cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bayesian feature selection for classification with possibly large number of classes

In what follows, we introduce two Bayesian models for feature selection in highdimensional data, specifically designed for the purpose of classification. We use two approaches to the problem: one which discards the components which have ‘‘almost constant’’ values (Model 1) and another which retains the components for which variations in-between the groups are larger than those within the groups (Model 2). We assume that pb n, i.e. the number of components p is much larger than the number of samples n, and that only few of those p components are useful for subsequent classification. We show that particular cases of the above two models recover familiar variance or ANOVA-based component selection. When one has only two classes and features are a priori independent, Model 2 reduces to the Feature Annealed Independence Rule (FAIR) introduced by Fan and Fan (2008) and can be viewed as a natural generalization of FAIR to the case of L4 2 classes. The performance of the methodology is studies via simulations and using a biological dataset of animal communication signals comprising 43 groups of electric signals recorded from tropical South American electric knife fishes.
Giant superior vena-cava aneurysm after Glenn surgery: a new complication of the Glenn procedure.

A 27 year-old male presented with chest tightness, shortness of breath on exertion, and palpitations. He had a history of double outlet right ventricle with transposition of the great vessels, sub pulmonic ventricular septal defect, membranous septal defect, superior vena cava to right pulmonic artery anastomosis (Bidirectional Glenn), atrial septostomy, right pulmonary arterioplasty 13 years earlier (Fig. 1). A pacemaker was placed for high-grade AV block. He had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III heart failure and was on ACE-inhibitors and beta-blockers. Chest X ray showed an abnormal cardiac silhouette that was initially assumed to be right-sided aortic arch (Fig. 2, Arrow,
Magnetic field dependence of critical current density in Bi - Pb - Sr - Ca - Cu - O silver sheathed wire

Abstract BiPbSrCaCuO silver sheathed high Tc superconducting wires were fabricated through the solid reaction process. It is proposed in this paper that the magnetic field dependence of Jc of the wire is dominated by the Lorentz force perpendicular to the c-axis, caused by a transport current with c-axis component crossing grain boundaries, when a magnetic field is applied parallel to the plane of the wire. It was found that BiPbSrCaCuO silver sheathed wire had sufficient potential for applications at 4.2 K. The history effect of Jc for high Jc specimens was not observed at 77.3 K and appeared again at 4.2 K
The properties of polyvinyl fluoride film

Polyvinyl fluoride can be made into clear and pigmented films in thickness ranging from 0.0005 to 0.004 in. and in both biaxially oriented and essentially unoriented forms. These films are extremely long-lived outdoors and are strong, tough, flexible, and inert. Useful lives of 10 years and more in Florida exposure have been demonstrated, and it has been shown that there is a linear relation between exposure time and the logarithm of film extensibility in both natural and accelerated weathering. Biaxial orientation of PVF film results in high tensile and impact strength and great resistance to flexural fatigue. Lesser degrees of orientation result in higher tear strength, greater extensibility at higher temperatures, and decreased shrinkage at high temperatures. Both oriented and unoriented films retain a large proportion of their strength properties after 1500 hr. in steam or in 150°C. dry heat. Both are highly resistant to nonoxidizing acids, bases, and solvents. PVF films have high dielectric constants, good dielectric strength, and intermediate electrical resistivity and dissipation factor.
MPTP- and MPP+-induced effects on body temperature exhibit age- and strain-dependence in mice

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is toxic toward the dopaminergic nigrostriatal system of a plethora of species including rodents, nonhuman primates and humans. The present study was designed to evaluate if systemic administration of MPTP or its metabolite, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), has significant effects on body temperature (BT) and whether such effects might play a role in the neurotoxicity. A single intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of either MPTP (50 mg/kg) or MPP+ (12.5 mg/kg) leads to a decrease in BT in both C57BL/6N (C57) and CD-1 mice. The hypothermia induced by MPTP can be blocked by pretreatment with deprenyl (30 mg/kg, i.p.), an MAO-B inhibitor. However, the hypothermia elicited by MPP+ is refractive to MAO-B inhibition. These findings suggest that MPP+ is responsible for the BT reduction and that the primary site of action lies outside the blood-brain barrier. An initial hyperthermic phase in the CD-1 mice, which leads to the induction of heat shock protein-72 (HSP-72) throughout the brain, differentiates their response to MPTP from that of C57 mice. This initial hyperthermia appears to be protective since its prevention by dosing at a low ambient temperature enhances striatal dopamine (DA) depletion in CD-1 mice. The temperature effects of both MPTP and MPP+ also display an age-dependence in the C57 strain of mice, with the magnitude of the effects correlating positively with age. However, profound hypothermia could be induced by MPP+ in the absence of striatal DA depletion. The latter finding suggests that while a positive correlation was found between age and the magnitude of the hypothermia, DA depletion and hypothermia are not causally related. The apparent protective effect of the initial hyperthermia in the CD-1 strain of mice, however, suggests that BT is an important parameter in the neurotoxicity of MPTP.
Purine uptake and utilization by the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium lophurae.

