cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What Will Become of Readers

Avatars of the Word From Papyrus to Cyberspace. James J. O'Donnell. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1998. 224 pp. $24.95. ISBN 0-674-05545-4. O'Donnell approaches the current communication revolution through comparisons with earlier transformations of information technologies: oral to written, papyrus to codex, copied manuscript to print. He suggests that the ongoing changes are not as radical as many believe and offers suggestions for adjusting to them and for improving learning and teaching.
Teaching Techniques for the New Marketing Instructor: Bringing the Business World into the Classroom:

Bringing the realism of marketing into the classroom can help new marketing instructors overcome their lack of teaching experiences and have more time to do research and write articles, while enric...
Integrated simulation to analyze the impact of cyber-attacks on the power grid

With the development of the smart grid technology, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a sig- nificant role in the smart grid. ICT enables to realize the smart grid, but also brings cyber vulnerabilities. It is important to analyze the impact of possible cyber-attacks on the power grid. In this paper, a real-time, cyber-physical co-simulation testbed with hardware-in-the-loop capability is discussed. Real-time Digital Simulator (RTDS), Synchrophasor devices, DeterLab, and a wide- area monitoring application with closed-loop control are utilized in the developed testbed. Two different real life cyber-attacks, including TCP SYN flood attack, and man-in-the-middle attack, are simulated on an IEEE standard power system test case to analyze the the impact of these cyber-attacks on the power grid.
Closed-form solutions to constrained control allocation problem

This paper describes the results of recent research into the problem of allocating several flight control effectors to generate moments acting on a flight vehicle. The results focus on the use of various generalized inverse solutions and a hybrid solution utilizing daisy chaining. In this analysis, the number of controls is greater than the number of moments being controlled, and the ranges of the controls are constrained to certain limits. The control effectors are assumed to be individually linear in their effects throughout their ranges of motion and independent of one another in their effects. A standard of comparison is developed based on the volume of moments or moment coefficients a given method can yield using admissible control deflections. Details of the calculation of the various volumes are presented. Results are presented for a sample problem involving 10 flight control effectors. The effectivenesses of the various allocation schemes are contrasted during an aggressive roll about the velocity vector at low dynamic pressure. The performance of three specially derived generalized inverses, a daisy-chaining solution, and direct control allocation are compared.
Exploratory community sensing in social networks

Social networks generally provide an implementation of some kind of groups or communities which users can voluntarily join. Twitter does not have this functionality, and there is no notion of a formal group or community. We propose a method for identification of communities and assignment of semantic meaning to the discussion topics of the resulting communities. Using this analysis method and a sample of roughly a month's worth of Tweets from Twitter's "gardenhose" feed, we demonstrate the discovery of meaningful user communities on Twitter. We examine Twitter data streaming in real time and treat it as a sensor. Twitter is a social network which pioneered microblogging with the messages fitting an SMS, and a variety of clients, browsers, smart phones and PDAs are used for status updates by individuals, businesses, media outlets and even devices all over the world. Often an aggregate trend of such statuses may represent an important development in the world, which has been demonstrated with the Iran and Moldova elections and the anniversary of the Tiananmen in China. We propose using Twitter as a sensor, tracking individuals and communities of interest, and characterizing individual roles and dynamics of their communications. We developed a novel algorithm of community identification in social networks based on direct communication, as opposed to linking. We show ways to find communities of interest and then browse their neighborhoods by either similarity or diversity of individuals and groups adjacent to the one of interest. We use frequent collocations and statistically improbable phrases to summarize the focus of the community, giving a quick overview of its main topics. Our methods provide insight into the largest social sensor network in the world and constitute a platform for social sensing.
Invisibility and Cloaking Based on Scattering Cancellation

Advances in material synthesis and in metamaterial technology offer new venues to tailor the electromagnetic properties of devices, which may go beyond conventional limits in a variety of fields and applications. Invisibility and cloaking are perhaps one of the most thought-provoking possibilities offered by these new classes of advanced materials. Here, recently proposed solutions for invisibility and cloaking using metamaterials, metasurfaces, graphene and/or plasmonic materials in different spectral ranges are reviewed and highlighted. The focus is primarily on scattering-cancellation approaches, describing material challenges, venues and opportunities for the plasmonic and the mantle cloaking techniques, applied to various frequency windows and devices. Analogies, potentials and relevant opportunities of these concepts are discussed, their potential realization and the underlying technology required to verify these phenomena are reviewed with an emphasis on the material aspects involved. Finally, these solutions are compared with other popular cloaking techniques.
Cigarette smoke: Effects on lactate extraction in the presence of severe coronary atherosclerosis

