cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Too hot to trot? Evaluating the effects of wildfire on patterns of occupancy and abundance for a climate-sensitive habitat specialist

Wildfires are increasing in frequency and severity as a result of climate change in many ecosystems; however, effects of altered disturbance regimes on wildlife remain poorly quantified. Here, we leverage an unexpected opportunity to investigate how fire affects the occupancy and abundance of a climate-sensitive habitat specialist, the American pika (Ochotona princeps). We determine the effects of a fire on microclimates within talus and explore habitat factors promoting persistence and abundance in fire-affected habitat. During the fire, temperatures in talus interstices remained below 19°C, suggesting that animals could have survived in situ. Within 2 years, pikas were widely distributed throughout burned areas and did not appear to be physiologically stressed at severely burned sites. Furthermore, pika densities were better predicted by topographic variables known to affect this species than by metrics of fire severity. This widespread distribution may reflect quick vegetation recovery and the fact that the fire did not alter the talus microclimates in the following years. Together, these results highlight the value of talus as a thermal refuge for small animals during and after fire. They also underscore the importance of further study in individual species’ responses to typical and altered disturbance regimes.
Central Europe's way to a market economy, 1000–1800

This article presents a model of the transformation of the Central European economy between the years 1000 and 1800. On the basis of assumptions about the social environment, the actors, and the relations between them, deductions are made that are compared to actual historical developments. The model explains why competitive markets emerged in the high Middle Ages, why anti-competitive corporations and states developed in the period up to the seventeenth century, and why institutions safeguarding market exchange began to be introduced in the course of the eighteenth century.
Stress analysis of expansive reactions in concrete

The expansion of reinforced concrete, which may be caused by either physical or chemical attack, may compromise the life span and integrity of a structural member. Presented below is a 2-D stress analysis of the expansion (or contraction) experienced by an inclusion (aggregate, reinforced bar, or air void) embedded in the cement paste matrix. The stresses and strain fields are determined using the complex representation of Muskhelishvili. The model permits that the reaction products have different elastic moduli than the original inclusion and it allows for expansion (or contraction) along the interface. Stresses caused by corrosion of reinforced concrete and by ice formation in concrete are discussed.
Whither Regional Security in a World Turned Upside Down

Abstract : Veteran Middle Eastern analyst and former Clinton administration official Martin Indyk recently characterized the Middle East as having been turned "upside down" in the aftermath of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The Iraq invasion has unleashed wide-ranging forces that are re-ordering the internal and external dynamics of regional security and could plunge the region into a prolonged period of strategic insecurity. The regional balance of power is being profoundly altered by the political empowerment of the Shia majority in Iraq, the establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, and the accompanying loss of influence by Iraq's Sunni community. The aftermath of the Iraq invasion could represent a watershed for a military base structure that continues to be populated with more new staff and organizational structures. While the concrete jungle sprouting from the sands of the Persian Gulf might have made Sir Hugh Trenchard proud, it is not clear that the network of military facilities will be of much use in preserving regional security and stability. If Iraq proves to be a precursor to a prolonged period of strategic instability as new actors vie for political power throughout the region, the facilities infrastructure established by the British and passed on to the United States may prove to be a casualty of war. Such an environment suggests that externally applied military power via forward-based ground presence will decrease in importance and may well become politically untenable for the regional elites. This does not mean that the United States will have no tools at its disposal to project military power and influence. The end result of the coming regional upheavals and the pressure this will place on the ground-based military means that the U.S. Navy may once again reign supreme, projecting power and influence on an episodic basis from the sea.
Presence of Carbohydrates and Other Organic Compounds in Ancient Sedimentary Rocks

MOST investigators have been of the opinion that proteinaceous and carbohydrate materials that are deposited in marine and lake sediments cannot survive for long periods of time but are rapidly decomposed. However, in recent years several investigators have shown the presence of amino-acids in Tertiary shales1and in fossil shells and bones as old as the Devonian2.
Financing changes and their impact on the organization of the public mental health system

