cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protein tyrosine nitration of mitochondrial carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 and its functional consequences.

Mitochondria are the primary locus for the generation of reactive nitrogen species including peroxynitrite and subsequent protein tyrosine nitration. Protein tyrosine nitration may have important functional and biological consequences such as alteration of enzyme catalytic activity. In the present study, mouse liver mitochondria were incubated with peroxynitrite, and the mitochondrial proteins were separated by 1D and 2D gel electrophoresis. Nitrotyrosinylated proteins were detected with an anti-nitrotyrosine antibody. One of the major proteins nitrated by peroxynitrite was carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) as identified by LC–MS protein analysis and Western blotting. The band intensity of nitration normalized to CPS1 was increased in a peroxynitrite concentration-dependent manner. In addition, CPS1 activity was decreased by treatment with peroxynitrite in a peroxynitrite concentration- and time-dependent manner. The decreased CPS1 activity was not recovered by treatment with reduced glutathione, suggesting that the decrease of the CPS1 activity is due to tyrosine nitration rather than cysteine oxidation. LC–MS analysis of in-gel digested samples, and a Popitam-based modification search located 5 out of 36 tyrosine residues in CPS1 that were nitrated. Taken together with previous findings regarding CPS1 structure and function, homology modeling of mouse CPS1 suggested that nitration at Y1450 in an α-helix of allosteric domain prevents activation of CPS1 by its activator, N-acetyl-l-glutamate. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the tyrosine nitration of CPS1 by peroxynitrite and its functional consequence. Since CPS1 is responsible for ammonia removal in the urea cycle, nitration of CPS1 with attenuated function might be involved in some diseases and drug-induced toxicities associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.
Recognitional Legitimacy and the State System

Presentation de la structure elementaire d'une theorie morale de la legitimite par reconnaissance, fondee sur le critere de la justice minimale (respect des droits de l'homme). Rejetant l'approche nonconsequentialiste de l'usage justifie de la coercition, ainsi que l'approche teleologique de la pratique institutionnelle de la reconnaissance a l'echelle du systeme juridique international, l'A. montre qu'une theorie de la legitimite par reconnaissance s'appuie sur la coherence du raisonnement moral fonde sur la paix et la justice de l'ordre international; en aucun cas elle ne presuppose la ligitimite morale de l'ordre international
Review of Ionospheric Effects at VHF and UHF

This paper summarizes the present-day knowledge of ionospheric effects at vhf and uhf, with the exception of forward scattering of vhf radio waves by the ionosphere. The seven effects covered in the paper are: Radar Echoes from Aurora, Radar Echoes from Meteors, The Faraday Effect and Radar Echoes from the Moon, Radio Noise of Auroral Origin, Absorption of Radio Waves by the Ionosphere, Refraction of Radio Waves by the Ionosphere, and the Scintillation of the Radio Stars. Each ionospheric effect has in turn been divided into separate subtopics, and the main results are given in these subsections, with particular emphasis upon providing references to the original papers. In this way the reader wishing to know the answer to a specific problem will speedily be able to find a summary of the main published results in the field, and also be able to learn which papers deal with the particular topic of interest.
Kinematics of gray crescent formation in Xenopus eggs: The displacement of subcortical cytoplasm relative to the egg surface☆

Specification of the amphibian dorso-ventral axis takes place in the period between fertilization and first cleavage when the gray crescent forms. In the course of gray crescent formation, the egg reorganizes its periphery by a movement for which two descriptions have been given. According to the "rotation hypothesis," which was originated and supported for Rana eggs, the entire egg cortex rotates by an arc of 30 degrees relative to the stationary subcortical cytoplasm, leaving the crescent as a zone of altered coloration. The "contraction hypothesis" on the other hand, which was proposed for Xenopus and Rana eggs, asserts that there is a cortical contraction focused at the sperm entry point that leads to stretching of the opposite equatorial zone at which the crescent appears. We have reinvestigated the case of Xenopus eggs by imprinting one kind of fluorescent dye pattern (Nile blue) onto the subcortical cytoplasm and another kind (fluorescein-lectin) onto the egg surface. When the egg surface is held fixed by embedding the egg in gelatin, two major movements of the subcortical cytoplasm are observable. First, starting at time 0.3 (30% of the time between fertilization and first cleavage), the animal hemisphere subcortical cytoplasm converges toward a point, while the vegetal hemisphere is quiescent. This convergence continues with decreasing strength until approximately 0.8 of the first cell cycle. Second, at 0.45, an overall rotation of the animal and vegetal subcortical cytoplasm commences, superimposed on the animal hemisphere convergence. By 0.8-0.9 the rotation is complete, having accomplished a 30 degrees displacement of the subcortical cytoplasm relative to the surface. This rotation reliably locates the future dorsal midline of the embryo at the meridian on which the displacement of the subcortical cytoplasm is greatest in a vegetal direction. In normal unembedded eggs, when the egg surface is free to move, it rotates 30 degrees relative to the subcortical cytoplasm, which remains stationary in a position of gravitational equilibrium. Although both a convergence and rotation occur in the Xenopus egg, we give evidence that the rotation, not the convergence (perhaps equated with contraction), specifies the embryo's prospective axis. Even though the Xenopus egg does not form a classical gray crescent, due to its particular pigment distribution, the reorganization process which specifies the future embryonic axis resembles that of the Rana egg.
Embracing complexity: organicism for the 21st century.

