cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Test of a clinical model of drinking and suicidal risk.

Background: There are few data on the role of drinking patterns in suicidal thoughts or behavior among alcohol-dependent individuals (ADIs) and meager data on variables that may influence the role of drinking in suicidal thoughts and behavior. This study tested a heuristic model that predicts that drinking promotes suicidal thoughts and behavior, the association is mediated (accounted for) by depressive symptoms, and that anger moderates (increases) the risk associated with intense drinking. Methods: Data from Project MATCH, a multisite alcohol use disorders treatment trial, were analyzed using structural equation modeling. There were 1,726 participants including 24% women and a mean age of 40.2 ± 11.0 years. Subjects were assessed at baseline and at 3-, 9-, and 15-month follow-up. Two categorical measures (presence/absence) of suicidal ideation (SI) were used that were analyzed in separate models. Predictors of interest were continuous assessments of average drinking intensity (i.e., drinks per drinking day or DDD), drinking frequency (i.e., percent days abstinent or PDA), depression, and anger. Results: Both DDD and PDA were associated with SI at a statistically significant level, with PDA showing an inverse association. Depression scores served as a partial mediator or a full mediator of the drinking-SI relationship depending on the measure of SI used in the analysis. The models testing anger scores as a moderator fit the data poorly and did not support that anger serves as a moderator of the drinking-SI association. Conclusions: Greater drinking intensity and drinking frequency predict SI among ADIs and depression serves as a mediator of these associations, but anger does not appear to serve as a moderator. Further research is required to clarify whether depression serves as a partial or full mediator and to see whether the results herein extend to suicidal behavior (i.e., suicide attempt, suicide). Language: en
Ambient endotoxin concentrations in PM10 from Southern California.

Concentrations of endotoxin in urban air pollution have not previously been extensively characterized. We measured 24-hr levels of PM10 (particulate matter < 10 microm in aerodynamic diameter) and ...
Preventive War and Permissive Normative Order

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, U.S. president George W. Bush articulated a new national security strategy based on striking terrorist organizations and the states that harbor them before they could endanger the United States. Though expressed in the language of preemption, the Bush strategy embodied a far more problematic doctrine of preventive warfare. Whereas the grounds for preemption lie in evidence of a credible, imminent threat, the basis for prevention rests on the suspicion of an incipient, contingent threat. We argue that an American national security strategy that embraces preventive war will set an inauspicious precedent, undermining normative restraints on when and how states may use military force.
Momentum and Kinetic Energy Budgets of Simulated Supercell Thunderstorms

Abstract The results of numerical simulations of severe thunderstorms with rotating updrafts and supercell characteristics are analyzed to determine their sources, sinks, and transports of momentum and kinetic energy. Two simulations are used, one initiated in an idealized environment with unidirectional shear, and the other simulating a real tornadic storm in an environment with a curved hodograph. For the unidirectional shear storm, we carry out the analysis at 10-minute intervals throughout the 2.5 hour duration of the simulation, during which the storm develops a fairly steady amplitude after the first hour but continues to grow in areal extent and in disturbance kinetic energy. We analyze just one time level for the tornadic storm. For both storms the vertical flux of horizontal momentum is strongly down the velocity gradient, and the corresponding rate of transfer of disturbance kinetic energy from the mean flow is comparable to that of buoyant energy release. The mean-flow kinetic energy is in both...
Inhaled corticosteroids for asthma: are they all the same?

SUMMARY Objectives: To assess similarities and differences among currently available inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for treatment of asthma, with special emphasis on factors that may affect the relative safety of these medications. Methods: PubMed was searched for relevant reviews and original articles. Information from these studies was synthesized and critically assessed. Results: Differences in corticosteroid formulations and delivery systems can create variations in therapeutic efficacy. Chemical properties of the various corticosteroids may also affect their relative safety. Ciclesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate are administered as prodrugs activated by enzymes present in the lungs but not the oropharynx. Corticosteroid-specific adverse effects in the oropharynx are thus avoided, although formulation-specific effects may remain. Other adverse effects require systemic availability, either via the gastrointestinal tract or the lung. Once they enter the systemic circulation, all ICS are rapidly metabolized by the liver. Oral bioavailability of ICS such as fluticasone, ciclesonide and mometasone is minimal, as a result of their essentially complete first-pass metabolism in the liver. Ciclesonide also undergoes extrahepatic metabolism that eliminates it even more rapidly. Additionally, ciclesonide and mometasone exhibit very high levels of binding to serum proteins that reduces their ability to stimulate glucocorticoid receptors outside the lung. Conclusions: Despite acting by similar mechanisms, currently available ICS and their delivery systems differ in ways that can potentially affect both safety and therapeutic effectiveness for individual patients.
Rapid bi-directional synthesis of oligo(1, 4-phenylene ethynylene)s

