cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Co-use of Tobacco Products and Cannabis among Veterans: A Preliminary Investigation of Prevalence and Associations with Mental Health Outcomes.

While tobacco product (such as combustible cigarettes and nicotine vaping products) and cannabis use rates remain high in the general United States (U.S.) population, veterans from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan (i.e., OEF/OIF veterans) are at high risk of high rates of cannabis and tobacco use. Co-use of tobacco and cannabis (i.e., using both substances within a specified period of time or combining the drugs within the same device for use) is of growing prevalence in the U.S. However, little is understood about the prevalence rates of tobacco and cannabis co-use among U.S. veterans and its associations with mental health symptomatology. The current study conducted a preliminary analysis of co-use patterns of tobacco and cannabis and associated mental health outcomes among a sample of OEF/OIF veterans (N = 1,230). Results indicated high rates of lifetime and past 30-day use of both substances. Past 30-day co-users endorsed significantly higher levels of stress, PTSD, depression, and anxiety compared to singular product users. Results suggest that the addition of cannabis use in conjunction with tobacco use may be associated with greater mental health symptoms among veterans. Findings indicate veteran tobacco and cannabis co-users may benefit from mental health care to help mitigate poor mental health symptoms.
First-Year Care Network: What This Means For Instructors

Location: Gold Room Abstract: New first-year and transfer undergraduate students can find our large, decentralized university confusing. The First-Year Care Network aims to support these students in exploring academic majors, learning about Mason Impact, and successfully transitioning to Mason. The purpose of this session is to two-fold: to share the First-Year Care Network Model and recommendations that came out of the Student Experience Redesign Initiative and engage the Mason community in conversation about what this model looks like in practice.
Effects of Introducing H2 Into Irradiated Mosfet’s from Room Temperature to 250°C

The effects of introducing molecular hydrogen into the gate oxide of irradiated MOSFETs are studied from room temperature to 250°C using charge pumping. At room temperature the dominant reactions are initiated by H2 cracking. This reaction sequence is characterized by the simultaneous interface state formation and trapped positive charge decay. Molecular orbital calculations indicate that the H2 is cracked at oxygen hole traps. Above 100°C the introduction of H2 forms anomalous positive charge (slow states). The annealing of fast interface states is more rapid under negative bias and is in qualitative agreement with the theoretical predictions of Edwards. At 250°C, there is annealing of all defects. The formation and annealing kinetics of fast states indicate that there are two distinct interface defects responsible for the fast states. The defect that forms more slowly and anneals more rapidly does not appear to be either a Pb0 or a Pb1 center.
Implementation of a Distance MS-CIS Program:Lessons Learned & Principles for Success

The Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (MS-CIS) program at Colorado State University (CSU) was one of the first in the country when it was established in 1967 according to the model provided by the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA). Beginning in 1967, CSU initiated delivery of its MBA at a distance and graduated the first student in 1972, thus, making it the first and most senior program in the US. In 1992 a Computer Information Systems (CIS) concentration was offered in the distance MBA, though many challenges were faced due primarily to the distribution of the necessary software (IEF by Texas Instruments). The concentration was discontinued in 1995 due to difficulties associated with installation of the complex IEF software on distance student computers. Fall 2010 saw the rollout of the entire MS-CIS program consisting of 5 courses in the fall, 4 courses in the spring and the remainder during summer 2011. The purpose of this paper is to share lessons learned in terms of university and college approval, development and deployment. Surprisingly, many lessons may appear to be counter-intuitive and, yet, are critical to the success of the distance program.
Observer based, Dead-Beat Controller with Reduced Sensitivity

In this paper, a method is proposed for the design of linear, multivariable, discrete-time controllers with the following characteristics: 1. Constant-gain, minimal order observer - based control laws, 2. n-step, dead beat characteristics, 3. Reduced sensitivity to small system parameter variations.
Reason's Bondage: On the Rationalization of Sexuality

While popular debate grapples with the legality of gay marriage, networks of medical, political, and juridical discourses produce and situate sexuality in a field of knowledge that is constantly under examination and administration. The rationalization of sexuality, and its dispersion into multiple fields of knowledge, has become part of a system of power relations that produces identities and manages them. Within this context, this paper places Horkheimer and Adorno's excursus on Sade's Juliette in conversation with Foucault's first volume of the History of Sexuality. It explores how instrumental reason and power/knowledge relationships produce discourses of sexuality, which have come to dominate Western society. It also explores possible sites of resistance, through the notion of performativity, that exist within these modes of rationalization and power. I argue that this interlocution of Horkheimer and Adorno with Foucault helps us see sexuality as a site of both domination and resistance. It also shows how sexuality is produced in a field of contestation where possibilities of practices of freedom are always circumscribed by modes of rationalization and networks of power.
Relation between the ribosomal sites involved in initiation and elongation of polypeptide chains. Evidence for two guanosine triphosphatase sites.