Organicism (materialistic holism) has provided the philosophical underpinnings for embryology since the time of Kant. It had influenced the founders of developmental mechanics, and the importance of organicism to embryology was explicitly recognized by such figures as O. Hertwig, H. Spemann, R. Harrison, A. M. Dalq, J. Needham, and C. H. Waddington. Many of the principles of organicism remain in contemporary developmental biology, but they are rarely defined as such. A combination of genetic reductionism and the adoption of holism by unscientific communities has led to the devaluation of organicism as a fruitful heuristic for research. This essay attempts to define organicism, provide a brief history of its importance to experimental embryology, outline some sociologically based reasons for its decline, and document its value in contemporary developmental biology. Based on principles or organicism, developmental biology should become a science of emerging complexity. However, this does mean that some of us will have to learn calculus. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Enantiodifferentiation of dihydropyridine PAF antagonists

Abstract The PAF antagonist activity of a series of enantiomeric dihydropyridines is described. In the first example, 1 , the PAF antagonist activity and calcium channel blocking activity reside in opposite enantiomers. Subsequent examples also display enantioselectivity and the SAR of the series is described.
Reply to “Comments on the paper ‘Characteristics of high-density tokamak ignition reactors’”

According to Galvao, the .values chosen for limiter safety factor (qa = 2.5) and poloidal beta (βp = 0.5 R0/ap) in our illustrative examples of compact, high-density, high-field tokamak operation [Nucl. Fusion 1976 16 31] may be too optimistic for plasmas of non-circular cross-section. Galvao's treatment, however, applies only to elliptical plasmas. In fact, MHD-stability analysis shows that plasmas of D-shaped, doublet, and rectangular cross-sections are stable at lower values of q than are available to elliptical plasmas of the same shape factor, S.
The effective electromechanical moduli of ferroelectric crystals with engineered domain configurations

We present a micromechanical analysis to explain the enhanced electromechanical properties of ferroelectric single crystals with engineered domain configuration. The theory starts with energy-minimization approach, where all possible energy minimizing domain configurations are characterized as the convex hull of the ferroelectric energy wells, and are constructed by multi-level laminations. The effective electromechanical moduli of ferroelectric single crystal with engineered domain configuration can then be determined exactly by the homogenization theory. Using this approach, we analyzed the engineered domain configuration in tetragonal single crystal BaTiO3 poled in direction, where d33 70% higher than those poled in direction has been demonstrated, consistent with experimental observation. It is also found that the two-variant domain configurations have higher enhancement than three-variant systems, suggesting an optimal domain configuration for the enhanced piezoelectric properties. The theory reveals the fundamental property enhancement mechanism in ferroelectric single crystals with engineered domain configuration, and offers insight on the design and optimization of ferroelectric single crystals with superior functional properties.
The Proctoring Center: Software and Hardware Needs for the Disabled Student

Many universities and colleges, when recruiting new students, look at the special needs students with trepidation, because of the necessity for special facilities for housing, software and hardware needs, classroom access, and testing accommodations. In addition to students who had recent accommodations, non-traditional students returning to college may need additional help with testing accommodations. Not all students realize that accommodations are available for them. This paper will examine the LAP/S (Learning Assistance Providers/and Services) Proctoring Center, testing accommodations and special software and hardware availability for students with special needs
Downstream Movement of Fish in a Tributary of Southern Lake Superior

Abstract The influence of two environmental factors, stream flow and water temperature, on the downstream movement of four fish species in the Big Garlic River over a 12-yr period are described. Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) migrated after floods had subsided in the spring and during rising water in the fall at temperatures of about 10°C. Brook sticklebacks (Culaea inconstans) moved downstream chiefly in winter. Mottled sculpins (Cottus bairdi) moved primarily in the winter and during floods. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) appeared to move generally in the fall as water levels increased and water temperatures decreased.
Surface Modification of Polyethylene through Bromination

Surface bromination of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was carried out by brief exposure to gaseous bromine followed by UV irradiation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggests two different types of C−Br groups. Atomic force microscopy and wetting studies reveal that excessive bromination is accompanied by severe surface roughening. A nucleophilic substitution reaction was used to introduce surface 4-aminobenzenethiolate functionalities. UV spectral analysis indicates a grafting density of 2.9 bromine atoms per 100 A2 for the first bromination cycle.
Will They Stay or Will They Go? Exploring a Customer-Oriented Approach To Employee Retention