A new method for the preparation of oligo(1, 4-phenylene ethynylene)s is described. Only two sets of reaction conditions are needed for the entire iterative synthetic sequence: (1) Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling of trimethylsilylacetylene with an aryl halide and (2) in situ desilylation/Pd-catalyzed coupling with an aryl iodide. This method provides a fast synthetic route to short length oligo(1, 4-phenylene ethynylene)s by oligomer growth at both ends. Only two sets of iterative reaction conditions are needed for the synthesis of oligo(1, 4-phenylene ethynylene)s by oligomer growth at both ends. Download full-size image
Flatness testing and torsionfree morphisms

Abstract Let ψ : A ↦ B be a homomorphism of finitely generated algebras over a field k or over Z . This note is concerned with methods and tools to ascertain whether ψ makes B a flat module over A. Morphisms with such properties are very common and desirable in the study of mappings between algebraic varieties. We show how three pillars of the study, a computable generic flatness, the local criterion and tricks in reducing the dimension of the ring, combine to allow for several tests.
Thermal and stress modeling of multi-material laser processing

Three-dimensional finite element modeling has been carried out to investigate the temperature field in the processing of multiple material components using a moving laser beam. Transient and residual stresses as well as distortion of the component have also been analyzed. Effects of laser processing conditions such as fabrication sequences, laser scanning patterns and scanning rates have been investigated. It is found that the temperature distribution, transient stress, residual stress and distortion of a multi-material component are dependent on the laser processing conditions as well as the material properties, especially the thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion. Implications of these results on laser fabrication of multiple materials are discussed.
Episodic activation of the rat GnRH promoter: role of the homeoprotein oct-1.

Recent reports demonstrate that the rat GnRH promoter is activated in an episodic fashion in immortalized GnRH neurons, but little information is available on molecular processes that contribute to this phenomenon. In this study, we dissected the regions of the rat GnRH promoter that mediate these effects by testing a series of 5′ deletion luciferase reporter constructs on the pattern of photonic emissions from single, living GT1–7 GnRH neuronal cells. Deletion analysis revealed that the region −2012/−1597 that contains the neuron-specific enhancer (NSE) was required for the elaboration of pulses of GnRH promoter activity. The importance of this region was supported by observations that episodic reporter activity could be transferred to a neutral nonpulsatile promoter (Rous sarcoma virus, RSV180). Immunoneutralization of Oct-1 as well as mutation of an octamer binding site located at −1787/−1783 (AT-a site) blocked the pulsatile GnRH promoter activity in GT1–7 neuronal cells. Taken together, our findings ...
What could be objective about probabilities

Abstract The basic notion of an objective probability is that of a probability determined by the physical structure of the world. On this understanding, there are subjective credences that do not correspond to objective probabilities, such as credences concerning rival physical theories. The main question for objective probabilities is how they are determined by the physical structure. In this paper, I survey three ways of understanding objective probability: stochastic dynamics, humean chances, and deterministic chances (typicality). The first is the obvious way to understand the probabilities of quantum mechanics via a collapse theory such as GRW, the last is the way to understand the probabilities in the context of a deterministic theory such as Bohmian mechanics. Humean chances provide a more abstract and general account of chances locutions that are independent of dynamical considerations.
Method for Computing the Anisotropy of the Solid-Liquid Interfacial Free Energy

We present a method to compute accurately the weak anisotropy of the solid-liquid interfacial free energy, a parameter which influences dendritic evolution in materials with atomically rough interfaces. The method is based on monitoring interfacial fluctuations during molecular dynamics simulation and extracting the interfacial stiffness which is an order of magnitude more anisotropic than the interfacial free energy. We present results for pure Ni with interatomic potentials derived from the embedded atom method.
Simultaneous GLC determination of clofibrate and clofibric acid in human plasma

A simultaneous assay for the detection of clofibrate and its metabolite, clofibric acid [2-(p-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionic acid], is described. This GLC method is rapid and does not require a derivatization step. It is sensitive to 1-μg/ml levels of either compound in biological samples and can be used to characterize the in vivo conversion of clofibrate ester to the free acid.
A note on a paper by Rumelhart and Greeno

Abstract The parameters of the models described by Rumelhart and Greeno in this journal (1971) are constrained in certain ways. Neglect of this fact in their paper leads them to an inadmissible set of parameter values, and an invalid argument and statement concerning the equivalence of two models. However, their conclusion that the Restle model fits their data better than the Luce model remains unchanged.
Points to Consider in the Clinical Use of NGS Panels for Mitochondrial Disease: An Analysis of Gene Inclusion and Consent Forms