SYNOPSIS. Plasmodium lophurae cannot carry out extensive de novo purine biosynthesis, and depends upon the host erythrocyte for a supply of preformed purines. Exogenous purines taken up by the parasitized erythrocyte may constitute a major source of preformed purines for parasite nucleotide biosynthesis. The uptake of exogenous radioactive purine compounds and their incorporation into nucleic acids by duck erythrocytes parasitized with P. lophurae, uninfected erythrocytes, and erythrocyte-free parasites were studied. P. lophurae was found to have a remarkable ability, both intracellularly and extracellularly, to take up and utilize certain exogenous purines such as adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine. Incorporation studies indicated that this species has a functional purine salvage pathway by which inosine, hypoxanthine, and adenosine can be converted to both adenine and guanine nucleotides.
FACULTY AS CHANGE AGENTS

Although the technical world in which medicine exists is rapidly and constantly changing, the educational world in which the institution exists is extremely resistant to change. Professional organizations are themselves resistant to change. The author explores these reasons and offers suggestions for the implementation of positive change.
Atorvastatin reduces serum cholesterol and triglycerides with limited improvement in vascular function in adults with sickle cell anemia.

Although red cell rigidity is clearly the principal pathophysiological component of sickle cell disease (SCD), substantial evidence also indicates disordered blood vessel wall function. Many of these abnormalities, such as vascular dysfunction are also seen in atherosclerosis and other vasculopathies, in which they can be reversed by stating within two weeks. We recruited 25 adults with SCD with high levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1) or other markers of vascular dysfunction, and 10 healthy control subjects. Baseline blood flow measurements and other markers were studied at baseline and after 4 weeks of oral atorvastatin therapy (10 mg daily for two weeks and 20 mg daily for two more weeks). Atorvastatin reduced serum cholesterol by 21% (p<0.0001), low density lipoprotein cholesterol by 31% (p<0.0001), and triglycerides by 24% (p<0.05). Peak vasodilatory responses to brachial artery infusion of acetylcholine rose by 26% (p<0.05), indicating improvement in endothelial function, although the pre-specified primary outcome variable, resting nitric oxide synthase-dependent blood flow, was not affected. Other markers that did not change with atorvastatin included estimated pulmonary arterial pressure, sVCAM-1, C-reactive protein, monocyte chemokines, amino-terminal brain natriuretic peptide, urinary microalbumin and circulating endothelial progenitor cells. These results are consistent with a limited effect of statins on endothelial function in SCD.
BOUNDS ON THE DOMINATION NUMBER OF PERMUTATION GRAPHS

For a graph G with n vertices and a permutation α on V(G), a permutation graph Pα(G) is obtained from two identical copies of G by adding an edge between v and α(V) for any v ϵ V(G). Let γ(G) be the domination number of a graph G. It has been shown that γ(G) ≤ γ(Pα(G) ≤ 2γ(G) for any permutation α on V(G). In this paper, we investigate specific graphs for which there exists a permutation α such that γ(Pα(G)) ≻ γ(G) in terms of the domination number of G or the maximum degree of G. Additionally, we construct a class of graphs for which the domination number of any permutation graph is twice the domination number of the original graph, as well as explore finding a specific graph G and permutation α for any two positive integers a and b with a ≤ b ≤ 2a, to have γ(G) = a and γ(Pα(G)) = b.
On the invariants of some Zi-extensions

Abstract Let k ⊂ k1 ⊂ … ⊂ K be a Zi-extension. The relations of λ( K k ) and λ( KF F ) is studied, where F k is a cyclic l-extension. If M k is another Zi-extension of k, it is shown that for i ⪢ 0 λ( Mk i k i ) = rl i + C , under minimal additional hypotheses. Finally if MK k has a unique totally ramified prime, and XK is cyclic, it is shown that MK can contain at most one Zi-extension with non-zero μ invariant.
IN VIVO DETOXIFICATION OF ENDOTOXIN BY THE RETICULOENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM

Evidence is presented that The normal RES extracts endotoxin from the circulation and inactivates it very rapidly. When the RES has been damaged, whether by a blockading agent, such as thorotrast, or by a reversible degree of hemorrhagic shock, it cannot extract more than a small per cent of the amount of the endotoxin the normal system can extract. Of that fraction of endotoxin which is extracted, very little is detoxified. An organ like the kidney, which does not contain a significant amount of RE tissue, does not extract more than an insignificant percentage of the injected amount, and therefore does not detoxify endotoxin. Since dephosphorylation is a process concurrent with detoxification, and does not occur in an organ which does not extract or inactivate a significant amount of injected endotoxin, it is probable that this process is an indirect index of detoxification. Within the time limits of these experiments, plasma alone does not inactivate endotoxin.
Nitrogen mineralization and availability of mixed leguminous and non-leguminous cover crop residues in soil