Abstract Fifteen patients with angiographically demonstrated severe obstructive coronary artery disease were the study subjects. Hemodynamic measurements were made before and during cigarette smoking, and metabolic evaluation was performed in these states and during isoproterenol stress. Heart rate, aortic pressure, systolic ejection and diastolic filling periods were measured. Myocardial lactate extraction was evaluated at three coronary sinus drainage sites. Despite increases in heart rate, aortic pressure, the systolic ejection period per minute, and the tension-time index per minute lactate production was not induced by smoking in any patient without lactate production in the control state. In 3 patients with lactate abnormalities prior to smoking, inhalation of cigarette smoke sustained and slightly aggravated this circumstance. Isoproterenol induced lactate production in all but 1 patient. Cigarette smoking in a group of patients with severe obstructive coronary artery disease did not produce evidence of ischemia as determined by abnormalities in lactate extraction.
Detection of microcalcifications in mammograms using wavelets

Clusters of fine, granular microcalcifications in mammograms may be an early sign of disease. Individual grains are difficult to detect and segment due to size and shape variability and because the background mammogram texture is typically inhomogeneous. We present a two- stage method based on wavelet transforms for detecting and segmenting calcifications. The first stage consists of a full resolution wavelet transform, which is simply the conventional filter bank implementation without downsampling, so that all sub-bands remain at full size. Four octaves are computed with two inter-octave voices for finer scale resolution. By appropriate selection of the wavelet basis the detection of microcalcifications in the relevant size range can be nearly optimized in the details sub-bands. In fact, the separable 2D filters which transform the input image into the HH details sub-bands are closely related to pre- whitening matched filters for detecting Gaussian objects (idealized microcalcifications) in Markov noise (background noise). The second stage is designed to overcome the limitations of the simplistic Gaussian assumption and provides a useful segmentation of calcifications boundaries. Detected pixel sites in the LH, HL, and HH sub-bands are heavily weighted before computing the inverse wavelet transform. The LL component is omitted since gross spatial variations are of little interest. Individual microcalcifications are often greatly enhanced in the output image, to the point where straightforward thresholding can be applied to segment them. FROC curves are computed from tests using a well-known database of digitized mammograms. A true positive fraction of 85% is achieved at 0.5 false positives per image.
The Role of Knowledge Management in Quality Management Practices: Achieving Performance Excellence in Organizations:

The problem and the solution. Knowledge management involves “knowledge” and “information.” Both of these concepts lie at the heart of human resource development (HRD) practice in the workplace. In ...
A cDNA from Schizosaccharomyces pombe encoding a putative enolase

Abstract Here we report the isolation of an enolase (Eno)-encoding cDNA clone from Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequence of the 1.4-kb cDNA shares identities with a number of Eno from Escherichia coli to humans. The highest degree of similarity is to the known Eno from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and an Eno from Candida albicans. Northern blot analysis identified a single transcript of approx. 1.4 kb, which was most abundant when cells were grown in media with glucose as the carbon source, as opposed to glycerol/lactate or ethanol.
Effects of contextual competence on social initiations.

Abstract The frequency of social initiations and satisfaction with interactions in three dyads, each consisting of 1 student with disabilities and 1 nondisabled peer, were assessed under two alternating conditions: Condition 1 assessed the interactions around a set of four trained computer games, and Condition 2 assessed interactions when students were playing a set of four untrained computer games. Training was conducted with a multiple baseline design across participants and was followed by social interaction probes using an alternating treatments design. The results indicated greater frequencies of social initiation by 5 of 6 participants, higher degrees of game satisfaction by all participants, and equal or higher degrees of peer satisfaction by 5 of 6 participants when playing trained games in comparison to untrained games.
In-laboratory experiments to investigate driver behavior under advanced traveler information systems

Abstract In-laboratory experimentation with interactive microcomputer simulation is a useful tool for studying the dynamics of driver behavior in response to advance traveler information systems. Limited real-world implementation of these information systems has made it difficult to observe and study how drivers seek, acquire, process, and respond to real-time information. This paper describes the design and preliminary testing of an interactive microcomputer-based animated simulator, developed at the University of California, Irvine, to model pre-trip and enroute driver travel choices in the presence of advanced traveler information systems. The advantages of this simulator are realized in its versatility to model driver decision processing while presenting a realistic representation of the travel choice domain. Results from a case study revealed that increased driver familiarity with travel conditions and network layout reduced driver reliance on information systems and influences diversion behavior.
Effects of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons on benzo (A) pyrene hydroxylase activity in the intestine and liver

Abstract Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) has been measured as benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase in the intestine and liver of rats and mice treated with a single dose of different polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons. Maximal stimulation of liver AHH activity is reached with a dose of 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) half as great as that necessary for maximal stimulation of the intestine. The duration of the effect of TCDD on intestinal AHH differs from the constant increase that occurs in the liver. Although the magnitude of the stimulation by 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) is less than that of TCDD, the qualitative changes in intestinal and liver AHH are similar. The changes in activity of intestinal and hepatic AHH were not directly correlated in the tissues of rats treated with several other polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons. Liver and intestinal AHH activity were affected differently by fasting. These results suggest that AHH activity in the intestine and liver has different control mechanisms.
The Influence of Nickel-Hydroxide Composition and Microstructure on the High-Temperature Performance of Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries

