cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Rate of Organic Matter Accumulation on the Sedge Mat Zones of Bogs in the Itasca State park Region of Minnesota

In any discussion of the rate of net accumulation of organic matter, a working knowledge of the various factors which influence the rates of deposition and decomposition is indispensable. It is obvious even to the most superficial observer that at least part of the organic matter deposited each year upon the earth's crust must decay, otherwise the earth would long ago have been completely covered by a layer of plant and animal remains many feet thick. A survey of the world literature on this subject reveals that deposition and decomposition of organic remains rarely proceed at equal rates. In humid equatorial and tropical regions annual organic deposition is very great but decomposition is also very rapid so that no net accumulation results. In arctic regions, at the other extreme, the frost table may rise during the winter following the brief growing period when the organic layer was laid down, never to thaw again; under these circumstances annual deposition and accumulation are almost identical and decomposition may be negligible except along stream banks and on slopes strongly inclined toward the equator. In mid-latitudes, organic deposition is intermediate and the rate of decomposition varies especially with kinds of plants, and local temperature, drainage, and aeration. On humid upland surfaces, the situation may closely approach that of the moist tropics;
All-to-All Communication in Random Regular Directed Graphs

We consider networks formed by the union of $M$ random $1$ -regular directed graphs. These graphs are also called permutation models in the literature. We first present a proof showing that the expansion factor of such graphs is greater than or equal to $\log\; N$ a.a.s when $M> 4\;\log\; N,$ where $N$ is the number of nodes in the network. The reason for considering such random graph models is their applicability in the design of peer-to-peer networks and data center networks of switches. Assuming that each node in the network has upload and download capacities greater than $8\; \log\; N,$ we also show that the above result implies that all-to-all communication is possible in such a network, if the total incoming data rate and the total outgoing data rate at each node are both less than or equal to $1.$
German rites: A history of Le Sacre du Printemps on the German stage

In the catalogue raisonne of The Rite of Spring, compiled by Joan Acocella and Lynn Garafola in 1987, nearly one-third of the productions of Stravinsky's ballet had their premiere on the German stage.1 To be exact, thirteen of the forty-four Rites they list were staged in Germany, and since the original publication of the catalogue three more versions have been mounted. In addition, two versions previously overlooked have surfaced, bringing the number of German Rites I now know of (in early 1991) to eighteen.2 What is the import of this profusion of German Rites? Or, differently phrased, does the proliferation carry any significance at all? To write stage history is to confront both questions. Perhaps the myriad German Rites simply reflects the happenstance of random events, in which case its history on the German stage would read like an annotated catalogue raisonne. Stage history often competes with biography as the most predictable genre of performance scholarship, and many a stage history simply documents the vagaries of production-who staged what when and where. In this essay I am determined to avoid such a chronicle. Eschewing the recitation of production details for their own sake, I pursue and risk a speculative argument.
Potential roles of genetic biomarkers in colorectal cancer chemoprevention

Colorectal cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized societies and the second most frequent cause of cancer death in the United States. Surrogate endpoint biomarkers are gaining wide acceptance in early diagnosis and short-term cancer chemoprevention trials in place of cancer endpoints. Molecular genetic biomarkers can be useful tools in identifying subjects at risk of developing cancer and screening for early cancers amenable to complete cure. They may be useful both in predicting and assessing response to a given therapy and in determining prognosis after an initial diagnosis has been made. Ideally, biomarkers should fulfill some, if not all, of the following criteria: variability of expression between phases of carcinogenesis, association with cancer risk, ability to undergo modification in response to a chemopreventive agent, and finally, permit ease of measurement. In consideration of colorectal cancer chemoprevention, several genetic biomarkers seem to meet many of these criteria, as they do exhibit distinct variability of expression at different phases of carcinogenesis, are often strongly associated with increased cancer risk (especially the hereditary/familial syndromes), are generally able to be measured relatively easily through peripheral blood sampling (germline mutations) or by colonic mucosal sampling by endoscopic techniques (somatic mutations). In some cases, genetic biomarkers have also been demonstrated to undergo modification in response to a chemopreventive agent. With further understanding of the genetic and molecular changes involved in sporadic and familial colorectal carcinogenesis, genetic biomarkers appear to hold great potential for the identification of subjects at high risk of developing colorectal cancer, as well as the development of novel chemopreventive approaches and form a promising area for further research.
Determination of pyrrolidone carboxylate and γ-glutamyl amino acids by gas chromatography