Whereas non-leguminous cover crops such as cereal rye (Secale cereale) or annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorium) are capable of reducing nitrogen (N) leaching during wet seasons, leguminous cover crops such as hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) improve soil N fertility for succeeding crops. With mixtures of grasses and legumes as cover crop, the goal of reducing N leaching while increasing soil N availability for crop production could be attainable. This study examined net N mineralization of soil treated with hairy vetch residues mixed with either cereal rye or annual ryegrass and the effect of these mixtures on growth and N uptake by cereal rye. Both cereal rye and annual ryegrass contained low total N, but high water-soluble carbon and carbohydrate, compared with hairy vetch. Decreasing the proportion of hairy vetch in the mixed residues decreased net N mineralization, rye plant growth and N uptake, but increased the crossover time (the time when the amount of net N mineralized in the residue-amended soil equalled that of the non-amended control) required for net N mineralization to occur. When the hairy vetch content was decreased to 40% or lower, net N immobilization in the first week of incubation increased markedly. Residue N was significantly correlated with rye biomass (r=0.81, P<0.01) and N uptake (r=0.83, P<0.001), although the correlation was much higher between residue N and the potential initial N mineralization rate for rye biomass (r=0.93, P<0.001) and N uptake (r=0.99, P<0.001). Judging from the effects of the mixed residues on rye N Concentration and N uptake, the proportion of rye or annual ryegrass when mixed with residues of hairy vetch should not exceed 60% if the residues are to increase N availability. Further study is needed to examine the influence of various mixtures of hairy vetch and rye or annual ryegrass on N leaching in soil.
Criterion validity of objective and projective dependency tests: A meta-analytic assessment of behavioral prediction.

A meta-analysis of published studies in which scores on objective (i.e., self-report) or projective measures of interpersonal dependency were used to predict some aspect of dependency-related behavior revealed that validity coefficients for projective tests (number of comparisons = 32) were generally larger than validity coefficients for objective tests (number of comparisons = 54). The relationships of setting in which data were collected, source of behavioral ratings, and participant classification method on observed test score-behavior correlations were also assessed. Implications of these findings for use of objective and projective dependency measures in clinical, laboratory, and field settings are discussed.
Improved specific biodetection with ion trap mobility spectrometry (ITMS): a 10-min, multiplexed, immunomagnetic ELISA.

Enabling trace chemical detection equipment utilized in the field to transduce a biodetection assay would be advantageous from a logistics, training, and maintenance standpoint. Described herein is an assay design that uses an unmodified, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) ion trap mobility spectrometer to analyze an immunomagnetic enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). The assay, which uses undetectable enzymatic substrates and ELISA-generated detectable products, was optimized to quantitatively report the amount of target in the sample. Optimization of this ELISA design retained the assay specificity and detection limit (∼103 E. coli per assay) while decreasing the number of user steps and reducing the assay time to 10 min (>9-fold decrease as compared to past studies). Also discussed are previously undescribed, independent substrate/enzyme/product combinations used in the immunomagnetic ELISA. These discoveries allow for the possibility of a quantitative, multiplexed, 10-min assay that is analyzed by ...
Stress-Corrosion Cracking of Silicon Carbide Fiber/Silicon Carbide Composites

Ceramic matrix composites are being developed to operate at elevated temperatures and in oxidizing environments. Considerable improvements are being made in the creep resistance of SiC fibers and hence in the high-temperature properties of SiCf/SiC composites; however, more needs to be known about the stability of these materials in oxidizing environments before they will be widely accepted. Experimental weight change (1,2) and crack growth data (3,4) supports the conclusion that O2 enhanced crack growth of SiCf/SiC occurs by more than one mechanism depending on the experimental conditions. This data suggests an oxidation embrittlement mechanism (OEM) at temperatures below 1373?K and high O2 pressures and an interphase removal mechanism (IRM) at temperatures of about 700?K and above and low O2 pressures. The OEM, as proposed by Evans et al. (3), results from the reaction of O2 with SiC to form a glass layer on the fiber or within the fiber-matrix interphase region. The fracture stress of the fiber is reduced if this layer is thicker than a critical value (d>dc) and the temperature is below a critical value (TTg for d>dc. This paper summarizes the evidence for the existence of these two mechanisms and attempts to define the conditions for theirmore » operation.« less
Gardening The Genome: DNA Methylation in Arabidopsis thaliana

DNA methylation has two essential roles in plants and animals - defending the genome against transposons and regulating gene expression. Recent experiments in Arabidopsis thaliana have begun to address crucial questions about how DNA methylation is established and maintained. One cardinal insight has been the discovery that DNA methylation can be guided by small RNAs produced through RNA-interference pathways. Plants and mammals use a similar suite of DNA methyltransferases to propagate DNA methylation, but plants have also developed a glycosylase-based mechanism for removing DNA methylation, and there are hints that similar processes function in other organisms.
Long Laser-Pulse Method of Producing Y-Ba-Cu-O Superconducting Films