A special precipitation process developed at Ovonic Battery Company has been utilized to produce spherical, high-density nickel-hydroxide powders with different chemical compositions. These powders were tested in sealed, cylindrical C-cell size nickel metal hydride batteries to study the effect of chemical composition on high-temperature performance. Charging measurements were made at 25, 45, and 65°C. It was found that coprecipitated cobalt in the presence of magnesium, zinc, and calcium increases the voltage gap between the oxygen-evolution potential and the midpoint voltage of the battery. The larger voltage gap dramatically increases the charge acceptance of the battery, improving its charging efficiency (normalized to the room-temperature value) from around 50% for conventional nickel hydroxide to 85% for the improved materials when measured at 65°C.
Relation of Torsion and Myocardial Strains to LV Ejection Fraction in Hypertension

Objectives The goal of this study was to define the mechanism of preserved ejection fraction (EF) despite depressed myocardial strains in hypertension (HTN). Background Concentric left ventricular (LV) remodeling in HTN may have normal or supranormal EF despite depressed myocardial strains. The reason for such discordance is not clear. The aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the LV mechanics in a well-defined HTN population to define underlying reasons for such a paradox. Methods Sixty-seven patients with resistant HTN and 45 healthy control subjects were studied by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and tissue tagging with 3-dimensional analysis. Amplitude and directional vector of longitudinal (Ell), circumferential (Ecc), and principal strain for maximal shortening (E3) were computed at basal, mid, and distal LV levels, respectively. LV torsion, defined as the rotation angle of apex relative to base, and LV twist, which accounts for the effects of differential LV remodeling on torsion for comparison among the 2 groups, were also calculated. Results LV mass index and LV mass/LV end-diastolic volume ratio were significantly higher in the HTN group compared with controls, consistent with concentric LV remodeling. Ell and Ecc were significantly decreased in amplitude with altered directional vector in HTN compared with controls. However, the amplitude of E3 was similar in the 2 groups. Torsion and twist were significantly higher in HTN, which was mainly due to increase in apical rotation. The HTN group demonstrated significantly increased LV wall thickening compared with controls that resulted in greater LVEF in the HTN group compared with controls (70% vs. 65%, p Conclusions In compensated LV remodeling secondary to HTN, there is increased LV wall thickening with preserved E3 and increased torsion compared with normal controls. This, therefore, contributes to supranormal LVEF in HTN despite depressed longitudinal and circumferential strains.
Safety of Copper Sulfate to Channel Catfish Eggs

Abstract Copper sulfate (CuSO4) is used in the catfish industry to control saprolegniasis (caused by the watermolds Achlya spp. or Saprolegnia spp.) on eggs. This study was designed to establish the margin of safety of CuSO4 at 10, 30, and 50 mg/L when applied for three times the normal treatment duration to hatching troughs containing channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus eggs in 26°C, flow-through well water. The safety of CuSO4 was indicated by the percentage of fry that hatched from the eggs. Eggs were treated daily until the embryos reached the eyed stage. The least-squares means ± SE of hatch rates were 40.8 ± 9.1, 80.9 ± 6.4, 64.2 ± 8.6, and 80.3 ± 6.6% for the 0-, 10-, 30-, and 50-mg/L CuSO4 treatments, respectively. The hatch rate for the 0-mg/L CuSO4 treatment was significantly different from that of all other CuSO4 treatments. Treating channel catfish eggs with five times the recommended dose of 10-mg/L CuSO4 for three times the recommended duration did not adversely affect the hatch rates in thi...
Epicardial organization of human ventricular fibrillation

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that on the epicardium of the in vivo human heart, ventricular fibrillation (VF) consists of chaotic small wavefronts that constantly change paths. Background Despite the significance of VF to cardiovascular mortality, little is known about the wavefronts that constitute VF in humans. Methods In 9 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, a single VF episode was induced by rapid pacing immediately after institution of cardiopulmonary bypass while recordings were made from 504 electrodes spaced 2 mm apart in a 20 cm 2 plaque held against the anterior left ventricle epicardium. A total of 26 segments of VF, each 2 s long, were analyzed. A computer algorithm identified individual wavefronts and classified them into groups that followed similar activation sequences. Results The mean activation rate was 5.8 ± 1.8 (mean ± SD) cycles/s. The wavefronts during each epoch were grouped into 9.4 ± 7.1 different activation pathways, and 8.3 ± 2.3 wavefronts followed each pathway. Individual wavefronts spread to activate an area of 5.1 ± 3.0 cm 2 in the mapped region. The majority of the wavefronts propagated into the mapped region and/or propagated out of the mapped region into adjacent tissue, suggesting that the wavefronts were larger than 5.1 cm 2 . Reentry was identified in only 16 of the 26 (62%) 2-s segments, always completed Conclusion VF wavefronts on the human epicardium are usually large, repeatedly follow distinct pathways, and only occasionally reenter. If these results for the left ventricular epicardium are representative of those for the entire ventricular mass, they do not support the hypothesis that human VF consists of small, constantly changing wavefronts, but rather suggest that there is significant organization of human VF.
Concurrent Hierarchical and Multilevel Simulation of VLSI Circuits