This article describes the changes in the financing of the public mental health system over the past 40 years. These changes have had profound effect on the organization and delivery of care. The paper documents the tremendous fragmentation of funding and services and details the effects that these changes have had on continuity of care, access to care, organizational and financial management complexity, services to the seriously mentally ill and future of the system.
X-ray absorption spectroscopic studies of the methane monooxygenase hydroxylase component from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b

The conversion from methane to methanol is catalyzed by methane monooxygenase (MMO) in methanotrophic bacteria. Earlier work on the crystal structures of the MMO hydroxylase component (MMOH) from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) at 4 °C and –160 °C has revealed two different core arrangements for the diiron active site. To ascertain the generality of these results, we have now carried out the first structural characterization on MMOH from Methylosinustrichosporium OB3b. Our X-ray absorption spectroscopic (XAS) analysis suggests the presence of two Fe-Fe distances of about 3 A and 3.4 A, which are proposed to reflect two populations of MMOH molecules with either a bis(μ-hydroxo)(μ-carboxylato)- or a (μ-hydroxo)(μ-carboxylato)diiron(III) core structure, respectively. The observation of these two different core structures, together with the crystallographic results of the MMOH from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath), suggests the presence of an equilibrium that may reflect a core flexibility that is required to accommodate the various intermediates in the catalytic cycle of the enzyme. XAS studies on the binding of component B (MMOB) to the hydroxylase component show that MMOB does not perturb either this equilibrium or the gross structure of the oxidized diiron site in MMOH.
Thermoelectric studies of the non-thermal equilibrium dynamics in chiral metals

The conventional pyroelectric effect is intimately connected to the symmetry, or rather lack of center of symmetry, of the material. Although the experiments we discuss involve studies of low symmetry materials, the pyroelectric currents observed are of an entirely new origin. Systems with broken-translational-symmetry phases that incorporate orbital quantization can exhibit significant departures from thermodynamic equilibrium due to a change in magnetic induction. For example, orbitally quantized field-induced spin- or charge density wave systems, in which the competition between the elastic forces of the density wave and pinning leads to a critical state analogous to the vortex phase of type II superconductors. This metastable state consists of a balance between the density-wave pinning force and the Lorentz force on the extended currents due to the drift of cyclotron orbits. This results in the establishment of a three-dimensional chiral metal that can extend deep into the bulk of the crystal. In this way the density wave pinning potential plays a similar role to the edge potential in a two-dimensional electron gas, leading to a large Hall angle and quantization of the Hall resistance. A thermal perturbation that reduces the pinning potential returns the system toward thermal equilibrium, which can only be achieved by current flow orthogonal to the surface. The observation of this new form of pyroelectric effect in the high magnetic field phase (B>30T) of the organic charge transfer salt α-(BEDT-TTF)2KHg(SCN)4 is conclusive proof of the existence of a three-dimensional chiral metal.
Arterial changes in children undergoing renal transplantation.

Introduction. Pathological changes of large arterial walls and the heart have been described in patients with chronic renal failure. The aim of the study was to verify the incidence of arterial changes among our series of pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing transplantation. Patients and methods. From January 2004 to December 2006, 26 patients (15 boys and 11 girls) of overall mean age of 13.12 years (range = 3-27 years) underwent renal transplantation in our department. The pretransplant dialysis treatment was peritoneal in eight and hemodialysis in 18 cases. All patients were divided in two groups according to primary renal disease: group A were 18 patients with congenital urinary malformations; and group B, eight patients with acquired glomerular diseases. In each case, a sample of artery from both donor (aortic patch of kidney) and recipient (iliac patch of graft allocation) was obtained during renal transplantation. The donors were considered to be the control group. Results. Light microscopy showed pathological changes in 12/26 recipient arteries: nine showed light fragmentation of the internal elastic lamina; two, more severe fragmentations; and one, fragmentation of the internal elastic lamina associated with mucopolysaccharide deposits. Pathological changes were more evident in group A than B, but the difference was not significant (P >.05). Among the donor group, 11 patients showed light fragmentation of the internal elastic lamina, but there was no significant difference with the recipients (P >.05). Conclusions. Among our group of patients, we observed only slight modifications of the arterial wall. These changes were nonspecific, similar to those in a control group of donors matched for age. A possible explanation of these findings may depend on the short time of dialysis before transplantation.
ESP: a flexible, high-performance, PLD-based network service

