cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethnic, Gender, and Acculturation Influences on Sexual Behaviors

Much research has been conducted on ethnic differences in sexuality, but few studies have systematically assessed the importance of acculturation in sexual behavior. The present study assessed general differences in normative sexual practices in healthy Euro-American, Asian, and Hispanic populations, using measures of acculturation to analyze the relative effects of heritage and mainstream cultures within each group. A total of 1,419 undergraduates (67% Euro-American, 17% Hispanic, 16% Asian; 33% men, 67% women) completed questionnaires which assessed sexual experience and causal sexual behaviors. In concordance with previous studies, Asians reported more conservative levels of sexual experience and frequency of sexual behaviors, fewer lifetime partners, and later ages of sexual debut than Euro-American or Hispanic counterparts. Hispanic reported sexual experiences similar to that of Euro-Americans. There was a significant interaction between mainstream and heritage acculturation in predicting number of lifetime sexual partners in Asian women such that the relationship between heritage acculturation and casual sexual behavior was stronger at lower levels of mainstream acculturation. On the other hand, in Hispanic men, higher levels of mainstream acculturation predicted more casual sexual behavior (one-time sexual encounters and number of lifetime sexual partners) when heritage acculturation was low but less casual sexual behavior when heritage acculturation was high. These results suggest that, for sexual behavior, Hispanic men follow an “ethnogenesis” model of acculturation while Asian women follow an “assimilation” model of acculturation.
Pitfalls in GPR data interpretation: Differentiating stratigraphy and buried objects from periodic antenna and target effects

Periodic events in ground penetrating radar (GPR) data may result from antenna and target effects rather than reflections from geologic features. One of the most common pitfalls in GPR data interpretation is to identify each event on a radar cross-section as scattering from a discrete horizon, without considering other possible sources of these events. Soil electrical properties and surface roughness affect ground penetrating radar antenna radiation and waveform characteristics. An impedance mismatch occurs over soils with electrical properties different than those for which the antennas were designed to perform optimally over, and results in periodic ring-down, which can be misinterpreted as stratigraphy or multiple reflections. In addition, target resonance can introduce additional periodic features that can lead to misinterpretation in regards to the number of targets present. Co-pole and cross-pole antenna configurations can be combined with polarization dependent scattering characteristics of subsurface objects to recognize and reduce antenna ring-down for improved imaging and interpretation.
Platinum-catalyzed gasification of graphite by hydrogen

Abstract The production of methane by reaction of molecular hydrogen with partially platinum-covered graphite was studied by the modulated molecular beam method. Although molecular hydrogen does not react with pure graphite at temperatures 2 on the platinum zones followed by spill-over of H atoms to the graphite zones where methane production takes place. A detailed mechanism based on this model was applied to the molecular beam data and permitted determination of the sticking coefficient and recombination rate constant of hydrogen on the platinum zones, and the reaction rate constants and surface diffusion coefficient of hydrogen on the exposed graphite surface.
Stable Structures of Coalitions in Competitive and Altruistic Military Teams

In heterogeneous battlefield teams, the balance between team and individual objectives forms the basis for the internal topological structure of teams. The stability of team structure is studied by presenting a graphical coalitional game (GCG) with Positional Advantage (PA). PA is Shapley value strengthened by the Axioms of value. The notion of team and individual objectives is studied by defining altruistic and competitive contribution made by an individual; altruistic and competitive contributions made by an agent are components of its total or marginal contribution. Moreover, the paper examines dynamic team effects by defining three online sequential decision games based on marginal, competitive and altruistic contributions of the individuals towards team. The stable graphs under these sequential decision games are studied and found to be structurally connected, complete, or tree respectively.
Transpelvic Gunshot Wounds: Routine Laparotomy or Selective Management?

Mandatory exploration is the standard method for managing patients with gunshot wounds to the abdomen and back. This policy is associated with a high incidence of unnecessary laparotomies and significant morbidity. Reports from our center have shown that a policy of selective management, based on clinical findings, is safe in such patients. Patients with bullet trajectories that carry a high likelihood for intraabdominal organ injury may constitute a subgroup at particular risk. The need for routine or selective exploration in similar patients must be assessed. Therefore we decided to analyze patients with transpelvic gunshot wounds. The objective of the study was to examine if a policy of selective management of patients with transpelvic gunshot wounds is safe. This prospective study was conducted at an academic level I trauma center. We admitted 37 patients with transpelvic gunshot wounds over a 12-month period. All patients were managed according to a protocol that dictated laparotomy in the presence of significant clinical findings (peritoneal signs, hemodynamic instability, gross hematuria, rectal bleeding) and observation in the absence of the above. Additional diagnostic workup was performed only in appropriate cases rather than routinely. Nineteen (51.3%) patients were immediately operated on the basis of clinical findings. Sixteen of these laparotomies were therapeutic. Eighteen (48.6%) patients were initially observed. Subsequently, three of them underwent exploration for development of abdominal tenderness. All three laparotomies were nontherapeutic. The remaining 15 (40.5%) patients were successfully managed nonoperatively. There were no delays in diagnosis or missed injuries. Clinical examination had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 71.4% in detecting the need for laparotomy. A policy of selective management is thus safe, even for patients who suffer gunshot wounds with a high likelihood for intraabdominal organ injury. Clinical examination, supported by additional studies in appropriate cases, is the main method of selecting patients for operation or nonoperative treatment.
Shipyard health problems