Abstract The relationships between ribosomal sites involved in initiation and elongation of polypeptide chains have been investigated. Thiostrepton, a peptide antibiotic that binds to a single site on the 50 S ribosomal subunit, prevents subsequent interaction of the ribosome with peptide chain elongation factors G (EF-G) and Tu (EF-Tu). In contrast, the drug does not directly impair binding of formyl methionyl transfer RNA to ribosomes. Bound formyl methionyl transfer RNA can react with puromycin indicating formation of a functional 70 S initiation complex. Prior binding of EF-G to ribosomes in the presence of either 5'-guanylyl methylene diphosphonate or fusidic acid and guanosine diphosphate prevents the subsequent binding of the ternary complex, aminoacyl-transfer RNA·EF-Tu· guanosine triphosphate to such ribosomes. In contrast, formation of the polypeptide initiation complex on ribosomes carrying bound EF-G is not inhibited but is somewhat stimulated. At a low molar ratio of IF-2 to ribosomes, prior binding of either thiostrepton or EF-G to ribosomes does not inhibit ribosome-dependent uncoupled hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate catalyzed by IF-2. At a high molar ratio of IF-2 to ribosomes however, the IF-2 guanosine triphosphatase activity is partially inhibited by binding of either thiostrepton or EF-G. However, maximum inhibition does not exceed 50%. The inhibition observed is on the rate of guanosine triphosphate hydrolysis; the yield of the hydrolytic reaction is not impaired. These results suggest that while aminoacyl-transfer RNA· EF-Tu·guanosine triphosphate complex and EF-G interact with either the same or overlapping regions of the ribosome, the ribosomal site for uncoupled hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate catalyzed by IF-2 does not overlap the EF-G site. This implies the existence of at least two guanosine triphosphatase sites on ribosomes—an IF-2-specific site and an EF-G site. However, at a relatively high molar excess of IF-2 to ribosomes, IF-2 can also interact with the EF-G site.
Offsets of polynomial Be´zier curves: Hermite approximation with error bounds

A method is presented for determining the error bound in approximating the offset of a polynomial Bezier curve using Hermite interpolation. The method is based on interval arithmetic and polynomials in Bernstein form. In particular, we show how an offset of a Bezier curve can itself be represented as a Bezier curve in which one of the control points is a rectangular interval. The size of this interval control point bounds the approximation error.
Tunable high-isolation W-band bandstop filters

Widely tunable, high-isolation W-band bandstop filters realized with evanescent-mode resonators are presented. These filters exhibit large notch depths of up to 70 dB, with 3-dB bandwidths as narrow as 1.5% and out-of-band insertion loss of less than 3.25 dB. Two filters are presented, which have 75–103 GHz and 96–108 GHz tuning ranges. These filters are fabricated using all-silicon technology, and are tuned with low-power electrostatic actuators which have bias voltages of less than 90V. The demonstrated filters have the potential to enable robust W-band communication systems which can operate in the presence of large interfering signals.
Macroeconomic Effects of Asset-Price Shocks in a Globalized Financial Market

In this paper, I study a model in which shocks to asset prices affect the real sector of the economy through a credit channel. As financial markets become internationally integrated, the economy becomes less vulnerable to domestic asset-price shocks, but more vulnerable to foreign asset-price shocks. To the extent that monetary policy stabilization is feasible and desirable, the globalization of financial markets shifts the focus of monetary policy from domestic asset prices to worldwide asset prices.
Endometrial biopsy inadvertently taken during conception cycle.

Abstract The advantages of biopsy between the twentieth and the twenty-seventh day of the menstrual cycle are that at this time the response of the endometrium to hormonal stimulation can best be evaluated and that this period is convenient. In our experience with 2,500 infertility patients and 1.700 endometrial biopsies the procedure was found to be reasonably innocuous. The advantages of performing the procedure at this time in the cycle outweigh the disadvantages.
Dismantling the Apoptotic Cell

Apoptosis is a programme of cell death that results in dramatic morphological and biochemical changes in the dying cell due to the systematic dismantling of cellular architecture and functional pathways. The proteins that execute the apoptotic programme are a group of proteases termed caspases (cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific protease). Caspases proteolytically cleave a host of cellular substrates at aspartate residues, which may render them either functionally inactive or confer novel activities that help to promote cellular demise. Substrates targeted by caspases during the apoptotic programme include proteins involved in maintaining various aspects of cytoskeletal and organelle architecture as well as proteins that function in signalling networks critical for cell function. Following the execution phase of apoptosis, the cellular corpse is packaged in an orderly fashion into membrane-bound apoptotic bodies that are sensed by phagocytes, which neatly engulf the dead cell without eliciting an immune response. Key concepts: Apoptotic caspases are cysteine proteases which become activated in response to diverse extracellular and intracellular stimuli and subsequently carry out the cell death programme by systematically cleaving intracellular proteins. A hierarchy of caspase activation exists whereby initiator caspases become activated to cleave and activate effector caspases, which then dismantle the cell through proteolytical cleavage of intracellular. The cellular morphological changes associated with apoptosis encompass three stages: release, membrane blebbing and condensation. Caspase-mediated cleavage of target proteins may produce stable functional effector fragments or unstable fragments that are quickly degraded. Caspases target multiple aspects of the cellular architecture to induce collapse of organelles and the cytoskeleton. Signalling networks that regulate cellular processes critical for cell survival are inactivated by caspases. As the dying cell is dismantled during the apoptotic process, it orchestrates its own disposal by displaying ‘eat me’ signals on its cell surface and releasing ‘find me’ signals to recruit phagocytic cells. Keywords: initiator caspase; effector caspase; membrane blebbing; nuclear disintegration; cellular condensation; apoptotic bodies
Exact solutions for the fourth order nonlinear Schrodinger equations with cubic and power law nonlinearities

