cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scaling theory and morphometrics for a coarsening multiscale surface, via a principle of maximal dissipation

We consider the coarsening dynamics of multiscale solutions to a dissipative singularly perturbed partial differential equation which models the evolution of a thermodynamically unstable crystalline surface. The late-time leading-order behavior of solutions is identified, through the asymptotic expansion of a maximal-dissipation principle, with a completely faceted surface governed by an intrinsic dynamical system. The properties of the resulting piecewise-affine dynamic surface predict the scaling law ${\mathcal{L}}_{\mathcal{M}}\ensuremath{\sim}{t}^{1/3}$, for the growth in time $t$ of a characteristic morphological length scale ${\mathcal{L}}_{\mathcal{M}}$. A novel computational geometry tool which directly simulates a million-facet piecewise-affine dynamic surface is also introduced. Our computed data are consistent with the dynamic scaling hypothesis, and we report a variety of associated morphometric scaling functions.
Malnutrition among cognitively intact, noncritically ill older adults in the emergency department.

Study objective We estimate the prevalence of malnutrition among older patients presenting to an emergency department (ED) in the southeastern United States and identify subgroups at increased risk. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study with random time block sampling of cognitively intact patients aged 65 years and older. Nutrition was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (0 to 14 scale), with malnutrition defined as a score of 7 or less and at risk for malnutrition defined as a score of 8 to 11. The presence of depressive symptoms was defined as a Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression–10 score of 4 or more (0 to 10 scale). Results Among 138 older adults, 16% (95% confidence interval [CI] 11% to 23%) were malnourished and 60% (95% CI 52% to 68%) were either malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. Seventeen of the 22 malnourished patients (77%) denied previously receiving a diagnosis of malnutrition. The prevalence of malnutrition was not appreciably different between men and women, across levels of patient education, or between those living in urban and rural areas. However, the prevalence of malnutrition was higher among patients with depressive symptoms (52%), those residing in assisted living (44%), those with difficulty eating (38%), and those reporting difficulty buying groceries (33%). Conclusion Among a random sample of cognitively intact older ED patients, more than half were malnourished or at risk for malnutrition, and the majority of malnourished patients had not previously received a diagnosis. Higher rates of malnutrition among individuals with depression, difficulty eating, and difficulty buying groceries suggest the need to explore multifaceted interventions.
Decision trees for heterogeneous dose-response signal analysis

We propose a novel decision tree algorithm for modeling function-valued responses. This algorithm partitions the feature space into homogeneous subpopulations with common dose-response signals using a splitting criterion based on Nadaraya-Watson kernel regression and the Cramer-von Mises statistical test. We formulate an important business problem of sales team composition within the dose-response framework. Experimental results on generated and real-world sales data show the efficacy of the approach.
Solar energy harvesting at closed landfills: Energy yield and wind loads on solar panels on top and side slopes

Abstract Closed landfills can be potential sites for solar energy harvesting depending on their geographical location. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the energy yield and wind loads on solar panels placed on closed landfills in relation to panel orientation and slope. Analyses were conducted for two case study landfills in South Florida. Energy yields were estimated for flat and tilted panels placed on top and side slopes of landfills. The estimated energy yields of the solar panels ranged from 375 kWh/m2 (flat) to 426 kWh/m2 (facing west). Wind loads on the panels placed on top and side surfaces were estimated using the ASCE 7-05 procedure for monoslope free roofs. The estimated wind pressures ranged between 58 and 44 lb/ft2 for flat and south facing slopes, respectively.
The free amino acids in human dental plaque.

Abstract Analysis of plaques from maxillary and mandibular incisors for free amino acids showed that the dicarboxyllic amino acids, glutamic and aspartic, were present in largest amounts, with glutamic acid comprising at least 50 per cent of the total pool. Other amino acids in decreasing order of prominence included proline, ornithine, alanine, lysine, glycine, threonine and serine. This pattern was basically the same in the plaques from the different incisor sites but was clearly different from those of hydrolysates of either the plaque bacteria or the plaque matrix. The results were consistent with the most prominent plaque-free amino acids being associated mainly with the intermediary metabolism of the plaque bacteria. Urea and glucose were then applied to plaque in vivo in the form of rinses to determine if during their metabolism any of the plaque amino acids are affected. Glutamic- and aspartic-acid concentrations both rose after placue exposure to urea accompanied by a small rise in alanine. After glucose exposure, aspartic- and glutamic-acid concentrations both showed large decreases and alanine showed a small increase. With glucose plus urea, glutamic acid rose and fell, aspartic acid decreased slightly and alanine increased several fold. In each case, the other free amino acids showed little or no change. Thus glutamic and aspartic acids are major components of the intra-cellular pool of amino acids and probably play an important role in alanine synthesis, presumably by facilitating transamination of pyruvate.
Oral contraceptives decrease saliva testosterone but do not affect the rise in testosterone associated with athletic competition