Mitochondrial next generation sequencing (NGS) panels offer single-step analysis of the numerous nuclear genes involved in the structure, function, and maintenance of mitochondria. However, the complexities of mitochondrial biology and genetics raise points for consideration in clinical use of these tests. To understand the current status of mitochondrial genetic testing, we assessed the gene offerings and consent forms of mitochondrial NGS panels available from seven US-based clinical laboratories. The NGS panels varied markedly in number of genes (101–1204 genes), and the proportion of genes causing “classic” mitochondrial diseases and their phenocopies ranged widely between labs (18 %–94 % of panel contents). All panels included genes not associated with classic mitochondrial diseases (6 %–28 % of panel contents), including genes causing adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders, cancer predisposition, and other genetic syndromes or inborn errors of metabolism. Five of the panels included genes that are not listed in OMIM to be associated with a disease phenotype (5 %–49 % of panel contents). None of the consent documents reviewed had options for patient preference regarding receipt of incidental findings. These findings raise points of discussion applicable to mitochondrial diagnostics, but also to the larger arenas of exome and genome sequencing, including the need to consider the boundaries between clinical and research testing, the necessity of appropriate informed consent, and the responsibilities of clinical laboratories and clinicians. Based on these findings, we recommend careful evaluation by laboratories of the genes offered on NGS panels, clear communication of the predicted phenotypes, and revised consent forms to allow patients to make choices about receiving incidental findings. We hope that our analysis and recommendations will help to maximize the considerable clinical utility of NGS panels for the diagnosis of mitochondrial disease.
Immunoglobulin diversity: Rearranging by cutting and repairing

The recombination process that assembles antigen-receptor genes is now understood in some biochemical detail. The initial steps reflect a common theme seen in retroviral integration and prokaryotic transposition, and the later steps involve the enzymatic machinery for double-strand break DNA repair.
Maxillary dental development in complete unilateral alveolar clefts.

Abstract Objective: This study was conducted to determine whether development of individual maxillary teeth in subjects with complete unilateral alveolar clefts was significantly different from that found in unaffected children. Design: Retrospective, mixed longitudinal. Setting: Craniofacial Center, university based. Materials and Methods: A sample of 179 panoramic radiographs obtained during the mixed dentition from 79 subjects (47 males, 32 females) with complete alveolar clefts was analyzed. After visual evaluation of root development of the permanent maxillary teeth from radiographs, a score from 0 to 5 was assigned utilizing a predefined scoring system. Statistical analyses were performed between the cleft and unaffected reference groups available in the literature. Results: The cleft side dentition was found to be significantly delayed in development relative to the noncleft side (p < .05). Compared to the reference group, the cleft side lateral incisor demonstrated a mean difference in development...
Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction: Clinical and pathologic assessment of response to induction chemotherapy

A preoperative induction chemotherapy regimen consisting of two monthly courses of etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin was given to 13 patients with nonmetastatic adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus or gastroesophageal junction. Esophageal ultrasound examination was performed both before chemotherapy and again before surgery. Induction chemotherapy was poorly tolerated with 10 of the 13 patients experiencing at least one episode of severe neutropenia. Two of the 13 patients refused the second course of treatment. A symptomatic response to chemotherapy, defined as a reduction in the presenting symptom, was noted in 10 of the 13 patients (77%). Endoscopic improvement occurred in 9 of the 13 patients (69%). Esophageal ultrasound evidence of a reduction in either T or N stage was noted in only 2 of the 13 patients (15%), however, and neither of these responses was confirmed pathologically. Clinical evidence of disease progression was noted in 4 patients during chemotherapy. With a median follow-up of 31 months, the relapse-free and overall survivals are 25% and 31%, respectively. Despite significant toxicity, our chemotherapy regimen would be considered successful if assessed by symptomatic or esophagoscopic improvement. Esophageal ultrasound, careful pathologic staging, and our disappointing survival rates, however, suggest limited, if any, value for this approach.
Prostaglandin E1 treatment of NZB/W F1 hybrids—Induction of in vitro and in vivo cell-mediated immune responses to DNA☆

Abstract Female NZB/W F1 hybrid mice, 4 months of age or older, demonstrate excessive humoral immune responses to native DNA while the expression of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) toward the same antigen is weak. In this study we examined the ability of cells from NZB/W mice to respond with CMI reactions after in vivo or in vitro stimulation with native DNA. In vivo experiments demonstrated that NZB/W mice did not respond to intradermal injections of native DNA with classic delayed hypersensitivity (DH) reactions. Additionally, their splenic lymphocytes did not produce migration inhibitory factor (MIF) following in vitro stimulation with DNA. Significantly, treatment of these animals twice daily with 200 μg Prostaglandin E (PGE1) markedly altered their CMI responsiveness. PGE1-treated mice were capable of making delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions to DNA. Histological evaluation of the reaction sites revealed a mononuclear infiltrate in the cutis and subcutis, typical of classic DH reactions. In vitro, a majority (58%) of the spleen cell cultures derived from treated animals released MIF activity following DNA stimulation. Diaflo ultrafiltration of the MIF-containing supernatants showed that the MIF was not due to antigen-antibody complexes, but rather to a true lymphokine. The results of this study provide clear evidence that PGE1 treatment of NZB/W mice significantly alters the immunological reactivity of these animals toward DNA, one of the antigens implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Key issues in the microchemical systems-based methanol fuel processor : Energy density, thermal integration, and heat loss mechanisms