Keeping or losing the best workers can be critical to whether an organization can maintain a competitive advantage and whether operations in the organization run smoothly and efficiently. Simply stated, if the best workers are not retained, an organization can be negatively affected from the operational to the strategic level. This article focuses on employee retention from the perspective of a customer-based model. This approach considers employees as internal customers of management and the model provides organizations ways to influence whether employees decide to stay or go. Additionally, the model distinguishes retention practices based upon the value of employees to the organization. Measurement and application issues are identified along with directions for future research.
Multigene engineering: dawn of an exciting new era in biotechnology

Development of a rice variety enriched in provitamin A, the accumulation of polyhydroxybutyrate polyester in Arabidopsis nuclear transgenic plants (with enzymes targeted to chloroplasts in both), and the expression of bacterial operons via the chloroplast genome are recent landmark achievements in multigene engineering. Hyper-expression of transgenes has resulted in the formation of insecticidal protein crystals or inclusion bodies of pharmaceutical proteins in transgenic chloroplasts, achieving the highest level of transgene expression ever reported in transgenic plants. These achievements illustrate the potential of multigene engineering to realize benefits of the post-genomic revolution.
Poverty and environmental degradation in Africa: towards sustainable policy for reversing the spiral

The nexus of poverty and the environment has led to a situation where the poor are both the victims and perpetrators of environmental damage in Africa. This paper examines the primary issues contributing to the downward spiralling two-way relationship between poverty and environmental degradation in Africa, and then discusses and analyses priority areas of a managed and sustainable policy framework for reversing that spiral. It is argued that Africa entered the 21st Century as the world's worst failure in social, economic, human and technological development. Consequently, poverty is an enduring challenge in the region for which policy formulation and implementation needs to be ratcheted up. Similarly, the approach to arresting environmental degradation in Africa must be given a greater focus within the context of the poverty and environmental damage nexus. This work shows that both local and national environmental concerns have immediate and directly attributable effects primarily on the poor.
Protoplasts of systemic dimorphic fungal pathogens: Histoplasma capsulatum and Blastomyces dermatitidis.

Protoplasts have been released fromH. capsulatum in the mycelial and yeast phases and from the mycelial and incompletly converted yeast phase ofB. dermatitidis by the enzymatic action of snail digestive juice. There is great variation in the mode of protoplast formation not only between species but between the two morphological forms, particularly inH. capsulatum
Deconstructing contact hole CD printing variability in EUV lithography

Lithographic CD printing variability can be easily captured with a CDU measurement, however delineating the most significant sources causing the variability is challenging. In EUV lithography, the resist, reticle, metrology methodology, and stochastics are examples of factors that influence printing variability. Determining the most significant sources of variability in contact hole and via patterning is particularly interesting because the variability can be measured as a function of two tethered dimensions. Contact hole (CH) variability has a direct impact on device performance while via variability affects metal area scaling and design. By studying sources of variability opportunities for improving device performance and scaling can be identified. In this paper, we will examine sources of contact patterning variability in EUV lithography comprehensively using various EUV exposure tools as well as simulation methods. We will present a benchmark of current state of the art materials and patterning methods with the goal of assessing contact hole printability at the limit of 0.33 NA EUV lithography.
Design and analytic concepts for periodontal clinical trials.

Aspects of the design and analysis of periodontal clinical trials are surveyed from a biostatistical perspective. Design issues discussed include protocol preparation, subject selection and its documentation, randomization, problems associated with the sample versus population paradigm in sampling of microbes and gingival fluid constituents, quality control, cross-over and split-mouth versus parallel-arm designs, blinding, and multicenter trials. Analytic discussion deals with the definition and choice of analytic unit, appropriate methods for the analysis of data from multiple sites within the same subject, the nature and application of randomization tests, interim analyses, subgroup analyses, and multiple comparison issues. Examples are provided to illustrate the feasibility of analyzing site-specific data while accounting for intra-subject correlation, which represents the increased similarity of sites chosen from the same mouth as compared to sites from different patients. J Periodontol 1992; 63:1124-1140.
The pathology of congestive heart failure

Abstract It may be stated that the newer techniques of electron microscopy and histochemistry appear ideal for the study of the ultimate pathogenesis of the failing myocardium. Investigations of the ultrastructure of myofilaments and mitochondria, together with changes in sulfhydryl groups, adenosinetriphosphatase activity, and magnesium, as well as variations in activity of the respiratory enzymes, promise new insight into the mechanisms of congestive failure
Solid-Matrix Fluorescence and Phosphorescence and Solid-Phase Microextraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Hydrophobic Paper

Solid-matrix fluorescence (SMF) and solid-matrix phosphorescence (SMP) have been used in conjunction with solid-phase microextraction to characterize mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) isolated from water. Whatman 1PS paper was used to extract the PAH from water, and then the isolated PAHs were directly identified on the paper by obtaining SMF and SMP spectra. The SMF and SMP properties of 10 PAH were obtained, and the PAHs in a two-component mixture, a three-component mixture, and a four-component mixture were easily identified by a combination of SMF and SMP. No external heavy atom was needed to acquire the SMP data. Benzo[e]pyrene gave a limit of detection of 6.2 pg/mL with SMP, and with SMF benzo[a]pyrene gave a limit of detection of 19 pg/mL.
A Bivariate Distribution Family with Specified Marginals

