cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Highly Differentiated Subalkaline Rhyolite from Glass Mountain, Mono County, California

Available data on the partition of Sr between coexisting feldspar and melt phases re interpreted as an indication that a rhyolite from Glass Mountain represents about 25% of a hypothetical 'parent' magma of silicic composition having a norm ntent of 150 ppm. Available Sr and Pb isotope data on nearby Pleistocene rhyolite lavas suggest that the 'parent' magmas of volcanic rocks of the area came from mafic or ultramafic source marl.
Structure of the oligosaccharides of mouse immunoglobulin M secreted by the MOPC 104E plasmacytoma

Abstract The structures of the oligosaccharides present in the mouse immunoglobulin M secreted by the plasma cell tumor MOPC 104E have been determined making use of glycopeptides derived from purified unlabeled immunoglobulin and from [3H]mannose and [14C]glucosaminelabeled immunoglobulin M. The glycopeptides were fractionated on columns of Bio-Gel P-6 and concanavalin A-Sepharose and high mannose type oligosaccharides were released from glycopeptide with clostridial endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase CII. MOPC 104E immunoglobulin M was shown to contain four complex-type and one high mannose type oligosaccharide units per heavy chain. The glycopeptides with complex oligosaccharides were separated on concanavalin A-Sepharose into two classes with structures containing either two or three outer branches with the sequence ± NGNAα2 → 6Galβ1 → 4GlcNAcβ1 → attached to the 2 position or to the 2 and 4 positions of mannose in a core with the structure Manαl → 6(Manα1 → 3)Manβ1 → 4GlcNAcβ1 → 4(Fucα1 → 6)GlcNAc → Asn. The high mannose oligosaccharides liberated by endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase CII varied in size from Man8GlcNAc to Man5GlcNAc. A Man6GlcN Ac with the structure Manα → 6(Manα1 → 3)Manα1 → 6(Manα1 α 2Manα1 → 3)Manβ1 → 4GlcNAc was the predominant species. Some high mannose oligosaccharide was resistant to endo-β-N-acetylg]ucosaminidase CII release and apparently has a “hybrid” or atypical structure.
LPE growth of high Tc Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2Ox films

Abstract X-ray diffraction patterns of the LPE-grown BSCCO films displayed a high degree of preferred orientation with their c-axes perpendicular to the a–b planes. The resistivity versus temperature data were plotted by the transport technique and a.c. mutual induction method. A series of critical temperatures, T c at zero resistance varying from 63 k to 80 k were obtained. This variation in T c is interpreted in terms of the solidification phenomena of melt-compositions along the liquidus of a pseudo-binary phase diagram constructed analytically from the (Sr,Ca)O-CuO-Bi 2 O 3 ternary system.
Effects of Stannous Fluoride and Tiodonium Chloride on Dental Plaque in Rats

Rats with six-day-old plaque were treated twice daily with mouthrinses containing either tiodonium chloride, stannous fluoride or a placebo. Although the results for tiodonium chloride were unremarkable, stannous fluoride mouthrinses proved to be significantly effective in removing dental plaque and in restricting the ability of plaque to lower the pH of sugar solutions.
Modulation of cytochrome P450 by 5,5′-bis-trifluoromethyl-2,2′-dichlorobiphenyl, a unique environmental contaminant

Abstract 5,5′-Bis-trifluoromethyl-2,2′-dichlorobiphenyl (5,5′CF 3 -2,2′PCB) is representative of a unique class of trifluoromethyl polychlorinated biphenyls (CF 3 -PCBs) found in sediments and fish of Lake Ontario, the Niagara river, and their tributaries. The potential hazard of 5,5′CF 3 -2,2′PCB was assessed by exposing male Wistar rats to this agent in corn oil at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day or 75 mg/kg/day or corn oil alone (control) by oral intubation for 7 consecutive days. No lethality occurred during the course of exposure. A significant increase in liver weight and liver/body weight ratio and significant decrease in body weight gain were observed following exposure to the high dose of CF 3 -PCB, relative to control. Exposure to the CF 3 -PCB also resulted in a dose-related increase in the total hepatic cytochrome P450 content. This was associated with a dose-related increase in the O-deethylation of ethoxycoumarin, an activity which is mediated by several cytochrome P450s and thus provides a general representation of cytochrome P450 status. Specifically, a dose-dependent induction of the cytochrome P450s 1A1 and 1A2 (CYP1A1 and CYP1A2) proteins and their respective activities was observed, with significant induction occurring in both the low and high dose CF 3 -PCB groups, compared to control. Additionally, CYP2B1 and CYP2B2 proteins and activities were induced following treatment with the high dose of 5,5′CF 3 -2,2′PCB. Since, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds selectively induce CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, the results suggest that 5,5′CF 3 -2,2′PCB has significant dioxin-like activity. Furthermore, 5,5′CF 3 -2,2′PCB appears to be acting as a mixed-type inducer since phenobarbitallike induction of CYP2B1 and 2B2 was also associated with exposure.
Diet diversity in Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans and Puerto Ricans

