cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of support on the kinetics of carbon hydrogenation on nickel

Abstract The kinetics of carbon hydrogenation on 3% Ni/Al 2 O 3 , 3% Ni/SiO 2 , and 3% Ni/TiO 2 were determined gravimetrically under conditions representative of CO hydrogenation i.e., 423–503 K, 1 atm total pressure, P H 2 = 5–10 kPa, and carbon coverages of 0.1–0.3. The activation energy for carbon hydrogenation on nickel is independent of support. However, specific rates of these catalysts vary by as much as a factor of 10 and decrease in the order Ni/TiO 2 , Ni/Al 2 O 3 , Ni/SiO 2 ; moreover, the reaction order with respect to hydrogen is significantly higher for Ni/TiO 2 relative to Ni/Al 2 O 3 and Ni/SiO 2 . Thus, the differences in rates for carbon hydrogenation on Ni/TiO 2 relative to those on Ni/Al 2 O 3 and Ni/SiO 2 are even greater at high P H 2 . CO also dissociates more rapidly on Ni/TiO 2 . Accordingly, the higher activity of Ni/TiO 2 in CO hydrogenation is explained by its higher activities for both CO dissociation and carbon hydrogenation.
Thrice-weekly versus daily buprenorphine maintenance.

Abstract Background: Buprenorphine is a promising alternative to methadone or levo-acetyl alpha methadol for opioid agonist maintenance treatment, and thrice-weekly dosing would facilitate its use for this purpose. Methods: After a 3-day induction, opioid-dependent patients ( n = 92) were randomly assigned to daily clinic attendance and 12-weeks maintenance treatment with sublingual buprenorphine administered double blind either daily ( n = 45; 16 mg/70 kg) or thrice weekly ( n = 47; 34 mg/70 kg on Fridays and Sundays and 44 mg/70 kg on Tuesdays). Outcome measures include retention, results of 3×/week urine toxicology tests, and weekly self-reported illicit drug use. Results: There were no significant differences at baseline in important social, demographic, and drug-use features. Retention was 71% in the daily and 77% in the 3×/week conditions. The proportion of opioid-positive urine tests decreased significantly from baseline in both groups and averaged 57% (daily) and 58% in 3×/week. There were no significant differences between groups in self-reported number of bags of heroin used for any day of the week, including Thursdays (48–72 hours following the last buprenorphine dose for subjects in the 3×/week condition), or in medication compliance (92%, 91%) and counseling attendance (82%, 82%). Conclusions: At an equivalent weekly dose of 112 mg/70 kg, thrice-weekly and daily sublingual buprenorphine appear comparable in efficacy with regard to retention and reductions in illicit opioid and other drug use. These findings support the potential for utilizing thrice-weekly buprenorphine dosing in novel settings.
HIV knowledge and sexual risk behaviors of street children in Takoradi Ghana.

A pilot survey was conducted among 100 street children aged 11–19 years and data collected regarding HIV knowledge, risk behaviors, home and sexual experiences, and factors that contributed to their relocation to the street environment. Data indicated that 80% of the street children had at least minimal knowledge of HIV and 54% perceived themselves to be at risk for contracting HIV. More than three-fourths of the females, and over half of the boys reported ever having sex. There were significant differences between males and females for sexual activity, physical and sexual abuse, and prostitution, as girls were more likely to be sexually active, physically abused, and involved in prostitution.
Optimum on-time duty cycle for micropulse technology

Purpose To evaluate the optimum on time for the most efficient removal of lens fragments using micropulsed ultrasound (US). Setting John A. Moran Eye Center Laboratories, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Design Experimental study. Methods Twenty porcine lens nuclei were soaked in formalin for 2 hours and then divided into 2.0 mm cubes. Using an US machine with a 0.9 mm bent and a 30-degree bevel tip, the on time was varied every millisecond (ms) from 2 ms to 10 ms with the off time kept constant at 10 ms. Efficiency (time to lens removal) and chatter (number of lens fragment repulsions from the tip) were determined. Results The most efficient phacoemulsification was achieved with an on time of 6 ms. On times shorter than 6 ms were significantly less efficient (R2 = .82, P=.04). Greater on times did not result in a significant difference in efficiency (R2 = .03, P=.78) but did appear to have more chatter events when comparing 9 to 10 ms with 2 to 8 ms (P Conclusions With micropulsed longitudinal US, a 6 ms on time was equally as efficient as longer on times, while shorter on times (2 to 5 ms) had decreased efficiency. At 9 ms and 10 ms on time, significantly more chatter was noted. Therefore, to maximize phacoemulsification, an on-time setting of 6 ms is recommended. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Cytoprotection of human endothelial cells against oxidative stress by 1-[2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl]imidazole (CDDO-Im): Application of systems biology to understand the mechanism of action