Advances in VLSI technologies have led to the implementation of very large and complex systems on a single chip. Current Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools are being pushed to their limits in order to keep up with increasing chip complexity. One of the main problems facing current CAD tools is the large amount of memory required when dealing with large systems. Most tools represent the circuit as a collection of primitives and shared information is duplicated. This paper discusses an approach for hierarchical switch-level simulation of digital circuits. The approach exploits the hierarchy to reduce the memory require ments of the simulation, allowing the simulation of circuits that are too large to simulate at the flat level. In addition, parts of the circuit can be replaced with automati cally generated software models, thus increasing the simulation speed without sacrificing accuracy. The approach has been implemented in a hierarchical switch-level simulator, CHAMP. The program allows for user-supplied b...
Fix It or Leave It? Customer Recovery from Self-service Technology Failures

Abstract Self-service technologies (SSTs), such as airport check-in kiosks, can provide customers faster, better, and less expensive services. Yet sometimes customers experience service failures with these technologies. This study investigates the process by which customers recover from SST failures using their own effort (i.e., customer recovery) and explores their decisions to stay with or switch from the SST. Drawing from expectancy and attribution theories, we develop a process model centered on customer-recovery expectancy and test the model by tracking actual failure responses. The results show that internal attribution, perceived control over the SST, and SST interactivity all positively influence customer-recovery expectancy. In turn, expectancy affects customers’ recovery effort and recovery strategies, depending on the availability of competitive information. Furthermore, greater recovery effort increases the likelihood of staying with an SST, whereas more recovery strategies increase the likelihood of switching. The theoretical and managerial implications of these findings include ways to design SSTs to enhance recovery expectancy, a key mechanism of the recovery process, and thus to encourage customers to persist with the technologies.
Decision making of rural gifted females: Case studies of precollege influences

Factors that influence precollege decision making as they relate to growing up as a rural gifted female were investigated. Findings from questionnaires and interviews focusing on high school and extracurricular experiences with college students in rural south Georgia produced case studies reflecting perceptions of decision‐making influences. Involvement in high school experiences was influenced more by their self‐perceptions and circumstances. The participants saw themselves as intelligent, independent, outspoken, and goal‐directed. These rural gifted young women of the nineties expected to be involved in dual career and partnership relationships. Although uncertain about career decisions, non‐traditional science careers as well as more traditional teaching careers were considered. Family support was important for their development. Creating blocks of time was seen as a crucial resource for effective organization and planning in facilitating goal attainment.
The Effect of Testosterone on Androgen Receptors and Human Penile Growth

AbstractPurpose: Recent rat studies suggest that early exposure to exogenous testosterone accelerates the loss of androgen receptors and compromises eventual penile length. In humans we hypothesize that down regulation of the androgen receptor is not the mechanism that stops penile growth. To test this hypothesis we investigated the effects of androgen deprivation and supplementation on the developing human penis.Materials and Methods: A total of 15 normal human fetal penises at 7 to 19 weeks of gestation (mean plus or minus standard deviation 12 −/− 4.5) was divided in half sagittally. Specimens were grafted beneath the renal capsule of male athymic nude mice or nude rats. Three groups of host animals were prepared, including 10 with no testosterone that were castrated at grafting, 15 with testosterone and 5 with super testosterone in which 50 mg. testosterone propionate pellets were implanted subcutaneously at grafting. Each fetal penile specimen was its own control, since half was implanted into an int...
Inhibition of Petunia flower senescence by 2,2′-bipyridyl

Abstract Chelating agents were applied to Petunia flowers to test for the involvement of apoplastic metal ions in ethylene-induced senescence. Compounds varying in charge and polarity were applied directly to the corolla prior to a 24-h treatment with 1 μl 1−1 ethylene. Charged and polar chelators (EDTA and EGTA) were inactive. The only compound which inhibited senescence was 2,2′-bipyridyl and there was evidence of cellular uptake of this compound. Fe2+ and Zn2+ did not reverse the inhibition of senescence by bipyridyl. Cu2+ as low as 0.1 mM reversed the effect of bipyridyl but senescence was independent of ethylene treatment. Bipyridyl caused a rapid shift in flower color from red to blue, but untreated flowers became more blue than bipyridyl-treated during 9 days. CO2 and ethylene production were stimulated by ethylene but inhibited by bipyridyl applied before or after a 24-h ethylene treatment. Continuous ethylene treatment did not reverse the delay of senescence by bipyridyl.
Forced convection induced thermal fluctuations at the solid–liquid interface and its effect on the radial alloy distribution in vertical Bridgman grown Ga1−xInxSb bulk crystals