The tanh method and the sine-cosine method are used for solving the fourth order nonlinear Schrodinger equations with cubic and power law nonlinearities. Several exact solutions with distinct structures are formally obtained for each type of nonlinearity. The study reveals the power of the two proposed algorithms.
Mining Our Reality

Something important is changing in how we as a society use computers to mine data. In the past decade, machine-learning algorithms have helped to analyze historical data, often revealing trends and patterns too subtle for humans to detect. Examples include mining credit card data to discover activity patterns that suggest fraud, and mining scientific data to discover new empirical laws ( 1 , 2 ). Researchers are beginning to apply these algorithms to real-time data that record personal activities, conversations, and movements ( 3 – 8 ) in an attempt to improve human health, guide traffic, and advance the scientific understanding of human behavior. Meanwhile, new algorithms aim to address privacy concerns arising from data sharing and aggregation ( 9 , 10 ).
Constraints on deep-Earth properties from space-geodetic data

Abstract The amplitude of the Earth's nutation driven by a given component of the tidal potential is governed primarily by three parameters p i which are composites of a larger number of ‘basic’ Earth parameters (ellipticities, compliances, moments of inertia, etc., of the Earth and its core regions). We obtain estimates of the p i by least-squares fitting of nutation amplitudes estimated from very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) data to theoretical expressions based on an analytical formulation of nutation theory which incorporates the role of the solid inner core. We show how the estimates obtained, as well as the overall fit, vary with the ellipticity assumed for the inner core, and examine how the results are affected when otherwise unmodelled effects of ocean tides and mantle anelasticity are taken into account. Considering two anelasticity models, we find that the fit obtained with the use of one of them is noticeably worse than if the other is used or if no anelasticity correction is made. Independent of the corrections applied, the χ 2 of the fit is found to be smallest if the ellipticity e s of the solid inner core is taken as about half that of the Preliminary Reference Earth Model (PREM). Independent estimates of the ellipticity e f of the fluid core and other basic parameters on which the p i depend cannot be obtained from the estimates of the p i alone. Nevertheless, with certain assumptions that are less restrictive than those hitherto employed in the literature, we find e f to be 5.0% higher than the PREM value if the best-fit value is assigned to e s , and 4.7% higher if e s = e s (PREM) ; these values for e f are in accord with the estimate of Gwinn et al. (J. Geophys. Res., 91: 4755–4765, 1986), and correspond to a nonhydrostatic flattening of about 465 m and 435 m, respectively, of the core-mantle boundary. Our parameter estimates have implications for the value of the static part k 0 of the second-degree Love number k which seem to be hard to reconcile with information from other sources. Observational estimates of the amplitudes of the 18.6 year nutations are also found to be not satisfactorily matched with theoretical expectations. A careful re-examination of data analysis and theory is needed to resolve these problems.
Understanding Police Stress Research

Stress in policing has been the subject of volumes of literature for several decades. The overwhelming and inconclusive nature of this literature can make the task of conceptualizing this sub-field inherently difficult. A detailed examination of the police stress literature reveals that several different types of stressors and their effects have been explored. The purpose of this article is to compartmentalize this information into four main categories, providing researchers, practitioners, managers, and policy makers with a clear analysis of the police stress literature. These categories include: (1) intra-interpersonal (i.e., personality-related stressors), (2) occupational (i.e., job-related stressors), (3) organizational (i.e., organizationally related stressors), and (4) health consequences of police stress. The article concludes with implications and suggestions for future research.
The assignment of molecular infrared spectra from a laser magnetic resonance spectrometer

Abstract Mathematical techniques are presented which have proved useful in assigning the laser magnetic resonance pure-rotation spectrum of HO2, i.e., useful in assigning an absorption spectrum obtained when molecular energy levels are Zeeman shifted by an external magnetic field until transition frequencies coincide with a fixed-frequency radiation source. The techniques described should have general applicability to the laser magnetic resonance vibration-rotation spectrum of any molecule in an orbitally nondegenerate electronic state and a doublet electronic spin state ( S = 1 2 ). Equations involving both Zeeman line positions and Zeeman line intensities are presented. These allow the assignment of MJ quantum numbers, the determination of the spin-rotation interaction constant γ and rotational quantum number N for both the upper and the lower state, and the determination of the zero-field transition frequency. The equations can be used without prior knowledge of the molecular structure or energy levels.
The separation and determination of pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine by paper chromatography and microbiological assay.