Abstract Shipyard health problems are similar to those of construction generally with the modification created by the inherent need to work in confined spaces. It is the latter fact that creates special conditions aggravating the hazard for occupational diseases and accidents. We have considered some special problems (welding and asbestosis exposure) studied by colleagues at our Institution in the past and have brought some of these data up-to-date.
Conditioned taste aversion in rats induced by the α1-adrenoceptor agonist cirazoline

Abstract Recent studies have indicated that α 1 -adrenoceptor agonists such as phenylpropanolamine (PPA), cirazoline, amidephrine, and SK&F-89748 suppress food intake in rats. These compounds activate α 1 -adrenoceptors within the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) and may excite efferent fibers that inhibit feeding. Studies of the effects of α 1 -agonists suggest a specificity for feeding behavior, but no study to date has evaluated whether these agonists may suppress feeding behavior by the induction of malaise. Accordingly, the present experiment examined the ability of systemically administered cirazoline (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/kg, IP) to induce conditioned taste aversion (CTA) to a saccharin solution. Significant CTA was noted for 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg cirazoline but not for 0.1 mg/kg cirazoline, compared to a vehicle treatment. The ED 50 for cirazoline-induced aversion was computed to be 0.3 mg/kg, which contrasts with an ED 50 value of 0.09 mg/kg for the effect of cirazoline on food intake (computed in other studies). More importantly, a 0.1 mg/kg dose of cirazoline, which is slightly greater than that of the ED 50 value for suppression of feeding, did not induce significant CTA in the present study. These results suggest that malaise is not a prominent factor in the suppressive activity of cirazoline on food intake and advocate the use of cirazoline as an effective appetite suppressant.
Calcium Channel Blocker Ingestion: An Evidence-Based Consensus Guideline for Out-of-Hospital Management

In 2003, U.S. poison control centers were consulted after 9650 ingestions of calcium channel blockers (CCBs), including 57 deaths. This represents more than one-third of the deaths reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers' Toxic Exposure Surveillance System database that were associated with cardiovascular drugs and emphasizes the importance of developing a guideline for the out-of-hospital management of calcium channel blocker poisoning. The objective of this guideline is to assist poison center personnel in the appropriate out-of-hospital triage and initial management of patients with suspected ingestions of calcium channel blockers. An evidence-based expert consensus process was used to create this guideline. This guideline applies to ingestion of calcium channel blockers alone and is based on an assessment of current scientific and clinical information. The expert consensus panel recognizes that specific patient care decisions may be at variance with this guideline and are the prerogative of the patient and the health professionals providing care, considering all of the circumstances involved. The panel's recommendations follow. The grade of recommendation is in parentheses. 1) All patients with stated or suspected self-harm or the recipient of a potentially malicious administration of a CCB should be referred to an emergency department immediately regardless of the amount ingested (Grade D). 2) Asymptomatic patients are unlikely to develop symptoms if the interval between the ingestion and the call is greater than 6 hours for immediate-release products, 18 hours for modified-release products other than verapamil, and 24 hours for modified-release verapamil. These patients do not need referral or prolonged observation (Grade D). 3) Patients without evidence of self-harm should have further evaluation, including determination of the precise dose ingested, history of other medical conditions, and the presence of co-ingestants. Ingestion of either an amount that exceeds the usual maximum single therapeutic dose or an amount equal to or greater than the lowest reported toxic dose, whichever is lower (see Table 5), would warrant consideration of referral to an emergency department (Grade D). 4) Do not induce emesis (Grade D). 5) Consider the administration of activated charcoal orally if available and no contraindications are present. However, do not delay transportation in order to administer charcoal (Grade D). 6) For patients who merit evaluation in an emergency department, ambulance transportation is recommended because of the potential for life-threatening complications. Provide usual supportive care en route to the hospital, including intravenous fluids for hypotension. Consider use of intravenous calcium, glucagon, and epinephrine for severe hypotension during transport, if available (Grade D). 7) Depending on the specific circumstances, follow-up calls should be made to determine outcome at appropriate intervals based on the clinical judgment of the poison center staff (Grade D).
Searching for backyard birds in virtual worlds: Internet queries mirror real species distributions