Abstract The mode of redistributing the excess solute species at the melt–solid interface accumulated during the growth of bulk ternary semiconductor crystals is a key factor dictating the crystalline quality and spatial alloy composition. Since the solidification temperatures vary with alloy composition, a control over both heat and mass transport during crystal growth is necessary for achieving spatial compositional homogeneity in the grown crystals. The effects of forced and natural convections, as well as diffusion (in the liquid) on the radial alloy distribution in vertical Bridgman growth Ga 1− x In x Sb bulk polycrystals (20–50 mm diameter) have been investigated. In the absence of forced convection, the shape of the solid–liquid interface has been found to be highly curved under growth conditions necessary for avoiding constitutional supercooling (high axial temperature gradients and low growth rates). Lowering the axial temperature gradient does flatten the interface shape, but extremely slow growth rate (below 0.1 mm/h) is necessary for avoiding constitutional supercooling. Forced convection helps in accelerating the removal and re-distributing the excess solute from the growth interface to the entire melt volume thus leading to a 4–5 fold increase in the growth rate without constitutional supercooling and flattening the solid–liquid interface necessary for uniform radial composition in the crystal. However, the mechanism of forced convection coupled with axial temperature gradient in the melt leads to thermal fluctuation at the growth interface. As a consequence, fluctuation in radial alloy composition is observed. A comparative study of various melt stirring schemes with different axial temperature gradients and the resulting alloy distribution in the crystals has been presented in this paper.
Effect of probucol on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in type IIb hyperlipoproteinemia

Probucol was administered for 4 months in 20 adult males with Type IIb HLP in a total daily dose of 1.0 g per day. All patients had achieved a stable weight and diet response prior to entering the study. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein determinations were done at monthly intervals. Probucol produced mean reductions to TPC of -38.8 mg/dl (P < 0.0001), in LDL of -26.7 mg/dl (P < 0.001) and HDL of -8.1 mg/dl (P < 0.0001) for the entire treatment period. The mean LDL/HDL ratio increased from 5.43 to 6.08 (P < 0.02). There was no significant change in TG levels. During the study a progressive decrease in mean HDL levels from 38.9 to 29.2 mg/dl was noted. A progressive increase in the LDL/HDL ratio from 5.43 to 6.35 was also observed. These findings suggest that probucol should be used cautiously in patients with Type IIb HLP, because an inverse relationship between HDL levels and IHD incidence has been demonstrated in epidemiologic studies.
On some practical consideration of the electron beam breakup transit time oscillator

The electron beam breakup transit time oscillator (BTO) makes use of the interaction between an electron beam and the azimuthally asymmetric transverse magnetic mode (TM 110 ) of a cavity to facilitate the exchange of energy between them. Linear theory has shown a large growth rate in the regime where space-charge effects can be ignored. In this study, we have investigated the non-ideal elements in the BTO and evaluated their effects accordingly. The practical issues under consideration are electron beam quality, energy, and space-charge potential. Our calculations indicate only a modest unfavorable scalings with respect to these parameters.
An ultrastructural study of zoosporogenesis inPythium proliferum de Bary

Zoosporogenesis in the oomycete,Pythium proliferum de Bary initially involves a condensation of cytoplasm at certain hyphal tips and the subsequent enlargement of these hyphal tips to form sporangia. Deposition of a septum at the base of the sporangium and initiation of an apical papilla are followed by cleavage of the sporangial cytoplasm. Packets of presumptive mastigonemes as well as flagella are recognized in the cytoplasm at this time. Subsequently, cleavage vesicles at the periphery of the sporogenic cytoplasm fuse with the plasmalemma thereby emptying their fibrous contents into the space between the sporogenic cytoplasm and the sporangial wall. It is felt that this fibrous material is instrumental in developing the internal pressure necessary within the sporangium to cause discharge of the sporogenic cytoplasm into an evanescent vesicle wherein delimitation of the zoospores is completed. The formation of the spore vesicle from the multilayered apical cap of the papilla is described here for the first time in the Oomycetes and a new term, “vesiculogen”, is suggested for this structure. Aspects of centriole replication within vegetative hyphae, papilla formation, and morphogenesis of various vesicular inclusions are also described in this study.
Resisting Plateauing: Four Veteran Teachers' Stories.

Abstract This paper describes and interprets the career experiences of four veteran secondary teachers and their ability to resist plateauing. Three areas of veteran teacher research informed this study: career stages, plateauing, and resiliency. In-depth phenomenological interviews were conducted to investigate and depict the meanings these teachers attached to their career experiences. Several factors emerged for each participant’s resilience. First, building leaders influenced their enthusiasm and professional growth. Second, positive effects on students’ lives affirmed their work. Third, interactions with colleagues promoted growth, and individual support systems helped them bounce back from career frustrations.
Possible role of cyclic AMP in the short term regulation of adrenal steroidogenesis.

