cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of carboxymethylation of bovine pancreatic nucleases by haloacetates and tosylglycolate.

Abstract Certain histidine residues in bovine pancreatic ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease react with iodoacetate about 1000 times faster than free histidine reacts. The mechanisms of these facilitated, active-site-directed reactions were investigated by study of the kinetics of carboxymethylation with reagents with varied leaving groups: chloride, bromide, iodide, and tosylate. With ribonuclease, the rate of reaction gave hyperbolic dependence on the concentration of reagent. The data fit a Michaelis-Menten mechanism, with dissociation constants of 8 to 24 mm for the various reagents. The similar magnitudes of the constants lead to the conclusion that the reagents bind (reversibly) in a common way to the enzyme. The pseudo bimolecular rate constants for reaction (after correction for the differing inherent reactivities of the reagents) were also similar, indicating that the leaving group is not very important in the mechanism. These studies support the proposal that the reaction of haloacetates with ribonuclease is facilitated by ionic attraction of the carboxylate ion by a protonated imidazole while an unprotonated imidazole displaces the halide ion. In contrast, the kinetics of carboxymethylation of the Cu2+-Tris complex of deoxyribonuclease showed that the reagents bound loosely, with dissociation constants of 130 mm or larger. Furthermore, the corrected, pseudo bimolecular rate constants increased as the size of the leaving group decreased. The larger groups may be more sterically hindered in the reaction; alternatively, the smaller groups may be attracted more to the electrophilic Cu2+. In either case, during carboxymethylation, both the carboxylate ion and the leaving group interact with DNase. While the carboxymethylation of RNase may be facilitated by the precise orientation of the reagent, the carboxymethylation of DNase may be facilitated by electrophilic catalysis. Tosylglycolate (carboxymethyl p-toluenesulfonate) was prepared and tested as an analog of the haloacetates. The reagent was about one-eighth as reactive as iodoacetate with a pyridine base and reacted with the —SH group of cysteine. It carboxymethylated histidines 119 and 12 of ribonuclease with more preference for histidine 119 than did iodoacetate.
Complex Applications of Simple FRAP on Membranes

There is an old adage that says “To see is to believe,” and it still seems to be true in many fields of biology. For an experimental validation of hypotheses, modern biology takes advantage of various fluorescence-based techniques (fluorescence microscopy, digital image analysis) for visualization and quantification. Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching (FRAP), a widely used fluorescence-based technique to visualize and quantify the diffusion of fluorescently tagged proteins, is one good example. The first observation of fluorescence was made by Sir John Frederick William Herschel (1845) from a quinine solution, and the concept of fluorescence was first named after fluorite by Sir George G. Stokes (1857). On a microscopic scale, fluorescence was first observed by August K?ler (1904), who discovered that a biological tissue could autofluoresce under ultraviolet light irradiation. Later, it became popular in the biological field after M. Haitinger (1933) succeeded in staining histological specimens with fluorescent dyes for the first time, which is called the technique of secondary fluorescence, distinguishing it from autofluorescent tissue previously observed by M. Haitinger. Haitinger and others extended the application of the technique of secondary fluorescence to stain not only specific tissues but also bacteria, or other pathogens that are not autofluorescent [1]. Although the technique of secondary fluorescence demonstrated that nonfluorescent cells can be made fluorescent, it was a nonspecific staining technique. The breakthrough in a specific immunofluorescence staining technique was provided by Albert Coons in 1941 by attaching a fluorescent dye to an antibody [2]. Later, Coons and N.H. Kaplan developed the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) immunofluorescence technique [3].
Snow stability during rain

The mechanical response of snowpacks to penetrating liquid water was observed over two winter seasons in the central Cascade Mountains, Washington, U.S.A. Following the onset of rain, three evolutionary regimes of snow behavior were identified: immediate avalanching, delayed avalanching, and return to stability. Immediate avalanching occurred within minutes to an hour after the onset of rain and the time of release could be predicted with an accuracy of less than an hour from meteorological forecasts of the transition from snow to rain. These avalanches usually slid on surfaces substantially deeper than the level to which water or associated thermal effects had penetrated. The mechanism by which alteration of a thin skin of surface snow can cause deep slab failure has not been identified, but several possibilities involving a redistribution of stress are discussed. Delayed avalanches released several hours after rain started. The delay varied, depending on the rate of increasing stress associated with the additional precipitation, and on the time taken for water to penetrate and weaken a potential sliding layer. It is difficult to define accurately the evolving distribution of liquid water in snow which makes it difficult to predict accurately the time of avalanching. Depth profiles of the rate of snow settlement showed that a wave of increased strain rate propagated into the snow in response to penetrating water. This type of measurement could prove useful for predicting when snow stability is reaching a critical condition. Avalanche activity was rare after continuation of rain for 15 h or more. This return to stability occurred after drainage structures had evolved and penetrated the full depth of the snowpack. Established drain channels route water away from potential sliding surfaces and are also relatively strong structures within a snowpack.
Chapter 37E X-Ray excited optical luminescence of the rare earths