As technology mediates more of human experience, effective conservation will increasingly rely on understanding how wildlife inhabits the real world and how people engage with information about wildlife in the virtual world. We explored how interest in birds—as measured by Internet search activity—was shaped by geographic distributions of bird populations and human social and cultural activities. Searches for the common names of 68 resident bird species were positively associated with estimates of bird population densities across the United States. Additional social and cultural predictors that we expected to influence state-level interest in local bird species explained little geographic variation in search activity. Results were congruent across analyses that focused on different bird groups and geographic regions within the United States. Our findings suggest that Americans are attuned to the avifauna that reside in their state and search for information about local species on the Internet. To the extent that searches reflect public values, abundant and easily accessible search activity data can be used to increase the relevance of conservation messaging and the likelihood of conservation action.
Study of the phase transformations and equation of state of magnesium by synchrotron x-ray diffraction

We studied the phase behaviour and the P – V – T equation of state of Mg by in situ energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction in a multi-anvil apparatus in the pressure–temperature range up to 18.6 GPa and 1527 K. At high temperatures, an hcp to dhcp transition was found above 9.6 GPa, which differs from the hcp to bcc transformation predicted by theoretical calculations. At room temperature, the hcp phase remains stable within the pressure range of this study with an axial ratio, c/a, close to the ideal. The melting of Mg was determined at 2.2, 10 and 12 GPa; the detected melting temperatures are in good agreement with previous diamond anvil cell results. The P – V – T equation of state determined based on the data of this study gives B0 = (36.8 ± 3) GPa, B0 ' = 4.3 ± 0.4, α0 = 25 × 10−6 K−1, ∂α/∂T = (2.3 ± 0.2) × 10−7 K−2 and ∂B0,T /∂T = (−2.08 ± 0.09) × 10−2 GPa K−1.
Plasma-sheet ions at lunar distance preceding substorm onset

During the partial lunar eclipse of August 17, 1970, four intense, transient bursts of kV-energy positive ions were detected at the lunar surface by the Rice University ALSEP Suprathermal Ion Detector Experiment. The eclipse happened to occur during a main-phase geomagnetic storm while the moon was within a few earth radii of the calculated position of the neutral sheet. The two most intense ion bursts were each followed roughly one-half hour later by the sudden onset of a several thousand gamma polar magnetic substorm at the earth's surface. Two smaller ion enhancements were also followed by smaller magnetic disturbances. This observation is interpreted in terms of a downstream escape of plasma-sheet particles associated with the substorm growth phase.
Gender differences in perceptions of accounting firm alumni

Purpose – To examine if there are systematic gender‐based differences in the perceptions of accounting firm alumni about their experiences with accounting firms.Design/methodology/approach – Alumni of Big 4 firms' offices in two large cities in the USA are surveyed. The analysis is based on responses from 110 alumni who had left the firm within the previous ten years.Findings – Results indicate that women are less likely than men to believe that their former accounting firms developed their abilities to think and express themselves; helped them learn to manage others; and trained them for their present job. Further, women rated the training, personnel evaluation, and counseling programs at their former accounting firms lower than did men. Women were less likely to recommend their former firm to friends and acquaintances, and less likely to inform the former accounting firm about opportunities or pitfalls.Research limitations/implications – Limitations associated with survey research such as non‐response b...
Bluetooth content distribution stations on public transit

In this poster, we introduce our Bluespots project, in which a small computer on a bus serves as a Bluetooth Content Distribution (BCD) station in a university public transit scenario.
The Formation of Linear Polymers from Diene Monomers by the Cyclic Polymerization Mechanism. IX. Further Polymerization Studies on Silane Monomers

Abstract A number of unsaturated silanes which are functionally capable of polymerizing by the cyclopolymerization mechanism have been synthesized and their polymerization studied. Allyl-substituted silanes studied include diallylmethylphenylsilane, diallylcyclotetramethylenesilane, and diallylcyclopentamethylenesilane. The latter two compounds have been characterized, and their physical properties are reported since they are new structures. Methallyl-substituted silanes studied include dimethallyldimethylsilane, dimethallyldiphenylsilane, dimethallylmethylphenylsilane, and dimethallylcyclopentamethylenesilane. The latter compound has been characterized, and its physical properties are reported since it is a new structure. Also, allylvinyldimethylsilane was prepared, characterized, and studied, since this compound is functionally capable of producing a five-membered ring in the repeating unit of the polymer. All of the diallylsilanes yielded polymers of low molecular weight by use of coordination catalyst...
Job Continuity Among New Mothers