Abstract A systematic approach is given for constructing continuous bivariate distributions with specified marginals and ixed dependence measures. This approach is based on linear combinations of independent random variables and results in bivariate distributions that can attain the Frechet bounds. The dependence measures considered are Spearman's rho and Kendall's tau. Applications to testing for sensitivity in simulation models are discussed.
Sensitivity of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) terrestrial primary production to the accuracy of meteorological reanalyses

[1] The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA's satellites, Terra and Aqua, dramatically improves our ability to accurately and continuously monitor the terrestrial biosphere. MODIS information is used to estimate global terrestrial primary production weekly and annually in near-real time at a 1-km resolution. MODIS terrestrial primary production requires daily gridded assimilation meteorological data as inputs, and the accuracy of the existing meteorological reanalysis data sets show marked differences both spatially and temporally. This study compares surface meteorological data sets from three well-documented global reanalyses, NASA Data Assimilation Office (DAO), European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) (ERA-40) and National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis 1, with observed weather station data and other gridded data interpolated from the observations, to evaluate the sensitivity of MODIS global terrestrial gross and net primary production (GPP and NPP) to the uncertainties of meteorological inputs both in the United States and the global vegetated areas. NCEP tends to overestimate surface solar radiation, and underestimate both temperature and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). ECMWF has the highest accuracy but its radiation is lower in tropical regions, and the accuracy of DAO lies between NCEP and ECMWF. Biases in temperature are mainly responsible for large VPD biases in reanalyses. MODIS NPP contains more uncertainties than GPP. Global total MODIS GPP and NPP driven by DAO, ECMWF, and NCEP show notable differences (>20 Pg C/yr) with the highest estimates from NCEP and the lowest from ECMWF. Again, the DAO results lie somewhere between NCEP and ECMWF estimates. Spatially, the larger discrepancies among reanalyses and their derived MODIS GPP and NPP occur in the tropics. These results reveal that the biases in meteorological reanalyses can introduce substantial error into GPP and NPP estimations, and emphasize the need to minimize these biases to improve the quality of MODIS GPP and NPP products.
Personal health records: protecting behavioral health consumers' rights.

Patient-centric Personal Health Records (PHRs) are a critical companion to Health Information Technology (HIT) policy and strategy worldwide. Along with Electronic Health Records (EHRs), PHRs have ...
Mean delay analysis of a statistical multiplexer with batch arrival processes—a generalization to Viterbi's formula

Abstract The delay analysis of a statistical multiplexer with heterogeneous input sources is presented in this paper. The traffic generated by an individual source is described in terms of a discrete-time Batch Markovian arrival process with geometrically distributed idle periods. An exact closed form expression for the mean packet delay in the system is obtained by exploiting the stochastic structure of the packet arrival processes. The derived expression is a generalization of the formula developed originally by Viterbi.
Cytosine Deaminase/5-Fluorocytosine Exposure Induces Bystander and Radiosensitization Effects in Hypoxic Glioblastoma Cells in vitro

Purpose: Treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) is limited by therapeutic ratio; therefore, successful therapy must be specifically cytotoxic to cancer cells. Hypoxic cells are ubiquitous in GBM, and resistant to radiation and chemotherapy, and, thus, are logical targets for gene therapy. In this study, we investigated whether cytosine deaminase (CD)/5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) enzyme/prodrug treatment induced a bystander effect (BE) and/or radiosensitization in hypoxic GBM cells. Methods and Materials: We stably transfected cells with a gene construct consisting of the SV40 minimal promoter, nine copies of a hypoxia-responsive element, and the yeast CD gene. During hypoxia, a hypoxia-responsive element regulates expression of the CD gene and facilitates the conversion of 5-FC to 5-fluorouracil, a highly toxic antimetabolite. We used colony-forming efficiency (CFE) and immunofluorescence assays to assess for BE in co-cultures of CD-expressing clone cells and parent, pNeo- or green fluorescent protein–stably transfected GBM cells. We also investigated the radiosensitivity of CD clone cells treated with 5-FC under hypoxic conditions, and we used flow cytometry to investigate treatment-induced cell cycle changes. Results: Both a large BE and radiosensitization occurred in GBM cells under hypoxic conditions. The magnitude of the BE depended on the number of transfected cells producing CD, the functionality of the CD, the administered concentration of 5-FC, and the sensitivity of cell type to 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion: Hypoxia-inducible CD/5-FC therapy in combination with radiation therapy shows both a pronounced BE and a radiosensitizing effect under hypoxic conditions.
Serologic and Immunologic Studies of Group II Meningococcus Strains.