Abstract Women athletes from intercollegiate soccer, volleyball, and softball teams, and women skaters from a team competing in an amateur roller derby league, contributed saliva samples before warm-up and immediately after the completion of one or more sanctioned competitions. Women using oral contraceptives (OCs, n = 29) had a significantly lower mean level of saliva testosterone (T) than non-users ( n = 51). Thus, OCs contribute predictable variation to individual differences in saliva T, and OC use is likely to contribute to individual differences in measures of psychological processes and/or behavior which are causally related to individual differences in circulating testosterone. Most of the women ( n = 68) played during one or more of the competitions for which they contributed saliva samples. Whether for soccer, volleyball, softball, or roller derby, competition was associated with a robust increase in saliva T. Although OC users had significantly lower saliva T levels than non-users before and after-competition, both users and non-users showed virtually the same increase in saliva T over the course of competition. While the most proximal cause of this increase is not known, it is probably not the result of an increase in gonadotropin (GTH) secretion since an increase in GTH secretion would presumably be prevented by OC use.
Organ explant culture of adult Syrian golden hamster pancreas.

An organ explant culture system has been developed for long term maintenance of adult pancreatic tissue from the Syrian golden hamster. Gastric and duodenal lobe explants of up to 0.5 cm2 size were placed in tissue culture dishes (60 mm2) on Gelfoam sponge rafts to which was added 5 ml of CMRL medium 1066 supplemented with heat inactivated newborn bovine serum,l-glutamine hydrocortisone, insulin, and antibiotics. Dishes were placed in a controlled atmosphere chamber, which was gassed with 45% O2 50% N2, and 5% CO2 and incubated at 36.5°C. Viability of the tissues was determined by light and electron microscopy as well as by [3]thymidine incorporation. Explants were viable for up to 70 d. Zymogen granule-containing cells characteristic of acinar cells and mucuscontaining cells characteristic of ductal cells were present throughout this period. However, endocrine cells were only present for the 1st wk in culture.
Neurochemistry of the mucopolysaccharidoses: brain glycosaminoglycans, lipids and lysosomal enzymes in mucopolysaccharidosis type III B (alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase deficiency).

Glycosaminoglycans, lipids and lysosomal enzymes were measured in brain, liver and spleen of a patient with mucopolysaccharidosis Type III B (α-N-Acetylglucosaminidase deficiency). The glycosaminoglycan content of the brain gray and white matter, leptomeninges, spleen and liver of the patient was 4, 3, 10, and 100 times greater than that of the respective tissues of normal controls. Partially degraded heparan sulfate, the concentration of which increased 17 times in the brain, accounted for the increased glycosaminoglycan content of all tissues. The concentration of the gangliosides GM2, GM3 and GD3 was markedly increased in the gray matter, and to a smaller degree in the white matter. Ceramide dihexoside was also increased in the gray matter of the patient with MPS III B. The activity of α-N-Acetylglucosaminidase was absent from the brain and the liver and greatly diminished in the spleen. β-Glucuronidase. β-glucosaminidase and α-l-iduronidase were more active than normally and the activity of α-galactosidase and β-galactosidase was markedly reduced.
The Myers' Case: An Instance of Successful Racial Invasion

efforts by Negroes in the urban North to alter the status quo in housing has often met with resistance which has begun in anger and ended in bloodshed. Of late there have been an increasing number of such incidents in the "new suburbs" which have emerged since World War II. As a consequence such communities as Levittown, Pennsylvania, have become prominent symbols of social racial violence. The success or failure of Negro invasion in such communities may well determine whether all housing in the United States will exist on an integrated or segregated basis. In the past, suburbs have performed the function of sustaining traditional patterns of urban segregated housing by providing opportunities for flight of white settlers to new territories. The achievement of integrated housing in the suburbs would in effect close the last frontier and compel white urban residents to accept integrated housing in the cities as an inescapable fact of life. This paper describes the events which transpired in Levittown, Pennsylvania, when William Myers, Jr., and his family became the first Negroes to attempt to live in the community. According to the most modest conception a racial invasion in housing may be considered "successful" when the prospective tenant is able to take and then maintain occupancy in the house and community of his choice. The purely subjective responses of the host population are irrelevant to this definition of success. The new resident has achieved his essential objective as soon as he is permitted to live in safety. Love is a desirable, but not an indispensable bonus. A more austere requirement is that the invader shall not be greeted by initial or later resistance either violent or non-violent. Although Myers' appearance on the scene provoked initial violence and sustained
Acceleration of heavy ions by radiation pressure.

