cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicted infrared and Raman spectra for neutral Ti{sub 8}C{sub 12} isomers

Using a density-functional based algorithm, the full infrared and Raman spectra are calculated for the neutral Ti{sub 8}C{sub 12} cluster assuming geometries of T{sub h}, T{sub d}, D{sub 2d}, and C{sub 3v} symmetry. The T{sub h} pentagonal dodecahedron is found to be dynamically unstable. The calculated properties of the relaxed structure having C{sub 3v} symmetry are found to be in excellent agreement with experimental gas-phase infrared results, ionization potential and electron affinity measurements. Consequently, the results presented may be used as a reference for further experimental characterization using vibrational spectroscopy.
Evaluation of Multicomponent Measuring Instrument Reliability in Complex Design Studies

A latent variable modeling approach to evaluation of scale reliability in complex design studies is outlined. The procedure is readily applicable in empirical research for the purpose of point and ...
An analytical approach of the microbond test method used in characterizing the fibre-matrix interface

An interface material considered as a third material in the fibre-matrix model using an elastic-plastic finite-element analysis is now being employed to evaluate the influence of interfacial stiffness
Modelling of degradation of nickel-pigmented aluminium oxide photothermal collector coatings

Thermal degradation phenomena occurring in nickel-pigmented aluminium oxide coatings were investigated by combining detailed microstructural analysis with modelling of the optical properties. Scanning electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy sputter profiling showed that the initial film consisted of a nickel-pigmented aluminium oxide layer close to the substrate. This layer supported a porous aluminium oxide layer that had a rough outer surface. While the solar absorptance degraded substantially (from 0.94 to 0.71) after heat treatment at 350°C for tens of hours, the aluminium oxide film morphology and thickness remained virtually unchanged and there was apparently no redistribution of nickel within the coating. Instead, the optical quality of the film degraded through oxidation of the nickel particles. These observations were supported by an optical model of the coating which produced the spectral reflectance properties measured both before and after the thermal ageing.
Magnetic amplifier circuits ¿ A classification of half-wave and full-wave nonreversible and reversible self-saturating circuits

This article attempts to give an orderly, critical classification of a wide variety of self-saturating single-phase series-control magnetic-amplifier output circuits. It the article is successful, it will be clear that a confusing multitude of circuits appearing in the literature may be fitted into a very simple scheme. The relative merit of various alternative circuits for accomplishing different types of output will also become apparent.
Nature and distribution of European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larval feeding damage to cotton in North Carolina.

European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), larval feeding behavior and damage on cotton were investigated from 1981 through 1983 in North Carolina. After eclosion, ECB larvae fed on the leaf undersurface for ca. 1 day before boring into plant structures such as leaf axils, stems, and bolls. Recent ECB feeding injury was characterized by the presence of a sawdustlike frass. During feeding, ECB larvae moved within a plant and between adjacent cotton plants. At the end of the growing season (late August through early October), the major portion of ECB feeding injury was on the large bolls, located in the middle third of the cotton plant.
Sound the stressor: how Hoatzins (Opisthocomus hoazin) react to ecotourist conversation

Exposure to ecotourists often disrupts animal behavior, which is known to contribute to heightened mortality rates. In the Amazon, the emblematic, communal nesting Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) is frequently pursued by tourists eager for close views. Such encounters may cause heightened stress levels, and egg or nestling predation due to decreased parental attendance to nests and nestlings. The effect of reducing conversational tourist noise near wildlife is poorly understood, but represents one potential mechanism of mitigating the impacts of ecotourists on wildlife. In this study, we approached Hoatzins by canoe, playing recorded tourist conversations at different volumes. Both the distances from which we observed Hoatzins becoming agitated (e.g., clucking, defecation, etc.) and flush (e.g., flight or climbing away) were positively correlated with volume. Within 10 weeks Hoatzins began to habituate to silent approaches. Tourist conversations, however, continued to elicit the same heightened disturbance responses throughout data collection. Therefore, to have the best chance of seeing Hoatzins at a short distance and minimizing potentially negative disturbances, ecotourists should cease all conversation. Although not tested, silence is probably the best strategy when looking for many wildlife species.
The acute effects of flecainide in the swine heart failing from incessant supraventricular tachycardia

The acute hemodynamic and electrophysiologic effects of flecainide in tachycardia-induced ventricular dysfunction were investigated using an animal model. Seven swine were initially (CON) evaluated by echocardiography and then by right heart catheterization and provocative electrical ventricular stimulation both before and after treatment with intravenous flecainide. Rapid atrial pacing at 210 to 240 beats/min (SVT) was then employed for 2 to 4 weeks until echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular dysfunction developed. Immediately upon termination of pacing, the above studies were repeated both before and after treatment with flecainide. Significant (p less than 0.0001) pacing-related hemodynamic effects on the cardiac output (CON:3.0 L/min versus SVT:1.6 L/min), right ventricular ejection fraction (CON:55% versus SVT:17%), and pulmonary wedge pressure (CON:8 mm Hg versus SVT:22 mm Hg) were observed. Pacing-related electrophysiologic effects included increases in the PR interval (CON:94 msec versus SVT:119 msec, p less than 0.001) and QTc interval (CON:418 msec versus SVT:450 msec, p = 0.016). With serum flecainide concentrations in the human therapeutic range, no significant effect on hemodynamic or electrophysiologic parameters in either the normal or failing heart were detected. Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia induced prior to pacing in one animal and after pacing in another animal was seen before but not following use of flecainide. No acute proarrhythmic effects were observed. In summary, intravenous flecainide had no significant acute adverse hemodynamic, electrophysiologic, or proarrhythmic effects in an animal model of tachycardia-induced ventricular dysfunction.
Lightning on Neptune

