radiation (UV), 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene 5,6-oxide (DMBA-epoxide), N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (AAAF), 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO), 2-methoxy-6-chloro-9-[3(ethyl-2-chloroethyl)-aminopropylamino]acridine dihydrochloride (ICR-170), X-rays, ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS), methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and combinations of these agents. Compared to normal human cells V-79 were defective in repair of UV lesions and the lesions induced by the UV-mimetic chemicals. The extent of the defects varied from 10 to 50% and was similar to those in Xeroderma pigmentosum group C cells (XP C). V-79 cells repaired X-ray damage and damage from the alkylating agents EMS and MMS to the same extent as human cells. Repair was additive after a combination of UV plus MMS indicating, as expected, that there are different rate-limiting steps for removal of the damages from these agents. Repair was less than additive in cells treated with UV plus ICR-170, AAAF plus ICR-170, AAAF plus 4NQO, and 4NQO plus ICR-170 and approximately equal to that observed for the higher of the two agents separately, indicating that there may be similar rate-limiting steps for removal of lesions. Although the results on repair after combinations of UV plus 4NQO, UV plus DMBA-epoxide or X-rays plus MMS were difficult to interpret, there was not any inhibition of repair in these combinations.
A dry electrode for EEG recording

Abstract This paper describes the design, fabrication and testing of a prototype dry surface electrode for EEG signal recording. The new dry electrode has the advantages of no need for skin preparation or conductive paste, potential for reduced sensitivity to motion artifacts and an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio. The electrode's sensing element is a 3 mm stainless steel disk which has a 2000 A (200 nm) thick nitride coating deposited onto one side. The back side of the disk is attached to an impedance converting amplifier. The prototype electrode was mounted on a copper plate attached to the scalp by a Velcro strap. The performance of this prototype dry electrode was compared to commercially available wet electrodes in 3 areas of electroencephalogram (EEG) recording: (1) spontaneous EEG, (2) sensory evoked potentials, and (3) cognitive evoked potentials. In addition to the raw EEG, the power spectra of the signals from both types of electrodes were also recorded. The results suggest that the dry electrode performs comparably to conventional electrodes for all types of EEG signals analysis. This new electrode may be useful for the production of high resolution surface maps of brain activity where a large number of electrodes or prolonged recordingtimes are required.
Integrating geographic information systems, spatial digital libraries and information spaces for conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in urban environments

The GeoWorlds system integrates geographic information systems, spatial digital libraries and other information analysis, retrieval and collaboration tools. It supports multiple applications ranging from intelligence gathering to urban planning, to crisis management and response. Teams can rapidly assemble collections of document-based information from the World-Wide Web and other specialized information sources, visualize geospatial distribution of these collections and monitor events that might change conclusions or decisions formed on the basis of an initial information set. This functionality is provided within a framework that supports both synchronous and asynchronous collaboration over finding, filtering and organizing information and presenting it in a rich visualization environment.
Whole Mounts for the Study of Skin and Its Appendages

The present study was undertaken to visualize the micro-anatomy of the epidermis and appendages of the skin with the least possible distortion from histological procedures and with the utilization of recent histochemical knowl- Many workers have used whole mounts of epidermis to study either cellular processes such as mitosis and pigment formation or micro-anatomy of the skin such as the rete pattern and arrangement of appendages.
No-clone smartcard via quantum memory

Abstract A scheme is described that employs qubit memory for identification and consequently resists counterfeiting, for application to smartcard security for use with a large number of teller machines.
Change in complexity of fetal heart rate variability.

