cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cue Voting: Which Women Vote for Women Senate Candidates?

This article explores the effects of candidate gender on individual voting behavior. We investigate whether female candidates attract support from female voters based on their gender. Our research centers around three areas. First, we discuss cue theory and how it applies to gender studies. Second, we investigate the 19 Senate elections from 1988-92 in which one of the major party candidates was a female. Finally, we examine the potential impact of partisanship and seat status—whether an incumbent ran or whether there was an open seat—on voting for female candidates. We find that seat status is important and that gender cue voting is a factor only among Republican voters, especially male Republicans.
Arab socialism in Egypt

Abstract The characteristic feature of ‘Arab socialism’, as practised in Egypt, is public ownership of the modern sectors, including finance and trade. Efficiency, in these sectors, and perhaps in agriculture, however, has suffered. Despite some improvement in distribution, following confiscation of larger businesses and rural estates, Egyptian society cannot be considered egalitarian. Egypt's system of agrarian co-operatives is perhaps the only feature of Arab socialism worth imitating.
The impact of unabated stimulation by human chorionic gonadotropin on the steroid hormone environment of pregnant rats and the spontaneous expression of ovarian cysts in female progeny

Unabated stimulation by low doses of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) induces ovarian cysts in pregnant rats. In order to determine the impact of these in vivo treatments on the hormonal milieu of pregnancy, and the potential impact of an aberrant cystic-ovary state during pregnancy on the resulting female offspring, pregnant rats were treated with either 0 (control), 1, or 3 IU hCG twice daily for at least 9 days, beginning on day 13 of pregnancy. Serum was harvested from control and hCG treated animals on days 15, 17, 19, and 22 of pregnancy. Control pregnant rats and animals treated with 1 IU hCG shared similar serum profiles for progesterone (P4), androstenedione (A4), 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-diol), androsterone (A5), and estrone (E1) between days 15 and 22 of pregnancy. Testosterone serum concentrations were similar for control and 1 IU hGG-treated pregnant rats between days 15 and 19 of pregnancy; whereas, on day 22, 1 IU hGG-treated pregnant rats displayed lower serum testosterone than control pregnant rats (P ≤ 0.05). In contrast, serum estradiol (E2) concentrations for 1 IU hCG- treated pregnant rats were greater than E2 values observed for control rats on days 15–19 of pregnancy (P ≤ 0.05). Serum testosterone and 3α-diol values for 3 IU hCG-treated pregnant rats differed from those of control pregnant rats only on day 19 when these values were transiently greater for these hCG-treated animals compared with serum values for control pregnant rats (P ≤ 0.05). Serum A4 values for 3 IU hCG-treated pregnant rats were elevated compared to values for control pregnant rats only on days 15 and 17 (P ≤ 0.05). In contrast, serum E1, A5, and E2 were elevated on days 19–22, 17–22, and 15–22, respectively, in 3 IU hCG-treated pregnant rats compared to control pregnant rats (P ≤ 0.05). No pups from control pregnant rats displayed ovarian cysts during the time they were observed postnatally. In contrast, 6 of 25 pups from 3 IU hCG-treated pregnant rats displayed cystic ovaries, without corpora lutea, on day 55 of age. Serum steroid concentrations for these cyst-bearing progeny were similar to those of female progeny from control pregnant rats, whereas female progeny without ovarian cysts from 3 IU hCG-treated pregnant rats displayed differences in serum steroid values from those of progeny from control pregnant rats (P ≤ 0.05). The data support the concept that an aberrant, yet physiologic hormonal environment associated with the induction of ovarian cysts during pregnancy in rats, can lead to the spontaneous establishment of an ovarian cystic state in at least a subset of the female progeny. Further, the date suggest that tonically increased ovarian estrogen production during pregnancy, reflected by tonically elevated peripheral serum estrogen concentrations, may play a pivotal role in the etiology of an ovarian cystic state in this subset of daughters from hCG-induced, cyst-bearing pregnant rats.
Let them talk! Managing primary and extended online brand communities for success

Abstract It is clear that customer-to-customer contact through informal social networking and more formal company-sponsored platforms, such as discussion forums, is an increasingly integral element in building brand communities. There are many benefits to this interaction, such as nurturing brand champions and ‘super users,’ and reduced service costs through customer-to-customer solutions for product problems. However, there are also hazards inherent in these largely unregulated communities, such as the potential damage of widely spread negative information, which may be based on fact or on malicious intent. Herein, we summarize the results of several years of research examining these communities in an attempt to understand why they succeed, what benefits can be extracted from them, and—in particular—how negative information emerging in these environments can be strategically managed. Based on a series of quantitative and qualitative studies, we identified several key drivers of online brand community success (i.e., intervention, conversion, value creation, and harvesting) and the different combinations of community players who must collaborate to achieve such success. Delving more deeply into the issue of negative information management, we find that the topic being discussed (i.e., core versus augmented product) and the validity of the claim greatly influence a firm's appropriate strategic response. Throughout this article, we offer managerial guidance on the most effective ways to develop primary brand communities that encourage loyalty, purchases, and positive word of mouth.
Surficial properties in Gale Crater, Mars, from Mars Odyssey THEMIS data