Gas chromatographic methods for the quantitation of pyrrolidone carboxylate and γ-glutamyl amino acids are described. These intermediates of the γ-glutamyl cycle were separated by ion exchange chromatography and converted to their N-acyl-ester derivatives in a reaction with a mixture of 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-1-propanol and pentafluoropropionic anhydride. The derivatives have excellent electron capture properties thus making possible their determination even in small amounts of material of biological origin. The method was applied for the determination of concentrations of pyrrolidone carboxylate in human urine and cerebrospinal fluid, and in the brain, liver, and kidney of the mouse. It was also used to demonstrate the formation in mouse tissues of several γ-glutamyl derivatives of amino acids after administration of the corresponding free amino acid.
Characterization of Poly(xylylenes) with Solid-State 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Poly(xylylenes) are an important class of thermoplastics that are readily prepared by thermolysis of [2.2]paracyclophane or xylene precursors to afford xylylene monomers that condense and polymerize on solid surfaces to give polymer films. As most poly(xylylenes) are insoluble due to a high degree of crystallinity, characterization by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques is necessary. In this paper we describe the preparation of poly(xylylene) (P1), poly(2-ethylxylylene) (P2), poly(2-chloroxylylene) (P3), poly(2,3-dichloroxylylene) (P4), and poly(α,α,α',α'-tetrafluoroxylylene) (P5) and their characterization using solid-state 13 C cross polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (CP MAS NMR) spectroscopy.
Sliding Mode Observer and State-Machine-Based Fault Diagnosis With Application in a Vehicle Chassis Steering System

A novel fault detection and identification (FDI) scheme based on sliding mode observer (SMO) residual generator and state machine residual evaluator is presented in this paper. The FDI scheme is applied to actuator and sensor faults in a vehicle chassis steering system described by a nonlinear bicycle model with three degrees of freedom. Primary residual is generated by an expanded SMO designed for linear time varying (LTV) systems. To cope with the multiple faults isolation problem, the state machine records and utilizes the previous fault information to determine the current fault state. Simulation results show that multiple fault detection and isolation can be successfully achieved by the proposed SMO and state-machine-based FDI scheme.
Blastomyces dermatitidis: Antibody Detection in Sera from Dogs with Blastomycosis with Yeast Lysate Antigens Produced from Human and Dog Isolates

Dogs are common hosts to the fungal organism Blastomyces dermatitidis, which causes the systemic disease blastomycosis. The goal of our study was to compare the reactivity of two B. dermatitidis yeast lysate antigens prepared from dog isolates (ERC-2, Wisconsin; T-58, Tennessee) and two lysate antigens prepared from human isolates (B5931 and B5896, Minnesota) against 48 serum specimens from dogs with confirmed blastomycosis using the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Secondarily, we used three different ELISA substrates (Ultra TMB: A, SureBlue: B, and SureBlue Reserve: C) to compare the effectiveness of each substrate. Mean absorbance values ranged from 0.446 (B) to 0.651 (C) for the B5931 antigen and from 0.393 (B) to 0.540 (C) for the ERC-2 antigen in Trial 1. In Trial 2, the absorbance values ranged from 0.628 (B) to 0.909 (A) for the B5896 antigen and from 0.828 (B) to 1.375 (C) for the T-58 antigen. In Trial 1, the lysate antigen prepared from the human isolate B5931 exhibited the highest absorbance value and in Trial 2 the lysate prepared from the dog isolate T-58 was the most reactive. The overall results thus indicated that the T-58 lysate was the optimal reagent when used to detect antibody with the Sure-Blue Reserve substrate. Our laboratory is continuing to study B. dermatitidis antigen and substrate combinations for the reliable immunodiagnosis of blastomycosis in humans and animals.
Feynman-Graph Expansion for the Equation of State near the Critical Point (Ising-like Case)

The scaling equation of state of an Ising-like ferromagnet is derived by an expansion in $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=4\ensuremath{-}d$, where $d$ is the dimension of space. The result is compared with numerical calculations on the three-dimensional Ising model. It is also established that the "linear model" is exact up to order ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{2}$.
Monolithic millimetre-wave oscillator using a transmission line periodically loaded by QWITT diodes

A small-signal analysis of a travelling-wave structure implemented by periodically loading a parallel-plate waveguide with either resonant tunnelling or QWITT diodes is presented. A small-signal equivalent circuit is used to determine the diode impedance as a function of frequency. The periodicity of the structure, i.e. the distance between adjacent diodes, determines the oscillation (resonant) frequency of the circuit. The analysis shows that change in the oscillation frequency through variation in the design width and thickness of the waveguide is minimal. The physical dimensions of the waveguide facilitate monolithic fabrication of the oscillator circuit.
Simple model for the variation of superfluid density with Zn concentration in YBa2Cu3O7−δ

Abstract We describe a simple model for calculating the zero-temperature superfluid density of Zn-doped YBa2Cu3O7−δ as a function of the fraction x of in-plane Cu atoms which are replaced by Zn. The basis of the calculation is a “Swiss cheese” picture of a single CuO2 layer, in which a substitutional Zn impurity creates a normal region of area πξab2 around it as originally suggested by Nachumi et al. Here ξab is the zero-temperature in-plane coherence length at x=0. We use this picture to calculate the variation of the in-plane superfluid density with x at temperature T=0, using both a numerical approach and an analytical approximation. For δ=0.37, if we use the value ξab=18.3 A, we find that the in-plane superfluid decreases with increasing x and vanishes near xc=0.01 in the analytical approximation, and near xc=0.014 in the numerical approach. xc is quite sensitive to ξab, whose value is not widely agreed upon. The model also predicts a peak in the real part of the conductivity, Re σe(ω,x), at concentrations x∼xc, and low frequencies, and a variation of critical current density with x of the form Jc(x)∝nS,e(x)7/4 near percolation, where nS,e(x) is the in-plane superfluid density.
OLE RNA, an RNA motif that is highly conserved in several extremophilic bacteria, is a substrate for and can be regulated by RNase P RNA

