cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Corrupting the Sublime Sultanate: The Revolt of Tanyus Shahin in Nineteenth-Century Ottoman Lebanon

Sectarianism is an orphan of history.This paper was originally presented to the Davis Seminar at Princeton University's Shelby Cullom Davis Center for Historical Studies, in November 1998. I am grateful to the participants in the seminar as well as my colleagues at Rice University, whose criticisms helped make this essay more coherent. That, at least, seems to be the consensus of the scholarship on Middle Eastern religious violence. Unlike recent studies of communalism in India and Spain,For the case of India, see Gyan Pandey, The Construction of Communalism in Colonial North India (Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1992); and Sandria B. Freitag, Collective Action and Community (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1989). For Spain, see David Nirenberg, Communities of Violence (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996). which have explored the cultural and discursive aspects of sectarian violence, analyses of Middle Eastern religious mobilizations have long been, and remain, preoccupied with the alleged failure of the Middle East to modernize—with its failure, in other words, to replicate a secular Western path of development.
(s,S) Equilibria in Stochastic Games

We study a class of two-player continuous time stochastic games in which agents can make (costly) discrete or discontinuous changes in the variables that affect their payoffs. It is shown that in these games there are Markov-perfect equilibria of the two-sided (s, S) rule type. In such equilibria at a critical low state (resp, high state), player 1 (resp. 2) effects a discrete change in the environment. In some of these equilibria either or both players may be passive. On account of the presence of fixed costs (to discrete changes), the payoffs are non-convex and hence standard existence arguments fail. We prove that the best response map satisfies a strong monotonicity condition and use this to establish the existence of Markov-perfect equilibria. The first-best solution is also a two-sided (s, S) rule but the symmetric first-best solution has a wider (s, S) band than the symmetric Markov equilibrium. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.
Regulatory focus and temporal distance

Abstract Four studies identify and examine a temporal component to regulatory focus. Results support the assertion that promotion focus tends to predominate for temporally distant goals, whereas proximal goals are characterized by more balanced consideration of both promotion- and prevention-focused concerns. In Study 1, students rated the importance of promotion and prevention goals at two points in time: 2 weeks before and a few minutes before an examination. Promotion goal importance increased with temporal distance, whereas prevention goal importance remained constant over time. Study 2 replicated this pattern holding the actual time-span constant (3.5 weeks) and varying only the psychological sense of proximity/distance. In Study 3, subjects rated the regulatory focus of goals at varying points in time, both future and past. The temporal effect was replicated for both time periods. Study 4 provided evidence for the reverse effect, that of regulatory focus on the perceived temporal distance of future goals. Taken together, these findings suggest an integration across research domains that links regulatory focus to temporal perspective for both prospective and retrospective judgments.
Maximum conversion efficiency for the utilization of direct solar radiation

Abstract The maximum conversion efficiency for the utilization of direct solar energy is investigated. A fixed quantity of radiation is considered, and the essergy or potential work of the system is determined. The more significant case of a steady-flow process which is representative of realistic collection and utilization systems is also investigated. For the steady-flow process the Carnot efficiency for a reversible engine operating between fixed temperatures is obtained as the limiting value.
Prevention of thrombosis and rethrombosis and enhancement of the thrombolytic actions of recombinant tissue‐type plasminogen activator in the canine heart by DMP728, a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonist

Abstract 1. We studied DMP728, a non-peptide glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist, for prevention of coronary artery thrombosis or rethrombosis in a chronic canine model subjected to arterial injury. 2. In protocol I, DMP728 (1.0 mg kg-1, i.v., n = 8) or saline (n = 8) was administered and a 150 microA anodal current was applied to the intimal surface of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX). Dogs were monitored for 6 h and again on each of 5 subsequent days. 3. Ex vivo platelet aggregation was inhibited but returned to baseline 1 day after drug administration. Thrombus weight was reduced (saline, 20.7 +/- 5.0 mg; DMP728 1.7 +/- 0.4 mg; P < 0.05), as was infarct size [saline, 27.5 +/- 4.3; DMP728, 1.6 +/- 0.7 (per cent left ventricle); P < 0.05]. All control animals died by day 3, while all but one of the treated dogs survived the entire protocol (P < 0.05). 4. In protocol II, an LCX thrombus was induced and thrombolytic therapy was initiated 30 min later. DMP728 (1.0 mg kg-1, i.v., n = 8) or saline (n = 8) was administered 5 min after recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator infusion had begun. The incidence of reocclusion was reduced by DMP728 (saline, 4/8; DMP728, 1/8). One day after thrombolysis, 7/8 DMP728-treated animals were alive compared with 1/8 in the control group (P = 0.01). 5. DMP728 inhibited ex vivo platelet aggregation, prevented primary and secondary occlusive thrombus formation, reduced thrombus weight and infarct size and increased survival in a chronic canine model of coronary artery thrombus formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Intermediate tunnelling-hopping regime in DNA charge transport