Abstract Cellular damage from oxidative stress, in particular following ischemic injury, occurs during heart attack, stroke, or traumatic injury, and is potentially reducible with appropriate drug treatment. We previously reported that caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a plant-derived polyphenolic compound, protected human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) from menadione-induced oxidative stress and that this cytoprotective effect was correlated with the capacity to induce heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) and its protein product, a phase II cytoprotective enzyme. To further improve this cytoprotective effect, we studied a synthetic triterpenoid, 1-[2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oyl]imidazole (CDDO-Im), which is known as a potent phase II enzyme inducer with antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities, and compared it to CAPE. CDDO-Im at 200 nM provided more protection to HUVEC against oxidative stress than 20 μM CAPE. We explored the mechanism of CDDO-Im cytoprotection with gene expression profiling and pathway analysis and compared to that of CAPE. In addition to potent up-regulation of HMOX1, heat shock proteins (HSP) were also found to be highly induced by CDDO-Im in HUVEC. Pathway analysis results showed that transcription factor Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress response was among the top canonical pathways commonly activated by both CDDO-Im and CAPE. Compared to CAPE, CDDO-Im up-regulated more HSP and some of them to a much higher extent. In addition, CDDO-Im treatment affected Nrf2 pathway more significantly. These findings may provide an explanation why CDDO-Im is a more potent cytoprotectant than CAPE against oxidative stress in HUVEC.
GaAs laser amplifiers

Experimental results are presented on the operational characteristics of GaAs laser amplifiers very closely coupled to a laser oscillator. The separation between the oscillator and the amplifier was varied from 0.2 to 2.0 microns. The amplifiers were made by lapping one end at an angle of 10 to 15 degrees. This angle is several times larger than the critical angle for confinement of radiation in GaAs lasers that is estimated from experimental data to be between 2 and 3 degrees. The measured signal gain is a decaying function of input power and approaches a value of 2 to 4 for large input signals. A maximum amplifier gain of about 150 was obtained for an input signal of 2 mW/mil junction width (corresponding to an optical flux-density of about 8 kW/cm2incident on the input side of the amplifier). At this input power level, the output fluoresence is reduced by about 50 percent and the internal oscillatory modes of the amplifier are almost completely quenched. The ratio of the oscillator output actually coupled into the amplifier to the measured output from the oscillator was estimated from gain saturation measurements. It was found to be inversely proportional to the cleaved separation between the oscillator and the amplifier and was estimated as 0.5 and 0.07 for separations of 0.2 and 2 microns, respectively. The output quantum efficiency of the laser amplifier was demonstrated to be comparable to the output quantum efficiency of a single oscillator. Tests of a new structure for a low-noise, constant-gain laser amplifier are described.
SS-DNA functionalized ultra-thin-film ALN Contour-mode Resonators with self-sustained oscillator for volatile organic chemical detection

This paper reports on the design and experimental verification of a new class of nanoscale gravimetric sensors based on ultra-thin-film AlN Contour-Mode Resonant Sensor (CMR-S) functionalized with ss-DNA and connected to a chip-based self-sustaining oscillator loop (fabricated in the ON Semiconductor 0.5 µm CMOS process) for direct frequency read-out. The 220 MHz oscillator based on the ultra-thin AlN CMR-S exhibits an Allan Variance of ∼20 Hz for 100 ms gate time. The sensor affinity for the adsorption of volatile organic chemicals such as 2,6 dinitroluene (DNT, a simulant for explosive vapors) is enhanced by functionalizing the top gold electrode of the device with a thiol-terminated single stranded DNA sequence (Thiol - 5' CTT CTG TCT TGA TGT TTG TCA AAC 3') enabling the detection of concentrations as low as 1.5 part per billion (ppb).
Relationship between human semen parameters and deoxyribonucleic acid damage assessed by the neutral comet assay.

Objective To explore the association between semen parameters and sperm DNA damage. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Andrology clinic. Patient(s) Two hundred fifty-seven men undergoing infertility assessment. Intervention(s) None. Main outcome measure(s) Sperm concentration and motility were measured using computer-assisted sperm analysis; morphology was scored using the strict criteria. The neutral comet assay was used to measure sperm DNA damage. Comet assay parameters included comet extent, percent DNA in the comet tail, and tail distributed moment, an integrated measure of length and intensity. We also scored cells that were too long to measure (>300 μm), which we referred to as cells with high DNA damage. Result(s) Men older than 35 years had a statistically significant increase in the number of cells with high DNA damage as compared with younger men. In age-adjusted regression analyses, the most consistent associations were found between semen parameters and the number of cells with high DNA damage. For an interquartile range change in the number of cells with high DNA damage, sperm concentration declined 14.2 × 10 6 /mL, motility declined 4.3%, and morphology declined 0.5%. Comet extent and percent DNA in the comet tail were also associated with a decline in sperm concentration and motility, respectively. Conclusion(s) Although there were associations between semen and comet assay parameters, their magnitudes were weak, suggesting that the comet assay provides additional independent information on sperm function.
Synthesis of semitelechelic maleimide poly(PEGA) for protein conjugation by RAFT polymerization.