Abstract Microreactor technology is a promising approach in harnessing the high energy density of hydrocarbons and is being used to produce hydrogen-rich gases by reforming of methanol and other liquid hydrocarbons. However, on-demand H2 generation for miniature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) systems has been a bottleneck problem, which has limited the development and demonstration of the PEMFC for high-performance portable power. A number of crucial challenges exist for the realization of practical portable fuel processors. Among these, the management of heat in a compact format is perhaps the most crucial challenge for portable fuel processors. In this study, a silicon microreactor-based catalytic methanol steam reforming reactor was designed, fabricated, and demonstrated in the context of complete thermal integration to understand this critical issue and develop a knowledge base required to rationally design and integrate the microchemical components of a fuel processor. Detailed thermal and reaction experiments were carried out to demonstrate the potential of microreactor-based on-demand H2 generation. Based on thermal characterization experiments, the heat loss mechanisms and effective convective heat coefficients from the planar microreactor structure were determined and suggestions were made for scale up and implementation of packaging schemes to reduce different modes of heat losses.
Conductivity of metallic Si:B near the metal-insulator transition: Comparison between unstressed and uniaxially stressed samples

The low-temperature dc conductivities of barely metallic samples of $p$-type Si:B are compared for a series of samples with different dopant concentrations, $n,$ in the absence of stress (cubic symmetry), and for a single sample driven from the metallic into the insulating phase by uniaxial compression, $S.$ For all values of temperature and stress, the conductivity of the stressed sample collapses onto a single universal scaling curve, $\ensuremath{\sigma}(S,T)={\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}(\ensuremath{\Delta}{S/S}_{c}{)}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}G[{T/T}^{*}(S)],$ with ${T}^{*}\ensuremath{\propto}(\ensuremath{\Delta}{S)}^{z\ensuremath{\nu}}.$ The scaling fit indicates that the conductivity of Si:B is $\ensuremath{\propto}{T}^{1/2}$ in the critical range. Our data yield a critical conductivity exponent $\ensuremath{\mu}=1.6,$ considerably larger than the value reported in earlier experiments where the transition was crossed by varying the dopant concentration. The larger exponent is based on data in a narrow range of stress near the critical value within which scaling holds. We show explicitly that the temperature dependences of the conductivity of stressed and unstressed Si:B are different, suggesting that a direct comparison of the critical behavior and critical exponents for stress-tuned and concentration-tuned transitions may not be warranted.
Distinct iron-sulfur cluster assembly complexes exist in the cytosol and mitochondria of human cells.

Iron–sulfur (Fe–S) clusters are cofactors found in many proteins that have important redox, catalytic or regulatory functions. In mammalian cells, almost all known Fe–S proteins are found in the mitochondria, but at least one is found in the cytosol. Here we report cloning of the human homologs to IscU and NifU, iron-binding proteins that play a critical role in Fe–S cluster assembly in bacteria. In human cells, alternative splicing of a common pre-mRNA results in synthesis of two proteins that differ at the N-terminus and localize either to the cytosol (IscU1) or to the mitochondria (IscU2). Biochemical analyses demonstrate that IscU proteins specifically associate with IscS, a cysteine desulfurase that is proposed to sequester inorganic sulfur for Fe–S cluster assembly. Protein complexes containing IscU and IscS can be found in the mitochondria as well as in the cytosol, implying that Fe–S cluster assembly takes place in multiple subcellular compartments in mammalian cells. The possible roles of the IscU proteins in mammalian cells and the potential implications of compartmentalization of Fe–S cluster assembly are discussed.
Comparing Aerosol and Low-Level Moisture Influences on Supercell Tornadogenesis: Three-Dimensional Idealized Simulations

AbstractFour three-dimensional, nested-grid numerical simulations were performed using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) to compare the effects of aerosols acting as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) to those of low-level moisture [and thus convective available potential energy (CAPE)] on cold-pool evolution and tornadogenesis within an idealized supercell storm. The innermost grid possessed horizontal grid spacing of 111 m. The initial background profiles of CCN concentration and water vapor mixing ratio varied among the simulations (clean versus dusty and higher-moisture versus lower-moisture simulations). A fifth simulation was performed to factor out the impact of CAPE. The higher-moisture simulations produced spatially larger storms with stronger peak updrafts and low-level downdrafts, heavier precipitation, greater evaporative cooling, and stronger cold pools within the forward and rear flank downdrafts. Each simulated supercell produced a tornado-like vortex. However, the lower-moisture...
Knowing, Believing, and Understanding: The Social Construction of Knowledge in the O. J. Simpson Criminal Trial:

A model of knowledge is advanced that includes knowing as well as believing and understanding. The model includes two forms of knowing, knowing that (theoretical knowledge) and knowing how (practical knowledge), as well as two forms of belief, believing that and believing in. Knowing that links to believing that because whether one claims to know or to believe something is a matter of circumstance and evidence. Knowing how connects to believing in because knowing how to do something requires a teacher or someone to believe in. The O. J. Simpson criminal trial provides concrete examples of the uses of practical and theoretical knowledge and their pervasiveness in everyday life. The jury combined these different forms of knowledge into a verdict or understanding of not guilty. The reactions to the verdict polarized along racial lines and revealed the relations between knowledge and belief in the constructions of knowledge.
Void Fraction Measurements in a Cavitating Venturi