The possible acceleration of heavy ions by the resonance scattering of radiation near bright stellar objects is examined. Planck spectra are assumed. At any radiation temperature, heavy-ion energies are found to be limited by aberration and Doppler effects. Photoionization is found to limit maximum radiation temperatures and energies for each ion. Collisional ionization by ambient electrons and ions may further limit heavy-ion energies. Because of these limitations, the production of the more energetic cosmic rays by this mechanism appears to be very improbable. If supernova radiation temperatures are high enough, they may produce heavy ions with energies up to several hundreds of MeV per nucleon. O and B stars appear to be able to accelerate certain heavy ions to 200 and 80 MeV per nucleon, respectively.
Rat milk and dietary long arginine3 insulin-like growth factor I promote intestinal growth of newborn rat pups

Newborn rat pups were artificially reared by the pup in cup (PIC) method to determine whether dietary long arginine3 IGF-I (long R3 IGF-I), an IGF-I analog with high receptor affinity and low IGF binding protein (IGFBP) affinity, had efficacy on intestinal growth. IGF effects are mediated by IGFBP and receptor interactions, hence dietary-induced changes in intestinal IGF-II receptor patterns and IGFBP-3 message levels were investigated. Intestinal micrographs of pups fed rat milk replacer (RMR) for 3 d showed flattened villi with low cell counts and appeared similar to newborn intestines. Mother-fed (MF) controls and long R3 IGF-I-fed pups showed increased villi height and cell counts when compared with RMR pups, with long R3 IGF-I fed pups showing the greatest increase. At birth IGF-II-specific binding was not uniform in the intestine; specific binding was higher in the proximal intestinal section than in the distal intestinal section. However, after 3 d of MF treatment, specific binding had reversed and the distal section showed higher IGF-II-specific binding. Three days of RMR feeding did not change IGF-II-specific binding from that of the newborn pup. An IGFBP-3 message was identified in intestinal epithelium by in situ hybridization. Northern analysis of IGFBP-3 message showed a decline over time, but the change was not influenced by dietary treatments. In summary, milk-borne growth factors have the potential to affect intestinal growth within 3 d of treatment.
Calibration of GOSSYM: Theory and practice☆

Abstract GOSSYM-COMAX, the cotton simulation model and expert system, has been in use across the cotton belt for the last 6 years. Behind the capability of GOSSYM to simulate a wide range of cultivars is the VARIETY file. This variety file contains 50 parameters that modify the growth and development of twelve varieties from the Delta, Acala, Stripper, and PIMA cultivars. Whenever enhancements to GOSSYM are made and before a new version is released, the model is calibrated with standard data sets to verify the accuracy of the model for each variety class. These standard data sets have developmental and carbohydrate partitioning data such as: height; number of nodes, squares, and bolls; dry weights of stems, leaves and fruits; and lai . These data sets, representative of various cultivars, are used to modify variety-dependent model parameters to obtain an optimal simulation of field data. This paper presents the procedure undertaken in the calibration process and some of the recognized knowledge gaps.
Medical Globalization: “A Fin de Siecle Phenomenon”

The economic phenomenon of “globalization” has broadly affected the health care industry and the medical profession in the late 20th century. Governmental and private sector managed care reach is expanding globally, as patients are “ecuritized” and traded as covered lives. Arbitrage of health care goods and services is creating commoditization effects, including trans‐border parallel markets (i.e. black markets). Consumers and governments are becoming concerned about privacy issues and product standardization, while Third World challenges remain in the public health realm (i.e., infectious pandemics, sanitation, nutrition and overpopulation).
G-rich oligonucleotides alter cell cycle progression and induce apoptosis specifically in OE19 esophageal tumor cells.

ABSTRACT Short synthetic oligonucleotides (ODNs) can be used to block cellular processes involved in cell growth and proliferation. Often acting as aptamers, these molecules interact with critical proteins that regulate the induction of apoptosis or necrosis. We have used a specialized class of ODNs that contain a monomeric sequence of guanosine to induce apoptosis specifically in the malignant esophageal cell line, OE19, in cell culture, and in a NODscid mouse model. OE19 cells were grown in culture and treated with a stable G-rich oligonucleotide (GRO). Cells were processed and apoptosis was measured by FACS analyses, caspase activity, and Hoescht staining. Circular dichroism (CD) was used to define the structure and stability of various GROs. The GRO works by first inducing retardation in the progression of the cell cycle and then by creating a sub-G1 population of apoptotic cells. The reaction is dose dependent, and appears to rely on the capacity of the G-rich ODN to adopt a G-quartet conformation. A...
Intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions of 1,2,4-triazines: Exploitation of the Thorpe-Ingold effect for the synthesis of 2,3-cyclopentenopyridines and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolines

Abstract Intramolecular inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder reactions of 1,2,4-triazines assisted by the Thorpe-Ingold effect have been utilized in novel syntheses of 2,3-cyclopentenopyridines and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolines.
Maintaining an Internal Market: Antecedents of Willingness To Change Jobs.