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses X-ray excited optical luminescence of the rare earths. The optical luminescence exhibited by some of the rare earth complexes and ions in solids has been utilized for the detection and determination of the rare earths at the trace and ultra-trace levels for many years. A wide variety of inorganic and organic compounds luminesce when they are irradiated with X-rays. The chapter describes a treatment procedure that offers generalizations and suggests mechanisms that result in the observation of XEOL of trace level rare earth ions (activators) present as substitutional impurities in high purity phosphor hosts (crystalline insulators). The high efficiency with which XEOL of ultra-trace level rare earth activators in phosphors is observed cannot be attributed to processes involving the direct absorption of primary X-ray photons by the impurities followed by luminescence. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that the interaction of primary incident X-ray photons with host atoms produces a large number density of secondary excitants, which have a high probability of eventually exciting the luminescence of the impurity ions.
Coasean Bargaining over the Structural Constitution

The Constitution allocates entitlements to individuals and also institutions such as states and branches. It is familiar fare that individuals’ entitlements are routinely deployed not only as shields against unconstitutional action, but also as bargaining chips when negotiating with the state. By contrast, the possibility that branches and states could bargain over structural entitlements has largely escaped scholarly or judicial attention. Yet institutional negotiation over federalism and separation-of-powers interests is both endemic and unavoidable. To ascertain when such negotiation should be allowed, this Article develops a general theory of negotiated structural arrangements by leveraging doctrinal, economic and political theory insights. Negotiated structural outcomes, the Article concludes, should be deemed constitutional absent a clear demonstration of negative externalities or paternalism-warranting ‘internalities.’
Haag’s Theorem and its Implications for the Foundations of Quantum Field Theory

Although the philosophical literature on the foundations of quantum field theory recognizes the importance of Haag's theorem, it does not provide a clear discussion of the meaning of this theorem. The goal of this paper is to make up for this deficit. In particular, it aims to set out the implications of Haag's theorem for scattering theory, the interaction picture, the use of non-Fock representations in describing interacting fields, and the choice among the plethora of the unitarily inequivalent representations of the canonical commutation relations for free and interacting fields.
Important processes in modeling and optimization of EUV lithography sources

Laser produced plasma (LPP) sources for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photons are currently based on using small liquid tin droplets as target that has advantages in generation of stable continuous targets at high repetition rate, larger photon collection angle, and reduced contamination and damage to optical mirror system from plasma debris and energetic particles. The ideal target is to generate a source of maximum EUV radiation output and collection in the 13.5 nm range with minimum atomic debris. Based on our predictions, the smallest efficient droplets are of diameters in the range of 20-30 μm. In this study we analyzed detail plasma evolution processes in LPP systems using small spherical tin targets to predict the optimum droplet size yielding maximum EUV output. We identified several important processes during laser-plasma interaction that can affect conditions for optimum EUV photons generation. The importance of accurate description of modeling these processes increases with the decrease in target size and its simulation domain.
Global Omori law decay of triggered earthquakes: Large aftershocks outside the classical aftershock zone

[1] Triggered earthquakes can be large, damaging, and lethal as evidenced by the1999 shocks in Turkey and the 2001 earthquakes in El Salvador. In this study, earthquakes with Ms ≥ 7.0 from the Harvard centroid moment tensor (CMT) catalog are modeled as dislocations to calculate shear stress changes on subsequent earthquake rupture planes near enough to be affected. About 61% of earthquakes that occurred near (defined as having shear stress change ∣Δτ∣ ≥ 0.01 MPa) the Ms ≥ 7.0 shocks are associated with calculated shear stress increases, while ∼39% are associated with shear stress decreases. If earthquakes associated with calculated shear stress increases are interpreted as triggered, then such events make up at least 8% of the CMT catalog. Globally, these triggered earthquakes obey an Omori law rate decay that lasts between ∼7–11 years after the main shock. Earthquakes associated with calculated shear stress increases occur at higher rates than background up to 240 km away from the main shock centroid. Omori's law is one of the few time-predictable patterns evident in the global occurrence of earthquakes. If large triggered earthquakes habitually obey Omori's law, then their hazard can be more readily assessed. The characteristic rate change with time and spatial distribution can be used to rapidly assess the likelihood of triggered earthquakes following events of Ms ≥ 7.0. I show an example application to the M = 7.7 13 January 2001 El Salvador earthquake where use of global statistics appears to provide a better rapid hazard estimate than Coulomb stress change calculations.
Early and Late Complications of Inguinal Varicocelectomy