Abstract A paper chromatographic separation of pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, and pyridoxine from each other has been achieved. The resolved zones may be extracted and then individually assayed by S. carlsbergensis (A.T.C.C. 9080).
Adding up to powers

Here is a short combinatorial proff that a somewhat mysterious way of generating the kth powers of the natural numbers actually works. It generalizes the well-known fact that the sum of the first n odd numbers is n 2 . The proof uses recurrence relations, proof by 1-1 correspondence, and counting of lattice paths. After discussing the kth powers, we will discuss a generalization of this procedure. We can still explain the resulting numbers as values of polynomials
Fatty acid composition of llama muscle and internal fat in two Argentinian herds

Abstract Coronary heart disease and a number of other diseases have been shown to increase with consumption of foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol. However, increased consumption of n −3 fatty acids reduces the incidence of these diseases. Llama meat has been reported as having a lower fat content, lower saturated fat content, and a higher n −3 fatty acid content than beef, and hence may serve as a more healthy alternative of animal protein. To assess these claims a study was undertaken in Argentina in which llama meat from two farms was analyzed to determine its composition. On average the lama meat had lower cholesterol (52.8 vs 67 mg/100 g) and fat (12.6 vs 20.6%) content than that reported for beef. The muscle fat of castrated males was lower in saturated fatty acids (42.6 vs 45.7%) and cholesterol (44.1 vs 63.7%), and higher in n −3 fatty acids (1.2 vs 1.0%) than non-castrated males. As castration appears to substantially improve llama meat quality, additional studies to confirm this appear warranted.
Some more primitive group rings

In this paper, we show that the group rings of several families of groups are primitive. LetA andB be two groups with 1<|A|≦|B| andB infinite. Then the main result is that ifK is a field for whichK[Aω] is semiprimitive, thenK[A∫B] is primitive. In addition, the field may be replaced by a subdomian in caseA is not torsion orA is not locally finite andK has characteristic 0. Certain other wreath products and free products are discussed.
Refractive optical wing oscillators with one reflective surface

An optical wing is a cambered rod that experiences a force and torque owing to the reflection and transmission of light from the surface. Here we address how such a wing may be designed to maintain an efficient thrust from radiation pressure (RP) while also providing a torque that returns the wing to a source facing orientation. The torsional stiffness of two different wing cross-sections is determined from numerical ray-tracing analyses. These results demonstrate the potential to construct a passive sun-tracking, space flight system or a microscopic surface measurement device based on RP force and torque.
Ultraviolet Cavity Ringdown Spectra and the S1(n,π*) Ring-Inversion Potential Energy Function for 2-Cyclohexen-1-one-d0 and Its 2,6,6-d3 Isotopomer

The cavity ringdown spectra of 2-cyclohexen-1-one (2CHO) and its 2,6,6-d3 isotopomer (2CHO-d3) have been recorded in the spectral region near their S1(n,π*)←S0 band origins which are at 26 081.3 and 26 075.3 cm-1, respectively. The data allow several of the quantum states of ν39, the ring inversion, to be determined for both the ground and excited electronic states. These were utilized to calculate the one-dimensional potential energy functions which best fit the data. The barriers to inversion for the S0 and S1(n,π*) states were found to be 1900 ± 300 and 3550 ± 500 cm-1, respectively. Density functional theory calculations predict values of 2090 and 2265 cm-1, respectively.
Renormalized mean-field theory for a two-component fermi gas with s-wave interactions

A method is introduced to renormalize the zero-range interaction for use in mean-field and many-body theory, starting from two-body calculations. The density-renormalized {delta}-function interaction is then applied using mean-field theory to a two-component fermion gas and compared with diffusion Monte Carlo simulations and conventional mean-field calculations. In the unitarity limit, the equation of state exhibits the expected behavior {mu}{proportional_to}{rho}{sup 2} at {sup {approx}}{sup sol{approx}} at {sup 3}, with a parameter {beta}=-0.492, which is consistent with recent experiments.
Biothermal modeling of transurethral ultrasound applicators for MR-guided prostate thermal therapy (Invited Paper)

Thermal ablation is a minimally-invasive treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and localized prostate cancer. Accurate spatial control of thermal dose delivery is paramount to improving thermal therapy efficacy and avoiding post-treatment complications. We have recently developed three types of transurethral ultrasound applicators, each with different degrees of heating selectivity. These applicators have been evaluated in vivo in coordination with magnetic resonance temperature imaging, and demonstrated to accurately ablate specific regions of the canine prostate. A finite difference biothermal model of the three types of transurethral ultrasound applicators (sectored tubular, planar, and curvilinear transducer sections) was developed and used to further study the performance and heating capabilities of each these devices. The biothermal model is based on the Pennes bioheat equation. The acoustic power deposition pattern corresponding to each applicator type was calculated using the rectangular radiator approximation to the Raleigh Sommerfield diffraction integral. In this study, temperature and thermal dose profiles were calculated for different treatment schemes and target volumes, including single shot and angular scanning procedures. This study also demonstrated the ability of the applicators to conform the cytotoxic thermal dose distribution to a predefined target area. Simulated thermal profiles corresponded well with MR temperature images from previous in vivo experiments. Biothermal simulations presented in this study reinforce the potential of improved efficacy of transurethral ultrasound thermal therapy of prostatic disease.
Six mamu-A locus alleles defined by a polymerase chain reaction sequence specific primer method.

