cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The New Phrenology: The Limits of Localizing Cognitive Processes in the Brain

William Uttal is concerned that in an effort to prove itself a hard science, psychology may have thrown away one of its most important methodological tools- a critical analysis of the fundamental assumptions that underlie day-to-day empirical research. In this book Uttal addresses the question of localization: whether psychological processes can be defined and isolated in a way that permits them to be associated with particular brain regions. New, noninvasive imaging technologies allow us to observe the brain while it is actively engaged in mental activities. Uttal cautions, however, that the excitement of these new research tools can lead to a neuroreductionist wild goose chase. With more and more cognitive neuroscientific data forthcoming, it becomes critical to question their limitations as well as their potential. Uttal reviews the history of localization theory, presents the difficulties of defining cognitive processes, and examines the conceptual and technical difficulties that should make us cautious about falling victim to what may be a "neo-phrenological" fad.
Harmonics survey within an industrial facility

Effective control of both current and voltage harmonics within an industrial facility can no longer be ignored. As more equipment is controlled by high speed, high current electronics, facility managers are faced with a new set of issues, self inflicted power quality problems and an internal problem that can spill over and affect neighbors. The goal of this paper is to discuss an approach to performing a harmonics survey at an existing plant to aid in the design for future growth and the construction of similar plants throughout the world.
Selectivity of gas-phase ion/molecule reaction of carbon dioxide with phenide ions.

On contrary to the widely accepted conviction that the m/z 93 ion derived from phenol does not react with CO2, we demonstrate that it makes an adduct with CO2 to a small but demonstrable extent. For example, the product-ion mass spectrum recorded for the m/z 98 ion derived from [2H6]phenol showed a small peak at m/z 142 when CO2 was used as the collision gas. The formation of an m/z 137 adduct ion from the m/z 93 ion (generated either directly from phenol, or indirectly from salicylic acid by in-source decarboxylation) was demonstrated also by multiple-reaction-monitoring tandem mass spectrometric experiments. According to literature, the m/z 93 ion derived from salicylic acid does not undergo CO2 addition because it is deemed to exist only in the phenoxide form. This reaction has been previously proposed as a method for differentiating phenoxide ion from its isomeric hydroxyphenide ions. We propose that the m/z 93 ion, albeit small, exists also as the phenide form together with the predominant phenoxide ion. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of flax fiber/soy-based polyurethane composites for mass transit flooring application

In this study, soy-based polyurethane foam was reinforced with random oriented flax fiber to create green composite paneling. This paneling can be used as replacement for plywood in mass transit flooring. To establish optimal material properties, the flax/foam composite's density was modified through manipulation of both fiber volume fraction and foam void content in order to determine processing modification upon mechanical performance. Both static flexural testing and dynamic low velocity impact was performed. Mechanical characterization was performed by both flexural testing and screw fastener pullout studies. Resultant properties demonstrate the feasibility of lower maintenance renewable composite materials as replacement for current transit flooring.
Potassium channel openers and blockers: do they possess proarrhythmic or antiarrhythmic activity in ischemic and reperfused rat hearts?

Cromakalim is a member of the new antihypertensive drug family possessing an action that involves an increased K efflux in vascular and cardiac muscle. We studied the contribution of opening of ATP-sensitive K channel to the development of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and myocardial ion shifts, particularly that of Na, K, Ca and Mg in isolated rat hearts. After 30 min of global ischemia, cromakalim (1 to 30 microM) failed to reduce reperfusion arrhythmias. On the postischemic-reperfused myocardium in a subset of hearts unresponsive to reperfusion-induced arrhythmias (duration of ischemia was reduced to 25 min), cromakalim treatment was associated with a higher incidence of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) as compared to the controls (100% VF and 100% VT in treated vs. 41% VF and 50% VT in controls, P < .05). Proarrhythmic effects of cromakalim were also reflected in a maldistribution of myocardial ions. At concentrations of 3, 10 and 30 microM of glibenclamide, a K channel blocker, a significant reduction in the incidence of reperfusion-induced VF and VT was observed, and an attenuation in the maldistribution of myocardial ion contents induced by ischemia/reperfusion was found. The reduction in myocardial contractility was detected at relatively high concentrations (10 and 30 microM) in both cromakalim- and glibenclamide-treated groups. The proarrhythmic effect of cromakalim (30 microM) was abolished by 3 microM of glibenclamide, suggesting that the increased tendency to develop reperfusion arrhythmias is associated with the cromakalim-induced K efflux.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Role of the reductive carboxylic acid cycle in a photosynthetic bacterium lacking ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase

Abstract Evidence is presented that a green photosynthetic bacterium ( Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum , Tassajara) lacks ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase, the key enzyme of the reductive pentose phosphate cycle—the photosynthetic carbon reduction mechanism characteristic of green plants. The bacterium appears to use exclusively the reductive carboxylic acid cycle (and its associated reactions) not only, as previously recognized, in the photosynthetic conversion of CO 2 to amino acids and organic acids but also to carbohydrates. This conclusion is based on: (i) the absence in cell-free preparations of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase; (ii) the assimilation by cell suspensions of 14 CO 2 , [ 14 C]acetate, and [ 14 C]succinate to give the products expected from the operation of the reductive carboxylic acid cycle; (iii) the demonstration in cell-free preparations of all enzymes needed for the conversion of CO 2 and the primary product of the reductive carboxylic acid cycle, acetyl-CoA, to carbohydrate. The results also show that CO 2 concentration influences the products formed by the reductive carboxylic acid cycle, with a low level of CO 2 favoring the synthesis of carbohydrates.
On Indexed Bonds and Aggregate Demand Elasticity

Bonds indexed to the price level or inflation have become popular and more common in the industrialized world. This paper examines the impact of indexed bonds on the price level elasticity of aggregate demand. With a model of aggregate demand based on the standard IS-LM framework and expanded to differentiate between bonds which are indexed to the price level and bonds which are not so indexed, we find that the existence of indexed bonds decreases the elasticity of aggregate demand with respect to the general price level.
Arabidopsis Chloroplasts Dissimilate L-Arginine and L-Citrulline for Use as N Source

When aseptically grown on defined medium with either L-arginine, L-citrulline, or nitrate as the sole N source, Arabidopsis plants grew and developed normally. Three catabolic activities, L-arginine iminohydrolase, L-ornithine carbamoyltransferase, and carbamate kinase, were found in stromal fractions of purified Arabidopsis chloroplasts. These activities dissimilate L-arginine and/or L-citrulline into L-ornithine, ammonium, bicarbonate, and ATP. In physiological tests with purified, intact Arabidopsis chloroplasts, L-[guanido-14C]arginine was rapidly taken up and about 10% was decomposed, releasing 14CO2. Therefore, chloroplasts can take up and dissimilate L-arginine. In principle, chloroplast arginine dissimilation allows Arabidopsis to use L-arginine and/or L-citrulline as general N sources for growth. However, plants rarely encounter exogenous L-arginine and/or L-citrulline in amounts exceeding their biosynthetic needs. Therefore, L-arginine and L-citrulline might serve as endogenous N sources.
Replica field theory for a polymer in random media

In this paper we revisit the problem of a (non-self-avoiding) polymer chain in a random medium which was previously investigated by Edwards and Muthukumar (EM) [J. Chem. Phys. 89, 2435 (1988)]. As noticed by Cates and Ball (CB) [J. Phys. (France) 49, 2009 (1988)] there is a discrepancy between the predictions of the replica calculation of EM and the expectation that in an infinite medium the quenched and annealed results should coincide (for a chain that is free to move) and a long polymer should always collapse. CB argued that only in a finite volume one might see a ''localization transition'' (or crossover) from a stretched to a collapsed chain in three spatial dimensions. Here we carry out the replica calculation in the presence of an additional confining harmonic potential that mimics the effect of a finite volume. Using a variational scheme with five variational parameters we derive analytically for d V{sup '}{approx}exp(g{sup 2/(2-d)}L{sup (4-d)/(2-d)}) the annealed results are recovered and R{approx}(Lg){sup 1/(d-2)}, where L is the length of the polymer. Hence the polymer also collapses in the large L limit. The one-step replica symmetry breaking solution is crucial for obtaining the above results. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.« less
Dispersibility of a multipowder mixture in aqueous systems

Abstract Dispersibility of a multipowder mixture in aqueous solutions of an electrosteric dispersant was studied. The results show that stable dispersion of this powder mixture can be achieved if a minimum concentration of the dispersant is provided. The dispersed slurry displays Newtonian-like rheological behavior and can be slip cast to form a dense compact. Further, the theological behavior of the dispersed slurries is much less sensitive to solid-loading variation than that of the flocculated slurries.
Conflict without contradiction: paraconsistency and axiomatizable conflict toleration hierarchies in Evidence Logic

Evidence Logic (EL) goes beyond Classical Logic (CL) in its primitive expressivity by including both confirmatory and refutatory predications, additionally equipped with evidence level annotations. Previous work has characterized the Boolean Sentence Algebras (BSAs) of the monadic, functional, and undecidable varieties of EL [4], [5]. From the perspective that our knowledge of the world is often less-than-certain, that is to say “evidential”, application-wise EL is conceptually antecedent to CL and provides a broad foundational framework wherein axiomatizable extensions reach out to a number of the more domain-specific recent constructions of logics for the representation and processing of uncertainty in Artificial Intelligence (AI). In this paper we analyze EL from this point of view in sections 1 and 2. In Section 3 the relationship between this work and issues in paraconsistency is briefly explored.
An Overview of the Oceans in Agenda 21 of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