In the early 1990s, both state and federal governments enacted maternity-leave legislation. The key provision of that legislation is that after a leave of a limited duration, the recent mother is guaranteed the right to return to her preleave employer at the same or equivalent position. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, we correlate work status after childbirth with work status before pregnancy to estimate the prevalence, before the legislation, of returns to the preleave employer. Among women working full-time before the pregnancy, return to the prepregnancy employer was quite common. Sixty percent of women who worked full-time before the birth of a child continued to work for the same employer after the child was born. Furthermore, the labor market behavior of most of the remaining 40% suggests that maternity-leave legislation is unlikely to have a major effect on job continuity. Compared with all demographically similar women, however, new mothers have an excess probability of leaving their jobs.
Telling histories of the future: the imaginaries of Indian technoscience

When, in 1947, India became independent, its archetypal citizen-subject was the farmer; 60 years later it was the software engineer. Increasingly central, rather than marginal, in global economic networks, India’s popular image at the beginning of the twenty-first century is of a postcolonial nation that has successfully used technology to leapfrog over its historical legacy of underdevelopment. This shift in ideal citizen archetypes, from farmer to digital entrepreneur, has brought with it new assumptions about the role of information technology in shaping citizenly behaviour and nationalist subjectivity. This paper reads the contradictory aesthetics of this arrival by interrogating popular technological tropes.
Micro LC/MS in Drug Analysis and Metabolism Studies

LC/MS has become a routine research tool in some laboratories. Although no single approach to LC/MS presently is without limitations, each approach offers encouraging results and prompts continued improvements. The remaining hurdles appear to be the introduction of total LC effluent into the MS, increased sensitivity, and the ability to analyze higher molecular weight, polar molecules. The micro LC/MS results discussed in this paper offer an opportunity for significantly increased sensitivity by allowing total micro LC effluent introduction into the MS. It remains to be seen whether the development of micro LC column and equipment technology will allow practical micro LC/MS. It may someday provide improved separation of drugs, metabolites, and their conjugates from high levels of endogenous materials in reasonable time periods. Currently, the impressive efficiencies demonstrated for micro LC columns involve mixtures containing low molecular weight solutes that are perhaps more amenable to GC analysis. The analyst routinely involved with problem solving must deal with complex mixtures composed of components with large concentration differences. The future of micro LC, and hence micro LC/MS, will depend upon how well the technique helps solve problems. We believe the future is bright for micro LC/MS. The techniques may require some fine tuning of operating procedures, just as with capillary GC/MS, but certainly the potential for increased efficiency and sensitivity is worth the effort. Currently we are testing a new micro LC/MS DLI probe wherein the exit of the micro column is within 1 cm of the MS ion source [82]. The micro LC column is contained within the DLI probe and should offer the lowest dead volume and the least extracolumn effects yet achieved by LC/MS. Initial testing of this new probe is under way, and experimental results will be reported subsequently. The analytical potential of micro LC/MS is receiving considerable interest. Practical micro LC performance can provide increased capabilities to all types of LC/MS reported to date, and perhaps offer new insight into alternative methods of LC/MS not yet reported. We look forward to learning of these breakthroughs as they become available.
A language for describing process scheduling problems

In this paper, we define the language RCSPec for expressing process scheduling problems and describe a scheme for parsing and then translating the language to a mathematical programming formulation. The goal of RCSPec is to provide a compact, intuitive, and context independent means of representing the wide variety of process scheduling problems that arise in the chemical/pharmaceutical industry. In practice, RCSPec allows for rapid modification of problem features, promotes detection of ill-posed scenarios, and can serve as a vehicle for expressing standard test problems on which researchers can compare results. As an example of its application, several problems from the literature are expressed and computational results are presented for parsing and translating their descriptions to a formulation based on time discretization. RCSPec is independent of the formulation into which it is translated so that alternative formulation/solution strategies may be applied to the same problem description. Supporting additional formulations involves modifying the translation process, whereas parsing is unaffected. A library of test problems expressed in RCSPec, problem file error checking code, and information about RCSPec version updates are electronically available.
Electrocatalytic Reactions of a Manganese−Pyrylium Complex