Charge transport in molecular systems is typically through coherent tunnelling over a short distance or incoherent hopping over a long distance. An intermediate regime between those two transport mechanisms has now been found for DNA systems with stacked guanine–cytosine sequences.
Bench-scale studies on the simultaneous formation of PCBs and PCDD/Fs from combustion systems

The presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment has wide-ranging potential ecological and health impacts on animals and humans. A significant amount of experimental and theoretical work has been performed the examining formation and control of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), which account for only part of the EDCs being emitted from combustion devices. Generally accepted mechanistic theories for PCDD/F formation propose heterogeneous reactions in the cooler regions of the combustor involving gas-phase organic precursors (such as chlorobenzenes or chlorophenols), a chlorine donor [such as hydrogen chloride (HCl)], and a flyash-bound metallic catalyst (such as copper chloride). There is evidence that some other proposed EDCs, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are formed through a similar mechanistic pathway as PCDD/Fs. In addition, there is evidence that certain important steps in the catalytic reaction between the copper catalyst and the organic precursors may suggest a common rate limiting step for the heterogeneous formation of the previously mentioned EDCs. This paper reports on a bench-scale experimental study to characterize a newly built reactor system that was built to: produce levels and distributions of PCDD/F production similar to those achieved by previous researchers; verify similar responses to changes in independent variables; examine the hypothesis that PCB formation rates exhibit trends similar to PCDD/F formation rates as reactor variables are changed; and begin to explore the dependence of PCB formation on temperature and precursor type. The reactor system has been built, and initial reactor characterization studies have been performed. Initial experiments yielded results that support the hypothesis of a similar formation mechanism of PCBs and PCDD/Fs in combustors. Initial experiments uncovered potential deficiencies with the reactor system and the experimental procedures and have suggested corrective action to improve the experimental system.
Kainate receptor pharmacology and physiology

Glutamate is the primary neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. One of the classes of ionotropic glutamate receptors is kainate receptors. Recent developments in the pharmacology of kainate receptors have resulted in the emergence of several selective agonists and antagonists. These compounds have allowed scientists to begin to probe the functional properties of these receptors in neurons and gain a better understanding of the role of these receptors in the nervous system.
Decisive convergence spaces

We examine a class of convergence spaces characterized by the property that ultrafilters which converge to a given point x are in a certain sense independent of those which do not. Such spaces are said to be decisive. This definition gives every indication of being a natural one as the following facts will testify: (a) The set of all decisive convergence structures on a set S is a sublattice of the set of all convergence structures on S; (b) Any product of decisive convergence structures is decisive; (c) The image of a decisive convergence space under a quotient map is again decisive. Decisiveness shares with the property of being "almost pretopological" the distinction of being a necessary condition for a convergence space to be pretopologically coherent, and, in what is perhaps our main result, we obtain a complete solution to Problem 1 of [1] by showing that a convergence space is pretopologically coherent if and only if it is simultaneously decisive and almost pretopological. We also give simple characterizations for decisive pretopological spaces and decisive T 1 topological spaces.
Evaluation of Arkansas Rous Sarcoma Regressor and Progressor Lines and Giant Jungle Fowl for Genetic Resistance to the Northern Fowl Mite

Arkansas B1B1R, B2B2R, and B3B3R regressor lines, Arkansas B1B1Pr, B2B2Pr, and B3B3Pr progressor lines, and Giant Jungle Fowl were infested simultaneously at 28 weeks of age with northern fowl mites. The chickens were maintained in similar environments and mite ratings were recorded weekly for 5 months. No strains were completely resistant to mites, but there were significant (P less than or equal to .05) differences among strains in degree of infestation. The regressor lines generally showed significantly (P less than or equal to .05) less infestation than the progressor lines for both female and male chickens. The regressor lines appear to have genetic factors from the Giant Jungle Fowl in the development of the regressor lines that imparted increased resistance to the northern fowl mite.
Anodal electrolytic brain lesions: how current and electrode metal influence lesion size and hyperphagiosity.

Abstract Anodal electrolytic (DC) lesion were placed in the medial hypothalami of rats. With equal current parameters iron electrodes deposited more iron which produced larger lesions which produced greater weight gains than did stainless steel electrodes. Stainless steel electrode lesions were in turn larger and therefore more effective than equicoulombic lesions via platinum-iridium electrodes. Current delivered slowly via iron or steel electrodes produced larger lesions and as a result greater weight gains than did more rapid delivery of the same number of coulombs. Iron deposition appears to mediate iron and steel electrode lesions. Platinum electrode lesions seem to be mediated by oxygen bubbles and acidosis.
Precursors to skin cancer

