cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Introduction to Special Issue on the Theme of Multiplicity

At the 2006 meeting of the Psychology, Culture, and Religion Group (PCR) of the American Academy of Religion, the steering committee responsible for each year’s Call for Papers noted a growing emergence of the trope of multiplicity across a wide range of scholarly discourses related to our Group’s interdisciplinary work (including philosophy, psychology—particularly psychoanalytic psychology, narrative theory, cultural studies, political theory, and constructive theology, among others). Both postmodern and postcolonial critiques of “oneness” and “totality” (as normative categories to define individuals and entire social groups) were stimulating significant reflections on the multiple nature of identities, subjectivities and selfhood. We saw interesting pathways for further exploration within our umbrella fields of psychology and/of religion, deriving from the postmodern insistence on the particularity of “subjects” rather than the normativity of unified “selves” shaped by the dominant culture; psychoanalytic distinctions between healthy dissociative processes and traumatically-induced fragmentation of personality; and postcolonial explorations of the concept of hybridity in the power relations between colonizers and subaltern (i.e., subjugated and othered) colonized subjects. The response to our resulting Call for Papers was overwhelming, generating two rich panels at the November, 2007 meeting. The first panel, entitled “Multiple Selves and Subjects in Psychological and Theological Perspective,” addressed multiplicity primarily at the intrapsychic level, with a series of papers by religion scholars who are also clinicians and teachers of pastoral psychotherapy. These papers, by Pamela Cooper-White, John Blevins, Amy Bentley Lamborn, Lisa Cataldo, and Hans Alma examined various psychological aspects of multiplicity, both conscious and unconscious, bringing these Pastoral Psychol (2008) 57:1–2 DOI 10.1007/s11089-008-0167-5
Activity of tungsten and rhenium filaments in CH4/H2 and C2H2/H2 mixtures: Importance for diamond CVD

The resistance R, spectral emissivity ∊, and power consumption of W and Re filaments heated to 2500 °C in mixtures of CH4 or C2H2 in H2 have been measured in a series of experiments focusing on the state of the filament activity, i.e., its ability to dissociate the reactant gases. It has been found that these properties of the filaments, as well as the partial pressures of CH4 and C2H2 in the reaction chamber, depend critically on both the filament temperature and the reactant ratio, e.g., C2H2/H2. Specifically, both W and Re filaments show sharp jumps in power consumption at essentially the same temperature, signaling strong increases in filament activity and, hence, production of atomic hydrogen. These results are proposed to be due to the removal of nonreactive carbon from the surface of the filament via etching by atomic hydrogen and are consistent with the predictions of our thermodynamic model for the C–H system. Evidence for gas phase reactions is presented and the role of thermal diffusion is discussed. The emissivities of the W and Re filaments are observed to have significantly different temperature dependences which are attributed to differences in the phase diagrams for the W–C and Re–C systems. The implications of these results for hot-filament diamond CVD are discussed.
Ferromagnetic and paramagnetic resonance spectra of lunar material: Apollo 12

Electron magnetic resonance spectra of specimens of two crystalline rocks (12021-55 and 12075-19) and of four specimens of fines < 1 mm (12001-16, 12030-16, 12033-50 and 12070-125) have been obtained as a function of spectrometer frequency (9 and 35 GHz), temperature (78 to 300K), heat treatments (to 960°C), and mineral phases (plagioclase, olivine, pyroxferroite, glass, and basaltic fragments). Three paramagnetic ions, Fe3+, Ti3+ and Mn2+, are identified on the basis of spectral characteristics in plagioclase fractions, with concentrations ⩽ 1019 ions g−1. Spectral components of at least two phases with exchange coupling of unpaired spins are resolved in ‘whole’ rock samples of the crystalline rock specimens. These disappear upon heat treatment in air at 250°C and are presumably the result of an oxidation of the phases. It is suggested that these are non-stochiometric iron-rich oxide phases which approach stochiometry with heating in air. Some of the spectral properties of the ‘characteristic’ resonance in fines are shown to be inconsistent with the hypothesis that the resonance is due to spherical iron particles. Another intense spectral component observed in samples of 12033-50 (ΔH ~ 3000 Oe,g ~ 4 at 9 GHz andΔH ~ 3000 Oe,g ~ 2.2 at 35 GHz) is also observed in basaltic appearing fragments selected from 12001-16. It is estimated that the source of this component has concentrations in 12001-16, 12030-16, and 12075-125 that are < 2% the concentration in 12033-50. A similarity of this component to one observed in a crystalline rock sample from 12021-55 heat-treated in air and then left in air for 27 days and to one observed in a sample of fines heat treated at low pressure (< 10−3 mm Hg) to 800°C is the basis for suggesting that it is also due to a ferromagnetic oxide phase. The spectrum of a ferromagnetic metal platlet from 12001-16, in which the resonance and antiresonance were well resolved, was used to calculate the saturation magnetization and gave a value in reasonable agreement with that of iron as expected.
International technology transfer: A review

