cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Silica-supported zirconium hydrides as isomerization or hydrogenation catalysts for long-chain olefins

Abstract Silica-supported zirconium hydrides exhibit high activity towards olefin isomerization under mild conditions. 1-Butene, 1-hexene, allylbenzene and methylenecyclohexane are each isomerized to their respective thermodynamic mixtures rapidly. Hydrogenation of 1-butene is also observed under H 2 , butene are lower than that of isomerization; catalyst lifetime is shorter for hydrogenation than for isomerization of olefins.
Depression of the crystal‐nematic phase transition in thermotropic liquid crystal copolyesters

The crystal-nematic phase transition of a copolyester consisting of 20 mol% poly(ethylene terephthalate) and 80 mol% p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB) was characterized by depression of the crystal-nematic transition by the addition of a liquid crystal diluent. This copolyester contains blocks of crystalline PHB. Its transition behavior was compared with thatrandom copolyester with diluent of the same composition. From the extrapolated transition temperature depression data, the heat of transition per mole of p-oxybenzoate was calculated as about 1.3 kcal/mol, with an entropy of about 2 cal/deg mol. This assumes that only the p-oxybenzoate unit crystallized from the nematic state. The validity of the Flory-Huggins model for this transition point depression was confirmed graphically by comparison with two different thermotropic-liquid crystal polyesters. These results may represent the first reported crystal-nematic temperatures and heats generated by the dilution method for liquid crystal copolyesters of this type.
Interpreting Currency Movements During the Crisis: What's the Role of Interest Rate Differentials?

Using an adaptation of the Uncovered Interest Parity (UIP) condition, this paper analyzes the drivers behind the large, symmetric exchange rate swings observed during the financial crisis of 2008-2010. Employing a Nelson-Siegel model, we estimate yield curves and decompose the exchange rate movements into changes we attribute to monetary policy and a residual. We find that the depreciation phase of the currencies in our sample was largely dominated by safe-haven effects rather than carry trade activity or other return considerations. For some countries, however, the appreciation that began at the end of 2008 seems largely to reflect downward movement in the cumulative revisions to nominal forward differentials, suggesting carry trade.
On the Origin of Green Emission in Polyfluorene Polymers: The Roles of Thermal Oxidation Degradation and Crosslinking†

The green emission of poly(9,9′′-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7′′-diyl), end-capped by polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxanes, (PFO-POSS) has been investigated by photoluminescence (PL) and photoexcitation (PE), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and transmission Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The green emission is closely correlated with thermal oxidation degradation and crosslinking of the polymer and is enhanced by annealing at elevated temperatures. The green-to-blue emission intensity ratio, used to assess the emission properties of thin (90 nm) films, was 3.70, 4.35, and 1.54 for an air-annealed film, its insoluble residue (crosslinked), and a film cast from its soluble portion, respectively. For thick (5–6 μm) film, the ratios are 13.33, 13.33, and 0.79, respectively. However, FTIR spectroscopy of thick films leads to the conclusion that the carbonyl-to-aromatic ring concentration ratio are 0.018, 0.015, and 0.032, respectively. Focusing on the recast films, the green emission is relatively low while the carbonyl concentration is relatively high. This suggests that the energy traps at crosslinked chains play an important role in green emission. It is likely that the crosslinking enhances the excitation energy migration and energy transfer to the defects by hindering chain segment twisting.
Mechanics of Microtubule-Based Membrane Extension

We observe quasistatic deformation of lipid vesicles from within, due to the polymerization of confined microtubules. A pair of long, narrow membrane sleeves appears, sheathing the microtubule ends as they grow. Spontaneous buckling reveals that the force generated can be greater than 2 pN. The evolution of shape and magnitude of force are consistent with a simple theory for the membrane free energy. We consider a model of the force generating mechanism in which thermal fluctuations of the membrane are “rectified” by the binding of tubulin dimers to the microtubule end. [S0031-9007(97)04450-5]
Anatomy of the Swallows

MY friend Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, of the British Museum, has favoured me with a copy of his recent and very useful memoir upon the swallows (Hirundinidœ), and we find the group treated under the several heads of (1) an introduction; (2) geographical distribution; and (3) the literature of the Subject. In the last, the author of this contribution has evidently intended to present a very complete list of the titles of works that have been written about swallows, extending between the years 1731 to 1894 inclusive; while in the introduction he makes the statement that “The Swallows appear to us to be such a well-marked and isolated Family of Passeres, that, in the absence of any detailed account of their anatomy and general structure, which, so far as we know, has not been attempted, there remains little for us to say.”
An XPS study of the adsorption of oxygen and water vapor on clean lithium films