UPERCONDUCTING quantum interference device (SQUID) technology has made it possible to routinely measure the minute magnetic fields that arise from the electrodynamics of the fetal heart [1]. This has opened up the promising new vista of fetal magnetocardiography (FMCG) for noninvasive monitoring of the developing autonomic nervous system of the fetus. A limitation of the FMCG technique is that it requires a magnetically shielded environment to obtain best signal-to-noise ratio. It has been shown that FMCG can be obtained in noisy environments [2], however it is largely untested and unknown whether parameters of fetal heart rate variability (FHRV) can be obtained of sufficiently good quality for clinical purposes based on FMCG signals recorded in noisy, unshielded environments. One motivation of this study has been to compare successive FMCG recordings conducted in a magnetically shielded and a high-frequency noise (unshielded) environment to examine the feasibility of future measurements in unshielded clinical settings. Previously [3], we have reported findings from spectral analysis of FHRV. Here we present results of a retrospective study of the complexity properties of FHRV. Our interest in studying measures of complexity stems from the success achieved by the use of multiscale entropy (MSEn) to distinguish between beat-to-beat series in normal adults and those with congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation [4]. Van Leeuwen et al. [5] reported a closely related quantity, approximate entropy, in fetuses ranging from 16 to 40 weeks and found an increasing trend with age of the fetus. Kikuchi et al. [6] studied FHRV in fetuses ranging from 22 to 41 weeks GA using ultrasound recordings and reported that the fractal dimension at fast time scales (500 ms to 5 s) is higher after 30 weeks. The measures of complexity presented in this paper
Ictal localization of temporal lobe seizures with scalp/sphenoidal recordings

We assessed the reliability and accuracy of scalp/sphenodial recordings for ictal localization by retrospectively analyzing 706 noninvasive ictal recordings from 110 patients who subsequently underwent stereoencephalographic evaluation. Strictly defined unilateral temporal/sphenoidal ictal patterns correctly predicted findings of depth electrode examination in 82 to 94% of cases. These strictly defined predictive patterns could be detected with excellent interrater reliability. The patterns are misleading in only a minority of cases, but cannot be used in isolation for definite ictal localization.
n-3 Fatty Acids Reduce Arterial LDL-Cholesterol Delivery and Arterial Lipoprotein Lipase Levels and Lipase Distribution

Objectives— We previously reported that saturated fat (SAT)-enriched diets increase arterial cholesteryl ester (CE) deposition, especially from LDL-selective uptake (SU), and this was associated with increased arterial lipoprotein lipase (LpL). We now question how n-3 fatty acid rich diets influence arterial cholesterol delivery and arterial LpL levels. Methods and Results— C57BL/6 mice were fed chow or eucaloric high-fat diets enriched in SAT or fish oil (n-3) for 12 weeks, and then injected with double radiolabeled or fluorescent-labeled human LDL to separately trace LDL-CE and LDL-apoB uptake. SAT and n-3 diets increased plasma cholesterol levels similarly; n-3 diets lowered plasma triglyceride concentrations. SAT increased arterial LDL-SU with significantly higher CE infiltration into aortic media. In contrast, n-3 markedly reduced total LDL uptake and CE deposition and abolished SU with LDL localized only in aortic intima. Disparate patterns of CE deposition between diets were consistent with distrib...
Institutional Barriers to Doing Public Sociology: Experiences of Feminists in the Academy

In recent years, the discipline of sociology has seen an increased discussion of public sociology, but the discussion has focused on whether or not it is a good idea for sociologists to become more engaged with their various publics. A different question motivates this research: What are the institutional arrangements that make doing public sociology difficult, and thus less likely? Following Dorothy Smith, we start from the perspective of frontline actors and ask them about their experiences. We combine data from two sources: individual interviews with a sample of 50 academic feminists, a group that has theoretical motivation to be interested in public sociology and group interviews with 15 feminists engaged in some form of public sociology. These informants tell us about two related institutional barriers to doing public sociology: the culture of professional sociology and the standards we use for evaluating scholarship. The impact of these disciplinary barriers probably varies by institution type and career stage but there is reason to suspect they generate costs not just for individuals but for the discipline. Taking steps to break down these barriers would ameliorate concerns some have raised about public sociology.
Reelin Signaling Specifies the Molecular Identity of the Pyramidal Neuron Distal Dendritic Compartment

The apical dendrites of many neurons contain proximal and distal compartments that receive synaptic inputs from different brain regions. These compartments also contain distinct complements of ion channels that enable the differential processing of their respective synaptic inputs, making them functionally distinct. At present, the molecular mechanisms that specify dendritic compartments are not well understood. Here, we report that the extracellular matrix protein Reelin, acting through its downstream, intracellular Dab1 and Src family tyrosine kinase signaling cascade, is essential for establishing and maintaining the molecular identity of the distal dendritic compartment of cortical pyramidal neurons. We find that Reelin signaling is required for the striking enrichment of HCN1 and GIRK1 channels in the distal tuft dendrites of both hippocampal CA1 and neocortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons, where the channels actively filter inputs targeted to these dendritic domains.
Compatibility between Optimal Tree-Based Broadcast Routing and Metric Design