effected by the use of serum produced with a strain, no. 3,855, originally selected for study because the case history suggested a lack of efficacy in the therapeutic serum employed. The strain was classified as group II on the basis of its agglutination reactions with standard serums, and proved to be highly virulent for mice. Since the standard multivalent and also group II serums previously shown to be of relatively high titer4 failed to protect mice against the strain, a study of its antigenic activity was undertaken first by the immunization of rabbits and later, of horses. Routine methods of immunization were
The effect of drop size on emissions from the primary zone of a gas turbine type combustor

Some of the important variables influencing the processes of liquid fuel combustion and pollutant generation are: i) fuel drop size, ii) local equivalence ratio, iii) inlet air temperature, iv) combustor pressure, v) residence time, and vi) recirculation. In order to isolate the effects of these variables a research type combustor has been designed and is now operative. The combustor uses an air-fuel preparation system which allows independent and controlled variation of each of the above variables. A stable flame can be maintained within the combustor without the aid of an artificial flame holder. Pollutant level measurements have been made for the following range of conditions: o i) spray Sauter mean diameter 26–45 μm ii) primary zone equivalence ratio 0.9–1.1 Unheated inlet air was used for these tests with the combustor exhausting into the open atmosphere. The emission samples were extracted at a point 6-1/2 in. from the injector plate along the combustor axis. Results from the measurements made so far show the following trends at the fixed sampling location for decreasing drop size: i) a decrease in the unburned hydrocarbon levels, ii) an increase in CO level at the point of sapling, and iii) a decrease in the mean values of NO concentrations. Mathematical analysis of the emission data successfully predicted the presence of solid carbon for large drops and the lack of same with the smaller drops.
Intercellular communication and tissue growth: VIII. A genetic analysis of junctional communication and cancerous growth.

Normal, proliferating cells are interconnected at their junctions by membrane channels through which molecules can pass from cell to cell (Loewenstein, W.R. 1966.Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 137:708). A channel-competent, normally growing cell (human fibroblast) was hybridized with a channel-incompetent cancer cell (mouse L-1d cell), and the segregant hybrid clones were analyzed in a genetic approach to the question of whether the junctional membrane channels are instrumental in transmission of growth-controlling molecular signals. The channel competence of the human parent was characterized by the ability to transfer small inorganic ions (electrical coupling) and fluorescein, and the growth patterns of this cell, by growthin vitro to low saturation densities and nontumorigenicity in immuno-suppressed hosts. The mouse parent cell had the opposite characteristics. The early hybrid generations (which still had a large part of each parent chromosome complement) were of two classes: one class resembled the human parent cell in channel competence,in vitro growth pattern, and low tumorigenicity within 26 days; the other class presented an intermediate expression of channel competence characterized by transfer of small inorganic ions but not of fluorescein. As the hybrid generations lost human chromosomes, there was segregation of several biochemical and morphological traits, but no segregation of channel competence and normal growth traits. Among the segregants were 22 clones which had reverted to the channel-incompetent trait of the mouse parent. In every case, reversion to the channel defect went hand in hand with reversion to the growth defect, just as, in the early-generation hybrids, correction of the channel defect went hand in hand with correction of the growth defect. Thus, the human genetic factor that corrects the channel defect of the mouse parent cell seems closely linked, if not identical, with that correcting the growth defect. This genetic correlation encourages us in the belief that the channel defect may be an etiological factor in this particular cancer form.
Hypoperfusion without Ischemia Surrounding Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage

A zone of hypoperfusion surrounding acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has been interpreted as regional ischemia. To determine if ischemia is present in the periclot area, the authors measured cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2), and oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) with positron emission tomography (PET) in 19 patients 5 to 22 hours after hemorrhage onset. Periclot CBF, CMRO2, and OEF were determined in a 1-cm-wide area around the clot. In the 16 patients without midline shift, periclot data were compared with mirror contralateral regions. All PET images were masked to exclude noncerebral structures, and all PET measurements were corrected for partial volume effect due to clot and ventricles. Both periclot CBF and CMRO2 were significantly reduced compared with contralateral values (CBF: 20.9 +/- 7.6 vs. 37.0 +/- 13.9 mL 100 g(-1) min(-1), P = 0.0004; CMRO2: 1.4 +/- 0.5 vs. 2.9 +/- 0.9 mL 100 g(-1) min(-1), P = 0.00001). Periclot OEF was less than both hemispheric OEF (0.42 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.47 +/- 0.13, P = 0.05; n = 19) and contralateral regional OEF (0.44 +/- 0.16 vs. 0.51 +/- 0.13, P = 0.05; n = 16). In conclusion, CMRO2 was reduced to a greater degree than CBF in the periclot region in acute ICH, resulting in reduced OEF rather than the increased OEF that occurs in ischemia. Thus, the authors found no evidence for ischemia in the periclot zone of hypoperfusion in acute ICH patients studied 5 to 22 hours after hemorrhage onset.
Democracy and Durability: Empirical Analysis and a Causality Test