Abstract This paper reviews the international technology transfer literature. We propose and use an organizing framework in line with key elements of international technology transfer; home country, host country and transaction component. Based on our review, we identify the key issues that merit further exploration.
"Cluster-Bethe-lattice" method: Electronic density of states of amorphous and crystalline homopolar solids

A new method is developed to study the electronic density of states of infinite networks of atoms. The method involves treating part of the system exactly as a cluster and simulating the effects of the rest of the environment by connecting a Bethe lattice (Cayley tree) to the surface of the cluster. Calculations show that the local ringlike topologies of each atom are of primary importance in determining structure in the electronic density of states. The densities of states of the diamond, BC-8, and ST-12 structures are studied in detail using this method. These calculations are in excellent agreement with the exact results. Because of this, the method is used to obtain the density of states of the Polk and Connell random-network models. These models give the same radial distribution functions but exhibit striking differences in their densities of states which are interpreted in terms of topology.
Lateral membrane biogenesis in human bronchial epithelial cells requires 190-kDa ankyrin-G.

Ankyrin-G polypeptides are required for restriction of voltage-gated sodium channels, L1 cell adhesion molecules, and β IV spectrin to axon initial segments and are believed to couple the Na/K-ATPase to the spectrin-actin network at the lateral membrane in epithelial cells. We report here that depletion of 190-kDa ankyrin-G in human bronchial epithelial cells by small interfering RNA results in nearly complete loss of lateral plasma membrane in interphase cells, and also blocks de novo lateral membrane biogenesis following mitosis. Loss of the lateral membrane domain is accompanied by an expansion of apical and basal plasma membranes and preservation of apical-basal polarity. Expression of rat 190-kDa ankyrin-G, which is resistant to human small interfering RNA, prevents loss of the lateral membrane following depletion of human 190-kDa ankyrin-G. Human 220-kDa ankyrin-B, a closely related ankyrin isoform, is incapable of preserving the lateral membrane following 190-kDa ankyrin-G depletion. Moreover, analysis of rat 190-kDa ankyrin G/ankyrin B chimeras shows that all three domains of 190-kDa ankyrin-G are required for preservation of the lateral membrane. These results demonstrate that 190-kDa ankyrin-G plays a pleiotropic role in assembly of lateral membranes of bronchial epithelial cells.
A two-step strategy for structure-activity relationship studies of N-methylated aβ42 C-terminal fragments as aβ42 toxicity inhibitors.

Neurotoxic Aβ42 oligomers are believed to be the main cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Previously, we found that the C-terminal fragments (CTFs), Aβ(30–42) and Aβ(31–42) were the most potent inhibitors of Aβ42 oligomerization and toxicity in a series of Aβ(x–42) peptides, (x=28–39). Therefore, we chose these peptides as leads for further development. These CTFs are 12/13-amino-acid long, hydrophobic peptides with limited aqueous solubility. Our first attempt to attach hydrophilic groups to the N-terminus resulted in toxic peptides. Therefore, next we incorporated N-methyl amino acids, which are known to increase the solubility of such peptides by disrupting β-sheet formation. Focusing on Aβ(31–42), we used a two-step N-methyl (N-Me) amino acid substitution strategy to study the structural factors controlling inhibition of Aβ42-induced toxicity. First, each residue was substituted by N-Me-alanine (N-Me-A). In the next step, in positions where substitution produced a significant effect, we restored the original side-chain. This strategy allowed exploring the role of both side-chain structure and N-Me substitution in inhibitory activity. We found that the introduction of N-Me amino acid was an effective way to increase both the aqueous solubility and the inhibitory activity of Aβ(31–42). In particular, N-Me amino acid substitution at positions 9 or 11 increased the inhibitory activity relative to the parent peptide. The data suggest that inhibition of Aβ42 toxicity by short-peptides is highly structure-specific, providing basis for the design of new peptidomimetic inhibitors with improved activity, physicochemical properties, and metabolic stability.
Excimer Projection Lithography At 193-nm Wavelength

Excimer laser projection lithography is expected to become a widely used technique, capable of high throughputs at resolution well below 0.5 μm. In this paper we demonstrate excimer projection patterning with 0.13-μm resolution, and we address issues related to laser engineering and optical materials, which are encountered in the design of practical excimer projection systems.
Gendered Disparities in Take-ups of Employee Health Benefits:

Using a sample of 2,271 workers from the 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce whose employers offered personal health insurance, this article investigates the gendered nature of health ins...
Failure of liver feeding to counteract cortisone effects other than growth-inhibition.

Conclusion1. Desiccated liver powder as a dietary supplement to a low sodium diet is effective in counteracting the growth inhibition induced by cortisone acetate in rats only if the steroid is presented orally. It is without demonstrable effect in animals receiving the hormone by injection. It is also without effect in adrenalectomized animals, irrespective of the route of hormone administration. 2. The prevention of growth inhibition by liver powder is not accompanied by other evidences of diminished cortisone activity, i.e., despite normal growth such animals exhibit physiological, anatomical and biochemical changes of the same degree as do cortisone treated rats without liver supplement.
Pulmonary function following adult spinal deformity surgery: minimum two-year follow-up.