Broadcast routing is a critical component in the routing design. While there are plenty of routing metrics and broadcast routing schemes in current literature, it remains an unsolved problem as to which metrics are compatible to a specific broadcast routing scheme. In particular, in the wireless broadcast routing context where transmission has an inherent broadcast property, there is a potential danger of incompatible combination of broadcast routing algorithms and metrics. This paper shows that different broadcast routing algorithms have different requirements on the properties of broadcast routing metrics. The metric properties for typical broadcast routing algorithms in undirected topologies are developed and proved. They are successfully used to verify the compatibility between broadcast routing metrics and these algorithms. This work provides important criteria in broadcast routing metric design.
One is enough: insights into the two-metal ion nuclease mechanism from global analysis and computational studies

The mechanistic details of metallonuclease reactions, typically supported by Mg(II), have a long and contentious history. Two-metal ion mechanisms have enjoyed much favor, based largely in the multitude of X-ray crystal structures of these enzymes with more than one metal ion per active site. Most recently, this mechanism has come under challenge. Reviewed herein are the applications of different experimental strategies that collectively support a mechanism in which only one metal ion is necessary for nucleic acid hydrolysis. Based on global kinetic analysis, analysis of reactions in which the nonsupportive Ca(II) is added, and a number of computational approaches, secondary sites are proposed to either be occupied by activity-modulating metal ions or occupied in turn by a single metal that changes position during the course of the reaction.
Deficits in Responding to Brief Noise Offsets in Kcna1 −/− Mice Reveal a Contribution of This Gene to Precise Temporal Processing Seen Previously Only for Stimulus Onsets

The voltage-gated potassium channel subunit Kv1.1 encoded by the Kcna1 gene is expressed in many brainstem nuclei, and electrophysiological studies of Kcna1-null mutant (−/−) single neurons suggest that channels containing this subunit are critical for precise processing of rapid acoustic perturbations. We tested the hypothesis that brief offsets of a background noise are behaviorally less salient for Kcna1 −/− mice, measured by changes in noise offset inhibition of acoustic startle reflexes (ASR). In experiment 1, noise offset was followed by ASR-eliciting sound bursts either after 1–10 ms quiet intervals or after the return of noise for 10–290 ms following 10-ms quiet gaps. ASR inhibition to offset and gaps was initially higher in +/+ mice but persisted longer in −/− mice. Experiment 2 contrasted brief abrupt offsets with ramped offsets of the same duration up to 10 ms, the ramps intended to simulate progressively slower internal decays of afferent processing. Both groups had greater inhibition for abrupt offsets at asymptote, and this difference was evident at the 1-ms interval in +/+ but not −/− mice. Further, the asymptotic effect of ramped offsets in +/+ mice was equal to that produced by abrupt offsets in null mutants, suggesting more perseveration of internal afferent activity following noise offset in −/− mice. Overall, these data are consistent with prior electrophysiological studies showing that the neural mechanisms for processing acoustic transients are less effective in Kcna1 −/− mice and support previous proposals that Kv1.1 contributes to the perception of animal vocalizations and human speech.
The Use Of Potential Functions In Modelling Animal Movement

Potential functions are a physical science concept often used in modelling the motion of particles and planets. In the work of this paper potential function based models are considered for the movement of free-ranging elk in a large, fenced ex- perimental forest. Equations of motion are set down and the parameters involved are estimated nonparametrically. The question of whether a potential function is plausible for describing the elk motion is considered. The conclusion is that it is not possible to reject this hypothesis for the data set and estimates considered.
Troponin-I as a prognosticator of mortality in severe sepsis patients ☆ ☆☆ ★

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) as a 28-day mortality prognosticator and predictor for a drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DrotAA) survival benefit in recombinant human activated Protein C Worldwide Evaluation in Severe Sepsis patients. Methods: Cardiac troponin-I was measured using the Access AccuTnI Troponin I assay (Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, CA). There were 598 patients (305 DrotAA, 293 placebo) with baseline cTnI data (cTnI negative [b0.06 ng/mL], n = 147; cTnI positive [≥0.06 ng/mL], n = 451). Results: Cardiactroponin-I–positive patientswere older(meanage, 61vs56years;P=.002),were sicker (mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, 26.1 vs 22.3; P b .001), had lower baseline protein C levels (mean level, 49% vs 56%; P = .017), and had higher 28-day mortality (32% vs 14%, P b .0001) than cTnI-negative patients. Elevated cTnI was an independent prognosticator of mortality (odds ratio, 2.020; 95% confidence interval, 1.153-3.541) after adjusting for other significant variables. Breslow-Day interaction test between cTnI levels and treatment was not significant (P = .65). Conclusion:ThisisthelargestseveresepsisstudyreportinganassociationbetweenelevatedcTnIandhigher mortality. Cardiac troponin-I elevation was not predictive of a survival benefit with DrotAA treatment. © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc.
The Socioeconomic Role of the Local Foreign Minorities in Modern Egypt, 1805–1961