ABSTRACTPurpose: I reviewed the early and late complications of inguinal and subinguinal varicocelectomy that I have personally encountered in an experience of more than 40 years as a urologist dealing with male infertility and offer suggestions to my colleagues for avoiding some of these pitfalls in the future.Materials and Methods: These complications occurred as a consequence of surgery that I performed while using 4× to 6× power optical loupe magnification or they were complications of surgery performed elsewhere that I saw later in consultation.Results: My commentary and suggestions for dealing with and decreasing the incidence of or avoiding such complications should be helpful to urologists performing inguinal or subinguinal varicocelectomy.Conclusions: Forewarned is forearmed.
Auto-FBI: a user-friendly approach for secure access to sensitive content on the web

We propose a novel and simple approach for securing access to sensitive content on the web. The approach automates the best manual compartmentalization practices for accessing different kinds of content with different browser instances. The automation is transparent to the user and does not require any modification of how non-sensitive content is accessed. For sensitive content, a Fresh Browser Instance (FBI) is automatically created to access the content. Our prototype system Auto-FBI can provide support for novice users with predefined sensitive content sites as well as for more experienced users who can define conflict of interest (COI) classes which allows content from sites in the same user-defined class to coexist in a browser instance. Our initial performance evaluation of Auto-FBI shows that the overhead introduced by the approach is acceptable (less than 160 ms for sites that already have fast load time, but for slow sites the overhead can be as high as 750 ms).
Use of Morphic Effects for the Study of Vibrational and Optical Properties of Impurity Atoms in Crystals

Morphic effects are effects induced in a crystal by the lowering of its symmetry through the application of a generalized external force. In this paper we study the effects of static electric fields and of strains on the frequencies of localized vibration modes associated with substitutional impurity atoms in homo-polar crystals. It is shown that the splitting of the triple degeneracy of such modes when the impurity is at a site of cubic symmetry by the application of these generalized forces can yield information about the anharmonic forces, electric dipole moment, and electronic polarizability associated with the impurity atom.
Cerium compounds in the fashion of the light actinides

Abstract Researchers familiar with the light actinides easily recognize in cerium compounds a microcosm of the rich variety of properties seen in the light actinides. The parallelism seen between comparable cerium and actinide compounds strongly suggest that the same physical models are applicable. The most significant is the relative size of the f-orbital. Localization is generally tighter in Ce compounds than uranium compounds, making Ce roughly analogous to Np through Am. A way to see the actinide parallelism is to compare Hill plots. Compounds in the different regions of the plots (representing different physics) are isostructural compounds with the same companion (B) elements. The most common materials expected to exhibit direct f-f interaction are the cubic Laves compounds. Accordingly, we have determined the band structures of CeRu2, CeRh2, CeIr2, and CeNi2. Surprisingly it was found that an f-d interaction overshadows any direct f-f interaction in these systems. Compounds illustrative of the interaction of f-orbitals with “ligand” orbitals are the Cu3Au structured materials. Materials calculated in this class are CeRh 3, CePd3, and CeSn3 - the materials of much interest as “mixed valent”. Although the focus is on the Ce compounds, calculations performed on uranium isomorphs are used to highlight the interesting physics.
Controlling toolholder fretting through simple design modifications

During machining, cutting forces exerted on a toolholder may cause its shank to deflect and impact on the spindle pocket surface. This repetitive impact between the spindle and toolholder may result in a fretting condition. Over time, this fretting condition leads to wear and corrosion damage that is costly to repair and can potentially affect machining performance. Since fretting conditions are caused by vibrations and different toolholder designs will have different dynamic characteristics, it is possible to find those designs that would minimise shank deflections, and thus minimise the fretting condition. In this paper, through finite element simulations and experimental testing, two types of toolholders were studied: straight shank and tapered shank. It was found that within typical operating frequencies, shank deflections were less in tapered designs than in straight designs. Also, the deflections decreased as the length of the toolholder decreased. However, increasing the body diameter of the toolholder had no significant effect. Accordingly, a number of simple design modifications (changing the diameter and length of the toolholders) are suggested to minimise the fretting condition.
Determinants of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D and bone mineral density in young physicians.

