cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
U-Th zonation-dependent alpha-ejection in (U-Th)/He chronometry

Both theoretical and empirical evidence shows that intracrystalline U-Th heterogeneity in zircon can lead to biases in (U-Th)/He ages if not accurately accounted for in α-ejection corrections. We present a model for age correction for U-Th zoned crystals. We apply this to spherical and prismatic grains with bipyramidal terminations. The spherical calculation is simplistic but allows rapid calculation of the approximate effects of a wide variety of U-Th zoning patterns. The bipyramidal calculation is computationally intensive but permits an more complete estimate of the combined effects of crystal morphology and source zoning as relevant to zircon. Our principle findings are: (1) the assumption of U-Th homogeneity can result in errors of up to ∼30% (in rare cases, higher) for ejection-corrected ages for typical grain sizes and realistic zonation. (2) Tetragonal prisms with bipyramidal terminations, which are typical of most zircons, exhibit bulk retentivities that can differ by several percent from models considering crystals with pinacoidal terminations. When extreme cases, such as dipyramids, are considered, the bias can exceed 10% or more. (3) Morphologic effects can be accounted for to better than 1% precision by using new second-order polynomial parameters that describe retentivity as a function of surface-area-to-volume ratio calculated through more complete analysis of crystal dimensions including the height of pyramidal crystal sections. We illustrate application of our model using U-Th concentration profiles determined from single zircons by laser ablation ICP-MS from zoned Tardree Rhyolite zircons.
Patient training in respiratory-gated radiotherapy

Respiratory gating is used to counter the effects of organ motion during radiotherapy for chest tumors. The effects of variations in patient breathing patterns during a single treatment and from day to day are unknown. We evaluated the feasibility of using patient training tools and their effect on the breathing cycle regularity and reproducibility during respiratory-gated radiotherapy. To monitor respiratory patterns, we used a component of a commercially available respiratory-gated radiotherapy system (Real Time Position Manage- ment (RPM) System, Varian Oncology Systems, Palo Alto, CA 94304). This passive marker video tracking system consists of reflective markers placed on the patient's chest or abdomen, which are detected by a wall-mounted video camera. Software installed on a PC interfaced to this camera detects the marker motion digitally and records it. The marker position as a function of time serves as the motion signal that may be used to trigger imaging or treatment. The training tools used were audio prompting and visual feedback, with free breathing as a control. The audio prompting method used instructions to "breathe in" or "breathe out" at periodic intervals deduced from patients' own breathing patterns. In the visual feedback method, patients were shown a real-time trace of their abdominal wall motion due to breathing. Using this, they were asked to maintain a constant amplitude of motion. Motion traces of the abdominal wall were recorded for each patient for various maneuvers. Free breathing showed a variable amplitude and frequency. Audio prompting resulted in a reproducible frequency; however, the variability and the magnitude of amplitude increased. Visual feedback gave a better control over the amplitude but showed minor variations in frequency. We concluded that training improves the reproducibility of amplitude and frequency of patient breathing cycles. This may increase the accuracy of respiratory-gated radiation therapy. © 2003 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists.
Age-Dependent Disease Expression Determines Remodeling of the Retinal Mosaic in Carriers of RPGR Exon ORF15 Mutations

Purpose To characterize the retinal histopathology in carriers of X-linked progressive retinal atrophy (XLPRA1 and XLPRA2), two canine models of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa caused, respectively, by a stop and a frameshift mutation in RPGRORF15. Methods Retinas of XLPRA2 and XLPRA1 carriers of different ages were processed for morphologic evaluation, TUNEL assay, and immunohistochemistry. Cell-specific markers were used to examine retinal remodeling events. Results A mosaic pattern composed of patches of diseased and normal retina was first detected in XLPRA2 carriers at 4.9 weeks of age. A peak of photoreceptor cell death led to focal rod loss; however, in these patches an increased density of cones was found to persist over time. Patches of disease gradually disappeared so that by 39 weeks of age the overall retinal morphology, albeit thinner, had improved lamination. In older XLPRA2 carriers (>or=8.8 years), extended regions of severe degeneration occurred in the peripheral/mid-peripheral retina. In XLPRA1 carriers, opsin mislocalization and rare events of rod death were detected by TUNEL assay at 20 weeks of age; however, only patchy degeneration was seen by 1.4 years and was still apparent at 7.8 years. Conclusions The time of onset and the progression of the disease differed between the two models. In the early-onset form (XLPRA2) the morphologic appearance of the retinal mosaic changed as a function of age, suggesting that structural plasticity persists in the early postnatal canine retina as mutant photoreceptors die. In the late-onset form (XLPRA1), patches of disease persisted until later ages.
Phase Change Memory Write Cost Minimization by Data Encoding