The purpose of this study is to examine the socioeconomic role played by the local foreign minorities in modern Egypt. Who were these local foreign minorities? And what do we mean by their socioeconomic role?Local foreign minorities were those foreigners like the Greeks, the Armenians, the Italians, and other Europeans, who emigrated to Egypt during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and who kept their language and culture and did not get assimilated into Egyptian society. Other local foreign minorities included the Syrians and the Jews. The former were originally Arabic speaking but a large proportion of them tended later to acquire foreign nationalities and a Levantine outlook. A great number of Jews in Egypt were foreign emigrants who settled during the nineteenth century and early twentieth century in Egypt, whereas a section of the indigenous Jewish population acquired foreign protection and foreign nationalities during the same periods.
Nckβ Adapter Controls Neuritogenesis by Maintaining the Cellular Paxillin Level

The SH2/SH3 adapter Nck has an evolutionarily conserved role in neurons, linking the cell surface signals to actin cytoskeleton-mediated responses. The mechanism, however, remains poorly understood. We have investigated the role of Nck/Nckα/Nck1 versus Grb4/Nckβ/Nck2 side-by-side in the process of mammalian neuritogenesis. Here we show that permanent genetic silencing of Nckβ, but not Nckα, completely blocked nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells and dramatically disrupted the axon and dendrite tree in primary rat cortical neurons. By screening for changes among the components reportedly present in complex with Nck, we found that the steady-state level of paxillin was significantly reduced in Nckβ knockdown, but not Nckα knockdown, neurons. Interestingly, Nckβ knockdown did not affect the paxillin level in glial cells and several other cell types of various tissue origins. Genetic silencing of paxillin blocked neuritogenesis, just like Nckβ knockdown. Reintroducing a nondegradable Nckβ into Nckβ short interfering RNA-expressing PC12 cells rescued paxillin from down-regulation and allowed the resumption of neuritogenesis. Forced expression of paxillin in Nckβ knockdown PC12 also rescued its capacity for neuritogenesis. Finally, Nckβ, but not Nckα, binds strongly to paxillin and treatment of the neurons with proteosome inhibitors prevented paxillin down-regulation in Nckβ knockdown neurons. Thus, Nckβ maintains paxillin stability during neuritogenesis.
Thyroid function in mature horses ingesting endophyte-infected fescue seed.

Objective—To determine whether ingestion of fescue seed infected with the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum would alter thyroid function in adult horses. Design—Original study. Animals—4 adult mares that were not pregnant and 6 adult geldings. Procedure—Thyrotropin releasing hormone stimulation tests were performed while horses received a standard diet and after infected seed (2.3 kg/d [5 lb/d]) had been fed for 1 and 2 months. Serum prolactin concentrations were measured to verify endophyte absorption. Results—Serum prolactin concentrations indicated that at least 8 of 10 horses absorbed the endophyte. Baseline concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone, total and free triiodothyronine, and total and free thyroxine and the change in hormone concentrations in response to administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone (1 mg, IV) were not altered by ingestion of endophyte-infected fescue seed. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that ingestion of fescue seed infected with the endophytic...
Dialogic Learning as First Principle in Communication Ethics

This article frames a dialogic learning theory of communication ethics based upon Buber (1955, 1958), Gadamer (1988), Freire (2000), and Arendt (1998). This communication ethics theory privileges dialogic learning as first principle, accompanied by attending and listening as one searches for temporal answers emerging among three coordinates: (a) communicative partners (self and Other), (b) communicative content, and (c) the communicative demands of the historical moment. We situate a communication ethic within a philosophical and pragmatic first principle: dialogic learning (Arnett, Fritz, & Bell, 2009), working within the tradition of Levinas (2001) that ethics is first philosophy and first principle (Bergo, 1999).
Application of artificial intelligence to the DoD directory