OLE (ornate, large, and extremophilic) RNA is a noncoding RNA that is found in several extremophilic bacteria, including Bacillus halodurans. The function of OLE RNA has not been clarified. In this study, we found that RNase P cleaves OLE RNA and that the cleavage leads to a small reduction of expression of a downstream gene determined by analyses in vitro and in vivo. Under RNase P-deficient conditions, the amount of OLE RNA increased. Our results imply that RNase P could play a role in the regulation of gene expression in relation to conserved RNA motifs like OLE RNA as well as in riboswitches and operons.
Highly conductive trimethylsilyl oligo(ethylene oxide) electrolytes for energy storage applications

Monomethyl ethers of oligoethylene glycols with different chain lengths were converted to trimethylsilyl derivatives by reacting with trimethylchlorosilane in the presence of triethylamine, or by directly refluxing with excess trimethylchlorosilane or hexamethyldisilazane. Similarly, two oligoethylene glycols were converted to bis(trimethylsilyl) derivatives. When doped with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, these electrolytes have very high conductivity, generally >10−3 S cm−1. A full cell performance test using one of these new electrolytes (1NM3) showed excellent cyclability at room temperature. Introducing a second trimethylsilyl group decreases the conductivity of trimethylsilylated compounds. The thermal properties, viscosities and dielectric constants of the compounds were measured, and the effect of those on the conductivity is reported. Cyclic voltammetry experiments show that the trimethylsilylated compound (1NM2) of diethylene glycol monomethyl ether has greater electrochemical stability than its germanium and carbon analogues.
On consumption insurance in poor urban areas: Evidence from Ethiopia

This paper tests the full insurance and related hypotheses using data from urban households in Ethiopia. Whereas consumption insurance tests have focused on rural areas of developing countries, much less is known about the urban poor who remain precariously positioned in terms of consumption insurance—owing both to weak social bonding that undermines informal arrangements and thin formal insurance and financial markets. Results from OLS and GMM estimations provide evidence to this effect and show that full insurance is strongly rejected for various income and consumption categories even at the local level. The results do suggest however that partial insurance may be taking place though only among the most vulnerable. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancement of laser power-efficiency by control of spatial hole burning interactions

Spatial hole burning typically decreases laser output but the effect can be manipulated by spatially tailored pump profiles to increase laser power-efficiency by orders of magnitude.
Aromatization and 5α-Reduction of Androgens in Discrete Hypothalamic and Limbic Regions of the Male and Female Rat1

The in vitro aromatization and 5alpha-reduction of androgens to estrogens and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were determined in incubations of microdissected brain regions of male and female gonadectomized, adrenalectomized rats. Metabolites formed from [1alpha,2alpha-3H]androstenedione or [1alpha,2alpha-3H]testosterone were purified by celite liquid-liquid partition chromatography, silica gel chromatography and recrystallization to stable 3H/14C ratios. The medial preoptic nucleus-anterior hypothalamic nucleus exhibited the highest aromatase activity and the second highest conversion to DHT. The lateral preoptic and lateral hypothalamic nuclei showed little aromatase activity yet exhibited high rates of formation of DHT. The medial basal hypothalamus showed the second highest level of aromatase activity but consistently formed the lowest amount of DHT. The discrect anatomical localization of these enzymatic conversions is suggestive of their being involved in the physiological actions of androgens.
Forced Response of a Squeeze Film Damper and Identification of Force Coefficients From Large Orbital Motions

Experimentally derived damping and inertia force coefficients from a test squeeze film damper for various dynamic load conditions are reported. Shakers exert single frequency loads and induce circular and elliptical orbits of increasing amplitudes. Measurements of the applied loads, bearing displacements and accelerations permit the identification of force coefficients for operation at three whirl frequencies (40, 50, and 60 Hz.) and increasing lubricant temperatures. Measurements of film pressures reveal an early onset of air ingestion. Identified damping force coefficients agree well with predictions based on the short length bearing model only if an effective damper length is used. A published two-phase flow model for air entrainment allows the prediction of the effective damper length, and which ranges from 82% to 78% of the damper physical length as the whirl excitation frequency increases. Justifications for the effective length or reduced (flow) viscosity follow from the small through flow rate, not large enough to offset the dynamic volume changes. The measurements and analysis thus show the pervasiveness of air entrainment, whose effect increases with the amplitude and frequency of the dynamic journal motions. Identified inertia coefficients are approximately twice as large as those derived from classical theory.
Progress and prospects for soft x-ray lasing driven by high power optical lasers