Background: The literature regarding pulmonary function in adult patients with spinal deformity is limited, and the effect of spinal deformity surgery on pulmonary function has not been clearly understood. We hypothesized that adult patients with spinal deformity who had preoperative pulmonary impairment (a percent-predicted value of <65% forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1] as measured by pulmonary function test) or who were undergoing revision surgery may be at risk for exacerbated decline in pulmonary function. Methods: Pulmonary function test results were prospectively collected for 164 adult patients with spinal deformity (mean age, 45.9 years) who underwent surgical treatment at a single institution and were followed for a minimum of two years (mean, 2.8 years). One hundred (61%) of the patients underwent primary surgery, and sixty-four (39%) of the patients had revision surgery. For the majority of patients (77%), a posterior-only surgical approach was used. Radiographs for 154 patients were analyzed for major thoracic and sagittal T5-T12 curve magnitude/correction. Results: For all patients, we noted a significant change in major thoracic Cobb angle, from a mean of 47.4° to 24.9°(p < 0.001), and in sagittal Cobb angle, from a mean of 35.5° to 30.0°(p < 0.001), as well as a significant decline in absolute and percent-predicted pulmonary function values, with percent-predicted FEV1 and percent-predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) decreasing 5.3% (p < 0.001) and 5.7% (p < 0.001), respectively. A clinically significant decline (a decline of ≥10% in percent-predicted FEV1) was observed in 27% of the patients. The number of patients with pulmonary impairment increased nonsignificantly from seventeen (10%) preoperatively to twenty-three (14%) after surgery (p = 0.31). Patients with preoperative pulmonary impairment demonstrated a significant improvement in absolute and percent-predicted FEV1 after surgery compared with those without preoperative impairment (2.7% compared with −6.2%; p < 0.001). Patients who underwent revision surgery did not differ from primary surgery patients in terms of postoperative percent-predicted results. However, revision surgery more frequently resulted in a significant decline in pulmonary function (twenty-three patients [36%] compared with twenty-two [22%]; p = 0.05). There was no difference in pulmonary function when comparing surgical approaches (anterior/combined anterior-posterior or posterior-only) or when comparing results by upper-instrumented vertebra (UIV). Conclusions: We found a significant decline in absolute and percent-predicted results of pulmonary function tests following surgical correction for spinal deformity in adults. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Dry matter accumulation predictors for optimal yield in soybean

Identification of predictors for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] optimal yield (4500 kg ha -1 for Louisiana growing conditions) would help farmers identify profitability and aid in determination of environmental factors limiting crop yield. Since environmental influences on yield act mainly through effects on total dry matter (TDM) accumulation during the emergence to R5 period (R5 = start of seed filling), TDM at R1 (first flowering) and TDM at R5 are promising predictors for optimal yield. Thus, the main objective of this study was to determine if TDM(R1) and TDM(R5) can be used as predictors for optimal yield. A secondary objective was to analyze relationships between yield components, TDM, and yield to explain why certain TDM levels can serve as predictors for optimal yield. Data for this study were collected from previous studies containing a variety of cultural treatments (planting dates, row spacings, plant populations, and water-logging stress) conducted near Baton Rouge, LA (30° N Lat) between 1987 to 1996 and combined to make a single data set The data represent a wide range of yield, yield component, and TDM values across which regression analyses were conducted to achieve our objectives. The study indicated that 200 gm -2 and 600 g m -2 at R1 and R5, respectively, were valid predictors for optimal yield. Environmental effects on yield were regulated by node and reproductive node number per area, pod number per area, and seed number per area. These yield components responded to TDM at R1 and R5 in a fashion similar to that shown for yield, thus supporting the use of TDM at R1 and R5 as predictors for optimal yield.
Focal adhesion motility revealed in stationary fibroblasts