Abstract This paper describes the issues and recommendations of the Oceans section of Agenda 21 of the 1992 UNCED Conference. Particular emphasis is placed on the need to link activities on various important environmental problems (including those threatening the oceans), to focus on land-based activities, to practice integrated coastal zone management, and to utilize the framework of the Law of the Sea Convention.
Effect of orbital relaxation on the band structure of cuprate superconductors and implications for the superconductivity mechanism

Where the doped holes reside in cuprate superconductors has crucial implications for the understanding of the mechanism responsible for their high-temperature superconductivity. It has been generally assumed that doped holes reside in hybridized $\mathrm{Cu}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{d}_{{x}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{y}^{2}}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{O}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}p\ensuremath{\sigma}$ orbitals in the ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ planes, based on results of density functional band-structure calculations. Instead, we propose that doped holes in the cuprates reside in $\mathrm{O}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}p\ensuremath{\pi}$ orbitals in the plane, perpendicular to the $\mathrm{Cu}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{O}$ bond, that are raised to the Fermi energy through local orbital relaxation, that is not taken into account in band-structure calculations that place the bands associated with these orbitals well below the Fermi energy. We use a dynamic Hubbard model to incorporate the orbital relaxation degree of freedom and find in exact diagonalization of a small ${{\mathrm{Cu}}_{4}\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ cluster that holes will go to the $\mathrm{O}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}p\ensuremath{\pi}$ orbitals for relaxation energies comparable to what is expected from atomic properties of oxygen anions. The bandwidth of this band becomes significantly smaller than predicted by band-structure calculations due to the orbital relaxation effect. Within the theory of hole superconductivity the heavy hole carriers in this almost full band will pair and drive the system superconducting through lowering of their quantum kinetic energy.
Production and Purification of an Active Bovine Lysozyme in Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum): Utilization of Value-Added Crop Plants Traditionally Grown under Intensive Agriculture

The goals of this study were to express bovine lysozyme in tobacco and to purify the protein with a scaleable process to >90% homogeneity while retaining antimicrobial characteristics. Results showed that the enzyme was expressed at levels equivalent to 1−1.5% of total fraction 2 protein in each of five different transformant groups. The enzyme was subsequently purified to 93% homogeneity using an easily scaleable process while retaining high activity. It was concluded that tobacco was an excellent choice for expression of the recombinant protein and that the purification process developed in this study demonstrates methodology for isolation of high-value enzymes from tobacco and other crop plants. Keywords: Transgenic; lysozyme; recombinant protein; antimicrobial; Nicotiana tabacum
Human neutrophil N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase: Heparin inhibition

To determine N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) in human neutrophil granules separated by a method requiring heparin, the inhibition of this enzyme by heparin was studied. Neutrophils were purified from blood of five donors by modifications of the Hypaque-Ficoll and dextran separation methods resulting in a suspension which was 96% neutrophils. Neutrophil lysates were assayed for N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase by measuring the amount of p-nitrophenol released from p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide. The reaction showed first-order kinetics with regard to enzyme concentration. Triton X-100, 0.1% v/v, enhanced enzyme activity. Heparin was shown to reduce neutrophil lysate N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase to a specific activity of 46% at a heparin concentration of 2 units per assay and to 43% (maximal inhibition) at 17 and 50 units of heparin per assay. Substantially higher heparin concentrations partially restored the inhibited activity, the maximal restoration being a return to 80% of the original activity at 1700 units of heparin per assay. Protamine sulfate was assessed for its ability to restore N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity in the presence of heparin. At 1.0 mg/10 units of heparin, protamine restores enzyme activity to its heparin-free activity. These studies of human neutrophil N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase demonstrate: (1) specific enzyme activity is 28.8 +/- 7.0 nmole p-nitrophenol released per minute per milligram of protein or 1.7 +/- 0.5 nmole p-nitrophenol released per minute per 10(6) neutrophils; (2) heparin rapidly but finitely inhibits enzyme activity at very low concentrations and paradoxically restores it toward normal at high concentrations; and (3) protamine sulfate restores enzyme activity inhibited by heparin.
Effects of animal movement strategies and costs on the distribution of active subsidies across simple landscapes

Abstract Cross-ecosystem transfer of resources (spatial subsidies) can greatly impact recipient ecosystems. Many subsidies are actively moved by animals, which regularly transfer nutrients within and among ecosystems. Researchers have yet to integrate knowledge of animal movement and spatial subsidies to enhance predictions of subsidy spatial distribution and ecosystem effects. To examine this, we implemented a spatially explicit simulation model of animals that switch habitats due to behavioral or ontogenetic shifts. We explored how movement strategy (correlated random walk) and patterns of mortality risk affected the spatial distribution of living (consumer subsidies) and dead individuals (nutrient/energy subsidies). We ran models varying the correlation in a correlated random walk and explored four patterns of mortality risk: uniform mortality, higher mortality in the edge at the habitat boundary, a decreasing gradient and an increasing gradient of mortality risk as individuals move away from the boundary. For each scenario, we calculated the maximum extent, the distance of peak density and the peak density (a measure of maximum impact of the subsidy) of living and dead individuals. As expected, subsidy impact declined as deposition distance increased. Straighter movements resulted in deposition farther beyond the local habitat boundary with lower impact than more sinuous movements. Similarly, consumer subsidies were deposited farther from the boundary with lower impact than nutrient/energy subsidies. Patterns of mortality risk also affected the impact and deposition distance but to a lesser degree. Uniform mortality and increasing gradients of mortality risk deposited subsidies farther from the habitat boundary than did edge mortality and decreasing gradients. Edge mortality scenarios also resulted in higher densities of subsidies than other patterns of mortality risk. Our simulations represent a very simple, first attempt at using movement ecology to predict the spatial distribution and impacts of subsidies. More complex models and empirical tests are necessary to further assess movement ecology's utility for predicting subsidies.
Regulation of FSHβ and GnRH receptor gene expression in activin receptor II knockout male mice