Phase change memory (PCM) is a promising next generation nonvolatile memory. Despite the currently popular charge-based storage techniques, PCM leverages a much more scalable thermal-resistive mechanism that enables sub-10 nm feature sizes. To realize PCM's potential, there are a number of technical challenges that need to be addressed, including limited wear endurance and high energy consumption of bit writes. Our work introduces a novel set of tools and methodologies for encoding data on PCM that optimizes its write performance. We develop a framework which exploits asymmetries in PCM read/write. We show that this coding problem is NP-complete. To provide a tractable solution, we propose two different methods: the first uses integer linear programming, and the second leverages dynamic programming to find an approximation of the optimal solution. Our methods target both single and multi-level cell PCM and can be directly applied to any asymmetric nonvolatile memory with bit-level accessibility. We further optimize our codes by leveraging data distributions. We devise a low-overhead architecture for the encoder module which can be easily integrated within the existing computer memory architecture. We demonstrate the applicability, low overhead, and efficiency of our proposed framework with extensive evaluations.
Partial Agonist Activity of 11-cis-Retinal in Rhodopsin Mutants

Abstract Rhodopsin, the photoreceptor molecule of the vertebrate rod cell, is a G protein-coupled receptor. Rhodopsin consists of the opsin apoprotein and its 11-cis-retinal chromophore, which is covalently bound to a specific lysine residue by a stable protonated Schiff base linkage. Rhodopsin activation occurs when light causes photoisomerization of the 11-cischromophore to its all-trans form. The all-trans chromophore is the receptor agonist. The 11-cis-retinylidene chromophore is analogous pharmacologically to a potent inverse agonist of the receptor. We report here that replacement of a highly conserved glycine residue (Gly121) causes 11-cis-retinal to become a pharmacologic partial agonist. Although the mutant apoproteins do not display constitutive activity, they are active in the dark when bound to an 11-cis-retinylidene chromophore, or to a “locked” chromophore analogue, Ret-7. The degree of partial agonism is directly related to the size of the amino acid replacement at position 121, and it can be reversed by a specific second-site replacement of Phe261. Thus, mutation of Gly121 in rhodopsin causes 11-cis-retinal to act as a partial agonist rather than an inverse agonist, allowing the mutant pigment to activate transducin in the dark.
Brain σ receptors labelled by [3H]nemonapride

Binding of [3H]nemonapride and [3H]raclopride was examined in the brain areas of three species (rat, cow and human). The results indicated that [3H]nemonapride binding is inhibited by selective sigma receptor ligands in frontal cortex, striatum and cerebellum. Only the striatum showed significant dopaminergic sites as defined by sulpiride. Use of the subtraction method of [3H]nemonapride minus [3H]raclopride binding as a measure of D4 dopamine receptor binding may, therefore, also include a sigma receptor component.
Cell-niche-on-chip: Paired single cell co-culture platforms using immiscible liquid isolation and semi-permeable membranes

We present a novel design of single cell-cell interaction platform for studying tumor-stromal interaction. In cell-cell interaction assays, monitoring single cell behavior is critical to study highly heterogeneous population (e.g., cancer). For example, metastatic cancer cells are typically transported as a single circulating tumor cell; therefore, tumorigenesis should be induced from a single cell because it might be quite different from co-culturing many cells. In this work, we report a microfluidic chip that allows for isolating a pair of cells by using immiscible liquid isolation. We present the method of using a semi-permeable membrane to retain secreted proteins for interaction, while maintaining the exchange of nutrition for long-term cell-cell interaction studies. We verified proliferation enhancement of tumor cells when co-cultured with stromal cells, demonstrating the feasibility of our device as a generic platform of cell-cell interaction studies.
Velopharyngeal Incompetence Manifested Initially in Playing a Musical Instrument

Summary A 12-year-old boy had played the French horn successfully for more than 16 months. With no warning or precipitating event, he began to lose oral air pressure after about a half hour of playing. A year later, we began assessing the velopharyngeal dysfunction. Videotape, fluorography, electromyography, oral manometry, and neurologic and speech evaluation techniques were employed. A pharyngeal flap procedure was performed a year and a half later. No symptom related to voice quality or playing the French horn has reemerged in the past 6 years.
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) Measures Oxygen Gradients in Microfluidic Bioreactors

A unique FLIM system was employed to quantitatively image extracellular oxygen distributions in perfused micro-bioreactors. We report effects of cell density on oxygen consumption and the first such measurement of oxygen gradients formed within micro-bioreactors.
Optical conductivity of Ba1-xKxBiO3 through the metal-semiconductor transition.

The dielectric response of ${\mathrm{Ba}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{K}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{BiO}}_{3}$ (BKBO) is investigated via room-temperature optical reflectance and spectroellipsometry over the doping range 0\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}0.51. We find that with increasing x, (i) a semiconductor-to-metal (MS) transition occurs near x=0.35, (ii) the infrared absorption band decreases monotonically in energy and persists into the metallic regime, and (iii) the integrated optical conductivity between 0 and 4 eV increases below the MS transition, but decreases above the MS transition. The decrease in the infrared absorption band energy suggests a relaxation of the distorted oxygen octahedra toward equilibrium with increasing x, and the doping dependence of the integrated optical conductivity is consistent with a crossover from holelike carriers below the MS transition to electronlike carriers above. A self-consistent interpretation of these results is provided by a general bond-order charge-density-wave model in which deviations of the Bi-O bond length from equilibrium influence many aspects of the normal-state response. We discuss the implications of this interpretation for BKBO and ${\mathrm{BaPb}}_{\mathit{y}}$${\mathrm{Bi}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{y}}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$.
Crystal Structure of HIV-1 Primary Receptor CD4 in Complex with a Potent Antiviral Antibody.