Certain cutaneous lesions serve as both precursors of skin cancer and markers for increased risk. The solar or actinic keratosis serves such a role for the nonmelanoma (NMSC) forms of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma). Clinically, these keratoses manifest as rough, scaly, erythematous patches on chronically sun-exposed surfaces. Conversion to squamous cell carcinoma in an individual lesion is uncommon and has been estimated at 1 per 1000 per year. Individuals with actinic keratoses have had sufficient chronic photodamage to produce skin cancer, and regular surveillance is recommended. The second precursor for invasive NMSC is Bowen's disease (squamous cell carcinoma in situ). Invasion of the dermis results in frank squamous cell carcinoma. Some types of viral warts may develop into squamous cell carcinoma. The most important precursor/marker for melanoma is the clinically atypical mole (CAM) or dysplastic nevus. CAMs occur in 5-10% of the U.S. population. CAMs, under photographic follow-up, have been observed to evolve into cutaneous melanoma. The frequency of conversion to melanoma of any single CAM is quite low; however, in melanoma-prone families, prospectively diagnosed melanomas arise in association with a histopathologically observed dysplastic nevus in more than 80% of the cases. Giant congenital melanocytic nevi have an approximately 6% lifetime risk of melanoma development. The risk associated with small congenital nevi is uncertain. Lentigo maligna develop into invasive melanoma with a frequency reported in the literature ranging from 5-50%.
Changes, with age, in the phospholipid content of the intestinal mucus layer of the newborn rabbit.

Abstract Background/Purpose: The high incidence of bacterial translocation in newborns is thought to be caused, in part, by the immaturity of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Recently, intestinal mucus phospholipids (PL) have been reported to be important factors in the function of this mucosal barrier. The aim of this study was to quantify changes, with age, in the intestinal mucus PL of the newborn rabbit. Methods: Mucus was gently scraped from the small intestinal mucosal surface of rabbits of different ages (0, 7, 14, and 28 days old and adult; n=6 for all groups). PL was extracted from the mucus and was separated by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. The isolated phospholipid spots were quantified for their phosphorus content. Results: Total PL content of the mucus decreased significantly with age (day 0, 21 ± 2; day 7, 16 ± 4; day 14, 9 ± 3; day 28, 2 ± 1; adult, 1 ± 1 μmol/g wet mucus; P = .0001). Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine levels in the adult rabbits were significantly lower in comparison with the 0-, 7-, and 14-day-old pups ( P P Conclusion: Significant changes in the content and composition of the intestinal mucus phospholipids were observed during the first month of life in rabbits.
Resonantly photo-pumped Li-like x-ray lasers.

We identify potential candidates for achieving x-ray lasing in Li-like ions by utilizing Ly-α or He-α radiation to photopump an electron resonantly from the n = 2 state of the Li-like ion to the n = 4 or 5 state with subsequent lasing between the n = 5 → n = 4, n = 5 → n = 3, or n = 4 → n = 3 states of the Li-like ion. To identify potential resonances we calculate all the n = 2 → n = 4 and 5 transitions in Li-like ions that look favorable to pump and identify the resonances that are possible with Ly-α or He-α radiation. Many laser candidates are identified with the baron-pumped Na scheme being modeled as it appears to be an extremely promising candidate that could be driven by pulsed power machines or optical lasers of modest energy. Since gain has already been observed in Li-like ions because of recombination one can also combine the advantages of resonant photopumping with recombination to produce an improved Li-like laser.
Quantitation of serum lactate dehydrogenase-5 with monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract Spleen cells from BALB/cJ mice which had been immunized with human lactate dehydrogenase-1 (LDH-1) were fused with SP2/0-Ag14. Two hybridomas were produced which recognized the antigen. Competitive RIA revealed that one antibody (‘Smit-LDH’) recognized the H subunit of LDH while the other (‘Hem-LDH’) recognized both H and M subunits of LDH. With the use of these antibodies we developed an assay for LDH-5 activity in which serum is incubated for 30 min at room temperature with the two antibodies (‘Smit-LDH’ and ‘Hem-LDH’ in the ratio 64:1.3, μg/ml) immobilized on latex beads to extract LDH-1 through LDH-4. After centrifugation, the LDH activity of the supernatant is measured and represents LDH-5 activity. Latex beads coated with bovine serum albumin were used as control. The LDH-5 activity as determined by our assay correlated well (r = 0.98) with the values obtained by an electrophoresis method. There was no interference due to LDH-1 through LDH-3 up to 3000 U/l and LDH-4 up to 350 U/l. Serum samples with total LDH activity above 1000 U/l were appropriately diluted in order to avoid interference by LDH-4. Use of these monoclonal antibodies allows precise, rapid and direct measurement of LDH-5 activity in serum.
A latent class mixed model for analysing biomarker trajectories with irregularly scheduled observations

This paper considers a latent class model to uncover subpopulation structure for both biomarker trajectories and the probability of disease outcome in highly unbalanced longitudinal data. A specific pattern of trajectories can be viewed as a latent class in a finite mixture where membership in latent classes is modelled with a polychotomous logistic regression. The biomarker trajectories within a latent class are described by a linear mixed model with possibly time-dependent covariates and the probabilities of disease outcome are estimated via a class specific model. Thus the method characterizes biomarker trajectory patterns to unveil the relationship between trajectories and outcomes of disease. The coefficients for the model are estimated via a generalized EM (GEM) algorithm, a natural tool to use when latent classes and random coefficients are present. Standard errors of the coefficients are calculated using a parametric bootstrap. The model fitting procedure is illustrated with data from the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer trials; we use prostate specific antigen (PSA) as the biomarker for prostate cancer and the goal is to examine trajectories of PSA serial readings in individual subjects in connection with incidence of prostate cancer.
A comparison of the equilibrium and nonequilibrium models for a multicomponent reactive distillation column