The focus is on dietary diversity among United States (US) Hispanics, with attention given to differences by socioeconomic status (SES) and level of acculturation. The subjects of study were 18 to 74 years of age Mexican Americans (n = 3201), Cuban Americans (n = 831), and Puerto Ricans (n = 1224) included in the 1982–84 Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES). Dietary diversity was assessed as ‘food group’ and ‘portion’ scores derived from single 24 hour recalls. Less than 10% of Hispanic men and 5% of women satisfy diversity recommendations (17 or more portions out of a possible 20) and patterns are as found in the general US population. Multivariate analysis suggest that among Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans diversity is related to education and level of acculturation. Income is not related to diversity in any group. Generation of residency in the US is associated with less variety among Mexican Americans and Puerto Rican men. Socioeconomic status and acculturation are not signifi...
On the magnetic resonance frequency of the hydrogen nucleus in the magnesium oxide VOH center

Abstract An apparent discrepancy between the observed and predicted ENDOR spectra for the VOH center in magnesium oxide is shown to be a result of quantizing the hydrogen nuclear spin along the direction of the external magnetic field, rather than along the direction of the total effective magnetic field.
Transcriptional repression of a hormone-responsive promoter

The activity of the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter was assessed in various sequence contexts with a transient transfection assay in which promoter activity was determined by way of expression of a linked gene encoding chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, as well as by direct analysis of RNA transcripts. The results indicate that the proviral long terminal repeat contains a negative transcriptional control element in addition to the glucocorticoid-responsive transcriptional enhancer that has been described previously. The negative element is able to function in both orientations and, at least to some extent, at multiple positions with respect to the regulated transcription unit. The effects on gene expression cannot be explained by alterations in transfection efficiency. The element has been localized to a 91 base pair fragment located immediately 5' of binding sites for the glucocorticoid receptor protein that have been defined in vitro. The role of the negative element may be to repress the inherent activity of the proviral promoter in the absence of glucocorticoids, resulting in an increased ratio of gene expression in the presence and absence of hormone.
Development and testing of a constructal microchannel flow system with dynamically controlled complexity

Abstract A microfluidic device containing a constructal-based branched flow structure with an externally controllable complexity was developed and tested in this study. The device was fabricated in the form of a 10 mm square by 9 mm high monolithic silicon/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) test section which contains three interconnected flow channels in a tee configuration. Before and after branching, the flow channels have widths of 464 and 249 μm respectively, and a uniform height of 195 μm. The complexity of the flow structure is changed by rerouting the flow of fluid using three pneumatically actuated microvalves that are incorporated into the test section. The microvalves, which are positioned in strategic locations within the test section, are made of a 48 μm thick PDMS membrane and have a diameter of 2 mm. Experiments were run aiming to characterize the pneumatic and mechanical properties of the valves. A separate series of experiments were performed to determine how the hydrodynamic and thermal performance of the test section was affected by the flow channel configuration, which was controlled by opening and/or closing the valves. The data collected showed that the valve design was robust and the mechanical integrity of the microvalve’s membrane is far beyond what is required by the operational conditions (e.g., control pressures and deflections) considered in the present experiments. Also, as expected, the results show that the hydraulic losses and the amount of heat transferred through the channels is highly affected by the flow channel footprint. These results demonstrate, in principle, a means by which the complexity of a branched flow structure could be dynamically controlled in order to maintain an optimal configuration when operational conditions vary.
A comparison by medicine residents of physical examination versus hand-carried ultrasound for estimation of right atrial pressure.

Physicians' ability to accurately estimate right atrial (RA) pressure from bedside evaluation of the jugular venous waveform is poor, particularly when performed by physicians in training. Conventional ultrasound measurement of the inferior vena cava (IVC) accurately predicts RA pressure, but the cost, lack of portability, and specialized training required to acquire and interpret the data render this modality impractical for routine clinical use. The objective of this study was to compare physical examination with hand-carried ultrasound (HCU) in the detection of elevated RA pressure (>10 mm Hg). After limited training (4 hours didactic and 20 studies), 4 internal medicine residents using an HCU device estimated RA pressure from images of the IVC in 40 consecutive patients 10 mm Hg was 82% with HCU and 14% from JVP inspection. Specificities were similar between the techniques. Overall accuracies were 71% using HCU and 60% with JVP assessment. In conclusion, internal medicine residents with brief training in echocardiography can more frequently and more accurately predict elevated RA pressure using HCU measurements of the IVC than with physical examination of the JVP.
Water Repellency and Dimensional Stability of Southern Pine Decking Treated with Waterborne Resin Acids