Abstract The need to develop high energy density power sources has produced a new generation of non-aqueous battery systems in which pure lithium is used as the primary anode material. In an effort to understand the complex chemical reactions which occur in these cells, it is necessary to first examine in detail the nature of the passivating films which form on lithium before it is incorporated into a cell. In this study, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to characterize low level exposures of clean polycrystalline lithium films to molecular oxygen and water vapor. High purity lithium was vapor deposited on a sputter cleaned tantalum foil in a deposition chamber which was attached to a highly modified XPS system allowing specimens to be prepared and studied at or below 1.3×10-7 Pa pressure. Quantitative reaction rates for oxygen and water vapor were determined. A two step reaction for the interaction of water vapor with lithium was observed and appears to be a function of the total exposure. The results of these experiments differ in several respects from those previously reported in the literature. These differences are discussed.
Mimumes for SUBTLE applications

Inspired by natural multifunctionality, mimumes are microfibrous multifunctional metamaterials. Their microfibrosity engenders multifunctionality. Poly(p-xylylene) polymers that are currently used in bulk non-fibrous forms for packaging and tribological applications in electronic and biomedical arenas are excellent initial candidates to fabricate mimumes. In microfibrous forms, these polymers are expected to display simultaneous ultrasonic, biomedical, terahertz, light, and energy (SUBTLE) functionalities, thereby furthering the paradigm of design for system performance.
Sorbose transport in Neurospora crassa.

Abstract 1. 1.|The transport of sorbose into late log-phase cultures of Neurospora crassa does not occur against a concentration gradient, but obeys saturation kinetics, is energy-requiring, and is competitively inhibited by glucose. 2. 2.|The apparent K m for transport is 116 mM, and the maximal velocity is 0.92 μmol/mg dry wt. per h. 3. 3.|Adding glucose to cells which have been previously equilibrated with sorbose causes the counterflow of sorbose against a concentration gradient.
Natural Killer Cells in Viral Hepatitis

Natural killer (NK) cells are traditionally regarded as first-line effectors of the innate immune response, but they also have a distinct role in chronic infection. Here, we review the role of NK cells against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV), two agents that cause acute and chronic hepatitis in humans. Interest in NK cells was initially sparked by genetic studies that demonstrated an association between NK cell-related genes and the outcome of HCV infection. Viral hepatitis also provides a model to study the NK cell response to both endogenous and exogenous type I interferon (IFN). Levels of IFN-stimulated genes increase in both acute and chronic HCV infection and pegylated IFNα has been the mainstay of HCV and HBV treatment for decades. In chronic viral hepatitis, NK cells display decreased production of antiviral cytokines. This phenotype is found in both HCV and HBV infection but is induced by different mechanisms. Potent antivirals now provide the opportunity to study the reversibility of the suppressed cytokine production of NK cells in comparison with the antigen-induced defect in IFNγ and tumor necrosis factor-α production of virus-specific T cells. This has implications for immune reconstitution in other conditions of chronic inflammation and immune exhaustion, such as human immunodeficiency virus infection and cancer.
Physician Decisions After-Hours in the Hospital Blood Bank: Component Selection

Blood bank medical coverage can be daunting to both the practicing general pathologist and the pathology resident in training. Even for the blood bank specialist physician, decisionmaking on call can be stressful. The blood bank is somewhat unique among the clinical laboratories in that many of the issues that arise after-hours and on weekends are urgent, if not lifethreatening, and involve therapeutic measures in addition to diagnostic testing. Blood bank decisions may also require more clinical information than was provided with the blood sample received. The transfusion medicine physician must often review patient charts or laboratory results from other divisions of the laboratory, as well as discuss the patient condition with the ordering physician. Thus, blood bank medical practice can be more clinically focused and interactive than some of the other laboratory specialties. This review will cover some of the more common situations that arise that involve the pathologist in the blood bank after hours. Most decisions can be divided into component selection issues and testing issues. Table 1 lists some of the common situations in each category. Almost by definition, if the decision must be made after regular on site medical staffing hours, the decision is urgent in nature. Therefore, these decisions carry an increased level of stress and the need to possess certain knowledge, experience, or other resources to make a timely decision.
Controlled switching of 10-micrometer radiation using semiconductor étalons

An 80-MHz train of pulses, each lasting ~200 psec, has been switched from the output of a ~1-W cw CO2 laser. The switching element, an uncoated Cr-doped GaAs etalon, was controlled by the ~1-W average power output of an argon-ion laser. Sensitive picosecond switching, pulse differentiation, and contrast enhancement of 10-μm pulses are also demonstrated using high-finesse etalons. The sensitivity of plasma-based devices for the control of ~10-μm and longer wavelength radiation is emphasized, and the physics of a new device (a plasma-beam deflector) is discussed.
A dynamical model of priming and repetition blindness

We describe a model of visual word recognition that accounts for several aspects of the temporal processing of sequences of briefly presented words. The model utilizes a new representation for written words, based on dynamic time warping and multidimensional scaling. The visual input passes through cascaded perceptual, comparison, and detection stages. We describe how these dynamical processes can account for several aspects of word recognition, including repetition priming and repetition blindness.
The Acquisition of Computer-Aided Dispatch Systems Administrative and Political Considerations