Abstract We examine the nature of the surface layer in Gale Crater as determined from high-resolution thermal and visible Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) data as well as how our conclusions compare to past analyses. At THEMIS resolution, the thermal surface structure is dominated by local control, thus providing us with detailed images that contain thermophysical information as well. Using these data sets we have created a map of the area, defining units based primarily on their geomorphology as determined from the daytime thermal and visible images and then using the nighttime thermal data to interpret the nature of the surface layer within each unit. Seven units have been defined: (i) partially blanketed knobby plateaus, (ii) crater walls with terrain similar to that on the plateaus on the upper half and exposed, rocky surfaces on the lower half, (iii)–(v) three floor units with varying combinations of bedrock and indurated and/or particulate deposits, (vi) sand sheets, and (vii) a central mound, consisting of indurated and/or rocky material forming layers, terraces, and slides, covered by particulate material that tapers in thickness downslope. Additionally, dozens of channels have been observed on the crater walls and central mound. The results indicate that aeolian processes have played a major role in shaping much of the present surface layer within Gale and may still be active today. Because of the dramatic size and structure of Gale, the winds are most likely controlled by the local topography. Additionally, the presence and frequency of channels within Gale bolster hypotheses involving aqueous episodes in the history of the crater.
Enforced Proximity in the Function of a Famous Scaffold

Recent studies by Park, Zarrinipar, and Lim with reengineered Ste5 scaffold proteins underscore the fundamental importance of proximity in enzyme regulation and of keeping a proper distance for maintaining signaling specificity.
Efficient isosurface tracking using precomputed correspondence table

Feature tracking is a useful method for visualizing and analyzing time-varying scalar fields. It allows scientists to focus on regions of interest and track their evolution and interaction over time. To allow the user to freely explore the data set, features must be tracked in an efficient manner. In this paper, we present an efficient time-varying isosurface tracking algorithm. Unlike the previous algorithms which compute the corresponding isosurface components in the adjacent time steps by performing expensive computation at run time, our algorithm can rapidly identify corresponding isosurfaces by performing simple table lookup operations. This table, called the correspondence lookup table, can be computed at a preprocessing stage. The idea behind our approach is that the correspondence relationship can only change at critical isovalues in R3 or R4 and remains unchanged between adjacent pairs of critical isovalues. With our algorithm, isosurfaces can be tracked in an efficient manner with minimal overhead.
“He's Got the Whole World in His Hands”: US History and Its Discontents in the Obama Era

As Samuel Eliot Morrison had done when he delivered the first Harmsworth lecture eighty-seven years ago, I, too, must begin with a Prologue. “Through the Prologue,” Professor Morrison told his audience, “the author endeavoured to establish a personal relation between himself and his audience, and to arouse their curiosity and interest in the play that followed.”1 I pray he is correct.
Coherent diffraction imaging with an apertured illumination support

We demonstrate coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) using the projected image of an aperture as a support. This method is strikingly simple and allows CDI imaging of non-isolated objects in transmission and reflection.
Hamiltonian circuits and paths in subset graphs with circular adjacency

Abstract Consider the subset graph G ( n,k ) whose vertex set C ( n,k ) is the set of all n -tuples of ‘0's’ and ‘1's’ with exactly k ‘1's’. Let an edge exist between two vertices a and b in G ( n,k ) if and only if a can be transformed into b by the interchange of two adjacent coordinate values, with the first and last coordinates considered adjacent. This paper shows that a Hamiltonian circuit exists in G ( n,k ) if and only if neither n and k are both even, nor k =2 or n −2 for n >7. It is also shows that a Hamiltonian path exists in G ( n,k ) if and only if n and k are not both even. Such Hamiltonian paths and circuits are called ‘Gray codes’ of C ( n,k ).
Real-time fluorescence measurement of cell-free endosome fusion: regulation by second messengers.

A quantitative real-time assay of cell-free endosomal vesicle fusion was developed and applied to study fusion mechanisms in endosomes from baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells. The assay is based on an irreversible approximately 10-fold increase in BODIPY-avidin fluorescence on binding of biotinylated conjugates. BODIPY-avidin and biotin-dextran were internalized for 10min at 37 degrees C into separate populations of BHK-21 cells, and endosome fractions were prepared. Postnuclear supernatant fractions underwent ATP- and temperature-dependent fusion, as measured in a sensitive custom-built microfluorimeter by the continuous increase in BODIPY-avidin fluorescence. Fusion processes of efficiency > 2.5% could be detected with 200-ms time resolution in sample volumes of 50 microL containing endosomes derived from approximately 4 x 10(4) cells. The fusion time course consisted of a distinct lag phase (up to 10 min) in which little fusion occurred, followed by an approximately exponential rise (t 1/2 10–30min; fusion efficiency approximately 15%). The lag phase was reduced by preincubation of separate endosome fractions with ATP at 37 degrees C and by coincubation of endosomes at 22 degrees C before the assay, suggesting a rate-limiting step involving binding of a soluble protein to the endosome membrane. Endosome fusion was strongly inhibited by GTP gamma S, N-ethylmaleimide, and AIF4–. Endosome fusion was not affected by phorbol myristate acetate but was significantly inhibited by cAMP and bovine brain calmodulin. The results establish a sensitive real-time fluorescence assay to quantify the kinetics and extent of endosome fusion in a cell-free system and demonstrate regulation of early endosome fusion by cytosolic second messengers.
The Survey of Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries with the Einstein Observatory Solid-State Spectrometer and Monitor Proportional Counter