Abstract Apropriate models and computational algorithms were developed and a series of simulations for a reactive distillation tray column were performed in order to compare the equilibrium and nonequilibrium model. The homogeneous liquid phase reversible reaction between acetic acid and ethanol in production of ethyl acetate was employed as a test chemical reaction. Both the Newton–Raphson and homotopy-continuation methods were applied to solve the set of model equations. The homotopy-continuation method was found superior to the Newton–Raphson method in guaranteeing the desired solution for the nonequilibrium model. The comparison between the equilibrium and the nonequilibrium model reveals that the nonequilibrium model is to be preferred for the simulation of a tray column for reactive distillation because of the difficulty in the accurate prediction of tray efficiency for the equilibrium model. Close agreement in the prediction of the two models arises only when the tray efficiency can be correctly guessed for the equilibrium model. The effects of reaction rate and reflux ratio on the column performance were illustrated using the nonequilibrium model. The use of the heat generated by the exothermic reaction as an internal heat source in the column is discussed.
Property, Markets, and Dispossession: The Western Alaska Community Development Quota as Neoliberalism, Social Justice, Both, and Neither

: The Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) is an economic development program that allocates a portion of regional fisheries to groups representing poor, mostly indigenous people of western Alaska. The CDQ groups lease their quota to industrial fish firms and reinvest their revenues back into the fishery. In this way, quota becomes a form of property used for capital accumulation. The CDQ is conceptually confusing because it appears as neoliberal privatization and as redistribution motivated by social justice. Rather than choosing between these, this paper argues that quota-as-property brings together these seemingly opposed goals. Once the idea of property is expanded to include interdependence and reasons for property relations, it is possible to see that privatization in the CDQ embodies multiple logics without being incoherent. The paper concludes that the complex social relations of property open up space for identifying diverse practices within neoliberalism.
129Xe nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of carbon black aggregate morphology

Abstract The morphology of three ‘normal’ ASTM carbon black reinforcement fillers (N110, N347, and N472) is investigated for the first time using one- and two-dimensional 129Xe nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A wide range in 129Xe NMR chemical shift is observed among samples, and is attributed to variations in the physical nature of the unoccupied volume formed by the subunit particles of the aggregate. 129Xe NMR chemical shift and integrated intensity parameters are extracted from a single one-dimensional experiment, and interpreted in terms of aggregate void size, volume, and density. The rate of exchange of 129Xe atoms between different aggregates in a three component blend is approximated using two-dimensional exchange NMR spectroscopy, and found to occur on a timescale ∼6 ms≤τex≤∼100 ms. No evidence of xenon exchange between samples N110 and N472 was observed on timescales less than 100 ms, an apparent consequence of the small aggregate void size in these samples. The 129Xe NMR chemical shift assignments for samples N110, N347, and N472 are shown to be not significantly shifted from their non-exchanging values.
Instability Pathology of a High Speed Centrifugal Compressor

An experimental investigation is performed to characterize a high-speed centrifugal compressor as it approaches instability and during subsequent surge cycles. To achieve this, data are analyzed from the inlet, the diffuser and the exit of the compressor. Analysis of the data indicates the presence of two rotating stall modes prior to and during surge cycles. A nine cell mode pattern is shown to erupt prior to the initial surge cycle. The second rotating stall mode is a single cell mode that coincides with the initiation of the surge cycles. Both stall modes are shown to be located at or near the diffuser.Copyright © 1999 by ASME
The role of nonuniform particle distribution in plastic flow localization

Abstract A model for the role of nonuniform particle distribution in plastic flow localization is introduced and analyzed. A comparison of the overall material ductilities, characterized by the remote axial strain when localization occurs, for clusters of particles and for nonuniformly distributed particles is presented. It is found that the nonlinear localization process is largely controlled by the most critical cluster of particles when the particles are nonuniformly distributed. An estimation scheme for the localization strain is proposed and verified for arbitrary particle distributions subject to remote triaxial tension. The model has potential for predicting localization strain for ductile materials.
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Imported into the Nucleus following Ligand Binding Is Rapidly Degraded via the Cytosplasmic Proteasome following Nuclear Export