Ibalizumab is a humanized, anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody. It potently blocks HIV-1 infection and targets an epitope in the second domain of CD4 without interfering with immune functions mediated by interaction of CD4 with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. We report here the crystal structure of ibalizumab Fab fragment in complex with the first two domains (D1-D2) of CD4 at 2.2 A resolution. Ibalizumab grips CD4 primarily by the BC-loop (residues 121-125) of D2, sitting on the opposite side of gp120 and MHC-II binding sites. No major conformational change in CD4 accompanies binding to ibalizumab. Both monovalent and bivalent forms of ibalizumab effectively block viral infection, suggesting that it does not need to crosslink CD4 to exert antiviral activity. While gp120-induced structural rearrangements in CD4 are probably minimal, CD4 structural rigidity is dispensable for ibalizumab inhibition. These results could guide CD4-based immunogen design and lead to a better understanding of HIV-1 entry.
A Calibration Method for De-Embedding a Microwave Test Fixture

A practical method has been developed to remove test fixture contributions from microwave measurements of transistors, monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs), diodes, and other devices. The method uses a unique set of insertable calibration standards to locate the measurement plane within the microwave test fixture. No disassembly of the fixture, disturbance of the coaxial connections, or external computer is necessary.
Analysis of the confined-reference coherence-encoding method for image transmission through optical fibers

Performance of the confined-reference coherence-encoding method for two- and three-dimensional complex image–data transmission through optical fibers is analyzed. Both acousto-optic and phase-only spatial light modulator implementations are considered. The signal-to-noise ratio, data rate, and probability of bit errors are issues that are discussed. Simulation results are presented.
Unsaturated Flow Through Spherical Inclusions with Contrasting Sorptive Numbers

The analytic element method (AEM) is used to model unsaturated flow through a spherical inclusion of contrasting hydraulic properties. The steady state Richards' equation is combined with the Gardner model for unsaturated hydraulic conductivity to form the Helmholtz equation. The later is solved by means of the AEM. The background and inclusion materials are assumed to have different saturated hydraulic conductivities and different sorptive numbers; hence, the conditions are more general than treatments of spherical inclusions. Continuity of the interfacial head boundary condition leads to a nonlinear system of equations, whose solution requires an iterative solution. Analysis includes the effect of the hydraulic properties and of the background flux and evaluation of computational efficiency for contrasting hydraulic properties. To examine water contents, a methodology is presented for matching Gardner and van Genuchten parameters. The new solution is more realistic than the previous solution for a spherical inclusion with a sorptive number the same as the background but is computationally more tedious.
The Impact of National Institutional Context on Social Practices: Comparing Finnish and US Business Communities

This paper investigates the impact of national institutional contexts on firms' socially responsible practices, the motives for such practices and methods of organising social practices. Surveys of firms in a liberal market economy (USA) and those in a coordinated market economy (Finland) are compared. Findings indicate that social practices differ between the contexts, providing empirical support for the theory of explicit and implicit forms of corporate social responsibility. The paper offers insight into how social practices are organised in different contexts and a new conceptualisation of the motives for social responsibility. Results suggest that national institutional context should be accounted for in empirical studies of business social practices.
On-line student debate: An experiment in communication using computer Networks

A one-month experiment in man-computer-man communication using the Pitt time-sharing system and the SRI system in the ARPA Network is described. Thirteen graduate students in computer science served as experimental subjects, carrying out limited, pairwise debates on a selected set of controversial topics, with subsequent on-line critique. Besides studying the feasibility of this technique, the main purpose was to probe into the significance (if any) attributed by human communicators to the structure of files used for communicating information. Comparative systems performance and various user characteristics were also observed. Student reactions and other recorded data are interpretively discussed and summarized.
EMOD: an efficient on-device mobile visual search system

Recently, researchers have proposed solutions to build on-device mobile visual search (ODMVS) systems. Different from traditional client-server mobile visual search systems, an ODMVS supports image searching directly within a mobile device. An ODMVS needs to be designed with constrained hardware in mind e.g. limited memory, less powerful CPU. In this paper, we present, EMOD, an efficient on-device mobile visual search system based on the Bag-of-Visual-Word (BOVW) framework but uses a small visual dictionary. An Object Word Ranking (OWR) algorithm is proposed to efficiently identify the most useful visual words of an image so as to construct a compact image signature for fast retrieval and greatly improved retrieval performance. Due to having a small visual dictionary, we propose the Top Inverted Index Ranking scheme to reduce the number of candidate images for similarity calculation. In addition, EMOD adopts a more efficient version of the recently proposed Ranking Consistency re-ranking algorithm for further performance enhancement. Via extensive experimental evaluations, we demonstrate that our prototype EMOD system yields good retrieval accuracy and query response times for a database with over 10K images.
1,2-Addition of dihydrogen across rhodium(III)-OMe bonds.