Abstract Rhesus monkeys are relevant models for human diseases and transplantation. In each case, a complete understanding of these models requires knowledge of macaque MHC. Due to high polymorphism and multiple genes per haplotype, it has been difficult to develop a rapid typing method for rhesus monkey MHC class I. We developed a simple and rapid PCR-SSP strategy for rhesus monkey Mamu-A locus typing. Fifty-two rhesus monkeys were included in the study. Six rhesus monkey allel-specific primer pairs were designed based on published Mamu-A locus gene sequences. Allele-specific PCR products ranged in size from 346 to 788 bp; 5′ and 3′ Mamu-A locus allele specific primers were located in the second and third exons, respectively. Specific PCR product gel purification was followed by direct sequencing, without subcloning, in both directions. Our data showed variability in the number of Mamu-A alleles ranging from 1 to 4 per genotype. The highest frequencies were observed for Mamu-A∗02 , -A∗04 , and -A∗03 alleles. Thus, we report here the first PCR-SSP typing method for Mamu-A∗02 , -03 , -04 , -05 , -06 , and -07 array of class I alleles. This technique appears to be a highly reproducible and discriminatory method for detecting this subset of class I A locus genes in rhesus monkeys.
Simultaneous measurement of 17β-estradiol, 17α-estradiol and estrone by GC-isotope dilution MS-MS

A convenient GC-MS/MS-based method was developed for the simultaneous measurement of 17β-estradiol, 17α-estradiol and estrone using liquid-liquid extraction, a single-step derivatization with N-(trimethylsilyl)imidazole and the corresponding deuterated estrogens as internal standards. Separation of these estrogens was achieved on a 50% phenyl polysilphenylene-siloxane bonded phase column. MS/MS response factors for the derivatized analytes and their corresponding internal standards were found to be practically identical. Therefore, analyte concentrations could be determined by multiplying the measured analyte to internal standard ion-current ratio with known molar concentration of the corresponding deuterated internal standards. Assay accuracies, determined from the analyses of quality control samples obtained by spiking known concentrations of analytes into charcoal-stripped human serum, were in the -11% to +14% range. Limits of quantitations were between 13 pg/mL and 21 pg/mL from this biological medium.
A novel space-based solar power collection via LEO satellite networks: Orbital management via wireless local positioning systems

A space-based solar power technology that uses networks of small Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites is proposed. Due to the relative motion of these satellites with respect to the earth, multiple power-collecting base stations (PCBS) are implemented on the Earth to allow effective energy collection. Compared to the traditional Solar Power Satellite (SPS), in the proposed technique, satellites fly at a lower altitude. This leads to lower path loss attenuation in transferring energy from space to the earth. In addition, they have lower launching cost, efficient power transmission to the Earth due to lower energy dispersion, and minimal environmental effects due to the low power transmission. Moreover, no “in space” assembly of large structures is required and their maintenance is cost-effective. This paper investigates the orbital management for a specific group of satellites that form a cluster and stay in formation at all times. A wireless local positioning system (WLPS) is incorporated to compute the relative distances between satellites for orbital management. The WLPS enables each satellite to measure the position of other satellites located in its coverage area. An Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is implemented to allow high performance localization, and to maintain satellites in their proper orbit. The effect of the number of satellites in the formation on the relative positions estimation is studied.
Styles of explanation in social psychology

This article examines some stylistic differences in social psychological explanations. Described are different styles in formulating problems, in constructing theories, and gathering evidence. Styles are not to be confused with method since a given method — say, factor analysis — can reveal itself in contrasting stylistic approaches. Comparisons are drawn from music and art.
Conventional and ‘real’ GDP per capita in cross-country studies of production structure

Abstract Sector share response coefficients relative to conventional and ‘real” GDP per capita are compared in cross-section models of production structure specified by Chenery and Syrquin. Three different data sets are used. Parameter structure for the two income variables seems very different in several quadratic specifications, but the differences become much weaker when implied elasticities at specific income levels are compared or when a simpler specification is adopted. Real income elasticities are expectedly larger than those relative to conventional income, and ratio of the two elasticities appears to rise with income. Real income elasticities are somewhat smaller for 1970s than for 1960s. There is no clear pattern in the elasticities for the full sample and the LDC subsample, although elasticities for the LDCs tend to be slightly higher.
Structure of electrodeposited graded composite coatings of Ni–Al–Al2O3