Abstract To examine in vivo, the local effects of inhibins and activins within the anterior pituitary, independent of their endocrine effects exerted from the gonad, in mediating FSH homeostasis, we used castrated knockout mice lacking either inhibin α or activin receptor II (ACVR2) alone or in combination. Compared to castrated wild-type (WT) mice, FSHβ mRNA levels in the pituitaries of Acvr2 null mice were significantly downregulated in the absence of gonadal feedback. FSHβ mRNA levels were not significantly higher in the pituitaries of castrated inhibin α null mice compared to those in Acvr2 null mice and remained the same in the pituitaries of castrated double mutant mice lacking both inhibin and ACVR2. In contrast to FSHβ mRNA expression changes, pituitary FSH content was significantly reduced in Acvr2 null mice whereas it was only slightly upregulated in inhibin α null mice. Combined absence of both ACVR2 signaling and inhibins caused a decrease in FSH content compared to that in the absence of inhibins alone. These changes in pituitary content were in parallel to those in serum FSH levels in these three groups of castrated mice, suggesting that the unopposed actions of locally produced inhibins are dominant over those effects mediated by ACVR2 signaling to regulate FSH biosynthesis and secretion. Thus, our in vivo results demonstrate that within the pituitary, locally produced activins and inhibins exert their actions at distinct phases of FSH homeostasis. In an independent set of experiments, we tested whether in vivo signaling via ACVR2 is necessary for hypothalamic GnRH biosynthesis and for GnRH receptor expression. Our results demonstrate that in contrast to previous in vitro studies, signaling through ACVR2 is neither required for hypothalamic synthesis of GnRH peptide nor for expression of GnRH receptors in the anterior pituitary. We conclude that within the hypothalamic–pituitary short loop, ACVR2 signaling is critical only for FSH homeostasis and not for GnRH biosynthesis or induction of pituitary GnRH receptor expression. Our studies confirm the importance of using in vivo genetic models for studying regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis.
Social Justice Challenges to Educational Administration: Introduction to a Special Issue:

Challenging the field of educational administration to take an activist and prosocial justice stance, this article introduces the special issue. Some professors and preparation programs are inadequately attuned to equity concerns. Standards and testing for administrator licensure touch only the surface of cultural diversity, equity, and democracy. Disproportionally small percentages of administrators are women and minorities. Still, with the high turnover of administrators and with the work of scholars in Leadership for Social Justice, the time for transforming the field is now.
Uptake and depuration studies of PCDDs and PCDFs in freshwater fish

Abstract The bioavailability of PCDD/PCDFs from municipal incinerator fly ash and sediment to freshwater fish has been studied. A preference to selectively bioaccumulate PCDD/PCDF isomers substituted in the 2,3,7 and 8 positions was observed. The depuration half life of 2,3,7,8-TCDD from carp was found to be 300–325 days. The rate of depuration of PCDD/PCDFs decreased with increasing degree of chlorination.
Designing observer-based controllers for PDE systems: A heat-conducting rod with point observation and boundary control

In this paper, we propose a method to synthesize infinite-dimensional observer-based controllers for partial-differential systems. To illustrate the approach, we use a one-dimensional model of heat conduction with point observation and boundary control. Our method uses Sum-of-Squares optimization to solve linear operator inequalities in an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space. We use the semigroup framework and an operator version of the separation theorem and the Lyapunov inequality. We implement our method using SOSTOOLS and SeDuMi. We simulate the effects of our controller using Matlab.
Surface Morphology of Annealed Polystyrene and Poly(methyl methacrylate) Thin Film Blends and Bilayers