Void fraction /local density/ measurements are made in an axisymmetric cavitation flow inside of a venturi tube operating with mercury, using a gamma-ray densitometer
EFFECTS OF PRESTRAIN ON THE TENSILE PROPERTIES OF GRAPHITE

Abstract Data are presented demonstrating the effects on the transverse tensile strength of H4LM graphite of tensile prestraining in static helium at 2500°C and 0.005/min strain rate. Strength measurements after prestraining were at 2500°, 2250°, 2000°, 1750°, 1500°, and room temperature, at strain rates of 0.005 and 2.0/min. Results are correlated with strength measurements made under similar conditions on the same graphite as-received, subjected to similar thermal cycles without prestrain, annealed at the testing temperature after prestraining, and cooled and reheated between prestraining and tensile testing. These observations and certain others previously made on the same and similar graphites are used to develop a microstructural explanation of the tensile behavior of graphite, based on localized cracking both by external loads and by stresses induced by anisotropic thermal contraction, on crack closure and healing by anisotropic thermal expansion, and on crack healing by stress-directed mass transport of carbon.
Neuropathy Target Esterase of Hen Brain: Active Site Reactions with 2-[octyl-3H]Octyl-4H-1,3,2-Benzodioxaphosphorin 2-Oxide and 2-Octyl-4H-1,3,2-[aryl-3H] Benzodioxaphosphorin 2-Oxide†

2-Octyl-4H-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphorin 2-oxide (octyl-BDPO) is one of the most potent inhibitors known for neuropathy target esterase (NTE) of hen brain with 50% inhibition at 0.2 nM. Two NTE-like proteins, i.e., resistant to paraoxon and sensitive to mipafox, of approximately 155 and approximately 119 kDa (designated NTE-155 and NTE-119, respectively) are labeled by [octyl-3H]octyl-BDPO and separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Labeling with [aryl-3H]octyl-BDPO is only approximately 15% of that with [octyl-3H]octyl-BDPO, indicating that the majority of the phosphorylated NTE undergoes aging with only a small proportion of nonaged target or intramolecular group transfer ("alkylation"). NTE-155 and NTE-119 have the same kinetic constants and maximal number of phosphorylation sites, equivalent for each of them to 26 fmol/mg of protein and totaling at least 0.44-1.2 micrograms of NTE protein/g of brain. Structure-activity investigations involving 17 combinations of organophosphorus (OP) compounds of varied chemical type, stereochemistry, and concentration establish an excellent correlation (r = 0.95) between inhibition of NTE activity and protein labeling and thereby the toxicological relevance of these assays, which equally implicate NTE-155 and NTE-119 (probably an autolysis product of NTE-155) as target in OP-induced delayed neuropathy. [octyl-3H]-Octyl-BDPO is an improved probe for NTE in terms of its potency, reactivity, selectivity, and the formation of 3H-labeled NTE with a stable phosphorus-carbon bond.
Use of an Aqueous Micellar Mobile Phase for Separation of Phenols and Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons via HPLC

Abstract An aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles is shown to be a novel, highly effective mobile phase in high performance liquid chromatography. Using a reverse phase column, nine phenols and two polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons were easily separated. The possible advantages and disadvantages of aqueous micellar solutions over traditional organic and mixed solvent mobile phases is discussed.
Regularities in Spearman's Law of Diminishing Returns

Abstract The lower average correlations among mental tests in groups of individuals of above-average IQ than is found in groups of individuals of below-average IQ implies a smaller general factor, or g, in the higher-IQ group, a phenomenon Spearman called the ‘Law of Diminishing Returns’. This phenomenon was confirmed in six independent data sets based on three different test batteries. It implies that psychometric g is less general in persons of high IQ and more general among those of low IQ. Two heretofore unknown effects were revealed consistently: (1) The g loadings of the various tests in a battery do not differ uniformly or randomly between high- and low-IQ groups; rather, the loadings are much more variable for higher-IQ samples than for lower-IQ samples; (2) Those tests in a battery that are less g-loaded (where g loadings are based on the general population) consistently show greater decrements in their g loadings between low- and high-IQ groups than do the more highly g-loaded tests, which show relatively little difference between low- and high-IQ groups.
On the breakdown of force-free configurations in type-II superconductors

Abstract The steady-state time-averaged voltage produced along a current-carrying type-II superconductor in a longitudinal magnetic field cannot be described as a flux-flow voltage generated by an inward-collapsing array of helical vortices.
Multivariate Granger causality analysis of fMRI data.