Abstract Many residential consumers prefer that wood used in above‐ground exterior applications be protected by environmentally benign biocide systems and have good dimensional stability. To help achieve these two properties we are employing resin acids, a by‐product from the kraft pulping of pines, in a waterborne formulation. In an extremely harsh above‐ground exterior exposure, two sets of decking boards treated with the resin acid system had water repellent properties that were still effective after up to two years of exposure. The increased water repellency reduced the moisture gain following summer rainstorms by about one‐third compared to untreated matched samples, and this was sufficient to significantly reduce splitting by about half and cupping by one‐third. A wide variation in moisture gain following rain was observed for the untreated sapwood flatsawn decking, with the moisture gain positively and significantly correlated to the extent of checking. The optimal use of resin acids may be to prov...
Paleomagnetism of the Lower Triassic Moenkopi Formation

Paleomagnetic studies on the upper half of the Moenkopi Formation have identified three reversed and three normal polarity zones; this brings the total number of polarity zones observed in this formation to ten. The variable thickness and presumed duration of these polarity zones when combined with smaller variations internal to individual polarity zones suggest that this reversal sequence should be very useful as a regional correlation tool. Several zones of anomalous magnetization have been recognized within the formation. These anomalous zones constitute less than 5 percent of the total sample population but are very important, because they may assist in the recognition of individual polarity zones. The pole position derived from this study is at 103° E., 55° N. (dp 1.6°, dm 3.2°) and, due to the large number of samples and the length of time represented, probably represents an excellent average for the Lower Triassic of North America.
Amyloid β-degrading cryptidases : insulin degrading enzyme, presequence peptidase, and neprilysin

The accumulation of aggregates of amyloidogenic peptides is associated with numerous human diseases. One well studied example is the association between deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) and Alzheimer’s disease. Insulin degrading enzyme and neprilysin are involved in the clearance of Aβ, and presequence peptidase is suggested to play a role in the degradation of mitochondrial Aβ. Recent structural analyses reveal that these three peptidases contain a catalytic chamber (crypt) that selectively encapsulates and cleaves amyloidogenic peptides, hence the name cryptidase. The substrate selectivity of these cryptidases is determined by the size and charge distribution of their crypt as well as the conformational flexibility of substrates. The interaction of Aβ with the catalytic core of these cryptidases is controlled by conformational changes that make the catalytic chambers accessible for Aβ binding. These new structural and biochemical insights into cryptidases provide potential therapeutic strategies for the control of Aβ clearance.
Prevalence and Duration of Asymptomatic Clostridium difficile Carriage among Healthy Subjects in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Previous studies suggested that 7 to 15% of healthy adults are colonized with toxigenic Clostridium difficile. To investigate the epidemiology, genetic diversity, and duration of C. difficile colonization in asymptomatic persons, we recruited healthy adults from the general population in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Participants provided epidemiological and dietary intake data and submitted stool specimens. The presence of C. difficile in stool specimens was determined by anaerobic culture. Stool specimens yielding C. difficile underwent nucleic acid testing of the tcdA gene segment with a commercial assay; tcdC genotyping was performed on C. difficile isolates. Subjects positive for C. difficile by toxigenic anaerobic culture were asked to submit additional specimens. One hundred six (81%) of 130 subjects submitted specimens, and 7 (6.6%) of those subjects were colonized with C. difficile. Seven distinct tcdC genotypes were observed among the 7 C. difficile-colonized individuals, including tcdC genotype 20, which has been found in uncooked ground pork in this region. Two (33%) out of 6 C. difficile-colonized subjects who submitted additional specimens tested positive for identical C. difficile strains on successive occasions, 1 month apart. The prevalence of C. difficile carriage in this healthy cohort is concordant with prior estimates. C. difficile-colonized individuals may be important reservoirs for C. difficile and may falsely test positive for infections due to C. difficile when evaluated for community-acquired diarrhea caused by other enteric pathogens.
Synthesis of a functionalized sheet silicate derived from apophyllite and further modification by hydrosilylation

Abstract The single-layer sheet silicate apophyllite was modified with organic silyl groups that resulted in a product with pendent Si–H functionality on both sides of the silicate surface. This modified silicate material was then further derivatized by hydrosilylation with Karstedt's catalyst and alkenes to append larger organic groups, including an alkylglucoside. These modified silicate sheets were investigated by infrared spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction for the presence of covalently attached functional groups and the resulting change in interlayer spacings.
Aromatization of Androstenedione by Microsomes from the Human Placenta after Gestational Alcohol Consumption

Human placental microsomes were used to evaluate rates of andre stenedione aromatiration from patients selected for gestational alcohol consumption. After term delivery, kinetic comparisons of specific activity and Michaelis constants of reduced pyridine nucleotide cotactors were determined. The data failed to indicate a significant alcohol effect on these enzymatic parameters.
Step size in the Munsell color-order system by pair comparisons near 5Y 7.5/1 and bisections near 10R 7/8.