OBJECTIVE To examine determinants of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and bone mineral density (BMD) in young physicians, a group not well studied previously. METHODS We analyzed data from a questionnaire completed by young physicians as well as results of serum 25(OH)D, serum parathyroid hormone, and BMD measurements. RESULTS Among 104 study subjects, 42% were white, 46% were Asian, 12% were "other" (10 Hispanic and 2 African American subjects), and 75% were women. The mean age and body mass index (BMI) were 28.1 years and 23.0 kg/m², respectively. White subjects had a higher mean serum 25(OH)D level (27.3 ng/mL) than did Asian subjects (15.9 ng/mL) and other subjects (22.3 ng/mL) (P<.0001). White subjects tended to have higher Z-scores than Asian subjects and other subjects for the hip (P = .06), trochanter (P = .08), and lumbar spine (P = .08). The serum 25(OH)D level was negatively associated with serum parathyroid hormone (r = -0.44; P<.01) but not with BMD. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency [serum 25(OH)D <30 ng/mL, 77% for the entire group] was higher (P<.01) in Asian subjects (93%) than in white subjects (61%) and other subjects (73%). Significant determinants of serum 25(OH)D included age, ethnicity, exposure to sunlight, use of vitamin D supplements, and family history of osteoporosis (P<.05 for all), and together with sex, calcium supplements, exercise, and BMI, these factors explained 49% of serum 25(OH)D level variability. Significant determinants of low BMD (osteopenia plus osteoporosis, prevalence 37.5%) included sex (P = .002) and BMI (P<.0001) but not serum 25(OH)D; Asian ethnicity reached borderline significance (P = .088). Age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, and BMI explained 20% to 30% of the Z-score variations. CONCLUSION In young physicians with a healthful lifestyle, determinants of low serum 25(OH)D and BMD included modifiable risk factors. Vitamin D insufficiency and low BMD could be important contributors to future osteoporotic fractures in this population.
Optimal communication algorithms for regular decompositions on the hypercube

We discuss optimal communication and decomposition algorithms for a class of regular problems on concurrent computers with a hypercube topology, using a general technique we call the method of cube geodesics.We address the calculation of various transformations ( convolutions, functionals etc. ) of data distributed over the hypercube; examples are the Fast Fourier Transform, matrix algorithms, global scalar products and vector sums, sorting. These all involve long distance inter-node interactions and require more intricate communication that the simple local problems with static spatial decomposition such as partial differential equations.We believe that our library of optimal communication routines is applicable to these and many other problems. The simple example of a database application is sketched. We implement the algorithms on the Caltech/JPL Mark II hypercube and present a detailed performance analysis.
Predicting organizational citizenship behavior: Integrating the functional and role identity approaches

Motive and role identity, previously studied as predictors of volunteerism, were examined as correlates of another discretionary prosocial behavior, Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB). County employees (181 females, 62 males) completed questionnaires that measured frequency of OCB, motives for the behavior, and the degree to which the respondents had developed an organizational citizen identity. Motives concerned with the desire to help coworkers and/or the organization proved to be better predictors of OCB than those concerned with the desire for Impression Management. A citizen role identity also correlated with citizenship behavior but, contrary to expectation, mediated the relationship between OCB and motive only partly. The findings suggest that similar mechanisms are involved in sustaining both volunteerism and OCB.
Cardiac proteasome dysfunction during cold ischemic storage and reperfusion in a murine heart transplantation model.

Abstract Recent observations suggest that the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) contributes to the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. Since its regulation during cold ischemia–reperfusion is unknown, we evaluated the cardiac UPS in a model of heart transplantation in mice. Cardiac ubiquitylation rates and ubiquitin–protein conjugates increased after 3 h of cold ischemia (CI) and normalized post-transplant. 20S proteasome content and proteasome peptidase activities were unchanged after CI. 4 h/24 h post-transplant 20S proteasome concentrations decreased and chymotryptic-like but not tryptic-like proteasome peptidase activity was inactivated. Epoxomicin sensitivity of the proteasome increased 5.7-fold during CI and normalized 4 h/24 h post-transplant. This was accompanied by the disappearance of a 13.5 kDa-ubiquitin-conjugate during CI that could be attenuated by addition of epoxomicin to the preservation fluid. We conclude that substrate specificity of the proteasome changes during cold ischemia and that proteasome inhibition preserves the physiological ubiquitin–protein conjugate pool during organ preservation. Reduced proteasome activity during reperfusion is caused by a decrease in proteasome content and enzyme inhibition.
Spectroscopic and ESR studies of Cd2P2S6 intercalated with pyridine complexes of ferric ion

Abstract Cd2P2S6 crystallizes in a layered structure which is readily intercalated with a variety of Lewis bases. We have studied the intercalation reactions of this lattice with pyridine complexes of several transition metal ions and Ce4+. In some instances (e.g. Mn2+) the metal ion could be co-intercalated with pyridine with little or no effect on the distribution of reaction products formed within the van der Waals gap. However, certain transition metal ions had a dramatic effect on the product distribution obtained. Co-intercalation of Fe3+, for example, results in the production of a highly colored polysulfide species within the van der Waals gap. The intercalated species were identified by mass spectroscopic analysis during thermal de-intercalation. The co-intercalated paramagnetic transition metal ions are useful as ESR spin-probes for the study of the structure and dynamics of the intercalate layer. Analysis of the ESR spectra indicate that co-intercalated Mn2+ can enter Cd2+ lattice vacancies at elevated temperatures.
Factors predicting efficacy of phentolamine-papaverine intracorporeal injection for treatment of erectile dysfunction in diabetic male