Abstract The relative importance of demographic, job-related, family-/community-related moving concerns and attitudinal factors in influencing employees' willingness to accept intraorganizational job changes were investigated in a sample of 545 employees of a Fortune 100 company. Specifically, the influence of antecedent factors was examined across eight mobility opportunities: lateral, promotion, change in job discipline or career, and no change in career by geographic and nongeographic relocation. Results indicated that employees are differentially willing to accept distinct types of mobility opportunities. Further, results of hierarchical regressions and tests of mediated relationships indicated that different sets of antecedent factors are more or less important depending on the type of internal mobility required, highlighting the need to examine a range of mobility types for understanding intraorganizational mobility. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.
ANOTHER LOOK AT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.

This paper describes a study that evaluated the reliability of a recently developed rating form designed to assess air traffic controller performance. Six supervisors from different radar approach control facilities nationwide viewed 20 video tapes of controllers working traffic from a previously recorded simulation study. The observer/raters used a new evaluation form that consisted of 24 different rating scales measuring specific areas of controller performance. An important part of this study was observer training. The training consisted of practice rating sessions followed by group discussions. In discussion, observers established mutual evaluation criteria for each performance area. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using intraclass correlations, and intra-rater reliability was assessed using Pearson product-moment correlations on repeated video tapes. In general, the reliability of the form was quite good, however, a few rating scales were much less reliable than the others. Reasons for the diffe...
Highly sensitive spectroscopic detection of heme-protein submonolayer films by channel integrated optical waveguide

A highly sensitive technique based on optical absorption using a single-mode, channel integrated optical waveguide is described for broad spectral band detection and analysis of heme-containing protein films at a glass/water interface. Fabrication steps and device characteristics of optical waveguides suitable for operation in the wavelength range of 400 – 650 nm are described. Experimental results reported here show a limit of detection smaller than 100 pg/cm2 for a submonolayer of ferricytochrome c by probing the Soret transition band with a 406-nm semiconductor diode laser propagating in a single-mode, ion-exchanged channel waveguide. By taking advantage of the exceptionally low limit of detection, we examined the adsorption isotherm of cytochrome c on a glass surface with unprecedented detail. Unlike other surface-specific techniques (e.g. SPR, integrated optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer) that probe local refractive-index changes and therefore are very susceptible to temperature fluctuations, the integrated optical waveguide absorption technique probes molecular-specific transition bands and is expected to be less vulnerable to environmental perturbations.
Observations on molecular weight estimations in polyacrylamide gels

Abstract A study was made of the relative retardation of low-molecular-weight proteins in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 4.5. It was found that low-molecular-weight proteins need not be separated from each other and may migrate with the Pyronin Y dye front in different lower percentage acrylamide gels. This behavior of low-molecular-weight proteins is examined with regard to ambiguities in standard plots which are currently used to determine the molecular weight of unknown proteins.
Management of major bile duct injury associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background Bile duct injury is a major complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our management strategy and outcomes for the treatment of such injuries.
Sticky Panels as Traps for Musca autumnalis

Sticky white panels which were protected from cattle by a fence provided a sensitive and accurate method of sampling face flies. The panels were most effective when used as a trihedron placed 1 m above ground and within 2 m of sites where cattle congregated. Six or 8 panels were adequate to sample the flies on 2 herds of 20 or 30 cattle each.
Unusual sequences in the murine immunoglobulin μ – δ heavy-chain region

The δ heavy (H) chain of mouse immunoglobulin D (IgD) is unusual both in its structure and in its differential expression relative to immunoglobulin M (IgM; reviewed in ref. 1). The region of DNA between IgM and IgD H-chain constant-region genes is probably implicated in this control. So far only fragments of the area have been sequenced. Now, however, we present the complete sequence as well as the sequence of the introns of the Cδ gene. We have found several interesting features (Fig. 1), including an open reading frame (ORF) between Cμ and Cδ which encodes 146 amino acids that might represent a previously unsuspected domain-like protein; three blocks of simple repetitive sequences; a 162-base pair (bp) unique-sequence inverted repeat; and a domain-like pseudogene in the large intron of Cδ. We have not found, however, any sequence 5′ of Cδ resembling the switch (S) recombination sequences associated with class switching in other heavy chains2–5. Moreover, we have determined the 3′ deletion end point of an IgD-producing myeloma and find no sequences reminiscent of switch sites nearby.
Tangible Interfaces for Art Restoration