Pair comparisons were used to assess the perceptual uniformity of the Munsell value (V) and chroma (C) scales near 5Y 7.5/1 for both small (0.25–0.75) and larger (1–2) increments in V and C. We conclude that in this region perceptual linearity is retained down to steps of 0.25 V or C. Bisection experiments showed that around 10R 7/8 perceptual linearity in Munsell hue (H), V, and C was retained down to step sizes of 0.25 H, 0.10 V, and 0.25 C.
Assembly of bacteriophage T4 tail fibers: The sequence of gene product interaction

Abstract Intermediates in bacteriophage T4 tail fiber assembly, which accumulate in cells infected with mutants blocked at various stages of tail fiber formation, have been fractionated by velocity sedimentation and characterized using serological analysis, assays of activity for in vitro phage assembly, and electron microscopy. The results provide information on the gene control of three fiber-related structures found in lysates of wild-type-infected cells: a 10 s component identified as the complete tail fiber, a 9 s component of unknown morphology whose formation requires the function of gene 34, and an 8 s rod-shaped structure, half the length of the complete fiber, whose formation requires the function of genes 35, 36, 37 and 38. The 9 s and 8 s structures can combine, in unknown proportions, to form the complete fiber. Two precursors of the 8 s component have been identified; both also sediment at about 8 s and resemble half fibers. The first is the product of genes 37 and 38. Gene 36 function converts the first precursor to the second, with the addition of a new antigenic determinant. Gene 35 function converts the second precursor to a form capable of combining with the 9 s component. Tail fiber assembly proceeds independently of the formation of the rest of the phage particle; completion of the fiber is a prerequisite for its attachment to the phage.
It's Not Who You Are

Anderson-Shaw and colleagues' focus in their very inter-esting case discussions is that the three patients they de-scribe are no longer the same person as before (2010). Their personal identity has changed. As the authors recog-nize, however, personal identity has several components. So what, exactly, has changed in these patients? It seems to be their character, rather than their physical or psychological continuity—i.e., their numerical identity (Parﬁt 1984)—or their ability to plan the future. This change in character is sometimes described as simultaneous with the beginning of psychiatric symptoms consecutive to brain surgery for their tumour. Surgery, then, could have a dramatic effect on character. This is presented as problematic.
Rural variable speed limit system for Southeast Wyoming.

Variable speed limit (VSL) is a type of intelligent transportation system that has shown promise for improving safety on roadways that are subject to adverse weather conditions. A new rural VSL system was installed by the Wyoming Department of Transportation along I-80 in the southeastern part of the state. Statistics on the use of the system during its initial months of implementation are presented along with analyses of the impact on observed speeds of measured weather variables and speed limits on the VSL system. Preliminary results indicate that drivers reduce their speeds by 0.47 to 0.75 mph for every mile per hour in posted speed reduction. The research lays the foundation for a decision support system that will be used in future operations of the VSL system.
Spectral Properties of AOT-Protected CdS Nanoparticles: Quantum Yield Enhancement by Photolysis

Absorption and steady-state emission spectra and time-resolved luminescence decays have been recorded for CdS nanoparticles prepared using the reverse-micelle method. Spectra were collected in hexane solution, with the surfactant AOT as stabilizer. The emission spectra of these particles are characteristic of trap-state emissions, being broad and red-shifted from the absorption-edge onset. Quantum yields for CdS particles prepared with w0's of 3−7 (w0 = [H2O]/[AOT]) are low (∼1−4%) and are not size dependent. CdS nanoparticles with w0 = 4 were irradiated at the maximum of the first absorption peak. Irradiation resulted in a red shift and overall decrease in intensity of the absorption spectra, a red shift and increase in intensity of the emission spectra, an increase in the apparent lifetimes, and an increase in the quantum efficiency. Final quantum yields range from ∼9 to 13%.
Beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase and alpha-mannosidase-II messenger ribonucleic acid levels increase with different kinetics in thyrotrophs of hypothyroid mice

Hypothyroid animals secrete not only more TSH, but also qualitatively different TSH, with altered oligosaccharides. To explore the cellular mechanism of oligosaccharide modulation by thyroid status, 40 mice were treated without or with propylthiouracil (PTU), and pituitaries were removed after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 weeks. Serum T4 levels confirmed that mice receiving PTU were hypothyroid even after only 1 week. Thyrotrophs and corticotrophs were identified in 5-microns thick pituitary slices using immunocytochemistry; in situ hybridization was performed using 35S-labeled 48-mer DNA probes to beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase and alpha-mannosidase-II messenger RNAs (mRNAs). A control probe also was used. Autoradiography was performed for 4 weeks. The cells and silver grains were scored, and the differences reported below were significant by analysis of variance. Compared to euthyroid thyrotrophs, the beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase mRNA level in thyrotrophs increased 440% after mice received PTU for 1 week; the mean increase within thyrotrophs over the 6-week period was 173%, whereas there was little change in corticotrophs. Compared to euthyroid thyrotrophs, the alpha-mannosidase-II mRNA level in thyrotrophs remained unchanged while mice received PTU for 4 weeks, but then increased 150% after week 6 of PTU treatment. Thus, thyroid status modulates mRNA levels of two glycosyltransferases in thyrotrophs, perhaps by affecting gene transcription or mRNA stability. Moreover, the kinetics of the modulation of the two glycosyltransferase mRNAs differ. This is the first report of the modulation of these glycosyltransferase mRNA levels in thyrotrophs and may explain in part the mechanism by which different isoforms of TSH are secreted in different physiological states.
The Crisis of the Seventeenth Century: The Little Ice Age and the Mystery of the “Great Divergence”