The HEAO 2 or Einstein solid-state spectrometer (SSS; 0.5-4.5 keV) and monitor proportional counter (MPC; 1.2-20.0 keV) carried out an extensive survey of 49 low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). Simultaneous SSS plus MPC spectra, selected on the basis of their intensity, were fitted with a set of simple and complex spectral models. For all the sources, including Eddington-limited bulge sources, bursters, dippers, the soft spectrum black hole candidates, and a few transients in decline, the spectra could be fitted acceptably with combinations of thermal bremsstrahlung and blackbody models or a Comptonized spectrum and a blackbody. The results rule out optically thick disk models for the bright (Z) sources and power-law models for the bursters. The SSS can confirm only the strongest of previously reported low-energy emission lines due to O VIII or Fe L transitions. Uncertainties in column densities are modest, and together with consideration of a disk distribution of gas and dust in the galaxy, the column densities provide distance estimates. These are the only measures yet available for eight sources. Several physical interpretations in terms of an optically thick component located on or very near the neutron star, an optically thin region farther in radius from the neutron star, and contribution of the accretion disk are possible. Assumptions required of the pulsar in a cocoon model are problematical. Correlations of spectral parameters with intensity observed in color-color diagrams are more complex than previously reported, although relating luminosity changes to the mass accretion rate is still tenable.
Island and multilayer growth of metals on metals: Experiments and computer simulations

We review the current understanding of growth of metals on metal films prepared in far-from-equilibrium conditions. Recent experimental and computational studies of metal-on-metal growth are presented and physical/chemical factors controlling this type of growth are identified and discussed. The technique of atom beam scattering to probe thin film growth in situ and in real time is illustrated in detail with selected results of a study of metal-on-metal heteroepitaxial growth.
Design of Integrated Circuit Planar Resistors with Slits and Curved Boundaries

The problem of determining the shape of a polygonal integrated circuit planar resistor to a desired value of resistance has applications in the IC fabrication technology. The resistor design problem can be simplified for modular applications and fabrication by changing only one parameter of the polygon, e.g., length of a slit, to achieve the desired value of resistance. This paper describes a method of numerical conformal mapping to compute the length of the slit to obtain the desired value of resistance when the shape of the polygon is given. The extended Schwarz‐Christoffel transformation developed by the author and others is used when polygons with curved segments are encountered. The resulting algorithm is easily programmable and accurate. Rapid convergence is achieved. Examples are given and other applications of the method are presented.
Surgical Treatment of Duodenal Ulcer: A Prospective Randomized Study

† From 1960 to 1980, 344 patients were included in a prospective randomized study for elective surgical treatment of duodenal ulcer disease. Results of vagotomy and pyloroplasty were compared with vagotomy and hemigastrectomy. There were no postoperative deaths, and the postoperative complication rates were similar for both groups. Ulcerations recurred in 12% of the vagotomy-pyloroplasty group and in 3% of the vagotomy-hemigastrectomy group (P (Arch Surg1982;117:393-397)
Clinical outcome following concomitant cardiac operation at the time of lung transplantation

Introduction: Cardiac procedures at the time of lung transplantation can increase cardiopulmonary bypass time and may adversely affect clinical outcome. We sought to determine the impact of cardiac lesions that require repair at the time of lung transplantation on short-term outcome. Methods: We analyzed the records of all patients who underwent lung transplantation at our institution from March 1, 2000 to August 1, 2004. Patients undergoing an additional cardiac procedure at the time of transplantation were compared to patients who underwent lung transplantation alone during the same time period. The endpoints analyzed to assess outcome were number of days on a ventilator, ICU days, total post-operative hospital days, incidence of ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI), 30-day mortality, and 1 year Kaplan-Meier survival. Results: During this interval, 20 patients underwent a concomitant cardiac procedure at the time of transplantation. These operations included mitral valve repair (n 1), tricuspid valve repair (n 4), tricuspid and pulmonic valve repair (n 1), coronary artery bypass graft (n 1), and patent foramen ovale closure (n 13). During the same interval, 81 underwent lung transplantation with no cardiac procedure. The results are shown in Table 1.
Attacks and Remedies in Collaborative Recommendation