Few people experience art the way a restorer does: as a tactile, multi-dimensional and ever-changing object. The authors investigate a set of tools for the distributed analysis of artworks in physical and digital realms. Their work is based on observation of professional art restoration practice and rich data available through multi-spectral imaging. The article presents a multidisciplinary approach to develop interfaces usable by restorers, students and amateurs. Several interaction techniques were built using physical metaphors to navigate the layers of information revealed by multi-spectral imaging, prototyped using single-and multi-touch displays. The authors built modular systems to accommodate the technical needs and resources of various institutions and individuals, with the aim to make high-quality art diagnostics possible on different hardware platforms, as well as rich diagnostic and historic information about art available for education and research through a cohesive set of web-based tools instantiated in physical interfaces and public installations.
Cell Surface Filaments of the Gliding Bacterium Flavobacterium johnsoniae Revealed by Cryo-Electron Tomography

Flavobacterium johnsoniae cells glide rapidly over surfaces by an as-yet-unknown mechanism. Using cryo-electron tomography, we show that wild-type cells display tufts of approximately 5-nm-wide cell surface filaments that appear to be anchored to the inner surface of the outer membrane. These filaments are absent in cells of a nonmotile gldF mutant but are restored upon expression of plasmid-encoded GldF, a component of a putative ATP-binding cassette transporter.
Responses to Forces Shaping Agricultural Marketing: Contracting

ogies are expected to affect both the internal organization of firms and the means used to coordinate the food and fiber sector. Their impact on vertical market structures may be even greater than that of the preceding mechanical and chemical technologies which had their major impact in the horizontal dimension. Contracting is a means to coordinate successive stages in a commodity system. It includes a wide variety of arrangements spanning a continuum between open production (produce and then sell) and integration. That is, it includes all arrangements between pure market coordination and intrafirm-administrated coordination of two or more stages of production (integration). Contracts for delivery of a specific quantity at a specific price, time, and place-common in the grain and oilseed trade-are considered a part of market coordination. Some resource providing production contracts are functionally equivalent to integration. When the contractor's guarantee is needed to obtain financing for the producer's facility, production is controlled by the contractor, and payment to the producer is on a piece-rate basis; the effective difference between contracting and integration is not a difference in coordination. The objective of this paper is to augment the theoretical or conceptual framework for the analysis of contracting as a coordination mechanism and to advance some hypotheses regarding the probable direction and extent of change in agricultural contracting practices during the next decade. Theoretical Concepts
Multiple-scattering approach to Mie scattering from a sphere of arbitrary size

Abstract The classic Mie scattering problem is revisited via an integral-equation formalism. Our approach consists in resumming the multiple-scattering Born series in terms of which the solution can be formally expressed. For small dielectric spheres, the resummation can be done exactly without invoking the full apparatus of multipoles. For a large dielectric sphere with a small refractive-index discontinuity relative to the surrounding medium, the Born series may be approximately resummed to generate correctly a description of the phenomenon of anomalous diffraction. For spheres of arbitrary size, the Born series for each excited electric or magnetic multipole has a complicated structure, but one that is shown to be exactly equivalent to the celebrated Mie results. A significant advantage over the usual differential approach is the implicit inclusion of the electromagnetic boundary conditions at the scattering surface in the integral approach, a feature that may provide valuable insights into scattering from arbitrarily shaped particles.
Abstract 4660: The National Cancer Human Biobank: CaHUB

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL The Cancer Human Biobank (caHUB) is the first centralized and public biorepository for human biospecimens in the United States. Established by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Office of Biorepositories and Biospecimen Research (OBBR), caHUB builds upon the foundation of evidence-based biospecimen resource management practices established by the OBBR Biospecimen Research Network (BRN) and the NCI Best Practices for Biospecimen Resources. The mission of the caHUB is to ensure an adequate and continuous supply of high-quality, highly annotated human biospecimens and provide unique biobanking services for the cancer research community. With a goal of fostering collaboration, communication, education, and the public trust, caHUB will be established as a public-private partnership, working with the broader cancer community, including basic and clinical researchers, advocacy organizations, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. caHUB is a unique centralized biospecimen resource. In response to input from the scientific community, caHUB is focused on providing biospecimens and data collected according to the highest technical and ethical standards, developing biospecimen reference samples that serve as benchmarks for specimen integrity and molecular type, conducting research that supports evidence-based biospecimen best practices, and creating opportunities for collaboration and information exchange across the research enterprise. Through caHUB, the NCI seeks to address the shortage of highly-annotated research biospecimens collected under rigorous standards too costly for private organizations to pursue but required to address difficulties in validation of human biospecimen research results for scientific and regulatory purposes. caHUB is actively seeking the involvement of the cancer research community and supports engagement through three models of collaboration: 1) as customers seeking access to caHUB‘s Biospecimen Collections and Services; 2) as collaborative research partners who require caHUB to assist with specimen collections and analysis; and 3) as partners interested in information exchange with or financial support of this public initiative. For all interested parties, more information is available at http://cahub.cancer.gov. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4660. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4660
Inductive Effect of Alkyl Chains on Alcohol Dehydration at Bridge-bonded Oxygen Vacancies of TiO2(110)