Although many have explored the impact of technology on police agencies, less attention has been paid to the factors regarding a decision to acquire new technology. This article examines the process of selecting computer-aided dispatch systems in large municipal police agencies. Specifically, it examines the experiences of the Boston Police Department in selecting a new computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system operationalized on June 7, 1994. The influence of stakeholder groups, including politicians, administrators, and the department, is considered. Department staff members are interviewed to determine whether they believe that the CAD acquisition has made a difference after 5 years of operation. Finally, a series of recommendations regarding the selection of a CAD system is presented.
Fat and carbohydrate metabolism during and following hemorrhagic shock in puppies: A comparison of different resuscitation protocols

Shock states continue to carry a high mortality rate in the pediatric age group. Using a puppy model, we measured the initial metabolic response to hemorrhagic shock and to 3 resuscitation regimens: whole blood 1∶1 (replacement∶shed), lactated Ringer's 3∶1, and 5% albumin in lactated Ringer's 1∶1. Despite the immature nature of the puppy's enzyme, cardiovascular, and nervous systems, responses very similar to those in adult animals were seen. Serum glucose and free fatty acids rose during shock and declined with resuscitation as cardiac output returned toward normal. Serum lactate levels rose similarly but continued to rise for a short period after resuscitation and were associated with a further fall in pH consistent with “hidden acidosis.” Only small changes were noted in triglyceride and cholesterol levels. The metabolic responses noted following each of the 3 resuscitation protocols were similar. This study suggests that the immature animal responds to hemorrhagic shock in ways similar to the adult. The better initial hemodynamic response to resuscitation with high-volume lactated Ringer's or lactated Ringer's with 5% albumin was offset by the better buffering capacity of blood resuscitation. All 3 regimens were equally efficacious in providing initial metabolic recovery in this experimental hemorrhagic shock model.
Reconstructing dynamic events from time‐limited spatially distributed data

This paper presents a method of reconstructing dynamic events from limited photographically recorded responses. It is based on a wavelet representation of the unknown applied loading in conjunction with a general finite element program. The incorporation of regularization terms provides a robust solution to these usually ill-conditioned problems. The method allows for the data collected to be of dissimilar type (e.g. strain and displacement), as well as for the data to be collected remotely. As a demonstration of the method, multiple force reconstructions for an impacted plate with a hole are determined using synthetically generated Moire displacement data. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stress relaxation in SSC 50mm dipole coils

We are measuring the stress relaxation of SSC 50mm outer coils with the goal of predicting how much of the coil prestress will be lost while the coils are warehoused between manufacture and cooldown. We manufacture 3 inch (76.2mm) long segments of coil with the same materials and techniques that have been used for prototype coils. We are running four simultaneous tests in an attempt to separate the contributions of the different coil materials. Test one is a completely insulated coil section where the insulation is the all polyimide system being tested at Brookhaven; test two is a wire stack insulated only with the normal Kapton overwrap; test three is a stack of bare cable; and test four is a completely insulated normal coil section. All, except for the bare cable, include the ground insulation. The insulated coil sections are carefully dried before loading and testing in order to eliminate stress changes due to varying moisture content. The temperature dependence of the stress relaxation is being studied separately. Three companion papers presented at this conference will be: 1) “Temperature dependence of the viscoelastic properties of SSC coil insulation” 2) “Measurement of the elastic modulus of Kapton perpendicular to the plane of the film at room and cryogenic temperatures” 3) “Theoretical methods for creep and stress relaxation studies of SSC coil.”
Organic matter flow in stream food Webs with reduced detrital resource base

Food webs based on flows of organic matter were developed for two small streams to examine food web response to a large reduction in detrital inputs. At the study site, Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in the southern Appalachians, leaf litter inputs and associated microbial assemblages are the main energy source for food webs in headwater streams. We eliminated leaf litter inputs to one stream using a net placed over the first 180 m of stream from its origin. Food webs based on flow of organic matter were developed for a reference stream and the litter-excluded stream for two months, July and December of year 1 of the litter exclusion, to examine effects of leaf litter exclusion on the trophic base of the food web, size distribution of flows, predator-prey interactions, and trophic structure. Flows (mg AFDM·m 22 ·d 21 ; AFDM 5 ash-free dry mass) were estimated using gut content analyses for detritus and prey items, coupled with secondary production esti- mates. We used a whole-stream 13 C tracer method to estimate assimilation of bacteria by invertebrates. The food webs encompassed most (84-91%) of invertebrate secondary pro- duction, but ,30% of the estimated total links. The primary sources of organic matter for the food web in the reference stream were leaf tissue, bacterial carbon, and animal prey, with ;25-30% of total secondary production derived from each. In-stream primary pro- duction led to ,1% of invertebrate secondary production. A higher fraction of food web production in the litter-excluded stream was derived from wood. Magnitudes of detrital flows were lower in the litter-excluded stream, and some taxa were missing compared to the reference stream. The fraction of predator ingestion approached 100% of total secondary production for both streams, but this predation was distributed diffusely among several taxa. Flows to predators were fewer and smaller in the litter-excluded stream, yet these flows had higher per-biomass consumption coefficients, suggesting stronger interactions among the remaining common taxa. These food webs enabled us to examine interactions among taxa in the streams; hence, we found responses of the stream ecosystem to litter- exclusion that we would not have considered had we only measured changes in invertebrate population sizes or system-level changes in organic matter flow.
An examination of self-compassion in relation to positive psychological functioning and personality traits