Focal adhesions (FAs) are clustered integrins and associated proteins that mediate cell adhesion and signaling. A green fluorescent protein-beta1 integrin chimera was used to label FAs in living cells. In stationary cells, FAs were highly motile, moving linearly for several plaque lengths toward the cell center. FA motility was independent of cell density and resulted from contraction of associated actin fibers. In migrating cells, FAs were stationary and only moved in the tail. FA motility in stationary cells suggests that cell movement may be regulated by a clutch-like mechanism by which the affinity of integrins to substrate may be altered in response to migratory cues.
Accuracy of detecting hepatocellular carcinomas before liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of dynamic gadobenate dimeglumine–enhanced MRI with explant pathologic correlation in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients undergoing liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-seven patients (28 men, 19 women; mean age, 49 years) underwent dynamic gadobenate dimeglumine–enhanced MRI within 3 months before primary liver transplantation. Dynamic imaging was performed before (unenhanced) and after (hepatic arterial, portal venous, equilibrium, and 1-hour delayed phases) IV bolus administration of gadobenate dimeglumine at 0.1 mmol/kg body weight. Retrospective image analysis to detect HCC nodules was performed independently by two abdominal radiologists who had no pathologic information. On a per-nodule basis, the sensitivity and positive predictive value were calculated for the two observers. Sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of HCC also were evaluated. Fisher's exact test was performed to determine whether there was a detection difference between HCC nodules 1 cm in diameter or larger and nodules smaller than 1 cm and to evaluate the differences in causes of false-positive MRI findings based on lesion size (≥ 1 cm vs < 1 cm). RESULTS Twenty-seven patients had 41 HCCs. In HCC detection, gadobenate dimeglumine–enhanced MRI had a sensitivity of 85% (35 of 41 HCCs) and a positive predictive value of 66% (35 of 53 readings) for observer 1 and a sensitivity of 80% (33 of 41 HCCs) and a positive predictive value of 65% (34 of 52 readings) for observer 2. For both observers, sensitivity in the detection of HCCs 1 cm in diameter and larger (91–94%) was significantly different (p< 0.05) from that in detection of HCCs smaller than 1 cm (29–43%). Nonneoplastic arterial hypervascular lesions more often caused false-positive diagnoses of lesions smaller than 1 cm in diameter (80–86%) on MR images than of those 1 cm in diameter and larger (0–25%). The difference was statistically significant (p< 0.05) for both observers. In diagnosis, gadobenate dimeglumine–enhanced MRI had a sensitivity of 87% (20 of 23 patients) and a specificity of 79% (19 of 24 patients) for both observers. CONCLUSION Dynamic gadobenate dimeglumine–enhanced MRI has a sensitivity of 80–85% and a positive predictive value of 65–66% in the detection of HCC. The technique, however, is of limited value for detecting and characterizing lesions smaller than 1 cm in diameter.
A POLICY REACTION FUNCTION FOR NOMINAL INTEREST RATES IN THE UK: 1972Q3‐1982Q4

The U.K. authorities' reaction function for the Treasury bill rate is estimated over the p eriod 1972, quarter 3, to 1982, quarter 4. The variables included in the reaction function are obtained from various issues of the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin and the National Institute Economic Revie w. The estimated reaction function shows the importance the authoriti es attach to the level of economic activity, the conditions in the fi nancial markets, the deviation of the actual rate of growth of the mo ney supply from the target rate of growth, the value of sterling, and the level of competitiveness. Copyright 1988 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the Board of Trustees of the Bulletin of Economic Research
Heritability of resistance to Aphanomyces euteiches races 1 and 2 in alfalfa

Aphanomyces euteiches is a soilborne plant pathogen that causes root rot in several leguminous crops including pea, bean and alfalfa. In alfalfa, at least two distinct races of the pathogen have been identified. Although many alfalfa cultivars are resistant to the race 1 isolate of A. euteiches, resistance to race 2 isolates of the pathogen is lacking in the great majority of cultivars. Our objectives were to calculate heritability estimates of resistance to A. euteiches races 1 and 2 in alfalfa. These estimates will be useful in predicting gain from selection for disease resistance. Three different alfalfa populations developed from the cultivars 3452 ML, Affinity + Z and Depend + EV were examined in this study. Each population consisted of 32 randomly selected half-sib families. Heritability on a half-sib progeny means basis was calculated based on data from pathogenicity tests conducted under greenhouse conditions. Confidence intervals were calculated for each heritability estimate. Heritability estimates based on experiments conducted over two years were high for all populations, ranging from 0.84–0.90 for resistance to A. euteiches race 1 and from 0.62–0.66 for resistance to A.euteiches race 2. These results suggest that improving levels of resistance to both races of the pathogen should be possible through selection.
Zinc chloride inhibition of Nitrosococcus mobilis

Nitrosococcus mobilis, a halophilic nitrifier, plays an important role in global nitrogen cycling and in the removal of nitrogen from wastewater treatment plants. However, ammonia oxidation is sensitive to a wide variety of inhibitors, including the heavy metal, zinc. Using a metabolic-steady-state reactor, shotgun DNA microarrays, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), this research looked at the dynamic physiological and transcriptional responses of N. mobilis to 1 and 10 microM ZnCl2. By oxygen uptake rate measurements, zinc was determined to act directly on the ammonia monooxygenase (AMO) enzyme. The addition of excess copper prevented the inhibition of AMO by ZnCl2 suggesting that zinc and copper compete for placement in the metal active site in AMO. Shotgun DNA microarrays identified four previously unsequenced genes that were up- or down-regulated in response to 10 microM ZnCl2. Genes up-regulated in response to zinc inhibition include methionine synthase I, UbiA prenyltransferase and a recG-like helicase. RuBisCO was the lone down-regulated gene identified. qPCR was used to track the gene expression of the identified genes over the course of the 4-h experiment for both ZnCl2 concentrations. Because of their physiological importance, the expressions of AMO and hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO) were also monitored via qPCR. The qPCR results showed general agreement with the shotgun DNA microarray results for metH, UbiA, recG and RuBisCO, and revealed that AMO and HAO expression levels were maintained or modestly up-regulated during ZnCl2 inhibition.
Birth Weight, Genetic Susceptibility, and Adulthood Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Both stressful intrauterine milieus and genetic susceptibility have been linked to later-life diabetes risk. The current study aims to examine the interaction between low birth weight, a surrogate measure of stressful intrauterine milieus, and genetic susceptibility in relation to risk of type 2 diabetes in adulthood. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The analysis included two independent, nested case-control studies of 2,591 type 2 diabetic case subjects and 3,052 healthy control subjects. We developed two genotype scores: an obesity genotype score based on 32 BMI-predisposing variants and a diabetes genotype score based on 35 diabetes-predisposing variants. RESULTS Obesity genotype scores showed a stronger association with type 2 diabetes risk in individuals with low birth weight. In low–birth weight individuals, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 2.55 (95% CI 1.34–4.84) by comparing extreme quartiles of the obesity genotype score, while the OR was 1.27 (1.04–1.55) among individuals with birth weight >2.5 kg ( P for interaction = 0.017). We did not observe significant interaction between diabetes genotype scores and birth weight with regard to risk of type 2 diabetes. In a comparison of extreme quartiles of the diabetes gene score, the multivariable-adjusted OR was 3.80 (1.76–8.24) among individuals with low birth weight and 2.27 (1.82–2.83) among those with high birth weight ( P for interaction = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that low birth weight and genetic susceptibility to obesity may synergistically affect adulthood risk of type 2 diabetes.
Atomic structure of 60° and 90° dislocations in Ge/Si systems and critical phenomena