Thin films of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were spun-cast onto silicon substrates, annealed, and analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), total electron yield (TEY), and partial electron yield (PEY) near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy in order to resolve conflicting prior literature regarding the tendency of PS to form a wetting layer or overlayer on top of PMMA. From the comparison of the three methods of analysis and on the basis of the extraordinary surface sensitivity of PEY NEXAFS, we conclude that PS does not form an overlayer in samples with morphologies near thermodynamic equilibrium. The PS forms droplets of a large size range on top of a PMMA layer that wets the hydrophilic SiOx substrate. From our results, the maximum thickness of a continuous PS wetting layer would be about 0.25 nm. This is in contrast to recent experiments that imply an equivalent PS wetting layer of about 5−10 nm is forming during annealing.
Fetal behavioral state patterns during and after prolonged exposure to cocaine in sheep.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Studies on the effects of cocaine in fetal animals have been limited to acute exposures to the drug. We hypothesized that a prolonged infusion of cocaine to the fetal sheep would initially interrupt normal behavioral state cycling but the effects would be short lived as the fetus gained tolerance to the drug. STUDY DESIGN: The study was performed in a university laboratory on six time-dated pregnant ewes at 125 days' gestation. Fetal sheep, surgically instrumented 3 days before study, were given cocaine hydrochloride 0.6 mg/min for 6 hours. Fetal behavioral state before, during, and after the infusion was compared by repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Infusion of cocaine caused a drop in the percentage time that the fetuses spent in both rapid-eye-movement ( p p p CONCLUSIONS: Cocaine disrupts fetal rapid-eye-movement sleep without evidence for tolerance to the drug over a 6-hour period. "Catch-up" rapid-eye-movement sleep occurs with cessation of cocaine infusion. Neurobehavioral abnormalities associated with in utero cocaine exposure may be caused by chronic disruption of rapid-eye-movement sleep.
Waldenström's macroglobulinemia: a review of therapy.

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is a lymphoplasmacytic disorder characterized by a monoclonal IgM protein, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, and hyperviscosity. With the increasing use of screening chemistry evaluations, many patients are diagnosed without symptoms and are candidates for observation with no therapeutic intervention until symptoms develop. Plasma exchange can be useful to manage hyperviscosity but does not address the infiltrative process in the bone marrow, which requires cytoreductive therapy. This review covers current regimens that have been used to manage Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, including alkylating agents, purine nucleoside analogs, and rituximab. The value of steroids, radiotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and splenectomy is also reviewed. The lack of phase III studies does not permit an algorithm that would be appropriate for all patients. Treatment needs to be individualized based on patient age, the clinical manifestations of Waldenstrom's, and the patient's potential for developing toxic side effects of the selected treatment regimen.
Ultrastructural characterization of the effects of detergent treatment on stacked thylakoids

We have investigated the structural and biochemical effects of Triton X-100 on the photosynthetic membranes of green plants, thylakoids. The polypeptides associated with the coupling factor (CF 1 ) are entirely removed and photosystem I (PS I) polypeptides are substantially solubilized. In contrast, both photosystem II (PS II) and its light-harvesting polypeptides (LHC-II) are retained by the membranes. In addition to the loss of specific proteins, rearrangements were found within the thylakoids. These included the loss of the stromal lamellae, formation of multilamellar figures, increased areas of membrane appression, formation of two distinct lattices of intramembrane particles, and formation of inside-out membrane fragments. One of the lattice types could be identified as LHC-II. The formation of LHC-II lattice requires reorientation of some of the LHC-II polypeptides from the stromal surface to the luminal surface. Each structural change was associated with a specific detergent concentration. These results demonstrate that even low detergent concentrations can have dramatic effects on the organization of membranes. Some of these changes involve the loss of certain polypeptides, but others involve the rearrangement of membrane components without further extraction of polypeptides. These results show specific effects on the thylakoids and suggest that detergents may have wide-ranging effects on all membranes.
Variational Principles for Scattering Processes. II. Scattering of Slow Neutrons by Para-Hydrogen

Continuing the illustrative example of the preceding paper, the scattering of slow neutrons by two protons bound to a molecule is treated by variational methods. A numerical evaluation indicates that the Fermi approximation to the para-hydrogen cross section is reliable to about 0.3 percent.
Humidity Sensor Based on Hetero-Core Structured Fiber Optic Covered with Layer-by-Layer Thin Film

Humidity sensors based on hetero-core structured fiber optic has been fabricated. In the hetero-core structured fiber optic, a short piece of singlemode fiber optic is inserted between multi-mode fibers. Layer-by-layer (LBL) technique is applied to prepare humidity sensitive film. The humidity sensitive LBL film, prepared using polyacrylate as polyanion and polyallylamine as polycation, was deposited on the singlemode fiber part of the hetero-core structured fiber optic. According to increasing of deposition cycle, the propagating loss increased because of increasing the refractive index at the sensing part by the formation of the film. After deposition procedure, the sensor part was immersed in calcium chloride solution to dope the deliquescence material in the thin film. The humidity sensors ware characterized as a function of relative humidity (RH). The sensor shows that the propagating light power increased according to increasing of RH. This is because the dry film having a higher refractive index absorbed moisture and swollen, and then the refractive index decreased resulting in the decreasing of the leakage of the propagating light at the singlemode fiber part. In addition, the increasing of calcium chloride concentration caused the enhancement of the sensitivity. This is because calcium chloride is deliquescence material and absorbed water from atmosphere, resulting in the swelling, decreasing of the refractive index at low humidity.
Contact Dermatitis from Rubber Caused by Allergic Sensitivity to Thio-Beta-Naphthol *