The US Department of Defense (DoD) is planning for the implementation of a DoD directory capability based on CCITT recommendations X.500-X.521, which define the data communication networks directory. The functional and operational requirements that define the DoD directory will yield a system with a significant level of comlexity. Problems and barriers which impede progress toward the envisioned DoD directory service exist. The authors describe these problems and the artificial-intelligence-based approach developed to solve and reduce them in order to achieve a usable, capable, secure, and manageable DoD directory service. >
Assessing number‐specific error in the recall of onset of last menstrual period

The goal of this investigation was to determine whether women who did not report preferred numbers for their last menstrual period (LMP) may be a group of women who are particularly careful in keeping track of their menstrual cycles and therefore have more accurate LMP dating--based on a comparison with ultrasound examinations. We also sought to estimate the frequency with which preferred numbers are reported in different sources of data and for different subgroups of women. First, we examined the 1987 California birth certificates in which LMP was collected at the time of birth (n = 504853). We also examined the records of 43880 women participating in the California Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Screening Program between 1986 and 1987, for whom gestational ages based on both early ultrasound examination and LMP were collected before 20 weeks of gestation. In the 1987 California birth certificates, seven numbers--1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 28--were recorded more frequently than expected. An estimated 12.9% of these records had preferred numbers. The most frequently recorded number was 15, occurring 2.5 times more often than expected (P < 0.01). In the data of the AFP Screening Program, the same seven numbers were preferred, and approximately 7.9% of records were affected by number preference. Comparisons with measurements of gestational age based on ultrasound demonstrated that LMP-based gestational ages in which non-preferred numbers are reported for the LMP are slightly more accurate than those in which preferred numbers are reported (P < 0.01). In most cases, number preference appears to introduce small errors into measurements of gestational age, probably as a result of rounding. Thus, the effect of number preference may be primarily of interest to research studies in which small errors in the measurement of gestational age will have a significant impact on findings.
PPAR Activators as Antiinflammatory Mediators in Human T Lymphocytes Implications for Atherosclerosis and Transplantation-Associated Arteriosclerosis

Abstract— Activation of T lymphocytes and their ensuing elaboration of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interferon (IFN)-γ, represent a critical step in atherogenesis and arteriosclerosis. IFNγ pathways also appear integral to the development of transplantation-associated arteriosclerosis (Tx-AA), limiting long-term cardiac allograft survival. Although disruption of these IFNγ signaling pathways limits atherosclerosis and Tx-AA in animals, little is known about inhibitory regulation of proinflammatory cytokine production in humans. The present study investigated whether activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α and PPARγ, with their known antiinflammatory effects, might regulate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in human CD4-positive T cells. Isolated human CD4-positive T cells express PPARα and PPARγ mRNA and protein. Activation of CD4-positive T cells by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies significantly increased IFNγ protein secretion from 0 to 504±168 pg/mL, as determined by ELISA. Pretreatment of cells with well-established PPARα (WY14643 or fenofibrate) or PPARγ (BRL49653/rosiglitazone or pioglitazone) activators reduced anti-CD3-induced IFNγ secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. PPAR activators also inhibited TNFα and interleukin-2 protein expression. In addition, PPAR activators markedly reduced cytokine mRNA expression in these cells. Such antiinflammatory actions were also evident in cell-cell interactions with medium conditioned by PPAR activator-treated T cells attenuating human monocyte CD64 expression and human endothelial cell major histocompatibility complex class II induction. Thus, activation of PPARα and PPARγ in human CD4-positive T cells limits the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IFNγ, yielding potential therapeutic benefits in pathological processes, such as atherosclerosis and Tx-AA.
The roles of religious conviction in a publicly justified polity The implications of convergence, asymmetry and political institutions

We discuss whether religious reasons may be appealed to in justification and political debate in a polity whose laws must be justified to those subject to them in terms of reasons that are accessible to one and all. We argue that, properly understood, a commitment to public justification provides no grounds for the exclusion of religious reasons from politics. We trace the view that religious reasons are excluded from public reason to three basic errors: (1) the error of supposing that public justification must be based on shared reasons; (2) the error of supposing that in public justification the same constraints apply to reasons to impose coercion and reasons to resist coercion; and (3) the error of supposing that generating publicly justified laws must occur through public deliberations in which all aim at such laws.
Air Entrainment vs. Lubricant Vaporization in Squeeze Film Dampers: An Experimental Assessment of Their Fundamental Differences