THE most significant short term physiological effect of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) is to increase the rate of adrenal steroid hormone synthesis and secretion1,2. There is a great deal of evidence for adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) as intracellular mediator of this acute steroidogenic response3–9. The following steps are probably involved2: ACTH increases adrenocortical adenyl cyclase activity, thus raising the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP which in turn enhances the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, normally the rate-limiting reaction. Much of the evidence for this concept comes from experiments on intact cells though the enhancement of a variety of steroid hydroxylations in cell-free adrenal preparations by cyclic AMP has been reported10–13.
Nitric Oxide in Health and Disease

Abstract by Jill Lincoln, Charles H.V. Hoyle and Geoffrey Burnstock, Cambridge University Press, 1997. £24.95 (pbk)/£70.00 (hbk) (xiv +363 pages) ISBN 0 521 55977 4/0 521 55038 6
Public Policy Implications of Reverse Channel Mapping for Lesotho

Reverse Channel Mapping (RCM) is a research method for evaluating the effectiveness of macromarketing systems. RCM uniquely incorporates into backward channel mapping an objective function to allow evaluation of the effectiveness (social goal achievement) of the marketing system. An application of this approach to mapping a food life-support system (LSS) for Lesotho is described to demonstrate strengths of the method and build an argument for its general application.
In Defense of Liberalism

The title of this essay may seem ironic, perhaps even pointless. At a time when the values of liberal democracy are widely espoused, when the rhetoric of "rights" and "freedom" is constantly invoked, there appears to be little need to defend the liberal vision of political life. Unfortunately, things are not quite so simple. While the popular prestige of liberal rhetoric seems secure, its intellectual standing is less certain. Put bluntly, liberalism remains under philosophical assault from the so-called communitarians. As it happens, liberal political theorists have devised numerous schemes to deflect the criticisms of their communitarian detractors.
Modeling of Flame Blowout and Emissions in Vitiated Combustion of Biofuels

The widening gap between the demand and supply of fossil fuels has catalyzed the exploration of alternative sources of energy. Interest in the Power, Water Extraction and Refrigeration (PoWER) cycle, proposed by the University of Florida, as well as the desirability of using biofuels in distributed generation systems, has motivated the exploration of biofuel vitiated combustion. In earlier research efforts on the PoWER engine, lower emissions have been demonstrated by using conventional diesel fuels, achieved through high levels of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in semiclosed (SC) mode of operation, inherent in the PoWER cycle. In this work, combustion performance of biofuels has been investigated through modeling of chemical kinetics of ethanol, dimethyl ether (DME) and biodiesel surrogate methyl butanoate (MB), and comparison was made against conventional diesel fuel that was modeled using surrogate fuel n-heptane. The combustion performance was compared over a range of equivalence ratios and EGR levels. The simulations were performed using a constant-pressure continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) model developed using the Camera combustion code, implemented in C++. Results have been presented showing comparative trends in emissions, stability and combustion efficiency.© 2009 ASME
Higher Education as "Place": Location, Race, and College Attendance Policies

Space counts in college. Brown and the many higher education cases leading to that important legal decision were about place: where Negro schoolchildren would be allowed to attend school or whether Black students could attend white law schools. The issue of place has also been contested in other college settings, such as whether institutions can locate in certain "service" areas, whether college policies can be localized or tied to locales, whether regions and regional populations have legal claims to proportional college resources, or whether the siting of higher education can trigger racial claims. Indeed, each of these scenarios has been tested in court, each with its own incontestable racial calculus. And placing colleges near populations is a central feature of universal access, the theme of this special issue.
Anilinic N‐Oxides Support Cytochrome P450‐Mediated N‐Dealkylation through Hydrogen‐Atom Transfer

The mechanism of N-dealkylation mediated by cytochrome P450 (P450) has long been studied and argued as either a single electron transfer (SET) or a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from the amine to the oxidant of the P450, the reputed iron-oxene. In our study, tertiary anilinic N-oxides were used as oxygen surrogates to directly generate a P450-mediated oxidant that is capable of N-dealkylating the dimethylaniline derived from oxygen donation. These surrogates were employed to probe the generated reactive oxygen species and the subsequent mechanism of N-dealkylation to distinguish between the HAT and SET mechanisms. In addition to the expected N-demethylation of the product aniline, 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-N,N-dimethylaniline N-oxide (PFDMAO) was found to be capable of N-dealkylating both N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) and N-cyclopropyl-N-methylaniline (CPMA). Rate comparisons of the N-demethylation of DMA supported by PFDMAO show a 27-fold faster rate than when supported by N,N-dimethylaniline N-oxide (DMAO). Whereas intermolecular kinetic isotope effects were masked, intramolecular measurements showed values reflective of those seen previously in DMAO- and the native NADPH/O 2 -supported systems (2.33 and 2.8 for the N-demethylation of PFDMA and DMA from the PFDMAO system, respectively). PFDMAO-supported N-dealkylation of CPMA led to the ring-intact product N-cyclopropylaniline (CPA), similar to that seen with the native system. The formation of CPA argues against a SET mechanism in favor of a P450-like HAT mechanism. We suggest that the similarity of KIEs, in addition to the formation of the ring-intact CPA, argues for a similar mechanism of Compound I (Cpd I) formation followed by HAT for N-dealkylation by the native and N-oxide-supported systems and demonstrate the ability of the N-oxide-generated oxidant to act as an accurate mimic of the native P450 oxidant.
SAR/QSAR methods in public health practice