We will describe our optical laser pumped XUV Laser Program. To date, we have concentrated our efforts on exploding foil amplifier designs using Ne-like n=3p to 3s inversion schemes. We will describe our latest modeling results as well as measurements which demonstrate output power near the 1 MW level at 206 and 209 A and lasing at wavelengths as short as 106 A.
Thermosensitive Liposomes Modified with Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-propylacrylic acid) Copolymers for Triggered Release of Doxorubicin

A novel polymer-modified thermosensitive liposome (pTSL) was developed for the delivery of Doxorubicin (DOX) for cancer therapy. Copolymers containing temperature-responsive N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and pH-responsive propylacrylic acid (PAA) were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, yielding copolymers with dual pH/temperature-dependent phase transition properties. When attached to liposomes, these copolymers were membrane-disruptive in a pH/temperature-dependent manner. pTSL demonstrated enhanced release profile and significantly lower thermal dose threshold when compared to traditional thermosensitive formulations and were stable in serum with minimal drug leakage over time. These liposomes thus have the potential to dramatically reduce the risk of damage to healthy tissues that is normally associated with liposomal cancer therapy.
Identity of the Growth-Promoting and Root-Forming Substances of Plants

IN a recent brief communication on the chemica-nature of the root-forming hormone of plants1, the following evidence was brought forward:
Retrieval of memory in the pigeon by context manipulations

In Experiment 1, 12 pigeons were given eight sessions of VI single stimulus training with a color in a particular context followed by eight sessions of similar training with a line angle in another context. On the next day, half of the subjects were tested for wavelength and angularity generalization in each of the two contexts, a procedure that was thus consistent with training for one dimension and inconsistent for the other. The subjects made significantly more responses to each training stimulus under the consistent context condition, but there was no difference in absolute or relative generalization slopes. In Experiment 2, 12 pigeons were trained as in Experiment 1, but during generalization testing they were exposed to both contexts sequentially. Under the consistent context condition, the subjects responded more to the two training stimuli and yielded sharper absolute and relative wavelength generalization gradients: Under the inconsistent context condition, responding to the training wavelength was substantially disrupted. Thus, under appropriate testing conditions, contextual control over both the amount and the selectivity of responding can be demonstrated.
Single DNA Glycosylase Molecules Diffuse One-Dimensionally and use a Wedge Residue to Probe for Oxidatively Damaged Bases

DNA glycosylases are enzymes that maintain genomic stability by identifying and excising damaged bases from DNA. Structural and biochemical studies implicate a key "wedge residue" in the recognition of oxidized bases. To define how glycosylases locate damaged bases, we tracked and characterized the motion of single, Qdot-labeled bacterial glycosylases (Fpg, Nei, and Nth) and their alanine-substituted wedge variants on normal and oxidatively damaged lambda DNA tightropes. All three wildtype glycosylases diffused along undamaged DNA with an effective 1D diffusion coefficient of 0.004±0.001μm2/s and binding lifetime of 1.2±0.2s. In contrast, the wedge variants diffused 10-fold faster with no change in their bound lifetime, suggesting that the wedge residue is involved in base interrogation. On damaged DNA, wildtype glycosylases bound 2.5 times longer and diffused 80% slower due to the emergence of stationary periods during a trajectory. To explain these data, we developed a multistate chemo-mechanical simulation in which glycosylases diffuse along DNA, punctuated with momentary pauses during base interrogation by the wedge residue. Upon recognition, a damaged base is excised, leading to a prolonged pause as observed experimentally with damaged DNA. Although they diffuse faster than their wildtype counterparts, the wedge variants also exhibited 56-98% slower diffusion in response to DNA damage. This can be explained by a 4-fold reduction in the rate at which these mutant enzymes interrogate the DNA. These results combined with structural data in the literature suggest that damaged base detection requires glycosylases to scan long stretches of DNA, utilizing only thermal energy while interrogating bases by insertion of the wedge residue into the DNA at a frequency sufficient to detect damage and to successfully excise the damaged base in the first step of base excision repair.
Production of 4-hydroxypyrazole from the interaction of the alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor pyrazole with hydroxyl radical.