Geoffrey Parker's Global Crisis: War, Climate Change and Catastrophe in the Seventeenth Century is the fullest statement of the seventeenth-century crisis to date; it is an epic history with an enormous cast. But the people and institutions that it covers must share the historical stage with another agent of change—the Little Ice Age, which functions as the glue that holds together the era's myriad of events, producing an agricultural, political, and military crisis of global proportions. What is missing in Parker's account is a credible explanation for his version of the “great divergence”—the fact that resolution of the crisis took a different and fateful form in one region of Eurasia but in none of the others. Parker's claims about the Little Ice Age are ultimately testable, but his claim that it laid the basis for the “great divergence” remains mysterious.
Optimal experimental design for estimating thermal properties of composite materials

Abstract Design of optimal transient experiments is needed for the efficient estimation of thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity of composite materials. One criterion for optimal experiments is the minimization of the area (or volume) of the confidence region. The experimental designs are transient and involve both finite and semi-finite geometries with finite duration heating. Two cases are considered for the finite body: one-dimensional heat conduction within cured composite materials and one-dimensional heat conduction within composite materials undergoing curing. The optimal dimensionless heating and experimental times at the heated boundary and the optimal location of the temperatures sensors are determined.
Ventrolateral striatal dopamine depletions impair feeding and food handling in rats

The present study was conducted to characterize the changes in feeding behavior produced by localized depletion of dopamine (DA) in the nucleus accumbens and subregions of the neostriatum in the rat. Food-deprived rats were given at least 2 weeks of training, which consisted of being placed in a Plexiglas box and being given 15-18 g of food for a 30-min session. After the training period, rats received bilateral injections of the neurotoxic agent 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the nucleus accumbens, ventromedial striatum, or ventrolateral striatum. Observations were made in 30-min tests on days 3 and 7 after surgery, and measures were obtained for total food intake, time spent feeding, rate of feeding, and forepaw usage during feeding. The ventrolateral striatum was the only site at which dopamine depletion altered aspects of food intake. Rats with ventrolateral striatal DA depletion had reductions in food intake, decreases in the rate of feeding, and impaired forepaw usage during feeding. Time spent feeding was not significantly affected by DA depletion. Water consumption was significantly reduced by DA depletions in the ventrolateral striatum but not by depletions at other sites. These results indicate that ventrolateral striatal DA depletions decrease food intake by impairment of motor functions necessary for the performance of feeding behavior.
ATesting for the Onset of Trend, Using Wavelets

This paper develops a test for the onset of a time trend, using a wavelet-type estimator. The series level is a nonlinear function of time, with a slope that is zero initially, but non-negative and non-decreasing, or non-positive and non-increasing, beyond the onset point, permitting divergence. The series level is otherwise unspecified, and to estimate it we regress the data series on wavelet scaling functions of time, with a coefficient restriction that makes the fitted level constant until some point in the sample. Since the true onset point is unknown, we examine several such restrictions, yielding candidate onset points at equally spaced positions in the sample. We base our test on some F-type statistics, which compare the performance of successive fitted levels. To exploit the asymmetry of the true level under the alternative, we use a weighted sum of F stastistics, with linearly increasing weight at points further in the sample. This test statistic has a nonstandard distribution, which we tabulate. Asymptotically, we show that linear weighting gives better local power than equal weighting. A simulation study confirms the power advantage of our test.
Material related issues and their characterization with a view to III-V heterojunction device optimization

The impact of various material choices, i.e. InAIAs/InGaAs, AIGaAs/GaAs, GalnP/GaAs on device characteristics is analyzed. Traps located at various regions of the device impact its performance and can be identified by device characterization such as gm,Rd~ dispersion and low-frequency noise. Reliability characteristics can be related to material modifications under stress, i.e. traps and dopant diffusion and degradation can be minimized by growth optimization. Process induced damage due to dry-etching can be minimized by proper selection of etching conditions. A strong interaction between material and device research is necessary for best results in optimizing III-V technology.
Strategic studies and world order