Squeeze film dampers (SFDs) provide structural isolation and energy dissipation in air breathing engines and process gas compressors. However, SFDs are prone to develop a flow regime where the ingestion of air leads to the formation of a bubbly lubricant. This pervasive phenomenon lacks proper physical understanding and sound analytical modeling, although actual practice demonstrates that it greatly reduces the damper force response. Measurements of film pressures in a test SFD describing circular centered orbits at whirl frequencies varying from 0 to 100 Hz are presented for fully flooded and vented discharge operating conditions. The experiments demonstrate that operation with low levels of external pressurization, moderate to large whirl frequencies, and lubricant discharge to ambient leads to the entrapment of air within the damper film lands. The experiments also elucidate fundamental differences in the generation of film pressures and forces for operation in a flooded condition that evidences vapor cavitation. Damping forces for the vented end with air entrainment are just 15% percent of the forces measured for the flooded damper. Further measurements at constant whirl frequencies demonstrate that increasing the lubricant pressure supply retards the onset of air entainment. Classical fluid film cavitation models predict well the pressures and forces for the lubricant vapor cavitation condition. However, prevailing models fail to reproduce the dynamic forced response of vented (open ended) SFDs where air entrainment makes a foamy lubricant, which limits severely the damper film pressures and forces.Copyright © 1999 by ASME
An Anisotropic Multiphysics Model for Intervertebral Disk

Intervertebral disk (IVD) is the largest avascular structure in human body, consisting of three types of charged hydrated soft tissues. Its mechanical behavior is nonlinear and anisotropic, due mainly to nonlinear interactions among different constituents within tissues. In this study, a more realistic anisotropic multiphysics model was developed based on the continuum mixture theory and employed to characterize the couplings of multiple physical fields in the IVD. Numerical simulations demonstrate that this model is capable of systematically predicting the mechanical and electrochemical signals within the disk under various loading conditions, which is essential in understanding the mechanobiology of IVD.
Regulatory roles of phosphorylation in model and pathogenic fungi

Over the past 20 years, considerable advances have been made toward our understanding of how post-translational modifications affect a wide variety of biological processes, including morphology and virulence, in medically important fungi. Phosphorylation stands out as a key molecular switch and regulatory modification that plays a critical role in controlling these processes. In this article, we first provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the regulatory roles that both Ser/Thr and non-Ser/Thr kinases and phosphatases play in model and pathogenic fungi. Next, we discuss the impact of current global approaches that are being used to define the complete set of phosphorylation targets (phosphoproteome) in medically important fungi. Finally, we provide new insights and perspectives into the potential use of key regulatory kinases and phosphatases as targets for the development of novel and more effective antifungal strategies.
Displaced Distortions: Financial Market Failures and Seemingly Inefficient Resource Allocation in Low-Income Rural Communities

This brief enumerates some of the many ways displaced distortions occur in rural Africa. It is important that analysts and policymakers understand the phenomenon of displaced distortions when they observe seemingly irrational behavior in factor or product markets, or in patterns of natural resources exploitation or technology adoption. Appropriate policy responses may not be an intervention directly in the distorted market. Instead, the best response may be to resolve the financial market failures that are the root causes of the seemingly inefficient resource allocation.
Axiomatic Theory of Equilibrium in Signaling Games with Generic Payoffs

Three axioms from decision theory select sets of Nash equilibria of signaling games in extensive form with generic payoffs. The axioms require undominated strategies (admissibility), inclusion of a sequential equilibrium (backward induction), and dependence only on the game's normal form even when embedded in a larger game with redundant strategies or irrelevant players(small worlds). The axioms are satisfied by a set that is stable (Mertens, 1989) and conversely the axioms imply that each selected set is stable and thus an essential component of admissible equilibria with the same outcome.
Product Design Compromise Using Consensus Models

Obtaining a group consensus is a critical step in making effective business decisions. In this chapter the consensus process is defined as a dynamic and interactive group decision process, which is coordinated by a moderator, who helps the experts to gradually move their opinions until a consensus is reached. This paper describes the importance of group consensus and the need to minimize the cost of this process. Moreover, this work focuses on product design compromise and discusses how group consensus can be used in this process. The paper demonstrates the importance of the consensus process to the product design compromise process and presents several models that can be used to obtain such a compromise.
Studying Cooperative Ligand Binding in the Undergraduate Biochemistry Laboratory: Oxygen–Hemoglobin Dissociation Revisited