The activation energies for alkene formation via dehydration of alcohols on bridge-bonded oxygen (BBO) vacancy sites of TiO2(110) is found to correlate with the inductive electron donating effect of alcohol alkyl groups as measured by the Taft parameter. Based on this correlation we conclude that the reaction involves a single transition state that undergoes concerted rupture of the C–O bond of the alkoxide and a C–H bond of the alkyl group attached to the β-carbon.
Kinetic Study of the Homogeneous Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate

The homogeneous controlled/“living” radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with CuCl/4,4‘-di(5-nonyl)-2,2‘-bipyridine catalytic system and diphenyl ether as the solvent generated well-defined polymers with polydispersities Mw/Mn ≤ 1.2. The evolution of the molecular weights of the polymers follows the ratio of the mass of the consumed monomer to the initial initiator concentration. The rate of polymerization follows first-order kinetics with respect to the decrease of monomer concentration. The polymerization rate reaches a maximum when the ratio of ligand-to-CuICl is one-to-one. ATRP of MMA shows first-order kinetics with respect to both CuICl and the initiator, alkyl or sulfonyl chloride. The rate of polymerization did not obey simple negative first-order kinetics with respect to the concentration of CuIICl, partially due to a persistent radical effect, which resulted in the increase of [CuIICl] in the initial stage of polymerization. Th...
The Evolution of the Coastal Economy: The Role of Working Waterfronts in the Alabama Gulf Coast

This article describes the evolution of the coastal economy in Alabama and examines the driving forces of the sustainable economy in a historical context. The input-output model was applied to assess the direct and secondary effects of output and employment in the coastal region. Results suggest that state industries are heavily dependent on waterfront-related activities in this area, which have fueled much of their rapid development in the past few decades. Tourism, ship building and repairing and transportation are the three dominating sources contributing to the coastal economy. There are a few general problems of working waterfronts in the coastal Alabama area, but there are also some unique problems (e.g., Hurricane Katrina, Deepwater Horizon oil spill). Policies for future sustainable development are proposed.
Electroweak Symmetry Breaking via UV Insensitive Anomaly Mediation

Anomaly mediation solves the supersymmetric flavor and CP problems. This is because the superconformal anomaly dictates that supersymmetry breaking is transmitted through nearly flavor-blind infrared physics that is highly predictive and UV insensitive. Slepton mass squareds, however, are predicted to be negative. This can be solved by adding D-terms for $\mathrm{U}{(1)}_{Y}$ and $\mathrm{U}{(1)}_{B\ensuremath{-}L}$ while retaining the UV insensitivity. In this paper we consider electroweak symmetry breaking via UV insensitive anomaly mediation in several models. For the minimal supersymmetric standard model we find a stable vacuum when $\mathrm{tan}\ensuremath{\beta}l1,$ but in this region the top Yukawa coupling blows up only slightly above the supersymmetry breaking scale. For the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model (NMSSM), we find a stable electroweak breaking vacuum but with a chargino that is too light. Replacing the cubic singlet term in the NMSSM superpotential with a term linear in the singlet we find a stable vacuum and viable spectrum. Most of the parameter region with correct vacua requires a large superpotential coupling, precisely what is expected in the ``Fat Higgs'' model in which the superpotential is generated dynamically. We have therefore found the first viable UV complete, UV insensitive supersymmetry breaking model that solves the flavor and CP problems automatically: the Fat Higgs model with UV insensitive anomaly mediation. Moreover, the cosmological gravitino problem is naturally solved, opening up the possibility of realistic thermal leptogenesis.
Power to the people: Using learner control to improve trainee reactions and learning in web-based instructional environments.

This experimental study investigated the mechanisms by which learner control influences learning in an e-learning environment. The authors hypothesized that learner control would enhance learning indirectly through its effect on trainee reactions and learner engagement (in particular, off-task attention), such that learners who were more satisfied with the training and devoted more cognitive resources toward the instructional content versus off-task thoughts would possess greater posttraining knowledge. The study also examined the role of individual differences (training motivation and goal orientation) in the prediction of these 2 mediating variables. A sample of 274 undergraduates completed an e-learning program, either with or without interactive, learner control tools. Results suggest that both training satisfaction and off-task attention predicted subsequent learning. Learner control had a positive impact on training satisfaction but was not related to off-task attention. The individual difference variables had a differential impact on the mediating variables. In particular, performance orientation was linked to off-task attention, whereas mastery orientation was found to indirectly influence satisfaction via its direct effect on training motivation. Implications for the design and further study of e-learning are discussed.
Cardiac and Pulmonary Effects of Therapy with Albuterol and Isoproterenol

This study evaluated the cardiac and pulmonary effects of administering multiple inhaled doses of albuterol, isoproterenol sulfate, and placebo in ten patients with reversible obstructive disease of the airways. The pulmonary effects of therapy with albuterol were similar in magnitude to those of isoproterenol but lasted longer. The inotropic and chronotropic effects of therapy with isoproterenol were greater than those of albuterol. It appears that albuterol has β2-adrenergic selectivity over a wide range of dosages and is an effective bronchodilator drug.
Self-Organized Volunteers in Rural Schools.