Abstract Thirty-three diabetic men were instructed in the use of phentolamine-papaverine injections for the treatment of erectile dysfunction over a two-year period. Of these, 12 reported a satisfactory response and 21 reported a nonsatisfactory response. The responders and the nonresponders were retrospectively studied to identify characteristics that would predict a satisfactory response. No difference was found between the two groups in the duration of diabetes, the presence of retinopathy, neuropathy, neuroppathy, peripheral vascular disease, or ischemic heart disease. The utilization of insulin, the prevalence of type II diabetes, or the use of drugs which would cause impotence, did not differ between the two groups. There was no difference in the serum testosterone levels between the two groups. Age was the only predictive factor. Only 1 of 14 patients over age sixty had a satisfactory response to treatment while 11 of 19 patients under age sixty had a satisfactory response. Five of the responders and 2 of the nonresponders proceeded to penile implant surgery and reported satisfactory results. While older diabetic men may choose a trial of intracorporeal injections, they should be counselled regarding the high failure rate and alternative forms of therapy.
Psychoactive Properties of Alpha-Methyltryptamine: Analysis From Self Reports of Users

This is a retrospective examination of former users of alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT). A scale of questions was given to subjects who were familiar with the effects of AMT and the outcome was analyzed. Most subjects agreed that AMT had strong hallucinogenic qualities. The most common unwanted effects included anxiety, nausea and moderately severe dysphoria. Several subjects reported significant depression associated with use of AMT. Use of alpha-methyltryptamine could be dangerous in individuals prone to depression.
Music Therapy for the Mentally ILL: I. A Historical Sketch and a Brief Review of the Literature on the Physiological Effects and on Analysis of the Elements of Music

(1958). Music Therapy for the Mentally ILL: I. A Historical Sketch and a Brief Review of the Literature on the Physiological Effects and on Analysis of the Elements of Music. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. 167-176.
The probabilistic solution of the third boundary value problem for second order elliptic equations

Using standard reflected Brownian motion (SRBM) and martingales we define (in the spirit of Stroock and Varadhan-see [S-V]) the probabilistic solution of the boundary value problem $$\begin{gathered} \frac{1}{2}\Delta u + qu = 0, in D; \hfill \\ \frac{{\partial u}}{{\partial n}} + cu = - f,on\partial D, \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ whereD is a bounded domain withC 3 boundary andn is the inward unit oormal vector on ∂D. The assumptions forq, c andf are quite general. The corresponding Dirichlet problem was studied by Chung, Rao, Zhao and others (see [C-R1] and [Z-M]) and the corresponding Neumann by Pei Hsu in [H2]. Here we show that the probabilistic solution of our problem exists, is unique (unless we hit an eigenvalue), continuous on $$\bar D$$ and equivalent to the weak analytic solution. The method we use is to reduce the problem to an integral equation inD that involves the associated semigroup and, hence, to the study of the properties of this semigroup. In this way we do not have to assume that the spectrum is negative (almost every previous work on these probabilistic solutions makes this assumption). We construct the kernel of this semigroup and we prove certain estimates for it which help us to establish many other results, including the gauge theorem. We also show that, if the boundary functionc is continuous, our semigroup is a uniform limit of Neumann semigroups and, furthermore, that the Dirichlet semigroup is a uniform limit of semigroups of our type. Therefore the Dirichlet spectrum is a “monotone” limit of spectra of mixed problems (see Sect. 5B), a fact which is mentioned without proof in Vol 1, Ch. IV, Sect. 2 of theMethods of Mathematical Physics by Courant and Hilbert. This establishes the interrelation of the three boundary value problems. Finally, we add a drift term to our differential equation, which becomes $$\frac{1}{2}\Delta u + b \cdot \nabla u + qu = 0$$ and we solve the third boundary value problem for this equation probabilistically, with the help of Girsanov's transformation.
Untangling race and class effects on juvenile arrests

Abstract This study employed a synthesis of conflict and labeling theory to reexamine the often observed links between race, social class, and arrest. Using longitudinal data on a representative sample of U.S. teens, random effects negative binomial regressions detected direct and indirect effects of race and class on arrest. In support of main effects hypotheses, racial minority status and low SES increased arrests, controlling for demographic and legal items. Consistent with research on “out of place” effects for minority youth in high SES contexts, and counter to expectations, interactions showed that racial minority status increased arrest risk for high SES youth significantly more than it did for low SES youth. Somewhat reminiscent of research on the “Latino paradox,” the effect of minority status on arrest at low-income levels did not exert the same interactive effect for Hispanics as it did for Blacks. Implications for theory, policy, and future research are discussed.
Acute ethanol effects on sensory responses of single units in the somatosensory cortex of rats during different behavioral states