The Rh(III) complexes [(tbpy)2Rh(OMe)(L)][X]n (tbpy = 4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridyl; L = MeOH, n = 2, X = OTf (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate), TFA (TFA = trifluoroacetate); L = TFA, n = 1, X = OTf) have been shown to activate dihydrogen via net 1,2-addition of the H–H bond across the RhIII–OMe bond. The bis(methoxide) complex [(tbpy)2Rh(OMe)2][OTf] was synthesized by addition of CsOH·H2O in methanol to [(tbpy)2Rh(OTf)2][OTf] in CH3CN. The addition of HTFA to [(tbpy)2Rh(OMe)2][OTf] leads to the formation of [(tbpy)2Rh(OMe)(MeOH)][OTf][TFA], which exists in equilibrium with [(tbpy)2Rh(OMe)(TFA)][OTf]. The mixture of [(tbpy)2Rh(OMe)(MeOH)][OTf][TFA] and [(tbpy)2Rh(OMe)(TFA)][OTf] activates dihydrogen at 68 °C to give methanol and [(tbpy)2Rh(H)(TFA)][OTf]. Studies indicate that the activation of dihydrogen has a first-order dependence on the Rh(III) methoxide complex and a dependence on hydrogen that is between zero and first order. Combined experimental and computational studies have led to a proposed ...
Studying politics in the age of academic humility

Today, social scientists study politics in an age of hyper-specialization on the one hand, interdisciplinarity on the other, and both in the long shadow of the last two generations of scholarship i...
Synthesis and electronic properties of extended, fused-ring aromatic systems containing multiple pentalene units.

A series of elongated dibenzopentalenes were synthesized via a Pd-catalyzed cyclization followed by an Fe-mediated cyclodehydrogenation. Structural geometries varying from linear to extremely bent are shown to drastically influence solubility properties as well as reduction potentials. Comparisons are made to monopentalenes and related diindenoindacenes. UV−vis absorption spectra and cyclic voltammetry measurements indicate a strong modulation of the electronic structure of these compounds mediated by the strength of interactions between pentalene centers.
Evaluation of interference to conventional and real-time PCR for detection and quantification of fungi in dust

Advances in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have permitted accurate, rapid and quantitative identification of microorganisms in pure cultures regardless of viability or culturability. In this study, a simple sample processing method was investigated for rapid identification and quantification of fungal spores from dust samples using both conventional and real-time PCR. The proposed method was evaluated for susceptibility to interference from environmental dust samples. Stachybotrys chartarum and Aspergillus fumigatus were used as test organisms. The sensitivity of detection in pure culture was 0.1 spore DNA equivalents per PCR reaction corresponding to 20 spores ml−1 in the sample. However, 1 spore DNA equivalent per PCR reaction corresponding to 200 spores ml−1 in the sample was the lowest amount of spores tested without interference in dust samples spiked with spores of either fungal species. The extent of inhibition was calculated using conventional and real-time PCR reactions containing fungal spores, specific primers, specific probes (for real-time PCR) and various amounts of dust. The results indicate that the extent of inhibition by dust on PCR varies with the type and amount of dust, and number of spores. No interference in the analysis of spiked samples was detected from 0.2 mg ml−1 of four real-life dust samples at p-value >0.05 using 2 × 104 spores for conventional PCR and 2 × 105 spores for real-time PCR. However, samples containing >0.2 mg ml−1 real-life dust compromised the PCR assay. These results suggest the potential usefulness of a simple sample processing method in conjunction with PCR for monitoring the fungal content of aerosols collected from indoor environments.
THE IMPACT OF CME ON PHYSICIAN PERFORMANCE, KNOWLEDGE AND PATIENT CARE

The purpose of this study was to compare two educational processes (traditional didactic lecture and case study format) to determine their impact on physician knowledge, performance, and patient care. METHODOLOGY: One hour traditional didactic lectures(TDL)or case presentations(CP) were presented. Topics included headaches and behavior problems(TDL), and enuresis and sleep disorders(CP). Multiple choice questions were administered pre, post, and six to nine months post educational session. Twenty-three pediatricians participated in the study. A simulated mother/child presented to each office within the year with a diagnosis featured at a CME session. Post office visit, mothers completed checklists to document physician behavior. Patient records were rated as to the appropriateness of the diagnosis and plan. RESULTS: Following instruction, 44% of the pediatricians showed a gain in their knowledge, with no difference between those attending TDL and CP. Six to nine months after instruction,26% attending TDL and 25% in CP increased their cognitive knowledge, 42% TDL and 38% CP performed at a lower level. Physicians' records revealed that the accuracy of the diagnosis among the CP (79%) and TDL(78%) groups was similar. More pediatricians (80%) attending a CP session recorded a plan for their patients than did those (38%) attending TDL(chi-square=6.39:p < .02).
Differential cytochemical staining characteristics of channel catfish leukocytes identify cell populations in lymphoid organs