Pyrazole, an effective inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, was previously shown to be a scavenger of the hydroxyl radical. 4-Hydroxypyrazole is a major metabolite in the urine of animals administered pyrazole in vivo. Experiments were conducted to show that 4-hydroxypyrazole was a product of the interaction of pyrazole with hydroxyl radical generated from three different systems. The systems utilized were the iron-catalyzed oxidation of ascorbate, the coupled oxidation of hypoxanthine by xanthine oxidase, and NADPH-dependent microsomal electron transfer. Ferric-EDTA was added to all the systems to catalyze the production of hydroxyl radicals. A HPLC procedure employing either uv detection or electrochemical detection was utilized to assay for the production of 4-hydroxypyrazole. The three systems all supported the oxidation of pyrazole to 4-hydroxypyrazole by a reaction which was sensitive to inhibition by competitive hydroxyl radical scavengers such as ethanol, mannitol, or dimethyl sulfoxide and to catalase. The sensitivity to catalase implicates H2O2 as the precursor of the hydroxyl radical by all three systems. Superoxide dismutase inhibited production of 4-hydroxypyrazole only in the xanthine oxidase reaction system. In the absence of ferric-EDTA (and azide), microsomes catalyzed the oxidation of pyrazole to 4-hydroxypyrazole by a cytochrome P-450-dependent reaction which was independent of hydroxyl radicals. This latter pathway may be primarily responsible for the in vivo metabolism of pyrazole to 4-hydroxypyrazole. The production of 4-hydroxypyrazole from the interaction of pyrazole with hydroxyl radicals may be a sensitive, rapid technique for the detection of these radicals in certain tissues or under certain conditions, e.g., increasing oxidative stress.
Nuclear magnetic resonance observation of the triple interaction between A9 and AU12 in yeast tRNAPhe

The nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) was used to identify one of the amino proton resonances of base A23 in interaction with A9. These bases form a triple with U12 in the D stem of yeast tRNAPhe. The identification was verified by finding an NOE from this amino proton to the C8 proton of A9, as determined by comparisons of NOE's in a native and a C8-deuterated sample.
Comparison of brain and pituitary immunoreactive prolactin by peptide mapping and lectin affinity chromatography.

Abstract Immunoreactive PRL (IR-PRL) has been identified in many areas of the rat brain. Using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analyses we have recently shown that the primary IR-PRL protein in the rat brain has an apparent mol wt (Mr) of 24,000, which was identical to that of pituitary PRL. In these studies, brain and pituitary 24,000 Mr PRL were compared by peptide mapping and lectin chromatography. PRL-enriched fractions were prepared from the pituitary, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and pons-medulla and labeled with 125I. This material was further purified by immunoprecipitation, and immunopurified 24,000 Mr PRL was isolated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. Cleavage of l25I-labeled 24,000 Mr IR-PRL prepared from the pituitary and the three brain regions with chymotrypsin resulted in identical peptide maps with two primary labeled peptide fragments (5,500 and 6,000 Mr), and approximately five less intense fragments. Similarly, trypsin cleavage of br...
Eigenfactor and article influence scores in the Journal Citation Reports

Purpose – This sequel to the earlier testing and evaluation of the five‐year Journal Impact Factor (JIF‐5) in the enhanced version of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) (released in January and July 2009 for the 2007 and 2008 journal collections, respectively) seeks to assess and compare the impact on the ranking of journals by two other performance indicators.Design/methodology/approach – Both the Eigenfactor Score (EFS) and the Article Influence Score (AIS) use a five‐year target window in the algorithm to quantify the scholarly impact at the overall journal level and at the article level, respectively.Findings – The paper examines how the rank positions of 52 library and information science journals change when the set of journals are ranked by the Eigenfactor metrics in relation to the JIF‐5 indicator.Originality/value – The principle behind Google's PageRank is where a web page or site got ranked in the search results based not merely on the number of incoming links, but also on the status/prestige o...
ENDOGENOUS OPIOID PEPTIDES CONTROL THE AMPLITUDE AND SHAPE OF GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE PULSES IN THE EWE

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that endogenous opioid peptides (EOP) mediate the negative feedback action of estradiol on GnRH pulse size in breeding season ewes. If this hypothesis is correct, one would predict that an EOP antagonist should increase GnRH pulse size in estradiol-treated ovariectomized (OVX+E), but not in OVX, ewes. We, therefore, examined the effects of naloxone on GnRH pulse profiles in the hypophyseal portal blood of OVX and OVX+E ewes (n = 6/group). Samples were collected every 10 min for 6 h before, 6 h during, and 4 h after naloxone infusion. Estradiol treatment decreased GnRH pulse size and increased GnRH pulse frequency. Naloxone treatment had no effect on GnRH pulse frequency, but significantly increased GnRH pulse size. However, this stimulatory action of naloxone on GnRH pulse size was evident in both OVX and OVX+E ewes. These results are thus not consistent with the hypothesis that EOP mediate the negative feedback action of estradiol. Interestingly, naloxone no...
Solution-Focused Group Work: Collaborating with Clients Diagnosed with HIV/AIDS

This article looks at the current trends and challenges faced by persons diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Given the lack of resources available to persons living with HIV/AIDS, a rationale for using solution-focused brief group therapy (SFBGT) is presented. The solution-focused approach builds on client resources to move them closer to their desired life despite having a life-threatening illness. SFBT is uniquely suited to facilitating positive outcomes with individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The overall aim of this article is to provide a theoretical explanation and justification of how SFBGT can effectively aid those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS to combat the obstacles they encounter. An example of a group format is also offered as a template for clinicians and practitioners.
Mood-congruent versus mood-incongruent psychotic symptoms in first-admission patients with affective disorder