Abstract Electrostatic discharges in planetary atmospheres appear to be common throughout the Solar System, occurring on Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and possibly Venus and Neptune. Lightning is generally caused by the separation of electric charge on precipitating particles and therefore requires the presence of condensed cloud layers. Neptune has several cloud layers, including a high-altitude methane cloud, a H 2 S–NH 3 layer, and deeper layers of water and ammonium hydrosulfide (NH 4 SH). Neptune appears to be a good candidate for lightning and other dynamic atmospheric phenomena because of its large internal heat source. Despite the presence of radio-frequency whistlers often associated with lightning, lightning has never been optically detected on Neptune. This may indicate that lightning is occurring too deep in the atmosphere to be seen at visible wavelengths. We investigate the possibility of lightning on Neptune using a particle-growth and charge-separation model that has previously been successfully applied to the Earth and Jupiter. We find that lightning is inhibited in the deep water or NH 4 SH cloud because of the high atmospheric pressures there; lightning seems possible in the H 2 S–NH 3 cloud provided that transfer of charge can occur at a rate not less than 1% of that seen in water ice collisions.
Determinants in nuclease specificity of ape1 and ape2, human homologues of Escherichia coli exonuclease III

Abstract Abasic sites and non-conventional 3′-ends, e.g. 3′-oxidized fragments (including 3′-phosphate groups) and 3′-mismatched nucleotides, arise at significant frequency in the genome due to spontaneous decay, oxidation or replication errors. To avert the potentially mutagenic or cytotoxic effects of these chromosome modifications/intermediates, organisms are equipped with apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonucleases and 3′-nucleases that initiate repair. Ape1, which shares homology with Escherichia coli exonuclease III (ExoIII), is the major abasic endonuclease in mammals and an important, yet selective, contributor to 3′-end processing. Mammals also possess a second protein (Ape2) with sequence homology to ExoIII, but this protein exhibits comparatively weak AP site-specific and 3′-nuclease activities. Prompted by homology modeling studies, we found that substitutions in the hydrophobic pocket of Ape1 (comprised of F266, W280 and L282) reduce abasic incision potency about fourfold to 450,000-fold, while introduction of an ExoIII-like pocket into Ape2 enhances its AP endonuclease function. We demonstrate that mutations at F266 and W280 of Ape1 increase 3′ to 5′ DNA exonuclease activity. These results, coupled with prior comparative sequence analysis, indicate that this active-site hydrophobic pocket influences the substrate specificity of a diverse set of sequence-related proteins possessing the conserved four-layered α/β-fold. Lastly, we report that wild-type Ape1 excises 3′-mismatched nucleotides at a rate up to 374-fold higher than correctly base-paired nucleotides, depending greatly on the structure and sequence of the DNA substrate, suggesting a novel, selective role for the human protein in 3′-mismatch repair.
Mechanism for the Delay of Polarization Minima in the Optical Pulsar NP 0532

EVER since its discovery1 the optical pulsar NP 0532 in the Crab Nebula has been much of a mystery. The sharply peaked, asymmetrical pulses, the high degree of linear polarization2 at an angle which rotates through the pulses3 and the polarization minima shortly after the pulse peaks4 are very puzzling phenomena.
Plasmodium yoelii:Peptide Immunization Induces Protective CD4+T Cells against a Previously Unrecognized Cryptic Epitope of the Circumsporozoite Protein

Abstract In this study we characterized the CD4 + T cell response directed against two distinct epitopes located in the circumsporozoite (CS) protein of Plasmodium yoelii. The immunization of mice with P. yoelii sporozoites induced CD4 + T cells which were mostly directed against one of these peptides, Py-1, previously reported to contain a CD4 + epitope. The CD4 + T cells directed against this immunodominant epitope were mostly of the Th-1 type. Another newly identified peptide, AS44, induced a specific CD4 + T cell response, which was mainly detectable after immunization with the corresponding peptide. Several CD4 + T cell clones, recognizing this epitope, were generated and their lymphokine expression was characterized, as well as their surface markers and their anti-parasite activity in vivo. It was noteworthy that some of these CD4 + T cell clones, which recognize this cryptic epitope and were of different Th subtypes, were shown to have a strong inhibitory effect on the development of liver stages of malaria parasites.
Ligand-induced Conformational Shift in the N-terminal Domain of GRP94, an Hsp90 Chaperone *