Methods of (Quantitative) Structure-Activity Relationship ((Q)SAR) modeling play an important and active role in ATSDR programs in support of the Agency mission to protect human populations from exposure to environmental contaminants. They are used for cross-chemical extrapolation to complement the traditional toxicological approach when chemical-specific information is unavailable. SAR and QSAR methods are used to investigate adverse health effects and exposure levels, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetic properties of hazardous chemical compounds. They are applied as a part of an integrated systematic approach in the development of Health Guidance Values (HGVs), such as ATSDR Minimal Risk Levels, which are used to protect populations exposed to toxic chemicals at hazardous waste sites. (Q)SAR analyses are incorporated into ATSDR documents (such as the toxicological profiles and chemical-specific health consultations) to support environmental health assessments, prioritization of environmental chemical hazards, and to improve study design, when filling the priority data needs (PDNs) as mandated by Congress, in instances when experimental information is insufficient. These cases are illustrated by several examples, which explain how ATSDR applies (Q)SAR methods in public health practice.
Excited state resonant tunneling in GaAsAlxGa1−xAs double barrier heterostructures

Abstract Resonant tunneling through the ground and first excited state of single quantum well, double barrier GaAsAlxGa1−xAs heterostructures is reported. Negative differential resistance from both quantum well states is observable up to room temperature in one of these structures. The observed positions of the quantum well states agree well with theory, though there exists an asymmetry in the current-voltage characteristics about the origin.
Grain growth of nanocrystalline Fe–Al alloys produced by cryomilling in liquid argon and nitrogen

Abstract Cryomilling of Fe–10 wt.%Al powders in liquid argon as well as in liquid nitrogen resulted in nanocrystalline structures which were thermally stable at least up to 1223 K, or 67% of the melting temperature of Fe. In contrast, cryomilling of elemental Fe resulted in a nanocrystalline structure which grew to a sub-micron scale following annealing at 1223 K. The enhanced thermal stability of the cryomilled Fe–10 wt.%Al powders in liquid argon was attributed to the formation of γ -Al 2 O 3 due to the moisture condensation. The thermal stability of the Fe–10 wt.%Al powders milled in liquid nitrogen was attributed to the formation of oxynitrides, or γ -Al 2 O 3 and AlN particles during cryomilling in liquid nitrogen. The formation of Fe 3 O 4 particles did not result in enhanced thermal stability. The presence of Al is essential in achieving thermal stability of nanocrystalline structures in cryomilled Fe powders.
Personal relations and moral residue

To what extent can one be saddled with responsibility or guilt as a result of actions committed not by oneself but by others with whom one has a familial or national connection or some other communal association? The issue of communal guilt has been extensively discussed, and there has been no shortage of writers willing to apply the notion of communal responsibility and guilt to Germany after the Holocaust. But the whole notion of communal guilt is deeply puzzling. How can evil actions cast a shadow over the future in this way to generate obligations or guilt on the part of those who did not in any way participate in those actions? In this article, I will focus on a question that is a smaller-scale analogue of the question of communal guilt, one which raises similar perplexities but in a more tractable way. I will concentrate on the restoration of relations with perpetrators of great evil in cases in which their whole-hearted repentance is not in doubt. Most of us feel a strong antipathy to the restorati...
Age-Related Alterations of Isolated Rat Leydig Cell Function: Gonadotropin Receptors, Adenosine 3', 5'-Monophosphate Response, and Testosterone Secretion

Decreased serum testosterone has been reported in old male rats, but in vivo studies have shown decreased gonadotropin levels and normal testis response to 120 min or more of gonadotropin stimulation, leaving doubt as to whether an aging defect exists in the Leydig cell per se. We compared the function of Leydig cells from old Wistar rats (22-25 months) with cells from mature rats (6-9 months) in vitro. The cells from old rats showed a 77% diminution in testosterone secretory response to hCG after incubation with various concentrations of hCG for 120 min. Cells from old animals reached a maximum response at a hCG concentration of 0.2 ng⁄ml, and cells from mature rats reached a maximum response at a hCG concentration of 0.5 ng⁄ml. Testosterone secretory response to 0.2 and 0.5 ng/ml hCG was also diminished in the old animals after incubations ranging from 60-180 min Leydig cells from old rats had 27% fewer gonadotropin receptors than mature rats (P < 0.001); however, total intracellular cAMP and protein-bo...
Automated index of semantic verbal fluency in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease