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that dimerizes with the AHR nuclear translocator protein to mediate gene regulation. However, the AHR protein is rapidly depleted in vitro and in vivo following exposure to ligands. The purpose of the studies in this report was to characterize the mechanism of AHR degradation and determine the consequence of blocking the degradation process. Western blot and immunological analysis of rat smooth muscle (A7), murine Hepa-1, and human HepG2 cells show that ligand-induced degradation of AHR is blocked when the proteasome is inhibited by MG-132. AHR degradation is also blocked in Hepa-1 and HepG2 cells when nuclear export is inhibited with leptomycin B. Mutation of a putative nuclear export signal present in the AHR results in the accumulation of AHR in the nucleus and reduced levels of degradation following ligand exposure. In addition, inhibition of AHR degradation results in an increase in the concentration of AHR·AHR nuclear translocator complexes associated with DNA and extends the duration that the complex resides in the nucleus. These findings show that nuclear export and degradation of the AHR protein are two additional steps in the AHR-mediated signal transduction pathway and suggest novel areas for regulatory control.
Differences in myofilament calcium sensitivity in rat psoas fibers reconstituted with troponin T isoforms containing the α- and β-exons

Abstract The carboxy terminus of fast skeletal muscle troponin T (fsTnT) is highly conserved. However, mutually exclusive splicing of exons 16 and 17 in the fsTnT gene results in the expression of either the α- or β-fsTnT isoform. The α-isoform is expressed only in adult fast skeletal muscle, whereas the β-isoform is expressed in varying quantities throughout muscle development. Reconstitution of detergent-skinned adult rat psoas muscle fibers with rat fast skeletal troponin complexes containing either fsTnT isoform demonstrated that reconstitution with α-fsTnT resulted in greater myofilament Ca 2+ sensitivity than reconstitution with β-fsTnT, without changes to Ca 2+ -activated maximal tension, ATPase activity or tension cost. The observed isoform-specific differences in myofilament Ca 2+ sensitivity may be due to changes in the transition of the thin-filament regulatory unit from the off to the on state, possibly due to altered interactions of the C-terminus of fsTnT with troponins I and/or C.
Weight Management Interventions in Adult and Pediatric Asthma Populations: A Systematic Review.

Background: Ample evidence suggests a dose-response relationship between increasing weight and level of asthma risk or reduced asthma control. To establish reversibility, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have recently been published to investigate the impact of weight management on asthma. This systematic review synthesizes evidence from these RCTs on the effects of weight management (weight loss, weight maintenance, maintenance of lost weight, or weight gain prevention) interventions on asthma outcomes in both adult and pediatric populations. Methods: We searched Medline, CINAHL, PsychInfo, and Cochrane for studies published between 1950 and November 2014. Two researchers independently rated the included studies using the quality assessment tool for RCTs as outlined in the 2013 Obesity Treatment Guideline. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus after discussion between the raters and, if needed, with the senior author. Results: Four RCTs in adults and 3 in children and adolescents were included. The adult studies seem to consistently support the benefit of substantial weight loss, but a threshold effect may exist such that only weight loss beyond a minimal amount will likely lead to clinically important improvement in asthma outcomes. Three of them suggest that the threshold may lie between 5-10% of weight loss. RCTs in youth suggest that modest calorie reductions alone or combined with increased physical activity, or even a healthy normocaloric diet, may lead to improved asthma outcomes. However, most RCTs reviewed were limited by small sample size, short intervention durations, and short follow-up periods. Conclusion: Trial evidence shows the promise of weight loss interventions for asthma control in adults and youth. More adequately-powered, long-term RCTs are needed to elucidate the role of weight loss and other weight management interventions in asthma control and prevention. Definitive data are needed to guide clinical and public health practice to effectively address the dual epidemic of obesity and asthma.
Evidence for separate control of slow version and vergence eye movements: support for Hering's Law.

Abstract When a visual stimulus changes direction and distance simultaneously, Hering's Law argues that the resulting eye movements are the result of combined version and vergence control processes. Recently, it has been suggested that slow asymmetrical eye movements might be guided by monocular control processes wherein each eye is driven by its own retinal image. Experimental results presented here show behavioral differences between slow version and slow vergence eye movements, indicating that different control processes drive the two “pure” responses. Specifically, version tracking of constant velocity stimuli (i.e., smooth pursuit) is more precise, showing less variation in tracking velocity than movements of equal velocity produced by vergence stimuli. When the two stimuli are combined, the variability in tracking is consistent with the addition of the two components in proportion to their respective stimuli. These results provide support for Hering's Law, at least for low velocity, smooth tracking movements (i.e., slow version and slow vergence)
The antiestrogen tamoxifen induces c-fos and jun-B, but not c-jun or jun-D, protooncogenes in the rat uterus