This study examined the relation of self-compassion to positive psychological health and the Wve factor model of personality. Self-compassion entails being kind toward oneself in instances of pain or failure; perceiving one’s experiences as part of the larger human experience; and holding painful thoughts and feelings in balanced awareness. Participants were 177 undergraduates (68% female, 32% male). Using a correlational design, the study found that self-compassion had a signiWcant positive association with self-reported measures of happiness, optimism, positive aVect, wisdom, personal initiative, curiosity and exploration, agreeableness, extroversion, and conscientiousness. It also had a signiWcant negative association with negative aVect and neuroticism. Self-compassion predicted signiWcant variance in positive psychological health beyond that attributable to personality.
Deficient SUMO Attachment to Flp Recombinase Leads to Homologous Recombination-dependent Hyperamplification of the Yeast 2 μm Circle Plasmid

Many Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants defective in the SUMO pathway accumulate elevated levels of the native 2 μm circle plasmid (2 μm). Here we show that accumulation of 2 μm in the SUMO pathway mutants siz1Δ siz2Δ, slx5Δ, and slx8Δ is associated with formation of an aberrant high-molecular-weight (HMW) form of 2 μm. Characterization of this species from siz1Δ siz2Δ showed that it contains tandem copies of the 2 μm sequence as well as single-stranded DNA. Accumulation of this species requires both the 2 μm–encoded Flp recombinase and the cellular homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway. Importantly, reduced SUMO attachment to Flp is sufficient to induce formation of this species. Our data suggest a model in which Flp that cannot be sumoylated causes DNA damage, whose repair via HRR produces an intermediate that generates tandem copies of the 2 μm sequence. This intermediate may be a rolling circle formed via break-induced replication (BIR), because mutants defective in BIR contain reduced levels of the HMW form. This work also illustrates the importance of using cir° strains when studying mutants that affect the yeast SUMO pathway, to avoid confusing direct functions of the SUMO pathway with secondary effects of 2 μm amplification.
Strategic Nonviolent Conflict in Kosovo

The popular struggle for autonomy and then independence waged in Kosovo throughout the last decade is analyzed within a Strategic Nonviolent Conflict framework. The degree to which the nonviolent movement's actions lessened totalitarianism and promoted democracy is then assessed. Reasons for the perceived failures of the nonviolent tactic and the ensuing rise of a violent approach are explored. Finally, the impact that the violent phase had on the successes achieved through prior nonviolent actions is examined, followed by concluding remarks on the significance of the mass exodus of Kosovar refugees as viewed from a Strategic Nonviolent Conflict perspective.
On concurrent error detection with bounded latency in FSMs

We discuss the problem of concurrent error detection (CED) with bounded latency in finite state machines (FSMs). The objective of this approach is to reduce the overhead of CED, albeit at the cost of introducing a small latency in the detection of errors. In order to ensure no loss of error detection capabilities as compared to CED without latency, an upper bound is imposed on the introduced latency. We examine the necessary conditions for performing CED with bounded latency, based on which we extend a parity-based method to permit bounded latency. We formulate the problem of minimizing the number of required parity bits as an integer program and we propose an algorithm based on linear program relaxation and randomized rounding to solve it. Experimental results indicate that allowing a small bounded latency reduces the hardware cost of the CED circuitry.
Architectural software configuration management in Molhado

Software development is a dynamic process where engineers constantly modify and refine their systems. As a consequence, everything evolves including designs, system's architectural structure, and implementation source code. This paper contributes a novel approach to manage architectural evolution of software systems at the logical level. Key to Molhado architectural software configuration management (SCM) system is its architectural system model in which the architectural concepts are integrated into the system model to enable the management of unplanned evolution of software architecture. Via our product versioning SCM approach, consistent configurations are maintained not only among source code but also with the high-level software architecture. Molhado's architectural system model can also be extended to support different architectural description languages and architectural styles.
Alterations in syncytiotrophoblast cytokine expression following treatment with lipopolysaccharide.