We have investigated the dose-dependence and time-course of ethanol effects on the activity of single neurons in the somatosensory (SI) cortex of behaving, unanesthetized rats. Sensory responses of neurons recorded in the forepaw area of the SI cortex were quantitatively measured by constructing post-stimulus histograms to repetitive stimulation through electrodes chronically implanted in the forepaw. Single units were isolated and held throughout a protocol involving: (1) a control period, (2) intoxication produced by a single dose of ethanol administered IP or IV and (3) recovery for 60 minutes or more. Post-stimulus histograms were generated during three standard behaviors: (1) REST, (2) IMMOBILE AROUSAL (produced by holding the animal), and (3) MOVEMENT (running on a treadmill). In pre-ethanol controls, the immobile arousal condition slightly increased both excitatory and inhibitory components of the sensory response, while the movement condition strongly inhibited them. Ethanol reduced both of these types of behavioral modulation of sensory responses by abolishing the facilitation normally seen during immobile arousal, as well as the inhibitory gating normally seen during movement. Different latency response epochs of post-stimulus histograms were also used to compare the effect of ethanol on fast vs. slow conducting pathways to the SI cortex. Ethanol at low doses (0.3 g/kg bw, IP) was found to selectively reduce the longer latency excitatory response peaks, while sparing the shortest latency response peak. At moderate doses (1.0 g/kg), however, the shortest latency response peak was also reduced. This contrasted with the effects of halothane which, at anesthetic doses, exerted a much more selective reduction of the longer latency responses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Detector commissioning for the CDMS-II final run at the Soudan Underground Laboratory

Abstract CDMS-II uses detectors known as Z-sensitive ionization phonons (ZIPs) to search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), a very promising candidate for the dark matter in the universe. The most recent data run utilized 12 ZIP detectors (six Ge and six Si) running for 1 2 year at the Soudan deep underground laboratory (780 m below surface), resulting in the current world's highest sensitivity to WIMP–nucleon coherent interaction [D.S. Akerib, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 93 (2004) 211301]. The CDMS-II experiment is approved to run 30 ZIPs until summer 2007 and its goal is to another order of magnitude increase in sensitivity to WIMPs. We present the detector preparation steps leading to the production of the CDMS-II detectors to be used in this final run.
The chemical utilization of fats and oils. II. A new reaction of glycerides

The direct condensation of glycerides with benzene in the presence of aluminum chloride or hydrogen fluoride to produce aralkyl ketones has been described.
A RESEARCH AGENDA FOR STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT IN THE 1990s

The importance of thinking strategically is often glossed over when academics try to apply this concept to themselves. This frequently results in research or articles that are not very insightful or useful either to other academics or to practising managers. To overcome this problem and to explore the future needs of the field of strategic management, this article proposes topics for a research agenda for strategic management in the 1990s that is based on the forecast of ‘experts’ in the field.
Infrared missile domes: heat flux and thermal shock

Analytical expressions for the thermal shock resistance (TSR) of IR missile domes involve a phenomenological stress factor that is not yet available but can be either extracted from the results of aerothermal shock testing or estimated on the basis of model-related considerations. The primary purpose of this contribution is to derive a simple formula for the allowable heat flux at the stagnation point, under conditions such that the boundary-layer flow remains laminar over the entire dome surface.
Changing viewer perspectives reveals constraints to implicit visual statistical learning

Statistical learning—learning environmental regularities to guide behavior—likely plays an important role in natural human behavior. One potential use is in search for valuable items. Because visual statistical learning can be acquired quickly and without intention or awareness, it could optimize search and thereby conserve energy. For this to be true, however, visual statistical learning needs to be viewpoint invariant, facilitating search even when people walk around. To test whether implicit visual statistical learning of spatial information is viewpoint independent, we asked participants to perform a visual search task from variable locations around a monitor placed flat on a stand. Unbeknownst to participants, the target was more often in some locations than others. In contrast to previous research on stationary observers, visual statistical learning failed to produce a search advantage for targets in high-probable regions that were stable within the environment but variable relative to the viewer. This failure was observed even when conditions for spatial updating were optimized. However, learning was successful when the rich locations were referenced relative to the viewer. We conclude that changing viewer perspective disrupts implicit learning of the target's location probability. This form of learning shows limited integration with spatial updating or spatiotopic representations.
Dynamical susceptibility of the ising model in a transverse magnetic field

Abstract An approximate expression is obtained for the dynamical susceptibility, χ zz ( q , ω ), of the spin one half, simple cubic Ising model in a transverse magnetic field, which is appropriate to the disordered state (〈 S z 〉 = 0). The susceptibility along the direction of the field is shown to contain a thermal part with a relative weight proportional to the difference between the isothermal and adiabatic susceptibilities and a width determined by the thermal diffusion constant.
WHAT MAKES A FAMILY? Addressing the Issue of Gay and Lesbian Adoption