The distribution of mood-congruent and mood-incongruent symptoms in 49 first-admission DSM-III-R psychotic bipolar and 35 psychotic depressed patients is presented. Most patients had mood-incongruent symptoms (77.4%). 73% of mood-incongruent bipolars and 32% of incongruent depressives had a combination of mood-congruent and mood-incongruent symptoms. Demographic and clinical variables were unrelated to incongruence. The only 24-month clinical outcome predicted by mood incongruence was poorer GAF rating. 15 of the 16 patients whose diagnosis was changed at follow-up from affective to nonaffective psychosis had mood-incongruent features initially. The findings raise questions about the general prognostic utility of mood congruence.
Unbiased measures of transmitted information and channel capacity from multivariate neuronal data

Two measures from information theory, transmitted information and channel capacity, can quantify the ability of neurons to convey stimulus-dependent information. These measures are calculated using probability functions estimated from stimulus-response data. However, these estimates are biased by response quantization, noise, and small sample sizes. Improved estimators are developed in this paper that depend on both an estimate of the sample-size bias and the noise in the data.
The Phylogenetics of Dynamics in DNA Clamp Proteins

Using HXMS to measure protein dynamics, Fang and colleagues (in this issue of Structure) probe the dynamics of processivity clamp proteins from all kingdoms of life. The proteins have similar structures but divergent sequences. Their results show conserved dynamics correlating with primary functions and divergent dynamics for divergent functions.
A Data Structure for Interactive Placement of Rectangular Objects

A data structure suitable for interactive placement of disjoint rectangular objects is presented. Area available for placing new objects is described in terms of a unique set of maximum empty rectangles (MERs), each of these MERs bounded by objects already placed or by the boundary. Algorithms for addition and deletion of objects have been developed. Deletion is achieved by using the addition procedure itself. Information can readily be derived from the data structure to identify regions where a given object may be placed, to determine whether a new object can be placed if an existing one is removed, to assess restrictions on linear dimensions and areas of objects that can be placed etc. Though the scheme has been developed for automated layout of PCBs and ICs, it is applicable to other areas such as layout and modification of shopping centers and cities, utilization of warehouse space etc. A distinct feature of the method is that the extent of search to update the data structure need not increase with the number of objects placed or with the density of placement.
Normal tympanometric gradient: a comparison of three methods

Tympanograms were obtained from 166 ears of 83 college students with normal middle ear function. Three measures of gradient were determined for each tympanogram: Gdif, Gratio, and GdP. Each gradient measure was evaluated for its potential usefulness in discriminating between ears with and without effusion. Gdif was found to be a fairly poor choice for gradient. Because it correlated so highly with static admittance, little additional information would be gained about tympanogram shape. The two other measures, Gratio and GdP, appeared to be roughly equivalent and would be preferred over Gdif as measures of tympanogram shape.
Vibrating beds of fine particles: Estimation of interparticle forces from expansion and pressure drop experiments

Abstract Theory is developed to allow estimation of the particle to particle cohesive force from pressure drop versus expansion data of packed vibrated beds of very fine particles subject to a gentle upflow of gas. A consequence of this analysis is a prediction of the Geldart C/A transition which is then compared with other estimates from the literature.
Free-Jet Electronic Spectroscopy of the PO2 Radical

The laser fluorescence excitation spectrum of the jet-cooled PO2 radical has been recorded in the wavelength range 325−284 nm. This work extends previous flash photolysis and laser fluorescence stu...
“Can Women Have Sex Like a Man?”: Sexual Scripts in Sex and the City

The television series Sex and the City became an instant international hit from its 1998 debut on HBO throughout its final episode in 2004 and still remains popular through syndication and DVD sales and rentals. The series garnered widespread attention due to its explicit depiction and candid discussion of female sexuality. Sex and the City challenges commonly held cultural beliefs about what constitutes appropriate sexual desires and behaviors for women. According to sexual script theory, sexuality is not innate, but is learned through cultural messages. I performed a content analysis on the sexual scripts embedded in the series to determine if the sexual encounters of the characters were more likely to be relational or recreational. I also compared the characters’ sexual behavior to that of respondents of an extensive survey of sexual practices in the US. The encounters of the characters were much more likely to be recreational than relational, and their sexual scripts differ significantly from behavior that women actually report practicing. Yet for all the promotion of equal opportunity sexual freedom, by series end, all four characters were engaged in committed relationships—“happily ever after” endings for all!
Computed tomography of pediatric blunt abdominal trauma

Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging method of choice in the evaluation of hemodynamically stable children after blunt abdominal trauma. Evaluation with CT will show whether intraperitoneal fluid or blood is present and whether the liver, spleen, kidneys, and pancreas are intact. Although the principal role of CT after blunt abdominal trauma is the assessment of solid viscus injury, an unintended consequence of the increased utilization of CT in this setting is that an increased number of children with hollow viscus injury are being evaluated. CT can reliably depict injury to these hollow viscera, although the diagnosis of such injury is not as straightforward as with solid viscus injury. This essay reviews indications for CT, technique for the performance of CT, and CT findings associated with hollow and solid viscus injury and posttraumatic shock.
Evaluation of the Sensitivity of Commercially Available Digoxin Radioimmunoassay Kits

We have evaluated the technical minimum detection limits of 12 different commercially available kits and the practical minimum detection limits of 11 kits used for the determination of the serum digoxin level by radioimmunoassay. The poor technical ability of many of the kits to distinguish between digoxin levels of 0.1 ng/ml intervals between 0 and 0.5 ng/ml and, additionally, the detection of a digoxin level up to 0.3 ng/ml with some of the kits in glycoside-free sera impose a practical working minimum detection limit of 0.5 ng/ml for the majority of these kits. We, therefore, recommend caution with interpreting or evaluating serum digoxin levels below 0.5 ng/ml.
Why Do Providers Contribute to Disparities and What Can Be Done About It

This paper applies social cognition research to understanding and ameliorating the provider contribution to racial/ethnic disparities in health care. We discuss how fundamental cognitive mechanisms such as automatic, unconscious processes (e.g., stereotyping) can help explain provider bias. Even well-intentioned providers who are motivated to be nonprejudiced may stereotype racial/ethnic minority members, particularly under conditions of that diminish cognitive capacity. These conditions—time pressure, fatigue, and information overload—are frequently found in health care settings. We conclude with implications of the social-cognitive perspective for developing interventions to reduce provider bias.
Cyclic gmp binding proteins of rat heart: Identification using endogenous and exogenous cyclic nucleotides

Abstract 1. 1. Cellulose ester filter isolation of bound cyclic [ 3 H]GMP was compared with the radio-immunoassay of bound endogenous cyclic GMP after fractionation of rat heart extracts by sucrose gradient centrifugation. 2. 2. The specificity of these 2 methods was identical when the binding of cyclic [ 3 H]GMP breakdown products was blocked by the inclusion of l-isobutyl-3-methyl xanthine and a large excess of 5' GMP. 3. 3. The bound cyclic GMP dissociated readily at 0°C ( t 1 2 = 2 hr ) and appeared to be protected from phosphodiesterase hydrolysis when bound. 4. 4. Eighty percent of the cyclic GMP-binding activity precipitated at pH 5.5 and copurified with cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase.
Singularities of sturm-liouville expansions for second order ordinary differential equations : II

The authors investigate the correspondence between the singularities of Sturm-Liouville expansions of the form ?n vn(z), Where the vn(z) are the normalized eigenfunction expansions of a regular second order Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue problem, with the singularities of the power series an a n. It is shown if is a singularity of power series on its radius of convergence then the Sturm-Liouville series is singular at both the points z1=arg?-iin|?|,and z2=-z1
Quality of life (QOL), supportive care, and spirituality in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients

For many patients, a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) can be challenging to physical and emotional health. Supportive care needs can be overwhelming for many patients and families. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of quality of life (QOL), spiritual well-being, and supportive care resources post-HSCT. This descriptive, repeated-measures study included people over the age of 18 years undergoing HSCT for any cancer diagnosis. The Functional Assessment in Cancer Therapy—Bone Marrow Transplant scale, the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy—Spiritual—12 scale, and a resource questionnaire were administered prior to HSCT and following HSCT at 30, 60, 90, and 180 days. Three groups of HSCT patients were examined: allogeneic, autologous, and overall. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and correlations. In the sample (n = 159), the autologous HSCT group reported the highest QOL scores. Spirituality scores increased for the autologous HSCT group at 90 days, but decreased for the overall and allogeneic groups. The type of supportive care resources most used were information from the physician and nurse, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Support as the most used form of support group, and Faith, Prayer and Spiritual Healing. QOL and spiritual well-being scores correlated best at 180 days (6 months) for autologous and allogeneic patients.
Some Posterior Standard Deviations in Item Response Theory

The procedures required to obtain the approximate posterior standard deviations of the parameters in the three commonly used item response models for dichotomous items are described and used to generate values for some common situations. The results were compared with those obtained from maximum likelihood estimation. It is shown that the use of priors may reduce the instability of estimates of the item parameters, assuming the choice of priors is reasonable. The sample size required for acceptable accuracy for the purposes of practical applications of item response theory may be inferred from tables or computer programs. It is suggested that the careful selection of priors be exercised to obtain the required precision when three-parameter models are applied in these situations.
SYMPLECTIC STABILIZERS WITH APPLICATIONS TO ABELIAN VARIETIES

Fix a prime number l > 2 and let V be a four-dimensional Fl-vector space. We classify subgroups G of Sp(V) with the property that every g ∈ G stabilizes a one-dimensional subspace of V, yet G itself is not of parabolic type. This classification is motivated by its application to the mod l representation of abelian surfaces, following a program outlined by Sutherland.
Explicit solutions of Maxwell's equations on a space of constant curvature