The quality of superconducting thin films evaporated from YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} targets has been improved using a long-pulse (ms) Nd-glass laser with 50 J pulse energy. The film produced on SrTiO{sub 3}, held at 690 C, and post-annealed at 880 C for about three hours began the transition to superconductivity at 85 K and had zero resistance at 79 K. The observed variation in film thickness corresponded to diffuse emission from the target, and no significant variation in composition as a function of angle of emission up to 40{degree} with respect to surface normal was seen.
Cerebral cortical isolation in infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy

Abstract Three patients with infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD, Seitelberger's disease) studied between ages 2 and 5 years, with the characteristic electroencephalographic pattern of high-voltage, fast (16–24 c/sec) rhythms and absence of reactivity on eye-opening or closure (Radermecker and Dumon-Radermecker 1972), also showed no changes in response to intermittent photic stimulation and absence of evoked potentials to flashes, clicks or median nerve stimuli. Although some theta rhythms and delta activity appeared during drowsiness and sleep, the fast rhythms persisted as the dominant feature. There were no central transients or K-complexes. When the patients cried, with hyperventilation, and also during breath-holding spells, slow rhythms appeared and the fast rhythm was reduced. These findings are interpreted as evidence of cerebral cortex isolation, the fast rhythm representing the spontaneous (‘idling’) activity of the cortex largely disconnected from subcortical or remote cortical influences by the slowly progressive, selective degeneration of axons, characteristic of the pathology of INAD, but the cortex remains responsive to chemical influences. These electrophysiological features become established during the third year of age, prior EEGs being normal and later ones showing paroxysmal and other abnormal features in addition to the fast rhythm.
Development of consensus about child oppositional behavior: Increased convergence with entry into school☆

This study examines the relation between parent and teacher ratings of oppositional behaviors in children from kindergarten to second grade. One cross-sectional sample of 85 boys in kindergarten, first, and second grade was assessed for problem behavior on the basis of reports from the children, parents, teachers, and trained observers. The second sample consisted of parent and teacher ratings of both boys and girls in a longitudinal design at 5 and 7 years of age. Results from both studies indicate that agreement does increase around the time of the child's transition into school and that each informant influences the ratings of the others over time.
Electrical and physical parametric study of high-speed link performance

This paper introduces an efficient environment for parametric and statistical studies of electrical link performance. With this simulation environment and its use of systematic input and output files, the effects of both physical and electrical design parameters can be readily observed. In addition, supported by fast electromagnetic and link simulators, the environment enables the extensive studies of electrical links by considering the effects of changing many design parameters. An exemplary parametric study in this paper shows the usefulness of the simulation environment for various future applications.
Late tamponade with mechanical circulatory support.

Abstract Background . Circulatory support with mechanical devices often leads to bleeding and tamponade. Methods . We report a series of three patients that required mechanical circulatory support for postcardiotomy ventricular dysfunction. Results . Late tamponade occurred in each patient with different clinical presentations. Early postoperative bleeding occurred in 2 patients. There was no active bleeding in any of the 3 patients. Transesophageal echocardiography was not helpful in making the diagnosis. Conclusion . Late tamponade, which may be the result of hematoma with earlier bleeding, can present as dyspnea, hypoxia, or forms of hemodynamic collapse. Exploratory media sternotomy is required to definitively make the diagnosis and to evacuate the hematoma.
THE COMPARATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN THE NORMAL AORTA, SYNTHETIC VASCULAR GRAFTS AND ENDARTERECTOMIZED AORTA.

Summary A segment of abdominal aorta in mongrel dogs was endarterectomized, removing the intima and 50 to 75 per cent of the media. A dacron bypass graft was then sutured end to side to the endarterectomized segment, and end to side to the normal aorta proximally or distally, doubly ligating the bypassed aorta at both ends. The thyroid gland was removed surgically and the dogs placed on a 5 per cent cholesterol diet and given 50,000 units vitamin D daily. They were sacrificed two to seven months later, at which time the proximal abdominal aorta had significantly more atherosclerosis than the dacron graft or endarterectomized aorta. The new intima lining the dacron graft was almost identical with that lining the endarterectomized segment of aorta, and both areas of new intima were quite resistant to the development of atherosclerosis. The caliber of the endarterectomized aorta was the same as that of the proximal aorta, without any evidence of increased fibrosis about it. There was no evidence that arterial suture lines were more susceptible to atherosclerosis than the adjacent vessels.
Calculating Solar Radiation Received by Tubular Collectors

Tubular absorbers installed inside evacuated tubes represent an increasingly common design for low-temperature solar collectors. Much work has been done on the subject of solar radiation received by flat-plate collectors ; much less has been done for tubular collectors. In this paper we present an algorithm to estimate irradiance impinging on tubular arrays. Key examples are provided to illustrate the difference of energy collected between flat-plate and tubular collectors.
Identification of Protonated Oxygenic Ligands of Ribonucleotide Reductase Intermediate X