Emerging network-level services, such as ephemeral state processing (ESP), provide end systems with the ability to control the way in which their packets are processed at routers in the network. Supporting user-defined per-packet processing at today's wire-speeds requires significant computational power. Special-purpose application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips offer the performance, but not the extensibility needed to support these, evolving services. In our previous work, we explored the use of programmable (general-purpose) network processors as a potential solution. Although network processors are easily extensible, they pay a performance penalty for that flexibility. In this paper, we explore a third approach; the use of programmable logic devices (PLD) that combine the flexibility of a network processor with the performance of an ASIC. We describe a PLD implementation of the ESP service, discuss the challenges involved, and present performance numbers showing significant speedups over our previous network processor implementation.
The deformation and failure behaviour of wheat starch plasticized with water and polyols

The mechanical properties of starch plasticized with water and glycerol or xylitol have been studied in flexure at room temperature. The addition of a polyol lowers the glassy modulus and the glass transition temperature of the starch. With the addition of polyols, the fall in modulus with increasing water content at the glass transition becomes less sharp and shifts to lower water contents. The high strain deformation shows that all samples fracture at a water content below 10% (wet weight basis), a proportion of which tears at water contents in the range 9%–10% and no fracture occurs in samples above about 10% water. Microscopy shows that there is evidence of permanent plastic deformation in fractured samples as the water content is increased to 10% water, although there is a negligible change in fracture stress and strain.
Alcove Holograms For Computer-Aided Design

A new concave semi-cylindrical holographic stereogram format, called the "alcove" hologram, offers 3-D real images that project to the viewer's fingertips with an angle of view of nearly 180 degrees. The hologram is area-multiplexed in a way that is extendable to large holograms that can be quickly and automatically produced, perhaps by a computer peripheral "3-D hard copy" device. In order to produce undistorted images, the input images must be intensively processed, or derived from a digital data base, so that the method for hologram production is particularly suited to a digital imaging and design environment.
Regulation of phosphatidylcholine homeostasis by calcium-independent phospholipase A2.

Abstract Phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) is the most abundant phospholipid in mammalian cell membranes and is essential for cell viability. The levels of this lipid must be tightly controlled to maintain homeostasis. Therefore, changes in the rate of PtdCho synthesis are generally balanced by changes in PtdCho catabolism and vice versa. It is commonly accepted that the rate of PtdCho synthesis is regulated by CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CT). However, it is not certain if PtdCho mass is regulated by specific catabolic enzyme(s). Our goal is to determine if PtdCho homeostasis is regulated by a phospholipase A2 (PLA2). To this end, we have prepared Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines that overexpress CT. CT activity is 7–10-fold higher in the transfected cells than in parental CHO cells. This increase in CT activity is associated with increases in both PtdCho synthesis and PtdCho catabolism. Glycerophosphocholine is the PtdCho catabolite that accumulates in the transfected cells, which suggests that PtdCho turnover is mediated by a phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Indeed, higher levels of calcium-independent PLA2 activity are measured in the cytosols of the CHO cells that overexpress CT, compared to parental CHO cells. The elevated calcium-independent PLA2 activity is associated with increases in the expression of the 80-kDa calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2). Together, these data suggest that the 80-kDa iPLA2 may be modulated in response to changes in PtdCho levels and therefore is involved in the regulation of PtdCho homeostasis in CHO cells.
Experience with multimodality telepathology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Several modes of telepathology exist including static (store-and-forward), dynamic (live video streaming or robotic microscopy), and hybrid technology involving whole slide imaging (WSI). Telepathology has been employed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) for over a decade at local, national, and international sites. All modes of telepathology have been successfully utilized to exploit our institutions subspecialty expertise and to compete for pathology services. This article discusses the experience garnered at UPMC with each of these teleconsultation methods. Static and WSI telepathology systems have been utilized for many years in transplant pathology using a private network and client-server architecture. Only minor clinically significant differences of opinion were documented. In hematopathology, the CellaVision® system is used to transmit, via email, static images of blood cells in peripheral blood smears for remote interpretation. While live video streaming has remained the mode of choice for providing immediate adequacy assessment of cytology specimens by telecytology, other methods such as robotic microscopy have been validated and shown to be effective. Robotic telepathology has been extensively used to remotely interpret intra-operative neuropathology consultations (frozen sections). Adoption of newer technology and increased pathologist experience has improved accuracy and deferral rates in teleneuropathology. A digital pathology consultation portal (https://pathconsult.upmc.com/) was recently created at our institution to facilitate digital pathology second opinion consults, especially for WSI. The success of this web-based tool is the ability to handle vendor agnostic, large image files of digitized slides, and ongoing user-friendly customization for clients and teleconsultants. It is evident that the practice of telepathology at our institution has evolved in concert with advances in technology and user experience. Early and continued adoption of telepathology has promoted additional digital pathology resources that are now being leveraged for other clinical, educational, and research purposes.
Diagnostic challenges in dementia