The structure of electrodeposited composite coatings of Ni–Al–Al2O3, with Ni as the matrix and Al and Al2O3 as second-phase particles, was investigated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Ni coatings with no particles, which were used as reference samples, had progressively coarser structures with increasing current density. Co-deposition with Al resulted in refinement of the Ni matrix structure at high (>10 A dm−2) current densities. For single-particle baths, the co-deposition of Al2O3 was more strongly affected by current density and bath particle content than was the co-deposition of Al. However, for baths containing both Al and Al2O3 the amount of incorporated Al2O3 no longer depended on current density. With the choice of appropriate conditions, coatings of Ni with up to 39 vol.% Al2O3 were made. Similar experiments with Al yielded a maximum of 17.5 vol.% only. Uniform and graded mixed-particle coatings were also produced. When coatings containing Al were annealed, the reaction of the two elements resulted in the formation of either single-phase γ or two-phase γ–γ′ alloys, in agreement with the equilibrium phase diagram.
Language, Ethnicity and the State: Minority Languages in the European Union

Language, Ethnicity and the State: Minority Languages in the European Union. Camille C. O'Reilly. ed., vol. 1. New York: Palgrave, 2001. viii. 183 pp., index.
Serotonergic Retinopetal Axons in the Monkey Retina

Purpose: To describe serotonergic retinopetal axons in monkeys. Methods: Whole macaque and baboon retinas, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, were labeled with antisera raised against serotonin (5-HT). Results: Several large-diameter 5–HT-immunoreactive (IR) axons emerged from the optic disk. Most axons ran to the peripheral retina, where they branched extensively. Most terminated in the ganglion cell layer, but a few 5-HT-IR axons terminated in distal inner plexiform or within inner nuclear layer. Some axons branched extensively near the fovea, and a dense plexus of 5-HT-IR axons was also found around the optic disk. Varicose 5-HT-IR axons were also associated with blood vessels, especially in the central retina. Conclusions: Immunoreactive serotonin is present in a distinct population of retinopetal axons in the monkey retina. Receptors for serotonin are present in the primate retinas, and based on physiological studies in other mammals, these retinopetal axons are expected to modulate neuronal activity and ...
Transparent Microporous Silica Fibers by the Sol-Gel Process

The sol-gel process is a chemical approach to making optical materials at low temperatures. Through hydrolysis and condensation reactions, a metal alkoxide such as tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) is converted largely to high surface area silica gel. The ratios of the components in the TEOS-water-alcohol solution determine the geometry of the gel preform. The preform may be a fiber, a supported thin film or a rigid monolithic shape. The bulk density of the preform is typically half that of conventional fused silica. In all cases, the microporosity is interconnected and the average pore size is generally smaller than 10 nm. Consequently, the material is transparent to visible light. In the case of fibers, an inexpensive plastic fiber can be used to establish the shape and diameter of the gel preform. Then the plastic can be sacrificed at a temperature below 600°C to leave behind a porous silica fiber. This type of fiber is being considered for light transmission over short distances.© (1986) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Hydrothermal Liquefaction of a Microalga with Heterogeneous Catalysts

We produced crude bio-oils from the microalga Nannochloropsis sp. via reactions in liquid water at 350 °C in the presence of six different heterogeneous catalysts (Pd/C, Pt/C, Ru/C, Ni/SiO2−Al2O3, CoMo/γ-Al2O3 (sulfided), and zeolite) under inert (helium) and high-pressure reducing (hydrogen) conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first application of common hydrocarbon processing catalysts to microalgae liquefaction in water. In the absence of added H2, all of the catalysts tested produced higher yields of crude bio-oil from the liquefaction of Nannochloropsis sp., but the elemental compositions and heating values of the crude oil (about 38 MJ/kg) were largely insensitive to the catalyst used. The gaseous products were mainly H2, CO2, and CH4, with lesser amounts of C2H4 and C2H6. The Ru and Ni catalysts produced the highest methane yields. Only the zeolite catalyst produced significant amounts of N2. Typical H/C and O/C atomic ratios for the crude bio-oil are 1.7 and 0.09, respectively. In the presen...
Collaborative Sketching (C-Sketch)--An Idea Generation Technique for Engineering Design.

This paper presents the development and evaluation of a technique (C-Sketch) for concept generation in a collaborative engineering design setting. The paper reviews both the intrinsic merit of C-Sketch, as well as relative merit compared to other techniques in the same class. This analysis is based on results from experiments conducted over five years. Both the process and outcome were evaluated, with greater emphasis on the latter. This study found that C-Sketch not only has intrinsic merit, but also measures higher in all outcomes when compared to Method 6-3-5. Also, C-Sketch was at least as good as the Gallery Method in the quality of ideas produced and better in variety and novelty of ideas. This paper is a consolidation of all empirical studies related to C-Sketch.
Melanocortin tetrapeptides modified at the N-terminus, His, Phe, Arg, and Trp positions.