Maleimide end functionalized polymers for site-selective conjugation to free cysteines of proteins were synthesized using reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. A furan-protected maleimide chain transfer agent (CTA) was employed in the RAFT polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGA). Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with laser light scattering detection indicated that 20000 and 39000 Da polyPEGA had been made with polydispersity indices of 1.25 and 1.36, respectively. The maleimide group on the polymer chain end was exposed by heating the poly(PEGA)s for 4 h. The deprotection efficiency was estimated to be 80 and 60% for poly(PEGA)20 kDa and poly(PEGA)39 kDa, respectively. Maleimide-poly(PEGA)s were conjugated to V131C T4 lysozyme (T4L), and the resultant polymer−protein conjugates were characterized by size exclusion chromatography and gel electrophoresis.
Effect of post-eruptive age on Ca and P loss from human enamel during demineralization in vitro

Abstract The enamel of human premolars of two post-eruptive ages was demineralized in hydroxyethylcellulose gel adjusted to pH 4 with lactic acid. Calcium and phosphate were determined in the enamel as a function of depth and in the gel during consecutive periods of demineralization. Significant differences with post-eruptive age were found between a depth of 25 and 60 μm where the younger teeth demineralized much faster. This agreed with the results from analyses of the gel. The molar ratio of Ca:P release was initially very high in younger teeth, whereas it was nearly constant for older teeth during consecutive periods of demineralization. The data are interpreted in terms of four different calcium phosphate phases presumed to occur in enamel mineral having a certain order of dissolution rates, related to their respective solubility. The hypothesis explains also the preferred reported losses of carbonate and magnesium from carious enamel.
Descriptive histomorphometric ingrowth analysis of the Zurich cementless canine total hip acetabular component.

Objectives— To (1) determine bone contact with the outer surface and ingrowth into the perforated outer shell of the Kyon acetabular component at 2, 6, and 12 months after total hip replacement (THR) and (2) determine correlation between radiographic lucency surrounding the cup–bone interface and bone contact and ingrowth. Study Design— Experimental study. Animals— Large breed dogs (n=11) with and without hip dysplasia. Methods— Force platform gait analysis was performed preoperatively and 2, 6, and 12 months after THR. Curvilinear length of lucency (CLL) was measured on pelvic radiographs. Tissue contact with the outer cup and ingrowth into the cup were determined histomorphometrically at 2, 6, and 12 months. Results— Peak vertical force and vertical impulse of the treated and control hind limb were not significantly different at any time. Median bone contact with the outer cup surface was 77%, 48%, and 76% at 2, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Median bone ingrowth into the cup perforations was 50%, 20%, and 44% at 2, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Median bone ingrowth to the inner cup surface was minimal at any time. CLL did not correlate with bone ingrowth. Conclusions— Bone ingrowth into cup perforations occurred in each dog and was already present 2 months after THR, but most of the inner cup space remained vacant. Clinical Relevance— Radiographic lucency surrounding the cup–bone interface does not allow assessment of bone contact with the outer surface or bone ingrowth into the Kyon cup in dogs without clinical problems.
Specific degranulation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

THE human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) contains two types of cytoplasmic granules, specific or heterophil granules and azurophil granules1. These granules contain enzymes and various non-enzymatic proteins. The specific granule contains alkaline phosphatase and most of the lysozyme of the cell while the azurophil granule contains the acid hydrolases and other enzymes which identify it as a lysosome1. Recent work2 has shown that in the degranulation accompanying phagocytosis the specific or heterophil granules combine with the phagosome first, followed by the azurophil granules. This implies that degranulation may be a complex event with more than one signal involved. If this were true then one might expect that the events should be separable, that is, that one type of granule might be stimulated and the other little affected. Experiments in our laboratories have indicated that only one type of PMN granule responds to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Five minutes after application of nanogramme quantities of the agent the cell begins to show large intracellular vacuoles. Granules which demonstrate an alkaline phosphatase reaction disappear in 30 min while those staining for myeloperoxidase remain3. Here we report that PMA causes both a dose and a time dependent release of enzyme activity associated with specific granules while those associated with azurophil granules or lysosomes remain associated with the cell as did a cytoplasmic marker enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydro-genase.
Effects of Instructions and Biofeedback on EEG-Alpha Production and the Effects of EEG-Alpha Biofeedback Training for Controlling Arousal in a Subsequent Stressful Situation.

Abstract In Phase One, 44 subjects participated in a 2 (instructions to increase alpha, no instructions to increase alpha) × 2 (alpha biofeedback, no alpha biofeedback) factorial experiment. Results indicated that increases in alpha production were due to instructions to increase alpha and that biofeedback had no effect on alpha production. In Phase Two, the 44 subjects from Phase One were exposed to a threat of shock whereas 11 additional subjects in a control condition were not. The design employed in Phase Two was a 2 (previous instructions and stress, no previous instructions and stress) × 2 (previous biofeedback and stress, no previous biofeedback and stress) plus 1 (no previous instructions/no previous biofeedback, no stress). Results indicated that the threat of shock was effective in increasing arousal (as measured by heart rate and skin resistance) but previous EEG-alpha biofeedback training was not effective in helping subjects decrease arousal while in the stressful situation. The results indicate that it is the instructions (and related information concerning alpha) rather than the biofeedback that is critical in alpha biofeedback training and that this training does not appear to have utility for controlling arousal under stress.
Leveraging agile development and architecture techniques in the development of geoinformatics standards