The interaction between oxygen and hemoglobin is a classic example of a cooperative ligand-binding process. This gaseous-ligand binding process may be studied in the undergraduate laboratory with a variable-pressure cuvette apparatus. An updated method is described to assemble a variable-pressure cuvette apparatus composed of inexpensive supplies and equipment commonly found in the chemistry laboratory.
Non-vertical Deformations For Seismic Image Flattening

Seismic image flattening produces subsurface images in which sedimentary layering is horizontal. With flattened images, interpretation of stratigraphic features is straightforward, and horizon picking is trivial. Most flattening methods are limited to vertical shearing and stretching of an image. Because of this limitation, these methods may have difficulty flattening seismic images that contain non-vertical deformations without significantly distorting image features. We propose a new image flattening method that uses a vector shift field, instead of a scalar field of vertical shifts, to represent deformation in an image. The method can flatten by vertically shearing or by rotating portions of an image, or by a combination of vertical shear and rotation. Because it is not limited to vertical shearing, the method can flatten in ways more consistent with geologic deformation.
Autonomous mobile platform for enhanced situational awareness in Mass Casualty Incidents

To enhance the efficiency of the search and rescue process of a Mass Casualty Incident, we introduce a low cost autonomous mobile platform. The mobile platform motion is controlled by an Android Smartphone mounted on a robot. The pictures and video captured by the Smartphone camera can significantly enhance the situational awareness of the incident commander leading to a more efficient search and rescue process. Moreover, the active RFID readers mounted on the mobile platform can improve the localization accuracy of victims in the disaster site in areas where the paramedics are not present, reducing the triage and evacuation time.
Childhood and the evolution of the human life course

Childhood has been the focus of research and debate among anthropologists, developmental psychologists, demographers, economists, and other social scientists for fifty years (Konner 1991; Panter-Brick 1998). As a result, there are diverse research traditions and trajectories that have arisen with varying levels of intercommunication. Recent theoretical developments in human evolutionary ecology have shifted away from description of the normative characteristics of childhood across societies towards exploration of the evolutionary history of primate ontogeny and the fitness consequences of a life history that has childhood as a component (Blurton Jones 1993; Blurton Jones et al. 1989, 1997, 1999; Bogin and Smith 1996; Charnov 1993; Charnov and Berrigan 1993; Hawkes et al. 1997, 1998; Janson and van Schaik 1993; Kaplan et al. 2000). Leigh (2001) has identified four models based in life history theory that have recently been used to explain the slow growth and extended juvenility of primates in general and humans in particular. The brain growth model asserts that slow growth is a consequence of the amount of learning-based knowledge necessarily acquired by adulthood. Essentially, slow growth provides the time needed to fully program the brain with the information needed for adult competence (Bogin 1999). The pleiotropic model developed by Charnov and colleagues (Charnov and Berrigan 1993) argues that among primates the benefits of continued growth to the
Accelerated oxygen exchange kinetics on Nd2NiO(4+δ) thin films with tensile strain along c-axis.

The influence of the lattice strain on the kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was investigated at the surface of Nd2NiO4+δ (NNO). Nanoscale dense NNO thin films with tensile, compressive and no strain along the c-axis were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition on single-crystalline Y0.08Zr0.92O2 substrates. The ORR kinetics on the NNO thin film cathodes was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at 360–420 °C in air. The oxygen exchange kinetics on the NNO films with tensile strain along the c-axis was found to be 2–10 times faster than that on the films with compressive strain along the c-axis. A larger concentration of oxygen interstitials (δ) is found in the tensile NNO films compared to the films with no strain or compressive strain, deduced from the measured chemical capacitance. This is consistent with the increase in the distance between the NdO rock-salt layers observed by transmission electron microscopy. The surface structure of the nonstrained and tensile strained f...
The New Protestant Coherence?: A Response to Sullins*