A salt of a metal−pyrylium σ-complex, pentacarbonyl-3-(2-methoxy-5,6-diphenylpyrylium)manganese(I) tetrafluoroborate (1BF4), has been prepared by the action of Mn(CO)5BF4 on methyl propiolate and d...
Functional characterization of tumor antigen-specific, CD8+ T-Cells in a murine model of spontaneous hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract Introduction. Although hepatocellular carcinoma is the leading cause of cancer mortality internationally, the immune response to this virally induced cancer has been largely unexplored. MT-D2B6 transgenic mice express the transforming T antigen of SV40 virus driven by the mouse major urinary protein promoter; this causes males to spontaneously develop T-antigen-expressing hepatocellular cancer by 20 weeks of age. To examine the fate of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, we transferred naive, CD8+ T cells specific for epitope I of the SV40 virus T antigen into MTD2 mice, which had spontaneously developed T-antigen-expressing hepatomas. Methods. T antigen epitope I-specific CD8+ T cells from T-cell-receptor-transgenic mice (TCR-I cells) were transferred into tumor-bearing MT-D2B6 mice or syngeneic C57BL/6 mice that do not express tumor antigen. Seven days after transfer, half the mice were vaccinated with epitope I-expressing vaccinia virus. T cells were isolated from spleens. Fluorescent staining was used to quantify epitope I-specific CD8+ T cells, and T cell function was assessed through epitope I specific γ-interferon production. Results. In MT-D2B6 mice, TCR-I cells do not proliferate in vivo, or produce γ-interferon after peptide stimulation in vitro. Subsequent vaccination neither stimulates these cells to expand nor induces significant γ-interferon expression. In contrast, vaccination induces epitope I specific T cells transferred into C57BL/6 mice to expand 15-fold in the spleen and lymph nodes with a corresponding increase in γ-interferon production. Conclusion. In MT-D2B6 mice with hepatomas, tumor antigen-specific T cells are tolerized. This state of tolerance is a significant burden to be overcome by successful vaccine strategies. This model represents a powerful tool for the assessment of strategies to break this tolerance of hepatocellular carcinoma antigens.
Surveying Political Activists: The Effectiveness of a Mixed Mode Survey Design

Abstract This article reports on the used of a mixed mode survey – mail and internet – to study 2004 New Mexico Democratic presidential caucus voters. Potential respondents were sent a letter asking them to answer on‐line or to request a mail survey. We tested for sample representativeness, possible differences between survey modes, and the effectiveness of reminder postcards on survey response. We find that the mixed mode survey does a relatively good job of representing the sample, but that web responders were younger, whiter, wealthier, and more educated. We find no difference by survey mode for answers to our substantive survey questions once we control for demographics. Postcards were very effective in increasing the response rate. In addition, we find that respondents had a difficult time understanding how to enter the survey web address on their web browser and suggest that information on browser use be included in the initial contact letter and follow‐up postcards.
Adaptive value, entropy and survivorship curves

NATURAL survivorship curves fall into three main types1,2. Type I, or rectangular distribution, describes the situation in which all individuals attain the maximum physiological longevity of the species. Here the maximum age at death and the mean life expectancy coincide. The Type II life table describes a mortality which is independent of age; that is, no single age group is favoured at the time of dying. The Type III table is characterised by a high mortality early in life and a life expectancy which increases with the age of survivors. The three types of curve are illustrated in Fig. 1. The general shape of the survivorship curve is fixed for each species, however, the convexity of the curve is highly sensitive to environmental conditions and the genetic constitution of the population. This fact suggests that the general shape of the life table may provide information about the genetic variability in the population, the range of environmental factors that impinge on the population or the incidence of random events in the lifetimes of different individuals3. This note characterises in terms of two new demographic parameters the relative effect genetic and environmental factors play in the evolution of the life table. The analysis we give revolves around two demographic variables, the entropy of a population and the adaptive value. Entropy H measures the variability of the mortality distribution. The measure of variability also describes the convexity of the life table. The adaptive value ψ is a measure of the correlation between the variability of the mortality distribution and the environmental variability. Thus the adaptive value reduces to the entropy when the environment is constant.
Pelvic Surgical Site Infections in Gynecologic Surgery

The development of surgical site infection (SSI) remains the most common complication of gynecologic surgical procedures and results in significant patient morbidity. Gynecologic procedures pose a unique challenge in that potential pathogenic microorganisms from the skin or vagina and endocervix may migrate to operative sites and can result in vaginal cuff cellulitis, pelvic cellulitis, and pelvic abscesses. Multiple host and surgical risk factors have been identified as risks that increase infectious sequelae after pelvic surgery. This paper will review these risk factors as many are modifiable and care should be taken to address such factors in order to decrease the chance of infection. We will also review the definitions, microbiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of pelvic SSIs after gynecologic surgery.
Engineering refinements to overcome default nuclide regulatory constraints