This paper reports some findings from a longitudinal study of a group of volunteers at an independent school in China. Founded by a committed group of volunteers, Springfield School has been self-sustaining and has provided junior high school education for the past eight years. The author describes the demographic and education background of the volunteers, as well as the various motivations that lead them to voluntary teaching service. In addition, the challenges encountered by the volunteers and the school are also discussed. The discussion is supported with rich first-hand data, and the conclusion draws comparisons between self-organized and officially organized volunteers.
Left ventricular structure and performance in middle-aged rats with deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertension.

We designed this study to establish the structural and functional characteristics of the hypertrophied left ventricle of middle-aged rats during mineralocorticoid-salt hypertension. Treatment was initiated at 12 months of age, and the rats were studied at either 13 or 15 months of age (after 1 or 3 months of treatment). All rats were unilaterally nephrectomized. One group received deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) injections (30 mg/kg s.c.) biweekly and 1% NaCl drinking water (DOCA salt), and the other group was injected with the vehicle (sesame seed oil) and given tap water to drink (sham). During the first 4 weeks of DOCA-salt treatment, arterial pressure reached its peak and left ventricular enlargement was mainly due to increases of 47% in cardiocyte cross-sectional area in the middle layer of the left ventricular wall. The last 2 months were characterized by an accelerated endomyocardial growth. Because absolute left ventricular mass did not increase during the last 2 months of treatment, we conclude that cellular hypertrophy was accompanied by a focal loss of cardiocytes. Myocardial hydroxyproline concentration was initially elevated by 37% but normalized by the third month of treatment. Intracellularly, myofibril volume percent was not changed, but mitochondria volume percent declined (13% in the midmyocardium and 15% in the endomyocardium) and sarcoplasmic volume density increased by 25% and 39%, respectively, in these regions. Left ventricular hypertrophy was associated with enhanced peak cardiac and stroke indexes, measured during increased preload, after both 1 and 3 months of DOCA-salt treatment. Acceleration of flow, however, was depressed in the rats with left ventricular hypertrophy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Positive and negative affect, depression, and cognitive processes in the Cognition in the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (Co-STAR) Trial

ABSTRACTObjectives: This study examined the relationship between positive and negative affect, depressive symptoms, and cognitive performance. Methods: The sample consisted of 1479 non-demented, postmenopausal women (mean age = 67 years) at increased risk of breast cancer enrolled in the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project’s Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene. At each annual visit, women completed a standardized neuropsychological battery and self-report measures of affect and depression. Data from three visits were used in linear mixed models for repeated measures using likelihood ratio tests. Separate analyses were performed to relate positive/negative affect and depression to each cognitive measure. Results: Higher positive affect was associated with better letter fluency (p = .006) and category fluency (p < .0001). Higher negative affect was associated with worse global cognitive function (p < .0001), verbal memory (CVLT List B; p = .002), and spatial ability (p < .0001). Depressive sym...
The relationship of sputum eosinophilia and sputum cell generation of IL-5.

Abstract Background: Eosinophil recruitment to the airway after antigen challenge is regulated by many factors, including airway cell generation of cytokines. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between sputum cell generation of IL-5 and the appearance of eosinophils in the sputum after antigen challenge. Methods: Sputum samples from 11 allergic subjects were collected before and again 4 and 24 hours after antigen challenge. In 6 of these subjects, induced sputum samples were also obtained 48 hours and 7 days after challenge. Sputum leukocyte differential and cell counts and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin levels were determined. Sputum cells were then cultured with PHA (10 μg/mL) to stimulate IL-5 and IFN-γ, which were measured in culture supernatants. Results: An increase in sputum eosinophils and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin levels was detected at 4 hours after antigen challenge, with peak values at 24 hours. In contrast, significant increases in ex vivo generation of IL-5 by sputum cells was not seen until 24 hours after challenge. At 24 hours, PHA-induced IL-5 correlated with airspace eosinophil values ( r s = 0.78, P P r s = –0.68, P Conclusion: Although eosinophils are increased in the airway lumen as early as 4 hours, the ex vivo generation of IL-5 by sputum cells is first noted in samples obtained 24 hours after antigen challenge. This suggests that the early (4 hours) recruitment of eosinophils to the airway lumen may be regulated by factors other than IL-5 or that mucosal cells (rather than airspace cells) contribute to the IL-5 generation at this time point. Furthermore, IL-5 generation by airspace cells may be more responsible for either eosinophil recruitment or retention at later time points. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;106:1063-9.)
Extraction of RNA from single frozen sections