This is one of the first characterizations of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) leukocytes by enzyme cytochemistry. Leukocytes demonstrated cytoplasmic staining patterns very similar to mammalian leukocytes when stained with acid phosphatase, alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase, beta-glucuronidase, alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase, Sudan Black B and anti-immunoglobulin specific immunohistochemistry. Lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and surface immunoglobulin positive (surface Ig+) cells were present in channel catfish renal hematopoietic tissue and spleen and demonstrated distinctive cytoplasmic foci staining patterns, cytoplasmic blushing or cell membrane staining. Monocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes and surface Ig+ cells were present in the thymus. Thymic and splenic cellular organization appeared very similar to these same mammalian tissues. In the thymus, acid phosphatase positive cells were distributed throughout the parenchyma, while alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase and beta-glucuronidase positive cells were concentrated in the cortex and the medulla, respectively. Surface immunoglobulin positive cells occurred in the cortex. In the spleen, acid phosphatase positive cells were scattered throughout the parenchyma, while alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase positive cells were scattered throughout the parenchyma and adjacent to splenic arterioles. Beta-glucuronidase and surface immunoglobulin positive cells were restricted to immediately adjacent to splenic arterioles. Sudan Black B positive cells were scattered throughout the parenchyma, while alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase positive cells occurred adjacent to peri-arteriole lymphoid sheaths and appear very similar to mammalian metallophils.
Husbands sex-role preferences and contraceptive intentions: the case of the male pill.

Little attention has been given to examining the relationship between males' sex roles and their attitudes and behaviors regarding contraceptive issues. The present study addresses this shortcoming by examining the relationships among husbands' sex-role preferences, perceptions of contraceptive responsibility, and hypothetical intentions regarding the possible adoption of a male birth control pill. Data are drawn from a mailed survey of 49 husbands during 1982 in Columbus, Ohio. Egalitarian sex-role preferences are moderately related to a greater stated likelihood of male pill usage for the sample as a whole and more strongly related for husbands not overly concerned with the chemical nature of a male pill. Modern sex-role preferences are also related to husbands' perception of contraception as a shared responsibility, although this perception is not related to the stated likelihood of male pill usage.
In situ observations of the nucleation and growth of atomically sharp graphene bilayer edges

Abstract Using in situ transmission electron microscopy, we observed the nucleation and growth of graphene bilayer edges (BLE) with “fractional nanotube”-like structure from the reaction of graphene monolayer edges (MLEs). Most BLEs showed atomically sharp zigzag or armchair crystallographic facets in contrast to the atomically rough MLEs with irregular shapes, suggesting that the BLEs are much more stable and crystallographically anisotropic. Our direct observations and theoretical studies (geometric models and ab initio calculations) provide important clues for tailoring the edge structure and transport properties of multi-layer graphene.
The Success Case Method: A Strategic Evaluation Approach to Increasing the Value and Effect of Training:

The problem and the solution. Despite the fact that effective human resource development (HRD) operations are vital to overall organization success, most organizations fail to evaluate the impact a...
Path loss modeling and performance trade-off study for short-range non-line-of-sight ultraviolet communications

We consider outdoor non-line-of-sight deep ultraviolet (UV) solar blind communications at ranges up to 100 m, with different transmitter and receiver geometries. We propose an empirical channel path loss model, and fit the model based on extensive measurements. We observe range-dependent power decay with a power exponent that varies from 0.4 to 2.4 with varying geometry. We compare with the single scattering model, and show that the single scattering assumption leads to a model that is not accurate for small apex angles. Our model is then used to study fundamental communication system performance trade-offs among transmitted optical power, range, link geometry, data rate, and bit error rate. Both weak and strong solar background radiation scenarios are considered to bound detection performance. These results provide guidelines to system design.
Search for a nontoxic surgical scrub solution for periorbital lacerations

The purpose of this study was to identify a skin wound cleanser that could be used safely to cleanse lacerations of the periorbital region. The irritation and toxicity to the eye of the commercially available skin wound cleansers were quantitated using numerical values and weights for the ocular lesions in experimental animals. Shur Clens ® did not elicit lesions in experimental animals or in a series of 20 patients with periorbital lacerations. On the basis of this study, Shur Clens ® is recommended as a safe skin wound cleanser for periorbital lacerations.
The Solar Activity Cycle. I. Observations of the End of Cycle 22, 1993 September-1997 February

We have monitored the Sun through a large portion of the near-IR, optical, and near-UV spectrum since late 1993 as part of our long-term observing program with the Solar-Stellar Spectrograph (SSS) at Lowell Observatory. In this paper we present our database through early 1997, which covers the end of solar cycle 22 and the first months of cycle 23. Our goals in this paper are fourfold: (1) to establish the absolute consistency of our data using an automated, completely objective reduction protocol, (2) to establish a calibration to physical flux across the entire SSS spectrum for our solar data, (3) to examine the record of the main chromospheric activity indicator, Ca II K, in our data, and (4) to search for the Sun's rotational signal in our data set, to the end that clear detection of the solar rotation at activity minimum would bode well for our ability to detect rotational signals in other, more active stars. Further analysis and modeling of these solar data will appear in forthcoming papers in this series.
A chemical effect of ethylene during the storage of peas.