Abstract The “classical” positron emitting radionuclides include oxygen-15, nitrogen-13 and carbon-11 which possess unique properties for medical imaging. They are radionuclides of the fundamental elements of biological matter. They each possess short half-lives which allow their use in designed radiotracers for clinical investigations with minimal risk and they are readily able to be produced in sufficient activities by low energy nuclear reactions. At present several accelerator manufacturers offer production packages for these radionuclides emphasizing targetry with consideration of the cyclotron extracted energies for nuclide production and on-line chemistry systems for the continuous production of specific precursors or radiotracers. Following the installation and acceptance of the MSKCC TR 19/9 Cyclotron, our experience with the procured chemistry module for the preparation of oxygen-15 labeled water has forced us to examine the design and the operation of the synthetic unit with a view toward the state of New York’s regulations addressing the environmental pollution from radioactive materials. The chemistry module was refined with subtle modifications to the chemistry procedure/unit and our experience with the unit is presented as an example of our approach to insure regulatory compliance.
Modification of fibrin structure as a possible cause of thrombolytic resistance

This paper presents a concept according to which free radicals, specifically the most biologically active hydroxyl radicals, induce structural modifications in fibrin(ogen) molecules making them resistant to proteolytic degradation. Such changes are analogous to those in congeneticaly altered fibrinogen that give rise to plasmin resistant fibrin clots and consequently to thrombosis. In view of the fact that hydroxyl radicals are generated in the Fenton reaction in the presence of iron and/or copper ions, the use of chelating agents to facilitate thrombolysis is rationalized. Moreover, the resistance of thrombi older than 3 h to proteolytic degradation may be abrogated by the administration of free radical scavengers, particularly those that can be neutralized by virtue of aromatic hydroxylation, such as salicylates and polyphenolic compounds.
Elimination of direct responses and one‐bond modulations in long‐range heteronuclear chemical shift correlation spectra through the use of low‐pass J filters and BIRD pulses

Modified long-range heteronuclear chemical shift correlation pulse sequences which incorporate both BIRD pulses midway through the Δ2 magnetization transfer delay and low-pass J filters are described. The BIRD pulse provides the means of decoupling one-bond modulations of response intensity when magnetization is transferred to protonated carbons. The one- and three-step low-pass J filters utilized eliminate responses due to directly attached protons over a range of one-bond coupling constants. Results obtained by long-range optimization of the conventional heteronuclear chemical shift correlation pulse sequence, the previously reported pulse sequence containing only the BIRD pulse midway through Δ2 and the two new pulse sequences described in this work are compared using 2,3-dihydrofuran as a model compound. The low-pass J filters have no adverse effects on the ability of the BIRD pulse to decouple one-bond modulations. Modulation decoupling in the modified pulse sequences was confirmed using the 3J(C-3, H-1) coupling pathway of the simple alkaloid norharmane. The response intensities, however, were up to 10% lower with a one-step low-pass J filter when compared with the simpler pulse sequence containing only the BIRD pulse midway through Δ2.
Prioritising access to scarce resources: network survivability through policy supported quality of service

Packet-switched networks (such as those using the internet protocol) now support an increasingly heterogeneous mix of applications, generating the need for performance guarantees for each traffic flow, or what is commonly known as quality of service (QoS). We argue that a QoS architecture, supported by the appropriate set of policies, cannot only be used to provide service assurances to performance-sensitive traffic but also to enhance network survivability by prioritising access to scarce resources whenever there is sudden degradation in the underlying network infrastructure. In this paper, we illustrate this idea through representative examples. We also present the taxonomy for various policy based network management architectures and discuss our preliminary results in comparing such architectures through experiments conducted on our network test-bed. The identification of the appropriate policy architectures is an important first step in the implementation of a network system with the desired survivability characteristics.
Size-dependent photocatalytic reduction of CO2 with PbS quantum dot sensitized TiO2 heterostructured photocatalysts

The photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to value-added chemicals, such as CH4, is a promising carbon management approach which can generate revenue from chemical sales to offset the cost of implementing CO2 capture technologies. To make photocatalytic conversion approaches efficient, economically practical, and industrially scalable, catalysts capable of utilizing visible and near infrared (IR) photons need to be developed. Here we investigate the sensitization of TiO2 catalysts using PbS quantum dots (QDs) which lead to the size dependent photocatalytic reduction of CO2 at frequencies ranging from the violet to the orange-red edge of the electromagnetic spectrum (λ ∼ 420 to 610 nm). Under broad band illumination (UV- NIR), the PbS QDs enhance CO2 photoreduction rates with TiO2 by a factor of ∼5 in comparison to unsensitized photocatalysts. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is used to investigate the deactivation mechanism of the QD sensitizers after prolonged photoexcitation. The synthesis, characterization, and catalytic testing of these PbS sensitized TiO2 heterostructures will aid the development of more robust, visible light active photocatalysts for carbon management applications.
The spatial vectorballistocardiogram.