In this 1994 book Bradley Klein draws upon debates in international relations theory to raise important questions about the nature of strategic studies. He argues that post-modern critiques of realism and neorealism open up opportunities for new ways of thinking about nuclear deterrence. In clear and uncluttered language, he explores the links between modernity, state-building and strategic violence, and argues that American foreign policy, and NATO, undertook a set of dynamic political practices intended to make and remake world order in the image of Western identity. Klein warns against too facile a celebration of the end of the Cold War, concluding that it is even more imperative today to appreciate the scope and power of the Western strategic project. The book will be of interest to students of international relations theory, strategic studies, peace studies, and US foreign policy.
A surgeon coerced under the Taliban: An ethical dilemma

ordance with ACCME regulations, the American College of ns, as the accredited provider of this journal CME, must that anyone in a position to control the content of the educational activity has disclosed all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. The editor and author(s) of this article were required to complete disclosures and any reported conflicts have been managed to our satisfaction. However, if you perceive a bias within the article, please advise us of the circumstances on the evaluation form.
MICROBIAL PRODUCTION OF AMINO ACIDS FROM HYDROCARBONS

1. Screening tests for bacterial strains which can produce glutamic acid from petroleum or related hydrocarbons were carried out.2. Various bacteria were found to display capabilities of accumulating glutamic acid in the cultural broth containing kerosine, light oil, heavy oil or liquid paraffin as the carbon source. 3. The highest level of glutamic acid production from kerosine, i.e. 281μg/ml, was obtained with a strain of Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus.
Evaluating retrieval performance given database and query characteristics: analytic determination of performance surfaces

An analytic method of information retrieval and filtering evaluation can quantitatively predict the expected number of documents examined in retrieving a relevant document. It also allows researchers and practitioners to qualitatively understand how varying different estimates of query parameter values affects retrieval performance. The incorporation of relevance feedback to increase our knowledge about the parameters of relevant documents and the robustness of parameter estimates is modeled. Single term and two term independence models, as well as a complete term dependence model, are developed. An economic model of retrieval performance may be used to study the effects of database size and to provide analytic answers to questions comparing retrieval from small and large databases, as well as questions about the number of terms in a query. Results are presented as a performance surface, a three dimensional graph showing the effects of two independent variables on performance.
Cultural influences on mentoring programs and relationships: a critical review of research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify and summarize the primary themes and issues examined in relevant international research dealing with the relationship between culture and mentoring. The focus is on formal mentoring programs for educators in primary and secondary schools and higher education settings. Design/methodology/approach – The literature surveyed covered the direct and indirect impacts of culture on mentoring in primary, secondary and higher education settings. Manuscripts were organized around the topics of teacher education, teacher and leader development, and higher education. A thematic synthesis approach was used to summarize the findings. Findings – Findings indicated that research on cultural aspects of mentoring in education has focused on three primary themes: cultural aspects of the mentoring relationship; the impact of organizational structures on mentoring programs and relationships; and the manner in which ethnicity and societal beliefs relate to the purposes and stru...
Intramolecular Exchange of Coordinated and Dangling Phosphine Groups in Pentacarbonyl[(diphenylphosphino)(di-p-tolylphosphino)methane]tungsten(0)

Equilibrium constants and rates have been determined for the isomerization of the linkage isomers (OC)5W[κ1-PPh2CH2P(p-tolyl)2] (5) and (OC)5W[κ1-P(p-tolyl)2CH2PPh2] (6). It is proposed that this intramolecular exchange involves a nucleophilic attack of the pendant phosphine on a cis carbonyl group, followed by ring opening and a 1,2-shift.
Marital status and mortality: The role of health

Prior literature has shown that married men live longer than unmarried men. Possible explanations are that marriage protects its incumbents or that healthier men select themselves into marriage. Protective effects, however, introduce the possibility of adverse selection: Those in poor health have incentive to marry. In this paper we explore the role of health in explaining mortality and marriage patterns, and distinguish protective effects from two types of selection effects. We find adverse selection on the basis of health (unhealthy men tend to (re)marry sooner) and positive selection on the basis of unmeasured factors that both promote good health and encourage marriage.
SOME ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF PEST CONTROL IN AGRICULTURE1

This article deals with agricultural losses attributable to insects, diseases and weeds with estimates of percentage rates of losses in crops presented for both Canada and the United States. Analysis of the economic effect of potential elimination of losses in Canadian wheat and fresh apples are discussed. In general, the effect of elimination of losses by means of improved techniques depends upon the elasticity of demand of the individual commodity studied. The particular market position of Canadian wheat created an exception for this product. Emphasizing the need for further scientific investigation, subjects and methods for forthcoming research are outlined.
When disaster strikes: on the relationship between natural disaster and interstate conflict

This article asks under what circumstances natural disaster can lead to interstate conflict initiation. Through an analysis of all major earthquakes, floods, storms, and tsunamis between 1950 and 2006, I find that serious disaster increases the general likelihood of conflict initiation, and I reach two key conclusions about the specific causal mechanisms driving post-disaster conflict. First, I show that there is not a single instance of a rival or opponent state taking the opportunity to initiate military conflict in the aftermath of serious disaster. This finding supports the developing literature on ‘disaster diplomacy’. Second, there are, however, cases in which states with a recent history of significant civil disruption initiate such conflicts themselves. In these situations, disaster can contribute to the conflict environment and can make conflict initiation significantly more likely. I find that, counter-intuitively, it is the very states most vulnerable and most weakened by disaster that are like...
Convergence to isoelastic utility and policy in multiperiod portfolio choice