Collaborative-filtering recommender systems are an electronic extension of everyday social recommendation behavior: people share opinions and decide whether or not to act on the basis of what they hear. Collaborative filtering lets you scale such interactions to groups of thousands or even millions. Publicly accessible user-adaptive systems such as collaborative recommender systems introduce security issues that must be solved if users are to perceive these systems as objective, unbiased, and accurate.
Snapshot 3D Optical Coherence Tomography System using Image Mapping Spectrometer

A snapshot 3-Dimensional Optical Coherence Tomography system was developed using Image Mapping Spectrometry. This proof-of-concept system can give depth information at different spatial positions within one integration time to reduce motion artifact and enhance throughput.
Transgene-specific host responses in cutaneous gene therapy: the role of cells expressing the transgene

A major issue in long-term gene therapy is host immune responses to therapeutic cells when transgene encodes a potential antigen. The nature of these responses depends on several factors including the type of cell and tissue expressing the transgene. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts, which are known to display distinct immunogenic profiles, are both potential targets for transgene expression in cutaneous gene therapy. However, whether there is an immunological advantage in targeting one cell type over the other is not known. To study the effect of cell type on transgene-specific host responses independent of antigen levels or methods of gene transfer and transplantation, we used a skin transplantation model in which transgene expression can be targeted transgene to either keratinocytes or fibroblasts. Although targeting an antigen to either cell type resulted in the induction of immune responses, these responses differed significantly. Transgenic keratinocytes were rejected acutely by a dominant Th2 response, while in the majority of grafted animals transgenic fibroblasts failed to induce acute rejection despite the induction of Th1 type inflammation in the graft. In a small number of mice, transgenic fibroblasts persisted for at least 20 weeks despite elicitation of antigen-specific responses. Therefore, fibroblasts may be an immunologically preferred target over keratinocytes for cutaneous gene therapy.
The morphology of convex polygons

Abstract A simple polygon P is said to be unimodal if for every vertex of P, the Euclidian distance function to the other vertices of P is unimodal. The study of unimodal polygons has emerged as a fruitful area of computational and discrete geometry. We study unimodality properties of a number of special convex polygons from the morphological point of view. In particular, we establish a hierarchy among three classes of convex polygons in terms of their unimodality properties.
Field evaluation of different insecticide use strategies as resistance management and control tactics for Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae).

Various insecticide use strategies including rotations, sequential use, and mixtures were evaluated experimentally on Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) in California and Arizona (U.S.A.) cotton fields. Toxicological responses of adult B. tabaci were measured along with preimaginal densities and cotton yields from plots subjected to different insecticide regimens. Weekly monitoring for susceptibility changes over ten consecutive weeks in four different trials failed to detect significant differences between sequential use and rotation regimens, nor in comparison to the control plots. There were, however, significant differences among study-site locations and between study years as well as significant within-season time effects. Relative infestations in insecticide-treated plots expressed as a percentage of preimaginal densities in control plots indicated that better control was obtained by all insecticide treatments in conjunction with higher susceptibility levels observed in the second year. Lower preimaginal densities of B. tabaci were measured in the rotation treatment in comparison to sequential treatments of endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, or amitraz, but all were less effective than sequential treatments of bifenthrin or the mixture of bifenthrin + endosulfan. Cotton lint yields were inversely related to B. tabaci densities, with highest yields in the bifenthrin and mixture plots and lowest yields in the control plots. Suppression of B. tabaci infestations in insecticide-treated plots relative to untreated control plots also improved under conditions of lower B. tabaci pressure. The increases in cotton yield and susceptibility to insecticides seen in the current study support the trend observed in the southwestern USA of improved management of B. tabaci despite continuing intensive use of insecticides.
Ion cyclotron and heavy ion effects on reconnection in a global magnetotail

[1] Finite ion cyclotron effects play a significant role in determining the dynamics of the neutral sheet. The demagnetization of the ions facilitates reconnection and produces an electric field perpendicular to the direction of the tail currents. This in-plane electric field drives field-aligned currents and an out-of-plane (or core) magnetic field in conjunction with the generation of flux ropes. In addition to these electromagnetic effects, it is shown that ion cyclotron effects lead to the preferential convection of plasma from the dawnside to the duskside. This convection is consistent with results from single-particle tracking but differs from ideal MHD treatment where the flow occurs symmetrically around the Earth. A physical manifestation of these asymmetric particle trajectories is the wrapping of the field-aligned current between the region 1 currents and the region 2 and/or region 0 currents. In addition, localized density enhancements and depletions are seen in the tail where the local heavy ion density can be substantially elevated over ionospheric conditions. Because of the local density variations, reconnection across the tail is inhomogeneous. Reconnection is initiated postmidnight and then sweeps across to the dawn and dusk flanks within a few minutes. Because of this spatial variation, the ejection plasmoid is actually U-shaped and the subsequent flux rope formation is highly skewed.
Wireless battery charge management for implantable pressure sensor