Abstract By means of a direct-body pickup utilizing a coil and magnet, the headward-footward, lateral, and anteroposterior movements of the body were simultaneously recorded with Lead I of the electrocardiogram on a four-channel direct-writing osciliograph. The vectorballistocardiogram was successively recorded in the frontal, sagittal, and horizontal planes of the body by means of a cathode-ray oscilloscope. The spatial vectors corresponding to the H, I, and J waves of the ballistocardiogram were found to be related to the anatomic position of the heart; on the other hand, there was no correlation of the K and L vectors with cardiac position. The possible significance of vectorballistocardiography in relation to the usual method of longitudina scalar recording of the ballistocardiogram was discussed.
Empowerment boom or bust? Assessing women's post-conflict empowerment initiatives

Over the past decade, the term ‘empowerment’ has been generously employed and woefully ill-defined. In particular, women's empowerment has been embraced by such a vast number of development actors that it appears to be a unifying mission within development. Despite the boom in women's empowerment initiatives, there remains little critical analysis of the use of empowerment in general, and the perceived success or failures of specific empowerment initiatives. Using the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process in Sierra Leone as a case study, this paper examines how reintegration was described as a source of empowerment for women. Drawing from interviews and analysis of related policy discourses, it is argued that, rather than representing a radical shift in development approaches towards more inclusive and representative policies, empowerment projects are shaped by neoliberal ideas such as individualism, responsibility and economic order and carry implicit, gendered and disciplining messages a...
Insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) can mediate the action of insulin to stimulate translocation of GLUT4 to the cell surface in rat adipose cells.

Abstract Insulin receptor substrates-1 and -2 (IRS-1 and -2) are important substrates of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. Previous studies have focused upon the role of IRS-1 in mediating the actions of insulin. In the present study, we demonstrate that IRS-2 can mediate translocation of the insulin responsive glucose transporter GLUT4 in a physiologically relevant target cell for insulin action. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments performed on cell lysates derived from freshly isolated rat adipose cells incubated in the presence or absence of insulin indicated that twice as much phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase was associated with endogenous IRS-1 as with IRS-2 after insulin stimulation. When rat adipose cells in primary culture were transfected with expression vectors for IRS-1 or IRS-2, we observed 40-fold overexpression of human IRS-1 or murine IRS-2. In addition, anti-phosphotyrosine immunoblotting experiments confirmed that the recombinant substrates were phosphorylated in response to insulin stimulation. To examine the role of IRS-2 in insulin-stimulated translocation of GLUT4, we studied the effects of overexpression of IRS-1 and -2 on translocation of a co-transfected epitope-tagged GLUT4 (GLUT4-HA). Overexpression of IRS-1 or IRS-2 in adipose cells resulted in a significant increase in the basal level of cell surface GLUT4 (in the absence of insulin). Interestingly, at maximally effective concentrations of insulin (60 nm), the level of cell surface GLUT4 in cells overexpressing IRS-1 or -2 significantly exceeded the maximal recruitment observed in the control cells (160 and 135% of control, respectively; p < 0.003). Our data directly demonstrate that IRS-2, like IRS-1, is capable of participating in insulin signal transduction pathways leading to the recruitment of GLUT4. Thus, IRS-2 may provide an alternative pathway for critical metabolic actions of insulin.
Metabolism of arachidonic acid by isolated rabbit ciliary epithelium

Abstract We examined the ability of rabbit ciliary epithelium to metabolize arachidonic acid in vitro. The epithelium was homogenized and incubated with 14 C-labeled arachidonic acid. 14 C-labeled metabolites were extracted and then separated by thin layer chromatography. The range of arachidonic acid metabolites synthesized by ciliary epithelium was compared to the metabolites generated by rabbit irisciliary body. Ciliary epithelium produced substantial amounts of arachidonic acid metabolites that comigrated with 5-HETE and 12-HETE. Authenticity of the 12-HETE produced by ciliary epithelium was confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The ciliary epithelium generated only small amounts of the cyclooxygenase products, PGF 2α , PGE 2 , PGD 2 and 6k-PGF 1α . In contrast, the iris-ciliary body produced large amounts of cyclooxygenase products such as PGF 2α and PGD 2 . The ability of the ciliary epithelium to generate 12-HETE is noteworthy since 12(R)-HETE is known to be capable of lowering intraocular pressure.
Influence of Virginiamycin on Phosphorus Utilization by Broiler Chicks

Abstract An experiment was conducted with day-old Cobb feather-sexed chicks to determine the influence of virginiamycin on phosphorus. When the average of the three levels of phosphorus were combined, utilization, body weights, and bone ash at 21-days of age were improved by the addition of virginiamycin to the diet. Also the amount of phosphorus required to produce a gram of body weight was decreased by the addition of virginiamycin to the diet.
Ultrastructure of metaphloem sieve elements inZea mays