GRP94 is the endoplasmic reticulum paralog of cytoplasmic Hsp90. Models of Hsp90 action posit an ATP-dependent conformational switch in the N-terminal ligand regulatory domain of the chaperone. However, crystal structures of the isolated N-domain of Hsp90 in complex with a variety of ligands have yet to demonstrate such a conformational change. We have determined the structure of the N-domain of GRP94 in complex with ATP, ADP, and AMP. Compared with the N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine and radicicol-bound forms, these structures reveal a large conformational rearrangement in the protein. The nucleotide-bound form exposes new surfaces that interact to form a biochemically plausible dimer that is reminiscent of those seen in structures of MutL and DNA gyrase. Weak ATP binding and a conformational change in response to ligand identity are distinctive mechanistic features of GRP94 and suggest a model for how GRP94 functions in the absence of co-chaperones and ATP hydrolysis.
Single and double ionization of helium by high-energy photon impact

Production of singly and doubly charged helium ions by impact of keV photons is studied. The ratio Rph = σph++σph+ for photoabsorption is calculated in the photon-energy range 2–18 keV using correlated initial- and final-state wave functions. Extrapolation towards asymptotic photon energies yields Rph(ω → ∞) = 1.66% in agreement with previous predictions. Ionization due to Compton scattering, which becomes comparable to photoabsorption above ω ∼ 3 keV, is discussed.
Proteomic analysis of nipple aspirate fluid to detect biologic markers of breast cancer

The early detection of breast cancer is the best means to minimise disease-related mortality. Current screening techniques have limited sensitivity and specificity. Breast nipple aspirate fluid can be obtained noninvasively and contains proteins secreted from ductal and lobular epithelia. Nipple aspirate fluid proteins are breast specific and generally more concentrated than corresponding blood levels. Proteomic analysis of 1 microl of diluted nipple aspirate fluid over a 5-40 kDa range from 20 subjects with breast cancer and 13 with nondiseased breasts identified five differentially expressed proteins. The most sensitive and specific proteins were 6500 and 15 940 Da, found in 75-84% of samples from women with cancer but in only 0-9% of samples from normal women. These findings suggest that (1) differential expression of nipple aspirate fluid proteins exists between women with normal and diseased breasts, and (2) analysis of these proteins may predict the presence of breast cancer.
Allowed and forbidden transitions in hyperfine multiplets

Abstract The hyperfine pattern arising from a nuclear spin I = 1 and that arising from the nuclear spins I 1 = I 2 = 1 2 interacting with an unpaired electron were calculated taking into account the nuclear Zeeman terms. Formulas were obtained for the positions and intensities of the allowed and forbidden hyperfine component lines. Extensions to higher-order nuclear spin complexes were discussed. The spin flip mechanism of Trammel, Zeldes, and Livingston was obtained as a special case of the general formalism.
Effect of sulfur on bending fatigue of carburized steel

Specimens from a series of carburizing steels with constant compositions except for variations in sulfur content, 0.006, 0.015, and 0.029 wt%, were machined from bar stock into cantilever type fatigue specimens. The specimens were carburized at 927° C (1700° F), oil quenched, tempered at 150° C (300° F), and tested in bending fatigue. Endurance limits of 1260 MPa (183 ksi), 1200 MPa (174 ksi), and 1070 MPa (155 ksi) were determined for the 0.006 wt% S, 0.015 wt% S, and 0.029 wt% S specimens, respectively. The major effect of sulfur was to increase the scatter in fatigue performance. All fracture was initiated by intergranular cracking, and elongated sulfides close to or intersecting the fatigue specimen surfaces apparently lowered the applied stresses required to initiate incipient intergranular cracks.
Species specificity of alternaria in asthma and hay fever

Abstract 1.1. Direct testing of children and adults with several species of Alternaria varying in cultural characteristics and biologic sources indicates a common atopic excitant in the genus Alternaria. 2.2. This result is only partly confirmed by in vivo and in vitro neutralization experiments. 3.3. Reciprocal neutralization was common but not invariable. 4.4. This contradiction may be explained partly by the lack of a method for accurate standardization of the atopic content of mold extracts. 5.5. These experiments suggest, but do not prove, that the genus Alternaria is relatively homogeneous in relation to human atopic immunology.
Photochemical and photophysical properties of ruthenium(II) bis-bipyridine bis-nitrile complexes: Photolability

Abstract The electrochemical and photophysical properties of two bis-nitrilo ruthenium(II) complexes formulated as [Ru(bpy)2(L)2](PF6)2, where bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine and L is AN = CH3CN and sn = NC–CH2CH2–CN, have been investigated. Electrochemical data are typical of Ru-bpy complexes with two reversible reduction peaks located near −1.3 and −1.6 V assigned to each bipyridine ligand and one RuII/RuIII oxidation wave centered at approximately +1.5 V. The sn derivative is both IR and Raman active with its coordinated CN stretch appearing at 2277 cm−1 and 2273 cm−1, respectively. The UV/Vis absorption spectrum of the sn derivative is dominated by an intense (emax ∼ 58700 M−1 cm−1) absorption band at 287 nm assigned as a LC (π → π∗) transition. The peak observed at 418 nm (e ∼ 10 400 M−1 cm−1) is an MLCT band while the one at 244 nm (e ∼ 23 600 M−1 cm−1) is of LMLCT character. The AN derivative behaves similarly. Both complexes show low-temperature emission at around 537 nm with a lifetime near 10.0 μs. 1H and 13C assignments are consistent with the formulation of the complexes. The complexes undergo photosubstitution of solvent with quantum efficiencies near one. Calculated and experimental results support replacement of the nitrile ligands by solvent. Based on DFT calculations, the electron density of the HOMO lies on the metal center, the bipyridine ligands and the nitrile ligands and electron density of the LUMO resides primarily on the bipyridine ligands. The electronic spectra obtained from TDDFT calculations closely match the experimental ones.
Anisotropy of the electron velocity distribution in a reflex discharge measured by continuous-wave laser scattering