With the increasingly seamless integration of geospatial intelligence into mainstream IT solutions and the rise of the "Geospatial Web", the need for geoinformatics standards is ever more critical. Geoinformatics standards detail the engineering aspects (and rules) capturing common agreements for implementing an interface or encoding that applies to specific geospatial interoperability problems. Standards from organizations such as ISO and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) enable users to more freely exchange and apply geospatial information, applications and services across networks, platforms and products.This panel is about the emerging agile processes behind the development of such standards in the geoinformatics field, specifically complementing the traditional formal consensus processes as a way to keep up with rapid technology changes, and the immediate needs for these standards in a wide range of domains. Agile processes are based on iterative, incremental and collaborative development, and typically deliver increased value, higher adaptability and reduced risk levels in meeting customer requirements and project objectives.As an example in the geospatial field, the OGC Interoperability Program organizes and manages Interoperability Initiatives based on a rapid engineering process to develop, test, demonstrate, and promote the use of OGC standards. Such initiatives typically provide the initial working prototypes that are positioned to be the next best standards. Complemented by a solid architecture framework, this process allows for the development of set of standards for adoption in mature products.This panel hosts representatives from standards-development organizations and industry to provide their perspectives on the agile processes in geoinformatics standards development and their value to their members/customers in the era of ubiquitous geospatial informatics. Such agile processes contribute to achieving the guiding vision of a world in which everyone benefits from geographic information and services made available across any network, application, or platform.
Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 5a Mediates Mammary Ductal Branching and Proliferation in the Nulliparous Mouse

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)5a is a critical regulator of mammary gland development. Previous studies have focused on Stat5a's role in the late pregnant and lactating gland, and although active Stat5a is detectable in mammary epithelial cells in virgin mice, little is known about its role during early mammary gland development. In this report, we compare mammary gland morphology in pubertal and adult nulliparous wild-type and Stat5a−/− mice. The Stat5a-null mammary glands exhibited defects in secondary and side branching, providing evidence that Stat5a regulates these processes. In addition, Stat5a−/− mammary glands displayed an attenuated proliferative response to pregnancy levels of estrogen plus progesterone (E+P), suggesting that it plays an important role in early pregnancy. Finally, we examined one potential mediator of Stat5a's effects, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). Stat5a−/− mammary glands were defective in inducing RANKL in response to E+P treatment. In addition, regulation of several reported RANKL targets, including inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (Id2), cyclin D1, and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Waf1/Cip1, was altered in Stat5a−/− mammary cells, suggesting that one or more of these proteins mediate the effects of Stat5a in E+P-treated mammary epithelial cells.
Optimal energy storage management in DC power networks

Micro grid technology has been attracting attention as a realization of local electricity production for local consumption. In a micro grid system, management of supply and demand is one of the most important issues because variability of renewable energies such as photovoltaic and wind power generations will cause a supply-demand imbalance. Management of supply and demand in direct current (DC) power networks is supposed to be more difficult in comparison with conventional methods for alternate current (AC) power networks. The reason why is that a delay in the conversion of DC to DC and AC to DC causes unintended power down in DC power networks without huge power supply such as grid power in AC power networks. In this paper, we propose an energy management method for DC power networks. A control system which realizes the proposed energy management consists of a two-layered structure. The first layer is a scheduling part which is responsible for deciding the long-period system behavior to reduce energy bills. The second layer is a supply-demand adjustment part which is responsible for maintaining instantaneous supply-demand balances for DC-driven devices. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been proven with some experiments using real equipment.
Endoscopic cultures of the proximal gastrointestinal tract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate two methods of obtaining culture material under direct visualization through a fiberoptic upper gastrointestinal endoscope. Collections were made both with a wash pipe and a sterile brush through a sterilized Olympus D panendoscope. Paired aspirate collections were made on 20 occasions from 10 postgastrectomy and six nonoperated patients. Significant bacterial overgrowth was identified equally well by both methods, but the wash tube, which can be reused, is cheaper. The endoscopic method for collecting proximal fluid for culture is simple and can be performed during a routine ertdoscopy.
Super-spreaders in infectious diseases.