IN recent work1 the author and others found that the crude lipid extracted from raw peas held in the pods in frozen storage (− 17.8 °C.) for periods of time, consistently developed much larger peroxide values than that extracted from raw peas of the same variety, harvested from the same plots at the same time, which were vined previous to placing in storage.
Evolution of the Health Benefits of Soy Isoflavones

Soy is a unique dietary source of the isoflavones, genistein and daidzein. It has been part of the Southeast Asian diet for nearly five millenia, whereas consumption of soy in the United States and Western Europe has been limited to the 20th century. Heavy consumption of soy in Southeast Asian populations is associated with reduction in the rates of certain cancers and cardiovascular disease. Recent experimental evidence suggests that phytochemicals in soy are responsible for its beneficial effects, which may also include prevention of osteoporosis, a hereditary chronic nose bleed syndrome, and autoimmune diseases. Exposure of soy formula-fed infants to the potential estrogenizing effects of the isoflavones is limited by the first pass effect of the liver following the uptake of isoflavones from the gut. Several mechanisms of action of isoflavones have been proposed-both through estrogen-dependent and estrogen-independent pathways.
Sodium Trimethyl Silanoate. A Hydroxyl Synthon for Fluoride SNAr Type Displacements from Anthracene-9,10-diones, Benz[g]isoquinoline-5–10-diones and Nitrobenzenes

Abstract Treatment of fluoroanthracene-9,10-diones, fluorobenz[g]isoquinoline-5,10-diones and 1- or 4-fluoronitrobenzenes with sodium trimethylsilanoate in THF followed by acidification readily yields the corresponding hydroxyl analogues.
Logic Design of Nano Sequential Machines

This paper presents two logic design approaches for representation of any sequential machine by M- and N-hypercubes in nanodimensions. The first one is a single M-hypercube design which requires only one M-hypercube. When the sequential machine involves a large number of states, we may choose to use a multiple M-hypercube design. In this approach, we decompose the given machines into smaller machines connected in series or parallel. This decomposition process may be repeated until the dimensionalities of all the components M-hypercubes in this design reach to their lowest. Detailed design procedures as well as examples to illustrate them are presented.
Toxicity of Compounds Derived from Limnanthes alba Seed to Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae

When incorporated into artificial diet at 3% (wet weight), milled seed of Limnanthes alba var. versicolor (Greene) C. T. Mason (Limnanthaceae) caused 100% mortality in newly hatched fall armyworm larvae, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) within 8 d. An ether extract and subsequent ethanol extract of the seed were prepared and tested at doses equivalent to 3% ground meal. The ether extract caused slower growth in larvae (weights were 6% of weights of controls after 8 d) but caused no mortality. The ethanol extract caused 30% mortality and retarded growth in survivors (16% of control weight after 8 d). 3-Methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate (3-MBI) was isolated from the ethanol extract and accounted for its activity; the LC50 in the diet incorporation bioassay was 270 ppm. The glucosinolate from which 3-MBI is derived was similar in activity to an equimolar amount of 3-MBI. Activity of the ether extract was due to triglycerides, but the unusual lipids of L. alba were not more active than triglycerides in corn oil, which contained oleic and linoleic acids. European corn borer larvae, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), were less sensitive to the materials derived from L. alba . The seed meal did not cause significant mortality (at 3% in the artificial diet), although weights of the surviving larvae were only 4% of the weight of control larvae after 8 d. The LC50 for 3-MBI was higher (780 ppm), and the ether extract caused no significant effect. Four aromatic analogs of 3-MBI were tested, but none was significantly more active in either species than the naturally occurring compound.
Characterization of Additional Host Restriction-Modification Systems in the Unicellular CyanobacteriumCyanothecesp.