Although numerous reports on allergic epidermal sensitivity to rubber have appeared in the literature (1-26), in only relatively few cases has the sensitizing agent been identified (Table I). The task is difficult because of the wide variety of different rubber products and the numerous compounds introduced in the manufacturing process. Antioxidants, accelerators, peptizers, vulcanizers, fillers, extenders, softeners, preservatives, tackifiers, plasticizers, and stabilizers, many of them allergenic chemicals, are added to improve the quality and durability of the rubber.
Habituation: Supplemental bibliography

The bibliographic survey of habituation literature compiled earlier by the author (Psychonomic Monograph Supplements, 1972, 4, 189-217) is updated. Eight hundred and fifty references to articles dealing with habituatory phenomena, two-thirds of which have been published since 1970, are listed. Citations were obtained primarily from Psychological Abstracts and individual journals in psychology, physiology, and animal behavior. Foreign language articles, papers presented at meetings, dissertations, and dissertation abstracts are consistently excluded.
Creativity and Self-Exploration in Projective Drawings of Abused Women: Evaluating the Inside Me–Outside Me Workshop

This study evaluated a creative workshop where college students (N = 300) devised self-expressive products to explore their inner and outer worlds. Participants devised products with drawing and writing components to examine their relationships with negative life events, self-concepts, and worldviews. Participants then evaluated the workshop. Artists and psychologists rated products for effort, creativity, and self-exploration. Participants evaluated the workshop as valuable (e.g., helped them feel mentally flexible, gave them freedom to express inner feelings). Past stressful life events correlated with positive evaluations of the workshop and self-exploration shown in products. Past visual art experience, personality (openness), and verbal ability predicted the creativity of products, whereas gender and life events interacted to predict self-exploration. A key finding of this study was that women who had experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse devised the most self-exploratory products and most...
Protocol: Streamline cloning of genes into binary vectors in Agrobacterium via the Gateway® TOPO vector system

Background In plant functional genomic studies, gene cloning into binary vectors for plant transformation is a routine procedure. Traditionally, gene cloning has relied on restriction enzyme digestion and ligation. In recent years, however, Gateway® cloning technology (Invitrogen Co.) has developed a fast and reliable alternative cloning methodology which uses a phage recombination strategy. While many Gateway- compatible vectors are available, we frequently encounter problems in which antibiotic resistance genes for bacterial selection are the same between recombinant vectors. Under these conditions, it is difficult, if not sometimes impossible, to use antibiotic resistance in selecting the desired transformants. We have, therefore, developed a practical procedure to solve this problem.
LC50 test results in polychlorinated biphenyl-fed mink: age, season, and diet comparisons.

The toxicity of a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture (Aroclor® 1254) to mink (Mustela vison) was evaluated through three dietary LC50 tests. These tests were designed to assess the effects of age of the test animals, composition of the diet, and season and year on the results of 28-day dietary LC50 tests. A dose-dependent weight loss was noted for animals in all tests and similar dietary LC50s were calculated for all three trials, both at the end of the 28-day exposure period (83, 84, and 79 ppm) and after a 7-day withdrawal period (58, 47, and 49 ppm). Based on all test criteria, age, dietary composition, season, and year had little effect on the outcome of the LC50 tests. The withdrawal period was important in determining the toxicity of Aroclor 1254 and should be considered in assessing the toxicity of other slow-acting, lipophilic compounds.
BEYOND ANOXIA: THE PHYSIOLOGY OF METABOLIC DOWNREGULATION AND RECOVERY IN THE ANOXIA-TOLERANT TURTLE

The freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta is among the most anoxia-tolerant of vertebrates, a true facultative anaerobe able to survive without oxygen for days at room temperature to weeks or months during winter hibernation. Our good friend and colleague Peter Lutz devoted nearly 25 years to the study of the physiology of anoxia tolerance in these and other model organisms, promoting not just the basic science but also the idea that understanding the physiology and molecular mechanisms behind anoxia tolerance provides insights into critical survival pathways that may be applicable to the hypoxic/ischemic mammalian brain. Work by Peter and his colleagues focused on the factors which enable the turtle to enter a deep hypometabolic state, including decreases in ion flux ("channel arrest"), increases in inhibitory neuromodulators like adenosine and GABA, and the maintenance of low extracellular levels of excitatory compounds such as dopamine and glutamate. Our attention has recently turned to molecular mechanisms of anoxia tolerance, including the upregulation of such protective factors as heat shock proteins (Hsp72, Hsc73), the reversible downregulation of voltage gated potassium channels, and the modulation of MAP kinase pathways. In this review we discuss three phases of anoxia tolerance, including the initial metabolic downregulation over the first several hours, the long-term maintenance of neuronal function over days to weeks of anoxia, and finally recovery upon reoxygenation, with necessary defenses against reactive oxygen stress.
A model of the antecedents of early union commitment: The role of socialization experiences and steward characteristics