Electron velocity distribution anisotropy in reflex discharge measured by continuous wave Ar laser scattering
Incident flow effects on the performance of piezoelectric energy harvesters from galloping vibrations

In this paper, we investigate experimentally the concept of energy harvesting from galloping oscillations with a focus on wake and turbulence effects. The harvester is composed of a unimorph piezoelectric cantilever beam with a square cross-section tip mass. In one case, the harvester is placed in the wake of another galloping harvester with the objective of determining the wake effects on the response of the harvester. In the second case, meshes were placed upstream of the harvester with the objective of investigating the effects of upstream turbulence on the response of the harvester. The results show that both wake effects and upstream turbulence significantly affect the response of the harvester. Depending on the spacing between the two squares and the opening size of the mesh, wake and upstream turbulence can positively enhance the level of the harvested power.
Internetworking across public ATM networks

The emergence of public ATM networks, such as B-ISDN and SMDS, is considered to have a high impact on future internetworking environments. This paper presents a new bridging architecture designed for that purpose and discusses its feasibility in TCP/IP networks. The new architecture, called Open Bridging, uses special capabilities of public ATM networks, such as the hierarchical addressing mechanism and the routing support inside the network, to provide for efficient interconnection of remote LANs across public ATM networks. The operation of Open Bridges does not interfere with current TCP/IP protocols. However, the efficiency of Open Bridging can be obtained in the interconnection of TCP/IP networks if a slight extension to the address resolution protocol (ARP) is implemented to push the routing of data packets down to the MAC level. Moreover, the architecture of Open Brouters is also proposed to enable full interoperability among domains using either Open Bridging or IP routing. >
Sheetflow fluvial processes in a rapidly subsiding basin, Altiplano plateau, Bolivia

Although facies models of braided, meandering and anastomosing rivers have provided the cornerstones of fluvial sedimentology for several decades, the depositional processes and external controls on sheetflow fluvial systems remain poorly understood. Sheetflow fluvial systems represent a volumetrically significant part of the non-marine sedimentary record and documented here are the lithofacies, depositional processes and possible roles of rapid subsidence and arid climate in generating a sheetflow-dominated fluvial system in the Cenozoic hinterland of the central Andes. A 6500 m thick succession comprising the Late Eocene‐Oligocene Potoco Formation is exposed continuously for >100 km along the eastern limb of the Corque syncline in the high Altiplano plateau of Bolivia. Fluvial sandstone and mudstone units were deposited over an extensive region (>10 000 km 2 ) with remarkably few incised channels or stacked-channel complexes. The Potoco succession provides an exceptional example of rapid production of accommodation sustained over a prolonged period of time in a non-marine setting (>0AE45 mm year )1 for 14 Myr). The lower 4000 m of the succession coarsens upward and consists of fine-grained to medium-grained sandstone, mudstone and gypsum deposits with palaeocurrent indicators demonstrating eastward transport. The upper 2500 m also coarsens upward, but contains mostly fine-grained to medium-grained sandstone that exhibits westward palaeoflow. Three facies associations were identified from the Potoco Formation and are interpreted to represent different depositional environments in a sheetflow-dominated system. (i) Playa lake deposits confined to the lower 750 m are composed of interbedded gypsum, gypsiferous mudstone and sandstone. (ii) Floodplain deposits occur throughout the succession and include laterally extensive (>200 m) laminated to massive mudstone and horizontally stratified and ripple crossstratified sandstone. Pedogenic alteration and root casts are common. (iii) Poorly confined channel and unconfined sheet sandstone deposits include laterally continuous beds (50 to >200 m) that are defined primarily by horizontally stratified and ripple cross-stratified sandstone encased in mudstone-rich floodplain deposits. The ubiquitous thin-sheet geometry and spatial distribution of individual facies within channel sandstone and floodplain deposits suggest that confined to unconfined, episodic (flash) flood events were the primary mode of deposition. The laterally extensive deposition and possible distributary nature of this sheetflow-dominated system are attributed to fluvial fan conditions in an arid to semi-arid,
Deficits and Excesses of Frames

The excess of a sequence in a Hilbert space is the greatest number of elements that can be removed yet leave a set with the same closed span. We study the excess and the dual concept of the deficit of Bessel sequences and frames. In particular, we characterize those frames for which there exist infinitely many elements that can be removed from the frame yet still leave a frame, and we show that all overcomplete Weyl–Heisenberg and wavelet frames have this property.
Autonomy and Political Strategy: Building the Other Superpower