Abstract In order to develop a gene transfer system for the unicellular diazotrophic cyanobacterium Cyanothece sp. strain BH68K, this organism has been further investigated for the presence of additional host restriction-modification enzymes other than Csp 68KI, previously reported for Cyanothece sp. Analysis of cell extracts by phosphocellulose and Mono Q fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) has led to the identification of three new restriction endonucleases. These enzymes have been designated Csp 68KII, Csp 68KIII, and Csp 68KVI. Csp 68KII is an isoschizomer of Asu II and restricts DNA at the recognition sequence 5′-TT/CGAA-3′. Cleavage occurred between thymine and cytosine producing 2 bp 5′ overhang ends. The third restriction endonuclease, Csp 68KIII, is an isoschizomer of Ava III and restricts DNA at the recognition sequence 5′-ATGCA/T-3′. Cleavage occurred between the 3′ adenosine and thymine nucleotides producing 4 bp 3′ overhang ends. The fourth enzyme identified, Csp 68KVI, recognizes CGCG and cleaves this sequence between the internal guanine and cytosine nucleotides producing blunt ends.
Relationships between versional and vergent quick phases of the involuntary version–vergence nystagmus

We used ground-plane motion stimuli displayed on a computer monitor positioned below eye level to induce involuntary version-vergence nystagmus (VVN). The VVN was recorded with a search coil system. It was shown that the VVN had both vertical versional and horizontal vergence components. The VVN induced by backward motion (toward subjects) had upward versional and divergence quick phases, whereas those induced by forward motion (away from subjects) had downward and biphasic divergence-convergence quick phases. The versional and vergence components of the VVN quick phases were analyzed. A temporal dissociation of about 20 ms between version velocity peak and convergence velocity peak was revealed, which supported a modified saccade-related vergence burst neuron (SVBN) model. We suggest that the temporal dissociation may be partly because of a lower-level OKN control mechanism. Vergence peak time was dependent on version peak time. Linear relationships between vergence peak velocity and versional saccadic peak velocity were demonstrated, which was in line with the new multiplicative model. Our data support the hypothesis that the vergence system and the saccadic system can act separately but interact with each other whenever their movements occur simultaneously.
The Basis of Our Measuring System

The measuring system used for scientific work affords a means of making physical measurements with great precision and accuracy. The best measurements can be made of the quantities taken for the basis of the system. A decrease in both accuracy and precision arises in measuring quantities which are related to them in a complicated way. The standards which fix the magnitudes of the units on which the system is based appear to be very constant. Some improvement in the system may be obtained by substituting physical constants for these standards. This has already been done for the standard of temperature, and it can be done advantageously for the standards of length and time; but there seems to be no way to replace advantageously the standard for mass.
LACK OF A SEASON OF BIRTH EFFECT AMONG AMERICAN ATHLETES

Previous studies have reported uneven distributions of birth dates across the year for European athletes in several sports. The usual explanation has been that being born in a particular part of the year confers selective advantages or disadvantages depending on what part of the year the season of the sport in question begins. We now report the first study of season of birth effects in American athletes. We found no such effect in a sample of 167 highly skilled football players or in a sample of 600 baseball players.
Photovoltaic Light Management with Ordered and Disordered Metal and Dielectric Nanostructures

Enhanced light absorption in thin solar cells is mediated by light trapping nanostructures that generate resonant modes in spectral regions where the absorber is ‘optically thin’. We discuss the role of ordered versus disordered nanostructures in light trapping.
Septal neuron cholinergic and GABAergic functions: differential regulation by basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor

Abstract Numerous studies suggest that growth and trophic factors play roles in the development and mature function of brain neurons. Recently, growth factors whose actions were previously characterized on non-neuronal cells have been localized to the brain. We sought to determine whether these factors influence septal cholinergic function. Initially, we defined the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on septal cholinergic cells in dissociated neuronal culture. Both factors elevated activity of the acetylcholine synthetic enzyme, choline acetyltransferase (CAT). To determine whether the factors acted directly on neurons or whether glia mediated the effects, a mitotic inhibitor, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FDUR), was added to the cultures to eliminate dividing glia. The action of EGF was completely blocked by the addition of FDUR. However, bFGF elevated CAT activity even in the presence of FDUR. Consequently, bFGF may regulate septal cholinergic function directly, whereas EGF may affect cholinergic cells indirectly through glia. To determine whether increases in CAT activity reflect increased enzyme activity per neuron or an increase in the number of cholinergic cells, bFGF-treated cultures were stained for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to determine numbers of cholinergic cells. No differences in AChE-positive cells were noted, suggesting that bFGF increased CAT activity per cholinergic neuron. To determine whether bFGF regulates other populations in the septum, we examined GABAergic neurons by monitoring the activity of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), a GABA synthetic enzyme. Basic FGF significantly increased GAD activity; however, the effect was completely abolished by addition of FDUR. Thus, bFGF may act directly on cholinergic neurons and indirectly on GABA cells. To define potential endogenous sources of bFGF, we employed Western blot analysis. Basic FGF was detected in pure septal glial cultures but not in pure neuronal cultures. Therefore, local glia may serve as a source of bFGF in the septum. Our study suggests that multiple factors potentially regulate septal cell function through different intercellular mechanisms. The multiplicity of factors and mechanisms and apparent redundancy, may play a critical role in normal ontogeny.
Sex Roles and Soap Operas: What Adolescents Learn about Single Motherhood.