As the population ages, increasing numbers of patients will present with dementia. Diagnosis may be very straightforward, as in an individual with dementia secondary to an obvious medical illness. However, the differential diagnosis of dementia may be less clear. Diagnostically challenging cases tend to appear in the setting of dementias that present without distinctive neurologic signs or evidence of medical or neurologic disease, such as Alzheimer's disease or the frontotemporal dementias. A similar diagnostic challenge is seen in dementias that present with neurologic signs but without obvious significant medical disorders, such as the parkinsonian dementias or the vascular dementias. In recent years, the presentations of these dementias have become more sharply drawn on the basis of consensus reviews of clinicopathologic correlations. Because each of these disorders has unique treatment and management strategies, the ability of clinicians to differentiate among these syndromes has become critically important.
Computed tomography-guided percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy

Abstract Computed tomography (CT) can be used to accurately localize the depth of pulmonary nodules in relation to the chest wall. This examination is helpful before transthoracic percutaneous needle biopsy in those patients whose nodules cannot be localised by conventional methods.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging: A review of principles and utilities

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to image the human body with excellent temporal and spatial resolution and is ideally suited for visualizing the cardiovascular system. The chief advantages of MRI are its ability to acquire images noninvasively in the absence of ionizing radiation, in any tomographic plane, without interference from surrounding bone or soft tissues.
An Improved Method for Repair of Pectus Chest Deformities

Abstract An improved method for repair of pectus excavatum is presented. The method may also be used for repair of asymmetrical funnel chest and pectus carinatum. The principles of repair are to (1) remove the deformed costal cartilages, (2) eliminate the flare of the lower ribs, (3) place the sternum in its normal anatomical position, and (4) reestablish costosternal union. Deformed cartilages are excised subperichondrially. Removal of the costal margin is carried to the apex of the defect. The margin is then made continuous by approximating the free ends in the midline. This latter maneuver eliminates the costal flare. The remaining ribs are brought into apposition with the sternum. The sternum is immediately stable in the normal anatomical position. No extrinsic devices are used.
Effect of suture material and bone quality on the mechanical properties of zone I flexor tendon-bone reattachment with bone anchors.