Summary Early studies that explored host–pathogen interactions assumed that infected individuals within a population have equal chances of transmitting the infection to others. Subsequently, in what became known as the 20/80 rule, a small percentage of individuals within any population was observed to control most transmission events. This empirical rule was shown to govern inter-individual transmission dynamics for many pathogens in several species, and individuals who infect disproportionately more secondary contacts, as compared to most others, became known as super-spreaders. Studies conducted in the wake of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) pandemic revealed that, in the absence of super-spreading events, most individuals infect few, if any, secondary contacts. The analysis of SARS transmission, and reports from other outbreaks, unveil a complex scenario in which super-spreading events are shaped by multiple factors, including co-infection with another pathogen, immune suppression, changes in airflow dynamics, delayed hospital admission, misdiagnosis, and inter-hospital transfers. Predicting and identifying super-spreaders open significant medical and public health challenges, and represent important facets of infectious disease management and pandemic preparedness plans.
Arabic script-based languages deserve to be studied linguistically

Arabic script-based languages are attracting increased attention for reasons that are regrettably far from their intrinsic linguistic interest. At the same time, statistical and corpus-based approaches to language processing are acquiring such dominance that it is becoming difficult for the advocates of other methods even to receive a hearing. I will argue that this is an alarming trend against which computational linguists, and especially those studying these languages, should resist with great determination. My argument for this position rests on the following observations: 1. Unless the role of quantum mechanics and chaos in the workings of ordinary language has been grossly underestimated, nothing about the subject is probabilistic in any fundamental sense. 2. The statistics are a surrogate for knowledge of the world and artificial intelligence and the performance of any system based on an approach that reduces this to numerical annotations on linguistic structures can only hope to reach a very low asymptote. 3. Thanks to Zipf's law, corpus annotation is subject to a severe law of diminishing returns to which the linguist's search for significant generalizations is not subject. 4. To the various levels of linguistic analysis and to the indefinite range of subjects and propositions that texts may treat, there correspond different notions of locality, each requiring its own statistical models. 5. Most importantly, most of the linguistic properties that must be considered for text processing are not emergent properties of the texts at all but crucially depend on l'arbitraire du signe, the arbitrary relation between a symbol and what it symbolizes.
Thrombin receptor occupancy initiates cell proliferation in the presence of phorbol myristic acetate.

Summary A combination of DIP-thrombin and either PMA (50 ng/ml) or dioctanoyl glycerol stimulates DNA synthesis in serum free cultures of NIL hamster cells similar to that previously reported for the combinatory effect of DIP-thrombin and gamma-thrombin. Thus, PMA or dioctanoyl glycerol appears to generate signals normally stimulated by gamma-thrombin interaction with cells. This stimulation was not observed when cells were treated with DIP-thrombin and 4-beta-phorbol or 4-alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate. Therefore, it appears that this effect is mediated through activation of protein kinase C and that this activation plays an important role in thrombin mitogenesis.
Encapsulation and Stabilization of Reactive Aromatic Diazonium Ions and the Tropylium Ion Within a Supramolecular Host (

Supramolecular assemblies with internal cavities are being developed as nanoscale reaction vessels to protect or modify the reactivity of guest species through encapsulation. Diazonium cations and the tropylium cation were examined for their ability to encapsulate in the tetrahedral [Ga4L6] 12− supramolecular assembly. The 4-(diethylamino)benzenediazonium cation 1 readily formed a 1:1 host−guest complex with this assembly, and this encapsulation prevented 1 from re
Fractals and generalized inner products

Abstract The generation of fractals by a generalization of the matrix product is described. These matrix products allow visualization of additional structure of the fractals as well as producing fractals of new types.
Evolution of heparin anticoagulants to ultra-low-molecular-weight heparins: a review of pharmacologic and clinical differences and applications in patients with cancer

The burden of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is high in patients with cancer, particularly those with metastatic disease and those receiving chemotherapy. The use of heparin and heparin derivatives should be considered for primary prevention of VTE in hospitalized patients with cancer and in patients undergoing cancer surgery. Preliminary evidence also suggests that heparins may have direct anticancer benefits owing to effects on tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Despite the potential benefits of heparin-derived anticoagulants, many at-risk patients do not receive adequate thromboprophylaxis. The evolution of unfractionated heparin to low-molecular-weight and ultra-low-molecular-weight heparins has provided practitioners with alternatives for VTE prevention in cancer, although these alternatives present challenges related to clinically relevant pharmacologic differences between agents. In this review, we present results from our review of the medical literature focusing on the use of the heparin-derived anticoagulants in prospective interventional studies of primary thromboprophylaxis in patients with cancer in surgical, hospitalized, and ambulatory settings.
Probability distribution functions of microscale magnetic fluctuations during quiet conditions

A statistical study of microscale magnetic fluctuations in the interplanetary and magnetosheath region during quiet conditions is approached from the concept of probability distribution function. Magnetic field data from Explorer 34 were used to reconstruct the distribution functions and to calculate some of their moments. The distribution functions are found to be nearly tri-Maxwellian as the background field is relatively quiet. The direction of maximum fluctuations is found to be nearly perpendicular to that of the background magnetic field, but the fluctuations are rarely circularly polarized. Across the Earth's bow shock, the degree of fluctuation anisotropy increases, but no noticeable change in relative fluctuation intensity has been observed.
Immigrant Intentions and Mobility in a Global Economy: The Attitudes and Behavior of Recently Arrived U.S. Immigrants*