: The endogenous melanocortin agonists all contain the conserved His-Phe-Arg-Trp sequence proposed to be important for melanocortin receptor selectivity and stimulation. We have generated peptide libraries consisting of over 100 peptides modified at the N-terminus and at each of the four amino acid positions. These peptides were characterized at the mouse melanocortin MC1, MC3, MC4, and MC5 receptors for agonist or antagonist functional activity. The results from these studies include the identification of a nM MC4 versus MC3 receptor selective (>4700-fold) agonist (JRH 420–12), a nM MC4 receptor agonist that is a nM MC3 receptor antagonist (JRH 322–18), a nM MC5 receptor selective (>100-fold) agonist versus the MC1, MC3, and MC4 receptors (FFM 1–60), and side-chain substitutions that may be utilized for non-peptide design considerations.
The Proliferation Security Initiative: The New Face of Interdiction

Political rhetoric and debates about interdiction's impact on Libya have led to a number of misconceptions about this coalition of the willing's focus and potential effectiveness as well as myriad political, legal, operational, and informational issues outlined here.
Eliza meets the wizard-of-oz: blending machine and human control of embodied characters

What authoring possibilities arise by blending machine and human control of live embodied character experiences? This paper explores two different "behind-the-scenes" roles for human operators during a three-month gallery installation of an embodied character experience. In the Transcription role, human operators type players' spoken utterances; then, algorithms interpret the player's intention, choose from pre-authored dialogue based on local and global narrative contexts, and procedurally animate two embodied characters. In the Discourse role, human operators select from semantic categories to interpret player intention; algorithms use this "discourse act" to automate character dialogue and animation. We compare these two methods of blending control using game logs and interviews, and document how the amateur operators initially resisted having to learn the Discourse version, but eventually preferred having the authorial control it afforded. This paper also outlines a design space for blending machine and human control in live character experiences.
Bioluminescence imaging correlates with tumor progression in an orthotopic mouse model of lung cancer.

Abstract Background and Objectives To determine whether bioluminescence imaging of human lung cancer cells growing in an orthotopic murine model provides a sensitive tool for monitoring tumor progression in athymic nude mice. Methods Human lung cancer (A549) cells were stably transfected with the firefly luciferase gene and inoculated into the right lung of athymic nude mice. Seven days after inoculation tumor growth was evaluated using the Kodak in-vivo Imaging System FX and continued to be monitored on a weekly basis. Results In duplicate experiments, human lung cancer tumors formed in 90% of animal's injected orthotopically. The mean intensity of the bioluminescence signal emitted from the lung cancer cells increased logarithmically during the course of study. Mice with positive bioluminescence signaling had confirmed tumors by microscopic histological analysis. Bioluminescence activity had a strong correlation with the tumor volume as determined histologically. Conclusions Bioluminescence intensity directly correlates with tumor volume and therefore offers a reliable approach for detecting and monitoring the growth of human lung cancer cells in orthotopic murine models.
The isometric length-force models of nine different skeletal muscles.

Abstract The length-force relations of nine different skeletal muscles in the hindlimb of the cat were determined experimentally, with electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve as the activation mode. It was shown that the active-, passive-, and total-force patterns varied widely among the muscles. The tibialis posterior (TP), medial and lateral gastrocnemius (MG, LG) and flexor digitorum longus (FDL) had a symmetric active-force curve, whereas the tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus brevis (PB), peroneus longus (PL), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and soleus (SOL) had an asymmetric curve which exhibits about 25% of the maximal isometric force at extreme lengths. The SOL, EDL, and LG had a low-level passive force which appeared at short muscle length, whereas all other muscles exhibited initial passive force just before the optimal length. The total force was rising quasi-linearly for the SOL, whereas the other muscles exhibited an intermediate plateau about the pptimal length. The LG and FDL had a substantial but temporary intermediate dip in the total force as the muscle was elongated past the optimal length. The elongation range of the various muscles also varied, ranging from ±15 to ±30% of the optimal length. The elongation range was symmetric for the FDL, LG, MG, TP, SOL, and EDL, and asymmetric for the PL, PB, and TA, being −12 to +17%, −12 to +17%, and −35 to +12%, respectively. Two different models which incorporate muscle architecture were successfully fitted to the experimental data of the muscles except for the MG and TA. The architecture of these two muscles is highly nonhomogeneous and contains compartments with two pennation patterns or two different optimal lengths. New models, which add spatially and temporally the individual characteristics of each compartment of the muscles, were constructed for these two muscles. The new models demonstrated high correlation to the experimental data obtained from the MG and TA. It was concluded that the length-force relation varies widely among various skeletal muscles and is probably dependent on the primary function of the muscle in the context of integrated movement; this is a manifestation of architectural factors such as fiber pennation pattern and angle, cross-sectional area, ratio of muscle to tendon length, distribution of the fiber length within the muscle and compartmental pennation.
ANALYSES OF INCLINED BOREHOLES IN POROELASTIC MEDIA

Solutions for the borehole problem based on Biot’s poroelasticity theory have shown that drilling through fluid saturated formations, gives rise to time-dependent stress and pore pressure fields in the vicinity of the borehole. As a natural consequence, borehole stability in such formations is of a time-dependent nature. However, existing analyses are based on two limiting cases viz., constant pore pressure and/or no flux boundary conditions at the borehole wall. Adding time dependency to the pore fluid boundary conditions can simulate realistic field conditions such as those observed during hydraulic fracturing, fluid injection or development of filter cake. Analytical solutions for inclined boreholes with time-dependent pore pressure and flux boundary conditions at the borehole wall are presented in this paper. Analysis is carried out for two special cases of the ramp-type pore pressure and linearly reducing flux boundary conditions. Analytical solutions are supplemented with asymptotic solutions for sm...
Young people: not as healthy as they seem.