Abstract Atomic structures of coherent and semi-coherent interfaces and dislocations of the type (a/2) 〈110〉 {111} | 〈110〉 (60° dislocation) and (a/2) 〈110〉 {001} | 〈110〉 (90° dislocation) in Ge/Si systems were simulated using a computer program. The total energy, consisting of core and elastic energy components, was calculated for different configurations of dislocations and interfaces. The calculations were performed using Stillinger-Weber interatomic potentials. The results show that the energy is a strong function of the nature of dislocations. According to the energetics of the 60° dislocation in shuffle configuration, we find that it can exist in undissociated form, but the core contains a dangling bond at the interface. The core of 90° dislocation reconstructs at the GeSi interface with no dangling bonds. We have compared energies of coherent and semicoherent thin films and a critical thickness of 27 A was obtained. The calculated atomic configurations of dislocations and interfaces are found to be in good agreement with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy observations. The implications of these results in the formation of “defect-free” thin film and heterostructure devices are discussed.
Toxicity of Fenvalerate and Permethrin to Several Nontarget Aquatic Invertebrates

Selected species of stoneflies, caddisflies, mayflies, dipterans, amphipods, and snails were exposed, in the laboratory, to fenvalerate or permethrin in a flowing-water test system for up to 28 days. Both behavior and death were monitored during the exposure. The LC50 values decrease with increasing exposure time. Behavior changes or death were seen at concentrations as low as 0.022 μg/liter for fenvalerate and 0.030 μg/liter for permethrin. In the fenvalerate exposures, amphipods were the most sensitive, followed by the insects and snails. In the permethrin exposures, changes in normal behavior occurred within hours, but death did not exceed 50% until at least 14 days of exposure. Pesticide accumulation was determined in fenvalerate-exposed snails and permethrin-exposed stoneflies. The range of accumulated fenvalerate in snails was 177 to 1,286 times greater than water concentration. The stoneflies' concentration factor for permethrin ranged from 43 to 570.
Androgen Synthesis in a Songbird: A Study of Cyp17 (17α-Hydroxylase/C17,20-Lyase) Activity in the Zebra Finch

Androgens and estrogens influence the maturation and function of numerous tissues in both male and female birds, especially the brains of the oscine songbirds. Although there exist a very large number of studies that have investigated circulating sex steroids in many species of wild and captive-held songbirds, there remain a significant number of questions about the sites of synthesis of the active steroids that act on the songbird brain. Estrogens are derived from androgen. Thus, the synthesis of androgen itself is critical for both androgen- and estrogen-dependent actions in both male and female songbirds. Therefore, we have undertaken studies of the enzyme 17α-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase (Cyp17), the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of androgens from their progestin or pregnane precursors via their 17α-hydroxy intermediates. Here we have characterized optimal conditions for measuring Cyp17 in gonads of adult zebra finches via the conversion of tritiated [3H]progesterone into 17α-hydroxy P (17α-hydroxylase activity) and androstenedione and testosterone (C17,20-lyase) activity. Cyp17 activity is abundant in testis, with lesser amounts in ovary. Low levels of Cyp17 activity were also detected in male adrenals, but not in any other tissue, including brain. Testicular Cyp17 activity is readily inhibitedin vitroby ketoconazole, a specific Cyp17 inhibitor. Ketoconazole works less wellin vivo.In males castrated and/or treated with fadrozole, an inhibitor of aromatase, we detected no extragonadal sites of Cyp17 activity, although fadrozole appeared to increase circulating androgens in both castrated and intact males. Thus, we still do not know the site of androgen synthesis in these males. Further studies of Cyp17 will be useful in understanding more about the mechanisms of androgen delivery to neural circuits in adult and developing songbirds.
Physical Analysis of Tissue Mechanics in Amphibian Gastrulation