Recently, from 21–25 October 2004, I participated in the Norway Social Forum (NSF). It was the most successful regional social forum that I have attended. The forum expressed what I call an autonomist electoral politics. Such a politics combines short-term electoral tactics with long-term social movement autonomy. Autonomist electoral politics outlines the direction that forthcoming local, regional and national forums should take. I use the example of the NSF to respond to Peter Marcuse’s article on social forums and social movements. Le Forum social norvegien (FSN) s’est tenu du 21 au 25 octobre 2004, et ce fut le forum social regional le plus reussi auquel j’ai participe. Il a exprime ce que j’appelle une politique electorale autonomiste. Une telle politique allie des tactiques electorales a court terme et une autonomie des mouvements sociaux a long terme. Elle definit l’orientation que devrait prendre les forums locaux, regionaux et nationaux a venir. J’utilise ici l’exemple du Forum social norvegien pour repondre a l’article de Peter Marcuse sur les forums et mouvements sociaux.
Ambient and Solar Heating of Propane Containers

The heating of propane and other liquid-filled tanks by the ambient air and surroundings and by the sun is often a factor in accident investigation and safety analysis. Simple, lumped-parameter heat transfer models describe the experimental tests of this behavior reasonably well. In complex situations, these models give intuitive guidance but not detailed predictions.
Chemical Reaction at the Ni/Inp (110) and Ni/GaAs (110) Interfaces *

The chemical reaction at the Ni/InP (110) and Ni/GaAs (110) interfaces produced by sequential deposition of thin Ni overlayers onto cleaved semiconductor surfaces has been investigated with valence band (VB) and core level photoemission and Auger spectroscopies using synchrotron radiation as the excitation source. By monitoring changes in the VB, P 2p, In 4d, Ga 3d, As 3d, and Ni 3p photoemission spectra and the lineshape of the P LVV Auger transition during the initial stage of Schottky barrier formation, we found that for both interfaces the first few A of Ni react strongly with the surface resulting in the formation of a nickel phosphide or nickel arsenide. At the same time, segregation of metallic In or Ga is observed.
Energy budgets of Atlantic hurricanes and changes from 1970

[1] On the basis of the current observational record of tropical cyclones and sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Atlantic, estimates are made of changes in surface sensible and latent heat fluxes and hurricane precipitation from 1970 to 2006. The best track data set of observed tropical cyclones is used to estimate the frequency that storms of a given strength occur after 1970. Empirical expressions for the surface fluxes and precipitation are based on simulations of hurricane Katrina in August 2005 with the advanced Weather and Research Forecasting (WRF) model at 4 km resolution without parameterized convection. The empirical relationships are computed for the surface fluxes and precipitation within 400 km of the eye of the storm for all categories of hurricanes based upon the maximum simulated wind and the observed sea surface temperature and saturation specific humidity. Strong trends are not linear but are better depicted as a step function increase from 1994 to 1995, and large variability reflects changes in SSTs and precipitable water, modulated by El Nino events. The environmental variables of SST and water vapor are nonetheless accompanied by clear changes in tropical cyclone activity using several metrics.
Local area augmentation of GPS for the precision approach of aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the feasibility of using the Global Positioning System (GPS), together with local augmentation as the primary navigation system for the Category II and III precision approach of aircraft. This augmented system would be known as a local area augmentation system (LAAS) because it would place subsystems on the ground at or near an airport to greatly enhance the performance of airborne GPS receivers approaching that airport. The LAAS would complement space-based augmentations of GPS, such as the wide area augmentation system. When complete, the integrated system will meet stringent requirements on accuracy, integrity, continuity, and availability. Indeed, the LAAS will improve the airborne accuracy from approximately 100 m for stand-alone GPS to better than 1 m. This high accuracy is required so that LAAS can guarantee the integrity and continuity of the aircraft guidance during the approach phase of flight. Integrity requires the LAAS to detect any situations which threaten the safety of the landing, and notify the aircraft within 2 s of such a threat. Continuity is a competing consideration-it requires that the total number of alarms, true plus false, sent to the aircraft is very small. High continuity guarantees that the total number of aborted approaches is manageably small. Finally, availability is the fraction of the time during which LAAS is operational-providing position fixes with the specified accuracy, integrity and continuity. This paper describes the LAAS which has been proposed by the FAA. It discusses the fundamental operation of the LAAS.
Increased risk of depressive and anxiety disorders in relatives of patients with Parkinson disease.