Over the past 25 years, there have been major shifts in causes of mortality and morbidity among young people (aged 10—24 years). HIV/AIDS was essentially unknown 25 years ago, and other infectious diseases, such as pulmonary infections, were leading causes of death in this age-group....
Rival private governance networks: Competing to define the rules of sustainability performance

Abstract Private governance of environmental and social performance of organizations, processes and products is gaining prominence in market and policy arenas, and thus, increasingly influencing sustainability outcomes. This study presents a concept of rival private governance where multiple initiatives compete for rule-setting authority. Specifically, we argue that heterogeneous actors organize in network form to establish legitimacy of new sustainability governance fields. In an effort to preempt threats from these new fields of governance, nonparticipating actors create rival private governance networks and compete based on each network's ability to access unique relational assets from participants. Based on the cases of carbon off-set standards, green building rating systems and sustainable forestry certifications, we suggest that this competitive market vetting results in pressures toward the convergence of governance rules over time, but not a single winning set of rules. Our findings illustrate that multiple and competing networks can provide innovative, legitimate and dynamically evolving governance of sustainability, while presenting new challenges for public and private sector actors.
Early Glycation Products Produce Pentosidine Cross-links on Native Proteins NOVEL MECHANISM OF PENTOSIDINE FORMATION AND PROPAGATION OF GLYCATION

Bovine lens alpha-crystallin was immobilized on EAH-Sepharose gel and glycated using d-ribose. Incubation with 500 and 100 mm d-ribose for 2 and 15 days produced short-term glycated (STGP gel) and long-term glycated proteins (LTGP gel). Both STGP and LTGP gels produced oxygen free radicals. Hydroxyl radical production was twice that in STGP gel compared with the LTGP gel. Incubation with the glycated gels produced pentosidine in a mixture of N-alpha-acetylarginine + N-alpha-acetyllysine, bovine lens proteins (BLP), and lysozyme; the amounts measured with STGP gel were higher than those with LTGP gel. Reactive oxygen species scavengers decreased the formation of pentosidine. Pentosidine was also formed in BLP when incubated with water-insoluble proteins extracted from aged or brunescent human lenses. Early glycated proteins from aged or diabetic lenses were bound to a boronate affinity column, the protein-containing gel was incubated with BLP, and pentosidine was measured in the incubation mixtures. With this method we found that diabetic lens proteins produced more pentosidine on BLP than did aged lens proteins. Further investigation indicates that two and three carbon carbohydrates possibly formed from oxidative cleavage of early glycation products are involved in pentosidine formation. Based on our findings, we propose a novel pathway for pentosidine formation on native proteins from glycated proteins.
Ultracold Collision Properties of Metastable Alkaline-Earth Atoms

Ultracold collisions of spin-polarized 24 Mg, 40 Ca ,a nd 88 Sr in the metastable 3 P 2 excited state are investigated based on molecular potentials obtained from ab initio calculations. We calculate the longrange interaction potentials and estimate the scattering length and the collisional loss rate as a function of magnetic field. The scattering lengths show resonance behavior due to the appearance of a molecular bound state in a purely long-range interaction potential and are positive for magnetic fields below 50 mT. A loss-rate model shows that losses should be smallest near zero magnetic field and for fields slightly larger than the resonance field, where the scattering length is also positive.
The Src-family kinase Lck can induce STAT3 phosphorylation and DNA binding activity

Constitutive activation of the Src-family kinase Lck has been shown to lead to transformation. Constitutive activation of the STAT pathway of transcription factors has also been shown to be involved in transformation. An oncogenic form of the prototypical member of the Src-family, v-Src, has been shown to activate STAT3, and this activation is required for v-Src's transforming ability. To investigate whether Lck could directly activate STAT3, a baculovirus expression system was utilised. When Lck and STAT3 were coexpressed, STAT3 was found to have enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation and DNA binding activity. This finding was confirmed with experiments where exogenous Lck was added to baculovirus produced STAT3. Moreover, the activation of STAT3 by exogenous Lck could be attenuated by the Lck-specific inhibitor PP1. In addition, mammalian cells stably expressing a constitutively activated form of Lck were shown to have activated STAT3. These data provide strong evidence that, like v-Src, Lck can also directly activate STAT3, which contributes to the transformation process.