Objectives. In this article we develop a conceptual model connecting immigrants' objective circumstances to satisfaction with life in the United States, intentions with regard to naturalization and settlement, and concrete behaviors such as remitting and leaving the country. Methods. We analyze data from the New Immigrant Survey Pilot to estimate structural equations derived from our conceptual model. Results. Those expressing a high degree of U.S. satisfaction are significantly more likely to intend to naturalize and, because of this fact, are also more likely to want to stay in the United States forever. In terms of socioeconomic characteristics, however, those with high earnings and owners of U.S. property are less likely to intend naturalizing; and those with high levels of education are least likely to be satisfied with the United States, but satisfaction is itself unrelated to remitting or emigrating, which are determined by citizenship intentions and objective circumstances. Conclusions. The picture that emerges from this analysis is of a fluid and dynamic global market for human capital in which the bearers of skills, education, and abilities seek to maximize earnings in the short term while retaining little commitment to any particular society or national labor market over the longer term.
Comparative Virulence of Phase I and II Coxiella burnetii in Immunodeficient Mice

Coxiella burnetii has two phase variants: highly virulent phase I and avirulent phase II. To examine the differences between the two phase variants in interaction with host response to infection, we performed experimental infection in immunodeficient mice. Experimental C. burnetii phase I infection in SCID mice suggested that innate immunity cannot control replication of the bacteria and that acquired immunity is essential for mice to survive infection. In this study, we used SCID and SCIDbg mice to determine whether phase II bacterial infection can be controlled in vivo.
A Stochastic Control Approach to the Pricing of Options

We construct a stochastic control model of a portfolio in which the investor may invest in stock, call options on the stock, or risk free bonds. He may also borrow funds. We assume that the investor is attempting to maximize expected utility of total wealth at expiration of the options where the utility function is given as wealth to the power γ, 0 â¤ γ â¤ 1. This includes both the risk averse and risk neutral cases. We allow the borrowing interest rate, R, to be distinct from the lending interest rate, r. We make two fundamental assumptions: i the investor cannot achieve infinite expected utility of wealth in finite time "stable markets" and ii the market will set the option price to minimize the investor's maximal expected utility of wealth, i.e., options are priced using a minimax strategy. The market is stable only when R â¥ r. We prove in the case R >r and γ < 1 that the minimax European call option price, Ft, S, is given as the solution of the Black-Scholes equation Ft + i¾½ I2S2FSS + I´ S FS-I´ F = 0, where I´ = r when r â¥ α + I2γ-1; I´ = R when α + I2γ-1 â¥ R; and I´ = α + I2γ-1 if R â¥ α + I2γ-1 â¥ r. The parameter α is the stock return drift and I is the stock return diffusion. If R = r, then the call option price must, by stable markets, always be the Black-Scholes price with rate r. In the risk neutral γ = 1 case we must have R â¥ α â¥ r for a stable market and the option price given by the Black-Scholes equation but with I´ = α. Explicit solutions are presented and the optimal portfolios and returns are also derived. Comparable results are obtained for American call options which can be exercised at any time up to and including the expiration date. In this case, the option pricing function is shown to be the solution of an obstacle problem.
Pore size modification of mesoporous HMS molecular sieve silicas with wormhole framework structures

Wormhole HMS silica molecular sieves with average framework pore sizes in the range 2.9 to 4.1 nm were assembled from 4:1 molar mixtures of TEOS as the inorganic precursor (Io) and dodecylamine as the structure-directing surfactant (S°) in 63:27 (v/v) water/ethanol. Increasing the assembly temperature from 25 °C to 65 °C resulted in an increase in the Horvath−Kawazoe pore size (from 2.9 to 4.1 nm). Also, the ratio of fully cross-linked (Q4) to incompletely cross-linked (Q3) SiO4 sites (Q4/Q3) increased more than 2-fold from 1.96 to 4.26 with little or no change in the framework wall thickness (∼1.0 nm). Analogous results were obtained for HMS mesostructures assembled at an Io/S° ratio of 10. Postsynthesis remodeling of as-made HMS mesostructures through digestion in hot distilled water resulted in comparable expansions in the framework pore sizes. The pore expansion process, whether achieved through an increase in the direct assembly temperature or through postsynthesis remodeling in distilled water, is c...
Do NMDA receptors mediate the effects of light on circadian behavior

We report here the results of experiments designed to evaluate whether a specific NMDA receptor antagonist, (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,b]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate (MK-801), blocks the phase shifting effects of light on the circadian rhythm of wheel-running activity in golden hamsters. Intraperitoneal administration of (+)-MK-801 produced a dose-dependent blockade of both light-induced phase advances and delays. The effect was stereoselective and treatment with related compounds, phenylcyclidine and ketamine, also blocked light-induced phase shifts. MK-801, by itself, did not cause any consistent effect on the phase of the rhythm. These data, coupled with previous findings, indicate that excitatory amino acid receptors play an important role in the transmission of light information from the retina to the circadian system.
Advanced development of IBAD/PLD coated conductors at FUJIKURA