We previously used a combination of continuous-wave (CW) and pulsed electron−nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) protocols to identify the types of protonated oxygen (OHx) species and their dispositio...
SU-FF-T-361: Planning Study of Intensity-Modulated and 3D Conformal Radiotherapy of Whole Pelvis Including Inguinal Lymphatics: Radiobiological Considerations for Designing New Fractionation Schemes

Purpose: To examine the possibility of using “simultaneous integrated boost” intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (SIB‐IMRT), for the management of pelvic malignancies, with potential clinical advantage for simultaneous delivery of high doses to the primary disease and lower doses to the subclinical disease or electively treated regions. Method and Materials: For this study, a sample patient diagnosed with anal cancer was randomly selected from our database. Four treatment plans were developed: (1) the 3D conformal plan for initial pelvis/inguinal node irradiation and subsequent conventional 3D boost to the primary tumor, (2) conventional 3D initial pelvis/inguinal node irradiation and subsequent IMRT boost plan, (3) Two‐phase IMRT plan for initial pelvis/inguinal node irradiation and subsequent IMRT boost plan, (4) A single‐phase SIB‐IMRT plan to deliver simultaneous boost. DVHs for the target volumes were transformed into equivalent uniform dose (EUD) using the LQ model to evaluate relative merits of these plans using tumor control probability (TCP), and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) for normal tissues. Results: We have found that dose distributions for SIB‐IMRT are similar in conformality to dose distributions when IMRT is divided into a large‐field phase and a boost phase. As shown in Fig. 1(a–d), both techniques produce significantly superior dose distributions compared to those obtained with 3DCRT as well as to dose distributions obtained using conventional beams for the large‐field phase followed by IMRT boost phase. We also found that normal tissues outside the target volume receive significantly lower dose due to higher dose conformality of IMRT plans (Table 1). Conclusions: SIB‐IMRT offers unique ability to produce highly conformal dose distributions with better sparing of organs at risk, with more efficient delivery, and shorter treatment duration. This new modality also facilitates the prospect of dose escalation to highly advanced tumors for better radiobiological effectiveness potentially leading to improved outcome.
Evaluation of Skeletal Muscle Capillary Basement Membrane Thickness in Congestive Heart Failure

Although it has been demonstrated that during isotonic grip exercise patients with chronic congestive heart failure have an abnormally reduced forearm oxygen consumption resulting from a depressed forearm flood flow, there may be additional etiologies of this abnormality. To explore this possibility biopsies of the pronator teres muscle were taken in eight control subjects with normal cardiac hemodynamics and in seven severely decompensated chronic congestive heart failure subjects. Each sample was fixed, stained, and photomicrographs of the sections were obtained and the capillary basement membrane thickness determined. The control capillary basement membrane thickness was 3028 plus or minus 187 A (mean plus or minus SEM) compared to the congestive heart failure thickness of 4924 plus or minus 538 A (pless than .01). It is possible that the increased basement membrane thickness in congestive heart failure may result from or actually cause the depressed oxygen consumption by altering diffusion.
Prevention of adriamycin (ADR)-induced cardiotoxicity in rats using methylprednisolone (MP)

Adriamycin (ADR) is a useful antitumor agent but causes severe cardiotoxicity requiring dose limitation. Methylprednisolone (MP) has been shown to stabilize cell membranes and, in ischemic heart models, to protect mitochondria lysosomes and sarcolemma. The purpose of this study was to determine if MP could prevent ADR-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Twenty-eight normal, male, Wistar rats were placed in two groups of 14 each. One group received ADR 2 mg/kg iv weekly for 3 weeks, followed by 2 mg/kg subcutaneously weekly. The other group received the same dosage of ADR but also MP 20 mg/kg subcutaneously 3 hr before, with ADR and 3 hr after ADR. Seven rats in each group were sacrificed after the 10th week of treatment. At autopsy 7/7 (100%) of the rats in the ADR groups had obvious ascites and pleural effusion whereas 0/7 in the ADR + MP group developed this complication (P less than 0.01). Microscopic examination of the hearts revealed vacuole formation, loss of muscle mass, tapering off of myocardial cells, or inflammatory changes in 7/7 (100%) of the rats in the ADR group and in 2/7 (28%) of the ADR and MP group (P less than 0.05). Among the rats left to monitor survival, at 11 weeks from the initiation of treatment, 4/7 (57%) in the ADR group and 7/7 (100%) in the ADR + MP group were alive. These data indicate that MP provides some protection from Adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.
Structure–property relationships of poly(urethane-urea)s with ultralow monol content poly(propylene glycol) soft segments. III. influence of mixed soft segments of ultralow monol poly(propylene glycol), poly(tetramethylene ether glycol), and tri(propylene glycol)