This article describes the combination of multivariate Granger causality analysis, temporal down-sampling of fMRI time series, and graph theoretic concepts for investigating causal brain networks and their dynamics. As a demonstration, this approach was applied to analyze epoch-to-epoch changes in a hand-gripping, muscle fatigue experiment. Causal influences between the activated regions were analyzed by applying the directed transfer function (DTF) analysis of multivariate Granger causality with the integrated epoch response as the input, allowing us to account for the effects of several relevant regions simultaneously. Integrated responses were used in lieu of originally sampled time points to remove the effect of the spatially varying hemodynamic response as a confounding factor; using integrated responses did not affect our ability to capture its slowly varying affects of fatigue. We separately modeled the early, middle, and late periods in the fatigue. We adopted graph theoretic concepts of clustering and eccentricity to facilitate the interpretation of the resultant complex networks. Our results reveal the temporal evolution of the network and demonstrate that motor fatigue leads to a disconnection in the related neural network. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
N = 1 supergravity in Euclidean 11D in terms of graded pseudo-Majorana spinors

We study the complex-conjugation and flipping properties of the recently discovered graded pseudo-Majorana (GPM) spinors in general d-dimensional spacetime with the signature ((−)t, (+)s). We consider simple supergravity in Euclidean eleven dimensions (E11D) as an example. We show that we can formulate N = 1 GPM supergravity with 128 + 128 degrees of freedom in E11D with no doubling of supersymmetries. Unlike the conventional formulation with symplectic Sp(n) spinors, no doubling is needed for GPM spinors. Similar properties are also found for N = 1 GPM supergravity in Euclidean 4D.
Mutagenesis at a Highly Conserved Phenylalanine in Cytochrome P450 2E1 Affects Heme Incorporation and Catalytic Activity

The phenylalanine corresponding to Phe-429 of rabbit cytochrome P450 2E1 is 1 of approximately 10 highly conserved residues in this superfamily of over 200 sequenced enzymes. This nearly invariant residue has been postulated to be involved in electron transfer between the heme of cytochrome P450cam and its redox partners [Stayton, P.S., Poulos, T. L., & Sligar, S.G. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 8201-8205]. To test this hypothesis, oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis was used to replace this amino acid in rabbit P450 2E1 with aspartate, arginine, leucine, tryptophan, or tyrosine, and the mutant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli. Although immunoblot analysis of whole cell lysates demonstrated that all P450 proteins (mutants and wild-type) were equally well expressed on a per cell basis, in solubilized membranes only the tryptophan and tyrosine mutants yielded ferrous-CO difference spectra characteristic of P450. The specific content (nanomoles per milligram of membrane protein) and yield per liter of the Trp mutant holoenzyme were approximately one-third those of the native enzyme, suggesting that heme incorporation was hindered by tryptophan at this position, whereas the specific content and yield per liter of the Tyr mutant were significantly greater than those of the native preparation. The stability of the Trp and Tyr mutants, as judged by thermal denaturation studies, was not different from that of the native enzyme. The Trp mutant had 38% of the aniline hydroxylase activity, 25% of the p-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity, and 39% of the N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase activity of the native enzyme, demonstrating that this substitution also decreased catalytic activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Galvanostatic studies of passivity and breakdown of passivity of titanium in hydrochloric acid solutions

Abstract The formation of oxide layers was followed at 10 mA on titanium rods in hydrochloric acid solutions by measuring the potential and the electrode impedance at 10,000 Hz as a function of time. The anodic current is largely used for oxide formation until a maximum is passed in the potential/time curves. The thickness of the oxide film does not increase significantly with time after this maximum and is about the same at HCl concentrations between 0.1 M and 10 M. The oxide film begins to break down preferentially at wedges and grooves in the potential range between 11.5 to 14.5 V. The dissolution of titanium under complex formation occurs at these areas. The decrease of electrode potential with increasing current above a certain value results from an increase of the number of dissolution areas.
ANALYSIS OF WORKSHOP ANTIBODIES TO NULL CELLS ON A NON-T/NON-B LYMPHOCYTE POPULATION

Non-T and non-B lymphocytes (null cells) were obtained by Sephadex G-10 depletion followed by treatment with mAbs to CD2 and MHC class II and complement. The enriched cells were principally CD5dim and contained greatly increased numbers of null lymphocytes. This methodology will be useful for null lymphocyte enrichment in examining cell surface molecules and functional attributes of null lymphocytes.
Chronic pain-associated depression: antecedent or consequence of chronic pain? A review.

Abstract:Objective:To determine the current status for the association of chronic pain and depression and to review the evidence for whether depression is an antecedent or consequence of chronic pain (CP).Design:A computer and manual literature review yielded 191 studies that related to the pain-
A Note on Duality in Disjunctive Programming.