Abstract We have developed an ion-beam-assisted-deposition (IBAD) and a pulsed-laser-deposition (PLD) technique to produce REBa 2 Cu 3 O x (RE123, RE: rare earth) coated conductors with high performances. Distributions of critical currents ( I c ) in the longitudinal direction were improved in most wires routinely fabricated under optimized process. A typical wire showed I c of 460 A/cm at 77 K and self-field, about 200 A/cm at 65 K and 3 T and about 300 A/cm at 50 K and 5 T. In addition, further high I c values over 800 A/cm were also obtained in thick films. Finally, we succeeded in fabricating an 816.4 m long wire with end-to-end I c of 572 A/cm, corresponding to the new world record I c × L value of 466,981 Am/cm.
Assessing the Safety of Toxin-Producing Baculovirus Biopesticides to a Nontarget Predator, the Social Wasp Polistes metricus Say

Abstract Colonies of the social wasp Polistes metricus were fed uninfected Spodoptera frugiperda larvae or larvae infected with either of two toxin-expressing recombinant baculoviruses or a recombinant virus containing the reporter gene, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase ( cat ). One of the toxin-expressing viruses contained a gene, tox34, encoding an insect-selective mite neurotoxin, TxP-I. The other contained AaIT, a gene encoding an insect-selective scorpion neurotoxin. Viruses used during the first half of the study contained the heterologous genes under the control of the Drosophila melanogaster HSP70 promoter, which is active constitutively in cells both permissive and nonpermissive to baculovirus infection. Viruses used during the latter half of the study contained the heterologous genes under very late viral promoter control. No difference between the wasp colonies fed uninfected S. frugiperda larvae and the colonies fed larvae infected with the toxin-expressing viruses was observed for the five developmental parameters tested. The presence of CAT and TxP-I, the toxin encoded by tox34 was detected in wasps fed the viruses with cat and tox34 under HSP70 promoter control, but no CAT activity was detected in wasps from colonies fed virus with cat under very late viral promoter control. TxP-I-related proteins were detected in one group of wasps fed larvae infected with the virus containing tox34 under very late viral promoter control. Promoter choice in constructing toxin-expressing recombinant baculoviruses for biological pest control is discussed.
Overload-induced skeletal muscle extracellular matrix remodelling and myofibre growth in mice lacking IL-6

Aim: Overloading healthy skeletal muscle produces myofibre hypertrophy and extracellular matrix remodelling, and these processes are thought to be interdependent for producing muscle growth. Inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene expression is induced in overloaded skeletal muscle, and the loss of this IL-6 induction can attenuate the hypertrophic response to overload (OV). Although the OV induction of IL-6 in skeletal muscle may be an important regulator of inflammatory processes and satellite cell proliferation, less is known about its role in the regulation of extracellular matrix remodelling. The purpose of the current study was to examine if OV-induced extracellular matrix remodelling, muscle growth, and associated gene expression were altered in mice that lack IL-6, when compared with wild-type mice. Methods: Male C57/BL6 (WT) and C57/BL6 × IL-6−/− (IL-6−/−) mice (10 weeks of age) were assigned to either a sham control or synergist ablation OV treatments for 3, 21 or 56 days. Result: Plantaris muscle mass increased 59% in WT and 116% in IL-6−/− mice after 21 day OV. Myofibre CSA was also increased by 21 day OV in both WT and IL-6−/− mice. OV induced a twofold greater increase in the volume of non-contractile tissue in IL-6−/− muscle compared to WT. OV also induced a significantly greater accumulation of hydroxyproline and procollagen-1 mRNA in IL-6−/− muscle, when compared with WT muscle after 21 day OV. Transforming growth factor-β and insulin-like growth factor-1 mRNA expression were also induced to a greater extent in IL-6−/− muscle when compared with WT muscle after 21 day OV. There was no effect of IL-6 loss on the induction of myogenin, and cyclin D1 mRNA expression after 3 day OV. However, MyoD mRNA expression in 3 day OV IL-6−/− muscle was attenuated when compared with WT OV mice. Conclusion: IL-6 appears to be necessary for the normal regulation of extracellular matrix remodelling during OV-induced growth.
A possible brown dwarf companion to Gliese 569

A faint cool companion to Gliese 569, discovered during an IR imaging survey of nearby stars, may be the lowest-mass stellar object yet found. The companion is somewhat cooler in its 1.65-3.75-micron energy distribution than the coolest known main-sequence stars, indicating a low mass. Despite its lower temperature, it is more luminous than similar extremely low-mass stars, suggesting that it is either a young low-mass star evolving toward the main sequence or a cooling substellar brown dwarf. The primary star has emission lines and a low space velocity and exhibits flaring, all of which imply youth for this system. Observations of Gliese 569 and its companion over a period of 2 yr confirm the common proper motion expected of a true binary. The 5-arcsec apparent separation (50 AU) implies an orbital period of roughly 500 yr, which will permit an eventual direct determination of the mass of the companion.
Feasibility of Radiographic Absorptiometry of the Mandible as an Osteoporosis Screening Method