Implantable medical devices intended for chronic ap- plication in deep bodily organs must balance small size with bat- tery capacity. Wireless battery recharge of implanted sensors is a viable option to reduce implant size while removing the physical and regulatory hindrance of continuous RF powering. This paper presents wireless battery recharge circuitry developed for an implantable pressure sensor. The circuits include an RF/DC rec- tifier, voltage limiter, and constant-current battery charger with 150-mV end-of-charge hysteresis. An AM demodulator drawing zero DC current allows for transmission of commands on the recharge carrier. Reception of a time- and value-coded shutdown command places the implantable system into a 15-nano-Ampere standby mode. The system can be wirelessly activated from standby by reactivating the external wireless recharge carrier. Test results of the wireless system showed a standby current of 15-nA, such that the implant standby time is limited by battery self-discharge. Wireless recharge tests confirmed that a constant recharge rate of 200 µA could be sustained at implant depths up to 20 cm, but with low power transfer efficiency < 0.1% due to small implant coil size. Battery charge measurements confirmed that daily 4-hour recharge periods maintained the implant state of charge and this recharging could occur during periods of nat- ural patient rest.
On boundary implications of stability and positivity properties of multidimensional systems

Multidimensional generalizations of various 1-D results on the robustness of Hurwitz, Schur, and positivity properties of polynomials and rational functions are considered. More specifically, the convexity property of the stable region in the coefficient space of multivariable polynomials is studied. Multidimensional generalizations of Kharitonov-type results are reviewed, and further extensions, including that of the 1-D edge theorem, are discussed. Interval positivity properties of multivariate rational functions are characterized in terms of ratios of a finite number of Kharitonov-type polynomials constructed from the extreme values of the intervals of perturbation. >
Iron Supplementation of Low-Income Infants : A Randomized Clinical Trial of Adherence with Ferrous Fumarate Sprinkles Versus Ferrous Sulfate Drops

Objective To determine whether low-income infants' adherence to nutritional supplementation with ferrous fumarate sprinkles was better than that with ferrous sulfate drops. Study design The study was a randomized clinical trial of healthy 6-month-old infants. Each infant received either a daily packet of sprinkles or a dropperful of liquid. Follow-up included alternating telephone and home visits biweekly for 3 months. Adherence was defined as high if the infant's caregiver reported supplement use on 5 to 7 days during the week before assessment. Side effects and caregiver attitude about supplements were secondary outcomes. Analyses were conducted using generalized estimating equations and χ 2 and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results A total of 150 of 225 eligible infants were enrolled. Adherence to supplementation was generally poor. High adherence ranged from 32% to 63% at any assessment in the subjects receiving drops, compared with 30% to 46% in those receiving sprinkles. The drops group was more likely to have at least four assessments with high adherence (22% vs 9.5%; P = .03). Caregivers of the drops infants were more likely to report greater than usual fussiness ( P Conclusions The use of ferrous fumarate sprinkles rather than traditional ferrous sulfate drops did not improve adherence with daily iron supplementation in low-income infants.
THE SUBSTITUTION OF COW-MILK PROTEIN WITH AN AMINO-ACID BASED FORMULA RESULTS IN IMPROVEMENT OF MUSCLE STRENGTH IN CHILDREN WITH SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY TYPE II. 2235

THE SUBSTITUTION OF COW-MILK PROTEIN WITH AN AMINO-ACID BASED FORMULA RESULTS IN IMPROVEMENT OF MUSCLE STRENGTH IN CHILDREN WITH SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY TYPE II. 2235
The Symmetric Property of the Equality Relation and Young Children's Ability to Solve Open Addition and Subtraction Sentences.

Each of these open sentences may be derived from an equation of the form a o b = c where a, b, and c are whole numbers, where the specified operation (o) is either addition (+) or subtraction (-), and where a placeholder (0) is used in one of three positions-for a, b, or c. Since the equality relation is symmetric, a o b = c may be expressed equivalently as c = a o b, and the four preceding open sentences may be rewritten respectively as 9=4+ El
Method for analyzing electron spectra observed in solar neutrino experiments.

The normalized spectral ratio (the ratio of the measured electron spectrum to that of the SSM with both spectra normalized to contain the same number of events) is used to study results from electron scattering and deuterium dissociation experiments. It is found to be a very useful tool for measuring the energy-dependent deviation from the SSM and results can be expressed in terms of a single parameter---its slope. The number of events needed to see a positive slope preferred by current data at the 3\ensuremath{\sigma} level is about 4000--5000 for electron scattering experiments and about 2000 for deuterium dissociation experiments.
Total nucleon-helium cross section near 147 MeV

Abstract Protons with energies of 141 and 154 MeV were scattered by a target containing liquid helium. The cross section was measured for incident protons not to leave the target within a cone (half-angle 6°) in the forward direction. At an average proton energy of 147 MeV the cross section was 113.4±0.8 mb. This datum along with proton-helium differential cross section and polarization data at 147 MeV were analysed using the impulse approximation and yielded a value of the total neutron-helium cross section of 114.5±1.0 mb.
Three milieux for interstellar chemistry: gas, dust, and ice