During morphogenesis, intercellular attachments constrain cell mobility so that embryonic tissues may (i) deform as solid sheets of tightly bound cells, (ii) disperse to migrate as separate cells or (iii) flow as multicellular liquids (in which cells remain aggregated yet can still slide past one another). By modelling deep germ layers as multicellular liquids in amphibian gastrulation, Davis and I have predicted, and then confirmed experimentally, (i) the area-invariance of deep-germ-layer surface tensions in vitro , (ii) spontaneous cell slippage in deformed deep—germ—layer cell aggregates and (iii) correlations of tissue surface tensions with tissue positioning in deep-germ-layer cell-sorting and aggregate—fusion experiments. Liquid—tissue flow involves intercalations of interior cells into expanding tissue interfaces (or withdrawal of surface cells from shrinking tissue interfaces). Tissue surface tensions are macroscopic reflections of the microscopic, tissue—specific adhesive differentials which direct these cell translocations. Such adhesive differentials may act independently of, or together with, active cell—shape changes, chemotaxis, contact guidance and/or haptotaxis in controlling embryonic tissue rearrangements. Deep cell intercalations in vivo occur throughout amphibian gastrulation: during ectodermal epiboly; during marginal—zone extension and convergence (and therefore blastopore closure); during mesodermal involution; and probably during the anterior spreading and axial extension (and therefore dorsal convergence) of involuted mesoderm. Tissue—surface—tension measurements may help determine (i) which of these cell—intercalation processes are active and which are passive, (ii) the specific contributions of various microscopic cell properties to the regulation of liquid—like germ—layer assembly and (iii) similarities and differences between in vitro and in vivo control mechanisms governing amphibian gastrulation.
Factors controlling the in Vitro growth pattern of human microvascular endothelial cells

Monolayer cultures of endothelial cells of human dermal microvascular origin were exposed to a variety of culture conditions and in vitro differentiation of the cells assessed by light and electron microscopic examination. Restoration of a cytologic and fine structural appearance which resembled most closely that present in vivo was possible by raising the intracellular cAMP level. These cells formed junctional complexes seen in uncontracted microvessels and specialized attachment sites at their basal cell membrane, contained a complex network of bundled micro- and intermediate filaments and numerous Weibel—Palade bodies and accumulated electron-opaque deposits between the cells and the culture dish surface.
Electrical conductance in supercritical isobutyric acid-water solutions

Abstract Measurements were made of the electrical conductance and the viscosity of the critical solution of isobutyric acid and water from 20°C to 0.047°C above the critical temperature. Unlike viscosity, the electrical conductance shows no anomalous changes near T c .
Relationship between conserved consensus site residues and the productive conformation for the TPQ cofactor in a copper-containing amine oxidase from yeast.

A highly conserved asparagine residue is contained in the consensus site sequences of all known copper-containing amine oxidases (CAOs). On the basis of published crystallographic structures, the asparagine is found to reside proximal to the active site redox cofactor, 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine quinone (TPQ). In this study, the conserved asparagine was changed to an alanine in a CAO from Hansenula polymorpha expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the mutant's catalytic properties were characterized using steady-state kinetics and resonance Raman spectroscopy. Several lines of evidence point to TPQ exisiting in an nonproductive orientation in the mutant, including reductions in several steady-state parameters and an accumulation of an inactive product Schiff base complex when the enzyme is incubated with methylamine as the substrate. This product Schiff base complex was previously found to form following mutation of another conserved consensus site residue, a glutamate (or aspartate) at the C + 1 p...
Determination of zinc by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Abstract The flameless atomic absorption method described here is a simple, rapid, accurate microtechnique for determining zinc in aqueous solutions, serum, or urine. It requires no sample pretreatment, only 1.0 μl of sample per determination, no correction for viscosity differences between sample and standard solutions, and is not subject to ionic or organic interference. The average recovery of added zinc in serum is 97.5% and in urine is 97.6%. The values obtained for serum (mean ± SD: 94.6 ± 11.0 μAg /100 ml ; N = 25) and urine (range: sol 600–1000 μg 24 hr ; N = 4) are comparable to the values reported in the literature. The coefficient of variation was less than 5.0% in all cases. The qualitative concentration limit was 0.009 μg 100 ml . The techniques and instrumentation described are also applicable to a number of trace minerals of common interest.
Readout circuitry for continuous high-rate photon detection with arrays of InP Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes

An asynchronous readout integrated circuit (ROIC) has been developed for hybridization to a 32x32 array of single-photon sensitive avalanche photodiodes (APDs). The asynchronous ROIC is capable of simultaneous detection and readout of photon times of arrival, with no array blind time. Each pixel in the array is independently operated by a finite state machine that actively quenches an APD upon a photon detection event, and re-biases the device into Geiger mode after a programmable hold-off time. While an individual APD is in hold-off mode, other elements in the array are biased and available to detect photons. This approach enables high pixel refresh frequency (PRF), making the device suitable for applications including optical communications and frequency-agile ladar. A built-in electronic shutter that de-biases the whole array allows the detector to operate in a gated mode or allows for detection to be temporarily disabled. On-chip data reduction reduces the high bandwidth requirements of simultaneous detection and readout. Additional features include programmable single-pixel disable, region of interest processing, and programmable output data rates. State-based on-chip clock gating reduces overall power draw. ROIC operation has been demonstrated with hybridized InP APDs sensitive to 1.06-μm and 1.55-μm wavelength, and fully packaged focal plane arrays (FPAs) have been assembled and characterized.
The 1984 J. B. Whitehead Memorial Lecture the Physics of Partial Discharges in Solid Dielectrics