Problem The placental syncytium is a differentiated cell type on the surface of the villus that has the potential to release cytokines directly to maternal blood. Responsiveness of this cell type to inflammatory compounds remains largely unelucidated. Method of study Response to a pro-inflammatory (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and an anti-inflammatory (dexamethasone, DEX) compound was studied in primary cultures of syncytiotrophoblasts (SCTs). Cells were incubated with and without LPS and DEX. Cytokine levels in conditioned media were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and proteome arrays. Results LPS treatment induced a fourfold increase in interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in SCTs. LPS enhanced the expression of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in SCTs. DEX treatment reduced IL-8 levels in control and LPS-treated cultures by 70–90%. Conclusion Cytokine expression in SCTs was enhanced by LPS treatment and this effect was suppressed by glucocorticoid treatment. This suggests that inflammatory compounds may alter cytokine expression in the syncytium throughout gestation.
Legal and Policy Implications of Allowing Patents on Genes

This paper would deal with the issue of 'gene patents' by tracing its origins through U.S. case laws and the contemporary place it occupies in the legal theory. Further the paper would draw policy implications of patenting gene sequences from a third world country perspective, especially for India. The first section would trace various important judicial pronouncements in the U.S. and Europe dealing with the patenting of biotechnological innovations up to the watershed case of Diamond v. Chakrabarty. This section would find that a constant expansion in the patentability criteria of law took place in the field of biotechnological innovations to make the law more and more inclusive in its scope. Next section would theorize around the nature and unique characteristics of 'gene sequences' as biotechnological innovations and discuss various episodes of attempts to patent 'gene sequences'. Through a multi-pronged analysis consisting of the established principles of patent law to the ethical dimension it invokes, this section would further study arguments advanced by the advocates of gene patents in various forums. Third section would raise some policy concerns that have been increasingly voiced by several medical practitioners and independent biochemical researchers, who have warned that gene patents would freeze all bio-medical innovations. The last section would argue that implementing gene patents is a bad legal policy choice and highly undesirable for a developing country like India.
Manifold Dual Contouring

Dual contouring (DC) is a feature-preserving isosurfacing method that extracts crack-free surfaces from both uniform and adaptive octree grids. We present an extension of DC that further guarantees that the mesh generated is a manifold even under adaptive simplification. Our main contribution is an octree-based topology-preserving vertex-clustering algorithm for adaptive contouring. The contoured surface generated by our method contains only manifold vertices and edges, preserves sharp features, and possesses much better adaptivity than those generated by other isosurfacing methods under topologically safe simplification
Book Note: Public Justice and the Anthropology of Law

Book note of "Public Justice and the Anthropology of Law" by Ronald Niezen. In Public Justice and the Anthropology of Law, Niezen unpacks the complicated and at times elusive relationship between a nebulous entity known as the ‘public’ and marginalized groups seeking recognition of their collective culture rights. The central theme of the book surrounds the “new forms of legal sociability, expressed above all through identities that coalesce around legal claims and processes”. Publics, Niezen argues, play a key role in shaping the identity and strategic behavior of cultural rights claimants. By appealing to publics, these claimants can push publics to lobby for their cause. Public mobilization in turn helps to ensure the enforcement of international legal norms by exerting pressuring on the violating party, whether a state or otherwise. Compliance is ultimately effected through “moral suasion and reputational cost”, thereby ensuring the protection of the impugned cultural right.
Characterization of Acoustically-Induced Forces of the Human Eardrum

Human eardrum or Tympanic Membrane (TM) is a thin structure located at the boundary between outer and middle ears. Shape, deformations, and thickness of the mammalian TMs have been studied by several groups; however, sound-induced forces of the TM, and the question of “how large the forces produced by acoustic waves are along the manubrium at the input to the middle-ear ossicular system?” have not been fully answered. In this paper, sound-induced forces in the human TM are measured at different tonal frequencies and at several points on its surface. A calibrated force sensor with a resolution of 0.5 μN is used with a 3D nano-positioner, enabling accurate placing of the sensor at points of interests on the TM surface. A closed-loop control system is designed and implemented in order to realize constant preload of the sensor at all the measuring points. Concomitant to the force measurements, time-averaged and three-dimensional stroboscopic holographic interferometry are used to compare the modal shape of the sound-induced motion of the TM before and after the presence of the force sensor. The preliminary results show that the maximum sound-induced forces at the umbo occurs at frequencies between 1.5 and 2.3 kHz, whereas the maximum forces for locations on the surface of the TM occurs at around 5–6 kHz.
The Processing and Characterization of Hybrid Silica-Based Xerogel Films

Hybrid organic-inorganic xerogel films were deposited as porous thin films by spinning the precursor sol on silicon substrates. Films of various compositions were prepared using combinations of the following precursors: methyltrimethoxysilane, dimethoxydimethylsilane and tetramethoxysilane (TMOS). The hybrid films exhibited excellent gap-filling capabilities (0.45 micron trenches). Thermal desorption experiments indicate that heating to ≈130 C removes moisture and volatile organic constituents present in the as-cast film. Curing was found to increase the adhesion between the xerogel and the silicon substrate. Moisture was found to be responsible for an increase in the dielectric constant. That is, in ambient, the dielectric constant for a cured film was found to be 4.4; but in a dry atmosphere, it decreased to 2.5. Current-voltage measurements show the cured hybrid film possesses a breakdown field of 3.4 MV/cm.
Long-Term Effects of Hippotherapy on One Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Research Case Study

Introduction:This case study followed a 6-year-old child with cerebral palsy for an additional 24 weeks after a 12-week pilot study of hippotherapy (HPOT).Method:Pre-post measures were performed us...
Uptake and retention of estrogens by uteri from rats in various thyroid states.