Context Relatives of patients with Parkinson disease (PD) have an increased risk of PD and other neurologic disorders; however, their risk of psychiatric disorders remains uncertain. Objective To study the risk of depressive disorders and anxiety disorders among first-degree relatives of patients with PD compared with first-degree relatives of controls. Design, Setting, and Participants In a population-based, historical cohort study, we included 1000 first-degree relatives of 162 patients with PD and 850 first-degree relatives of 147 controls. Both patients with PD and controls were representative of the population of Olmsted County, Minnesota. Main Outcome Measures Documentation of psychiatric disorders was obtained for each relative separately through a combination of telephone interviews with the relatives (or their proxies) and review of their medical records from a records-linkage system (family study method). Psychiatric disorders were defined using clinical criteria from the DSM-IV or routine diagnoses. Results We found an increased risk of several psychiatric disorders in first-degree relatives of patients with PD compared with first-degree relatives of controls (hazard ratio [HR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-1.95; P P = .006) and anxiety disorders (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.05-2.28; P = .03). The results were consistent in analyses that adjusted for type of interview, excluded relatives who developed parkinsonism, or excluded relatives who developed both a depressive disorder and an anxiety disorder. Conclusion These findings suggest that depressive disorders and anxiety disorders may share familial susceptibility factors with PD.
Probabilistic visual learning for object detection

We present an unsupervised technique for visual learning which is based on density estimation in high-dimensional spaces using an eigenspace decomposition. Two types of density estimates are derived for modeling the training data: a multivariate Gaussian (for a unimodal distributions) and a multivariate Mixture-of-Gaussians model (for multimodal distributions). These probability densities are then used to formulate a maximum-likelihood estimation framework for visual search and target detection for automatic object recognition. This learning technique is tested in experiments with modeling and subsequent detection of human faces and non-rigid objects such as hands. >
EMPLOYMENT‐RELATED LEGAL OBLIGATIONS: A RISK MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE OF FEDERAL ANTI‐DISCRIMINATION LAWS

: The authors examine the statutes, protected classes and damages under federal antidiscrimination laws. Because of the limitations of insurance as a loss financing tool, the authors contend that loss control is a more prudent course of action for employers than loss financing.
Amyloid-beta increases acetylcholinesterase expression in neuroblastoma cells by reducing enzyme degradation

Amyloid-beta (Abeta) is the principal protein constituent of 'senile plaques' and is a suspected mediator in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Senile plaques also contain acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7), which may have a role in promoting Alphabeta-toxicity. We have found that Alphabeta can affect AChE expression in a neuron-like line, the N1E.115 neuroblastoma cell. When 1 micro mAlphabeta 1-42 or 25-35 was added for 24 h to differentiating N1E.115 in culture, AChE activity increased 30-40% in adherent cells, and 100% or more in nonadherent cells. The changes in both tetrameric (G4) and monomeric (G1) AChE forms were comparable. Turnover studies indicated that the elevation of AChE activity reflected slowed AChE degradation rather than accelerated synthesis. With a similar time course, Alphabeta also increased the quantity of muscarinic receptors on the plasma membrane. Immunocytochemistry for a lysosomal membrane protein (LAMP-1) indicated no change in abundance or localization of lysosomes in treated cells. But decreased labeling by pH-sensitive fluorescent dye pointed to an impairment of lysosomal acidification. We consider that the alteration of AChE expression after Alphabeta-exposure could reflect lysosomal dysfunction, and might itself enhance Alphabeta-toxicity.
New insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of chronic myeloproliferative disorders

Purpose of review The classic BCR-ABL negative myeloproliferative disorders are at a crossroads of rapidly evolving pathogenetic understanding, leading to changes in diagnostic criteria and potentially targeted therapy. This review focuses on the implications of these changes relative to current standards. Recent findings The V617F activating mutation of Janus kinase 2, and associated parallel mutations, is at least partially responsible for myeloproliferation (and potentially vascular events) associated with myeloproliferative disorders. It is unclear whether the mutation facilitates progression to the blast phases of myeloproliferative disorders. Summary The high prevalence of the V617F mutation of Janus kinase 2 and associated mutations in myeloproliferative disorders (>95% in polycythemia vera and about half of patients with essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis) has led the World Health Organization to alter the diagnostic criteria for these myeloproliferative disorders, and these changes are reviewed. Current therapy for myeloproliferative disorders remains largely based on preventing vascular events and symptomatic control, with allogeneic stem cell transplantation for high-risk patients. Investigational approaches to myeloproliferative disorders involve targeting the bone marrow microenvironment and DNA hypermethylation. Phase I clinical testing of inhibition of Janus kinase 2, active in vitro, began with several agents in 2007; the results are highly anticipated.
Condensation of water vapour during supersonic expansion in nozzles

Existing data on the condensation of steam and moist air in supersonic nozzles are compared with predictions based on nucleation and drop-growth theory. It is concluded that, if the surface tension is assumed independent of curvature, and the classical liquid-drop theory (based on a stationary liquid drop) is used, the theory is in general agreement with the data. The effects of uncertainties in cluster surface energy and also of the large corrections to nucleation theory due to the ‘gasification’ concept are examined. The gasification correction is in accord with experimental data only if the surface tension is considered to rise significantly with curvature. In neither case can the Tolman or Kirkwood–Buff equations be supported. A review of existing data shows that there is some question as to the appropriate value of the condensation coefficient but this is of little consequence as long as the accommodation coefficient for the liquid–vapour surface is taken to be unity. The usefulness of the nozzle experiments for testing the validity of nucleation theory is demonstrated.
Technological Advances in the Treatment of Trauma A Review of Promising Practices