The interdisciplinary science of astrochemistry is 45 years of age, if we pinpoint its origin to have occurred when the first polyatomic molecules were detected in the interstellar gas. Since that time, the field has grown remarkably from an esoteric area of research to one that unites scientists around the globe. Almost 200 different molecules have been detected in the gas-phase of interstellar clouds, mainly by rotational spectroscopy, while dust particles and their icy mantles in colder regions can be probed by vibrational spectroscopy. Astrochemistry is exciting to scientists in a number of different fields. Astronomers are interested in molecular spectra from the heavens because such spectra are excellent probes of the physical conditions where molecules exist, while chemists are interested in the exotic molecules, their spectra, and the unusual chemical processes that produce and destroy them under conditions often very different from those on our home planet. Chemical simulations involving thousands of reactions are now used to calculate concentrations and spectra of interstellar molecules as functions of time. Even biologists share an interest in the subject, because the interstellar clouds of gas and dust, portions of which collapse to form stars and planetary systems, contain organic molecules that may become part of the initial inventory of new planets and may indeed be the precursors of life. An irresistible subject to its practitioners, astrochemistry is proving to be exciting to a much wider audience. In this perspective article, the field is first introduced, and the emphasis is then placed on the three environments in which chemistry occurs in the interstellar medium: the gas phase, the surfaces of bare dust particles, and the ice mantles that cover bare grains in cold dense interstellar clouds. What we do know and what we do not know is distinguished. The status of chemical simulations for a variety of interstellar sources having to do with stellar and planetary evolution is surveyed. An optimistic view of the future of astrochemistry ends the article.
A demonstration of the physiological role of membrane phosphorylation in chloroplasts, using the bipartite and tripartite models of photosynthesis

Using the equations derived from the bipartite and tripartite models for photosynthetic organization in green plants, we have been able to characterize the effect of membrane phosphorylation on energy transduction. Phosphorylation reversibly increases α (the proportion of absorbed quanta going directly to Photosystem (PS) I). This increase in α we believe to be due to a decrease in the coupling between the PS II core and its associated light-harvesting complex [ΨT(3,2)·ΨT(2,3)]. Phosphorylation also reversibly increases the transfer of energy from PS II to PS I [ψT(II→I)]. We propose that membrane phosphorylation provides the in vivo control of α, ΨT(3,2)·ΨT(2,3) and ψT(II→I). From the data we present it is clear that the changes caused in energy distribution as a result of phosphorylation are large enough to induce real changes in electron-transfer reactions. The effects of phosphorylation on these parameters are distinct from those of Mg2+ depletion. We have discussed changes in ΨT(3,2)·ΨT(2,3) (the coupling term) with respect to the ‘connected package’ model of photosynthetic units (Butler, W.L. (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77, 4697–4701) and the proposed α- and β-centers of PS II (Melis, A. and Homann, P.H. (1976) Photochem. Photobiol. 23, 345–350). The demonstration of changes in reversible coupling [ΨT(3,2)·ΨT(2,3)] strongly supports a connected package model in which the degree of ‘connectivity’ is under physiological control.
Cyclic AMP tastes aversive, not sweet, to rats.

Abstract Electrophysiological and biochemical evidence suggests that cAMP mediates sweet taste transduction. Neural recordings from anesthetized rats and in vitro preparations demonstrate that membrane-permeable cAMP analogues mimic the effects of sucrose and artificial sweetners. We presented solutions of sodium 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-adenosine 3′-5′-cyclic monophosphate (8cpt-cAMP), a water-soluble, membrane-permeable cAMP analogue to freely behaving rats in short-term lickometer tests. Rats licked significantly less to 8cpt-cAMP than to sucrose or palatable saccharin solutions. Rats could taste 8cpt-cAMP solutions, however, because they licked less to 8cpt-cAMP in mixture with sucrose than to sucrose alone. Because 8cpt-cAMP decreased licking when mixed with sucrose, we conclude that the taste of 8cpt-cAMP is aversive, not sweet, to freely behaving rats.
The uniform anatomical gift act: What every clinical anatomist should know

Although many are aware of the existence of a document called the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA), few are aware that there are actually two such Acts (1968 and 1987), and even fewer have read the Acts themselves. Consequently, there are many different and frequently false impressions about their purpose and content. This paper is an attempt to acquaint readers with the two UAGAs. The historical background leading to the unprecedented rapid, uniform and unanimous adoption of the 1968 Act is presented. The content, rationale, and significance of that Act are outlined. The perceived shortcomings of the first Act resulting in the much less successful and less widely-adopted 1987 Act is explained and the major changes incorporated in the second Act are outlined. Specific features of the Acts of concern to anatomists involved in willed-body programs, and clinicians who may become involved in body/body part donation or utilization are addressed. Finally, the relationship of the UAGA to other lines of regulation and the need to be aware of them is indicated. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The anabolic effects of IGF-1 in skeletal muscle after burn injury are not caused by increased cell volume.