This study investigated the contribution of daytime television soap operas to the perception of the roles and lifestyle of the single mother. The perceptions of soap opera viewers and nonviewers were compared using 163 junior and senior high students as subjects, 9% of whom were ethnic minorities. In particular, viewers perceive that single mothers have good jobs, are relatively well-educated and do not live in poverty. Further, they perceive that their babies will be as healthy as most babies and that their babies will get love and attention from adult men who are friends of their mothers. To the degree that these perceptions contribute to the gender role socialization of adolescents, we are faced with a problematic situation. Particularly in light of the fact that soap operas are increasingly targeting the adolescent viewer, the image portrayed on soap operas and the impact it appears to have is of great concern.
In Vivo Type 2 Cannabinoid Receptor-Targeted Tumor Optical Imaging Using a Near Infrared Fluorescent Probe

The type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) plays a vital role in carcinogenesis and progression and is emerging as a therapeutic target for cancers. However, the exact role of CB2R in cancer progression and therapy remains unclear. This has driven the increasing efforts to study CB2R and cancers using molecular imaging tools. In addition, many types of cancers overexpress CB2R, and the expression levels of CB2R appear to be associated with tumor aggressiveness. Such upregulation of the receptor in cancer cells provides opportunities for CB2R-targeted imaging with high contrast and for therapy with low side effects. In the present study, we report the first in vivo tumor-targeted optical imaging using a novel CB2R-targeted near-infrared probe. In vitro cell fluorescent imaging and a competitive binding assay indicated specific binding of NIR760-mbc94 to CB2R in CB2-mid delayed brain tumor (DBT) cells. NIR760-mbc94 also preferentially labeled CB2-mid DBT tumors in vivo, with a 3.7-fold tumor-to-normal contrast ...
When Harms Become Wrongs: Some Comments on the Moral Language of "Oppression" and the Limitations of Moral Theory

This article explores some of the moral language of oppression, especially as it rests on a distinction between harms and wrongs. Authentic instances of oppression are always wrongful, but might not be harmful in certain cases. The analytic challenge is to determine when an allegation of oppression is true or merits public attention as opposed to when allegations of oppression are not socially compelling. Because the language of oppression frequently looks to rights, those controversies that surround rights legislation or its creation also affect and complicate our understanding of oppression. An especially difficult question is how much burden would be "reasonable" for X to bear if creating a right for Y imposes a burden on X—such as having to pay additional taxes to make public transportation accessible. This article suggests that moral theory cannot provide an answer. Rather, this question can only be answered according to the potential that exists for a social consensus that such and such a burden oug...
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris (Humeral Head) Muscle Flap for Reconstruction of Distal Forelimb Injuries in Two Dogs

Objective—To describe the use of the humeral head of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle as a rotational flap for reconstruction of distal antebrachial, carpal, and metacarpal injuries in two dogs. Study Design—Description of clinical cases. Results—Local rotation of the humeral head of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle provided coverage of the carpal and carpometacarpal bones and joint structures exposed by soft tissue avulsion. Conclusions—The distal portion of the humeral head of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle can be used as a local muscle flap. Clinical Relevance—Early soft tissue coverage of large wounds to the carpal and metacarpal regions can be accomplished without resorting to a more technically difficult procedure, such as a free vascularized flap transfer.
Multi-physics damage sensing in nano-engineered structural composites

Non-destructive evaluation techniques can offer viable diagnostic and prognostic routes to mitigating failures in engineered structures such as bridges, buildings and vehicles. However, existing techniques have significant drawbacks, including poor spatial resolution and limited in situ capabilities. We report here a novel approach where structural advanced composites containing electrically conductive aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are ohmically heated via simple electrical contacts, and damage is visualized via thermographic imaging. Damage, in the form of cracks and other discontinuities, usefully increases resistance to both electrical and thermal transport in these materials, which enables tomographic full-field damage assessment in many cases. Characteristics of the technique include the ability for real-time measurement of the damage state during loading, low-power operation (e.g. 15 °C rise at 1 W), and beyond state-of-the-art spatial resolution for sensing damage in composites. The enhanced thermographic technique is a novel and practical approach for in situ monitoring to ascertain structural health and to prevent structural failures in engineered structures such as aerospace and automotive vehicles and wind turbine blades, among others.
A theoretical basis for participatory planning

Arguments are presented for the reconsideration of models which guide planning behavior and structure planning organizations. Hierarchical organizations are contrasted with reticular organizations and the latter are presented as necessary for effective citizen participation. Legitimacy is presented as a fundamental basis of justifying planning action and historical shifts in forms of legitimacy are noted. Participation, as a form of legitimacy, and several aspects of participatory planning are discussed in terms of recent systems thinking. It is argued that participatory planning increases the effectiveness and adaptivity of the planning process and contributes adaptivity and stability to the societal system. Further, it is argued that citizen participation is an essential element in making the planning process a learning system. This leads to a strengthening of the definition and role of communities in the urban system, and to an unexpected requirement of planners who would adopt a participatory planning process.