The present study aimed at investigating the influence of shop steward characteristics and early union socialization experiences on new members' attitudes toward unions and their affective commitment to the union. Two thousand surveys were mailed to the most recent members of the National Association of Letter Carriers. Of these, 658 (33 per cent) were returned. Focusing on those individuals who had joined the union within the past 12 months yielded a usable sample of 585. A two-stage, structural equation modeling approach indicated a satisfactory goodness-of-fit for both the measurement and structural models. Individual socialization experiences significantly affected union attitudes. The latter variable was a significant predictor of union commitment. These results are discussed in the context of the organizational socialization literature and union commitment research.
Importance of treating individually assessed response classes in the amelioration of depression

This study compared the effectiveness in ameliorating depression of treatments that were directly related to or unrelated to initial assessment findings. Nine depressed women served as subjects, three with problems in social skills, three with problems with irrational cognitions, and three with both types of problems. All subjects received four sessions of social skills training and four sessions of cognitive therapy in an alternating treatments design, combined with a multiple baseline design. Depressed subjects with assessed problems in social skills significantly improved more in both social skills and depression after receiving the related treatment of social skills training as compared to the unrelated treatment of cognitive therapy. Depressed subjects with assessed problems in irrational cognitions significantly improved more in both cognitions and depression after receiving the related treatment of cognitive therapy as compared to the unrelated treatment of social skills training. Depressed subjects with problems in both cognitions and social skills showed equivalent improvements in depression with the two types of treatment; but social skills training produced greater improvement in their social skills, and cognitive therapy produced a larger decrement in their irrational cognitions. Thus, treatment effectiveness was greatly enhanced, depending on whether treatment was related or unrelated to the initial assessment findings.
Novel Vasodilators in Heart Failure

Heart failure is an important public health problem that is increasing in prevalence throughout the world. Not only is this condition common, but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality as well as high costs to medical care systems. Vasodilator drugs help unload the heart and may have other effects that could benefit heart failure patients. Consequently, they have emerged as an important therapeutic approach for patients with this condition. Novel vasodilator therapies that are currently in development target new pathways, potentially giving clinicians alternate options for improving outcomes in this vulnerable population. This review focuses on investigational drugs that have the ability to dilate blood vessels amongst their therapeutic properties. These drugs include the natriuretic peptides that activate particulate guanylate cyclase, the novel agent cinaciguat that activates the soluble guanylate cyclase system, and finally a recombinant form of the naturally occurring vasodilating agent relaxin, a hormone that mediates many of the changes that allows the cardiovascular system to successfully adapt to pregnancy.
New silicon-containing negative resist for bilayer lithography

The increasing use of high density integrated circuits has created a need for development of new resist materials and lithographic schemes involving process simplification in semiconductor device fabrication to lower defect levels and improve product reliability. Towards that goal, we have developed a new negative working photoresist applicable to a bilayer resist scheme using optical and E-beam exposures. In this paper, we discuss the synthesis and lithographic applications of the silicon containing resist PHBS-AZIDE. The resist comprises a single component in which the photoactive group, an azide moiety, is chemically bonded to the base polymer, poly(4-hydroxybenzylsilsesquioxane) via an esterification reaction. The new polymer is easily synthesized and has the advantageous properties of aqueous base developability, excellent oxygen RIE resistance and high sensitivity to DUV, i-line and E-beam exposures. Sub-half micron images have been demonstrated using PHBS-AZIDE as a thin top imaging layer in a bilayer mode.
Maize DNA enrichment by representational difference analysis in a maize chromosome addition line of oat

The recent recovery of maize (Zea mays L.) single-chromosome addition lines of oat (Avena sativa L.) from oat x maize crosses has provided novel source materials for the potential isolation of maize chromosome-specific sequences for use in genetic mapping and gene cloning. We report here the application of a technique, known as representational difference analysis (RDA), to selectively isolate maize sequences from a maize chromosome-3 addition line of oat. DNA fragments from the addition line and from the oat parent were prepared using BamHI digestion and primer ligation followed by PCR amplification. A subtractive hybridization technique using an excess of the oat parental DNA was employed to reduce the availability for amplification of DNA fragments from the addition lines that were in common with the ones from the oat parental line. After three rounds of hybridization and amplification, the resulting DNA fragments were cloned into a plasmid vector. A DNA library containing 400 clones was constructed by this method. In a test of 18 clones selected at random from this library, four (22%) detected maize-specific repetitive DNA sequences and nine (50%) showed strong hybridization to genomic DNA of maize but weak hybridization to genomic DNA of oat. Among these latter nine clones, three detected low-copy DNA sequences and two of them detected DNA sequences specific to chromosome 3 of maize, the chromosome retained in the source maize addition line of oat. The other eight out of the 13 clones that had strong hybridization to maize DNA detected repetitive DNA sequences or high-copy number sequences present on most or all maize chromosomes. We estimate that the maize DNA sequences were enriched from about 1.8% to over 72% of the total DNA by this procedure. Most of the isolated DNA fragments detected multiple or repeated DNA sequences in maize, indicating that the major part of the maize genome consists of repetitive DNA sequences that do not cross-hybridize to oat genomic sequences.
Rates of oxygen transfer from air bubbles to aqueous NaCl solutions at various temperatures