SummaryUterine uptake and retention of 3H-estradiol-17β in rats subjected to varying levels of thyroid hormones were studied in vivo and in vitro. Uteri from thyroxine-treated rats had a lesser in vivo retention and in vitro uptake of estrogens whereas thyroidectomized rat uteri had greater in vivo retention and in vitro uptake compared with controls.
Microbes make the cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer worldwide. Although the overall death rate from CRC is declining in the United States, in part because of effective screening, there is still a need to identify therapeutic targets for the prevention of this cancer. There are well-
73 CALCIUM DEPLETION PREVENTS ADENOVIRUS INDUCTION OF INTERLEUKIN-8 AND CELL ENTRY, BUT NOT ERK ACTIVATION

The host response to adenovirus (Ad) infection involves induction of cytokines in both hemopoietic cells and lung epithelia. This is accompanied by an initial neutrophilic alveolitis. We have demonstrated induction of the lung neutrophil chemokine IL-8 by Ad7, a major lung pathogen, in A549 lung epithelial cells and lung tissue in an Erk (extracellular-signal-regulated-kinase)-dependent manner. We wished to determine the mechanism of chemokine induction from the standpoint of the Ad infectious cycle in the epithelial cell and whether Erk induction is sufficient for this process. A549 cells were exposed to Ad treated with psoralen/UV irradiation, which terminates the infectious cycle prior to viral gene expression. This treatment significantly diminished viral gene expression but not IL-8 gene induction as measured by semiquantitative RT-PCR. We then inhibited internalization of Ad by treatment of cells with EGTA in the presence of calcium-free media. The treatment inhibited internalization by 81% as determined by FACS for Ad hexon in the presence or absence of trypsin, and as visually determined by confocal microscopy. We next measured the effect of inhibition of internalization by EGTA + calcium free conditions on IL-8 induction and Erk induction. PMA (100 ng/mL) was used as a positive control, virus-free buffer as a negative control. Ad7 and PMA induced IL-8 release by 3-4 fold and 12-22 fold respectively over buffer-exposed cells. Conditions preventing Ad internalization inhibited IL-8 induction 70-80% by Ad7, but only 8-37% by PMA. The same conditions transiently delayed, but did not significantly inhibit Erk induction by Ad7. The results demonstrate that inhibition of Ad internalization, but not viral gene expression, prevents the cellular response of IL-8 induction by Ad. The data also show that Erk induction occurs prior to internalization and is required for IL-8 induction. Thus the site of induction of IL-8 by Ad is internal to the cell membrane, but external to the nucleus. In addition, Erk induction, while necessary, is not sufficient for IL-8 induction by Ad.
Cross sections for (π, πn) reactions on 14N and 19F at the (32,32) resonance

Abstract Neutron knockout cross sections induced by π + mesons on 14 N and by π + and π − mesons on 19 F were measured at 190 MeV relative to 12 C. Results are compared to both qualitative and rigorous theoretical models.
Quasi-Single-Mode Fiber Transmission for Optical Communications

The transmission of a single fundamental mode in a fiber with cutoff wavelength above the transmission band is studied as a means of allowing a larger fiber effective area and reducing fiber nonlinearity. The reduction of nonlinear impairments is achieved at the expense of a potential new linear impairment in the form of multipath interference (MPI). We use a power-coupled-mode formalism to analyze the growth of MPI, and the effects of fiber and cable attributes on its magnitude and the required complexity of digital signal processing to combat the MPI. Hybrid fiber spans comprised partially of a quasi-single-mode fiber are also analyzed using a modification of the Gaussian noise model of coherent systems to predict optimal configurations, and results from transmission experiments are presented that demonstrate very high spectral efficiencies and performance surpassing that of a purely single-mode fiber system.
Politische Ökologie des Postsozialismus