Recent advances in the catalyst technology associated with the production of poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) have allowed for the fabrication of ultralow monol content PPG macrodiols (Acclaim™ polyols), which are highly bifunctional and can be produced in substantially higher molecular weights and with narrower molecular weight distributions than previously possible. These factors have enabled the preparation of higher value elastomers and may allow for the first manufacture of economically attractive PPG-based poly(urethane-urea) (PUU) fibers. In the past, many performance polyurethane and PUU elastomers used poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) (PTMEG) for the soft segments either alone or in combination with other macrodiols. The work presented here details the investigation of the morphological features of PUU systems with mixed soft segments of PPG, PTMEG, and a low molecular analog of PPG, tri(propylene glycol) (TPG) in an effort to ascertain the influence of structural features on the mechanical and thermal properties of the elastomers. Also of interest was whether the incorporation of PPG and TPG would either prohibit or greatly hinder the formation of strain-induced PTMEG crystallites. It was found that, even when only 60 wt % of the soft segments consisted of PTMEG, those soft segments were still able to undergo recognizable strain-induced crystallization as detected by wide-angle X-ray scattering. It was also seen that, as the ratio of PPG to PTMEG was varied, there were systematic changes in the soft segment glass transition and cold crystallization characteristics. Inclusion of PPG and TPG resulted in PTMEG's diminished ability to undergo cold and strain-induced crystallization, as seen with differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle X-ray scattering. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3520–3529, 2003
The Microlevel Discourse of Social Movement Framing: Debating Antiwar Protests on a University Listserv

Abstract Over the past two decades, researchers have increasingly employed frame analysis in attempts to understand the genesis, development, and outcomes of social movements. Relatively little attention, however, has focused on the microlevel processes involved in generating social movement frames. This paper is an effort to link theories of social movement framing with the methodology of discourse analysis. In the following, an online debate over the legitimacy of protests against the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States provides qualitative data for a discourse analysis of microlevel framing processes. The debate occurred on a university listserv and involved more than 100 messages offered by 67 individuals over 16 days. Analyses reveal four distinct framing contests in the discourse. An initiating contest regarding a specific antiwar protest is found to generate three additional contests, the first about antiwar protests more generally, the second about the war in Iraq itself, and the third abou...
Fibulin-5/DANCE is essential for elastogenesis in vivo

The elastic fibre system has a principal role in the structure and function of various types of organs that require elasticity, such as large arteries, lung and skin1,2. Although elastic fibres are known to be composed of microfibril proteins (for example, fibrillins and latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-binding proteins) and polymerized elastin, the mechanism of their assembly and development is not well understood. Here we report that fibulin-5 (also known as DANCE), a recently discovered integrin ligand3, is an essential determinant of elastic fibre organization. fibulin-5-/- mice generated by gene targeting exhibit a severely disorganized elastic fibre system throughout the body. fibulin-5-/- mice survive to adulthood, but have a tortuous aorta with loss of compliance, severe emphysema, and loose skin (cutis laxa). These tissues contain fragmented elastin without an increase of elastase activity, indicating defective development of elastic fibres. Fibulin-5 interacts directly with elastic fibres in vitro, and serves as a ligand for cell surface integrins αvβ3, αvβ5 and α9β1 through its amino-terminal domain. Thus, fibulin-5 may provide anchorage of elastic fibres to cells, thereby acting to stabilize and organize elastic fibres in the skin, lung and vasculature.
Surface-acoustic-wave study of defects in GaAs grown by molecular-beam epitaxy at 220°C

Surface acoustic waves (SAW's) were used to study the influence of defects on the elastic properties of epitaxial films of semiconductors. The object of this study was As-rich GaAs grown by molecular-beam-epitaxy at 220 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. The SAW velocity on 0.3-wavelength-thick epilayers was 1.2% smaller than on the substrate alone. That velocity difference decreased after loss of some excess As as a result of 350 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C--435 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C anneals. A persistent increase as much as 0.4% of the SAW velocity at low temperatures was observed after illumination; this increase could be quenched by annealing at 120--130 K. This behavior is caused by the metastable transition of EL2-like ${\mathrm{As}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}$ defects and constitutes the direct experimental proof of the illumination-induced large lattice relaxation of this defect. The SAW velocity increase was correlated with the persistent bleaching of EL2-related optical absorption. The spectral dependence of rate of illumination-induced SAW velocity increase was measured.
Theoretical examination of transfer cavities in a standing-wave free-electron-laser two-beam accelerator

Recent analysis of the TwoBeam Accelerator (TBA) by Wurtele, Whittumand Sessler1 has shown that the transfer cavities, both in the relativistic klystronversion (RK/TBA) and the standingwave free-electron laser version(SWFEL/TBA), can be characterized by a simple coupling impedance. In the twocases the radiation process is very similar: only the modes that couple to theelectron beam are different. As a result, computer programs that are able to handlerealistic cavities (with beam ports and coupling ports, etc.) can be employed toevaluate the performance of either version of the TBA. We have employed thecode URMEL2 to study the proper coupling impedance for a number of realistic
Unintended effects of technology on climate change adaptation: an historical analysis of water conflicts below Andean Glaciers