Abstract An explicit solution is given to the Cauchy problem for the source-free Maxwell's equations in a vacuum on a space-time of the form R 1 X M3, where M3 is a 3-manifold of constant curvature. This solution satisfies Huyghens' Principle, that all electromagnetic radiation propagates at exactly the speed of light. The solution is obtained by harmonic analysis on M3, and in the process a generating class of plane wave solutions is found. These solutions approximate the flat-space plane wave solutions in a neighbourhood of a point, but their global properties are somewhat different. The solutions obtained are easily transplanted to the Robertson-Walker models of General Relativity by re-scaling the time variable.
Synthesis of End-Functionalized Polystyrene by Direct Nucleophilic Addition of Polystyryllithium to Bipyridine or Terpyridine

We describe a new approach to synthesize 2,2'-bipyridine- or 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine-terminated polystyrene that relies on anionic polymerization and direct end-capping with the desired pyridyl species. End-functionalization occurs by nucleophilic addition of the living polystyryllithium chain to the 6-position of the pyridine ring, followed by termination and oxidative rearomatization. By using an excess of the pyridyl species to avoid coupling of two living chains through addition to the same bipyridine or terpyridine unit, this technique yielded samples consisting of 77-93% singly end-functionalized chains. The functionality of the polymers was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chromatographic separation, while molecular weight and polydipersity were determined by size exclusion chromatography. The crude products were easily purified to near-quantitative functionalization by short column chromatography, and the excess pyridyl species could be efficiently recovered and reused. Even though the addition of the polystyrene chain to the 6-position provides some steric hindrance to the ability of pyridyl end-caps to serve as ligands, the terpyridine-functionalized products were found to form bis complexes readily upon addition of 0.5 equiv of iron(II) chloride to a solution of the polymers, as determined by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Asymptotic fields around an interfacial crack with a cohesive zone ahead of the crack tip

Abstract This paper considers an interfacial crack with a cohesive zone ahead of the crack tip in a linearly elastic isotropic bi-material and derives the mixed-mode asymptotic stress and displacement fields around the crack and cohesive zone under plane deformation conditions (plane stress or plane strain). The field solution is obtained using elliptic coordinates and complex functions and can be represented in terms of a complete set of complex eigenfunction terms. The imaginary portion of the eigenvalues is characterized by a bi-material mismatch parameter e = arctanh( β )/ π , where β is a Dundurs parameter, and the resulting fields do not contain stress singularity. The behaviors of “Mode I” type and “Mode II” type fields based on dominant eigenfunction terms are discussed in detail. For completeness, the counterpart for the Mode III solution is included in an appendix.
Dietary carrot results in diminished ovarian progesterone secretion, whereas a metabolite, retinoic acid, stimulates progesterone secretion in the in vitro perfused rabbit ovary

Abstract Objective: To determine the effects of dietary carrots and retinoic, acid on P secretion in the in vitro perfused rabbit ovary. Design: Controlled experiment. Setting: Laboratory. Subjects: Sexually mature New Zealand white rabbits. Intervention(s): Experiments were done in vitro using an isolated rabbit ovarian perfusion system after acute feeding of carrots or with in vitro exposure to retinoic acid. Main Outcome Measure(s): Progesterone and E 2 were measured in aliquots taken from arterial and venous cannulas. Result(s): Progesterone secretion during the in vitro perfusion of six ovaries is significantly diminished after the acute feeding of carrots. Human chorionic gonadotropin-induced P secretion also is significantly reduced. Progesterone secretion during in vitro perfusion on day 1 of pseudopregnancy was significantly increased in the perfusate samples from ovaries taken from rabbits not acutely fed carrots but that were exposed to retinoic acid. Progesterone secretion was increased but only marginally significant on day 11 of pseudopregnancy in perfusate samples from ovaries exposed to retinoic acid. Conclusion(s): Rabbit ovarian P secretion may be modified by carrots and carotene metabolites. This effect on steroid secretion may contribute to the relationship between hypercarotenemia and alterations in menstrual function.
Perceptions of stress, coping, and recovery one and three years after a natural disaster.

Interview data not only supports but adds many useful insights to the findings of a longitudinal study of victims of a natural disaster. Forty-four of the 101 study participants on whom longitudinal standardized data were available were interviewed approximately one and three years following the 1980 volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens in the state of Washington. The interview themes highlight the differences between presumptive and confirmed death bereavement, describe the unique stressors associated with one's loss when it is also a public event, and provide poignant accounts of the long and traumatic recoveries victims reported.
Gain spectroscopy in lnGaN/GaN quantum well diodes

Given the recent demonstration of a blue InGaN QW diode laser,1 one key question concerns the physical nature of optical gain in this system, given the rather high threshold current density required for lasing and the recognized presence of a complex crystalline microstructure in the material.