We state a duality theorem for disjunctive programming, which generalizes to this class of problems the corresponding result for linear programming.
Immanuel Kant's Moral Theory

1. Introduction 2. The context for Kant's moral philosophy Part I. The Nature of Morality: 3. The nature of human action 4. Prudence: taking care of our own interests 5. Morality: living autonomously 6. Morally obligatory ends 7. The defense of morality 8. The primacy of morality Part II. The Moral Norm for Persons: 9. Moral character: part I 10. Moral character: part II Part III. The Norm for Moral Judgment: 11. The categorical imperative 12. The formula of autonomy or of universal law: part I 13. The formula of autonomy or of universal law: part II 14. The formula of respect for the dignity of persons 15. The formula of legislation for a moral community Part IV. Kant on History, Politics, and Religion: 16. Autonomy and the state 17. Civil justice and republicanism 18. Kant's philosophy of religion Appendixes: 1. Kant's two-viewpoints doctrine 2. Kant's philosophy of moral education.
Semiconductor spintronics: switching spins at low voltage

The emerging ability to measure and control electron spins in nano-structured materials down to the level of single spins is at the heart of the research field of spintronics, with potential applications in logic and quantum computation. In current semiconductor-based logic devices, the electron spin is a quantity that is mostly neglected. The switching functionality of a conventional field-effect transistor is based on charging a channel region with electrons. For a given on/off ratio of the source-drain current, the switching requires a minimum voltage swing related to the thermal energy, which sets a lower limit on the active power consumption of the device. Such a principal limitation is not present if the spin direction of electrons is switched. This observation has triggered huge interest in spintronics as a low-power alternative for logic devices. With the example of existing spintronics device concept, the challenges for using spin switches in logic applications will be discussed. Very large spin filtering efficiencies are needed to use a spin switch as a drop-in replacement for FET-based current switches, setting demanding requirements for the processes of spin injection and detection. An alternative approach is to encode the digital information directly into the spin state and omit excess spin-to-charge conversion, which however requires the development of spin amplification to achieve gain in the spin domain. Many spintronics device concepts comprise nonmagnetic regions where non-equilibrium spin polarization is switched by electrical fields. There, the spins have to be processed within the respective spin lifetime. We will discuss how spinorbit interaction limits the spin lifetime but at the same time is needed for electrical spin switching. Experimental results based on time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr rotation will be shown that demonstrate fast switching of spins in GaAs-based semiconductor quantum structures with specially engineered spin-orbit interaction where the influence on the spin lifetime is lifted.
Analysis of error propagation from NMR-derived internuclear distances into molecular structure of cyclo-pro-gly.

Analytical expressions have been derived that translate uncertainties in distance constraints (obtained from NMR investigations) into uncertainties in atom positions in the maximum likelihood (ML) structure consistent with these inputs. As a test of this approach, a comparison was made between test structures reconstructed by the new ML approach, which yields a single structure and a covariance matrix for coordinates, and those reconstructed by metric matrix distance-geometry (MMDG), which yields a family of structures that sample uncertainty space. The test structures used were 560 polyhedra, with edges of arbitrary length containing up to 50 vertices, and one polyhedron, with 100 vertices; randomized distance constraints generated from these structures were used in reconstructing the polyhedra. The uncertainties derived from the two methods showed excellent agreement, and the correlation improved, as expected, with increasingly larger numbers of MMDG structures. This agreement supports the validity of the rapid analytical ML approach, which requires the calculation of only a single structure. As a second test of the ML method, the approach was applied to the determination of uncertainties in the structure of a cyclic dipeptide, cyclo(DL-Pro-Gly) (cPG), derived from NMR cross-relaxation data. The input data were interproton distances calculated from NOEs measured for a solution of the peptide in 2:1 DMSO:H2O at -40 degreesC (so as to yield large negative NOEs). In order to evaluate effects of the quality of the input spectral parameters on the precision of the resulting NMR structure, information from the covalent geometry of cPG was not used in the structure calculations. Results obtained from the analytical ML approach compared favorably with those from the much slower random-walk variant of the Monte Carlo method applied to the same input data. As a third test, the ML approach was used with synthetic structural constraints for a small protein; the results indicate that it will be feasible to use this rapid method to translate uncertainties associated with a given set of distance restraints into uncertainties in atom positions in larger molecules.
Multistage sigma-delta modulation

A theoretical basis is provided for multistage sigma-delta modulation (MSM), which is a cascade realization of several single-loop sigma-delta modulators with a linear combinatorial network. Equations are derived describing the output and the quantization noise of MSM for an arbitrary input signal, and the noise-shaping characteristic of MSM is investigated. The spectral characteristics of an m-stage sigma-delta modulator with both DC and sinusoidal inputs are developed. For both types of inputs the binary quantizer noise of the mth (m>or=3) quantizer, which appears at the output as an mth order difference, is asymptotically white, uniformly distributed, and uncorrelated with the input level. It is also found that for an m-stage sigma-delta quantizer with either an ideal low-pass filter or a sinc/sup m+1/ filter decoder, the average quantization noise of the system is inversely proportional to the (2m+1)th power of the oversampling ratio. This implies that the high-order systems are favourable in terms of the trade-off between the quantization noise and oversampling ratio. Simulation results are presented to support the theoretical analysis. >
The Application of Density Functional Theory to Four Problems in Inorganic Chemistry: A Comparison to Traditional ab Initio Methods