Given the availability of empirically supported practices for addressing posttraumatic stress disorder and other forms of trauma-related distress, the development and implementation of new technology to deliver these treatments is exciting. Technological innovations in this literature aim to expand availability of empirically based intervention, increase treatment adherence and acceptability, and overcome barriers commonly encountered with conventional trauma-focused treatment. Much of the current research on these technological developments consists of brief reviews and case studies of the separate therapy modalities. Although this work serves to document the appeal and utility of these innovations, it does not provide comprehensive information about the host of options available. To that end, the three general categories of technological advances in trauma therapy (i.e., videoconferencing, e-Health, virtual reality) are reviewed here, including information regarding their empirical support and suggestions for future research and clinical practice.
Longitudinal Assessment of Mouse Renal Injury using High-Resolution Anatomic and Magnetization Transfer MR Imaging

Abstract The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of high-resolution non-invasive endogenous high-field MRI methods for the longitudinal structural and quantitative assessments of mouse kidney disease using the model of unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO). T 1 -weighted, T 2 -weighted and magnetization transfer (MT) imaging protocols were optimized to improve the regional contrast in mouse kidney. Conventional T 1 and T 2 weighted images were collected in UUO mice on day 0 (~ 3 h), day 1, day 3 and day 6 after injury, on a 7 T small animal MRI system. Cortical and medullary thickness, corticomedullary contrast and Magnetization Transfer Ratio (MTR) were assessed longitudinally. Masson trichrome staining was used to histologically assess changes in tissue microstructure. Over the course of UUO progression there were significant (p 2 signal intensity and MTR values. Histological changes included tubular cell death, tubular dilation, urine retention, and interstitial fibrosis, assessed by histology. The MRI measures of renal cortical and medullary atrophy, cortical–medullary differentiation and MTR changes provide an endogenous, non-invasive and quantitative evaluation of renal morphology and tissue composition during UUO progression.
Relationship of Strength and Anthropometric Measures to Various Arm Strength Criteria

Abstract This article reports the results of three studies on various strength and anthropometric factors entering dominantly into co-ordinated movements of the arm and shoulder girdle area. Best results were obtained with arm strength formulae based on the number of pull-ups and push-ups performed by the subjects. The factors with highest multiple correlational relationships with these formulae were girth of flexed-tensed upper arm, standing height, and strength of the shoulder inward rotator muscles.
Albert Camus: The Stranger: Why and how we read The Stranger: a guide to further reading

Contemporaries, precursors and followers Sartre's article on The Stranger helped to make Camus famous, and also to impose a reading of the novel which has remained the dominant reading. In this he was flanked by Blanchot and Barthes, who contributed towards establishing The Stranger as the novel of the absurd. Sartre, whose essay was first published in Les Cahiers du Sud in February 1943, stated, as clearly as censorship would allow, the book's meaning to Occupation readers: ‘Amidst the literary production of the time this novel was itself a stranger’ (J.-P. Sartre, ‘Explication de L'Etranger’, Situations , vol. 1 (Paris: Gallimard, 1947), p. 99). Whereas the official culture of Vichy castigated the Third Republic, wept over France's shame and encouraged conformity to the new order, The Stranger offered a discourse that stood outside the control of others. The absurd was a refutation of the fictions offered by the Vichy government. Like Sartre, Blanchot understood that the novel's first quality was a refusal and that Meursault's indifference was a critical, negative force. ‘We enter the characters’ souls while ignoring the nature of their feelings and thoughts', writes Blanchot, ‘this book undermines the concept of subject’ (Maurice Blanchot, Faux Pas (Paris: Gallimard, 1943), p. 249). Blanchot does not approach the work as joyously as Sartre. He detects in it something of his own anguish – an anguish that is, in his view, too easily banished in The Myth .
Determining the Role of Lafora Disease Patient Mutations on Glycogen Dephosphorylation.

Lafora Disease (LD) is fatal, congenital neurodegenerative epilepsy caused by mutations in the gene that encodes the protein laforin. These mutations disrupt glycogen metabolism in cells causing ac...
Timing of Treatments for Control of the Irregular Pine Scale

Sprays of carbaryl or malathion at a rate of 1.0 lb active toxicant per 100 gallons of water afforded excellent control of Toumeyella pinicola Ferris (Homoptera: Coccidae) on Monterey pine in northern California when applications were made between mid-June and mid-July. Earlier or later applications were less effective. The peak of emergence of crawlers on twigs with a south or west exposure occurred as much as 1 month earlier than on twigs with a north or east exposure. The effectiveness of mid-June to mid-July applications was correlated with peak emergence on a whole-tree basis. There was evidence that either malathion or carbaryl was capable of killing scales which were recently established. A parasite, Coccophagus lycimnia (Walker) (Hymenoptcra: Aphelinidae), destroyed a low percentage of the female scales.
"New Perspectives on Diversity: Selection, Growth, Culture and Leadership"