Tamoxifen is the leading therapeutic agent in the management of breast cancer. Although classified as an antiestrogen, tamoxifen displays partial estrogen agonist activity in the rat uterus. The molecular mechanism of the uterotrophic action of tamoxifen is unclear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of tamoxifen on activation of the c-fos, c-jun, jun-B and jun-D protooncogenes in rat uteri in vivo. These immediate early response genes are transcription regulatory factors that can regulate the expression of genes containing an AP-1 recognition site. Northern blotting analysis of total uterine RNA revealed that treatment of adult, ovariectomized rats with tamoxifen elevated levels of c-fos mRNA 2.4-, 5.3- and 6.2-fold over expression in untreated rats by 6, 12 and 24 h post-tamoxifen injection, respectively. Tamoxifen induction of c-fos was still apparent by 48 h post injection. The effect of tamoxifen on expression of the jun gene family was also examined. Tamoxifen markedly induced uterine expression of jun-B mRNA by approximately 10-fold over expression in untreated rats by 24 h after administration. By 48 h, levels of jun-B transcripts had declined to 2.3 fold over control values. In contrast, only slight induction of c-jun and jun-D expression (1.3- and 1.6-fold, respectively) by 12 h after tamoxifen treatment was observed. The kinetic pattern of tamoxifen-induced expression of these genes was strikingly different from what has been reported for other stimuli, e.g., estrogen. This is the first report to examine the effects of tamoxifen on protooncogene expression in the rat uterus. Our results indicate that the activation of immediate early response genes may play a role in the uterotrophic actions of tamoxifen. However, based on the kinetics of induction, we suggest that tamoxifen is much less effective at transcriptional activation of protooncogenes than other uterine agonists, e.g., estrogen. The lack of synchronous expression of the jun genes may indicate that distinct control mechanisms exist among members of this protooncogene family.
On the normal subgroups of SL(2, A)

Abstract Let A be a commutative ring having 2 in the stable range. Let N be a subgroup of SL(2, A) having level ideal J. It is shown that if either A is von Neumann regular or 2 is invertible in A, then N is normal in SL(2, A) if and only if N contains the commutator group H(J) = [E(2, A), L(2, A, J)]. Structure theorems for normal subgroups of SL(2, A) are deduced from this result.
Increased ultrafine particles and carbon monoxide concentrations are associated with asthma exacerbation among urban children

Abstract Objectives Increased air pollutant concentrations have been linked to several asthma-related outcomes in children, including respiratory symptoms, medication use, and hospital visits. However, few studies have examined effects of ultrafine particles in a pediatric population. Our primary objective was to examine the effects of ambient concentrations of ultrafine particles on asthma exacerbation among urban children and determine whether consistent treatment with inhaled corticosteroids could attenuate these effects. We also explored the relationship between asthma exacerbation and ambient concentrations of accumulation mode particles, fine particles (≤2.5 micrograms [μm]; PM 2.5 ), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. We hypothesized that increased 1–7 day concentrations of ultrafine particles and other pollutants would be associated with increases in the relative odds of an asthma exacerbation, but that this increase in risk would be attenuated among children receiving school-based corticosteroid therapy. Methods We conducted a pilot study using data from 3 to 10 year-old children participating in the School-Based Asthma Therapy trial. Using a time-stratified case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression, we estimated the relative odds of a pediatric asthma visit treated with prednisone ( n =96 visits among 74 children) associated with increased pollutant concentrations in the previous 7 days. We re-ran these analyses separately for children receiving medications through the school-based intervention and children in a usual care control group. Results Interquartile range increases in ultrafine particles and carbon monoxide concentrations in the previous 7 days were associated with increases in the relative odds of a pediatric asthma visit, with the largest increases observed for 4-day mean ultrafine particles (interquartile range=2088 p/cm 3 ; OR=1.27; 95% CI=0.90–1.79) and 7-day mean carbon monoxide (interquartile range=0.17 ppm; OR=1.63; 95% CI=1.03–2.59). Relative odds estimates were larger among children receiving school-based inhaled corticosteroid treatment. We observed no such associations with accumulation mode particles, black carbon, fine particles (≤2.5 μm), or sulfur dioxide. Ozone concentrations were inversely associated with the relative odds of a pediatric asthma visit. Conclusions These findings suggest a response to markers of traffic pollution among urban asthmatic children. Effects were strongest among children receiving preventive medications through school, suggesting that this group of children was particularly sensitive to environmental triggers. Medication adherence alone may be insufficient to protect the most vulnerable from environmental asthma triggers. However, further research is necessary to confirm this finding.
Photolytic and microbial degradation of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol

The photolytic and microbial degradation of 3,5.6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP), a metabolite of the insecticide chlorpyrifos and the herbicide triclopyr, has been investigated. TCP (80 mg/L) was decomposed to nondetectable levels within 2 h of ultraviolet irradiation. Release of 14 CO 2 and chloride ion was observed; however, approximately 60% of the initial radioactivity remained in the solution. Dichlorodihydroxypyridine isomers and reductive dechlorination products were found as intermediate products of TCP photolysis. It was proposed that both hydrolytic and reductive dechlorination occurred during photodegradation of TCP Although TCP can be degraded via photolysis, many degradation products remained in the aqueous medium and only some of them, the reductive dechlorination products, can be mineralized by Pseudomonas sp. ATCC 700113. The degradation of the parent compound, TCP. by Pseudomonas sp. ATCC 700113 also appears to involve a reductive dechlorination mechanism. A consortium of microorganisms may be needed if a treatment process combining microbial and photolytic activity is to be used to remove TCP in industrial wastewater.
Assessment of processing routes and strength of a 3-phase molybdenum boron silicide (Mo5Si3-Mo5SiB2-Mo3Si)