Abstract This paper considers the problem of the investor who has numerous opportunities for revising his portfolio and whose choices are governed by a utility function defined on ‘terminal’ wealth, U0(x0). Attention is focussed on the behavior of the induced utility functions of intermediate wealth with n periods to go, Un(xn), and the associated investment policies. Conditions under which the functions Un(xn) will tend to isoelasticity have previously been given by Mossin and by Leland. In this paper, the conditions for convergence are weakened further, to the point where they appear sufficiently broad to encompass perhaps most utility functions of practical interest.
Cost-aware scheduling for heterogeneous enterprise machines (CASH’EM)

Data centers contain heterogeneous sets of machines. Some machines are faster and some - often the same ones - consume more energy and cost more to operate. The data center coordinator must decide how to allocate these machines to multiple applications of potentially many customers, each of which has different requirements. Given a stream of customer requests for machines, how does the data center provider decide which machines to give to whom and when? We propose new algorithms for a cost-aware provider to maximize its profit as it makes admission and scheduling decisions for the customer requests. We show that it matters which machines are assigned to each customer, especially when the data center is undersaturated. (Most data centers are.) Our new algorithms do best when they try to anticipate the ldquoriskinessrdquo of their decisions, that is, the likelihood that even higher-value requests will arrive later. We also show that turning unused machines off, rather than leaving them idle, even using simple heuristics like ldquoturn off a machine as soon as it becomes idle,rdquo can save a lot of money. Finally, we show that having heterogeneity in the data center is, in fact, beneficial. We demonstrate that the same set of customers can be satisfied at a lower cost and a higher profit in a heterogeneous data center rather than in a data center comprised solely of the newest, fastest, machines.
Reply to Wennerström et al.: Entropic forces on a confined membrane

The comments offered by Wennerstrom et al. (1) on a recently published article (2) address issues that fall outside the scope of that report, to some degree. The one exception is their observation that the repulsive force cannot be analyzed by the methods used in the article for separation distances on the molecular scale, but that limitation was noted explicitly in ref. 2.
The influence of target sex and dominance on evoked attack in Rhesus monkeys.

Attack behaviors were elicited by the electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus of freely moving male rhesus monkeys. The influence of the sex and dominance status of target animals on the evoked response was measured. Animals offered as targets were dominant males and females and subordinate males and and females. Males were attacked more often than females and subordinate targets of either sex were attacked more often than dominant targets. A comparison was made between spontaneous and evoked attack behavior.
How biological source capabilities may affect the data collection process

Scientific discovery relies partially on the collection of information related to multiple scientific objects (e.g., "retrieve all genes involved in brain cancer", "retrieve all citations related to diabetes"). Scientists are interested in exploring multiple data sources in order to explore relationships between scientific objects. Each data source provides specific capabilities that allow scientists to access, navigate, and analyze the data. This work addresses the impact of resource selection (data source and capability) in the data collection process as it may affect significantly the quality and completeness of the data. We present preliminary research that demonstrates that the data collection process depends on two orthogonal variables: the data sources involved in the process, and the selection of capabilities available at these resources. We report the results for four commonly used biological resources: the NCBl Nucleotide, Protein, PubMed and OMIM databases.
Properties of segmented polyurethane zwitterionomer elastomers

Abstract Four series of polyurethane zwitterionomers based on different soft segment polyols [polyethylene oxide (PEO), polypropylene oxide (PPO), polytetramethylene oxide (PTMO), and polybutadiene (PBD)] were synthesized, and their properties were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical spectroscopy, infrared dichroism, and stress-strain testing. Two different molar ratios of hard segment [4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI)] to chain extender [N-methyl diethanol-amine (MDEA)] to soft segment polyol, each with three different levels of ionization, were prepared based on the four different polyols. Zwitterionization was accomplished by quaternizing the tertiary amine of MDEA with γ-propane sultone. For the PBD materials, the un-ionized samples exhibited a high degree of phase separation, and ionization served mainly to improve domain cohesion. Increasing ionic content improved material strength while sacrificing extensibility. For the polyether materials the un-ionized...
Spin Structure of the Nucleon at SLAC

Recent measurements are reviewed of the spin structure functions g 2 p and g 2 d measured at SLAC over the kinematic range 0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.8 and 0.6 ≤ Q 2 ≤ 20 (GeV/c)2, made by scattering 29.1 and 32.3 GeV longitudinally polarized electrons from transversely polarized NH3 and 6LiDtargets. The future SLAC program includes an experiment (E161) to measure ΔG(x) through polarized open charm photoproduction. Dominance of the photon-gluon fusion process can be tested using linearly polarized photons. Another experiment (E159) will determine the high-energy convergence of the GDH sum rule for both proton and deuteron target.
Outcomes of Cardiac Perforation Complicating Catheter Ablation of Ventricular Arrhythmias