The sensitivity of the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) makes it ideally suited for the detection of changes in gene expression. Unfortunately, traditional methods for RNA isolation require time-consuming procedures that are not appropriate for small samples, such as individual frozen sections. This report describes a new technique that permits the rapid extraction of RNA from individual frozen histological sections. RNA is extracted by incubating a frozen section in an RT-PCR compatible buffer solution containing RNase inhibitor and dithiothreitol. RNA isolated from frozen sections is stable at room temperature for up to 3 h under the conditions described. Alternatively, extracts can be frozen for later use. When maintained in a dry state at room temperature, RNA in sections remained stable for 2 weeks. Histological, immunohistochemical, or in situ analyses can be carried out with sections that are immediately adjacent to those used for extracting RNA. The simplicity and economy of this procedure may foster the development of prognostic screens that can be performed in parallel with traditional histopathological analysis.
Realizing the potential of accessible ICTs in developing countries

Purpose: To raise the awareness of policy makers, economic development practitioners, and service providers about the importance of making information and communication technology (ICT) based international economic development in low- and middle-income countries inclusive of people with disabilities and to discuss the role and importance of addressing the complete ICT and assistive technology (AT) ecosystem to ensure sustainable, scalable, and affordable access to ICTs and ICT-based programs. Method: This commentary piece draws upon recent literature and practice cases to examine the role of accessible ICTs in international development. Results: Accessible ICTs can enhance economic participation and prevent exclusion from participation in international development programs. Access to and use of accessible technologies are largely determined by the ecosystem in which they exist and can be enhanced or hindered by government policy and legislation and the quality of the service delivery systems and financing...
Read stability in magneto-optical storage

The stability of the read-back signal from an magneto-optical (MO) disk system was investigated as a function of read power, bias field, temperature, and number of read passes. At 2 mW read power and with the bias field turned "on," signal amplitude and jitter degraded markedly at the upper end of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) temperature range. Signal amplitude erasure depends on bias field and peak temperature of the active layer. Jitter, however, is also dependent on the thermal gradients in the active layer.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Black Aesthetics Unbound

How did the Black Arts movement become an antitext movement? How did the black aesthetic of this movement use the tension between the bound and the unbound? This essay examines the movement’s critique of a dominant “museum exhibit” cultural industry that transformed grass-roots culture into highbrow capital. The author argues that the movement resisted the “museum exhibit” of the dominant-culture industry by dramatizing the tension points between inner space, outside space, and unbound space. The aesthetic warfare of the movement is shown to be a struggle against the textualization of gesture and process . This antitext struggle is brought into close relation with the often unrecognized conceptual art movement at the core of the Black Arts movement. The AfriCOBRA tenet of “mimesis at mid-point” leads the author to a reconsideration of the explicit theorizing, during this movement, about the need for both representation and abstraction. As artists worked books for their most antitext and anti-object possibilities, words were worked for their most oral and visual possibilities. The antitext impulse became the impulse to shape the black aesthetic around sonic imagetexts (textual performances that aimed to somehow avoid framing and containing ephemeral but excessive acts of sounding black, looking black, and becoming black).
The Binding and Blinding Influence of Project Commitment

Proper management of information technology (IT) projects remains important within organizations; they require tremendous investment and consume valuable resources. To enhance one's understanding of IT projects and the continued issue of project failure, this study develops a model of the psychological influences of IT project commitment for individuals working on IT projects and its influence on intentions to continue an IT project (ICITP). Survey responses from 232 individuals across several organizations were obtained, and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Three forms of project commitment (affective, continuance, and normative), subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control â€“ internal were significant predictors of ICITP, explaining 64% of the variance. Additionally, continuance commitment and perceived behavioral control â€“ internal were found to explain 46% of the variance in affective commitment. Implications and directions for future research are provided.
Engineered Growth of Organic Crystalline Films Using Liquid Crystal Solvents

Thin films of organic molecular crystals have drawn widespread attention for their scientifically interesting and potentially useful electronic, photonic, and chemical properties. However, because their properties are extremely sensitive to structural imperfections, domain size, and crystallographic orientation, preparation of high-quality thin films with controlled microstructural organization under technologically favorable conditions has long been a bottleneck toward practical applications and better controlled fundamental studies. Here a technique is introduced combining atmospheric pressure vapor-phase deposition with solution-phase growth in a thin layer of thermotropic liquid crystal solvent. The method produces relatively large crystals, enables control over crystallographic orientation and growth habit, and involves mild processing conditions compatible with a variety of substrates and organic materials. Results are presented for the organic semiconductor tetracene, along with a discussion of fil...