Abstract. The consequences and effects of the socialist experiment are still felt today, a quarter century after the system change in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. The political, economic and social transformation processes which occurred in this period have only partially led to a convergence with the West. The former socialist societies show, to this day, striking differences and specific paths, which is why "postsocialism" as an explanatory category is still of relevance. Although political ecology was established decades ago, its research activities touching various fields and resulting in numerous studies conducted in rural and urban contexts around the world, there are hardly any political-ecological studies that deal with the post-socialist reality of Eurasia. A central field of political ecology stems from questions about the relationships between political and socio-economic transformation processes, on the one hand, and poverty, vulnerability and environmental change, on the other. Such problems occur in a particularly striking manner in the former "Second World" countries. Here, the spatial and temporal multiscalar approach of political ecology appears well suited to analyse the transformations of human-environment relationships. Political-ecological studies in the post-socialist sphere must take into account some special features, such as the legacy of socialist modernization, the disastrous environmental damages of the planned economy or the reconfiguration of institutions. This article discusses the conceptual particularities and challenges for a political ecology of post-socialism.
The hybridized Discontinuous Galerkin method for Implicit Large-Eddy Simulation of transitional turbulent flows

Abstract We present a high-order Implicit Large-Eddy Simulation (ILES) approach for transitional aerodynamic flows. The approach encompasses a hybridized Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method for the discretization of the Navier–Stokes (NS) equations, and a parallel preconditioned Newton-GMRES solver for the resulting nonlinear system of equations. The combination of hybridized DG methods with an efficient solution procedure leads to a high-order accurate NS solver that is competitive to alternative approaches, such as finite volume and finite difference codes, in terms of computational cost. The proposed approach is applied to transitional flows over the NACA 65-(18)10 compressor cascade and the Eppler 387 wing at Reynolds numbers up to 460,000. Grid convergence studies are presented and the required resolution to capture transition at different Reynolds numbers is investigated. Numerical results show rapid convergence and excellent agreement with experimental data. In short, this work aims to demonstrate the potential of high-order ILES for simulating transitional aerodynamic flows. This is illustrated through numerical results and supported by theoretical considerations.
Mexican American Siblings Caring for Aging Parents: Processes of Caregiver Selection/Designation*

This study reports results from a qualitative investigation of the experiences of 10 Mexican American adult sibling pairs (Total participants = 20) who were caring for an aging parent. The specific...
Interpreting Successes of a Community College-University Partnership in Retaining Underrepresented Engineering Students

Previous research points to both individual and institutional factors that impact recruitment and retention of women and minorities in STEM fields. Scholars exploring persistence rates among minorities have argued that academic preparedness, rather than socioeconomic status per se, is responsible for differences between minority and white students. In addition, a number of institutional factors are found within engineering and education literature to affect retention of women and URM students. These factors include gender and ethnic isolation, a lack of mentors and absence of peer support, low expectations and unsupportive attitudes of science and engineering faculty who are predominantly white and male (Campbell 1997). In light of these issues, the North West Engineering Talent Expansion Partnership (NW-ETEP), a statewide collaborative project among four community colleges and two universities, was undertaken in Washington State in 2004. The main goal of the project was to increase the number of students earning undergraduate engineering degrees statewide, with attention to URMs and females. In this paper we use cross sectional data analysis of student survey responses collected over a four year period from NW-ETEP participants to address some of the key factors impacting recruitment and retention of women and minorities. We show that among NW-ETEP students, while there are no significant differences between under and overrepresented groups in terms of their feeling academically prepared, there are significant differences in student groups’ academic self confidence over time. We also examine students’ perceptions of institutional factors including climate and access to mentorship. Lastly, our analysis demonstrates differing concerns between men and women regarding the ability to balance work and life activities in STEM fields.
When Should Screening and Surveillance Be Used during Pregnancy

Drug-using pregnant women have historically been subject to surveillance that criminalizes addiction, detracts from care, and increases health risks.
Proximal Versus Distal Continuous Adductor Canal Blocks: Does Varying Perineural Catheter Location Influence Analgesia? A Randomized, Subject-Masked, Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND:A continuous adductor canal block provides analgesia after surgical procedures of the knee. Recent neuroanatomic descriptions of the thigh and knee led us to speculate that local anesthetic deposited in the distal thigh close to the adductor hiatus would provide superior analgesia compare
Characterizing canopy height with UAS structure-from-motion photogrammetry—results analysis of a maize field trial with respect to multiple factors

ABSTRACTUnmanned aircraft system (UAS) measured canopy height has frequently been determined by means of digital surface models (DSMs) derived from structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry without examining specific metrics in detail. Multiple geospatial factors to be considered for the purpose of generating an accurate height estimation were characterized and summarized in this letter using UAS-SfM photogrammetry over an experimental maize field trial. This particular study demonstrated that: 1) the 99th percentile height in a 25 cm-wide crop row polygon provided the best canopy height estimation accuracy; 2) the height difference between using a rasterized DSM and direct three-dimensional (3D) point cloud was minor yet steadily increased when the DSM resolution value grew; and 3) the accuracy of the DSM-based canopy height estimation dropped significantly after the DSM resolution became coarser than 12 cm. Results also suggested that the cost function introduced in this letter has the potential to be ...
Effectiveness of winter temperatures for satisfying chilling requirements for reproductive budburst of red alder (Alnus rubra).