Background— Cardiac perforation is a recognized complication of catheter ablation procedures, most commonly encountered during ablation of atrial fibrillation. The study aims to investigate the incidence, management, and hospital outcomes of cardiac perforation complicating catheter ablation for ventricular arrhythmias. Methods and Results— Consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation for ventricular arrhythmias at a tertiary referral center were included in this retrospective analysis. Of 1152 consecutive catheter ablation procedures in 892 patients over 12 years, 11 procedures (1.0%) were complicated by ventricular perforation. Emergent pericardial drainage and surgical repair were required in 10 (91%) and 6 (55%) cases, respectively. No perforation was apparent in patients with prior cardiac surgery. More than half of the perforations (6 of 11) occurred in the context of steam pops during radiofrequency ablation and were more likely to require surgical repair ( P =0.07). Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, left ventricular assist device, and biventricular assist device were used in 2 patients, 1 patient, and 1 patient, respectively. Of 6 cases in which the site of perforation could be determined at cardiac surgery, 5 were in the right ventricle (4 outflow tract, 1 free wall) and only 1 was located in the left ventricle. All patients survived to discharge. Conclusions— Ventricular perforation and tamponade occurs in 1% of ventricular ablation procedures and in this series, occurred only in patients without a history of prior cardiac surgery. More than half the patients required surgical repair. Perforation is often associated with steam pops and emergent surgical repair is often required when perforation occurs after a steam pop.
Statistical methods for assessing the fairness of the allocation of shares in initial public offerings

In the late 1990s the stocks of technology companies, especially those involved with the Internet, were highly profitable. Customers of investment firms requested many more shares of new issues or initial public offerings (IPOs) than were available. Some customers allegedly made questionable arrangements with brokers for favourable treatment. This article describes statistical measures for assessing the fairness of an investment firm’s or broker’s allocations of IPO shares to their customers. One approach compares the success rates of different groups of customers, e.g. those alleged to be favoured with those of other groups. The second method incorporates the prior business each customer gave the firm into the comparison as an allocation criterion. This metric is an objective quantification of the fact that it is economically sensible for a firm to allocate more IPO shares to its ‘best’ customers.
Rapid detection and distinction of cutaneous herpesvirus infections by direct immunofluorescence

Abstract Background: Optimal management of cutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicellazoster virus (VZV) infections requires rapid, accurate distinction between these pathogens. Objective: In a mixed-case series of suspected cutaneous herpesvirus infections, we compared the diagnostic utility of viral culture and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) using a panel of fluoresceinated monoclonal antibodies against HSV and VZV. Methods: Epifluorescence microscopy of smears and viral culture were performed in parallel on 58 lesions. Results: DIF and culture were equally sensitive (88%) in HSV infections, whereas DIF was four times as sensitive as culture (100% vs 18%) in VZV. DIF either refuted an incorrect clinical diagnosis or permitted definitive laboratory diagnosis of a clinically indeterminate lesion in 7 (12%) of 58 lesions tested. Conclusion: DIF is a rapid, simple, sensitive, specific, cost-effective, and clinically useful technique for detecting and distinguishing cutaneous HSV and VZV infections.
Countergradient variation in embryonic growth and development: do embryonic and juvenile performances trade off?

Summary 1. Countergradient variation in growth rate requires that rapid growth rate trades off with other performances, such that submaximal growth evolves in certain environments. Negative effects of rapid growth on other traits within a single ontogenetic stage are conspicuous candidates for such trade-offs, but trade-offs spanning ontogenetic stages have received much less attention. 2. We tested whether rapid growth and development of embryonic lizards was associated with poor juvenile performance, as estimated by growth rate and sprint speed after hatching. To do so, we raised lizards from three populations that differ in their environmental temperature and measured their performances during embryonic and hatchling stages. 3. Under the same environmental conditions, embryos from two cold environments grew and developed more rapidly than did the embryos from a warm environment. Among populations, rapid growth and development was associated with slow growth after hatching. But surprisingly, the opposite pattern was observed within populations. 4. Our results highlight the need to consider trade-offs mediated by ecological factors (e.g. competition and predation), which calls for similar experiments in natural environments.
ELECTROMOBILITY OF MICA PARTICLES DISPERSED IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

Mobility measurements were made for dry-ground mica particles dispersed in aqueous KCl, Cr(NO3)3, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) solutions. In the latter solutions charge reversal occurred at about 2 × 10-6 M and 3 × 10-5 M, respectively. Negative zeta potentials in KCl solutions calculated using the Smoluchowski equation are about one third of the corresponding values obtained from streaming potentials and force measurements using mica sheets. Good agreement, however, was obtained when positively charged groups created during grinding were neutralized, and the zeta potentials were corrected according to the procedure of O’Brien and White with an assumed average particle size of 0.25 μm. When the zeta potentials of positively charged particles were corrected in this way, agreement with values calculated from force measurements was also improved.