Background: Semantic verbal fluency (SVF), widely reported in AD and MCI, often show early and disproportionate decline relative to other language, attention, and executive abilities. Successful performance on the SVF test depends on how well conceptual information is organized into related clusters and whether the patient is able to use an efficient strategy to access these clusters. Current methods for clustering and switching behavior assessment are labor-intensive and subjective. We developed and tested an automated computational linguistic approach to cluster words generated on the SVF test. Methods: Participants were a random sample from the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Registry and the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging (20 probable AD, 21 MCI, 19 controls; controlled for age mean 72 y.o.). All participants underwent a cognitive assessment including the paper-andpencil SVF test subsequently converted to electronic form and a short test of mental status (STMS). The test was analyzed using a novel automatic clustering assessment tool based on semantic relatedness between pairs of words calculated using a variant of principal components analysis. Traditional SVF scores were compared to automatically computed mean cluster size (MCS) and a measure of cumulative relatedness between all pairs of words (CuRel) using logistic regression modeling to distinguish between diagnostic groups and linear regression to predict STMS scores. Results: Classification of MCI vs. controls with SVF score as the only predictor in logistic regression model resulted in smaller area under the curve (AUC) estimates for (MCI vs. controls AUC 1⁄4 0.70; AD vs. controls AUC 1⁄4 0.87) than classification with SVF/CuRel score and MCS as predictors (MCI vs. controls AUC 1⁄4 0.70 and 0.77 for CuRel; AD vs. controls AUC 1⁄4 0.97 and 0.90 for CuRel). Linear regression models that included the SVF score together with MCS resulted in significantly better fit with STMS scores than models with SVF score as the sole predictor (r 2 1⁄4 0.55 vs. r 2 1⁄4 0.38, respectively). Conclusions: Our preliminary study indicates that automatically assessed clustering behavior on the SVF test provides complementary information to traditional SVF scoring. Our computerized approach is objective, reproducible and easily scalable to large numbers of participants.
The cohomology ring of a module

Let egt(M)=ExttKc(M,M). In [4] it was proved that an element of gt(M) is nilpotent if and only if its restriction to every elementary abelian p-subgroup of G is nilpotent. Here we expand on this result by showing that if G is elementary abelian, then the nilpotency of an element in gt(M) depends on that of the restrictions of the element to cyclic shifted subgroups, i.e. to certain cyclic subgroups of the group of units of KG. The radical of ¢(M) is then characterized in terms of restrictions to shifted subgroups. Using these results we get a new proof of a theorem of Avrunin and Scott [2] which asserts the equality of two varieties associated to M. An example of an indecomposable module M such that ,~ :M) /Rad ~(M) is not commutative is given in the last section. For the case in which the prime p is 2, the main theorem and some of its consequences were proved in [3]. The proof for the general case, that we give here, is significantly different in that it employs a nontrivial spectral sequence argument. Although we use no results f rom [2], its necessary to adopt the Avrunin-Scott point of view. Specifically we regard KG as a truncated polynomial ring or equivalently as the restricted enveloping algebra of a commutative Lie algebra. The resulting Hopf algebra structure yields a cup product that commutes with restrictions to shifted subgroups. The theorem that is proved concerns only g(M) whose product is independent of the coalgebra structure. Throughout the paper all KG-modules will be assumed to be finitely generated. .. L/t is a KG-module, then f2(M) is the kernel of the surjection PM~M where PM
UK-14,304, R(−)-α-methyl-histamine and SMS 201-995 block plasma protein leakage within dura mater by prejunctional mechanisms

Intravenous administration of an α-adrenoceptor agonist, UK-14,304, a histaminc H3 receptor agonist, R(−)-α-methyl-histamine (α-MeHA) or SMS 201-995 (a synthetic octapeptide analogue of somatostatin), blocked plasma protein (125I-albumin) extravasation within rat and/or guinea pig dura mater following unilateral electrical trigeminal ganglion stimulation or capsaicin administration. The extravasation caused by the administration of the neuropeptide mediator, substance P, was not inhibited by any of the three compounds. Blockade by UK-14,304 was completely antagonized by prctreatment with the highly selective α2-antagonist, idazoxan, as was α-MeHA by prctreatmcnt with the highly selective histaminc H3 antagonist, thiopcramide. Taken together, the results arc consistent with blockade by prejunctional α2, histaminc H3 and probably somatostatin receptors which may be coupled to inhibition of neuropcptidc release. Because 5-HT1-likc agonists, which are useful for treating migraine and related headaches, share similar inhibitory properties in this in vivo model, the significance of prejunctional α2, histaminc H3 and somatostatin receptors to treatment of vascular headaches is suggested.