The current literature has failed to differentiate between the collapse of democratic and authoritarian rules or whether democratic regimes collapse for the same reasons as do authoritarian regimes. Therefore, the current literature is silent on whether democracies are more fragile or less susceptible to economic and political breakdowns. Using a multitude of political instability variables, this paper explores empirically, whether political freedom and civil liberty (a proxy for democracy) has any effect on the stability of the political order. The empirical results of the paper confirm the hypothesis that democracy is conducive to political stability; the higher the level of political freedom and civil liberty, the more stable countries are. The paper also presented a Granger-causality test of political instability and the level of political freedom and civil liberty. The test results indicate that the level of political freedom and civil liberty Granger-cause the level of political instability, while the level of political instability does not Granger-cause the level of political freedom and civil liberty. The test results indicate that Granger-causality runs one-way from political freedom and civil liberty to political instability and not the other way. A further comprehensive research is needed on the multi-layered and the complex relationship among democracy and the resilience of the political order.
To confirm or not to confirm (microarray data)--that is the question.

A letter discussing the issues surrounding post-hybridization confirmatory studies of microarray data.
Deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy in the irradiated prostate

A retrospective study was performed to determine whether the ploidy of localized prostate cancer was correlated with the response to radiation therapy. Prostate tissue was obtained from 69 patients prior to and at least 22 months following definitive radiation therapy. A positive postradiation biopsy of a hypoechoic lesion obtained under transrectal ultrasound guidance was taken as evidence of a failure to respond to therapy. Only 20% of these patients had negative posttherapy biopsies. This poor response rate was similar, regardless of whether the pretreatment tumor was diploid or aneuploid. Treatment failure was correlated with an increased incidence of aneuploid histograms after therapy. Prior to therapy, 80% of the tumors were diploid; after therapy, only 56% were diploid, whereas nontetraploid-aneuploid tumors had increased 3-fold. Among 44 patients who had diploid tumors prior to therapy, the residual prostate cancer was tetraploid in five cases and nontetraploid-aneuploid in ten cases.
Lymphotoxin-β Receptor Signaling Is Required for the Homeostatic Control of HEV Differentiation and Function

The lymphotoxin axis is important for the maintenance of several specialized lymphoid microenvironments in secondary lymphoid tissue. Lymphoid-tissue architecture is highly plastic and requires continual homeostatic signaling to maintain its basal functional state. The cellularity of lymph nodes in adult mice was reduced by systemic blockade of lymphotoxin-beta receptor (LTbeta R) signaling with a soluble decoy receptor both in resting and reactive settings. This reduction in cellularity resulted from greatly impaired lymphocyte entry into lymph nodes due to decreased levels of peripheral lymph node addressing (PNAd) and MAdCAM on high endothelial venules (HEV). LTbeta R signaling was required to maintain normal levels of RNA expression of MAdCAM, and also of PNAd by regulating the expression of key enzymes and scaffold proteins required for its assembly. Thus, the homeostatic maintenance of functional HEV status in adult mice relies largely on LTbeta R signaling.
Independent Cities and Counties in Virginia: Substitute Jurisdictions?

Cities and counties are overlapping jurisdictions in most US states. Virginia cities, however, are independent of counties, with separate tax bases and residents. This paper examines whether the Virginia system creates a horizontal relationship resembling that among cities in other states. It uses revealed preference axioms to compare spending patterns against competitive median voter benchmarks. The results show that cities and counties in metropolitan areas function like horizontal rivals in the Virginia system, in contrast with the vertical relationship imposed by the overlapping jurisdiction structure in other states.
Laser-induced thermal desorption (LITD) from zeolites: Apparatus and technique for rapid, in vacuo sample desorption for FTi.r. analysis

Abstract For accurate FT i.r. analysis, especially in the hydroxyl region, zeolites must be desorbed of water, hydrocarbons, or other sorbates. We have designed and demonstrated a novel, integrated apparatus that can rapidl desorb zeolite samples in vacuo using a laser, then can acquire FT i.r. spectra. Infrared radiation from a CO 2 laser is directed at a sample that is held in a vacuum cell. Selective absorbance in the TO 4 stretching region heats the zeolite while the stainless-steel cell remamins cool. Since only the thin sample must cool after being blocked from the laser beam, and not the large thermal mass of the cell, spectra are acquired shortly after desorption is completed. Sample heat-up/cool-down cycles are reduced to 1–3 min from 4–5 h for conventional resistively hested cells. Thermal stress on windows and seals is avoided without external cooling. Illustrative results for ZSM-5 are discussed.
Management strategies for type A dissection complicated by peripheral vascular malperfusion