We developed and evaluated single- and dual-energy radiographic absorptiometry (RA) for the measurement of mandibular bone mineral density (BMD), using standard dental equipment, that would allow for inexpensive and widespread osteoporosis screening. Accurately measured x-ray tubespectra are important for validating the simulations used in the design of the method. A constrained least-squares deconvolution technique for reducing the detector-induced blurring of the energy spectrum was developed. Application of this analytic correction to spectra acquired with a NaI-photomultiplier detector improved the measured data by 20%–60%. Implementation of the screening method is accomplished by simultaneously acquiring high- and low-energy images on a single dental radiograph by appropriate filtering of the dental x-ray tube output. Computer simulations were performed to optimize the filters with respect to error in the bone measurement. A custom-designed film holder housed the beam filters and accommodated calibration wedges that allowed the radiographs to be normalized for differences in exposure and developing conditions. Forty-six male and female subjects, ages 27 to 87 years, participated in a pilot study to assess the RA techniques. Left and right vertical periapical radiographs were taken of the premolar–molar region and, for comparison, the subjects’ BMD was evaluated at the spine, left and right femur as well as total body by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Mandibular BMD by either high or low single-energy RA measurements was positively correlated with skeletal BMD, as assessed by DXA, at the arms, legs, trunk, ribs, pelvis, total body, and femoral neck. ROC analysis of the single-energy techniques for identification of osteopenic and osteoporotic female subjects, as defined by DXA at the left femoral neck, yielded an area under the curve of 0.73. This is comparable to commercial devices currently used for screening and indicates that the RA method may be valuable for early diagnosis of low bone mass.
Multiplication of vaccinia virus in the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

Abstract Although the IHD-E strain of vaccinia virus multiplies on the initial intraperitoneal inoculation of mice bearing the Ehrlich ascites tumor, the virus exerts no lethal effect on the host. In fact, the survival time of tumor-bearing mice is significantly increased when a large concentration of IHD-E virus is injected into the tumor. After 6 or more serial passages of IHD-E in tumor-bearing mice, the derived virus IHD-T: (a) showed an increased ability to destroy tumor cells; (b) shortened the survival time of the tumor-bearing mice; (c) exhibited a toxicity for normal mice when injected intravenously; and (d) had lost the capacity to produce hemagglutinin. When IHD-T virus was passed serially in eggs, additional changes in the properties of the virus were noted, including: (a) a markedly reduced ability to grow in the tumor and, therefore, a loss of toxic manifestations in the tumor-bearing mice; (b) the recovery of the capacity to produce hemagglutinin; (c) a decreased capacity for multiplication in mouse brain; and (d) a diminished lethal effect in mice following intracerebral inoculation.
Notes on Timurid legitimacy in three Safavid chronicles

IN HIS STUDY ON AFSHARID HISTORIOGRAPHY, ERNEST TUCKER HAS SHOWN that Nadir Shah's chroniclers depicted him as the restorer of the Safavid dynasty, and appealed to notions of Safavid legitimacy in their histories.' One chronicler, Muhammad Kazim Marvi, accomplished this partly by relating how Nadir Shah found a tablet (lawh) upon which Timur had inscribed instructions for Nadir Shah. Although Marvi was predominantly appealing to Safavid legitimacy, in the process he also linked Nadir's name with Timur.2 Laurence Lockhart notes a number of similarities between Nadir and Timur, indicating instances where Nadir seems to have modeled his reign on Timur's. These include (1) Nadir's naming his grandson Shahrukh, (2) Nadir's wife and Timur's daughter-in-law (wife of Shahrukh) both sharing the same name, Gawhar Shad, and (3) Nadir's use of certain Timurid military tactics.3 Although Nadir Shah did perhaps self-consciously model some aspects of his rule on that of Timur, a careful reading of Safavid chronicles indicates that such attempts did not begin with Nadir Shah. Safavid historians were also interested in promoting Safavid legitimacy in Timurid terms by invoking Timur's name and the symbols associated with his rule. For instance, in the Zayl-i 'alam-ara-yi "AbbasT, it is reported that in 1043/1633, one of the amirs of Imam Quli Khan, governor of Hormuz, presented Timur's sword as a gift to Shah Safi (r. 1038-52/1629-42). The chronicler states that the sword was seen as a sign of great fortune and a good omen assuring and foretelling Shah Safi's
The Importance of Transuranium Solids in Solubility Studies for Nuclear Waste Repositories

Solids obtained from laboratory solubility experiments in two different groundwaters from the Yucca Mountain region, Nevada, are described. The solubility study provided limiting solubility concentrations for neptunium(V), plutonium(IV), and americium(III) in groundwaters from Wells J-13 and UE-25p#l. The solubility-controlling solids are compared to relevant radionuclide compounds that are reported in the literature. The preparations and some characteristics of published solids that possibly may form in actinide-groundwater systems are described. The solids formed in the experiments are sodium neptunium(V) carbonates, polymeric Pu(IV) that contained small amounts of carbonate, and hexagonal or orthorhombic americium(III) hydroxycarbonates.