This note analyzes the issue of gay and lesbian adoption. Although such adoptions are becoming more accepted in the United States, there remain a few states-Florida, Mississippi, and Utah-that have banned gay and leshian adoptions. This note will propose new legislative language for adoption laws in conservative states. What makes a family? Today, there are many interpretations of what makes an ideal fam- ily; much of society still has the view that the perfect family consists of a mother and father. "According to the 2000 U.S. Census, fewer than 24% of homes were composed of a husband, wife, and children under (the) age of 18."' "Nearly 4% of all American households," approx- imately 4 million, make up "multigenerational, extended families."* The 2000 Census also found that of the "5.5 million unmarried partner households," only 4.9 million of these were made up of heterosexual couple^.^ However, a few states have yet to accept society's chang- ing views on family dynamics. These few persist in their quest of enforcing the view of the "traditional family" on the rest of society by denying gay men and lesbians the right to adopt children out of the overcrowded state foster care systems. Gay men and lesbians, as well as same-sex couples, should have the right to adopt despite the argument by opponents that it is better for children to be raised by a mother and father. The state of Florida is the only state in the United States that strictly bans adoption by "homo- sexuals," even though it permits them to be foster parent^.^ The state banned such adoptions back in 1977.'There are only a few other states that have similar bans. Utah's statutory adop- tion language, for example, specifically states that a "child may not be adopted by a person who is cohabiting in a relationship that is not a legally valid and binding marriage under the laws of this state."6 Although some states are very conservative, the states of New Jersey, New York, California, and the District of Columbia, just to name a few, have taken a liberal approach permitting gays and lesbians to adopt.7 New Jersey was the first to include new lan- guage into its legislation prohibiting such discrimination.' Not only have these states taken a liberal approach permitting gay and lesbian adoptions, but many have permitted second par- ent adoptions as well for same-sex couples.' With so many states realizing that our nation's children are desperate for loving homes, why are there still some states insistent on denying children a family? This note proposes that Florida, Mississippi, and Utah, as well as many other conservative states throughout the United States, adopt language similar to that of New Jersey's and Cali- fornia's adoption laws. Conservative states should change their adoption legislation to reflect something similar to the following language:
Eliminating Solid Phase Extraction with Large-Volume Injection LC/MS/MS: Analysis of Illicit and Legal Drugs and Human Urine Indicators in US Wastewaters

Large-volume (1800 μL) injection (LVI) followed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry was developed and optimized to eliminate the need for off- and on-line solid phase extraction as a sample preparation step. Centrifugation of raw municipal influent followed by LVI was optimized for the routine determination of illicit drugs and related substances in municipal wastewaters. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated by standard addition for analytes with concentrations ranging from 4 to 3 500 000 ng/L. Precision, as indicated by relative standard deviation is <12% within a day and ≤20% for between-days for analytes with corresponding stable-isotope-labeled internal standards. Instrumental detection limits range from 0.5 to 4 ng/L while lower limits of quantification range from 2.5 to 10 ng/L. The method is demonstrated on wastewater treatment plant influents (24 h, flow-normalized) collected from seven municipalities located in the US. Methamphetamine concentrations and loads are the greatest ...
Women Faculty in Engineering: Changing the Academic Climate

This paper presents selected results from a unique conference “Facing Issues: Women Faculty in the Structural Engineering Professions,” with supporting documentation from literature. The conference was held in April, 1993 and was sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Division of Civil and Mechanical Systems. Gender-specific issues that were of interest to the female faculty and professional engineers who attended the conference are reviewed and discussed. These issues are bias, lack of professionalism shown toward women faculty, isolation, visibility/invisibility, patronization, faculty spouse issues, and other women not acknowledging women engineers. Suggestions and recommendations on how to increase the number of women recruited and, more importantly, retained on engineering faculties are offered to women faculty, colleagues and supervisors of women faculty, university administrators, and funding agencies.
The occluded renal artery: An ongoing surgical challenge

Nephrectomy and revascularization are currently the preferred options in the management of the chronically occluded renal artery in patients with renovascular hypertension or renal insufficiency. We review our experience with these two options including early and late functional outcome. Between December 1982 and August 1993, chronic occlusion of the main renal artery was documented in 30 patients. Patients were categorized with respect to surgical intervention: group I underwent nephrectomy (on the occluded side) plus contralateral revascularization and group II underwent revascularization of the occluded renal artery. The median age at the time of operative intervention was 63 years; 53% of the patients were women and 47% were men. Hypertension was poorly controlled (>-3 medications) in 19 patients, and the preoperative serum creatinine level was > 1.8 mg/dl in 24 patients (mean 2.6±1.4 mg/dl). There were 16 patients in group I and 14 patients in group II, and there were no perioperative deaths. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (>-7 days after operation) was either unchanged or improved in 15 of 16 patients in group I and in 13 of 14 in group II, one of whom became dialysis dependent. Follow-up data were available for 25 of 30 (83%) patients (mean 45 months; range 1 to 108 months). Excluding one early failure, 10 of 13 patients in group I and 7 of 11 in group II did not have end-stage renal disease at last follow-up. Overall, hypertension was cured or improved in 16 of 21 patients. Revascularization as the preferred method of treatment of the occluded renal artery offers the prospect of renal salvage. Nonetheless, in the majority of properly selected patients, adequate renal function may be sustained and satisfactory blood pressure control achieved after nephrectomy with contralateral revascularization.
Scleral micro-RNA signatures in adult and fetal eyes.