Background: In a recent report, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) stimulated protein synthesis and inhibited protein breakdown in skeletal muscle after burn injury. The mechanism of the anabolic effects of IGF-1 in skeletal muscle is not known. We tested the hypotheses that IGF-1 stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits protein breakdown in skeletal muscle secondary to cell swelling and that cell swelling in itself induces an anabolic response in muscle tissue. Methods: Extensor digitorum longus muscles from control and burned rats were incubated in the absence or presence of 1 μg/mL of IGF-1. Protein synthesis and breakdown rates were determined by measuring incorporation of 14 C-phenylalanine into protein and net release of tyrosine, respectively. Cell volume was measured by determining wet and dry weight and by using 3 H-mannitol as an extracellular marker. Results: IGF-1 stimulated protein synthesis and inhibited protein breakdown in muscles from nonburned and burned rats without influencing cell volume. Incubating muscles in hypo-osmotic medium increased cell volume by 17% and inhibited protein breakdown by 14% but did not influence protein synthesis. Conclusions: The anabolic effects of IGF-1 in skeletal muscle are not caused by increased cell volume. The results differ from those reported previously in liver cells in which the anabolic effects of IGF-1 were associated with cell swelling. The role of changes in cell volume in the regulation of protein metabolism may be different in skeletal muscle than in other tissues.
Older and younger adults' memory for structured and unstructured events

Because the everyday memory demands of older adults often tend to be event-based, a complete view of memory functioning should include assessments of event memory. To this end 48 older and younger adults were asked to participate in one of two hierarchically structured events. They were tested for their memory immediately afterwards and again a week later. The procedural event was composed of a series of actions logically related and ordered in a necessary sequence to accomplish a goal. In contrast, the temporal event was organized with respect to locations and objects within those locations, but no logically necessary relationship or order existed among them. The results indicated that older and younger adults differed less in their recall of statements which summarized the event than in their recall of the actions composing the event. Both young and old benefited by the greater organization inherent in the procedural event but there was some tendency for younger adults to use this information more effectively. Thus, even memory for event-based information is susceptible to age-related decline but this effect appears to be influenced by the structural characteristics of an event.
Plasma-sprayed coatings for fusion reactor applications

Abstract A series of plasma-sprayed coatings has been given a preliminary evaluation to assess the potential of this class of materials in fusion reactor applications. TiC, TiB2, beryllium and VBe12 coatings on copper and stainless steel (SS) were tested for coating adherence, ion erosion resistance and susceptibility to arc erosion. The coatings, in general, display a good resistance to thermal shock failure. The TiC and TiB2 coatings exhibit favorable ion erosion characteristics and the resistance of the coatings to arc erosion was, in general, superior to that of SS.
Adaptive compositions across organizational boundaries

Interoperability and loose coupling requirements are pushing next generation of distributed applications towards more decentralized and more dynamic interaction schemes, which the classic request/response communication paradigm can hardly accommodate. Hence, sound foundations and mechanisms for the establishment of unanticipated peer-to-peer interactions across organizational boundaries are of significant importance to upcoming middleware platforms. The Executable Choreography Framework (ECF) is a middleware-level framework that targets dynamic and decentralized service compositions. The ECF combines transparent context propagation with aspect-oriented software composition techniques to dynamically refine the default control and data flow of service invocations. The framework provides a ground for experimentation with dynamic and distributed workflows, and a base to assess their safety and applicability when deployed across organizational boundaries.
A continuous-response task with nondeterminate, contingent reinforcement

Abstract An experiment dealing with a continuous-response task with nondeterminate contingent reinforcement is analyzed in detail. The subject's task was to attempt to hit a target located at a variable position on the circumference of a circle. The subject could not see this target but was simply told after each response whether he had hit or missed the target. The sixty subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups, the only difference in the groups being the size of the target. The asymptotic response data are analyzed with respect to three different one-element models. Only one of these three models, the identity model, is at all satisfactory. For the analysis of sequential data this model is extended to an N-element version.
Interaction of ethacrynic acid and cysteine with renal medullary adenylate cyclase.

Abstract Results of the present study indicate that (1) ethacrynic acid, dihydroethacrynic acid, and the cysteine adduct of ethacrynic acid inhibit plasma membrane-bound adenylate cyclase from canine renal medulla; (2) reaction with a sulfhydryl group is not essential for inhibition by ethacrynic acid and its derivatives, but may contribute quantitatively to the inhibition; and (3) cysteine enhances the activity of renal medullary adenylate cyclase in the presence of a vasopressin analog or sodium fluoride. Observations support the view that ethacrynic acid and its cysteine adduct interfere with the action of vasopressin on the distal nephron at the site of renal medullary adenylate cyclase.
Electrochemical and microfabrication strategies for remotely operated smart chemical sensors: Application of anodic stripping coulometry to calibration-free measurements of copper and mercury