Abstract Climate change adaptation measures can generate long-term unintended consequences, as this paper demonstrates through an empirical case study of water conflicts at Lake Paron in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca mountain range. This decade-long struggle culminated in 2008 when a coalition of local groups (stakeholders) from the Cruz de Mayo and Caraz communities in the Callejon de Huaylas seized control of the Lake Paron reservoir from a private multinational corporation, Duke Energy. This clash over Paron’s water in the Llullan and Santa River watersheds emerged much earlier than climatic-hydrologic models had predicted, and it occurred, this paper argues, largely because of previously successful climate adaptation measures. The drainage tunnel and floodgates originally installed at Paron in the 1980s to prevent a climate-related outburst flood led to unintended or perverse outcomes because these technological artifacts subsequently allowed a diversity of stakeholders—including rural subsistence farmers, urban residents, national park officials, tourism promoters, the state energy company Electroperu, and Duke Energy—to manage water differently depending on their priorities and the existing governance structures. Neoliberal reforms that altered state-society-environment relations in Peru played a key role in these changing stakeholder power dynamics that were reflected in the management of water infrastructure at Paron. Examining this water conflict that emerged from the unintended effects of climate adaptation demonstrates not only how technology and society are mutually constitutive, but also why the politics of technologies must be considered more carefully in the analysis of social-ecological systems, hydro-social cycles, and climate change adaptation.
Alcohol Advertisements in Youth-Oriented Magazines: Persuasive Themes and Responsibility Messages

Abstract Every year in the United States, health and social problems result from adolescents' use and abuse of alcohol. Alcohol use is associated with high-risk health behaviors and is a leading cause of death among adolescents. Research indicates that alcohol advertising influences drinking intentions for children and adolescents. Using content analysis of 486 advertisements, the focus of this study was to analyze persuasive themes and responsibility messages in alcohol advertising from a popular youth-oriented magazine over a three-year period. Findings indicate that product quality, humor, sex appeal, romance/relationships, and hanging out/partying were the most frequently used persuasive themes. Nearly 75% of advertisements included a responsibility message, but less than 1% included statements warning against underage drinking or encouraging the use of a designated driver. Chi-square analysis indicated a relationship between persuasive themes and the presence of responsibility messages. Given the sus...
Verification and validation of EnergyPlus phase change material model for opaque wall assemblies

Phase change materials (PCMs) represent a technology that may reduce peak loads and HVAC energy consumption in buildings. A few building energy simulation programs have the capability to simulate PCMs, but their accuracy has not been completely tested. This study shows the procedure used to verify and validate the PCM model in EnergyPlus using a similar approach as dictated by ASHRAE Standard 140, which consists of analytical verification, comparative testing, and empirical validation. This process was valuable, as two bugs were identified and fixed in the PCM model, and version 7.1 of EnergyPlus will have a validated PCM model. Preliminary results using whole-building energy analysis show that careful analysis should be done when designing PCMs in homes, as their thermal performance depends on several variables such as PCM properties and location in the building envelope.
An algorithm for solving the Toeplitz systems of equations in FIR digital filter design problems

An algorithm is presented for solving the Toeplitz systems of equations that occur in finite impulse response (FIR) digital filter and window design problems. The proposed algorithm is an extension of the algorithms in a paper by Jain (1979) and a paper by Ammar and Gader (1991).
Efficient implementation of property directed reachability

Last spring, in March 2010, Aaron Bradley published the first truly new bit-level symbolic model checking algorithm since Ken McMillan's interpolation based model checking procedure introduced in 2003. Our experience with the algorithm suggests that it is stronger than interpolation on industrial problems, and that it is an important algorithm to study further. In this paper, we present a simplified and faster implementation of Bradley's procedure, and discuss our successful and unsuccessful attempts to improve it.
A rapid DNA extraction method for PCR identification of fungal indoor air contaminants

Following air sampling fungal DNA needs to be extracted and purified to a state suitable for laboratory use. Our laboratory has developed a simple method of extraction and purification of fungal DNA appropriate for enzymatic manipulation and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) applications. The methodology described is both rapid and cost effective for use with multiple fungal organisms.
Functional analysis of the Pseudomonas putida regulatory protein catR : transcriptional studies and determination of the CatR DNA-binding site by hydroxyl-radical footprinting

CatR, a LysR family protein, positively regulates the Pseudomonas putida catBC operon, which is required for growth on benzoate as a sole carbon source. Transcriptional studies show that the catR and catBC promoters are divergent and overlapping by 2 bp. A beta-galactosidase promoter probe vector was constructed to analyze expression from the catR and catBC promoters under induced and uninduced conditions. As predicted, the catBC promoter is expressed only under induced conditions, while the catR promoter is constitutive. CatR has been shown to specifically bind the catRBC promoter region, and this property was used to devise a purification protocol for CatR. Linear M13 DNA containing the catRBC control region was covalently bound to cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose in order to construct a DNA affinity column. Crude extracts containing hyperproduced CatR protein were then incubated with the affinity resin under binding conditions, and the CatR protein was eluted with 1 M NaCl. CatR was also purified by heparin-agarose chromatography. This highly purified protein was used for gel retardation and hydroxyl-radical footprinting studies. From this analysis, it was shown that CatR binds upstream of the catBC promoter within the transcribed region of catR.
Genetic variation and constraints on the evolution of defense against spittlebug ( Philaenus spumarius ) herbivory in Mimulus guttatus