Abstract Background End-organ malperfusion is a dreaded complication of type A aortic dissections. Different strategies have been proposed to manage this complex cohort of patients. Ideal management includes the rapid restoration of organ perfusion while avoiding catastrophic rupture and tamponade. We present our experience with primary aortic repair as the optimal method of patient management. Methods From July 1997 until April 2003, 101 patients underwent dissection repair and were assessed for malperfusion of the central nervous system, renal, visceral or extremity circulation. Patients with coronary artery malperfusion were analyzed separately. Aortic repair was performed expeditiously utilizing femoral bypass, circulatory arrest, and antegrade perfusion after completion of the distal anastomosis. Persistent malperfusion led to additional procedures. In-hospital morbidity, end-organ salvage, and mortality were determined. Chi-square analysis defined variables contributing significantly to outcome. Results Twenty-three patients presented with malperfusion. The operative mortality for the entire cohort with malperfusion, 4.4% (n = 1), was not greater than those without it, 5.1% (n = 4). Five patients required additional procedures following aortic repair, a majority in patients with persistent extremity ischemia. All deficits resolved except for one patient with spinal ischemia and one with visceral ischemia. Visceral malperfusion was highly lethal with a mortality of 33% (n = 1). All other patients presenting with malperfusion survived to discharge. Conclusions Patients with malperfusion in the setting of acute type A dissection should undergo immediate aortic reconstruction as the primary means of reestablishing end-organ perfusion. Early postoperative intervention for persistent deficits leads to a gratifyingly high rate of end-organ salvage.
The Data Acquisition and Analysis Complex for the BNL Low Energy Accelerator Facility

The Data Acquisition and Analysis Complex is based on an SDS Sigma-7 computer with special purpose hardware. This complex will be time-shared by users at four independent accelerators. Each user may perform computations or data analysis while simultaneously collecting data and displaying results. A special feature of this complex is that the displays, programs and data are maintained on disc memories thus freeing the central processor and core memory for independent time-sharing tasks.
Hydrodynamics and multi-level non-LTE radiative transfer in pulsating atmospheres: Cepheids

The atmospheres of classical Cepheids cannot be represented adequately by a sequence of hydrostatic equilibrium atmospheric models (see Sasselov and Lester 1990 and references therein). Observational evidence for shocks is also available at least since Kraft (1956). Both the disequilibrium and the non-linear phenomena affect the emergent spectra and spectral line profiles of the Cepheids. In the lower amplitude variables the effects may be subtle, yet still lead to significant systematic discrepancies.
Disasters, Catastrophes, and Policy Failure in the Homeland Security Era1

The September 11 attacks triggered federal policy changes designed to influence emergency management in the United States, even though these attacks did not suggest a need for a wholesale restructuring of federal policy in emergency management. Instead, for several reasons, federal policy’s emphasis on terrorism and emergency management significantly degraded the nation’s ability to address natural disasters. The federal government sought to create a top-down, command and control model of emergency management that never fully accounted for, positively or normatively, the way local emergency management works in practice. The Obama administration will have to address the questions raised by the reorganization of federal emergency management responsibilities. While the context in which these changes have occurred is unique to the U.S. federal system, there are interesting implications for emergency management in nonfederal systems.
Effects of increased step width on frontal plane knee biomechanics in healthy older adults during stair descent.

article i nfo Background: Peak internal knee abduction moment is a common surrogate variable associated with medial compartment knee loading. Stair descent has been shown to yield a greater peak knee abduction moment compared to level-walking. Changes in step width (SW) may lead to changes in frontal plane lower extrem- ity limb alignment in the frontal plane and alter peak knee abduction moment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of increased SW on frontal plane knee biomechanics during stair descent in healthy older adults. Methods: Twenty healthy adults were recruited for the study. A motion analysis system was used to obtain three-dimensional lower limb kinematics during testing. An instrumented 3-step staircase with two additional customized wooden steps was used to collect ground reaction forces (GRF) data during stair de- scent trials. Participants performed five stair descent trials at their self-selected speed using preferred, wide (26% leg length), and wider (39% leg length) SW. Results: The preferred normalized SW in older adults during stair descent was 20% of leg length. Wide and wider SW during stair descent reduced both first and second peak knee adduction angles and abduction moments compared to preferred SW in healthy adults. Conclusions: Increased SW reduced peak knee adduction angles and abduction moments. The reductions in knee abduction moments may have implications in reducing medial compartment knee loads during stair descent.
An Examination of the Gender Inclusiveness of Current Theories of Sexual Violence in Adulthood: Recognizing Male Victims, Female Perpetrators, and Same-Sex Violence