Abstract Experiments have been conducted to investigate the effects of temperature on the interfacial surface area and on the rate of oxygen transfer from air bubbles dispersed in aqueous NaCl solutions. Tests were also conducted to estimate the effects of salt concentration on the size of the bubbles. In addition to NaCl solutions, seawater was used in some tests. The temperature effects were investigated at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30°C. The results showed a pronounced effect of the salt on the size of the bubbles, which first decreased sharply with increasing concentration, but showed no further drop when the concentration was increased beyond 0.6 M . Both in seawater and in the 0.6 M solution, the mass transfer rate, K L A , increased almost linearly when temperature was increased within the range from 5 to 25°C. The salt solution, as well as the seawater, showed an increase of K L A of 60–70% over that in pure water at the same temperatures. This effect was the result of increased surface area of bubbles because of decreased coalescence. The increase in surface area was strongly temperature dependent, especially between 15 and 20°C. Contrary to this behavior the surface area in pure water showed, practically, no temperature dependence. The results are explained and discussed on the basis of ion-water interactions.
Economic reprioritization of PET.

In a previous issue of the journal Gould, Mullani and Williams wrote an editorial entitled“PET, PTCA and Economic Priorities.”1 The whole subject of positron emission tomography and its use with rubidium to diagnose coronary artery disease vis-a-vis thallium imaging is a controversial issue of current interest. As of this writing, scientists and clinicians have vocalized strong views for each imaging technique as the best clinically suitable method to diagnose hemodynamically significant coronary artery disease. I do not pretend to know who is right, but I can assure the reader of the emotionally charged nature of this controversy. The article by Gould and colleagues generated a response by an economist, Dr. Gleason, which subsequently generated a reply by Gould. I thought this topic was of sufficient interest to the readers of Clinical Cardiology that it should be given special article status because of the important issues raised.
Eschweilera pseudodecolorans (Lecythidaceae), a new species from central Amazonian Brazil

A new species of Eschweilera, E. pseudodecolorans is described, illustrated, and discussed.
Comparison of the biochemical alterations elicited in livers from rats treated with carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, 1,1,2-trichloroethaneand 1,1,1-trichloroethane

Abstract Chlorinated hydrocarbons differ in their capacity to produce liver damage. The comparative effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ), chloroform, 1,1,1trichloroethane and 1,1,2-trichloroethane were studied in rats. CCl 4 produced the highest increase in hepatic triglycerides and also produced elevated levels at the lowest dose (0.03 ml/kg). Chloroform was intermediate in producing elevated liver triglyceride levels; with 1,1,2-trichloroethane, enhanced triglyceride levels were demonstrated only at near-lethal dosages. No enhanced hepatic triglyceride level was demonstrated with 1,1,1-trichloroethane. Significant dose-related decreases in glucose 6-phosphatase activity were demonstrated with doses of 0.3 ml/kg of CCl 4 or greater. With the other chlorinated hydrocarbons, no decrease in hepatic glucose 6-phosphatase activity was detected. When the hydrocarbons were added directly to liver homogenates, only those incubations containing CCl 4 exhibited increased lipid peroxidation (enhanced thiobarbituric acid reactants). In vivo , evidence of lipid peroxidation (diene conjugates) in the liver was obtained 15 min after CCl 4 treatment; this effect reached its peak at 30 min. Enhanced diene conjugates were detected with doses of 0.3 ml/kg of CCl 4 or greater. However, with the other three hydrocarbons, no increase in diene conjugates was detected. Thus, this study shows that while the temporal relationships of CCl 4 -induced hepatotoxicity are compatible with the lipid peroxidation hypothesis, the dosage relationship is weaker. Also the lack of qualitative similarity in the results obtained with chloroform is disturbing.
Microfabricated interlock system for precision alignment

A mechanical interlock system is reported that achieves the manual alignment of two components accurate to within plus or minus 10 micrometers in three spatial coordinates. In addition, the system allows rapid component interchange. The system is based on a novel two stage application of the principles of the kinematic location of instrument components. A macro scale kinematic mount allows manual handling while a micro scale mount delivers the accuracy required. Silicon microfabrication methods are used to create features in the micron size range accurately and repeatable for the micro scale mount. Such a system could be used for fluidic, pneumatic, electrical, optical, or mechanical interconnects. We use it for the alignment of optics to flow channel in an optical flow cytometer which is part of a microfluidic total chemical analysis system we are developing.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.