Plants mediate carbon into most ecosystems and are thus under persistent attack by diverse enemies. The evolution of defense against such assaults will depend on the availability of genetic variation, as well as the costs and constraints on defense. We estimated the magnitude of genetic variation for defense against spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius) herbivory in Mimulus guttatus using a diallel cross-grown in a greenhouse. Except for flowering time, additive genetic variation for the plant traits we measured was negligible, regardless of herbivory environment. In contrast, nonadditive genetic variation contributed significantly to all plant traits measured. We found significant additive genetic variation among plants for biomass of adult spittlebugs, suggesting heritability for resistance to herbivory. The other putative resistance trait measured, spittlebug maturation time, was not significantly heritable. We found no evidence for significant genetic variation for tolerance to herbivory except for a small non-nuclear paternal contribution to tolerance for flower number. Additive genetic correlations indicated that more resistant plant genotypes (in terms of adult spittlebug biomass) were also smaller in the absence of spittlebugs, suggesting a potential cost of resistance to herbivory. We found no other significant genetic correlations indicating a cost of defense, nor did we find evidence for a tradeoff between resistance and tolerance to herbivory. Overall, these results suggest the future adaptive evolution of tolerance to spittlebugs in this population will be limited primarily by available genetic variation, whereas the future evolution of antibiosis resistance may be constrained by allocation costs of resistance.
Change in condom and other barrier method use during and after an HIV prevention trial in Zimbabwe

Background We examined the use of male condoms and the diaphragm following completion of a clinical trial of the diaphragm's HIV prevention effectiveness. In the trial, called Methods for Improving Reproductive Health in Africa (MIRA), women were randomized to a diaphragm group (diaphragm, gel and condoms) or a condom-only control group. At trial exit, all women were offered the diaphragm and condoms.
Karyopherin-mediated import of integral inner nuclear membrane proteins.

Targeting of newly synthesized integral membrane proteins to the appropriate cellular compartment is specified by discrete sequence elements, many of which have been well characterized. An understanding of the signals required to direct integral membrane proteins to the inner nuclear membrane (INM) remains a notable exception. Here we show that integral INM proteins possess basic sequence motifs that resemble ‘classical’ nuclear localization signals. These sequences can mediate direct binding to karyopherin-α and are essential for the passage of integral membrane proteins to the INM. Furthermore, karyopherin-α, karyopherin-β1 and the Ran GTPase cycle are required for INM targeting, underscoring parallels between mechanisms governing the targeting of integral INM proteins and soluble nuclear transport. We also provide evidence that specific nuclear pore complex proteins contribute to this process, suggesting a role for signal-mediated alterations in the nuclear pore complex to allow for passage of INM proteins along the pore membrane. For proteins to carry out their role in cells, they must be located in the right cellular compartment. This positioning is usually achieved via discrete signal sequences in proteins that target them to the correct location. Many of these signal sequences have been fully characterized, but those that destine a protein to the inner nuclear membrane were a notable exception. A new study shows that targeting of integral inner nuclear membrane proteins involves signal sequences similar to those that target soluble proteins into the nucleus. This result is surprising, and opens up the study of a whole class of inner nuclear membrane proteins that have a role in gene regulation, and are linked to various human diseases. Sequences responsible for targeting integral membrane proteins to the inner nuclear membrane (INM) resemble classical nuclear localization signals. Recognition of these signals by the import receptor karyopherin-alpha promotes nuclear import; targeting of INM proteins is dependent on the Ran GTPase system and specific nuclear pore complex proteins.
Cell type- and stimulus-specific mechanisms for post-transcriptional control of neutrophil chemokine gene expression

mRNAs encoding inflammatory chemokines that recruit neutrophils frequently exhibit short half-lives that serve to limit their expression under inappropriate conditions but are often prolonged to ensure adequate levels during inflammatory response. Extracellular stimuli that modulate the stability of such mRNAs may be the same as the transcriptional activator, as is the case with TLR ligands, or may cooperate with independent transcriptional stimuli, as with IL-17, which extends the half-life of TNF-induced transcripts. These different stimuli engage independent signaling pathways that target different instability mechanisms distinguished by dependence on different regulatory nucleotide sequence motifs within the 3′UTRs, which involve that action of different mRNA-binding proteins. The selective use of these pathways by different stimuli and in distinct cell populations provides the potential for tailoring of chemokine expression patterns to meet specific needs in different pathophysiologic circumstances.