Although the majority of adulthood sexual violence involves a male perpetrator and a female victim, there is also substantial evidence that members of both genders can be victims and perpetrators of sexual violence. As an alternative to viewing sexual violence within gender-specific terms, we advocate for the use of a gender inclusive conceptualization of sexual aggression that takes into account the factors that contribute to sexual victimization of, and victimization by, both men and women. The goal of the current review is to examine the need and importance of a gender inclusive conceptualization of sexual violence and to discuss how compatible our current theories are with this conceptualization. First, we examine evidence of how a gender-specific conceptualization of sexual violence aids in obscuring assault experiences that are not male to female and how this impacts victims of such violence. We specifically discuss this impact regarding research, law, public awareness, advocacy, and available victim treatment and resources. Next, we provide an overview of a number of major sexual violence theories that are relevant for adult perpetrators and adult victims, including neurobiological and integrated biological theories, evolutionary psychology theory, routine activity theory, feminist theory, social learning and related theories, typology approaches, and integrated theories. We critically examine these theories' applicability to thinking about sexual violence through a gender inclusive lens. Finally, we discuss further directions for research, clinical interventions, and advocacy in this area. Specifically, we encourage sexual violence researchers and clinicians to identify and utilize appropriate theoretical frameworks and to apply these frameworks in ways that incorporate a full range of sexual violence.
Interactive thermal modeling of electronic circuit boards

The numerical modeling of printed circuit board (PCB) configurations is addressed. Determining an optimal PCB design typically requires modeling and testing several different chip configurations. At present, much of the time and cost spent modeling these various configuration is repetitive in nature, with the same chip or board being regenerated several times before obtaining the most efficient design. By using a decoupled, iterative, numerical technique, a more systematic and efficient method for determining PCB temperature distributions has been developed and incorporated into a controlling algorithm which utilizes any standard finite-element code. Steady-state temperature distributions are obtained for each decoupled chip/board component by iterating upon decoupled interface boundary conditions until convergence is obtained. The main advantages of this decoupling technique are the elimination of repetitive numerical-model generation and the high level of interactive design provided. >
Plasmonic sensors based on semiconductor laser diode packages

We combine plasmonic grating structures with commercially available semiconductor laser diode packages to realize a prototype miniaturized chemical/bio-sensor.
A methodology for characterizing fault tolerant switched reluctance motors using neurogenetically derived models

This paper examines the feasibility of using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and genetic algorithms (GAs) to develop discrete time dynamic models for fault free and faulted switched-reluctance-motor (SRM) drive systems. The results of using the ANN-GA-based (neurogenetic) model to predict the performance characteristics of a prototype SRM drive motor under normal and abnormal operating conditions are presented and verified by comparison to test data.
Spontaneous triadic engagement in bonobos (Pan paniscus) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Humans are believed to have evolved a unique motivation to participate in joint activities that first develops during infancy and supports the development of shared intentionality. We conducted five experiments with bonobos (Pan paniscus) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) (Total n 119) to assess their motivation to spontaneously participate in joint activities with a conspecific or a human. We found that even the youngest subjects preferred to interact together with a human and a toy rather than engaging in an identical game alone. In addition, we found that subjects could spontaneously interact with a human in a turn-taking game involving passing a ball back and forth and used behaviors to elicit additional interaction when the game was disrupted. However, when paired with a conspecific, subjects preferred to interact with an object individually rather than together. Our results indicate that nonhuman apes are motivated to engage in triadic activities if they occur spontaneously with humans and require a minimum amount of coordination. These findings leave open the question of whether these activities are coordinated through shared intentions.
Renormalization of scalar and Yukawa field theories with Lorentz violation

We consider a theory of scalar and spinor fields, interacting through Yukawa and ${\ensuremath{\phi}}^{4}$ interactions, with Lorentz-violating operators included in the Lagrangian. We compute the leading quantum corrections in this theory. The renormalizability of the theory is explicitly shown up to one-loop order. In the pure scalar sector, the calculations can be generalized to higher orders and to include finite terms, because the theory can be solved in terms of its Lorentz-invariant version.
Hybrid multi/single layer array transducers for increased signal-to-noise ratio

In medical ultrasound imaging, two-dimensional (2-D) array transducers are necessary to implement dynamic focusing in two dimensions, phase correction in two dimensions and high speed volumetric imaging. However, the small size of a 2-D array element results in a small clamped capacitance and a large electrical impedance, which decreases the transducer signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). We have previously shown that SNR is improved using transducers made from multi-layer PZT, due to their lower electrical impedance. In this work, we hypothesize that SNR is further increased using a hybrid array configuration: in the transmit mode, a 10 /spl Omega/ electronic transmitter excites a 10 /spl Omega/ multi-layer array element; in the receive mode, a single layer element drives a high impedance preamplifier located in the transducer handle. The preamplifier drives the coaxial cable connected to the ultrasound scanner. For comparison, the following control configuration was used: in the transmit mode, a 50 /spl Omega/ source excites a single layer element, and in the receive mode, a single layer element drives a coaxial cable load. For a 5/spl times/102 hybrid array operating at 7.5 MHz, maximum transmit output power was obtained with 9 PZT layers according to the KLM transmission line model. In this case, the simulated pulse-echo SNR was improved by 23.7 dB for the hybrid configuration compared to the control. With such dramatic improvement in pulse-echo SNR, low voltage transmitters can be used. These can be fabricated on integrated circuits and incorporated into the transducer handle.