Purpose To compare the initial biomechanical properties of zone I flexor tendon to bone repairs performed using pull-out and anchor techniques and to investigate the effect of bone quality and suture materials on the strength of anchor repairs. Methods Using computed tomography, we measured bone mineral density and cortical thickness of the distal phalanx of 60 cadaver fingers (mean age, 77 years). Flexor digitorum profundus tendons were then transected at their insertion sites and repaired using a 4-strand grasping suture and either pull-out or anchor fixation. For pull-out repair (n = 20), the suture strands (Supramid 3-0; S. Jackson, Inc., Alexandria, VA) were passed through the distal phalanx and tied over a dorsal button. For anchor repair, 2 bone anchors were inserted into the distal phalanx, and tendons were grasped using either Supramid (n = 21), Ethibond (Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ; n=10), or FiberWire suture (Arthrex Inc., Naples, FL; n=9) (all 3-0). Mechanical properties of the repaired tendon–bone constructs were determined in linear, load-to-failure loading and correlated with bone characteristics. Results The FiberWire-anchor repair group had the best combination of mechanical properties, with ultimate force to failure no different from the pull-out repairs but with greater stiffness and reduced displacement. Pull-out suture repairs had significantly higher ultimate force-to-failure values than did Ethibond-anchor and Supramid-anchor repairs (p 3 or cortical thickness less than0.31 mm, which occurred only for specimens aged greater than75 years. Conclusions The mechanical properties of the double Mitek bone anchors were sensitive to both suture material and bone quality. FiberWire-anchor repairs provided the best combination of mechanical properties. Pull-out suture repairs had good strength but poor stiffness. Anchor fixation may be contraindicated in patients greater than 75 years because of poor bone quality.
Ultrafiltration tandem mass spectrometry of estrogens for characterization of structure and affinity for human estrogen receptors

Although hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used by post-menopausal women for the relief of menopausal symptoms and the potential reduction of osteoporosis, HRT also increases their risk of Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer. Since the majority of these effects are associated primarily with estrogen binding to only one of the estrogen receptors (ER), new assays are needed that can more efficiently evaluate ER-binding and identify ligands selective for ER-α and ER-β. High performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) was combined with ultrafiltration as a new method to investigate the relative binding of compounds to the ERs and to evaluate the structures of these estrogens. Mixtures of estradiol and six equine estrogens, including equilin, equilenin, 8,9-dehydroestrone, and their 17β-hydroxyl derivatives, were assayed simultaneously to determine their relative binding to human ER-α and ER-β. Estrogens containing a 17β-OH group were found to have higher relative affinities for the estrogen receptors than their ketone analogs. In addition, 17β-EN showed selectivity for binding to ER-β over ER-α. The results were compared to the IC50 values obtained by using a conventional radiolabled estradiol competitive binding assay. Finally, the utility of negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry for the unambiguous identification of these estrogen isomers was investigated. Several characteristic recyclization pathways during tandem mass spectrometry were identified, which might be useful for distinguishing related estrogens.
Analog Computer Simulation of Rheological Systems I Pseudoplastic Flow

A method for the quantitative characterization of pseudoplastic systems using the analog computer was reported. Three parameters were obtained (one of which can be maintained constant for a given system) which completely describe the shape of rheograms for various CMC mucilages. The method developed can be carried out rapidly, the computer program is relatively simple, and the results should provide an easy means of communication among rheologists desiring to accurately compare experimental data on pseudoplastic systems.
The neglect of socioeconomic research by U.S. energy and environmental agencies

Abstract The published research plans of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) have each been criticized by the Office of Technology Assessment for focusing largely on the development of technological “hardware” and giving little attention to socioeconomic research (broadly defined). This paper first examines socioeconomic research areas that EPA might be expected to cover and shows that its plans for doing so are inadequate. The paper then identifies gaps in ERDA's coverage of socioeconomic research that remain unfilled even in the agency's updated plan. Several reasons for this neglect of socioeconomic research are hypothesized, namely: the dominance of research management by scientists and technologists; the apparent irrelevance and/or lack of success of socioeconomic research performed in the past; the greater political acceptability of technological compared with non-technological approaches to pollution control: the public's apparent faith in our ability to develop technological solutions to energy and environmental problems; and the compatibility of new technology development with economic growth. Following a discussion of these reasons, it is concluded that senior management positions in both agencies must no longer be monopolized by those with solely scientific and technical backgrounds; instead, managers should be appointed who not only have appropriate social science or professional qualifications but are also able to communicate to their colleagues, to lawmakers, and to the public at large, the importance of having a balanced research program with both technological and socioeconomic components.
“Resurrection Men” in Dallas: The Illegal Use of Black Bodies as Medical Cadavers (1900–1907)