This is the startling conclusion reached by D. Paul Sullins (1993) in an article based in part on a reexamination of a portion of our book, American Mainline Religion. Sullins argues that this unity and coherence comes not from a new theological consensus or from social sources or from a new burst of ecumenical energy but from the "constant distance effect" (414). Protestants, it seems, of whatever ideological or denominational stripe, have this in common: the tendency to stay close to the center or close to home, if they change religious affiliation. "Staying close to home," Sullins argues, "is a characteristic of Protestantism as a whole, or, we might say, Protestantism qua Protestantism" (416). We were happy to cooperate with Sullins as his project evolved and are happy now to comment on the results of his study which, as Sullins suggests, is a serious challenge to our book's thesis. American Mainline Religion, we would note, is not about religious switching. It is about change in American religion in the postwar period. Central to that change is the rise of what we call "religious voluntarism," the discovery of individual choice in religious affiliation in the face of increased pluralism and privatization. In the book we look at the rise of the new religious voluntarism and its impact on what has become known as denominational religion. We do not find a lot of evidence of unity and coherence in Protestantism or elsewhere. We worried about the lack of evidence then, and Sullins's new discovery notwithstanding we still do. We have some specific comments to make on the article and its author's use of our book, but first a comment on Protestant unity and coherence. We made a conscious decision in American Mainline Religion not to include data on all Protestants. This decision was partly a practical one: the book contains nearly 40 tables and figures, some extending over two pages, so any reduction of clutter seemed welcome. More important, the book raises serious questions about the
Preliminary Upper Estimate of Peak Currents in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation at Distant Locations From a TMS Coil

Goals: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is increasingly used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for numerous neuropsychiatric disorders. The use of TMS might cause whole-body exposure to undesired induced currents in patients and TMS operators. The aim of this study is to test and justify a simple analytical model known previously, which may be helpful as an upper estimate of eddy current density at a particular distant observation point for any body composition and any coil setup. Methods: We compare the analytical solution with comprehensive adaptive mesh refinement-based FEM simulations of a detailed full-body human model, two coil types, five coil positions, about 100 000 observation points, and two distinct pulse rise times; thus, providing a representative number of different datasets for comparison, while also using other numerical data. Results: Our simulations reveal that, after a certain modification, the analytical model provides an upper estimate for the eddy current density at any location within the body. In particular, it overestimates the peak eddy currents at distant locations from a TMS coil by a factor of 10 on average. Conclusion: The simple analytical model tested in this study may be valuable as a rapid method to safely estimate levels of TMS currents at different locations within a human body. Significance: At present, safe limits of general exposure to TMS electric and magnetic fields are an open subject, including fetal exposure for pregnant women.
Epidemiological Investigation And Analysis Of An Outbreak Of A/H1N1 Influenza

Objective To summarize and analyze the characteristics of an outbreak of A/H1N1 influenza happened in Experimental High School of Lixin county,and explore the more effective measures of prevention and control in school.Methods The event was investigated using field epidemiological method,and samples were collected and tested for influenza A/H1N1 Virus RNA by RT-PCR.Results 17 cases were diagnosed as A/H1N1 influenza through a series of investigation and detection,and 13 of them were males,the others were females.Their ages ranged from 12 to 16.17 cases located in 12 classes,and all of them were recovery after active treatment.The outbreak were under control after taking a series measures,such as treating cases actively,isolating and observing the close contacts,conducting health education of control knowledge,disinfecting the school buildings and enhancing the management of school environmental health.Conclusion Influenza A/H1N1 virus spread very quickly,especially in densely populated areas,and the patient's conditions were usually mild.The integrated control measures were effective to control the outbreak,such as treating cases actively,isolating and observing the close contacts.
The nonmaintenance of behavior by noncontingent reinforcement

The discontinuation of reinforcement in extinction has two components: the contingency between the response and its reinforcer is terminated, and reinforcers are no longer delivered. The latter is responsible for some side-effects of extinction. Noncontingent reinforcement terminates the contingency while reinforcers continue to be delivered. Some implications of this difference are considered in the context of introducing a companion experimental article by Katz & Catania that explores extinction, noncontingent reinforcement and delayed reinforcement procedures with and without the concurrent reinforcement of an alternative response. The effects of noncontingent reinforcement are typically transient and the longterm effectiveness of noncontingent reinforcement in maintaining behavior is typically nil and if it ever does occur it is at best weak. Because reinforcer deliveries are not discontinued, noncontingent reinforcement may have advantages over extinction in many applications aimed at reducing behavior that has been maintained by contingent reinforcement.