The recent surge in popularity of the density functional theory (DFT) approach to quantum chemistry has resulted in many studies aimed at quantifying the relative accuracy of the various DFT techniques compared to the more traditional ab initio quantum chemical methods. In an earlier paper (Derecskei-Kovacs, A.; Marynick, D. S. Chem. Phys. Lett. 1994, 228, 252) we evaluated the performance of various density functionals on the notoriously difficult problem of the structure of gas-phase beryllium borohydride. Here, we extend that work by evaluating the performance of several density functionals on four difficult structural/energetics problems in inorganic chemistry: (1) the structure of bis(cyclopentadienyl)beryllium; (2) the isomerization energies of three carboranes, C2B3H5, C2B4H6, and C2B5H7; (3) the structure of C3Li4; and (4) the dimerization energies of substituted beryllium hydrides.
Mechanical Properties of the Directionally Solidified MgO‐MgAl2O4 Eutectic

Mechanical properties from room temperature to 1600°C are reported for the directionally solidified MgO-MgAl2O4 eutectic. Strength, although modest, showed little decrease to 1600°C, exhibited totally elastic behavior, and appeared to be related to colony size rather than fiber spacing. Work-of-fracture was low, increased only moderately at 1600°C, and failed to reveal any potential for the classical toughening of fiber composites. Microhardness, which exhibited classical Petch behavior related to the fiber spacing, exceeded the values for the constituent phases. It was concluded that these microstructures inhibit plastic flow and may prove most useful at high temperatures.
sar: a genetic mouse model for human sarcosinemia generated by ethylnitrosourea mutagenesis

Abstract A mouse mutant with sarcosinemia was found by screening the progeny of ethylnitrosourea-mutagenized mice for aminoacidurias. Paper chromatography, column chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified high levels of sarcosine in the urine of the mutant mice. While sarcosine cannot be detected in the urine of plasma of normal mice, the urinary sarcosine level of 102 +/- 58 mmol per g of creatinine in the mutant mice was at the upper range of the urinary levels (1.5-4.5 mmol of sarcosine per g of creatinine) observed in humans with sarcosinemia. Similarly, the plasma sarcosine level of 785 +/- 153 mumol/liter in the sarcosinemic mice was at the upper range of the plasma sarcosine levels (53-760 mumol/liter) observed in affected humans. Sarcosine dehydrogenase [sarcosine:(acceptor) oxidoreductase (demethylating), EC 1.5.99.1] activity was deficient in sarcosinemic mice. The sarcosinuria phenotype in these mice was inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. This mouse mutant provides a useful genetic model for human sarcosinemia and for development of therapeutic approaches for genetic disease.
X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study of Counterion Incorporation in Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) 2: Polyanion Effect, Toluenesulfonate, and Small Anions

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is widely used in organic electronics and biomaterial coatings because of its outstanding electrical properties and chemical stability. In our previous research, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to investigate the incorporation of counterions into PEDOT. In this research, XPS was applied to systematically investigate the chemical composition of electrochemically polymerized PEDOT films to determine counterion affinity. The counterions probed here included polyanions such as poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSSNa) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and small anions including lithium perchlorate, lithium bromide, sodium nitrate, sodium thiosulfate, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate monohydrate, sodium phosphate dibasic hepthydrate, sodium acetate trihydrate, sodium p-toluenesulfonate (TosNa), calcium carbonate, and sodium carbonate. In addition to these counterions, an ion mixture, phosphate-buffered solution (PBS), was also examined. In counterions with io...
The reflexive project: reconstructing the moral agent

In the 17th century, ‘reflexivity’ was coined as a new term for introspection and self-awareness. It thus was poised to serve the instrumental function of combating skepticism by asserting a knowing self. In this Cartesian paradigm, introspection ends in an entity of self-identity. An alternate interpretation recognized how an infinite regress of reflexivity would render ‘the self’ elusive, if not unknowable. Reflexivity in this latter mode was rediscovered by post-Kantian philosophers, most notably Hegel, who defined the self in its self-reflective encounter with an other, and whose full articulation would occur at the final culmination of Reason's evolution. In the rising tide of 19th-century individualism, Emerson and Kierkegaard formulated constructions both in debt to, and in opposition against, Hegelian metaphysics. For each, although employing distinct strategies of self-consciousness, ‘the self’ reached its apogee through divine encounter. Characterized by personal responsibility and individual ch...
Customer portfolio management using Z-ranking of customer segments and the LTV perturbation method

Customer lifetime value (LTV) models have long been used to focus direct marketing campaigns by allocating resources to those customers who are deemed to offer the most value to the company. Traditionally, customers are rank-ordered by their lifetime value and more marketing resources are targeted towards the customers with the greatest value. In this paper, a framework for visualising customer segments, called Z-ranking, is developed, along with a method for customer portfolio management, called the Life Time Value Perturbation Technique. Rather than viewing a customer's LTV as a quantity that is immutable, this framework adopts the point of view that the LTV can be perturbed, via application of appropriate customer management strategies. Through a series of ‘What-if’ scenario analyses, a firm can focus scarce resources on those investments that lead to the greatest increase in the value provided by a customer portfolio. The LTV perturbation technique is further embedded in a four-phase procedure that forms the basis for customer portfolio management, enabling the strategic marketer to continually identify and improve customer management strategies that lead to the greatest impact on direct marketing performance.