Author(s): Metlapally, Ravikanth; Gonzalez, Pedro; Hawthorne, Felicia A; Tran-Viet, Khanh-Nhat; Wildsoet, Christine F; Young, Terri L | Abstract: In human eyes, ocular enlargement/growth reflects active extracellular matrix remodeling of the outer scleral shell. Micro-RNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by base pairing with target sequences. They serve as nodes of signaling networks. We hypothesized that the sclera, like most tissues, expresses micro-RNAs, some of which modulate genes regulating ocular growth. In this study, the scleral micro-RNA expression profile of rapidly growing human fetal eyes was compared with that of stable adult donor eyes using high-throughput microarray and quantitative PCR analyses. Methods: Scleral samples from normal human fetal (24 wk) and normal adult donor eyes were obtained (n=4 to 6, each group), and RNA extracted. Genome-wide micro-RNA profiling was performed using the Agilent micro-RNA microarray platform. Micro-RNA target predictions were obtained using Microcosm, TargetScan and PicTar algorithms. TaqMan® micro-RNA assays targeting micro-RNAs showing either highest significance, detection, or fold differences, and collagen specificity, were applied to scleral samples from posterior and peripheral ocular regions (n=7, each group). Microarray data were analyzed using R, and quantitative PCR data with 2^-deltaCt methods.Results :Human sclera was found to express micro-RNAs, and comparison of microarray results for adult and fetal samples revealed many to be differentially expressed (pl0.01, min p= 6.5x1011). Specifically, fetal sclera showed increased expression of mir-214, let-7c, let-7e, mir-103, mir-107, and mir-98 (1.5 to 4 fold changes, pl0.01). However, no significant regionally specific differences .i.e., posterior vs. peripheral sclera, were observed for either adult or fetal samples. Conclusion: For the first time, micro-RNA expression has been catalogued in human sclera. Some micro-RNAs show age-related differential regulation, higher in the sclera of rapidly growing fetal eyes, consistent with a role in ocular growth regulation. Thus micro-RNAs represent potential targets for ocular growth manipulation, related to myopia and/or other disorders such as scleral ectasia.
Influence of early formal reading training on commonality of word associations in children and adults

Commonalities of word associations of children and adults were examined as a function of the elementary school grade level at which the words are formally introduced in reading training. Word introduction was found to produce associative changes in children which were reflected in the associations of adults.
Magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling by inertial Alfven waves

Alfven waves can support electric fields parallel to the geomagnetic field of up to several mV/m when the effect of electron inertia is significant. This electric field, when integrated over distances of several Earth radii, can create potential differences of several kV. Interactions with the ionosphere can result in a resonant structure which can accelerate electrons to several keV, produce time-varying field-aligned bursts, and electron conic distributions. Characteristic frequencies of these waves are in the range of 1 Hz, which is consistent with several observations of temporal variations in Earthward electron fluxes. A general model of inertial Alfven waves is discussed, emphasizing the effect of including the electron inertial term in the generalized Ohm's law. Standard features of the system are discussed, and results of test particle simulations are presented.
Remarks on quantized Yang-Mills theory in 26 dimensions

Abstract We observe that Yang-Mills theory in 26 dimensions has no infinite coupling constant renormalization at one loop. We suggest the theory may be solvable in the large- N limit.
Paradigm shifters, professionals, and community sentinels: Immigrant community institutions’ roles in shaping places and implications for stigmatized public health initiatives

Immigrant community institutions are strategically positioned to facilitate or impede public health efforts in their neighborhoods and communities because of their influence over discourse regarding values and tradition. Their authority may be particularly relevant when stigmatized or sensitive issues, such as HIV or reproductive health, are addressed. Using qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze data collected from 22 Chinese and South Asian immigrant institutions in New York City, we examine attitudes about HIV, social change and tradition to delineate the different structural roles that Asian immigrant community institutions play in relation to the preservation of traditional values and culture in their neighborhoods and communities. Implications are explored for working with immigrant community institutions to conduct HIV-related work and other stigmatized public health initiatives in immigrant neighborhoods.
Early role for IL-6 signalling during generation of induced pluripotent stem cells revealed by heterokaryon RNA-Seq

Blau and colleagues show that non-dividing heterokaryons between mouse embryonic stem cells and human fibroblasts, in which human nuclei reprogram to a more embryonic state, can be used to identify signalling pathways involved in reprogramming. They delineate that IL-6 signalling and JAK/STAT target kinase Pim1 signalling are induced during this reprogramming, and that they increase the efficiency of factor-mediated reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cell status.