High temperature components such as furnace elements are often fabricated from MoSi{sub 2}. Molybdenum boron silicides consisting of Mo{sub 5}Si{sub 3}, Mo{sub 3}Si, and Mo{sub 5}SiB{sub 2} are an interesting alternative to MoSi{sub 2}. At present, the mechanical properties of these new Mo-Si-B intermetallics have not been fully explored. One reason for this is simply the unavailability of sufficiently large parts with a sound microstructure. The goal of this work was therefore to explore the processing of these materials by several different routes such as powder and ingot metallurgy, and examine the resulting microstructures. In addition, some post-processing (hot isostatic forging, extrusion) was carried out. The flexure strength of the differently processed materials was characterized and interpreted in terms of their microstructures.
UAV cooperation architectures for persistent sensing

With the number of small, inexpensive Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) increasing, it is feasible to build multi-UAV sensing networks. In particular, by using UAVs in conjunction with unattended ground sensors, a degree of persistent sensing can be achieved. With proper UAV cooperation algorithms, sensing is maintained even though exceptional events, e.g., the loss of a UAV, have occurred. In this paper a cooperation technique that allows multiple UAVs to perform coordinated, persistent sensing with unattended ground sensors over a wide area is described. The technique automatically adapts the UAV paths so that on the average, the amount of time that any sensor has to wait for a UAV revisit is minimized. We also describe the Simulation, Tactical Operations and Mission Planning (STOMP) software architecture. This architecture is designed to help simulate and operate distributed sensor networks where multiple UAVs are used to collect data.
A primal sketch based framework for bean-shape contour extraction

Contour extraction and object detection is one of fundamental problems in computer vision. Contour extraction can be guided by either global or local constraints. In this paper, we propose a local constraint based framework for bean-shape contour extraction. We propose a criterion to construct primal sketches based on connected components of Canny edge points in a channel-scale space. When a targeting object is surrounded by a complex background, a sketch token may be deficient (not closed), and it may also contain some faulty part (not on the boundary of a targeting object). We propose algorithms to detect and restore deficiencies and faults of primal sketch tokens. We present two case studies for the proposed framework: (i) embryo localization and (ii) face localization. The case studies demonstrate the potential of the proposed framework.
Imprint, a community visualization of printer data: designing for open-ended engagement on sustainability

We introduce Imprint, a casual information visualization kiosk that displays data extracted from a printer queue. We designed the system to be open-ended, and to support a workgroup in reflection and conversation about the data. Imprint's visualizations depict environmental issues, such as energy consumption and paper consumption of the printers, as well as social information, such as popular concepts from the printed matter. Imprint is intended to spark reflection and conversation, and to bring data into discussions about paper usage and "waste." Our goal is not to explicitly reduce paper, energy, or toner consumption, but instead to open conversations by community members. Our work highlights a design approach for semi-public displays of personal data.
SiC planar MOS-Schottky diode: a high voltage Schottky diode with low leakage current

Abstract A new diode structure, called planar MOS-Schottky Diode (MOSSD), is proposed to reduce the reverse leakage current in SiC Schottky diode. The reverse leakage current has been reduced by one order of magnitude by using the MOSSD structure while the reverse breakdown characteristic is improved from soft breakdown to abrupt breakdown. Further, measurements on MOSSDs with thick and thin oxide MOS regions indicate that the forward current through a MOSSD with a thin oxide can be up to 90% that through a conventional Schottky diode without buried MOS structures. From high temperature measurements it is evident that the reverse characteristics of MOSSDs have less temperature dependence compared to pure Schottky diodes.
Infrared Spectroscopic Characterization of Cyanocuprates

The synthetically useful cyanocuprates MeCu(CN)Li (2) and “Me2CuLi·LiCN” (3) have been characterized by infrared spectroscopy. Titration of CuCN·2LiCl (1) with MeLi in THF solution has established that 2 has an IR absorption due to cyanide stretching at 2133 cm-1 with e = 2.3 × 103 cm-2 M-1, while the CN stretching frequency for 3 occurs at 2115 cm-1 with e = 4.0 × 102 cm-2 M-1. The spectra suggest that 2 and 3 are the only significant cuprate species present in the methylcyanocuprate system. The IR titration data give a formation constant of approximately 8 × 103 for 2 + MeLi ⇌ 3. The present data stand in contrast to earlier reports that 2 and 3 have identical IR spectra. The earlier conclusion appears to have been a consequence of the significantly different molar absorptivity of cyanide in 2 and 3 and the presence of small amount of 2 in equilibrium with 3 when the MeLi:CuCN ratio is 2:1. Ab initio calculations of the frequencies and intensities of the CN stretch are able to semiquantitatively reprodu...
Energy Storage, Compression, and Switching in a Theta-Pinch Fusion Test Reactor

A new 488 MJ superconducting magnetic energy storage and transfer system is being proposed for a Scyllac Fusion Test Reactor. The 1280 module system uses vacuum interrupters to switch 26 kA storage currents in 0.7 ms through a capacitive transfer circuit at 60 kV to the compression coils in the machine. Many of the components of the system have been built and tested and a prototype section of the machine is planned. Prototype coils with 381 kJ at 26 kA currents will be built by industry using advanced superconducting wire. The wire uses a Cu and Cu-Ni matrix around filaments of Nb-Ti to minimize eddy current losses. These wires are presently used in a 10 kA braided conductor for 300 kJ pre-prototype coils, and can withstand field changes of ~ 107 gauss/sec without inducing normal transitions. Three such 300 kJ coils are being constructed in industry for the LASL program.
Individual and facility-level determinants of iron and folic acid receipt and adequate consumption among pregnant women in rural Bihar, India.