Metaphloem sieve elements from various parts of the plant body ofZea mays L. were examined with the electron microscope. No qualitative differences were found among sieve elements from sources, sinks, and intermediate regions of the plant. At maturity all sieve elements are lined with a parietal layer of cytoplasm, consisting of a plasmalemma, an anastomosing network of endoplasmic reticulum (ER), occasional stacks of ER, mitochondria, and plastids with protein crystalloids. Many mature sieve elements contained persistent, although apparently degenerated nuclei. In addition, in many mature sieve elements the vacuoles apparently continued to be delimited from the parietal cytoplasm by the tonoplast. In most relatively uninjured sieve elements the plasmalemma-lined sieve-plate pores contained little callose and cytoplasmic components and, hence, were largely unoccluded. P-protein was not encountered in any sieve elements at any stage of development.
Effect of various levels of dietary malathion on performance of chicks.

Abstract INTRODUCTION ORGANOPHOSPHATE insecticides have been recommended for use with poultry (Sherman and Ross, 1961) and poultry buildings (Dicke et al., 1955). Data on toxicity and tolerances of chicks to many of the organophosphates are available, but information on the effect of malathion to chicks is limited or not readily available. Little or no information is available on growth and recovery of chicks from high levels of malathion and the ability of chicks to discriminate between diets containing malathion and those free of this insecticide. This report contains data related to these issues. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE All malathion levels were added to the basal diet shown in Table 1. The basal ration contained no malathion but did contain standard vitamin additions and antibiotics. Levels of malathion varied in experiments from 0 to 5000 p.p.m. (0.5%). Levels are listed in the tables and figures. Analytical reagent grade malathion was used (99.6%) and was…
Quantitative assessment of improved homogeneity using higher-order shims for spectroscopic imaging of the brain.

Magnetic field homogeneity is of major concern for in vivo spectroscopy, and with the increased use of volumetric chemical shift imaging (CSI) techniques, the ability to shim over a large volume of tissue is now one of the primary limiting constraints in performing these studies. In vivo shimming is routinely performed using linear shim correction terms, and although many scanners are also equipped with additional resistive shim supplies that can provide second and third-order shim fields, they are often not used due to the additional effort and scan time required. The question as to how much improvement can be achieved using additional higher-order shims compared with the linear shims alone was quantitatively addressed. Performance measures for both intervoxel B 0 uniformity and intravoxel T 2 * line broadening were evaluated for 15 normal volunteers. The analysis tools developed in this study, along with the summarized data, can be useful in deciding if a given application warrants the additional time, effort, and expense (if additional hardware needs to be purchased) of implementing higher-order shimming routines. For CSI studies of the brain, the use of the higher-order shims, compared with linear terms alone, yielded approximately 30% greater volume of brain tissue that could be shimmed within typical constraints for intervoxel B 0 shifts and intravoxel T 2 * linebroadening. In addition, a regional analysis shows significant improvement in the homogeneity within specific areas of the brain, particularly those near the skull.
Friendship interactions in children with and without depressive symptoms: observation of emotion during game-playing interactions and post-game evaluations.

This observational study supplements the strong and consistent link found between childhood depression and deficits in interpersonal functioning by examining the relationship between a high versus low score on the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and children’s emotions when interacting with their best friends. High-CDI and low-CDI target children (n=86) were paired for videotaped game-playing with self-reported best friends. Researchers found that although high-CDI target children were not distinguishable from low-CDI peers in their displays of positive and negative emotion. However, the partners of high-CDI target children displayed significantly more negative emotion during the competitive task and significantly less positive emotion during the cooperative task than did partners of low-CDI target children. In addition, high-CDI target children and their partners reported less enjoyment of their interactions than low-CDI target children and their partners. This combination of findings suggests that depressive symptoms were associated with a relative lack of success achieving an optimal friendship interaction even under highly favorable conditions.
Spatially multiplexed X-Y lateral shear interferometer with varying shears using holographic lens and spatial Fourier transform

Current methods in shear interferometry provide shear only along one direction at a time. We propose a method in which interferograms with shear along the x, y, and xy directions can be obtained simultaneously from a single exposure recording via the concept of spatial multiplexing. The method utilizes holographic lenses, which have been recorded on a single plate with their optical centers translated along the x and y directions. The phase information is extracted through the Fourier transform method. In addition, this technique also provides a method to obtain interferograms with shear in multiples of the original shear along the x and y axis in one single frame capture due to the nonlinearity inherent in the phase holographic lens.
A Few Observations on Publishing Trends in French Politics

In putting together a database/long list of articles as candidates for the 2007 Stanley Hoffmann Award for the best English-language article on French politics, some trends and features were noticed. The article briefly reviews these publishing trends along three dimensions: the journals where articles on French politics were published; the countries where the institutions of research and higher education in which the authors' work are located; and the number of authors or co-authors working on French politics scholarship.