Remote unattended sensor networks are increasingly sought after to monitor the drinking water distribution grid, industrial wastewater effluents, and even rivers and lakes. One of the biggest challenges for application of such sensors is the issue of in-field device calibration. With this challenge in mind, we report here the use of anodic stripping coulometry (ASC) as the basis of a calibration-free micro-fabricated electrochemical sensor (CF-MES) for heavy metal determinations. The sensor platform consisted of a photo-lithographically patterned gold working electrode on SiO2 substrate, which was housed within a custom stopped-flow thin-layer cell, with a total volume of 2-4 μL. The behavior of this platform was characterized by fluorescent particle microscopy and electrochemical studies utilizing Fe(CN)6(3-/4-) as a model analyte. The average charge obtained for oxidation of 500 μM ferrocyanide after 60s over a 10 month period was 176 μC, corresponding to a volume of 3.65 μL (RSD = 2.4%). The response of the platform to copper concentrations ranging from 50 to 7500 ppb was evaluated, and the ASC results showed a linear dependence of charge on copper concentrations with excellent reproducibility (RSD ≤ 2.5%) and accuracy for most concentrations (≤ 5-10% error). The platform was also used to determine copper and mercury mixtures, where the total metallic content was measurable with excellent reproducibility (RSD ≤ 4%) and accuracy (≤ 6% error).
Progressive outer retinal necrosis in immunocompetent patients treated initially for optic neuropathy with systemic corticosteroids

Abstract Purpose To report two cases of progressive outer retinal necrosis occurring in immunocompetent individuals after treatment with corticosteroids for presumed optic neuropathy. Design Observational case report. Setting University–based tertiary eye hospital. Methods Retrospective review of existing clinical records. Results Two patients were treated empirically with systemic corticosteroids for suspected inflammatory papillopathy. Subsequently, both were diagnosed with necrotizing herpetic retinitis with features of progressive outer retinal necrosis. Anterior chamber paracentesis confirmed varicella-zoster infection. Both patients were human immunodeficiency virus negative; one patient with rheumatoid arthritis was taking etanercept. Both became completely blind in one eye despite intensive treatment with antiviral medication intravenously and intravitreally. Conclusions Progressive outer retinal necrosis is not confined to patients with underlying severe immunodeficiency, such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Initial treatment of acute, unexplained vision loss with systemic corticosteroids may lead to catastrophic visual loss in patients with evolving necrotizing herpetic retinopathy.
Erosion of Powder Metallurgy Aluminum Alloys by Hot Propellant Gases

Experimental results are presented on the erosion of PMA (Powder Metallurgy Aluminum) alloys by a pulse of high pressure and high temperature combustible gases. The PMA alloys have been found to exhibit superior erosion resistance characteristics than wrought aluminum alloys. Of the PMA alloys tested, SAP materials (Sintered Aluminum Powder) were shown to be the best. The primary mechanism of the erosion of PMA alloys was found to be the melt and wipe off process. Combustion of aluminum that is responsible for the catastrophic erosion of wrought aluminum alloys was inhibited in PMA tests. Several hypotheses that explain erosion resistance of the PMA alloys have been postulated.
Investigation of Cycle-to-Cycle Variability in an Unstable Gas Turbine Combustor

This paper describes an experimental and theoretical investigation of the processes controlling the characteristics of limit cycle oscillations in an unstable gas turbine combustor. Specifically, this paper describes an analysis of the cycle-to-cycle variations in the phase of the oscillating pressure during an instability. It is shown that the phase of the combustor pressure oscillations continuously drifts in a predominantly irregular manner. It is also shown that this phase drift may primarily be caused by random processes (i.e., noise) and, thus, may not reflect any of the underlying dynamics of the instability. Finally, it is shown that deterministic factors appear to have a small affect on the phase variability that manifests itself as slow, approximately 1.4 Hz oscillation of the phase. It is concluded that analysis of “steady state” limit cycle pressure data may not provide the desired information about the nonlinear processes controlling the system’s dynamics because of the affects of background noise.Copyright © 2000 by ASME
Feedforward Control with Deadtime Observers Including a Multi-Lag Loop

This paper is concerned with the addition of (signal) feedforward control to open and closed-loop observer-based deadtime compensation schemes. The open-loop form is the well-known Smith predictive model and compensation scheme. For the closed-loop observer form, a controller is applied to the predictive model part. It has been shown that such a control system can be tuned to remain stable in the face of major process parametric upsets when compared to other methods. However, under these conditions, sluggish responses are obtained for signal load or disturbance changes. When applicable, the addition of feedforward control could help alleviate this problem. Several schemes for feedforward compensation are presented. The first order process with deadtime is the main basis of the analysis presented which indicates that only conventional feedforward need be considered. Response results are shown for the application of the deadtime compensators to a multi-lag process.
Effects of oviposition by periodical cicadas on tree growth

Periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp.) occur at very high densities and synchronously emerge from underground every 13 or 17 years. During the emergence, adults lay eggs in tree branches, causing sig...