Background Experiencing an adequate amount of cold temperatures over winter is necessary for many temperate tree species to break dormancy and flower in spring. Thus, changes in winter and spring temperatures associated with climate change may influence when trees break dormancy and flower in the future. There have been several experimental studies that have quantified the effectiveness of cold temperatures for chilling requirements for vegetative budburst of temperate trees; however, there are few experimental studies addressing the chilling requirements for reproductive budburst of trees, as it is difficult to place reproductively mature trees in temperature-controlled environments. Methods To identify how changing temperatures associated with climate change may impact reproductive phenology, we completed a temperature-controlled growth chamber experiment using cuttings of reproductive branches of red alder (Alnus rubra), one of the most widespread hardwood tree species of the Pacific Northwest, USA. The purpose of this study was to examine how colder (4 °C) and warmer (9 °C) winter temperature regimes influenced the timing of reproductive budburst of red alder cuttings in spring. We also compared the date of budburst of cuttings to that of branches from intact trees. Results We found that cuttings flowered earlier after pretreatment with a 4 °C winter temperature regime than after a 9 °C winter temperature regime. We found no significant differences between the timing of male budburst of cuttings exposed to ambient conditions compared to male budburst of branches from intact trees. We used our experimental data to estimate a "possibility-line" that shows the accumulated chilling and forcing temperatures necessary prior to reproductive budburst of red alder. Discussion This study provides a preliminary indication that warmer winters with climate change may not be as effective as colder winters for satisfying chilling temperature requirements of a Northwest hardwood tree species.
Extraterritoriality in a Globalized World

This article examines doctrines governing extraterritorial jurisdiction and their evolution in response to the forces of globalization. These doctrines were shaped in this century first by the shift from private law to public power that attended the rise of the regulatory state, and then by a particular concern with the rise of American power. The emergence of a globalized economy poses a new set of challenges and temptations likely to require a rethinking of the fundamental bases of extraterritorial jurisdiction. This article does not undertake that task, but examines the current state of US law on extraterritorial jurisdiction and discovery with an eye to future trends. It proposes that a number of current judicial decisions are best analyzed not as definitive assertions of government power but rather as interim efforts to ascertain the nature and intensity of a foreign government?s preferences. Further, it examines the temptation to use courts as tools of foreign policy, insisting on the need to distinguish between unilateral foreign policy objectives and cooperative or coordinated transnational legal solutions to global problems. Finally, it argues that globalization poses a problem of deciding when national actors can legitimately escape national regulatory obligations by moving offshore. Efforts to address this issue may portend a synthesis of the doctrinal tests applicable to ascertain the scope of regulatory jurisdiction with respect both to foreign entities acting in or with an effect on national territory and domestic entities acting abroad.
ONCOGENES AND PROTO-ONCOGENES | jun Oncogenes

The discovery of oncogenic transcription factors brought into focus an important aspect of oncogenesis, deregulated transcription. Transcriptional controls are the principal determinant of gene expression profiles that characterize specific cellular phenotypes in development and differentiation. Jun is a transcriptional regulator with strong oncogenic potential. It plays an important role in the cell cycle and promotes cell proliferation. Jun activity is tightly controlled in the normal cellular context. With that control absent, Jun can induce cancer in the animal and likely contributes to the development of malignancies in man, including pulmonary disease.
ESR And Liquid Crystals: Statistical Mechanics and Generalised Smoluchowski Equations

A general overview of molecular dynamics in liquid crystals is presented, which will serve as the basis for our discussion of ESR experiments.
Science Instruments and Experiments

By the beginning of the Space Age in 1957, astronomers had for centuries been developing increasingly powerful instruments with which to obtain views, images, and spectral information about the objects in interplanetary space and beyond. Foremost among these was the 200-inch diameter Hale Telescope atop Mt. Palomar in California, situated in the clear stable air above the most dense and turbulent parts of our atmosphere [1]. Its cameras and spectrometers have been evolving, since the telescope became operational (after thirteen years of mirror polishing) in 1949, to make best use of Hale’s large aperture and precise focus. Today, it even has an adaptive optics system that uses a small deformable mirror to “un-twinkle” the objects it observes through the turbulent air, the better to learn about their nature.
Construction and Applications of Interpolation Formulas

The objective of this paper is to discuss an interpolation scheme that possesses the following important properties: (1) The interpolant depends finearly and only locally on the data, (2) arbitrary interpolation problems, including Birkhoff interpolation, can be handled, (3) any desired approximation order can be achieved, (4) the interpolation procedure can be made adaptive, and (5) the interpolation formula can be adopted for real-time apphcations. Due to its flexibility and simplicity, this interpolation method is expected to have many apphcations in addition to the standard ones such as interpolation of discrete data. One such application that will be discussed in this paper is solution of initial value and boundary value problems.