The physical processes occurring during partial discharges in voids in dielectrics have been studied utilizing fast oscilloscopic techniques to observe the buildup and decay of current as a function of time for single discharges. A key parameter is the overvoltage at breakdown, determined for time-dependent voltages by the rate of rise of voltage and the statistical time lag. Two distinct types of discharge have been identified, named ?Townsendlike? and ?streamerlike?, and mechanisms responsible for their development have been proposed. The relationship between current-time pulse shapes as well as discharge magnitudes (charge per discharge) and various parameters such as overvoltage, void size, and dielectric thickness and permittivity have been explored. The conditions governing the transition between the two types of partial discharges have been examined quantitatively. The relationship between streamer propagation and Lichtenberg figure development has been studied. Measurements of statistical time lags for partial discharges have been made and significant paramters examined. The usefulness of these results in connection with future studies of chemical degradation of insulating materials are discussed.
Very Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor (VLDLR) Expression Is a Determinant Factor in Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Adipocyte-Macrophage Interaction

Obesity is associated with adipose tissue remodeling, characterized by adipocyte hypertrophy and macrophage infiltration. Previously, we have shown that very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) is virtually absent in preadipocytes but is strongly induced during adipogenesis and actively participates in adipocyte hypertrophy. In this study, we investigated the role of VLDLR in adipose tissue inflammation and adipocyte-macrophage interactions in wild type and VLDLR-deficient mice fed a high fat diet. The results show that VLDLR deficiency reduced high fat diet-induced inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in adipose tissue in conjunction with reduced macrophage infiltration, especially those expressing pro-inflammatory markers. In adipocyte culture, VLDLR deficiency prevented adipocyte hypertrophy and strongly reduced VLDL-induced ER stress and inflammation. Likewise, cultures of primary peritoneal macrophages show that VLDLR deficiency reduced lipid accumulation and inflammation but did not alter chemotactic response of macrophages to adipocyte signals. Moreover, VLDLR deficiency tempered the synergistic inflammatory interactions between adipocytes and macrophages in a co-culture system. Collectively, these results show that VLDLR contributes to adipose tissue inflammation and mediates VLDL-induced lipid accumulation and induction of inflammation and ER stress in adipocytes and macrophages.
Comparison of turbine bypass and mixed flow turbofan engines for a high-speed civil transport

A comparison of the turbine bypass engine and the mixed flow turbofan for a Mach 2.4 cruise application is presented. A parametric assessment is conducted for each cycle. Parameters that are investigated for the turbine bypass engine include design bypass, combustor exit temperature, and overall pressure ratio. Parameters that are investigated for the mixed flow turbofan include fan pressure ratio, mixer design pressure ratio, and combustor exit temperature. The engines are analyzed for a 5000-nautical-mile, all supersonic cruise mission to determine the aircraft takeoff gross weights. The effects of takeoff noise, cruise emissions, the addition of subsonic cruise legs, and constrained supersonic cruise altitudes are also evaluated.
Checkerboard-Type Filtering for a Low-Power Gradient-Based Optical Flow Estimation System

In this paper, we propose a checkerboard-type filtering algorithm for a low-power gradient-based optical flow estimation (OFE) system. A gradient-based optical flow algorithm estimates optical flow field using gradient values of images. The conventional filtering stages in OFE that are used to calculate gradient values are composed of a 3D prefiltering/smoothing stage and three 1D parallel derivative filtering stages. To reduce power consumption using pixel-wise parallel processing in analog spatial transform imager, we suggest a checkerboard-type filtering based on convolution theorem and common data sharing. We describe the equivalence of our filtering scheme with the conventional smoothing and derivative filtering schemes and present some comparison in terms of the number of operations and power savings. We show that our approach is promising for low-power implementation of gradient-based OFE system under proper data scanning direction.
Using active microbiologic surveillance and enhanced infection control measures to control an outbreak of health care–associated extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infections—New Jersey, 2007

Between April and June 2007, an outbreak of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infections occurred in an intensive care unit in New Jersey. The outbreak was contained through active microbiologic surveillance, contact precautions, cohorting, and frequent room cleaning. This outbreak demonstrates the importance of rapid response in identifying and isolating patients to prevent further transmission.
Ethnic Liberalism and Employment Discrimination in the North

IT IS MORE the rule than the exception that hiring and promoting in the North follows a pattern in which the better jobs are reserved for whitesjust as in the South, except that there it is open and official. De facto discrimination is familiar enough in Northern schools, voluntary associations, and residential housing. What is unique about employment discrimination in the North is that it is not only usually unlawful and contrary to stated company policy, but it is also likely to be immoral by standards the company officials who make those policies say they uphold. Robert Merton has observed that "all-weather ethnic liberalism" is now
Highly immunogenic regressor tumor cells can prevent development of postsurgical tumor immunity