While organizations benefit from policies related to diversity, challenges related to what diversity is and how to best harness and utilize it remain. This symposium integrates themes of selection,...
Car2work: Shared Mobility Concept to Connect Commuters with Workplaces:

Over the last decade there has been a surge of shared-use mobility concepts that are redefining how people move in urban areas. In this context, the authors propose a new shared-use mobility concept, Car2work, which fills the gap between the existing approaches by integrating them with the transit network. Car2work differs from the traditional dynamic-ridesharing approaches in the sense that: 1) it is designed for recurring trips, focusing on commuter trips, 2) the authors drop the concept of drivers; instead, vehicles that carry at least one commuter when traveling are used, 3) commuters announce their trips in advance, and 4) the authors allow for multiple trips per commuter during the day. The main goal is to connect commuters with workplaces while guaranteeing a trip home and offering some degree of flexibility. The proposed shared mobility system is modeled as a pure binary problem, and a solution method based on an exact aggregation/disaggregation algorithm is proposed. The solution methodology decomposes the original problem into a master problem and a sub-problem, aggregating over the vehicles and reducing the number of decision variables and constraints. A link reduction strategy, based on spatial-temporal constraints, is also implemented to further reduce the number of decision variables. Numerical experiments are performed for two scenarios. The first scenario includes commuters with 2 trips each, 3 workplaces, 2 transit stations and 15 transfer points. The second scenario comprises 25 commuters with 2 trips each, 4 workplaces, 2 transit stations and 31 transfer points. In these scenarios, it is demonstrated that using transit network increases the matching ratio and reduces vehicle costs.
Accumulation of Genetic Diversity in the US Potato Genebank

Efficient assessment of genetic diversity in a potato genebank includes understanding how much of the available genetic diversity has been captured in the genebank (from the wild or from other ex situ sources). We used existing datasets from three of the genebank’s 93 species to model the increase of diversity over time, as measured by the addition of AFLP bands. DNA samples of a total of 411 populations of S. microdontum (mcd), S. jamesii (jam), and S. fendleri (fen) were analyzed. Assuming the first (oldest) populations as the baseline, the number of AFLP markers have increased by 128 % (mcd), 154 % (jam) and 111 % (fen) with addition of populations to the genebank. The pattern of actual observed chronological gain in diversity was similar to that which one would expect from random additions of populations except for fen, suggesting recent additions were somewhat redundant. All species continued to accumulate new loci at least up to 100 populations, jam particularly so. Much effort has been made over many years to thoroughly collect jam, so its 125 populations could serve as a model for the number of samples one might practically hope to acquire for the average species. Since 100 jam populations captured 95 % of its polymorphic loci, 100 populations might be set as an optimal benchmark. The average species in the genebank now has about 54 populations, so the size of the genebank would need to roughly double its capacity to optimize diversity according to the jam model. That would be a challenge, but probably not as limiting as the great time and resources needed to collect the germplasm.
269 ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF METALLOPORPHYRINS AND ITS SYSTEMIC EFFECTS ON HEME OXYGENASE EXPRESSION

Metalloporphyrins (Mps) inhibit heme oxygenase (HO), the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of bilirubin, and are potential compounds for use in the chemoprevention of neonatal jaundice. . Our object was to monitor the effects of selected Mps on in vivo heme degradation and HO-1 gene transcription, and in vitro HO enzyme activity and protein levels after oral administration. 30 μM of tin mesoporphyrin (SnMP), zinc bis glycol porphyrin (ZnBG), zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), or vehicle was orally administered to adult HO-1-luc transgenic mice. In vivo heme degradation rates were measured as total body CO excretion levels (VeCO) by GC. In vivo HO-1 transcription levels were assessed by bioluminescence imaging (BLI). In vitro HO activity was quantitated via CO measurements by GC. HO-1 protein levels were determined by Western blot. VeCO decreased 28% within 3 h of SnMP treatment and lasted beyond 48 h. Administration of ZnBG and ZnPP decreased VeCO 15% and 9%, respectively, by 3 h. HO-1 transcription increased only in SnMP-treated mice (6.5-fold) after 24 h. % inhibition of tissue HO activities are shown below: (Table) HO activity was maximally inhibited in liver, spleen and intestine within 3 h, with the greatest inhibition in SnMP mice, then in ZnBG, with the least in ZnPP mice. Furthermore, in SnMP mice, liver and spleen HO-1 protein levels significantly increased 3.5- and 2.0-fold, respectively, after 24 h. HO-1 protein was minimally affected in ZnBG- or ZnPP-mice. These results are in contrast to our previous findings in neonatal rat pups, where ZnPP was not orally absorbable. Therefore, we conclude that orally administered Mps are absorbed variably and affect HO expression in a species- as well as in a tissue- and time-dependent manner.
CK Isoenzymes in CAPD and Hemodialysis Patients

The high incidence of elevated CK-MM isoenzyme in CAPD patients suggests that subclinical myopathy may be more common in such patients than in those on hemodialysis. A high absolute quantity of CK-MB may be of noncardiac origin, when it represents a normal percent of an elevated total CK value. Knowledge of assay methodology is important in avoiding misinterpretation of elevations in CK-MB levels that are in reality factitious.