Background In Bihar, India, high maternal anemia prevalence and low iron and folic acid supplement (IFA) receipt and consumption have continued over time despite universal IFA distribution and counseling during pregnancy.
Chronic hyperplastic eosinophilic sinusitis as a predictor of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Background Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is a disease of intense eosinophilic inflammation that can produce fibrosis, hyperplasia, and remodeling. Objective To investigate the usefulness of quantifying severity of chronic hyperplastic eosinophilic sinusitis in predicting the presence of AERD. Methods Data were compared between asthmatic patients who reported exacerbations after aspirin ingestion and those who did not. The primary outcome measure was severity of sinusitis using a validated computed tomography (CT) scan–based scoring system. Indices of lower airway remodeling and other markers of inflammation were also evaluated. Results Twenty-one patients with AERD were compared with 19 patients with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA). Patients were well matched for asthma severity as shown by their similar lung function as measured by postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second. Patients with AERD were distinguished by their sinus CT scores (AERD patients: 16.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 13.4-21.3; ATA patients: 6.2; 95% CI, 4.2–9.1; P P P = .05), reflecting a trend toward increased air trapping. No significant differences occurred in diffusing capacity, exhaled nitric oxide, eosinophilia, or exhaled breath condensate pH. Conclusions AERD can be distinguished from ATA by the extent of hyperplasia on CT scan and the presence of nasal polyps. We hypothesize that AERD represents a remodeling process that affects both the upper and lower airways.
Development of 129I AMS for the LLNL spectrometer

Abstract The multi-user tandem laboratory at LLNL was designed to be a versatile facility which could be configured to develop new capabilities as determined by the requirements of sponsoring agencies and experimental programs. The initial design made some compromises, driven by both the usual budgetary constraints and uncertainties in program needs and support. We were recently funded by the Office of Arms Control in the U.S. DOE to develop an 129 I AMS capability. The first 129 I measurements were performed this year after upgrades and modifications to the originally installed components were completed. The configuration of the present spectrometer and performance achieved to date will be described. Planned improvements to the injector and high energy spectrometer will be outlined.
Vertical ocean reflectance at low altitudes for narrow laser beams

A narrow-beam laser altimeter was used to measure the reflected signal from the ocean surface as represented by the waters beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. This site allowed precise measurements as a function of angle from the vertical not possible from flying platforms. For short-wavelength water waves superimposed on swell, the signal amplitude probability distribution for the reflected signals showed periods of zero reflection, even for vertical incidence, apparently due to tipping of the water surface. The nonzero signals showed a distribution that could be fitted with an antilog-normal distribution. This is skewed toward higher signals than a normal (Gaussian) distribution. With incidence angle displaced from the vertical, the distribution shape was retained but with more frequent zero reflections. The decrease with angle of the average signal, including the zeroes, is well fitted with a Gram- Charlier distribution, as seen by earlier observers using photographic techniques which masked these details of the structure. For the simpler wave pattern due to a long sustained wind direction, the probability distribution is log-normal with no zero signal periods. At large angles from the vertical the log-normal distribution shifts toward exponential. For surface states intermediate between the above two extremes the distribution is often normal. The larger return signals resulting from the skew toward larger amplitudes from lognormal are more favorable for disposable laser altimeters than previously believed. Also, for an altimeter which may be swinging from a parachute or balloon, the return remains high at angles other than vertical. The presence of occasional zero return signal does somewhat degrade the accuracy of altitude measurement for a descending altimeter, but the signal available assures performance at larger altitudes than previously expected.
Outlier Detection Under Star-Contoured Errors

Consider as Gaussian observations with common mean μ and dispersion matrix Σ. Approaches for detecting outlying observations include the R–Student statistics in regression diagnostics, as well as tests due to Grubbs, Dixon, and Ferguson using order statistics. All are known to be valid under Σ ; Grubbs’s test also holds under an equicorrelated matrix Σ(ρ) and the more general structure Σ . Dispersion mixtures of Gaussian errors having Σ(ρ) and Σ() are studied in detail; their densities have star-shaped contours as encountered on occasion in practice. Under these mixtures, the aforementioned diagnostics all are shown to be exact in significance level and in power as for the case where Σ . This expands considerably their range of applicability in practice. Case studies serve to illustrate essentials of the findings.