Highly immunogenic malignant cells form small tumors that spontaneously regress after initial growth because the tumor induces specific immunity. However, variants may arise during the initial tumor growth that lose antigens, grow progressively, often become the predominant tumor population, and eventually kill the host. These progressively growing variants usually have not lost all tumor antigens and remain susceptible to rejection by T cells specific for antigens present on the parental tumor and retained by the progressively growing variants. Thus, it would seem logical for therapy to actively immunize with the parental highly immunogenic tumor (or sublines made similarly immunogenic by tumor heterogenization) after maximal surgical removal of the growing tumor. However, the present findings suggest that such a strategy may be ineffective and have adverse effects: the parental highly immunogenic tumor cells, either remaining or reintroduced, may perpetuate unresponsiveness to both the parental and the variant tumor. These findings suggest that unless tumor-induced suppression is first abrogated, immunization with highly immunogenic tumor cells may be counterproductive because this maneuver may maintain preexisting immune suppression and prevent development of postsurgical tumor immunity.
Drainage of infected pancreatic necrosis by using 2 lumen-apposing metal stents, a nasocystic drain, and hydrogen peroxide

A 56-year-old man with a history of pancreatitis and walled-off pancreatic necrosis was seen at our institution with sepsis secondary to an infected pancreatic necrosis after a failed EUS-guided cystogastrostomy. A CT scan revealed a complex fluid collection of 67 x 168 mm. The patient underwent EUS with placement of a 15-mm lumen-apposing metal stent via a transgastric approach. Endoscopic necrosectomy was performed; however, the necrosis showed minimal improvement in size on repeat imaging, and the decision was made to place a second distal stent with a nasocystic drain to provide continuous irrigation. Two other necrosectomy sessions followed. The cavity was irrigated by using 0.3% hydrogen peroxide to break up the necrosis. In a final session, the treated cavity was found to be free of any debris. Thus, both metal stents were removed. The patient was discharged home on enteral feeding (Fig. 1; Video 1, available online at www. giejournal.org).
Transposition «banner» flaps of the torso

Several cases with serial photographs and commentary summarize experiences with well over 200 transposition "banner" flaps on the torso. The technique allows aesthetically acceptable reconstructions on the trunk by attention to detailed planning.
A Preliminary Sediment Budget for the Corsica River (MD): Improved Estimates of Nitrogen Burial and Implications for Restoration

The Corsica River, located on Maryland’s eastern shore, has been the site of restoration efforts targeting sediment and nutrient load reductions. Previous work has indicated that agricultural activities supply most of these materials; however, their dynamics and fate are largely unknown. To address these needs, bottom sediments have been collected and analyzed for their chemical and textural properties. Long-term (decadal) accumulation rates are determined with 210Pb (half-life 22.3 years), verified with 137Cs, and range from 0.18 to 0.84 g/cm2/year in the subtidal region and 0.3–1.89 g/cm2/year in the marshes. These estimates are compared with likely sediment sources to determine the direction of exchange with the adjacent estuary (Chester River), which is a subtributary of Chesapeake Bay, with the Chester River likely supplying 0.94 × 103 t/year of sediment to the Corsica, ∼16% of the total sediment input. The radiochemical data are used to interpret profiles of grain size and nitrogen and to provide improved estimates of nitrogen burial. Comparison of the Corsica River to similar systems highlights the importance of marshes in trapping sediment and nutrient inputs from the watershed.
Cryo-electron tomography of bacteria: progress, challenges and future prospects

Cryo-electron tomography is beginning to open a window on the bacterial cell, enabling internal structural organization to be imaged at high resolutions. In this Review article, Milne and Subramaniam assess the applicability and limitations of cryo-electron tomography for bacterial cell imaging and highlight the recent advances made in this exciting field.
Third-party Privacy Certification as an Online Advertising Strategy: An Investigation of the Factors Affecting the Relationship between Third-party Certification and Initial Trust

Abstract The purpose of this study is to assess the possibility of implementing an online advertising strategy using a well-known third-party privacy seal located on the order page of an unfamiliar online retailer. An online experiment was conducted with 223 participants using a 2 (third-party seal: present vs. absent) × 2 (purchase-decision involvement: low vs. high) × 2 (disposition to trust: low vs. high) × 2 (privacy-protection self-efficacy: low vs. high) between-subjects design. The results provide evidence of trust transference from a well-known third-party seal to an unfamiliar retailer website, indicating that seal presence raised initial trust in the website and that the effects of seal presence were mediated by perceived privacy empowerment. Results also indicate that the seal effects were moderated by the level of purchase-decision involvement, disposition to trust, and self-efficacy. Theoretical explanations and managerial implications are discussed.
The Dutch Archives and American Historical Research

The fame which John Lothrop Motley won as a writer of Dutch history has not yet been forgotten on either side of the Atlantic. In the Netherlands he is gratefully remembered for the unique service which he rendered to Dutch historiography, that of writing brilliantly and dramatically in a world language the history of the rise of the Dutch state.1 In the United States, on the other hand, we are proud to count him, with Prescott and Parkman, as one of the three most gifted historians of the “literary age” in American historiography.