Although illegal in Texas in the early twentieth century for the bodies of indigents to be used as medical cadavers, archival accounts document Dallas’s early medical schools duplicity in such acts, with secret agreements between medical schools and city and county officials. Evidence of African-American bodies stolen for use as medical cadavers was also uncovered archaeologically during the Freedman’s Cemetery Project in Dallas, Texas, in the early 1990s. The repercussion of these and other acts of racism and exploitation are explored.
The Role of Leadership Efficacy and Stereotype Activation in Women's Identification with Leadership:

The primary goal of this research was to examine the role of leadership efficacy as a moderator of domain identification responses to the think-leader-think-male stereotype. Manipulating stereotype...
Evaluation of Pulse Jet Mixer Concentration Profiles to Track Slurry Suspension

A series of tests were conducted to evaluate the mixing performance of pulse jet mixers. A pulse-jet mixing system involves an array of pulse tubes with nozzles directed toward the vessel floor inside the mixing vessel. Fluid is expelled from the pulse tubes during the drive portion of the PJM cycle. Fluid refills into the pulse tubes during the refill portion of the PJM cycle. This cyclical process can be used to mix slurries.Concentration profiles as a function of location and elevation in the tank were taken during the pulse jet mixer cycle at several radial locations within the mixing vessel: at the center, near the wall, and half-way between the center and the wall. The data are being examined to determine how the time during the cycle affects the solids suspension and settling. Examples will be presented for several particle types, concentrations, and pulse-jet operating conditions.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A game of kit and mouse: the Kit is still in the bag.

Most immunology textbooks still promote the age-old idea that the sole function of mast cells is to mediate immunoglobulin E (IgE)-dependent responses in allergy and parasitic worm infections. But mast cells are extremely versatile cells and can be stimulated by numerous IgE-independent agonists, including pathogen-associated molecular pattern molecules (PAMPs), cytokines, hormones, and neuropeptides as well as through cell-cell interactions. Depending on the activation mode, mast cells exhibit varied and “tunable” responses, releasing unique arrays of preformed and newly synthesized pro- and/or anti-inflammatory mediators (Rao and Brown, 2008).
Manganese Neurotoxicity: New Perspectives from Behavioral, Neuroimaging, and Neuropathological Studies in Humans and Non-Human Primates

Manganese (Mn) is an essential metal and has important physiological functions for human health. However, exposure to excess levels of Mn in occupational settings or from environmental sources has been associated with a neurological syndrome comprising cognitive deficits, neuropsychological abnormalities and parkinsonism. Historically, studies on the effects of Mn in humans and experimental animals have been concerned with effects on the basal ganglia and the dopaminergic system as it relates to movement abnormalities. However, emerging studies are beginning to provide significant evidence of Mn effects on cortical structures and cognitive function at lower levels than previously recognized. This review advances new knowledge of putative mechanisms by which exposure to excess levels of Mn alters neurobiological systems and produces neurological deficits not only in the basal ganglia but also in the cerebral cortex. The emerging evidence suggests that working memory is significantly affected by chronic Mn exposure and this may be mediated by alterations in brain structures associated with the working memory network including the caudate nucleus in the striatum, frontal cortex and parietal cortex. Dysregulation of the dopaminergic system may play an important role in both the movement abnormalities as well as the neuropsychiatric and cognitive function deficits that have been described in humans and non-human primates exposed to Mn.
Infantile stimulation, prepubertal sexual-social interaction, and emotionality

The major purpose of this experiment was to determine whether social interaction between male and female rats between weaning and 50 days of age affected emotional behaviour as measured by open-field performance. A secondary purpose was to attempt to replicate a previous study by Denenberg & Morton (1962) which found that free-environment experience after weaning led to a reduction in emotionality. Rats were handled or not disturbed in infancy. When weaned at 25 days, they were placed into (1) laboratory cages with same-sexed litter-mates, (2) free-environment boxes with other litter-mates of the same sex, or (3) free-environment boxes with litter-mates of both sexes. At 50 days all Ss were placed into laboratory cages with others of the same sex, and litter. Open-field performance (activity and defaecation scores) was obtained between 70 and 73 days of age. Analysis of the activity measure revealed that handling in infancy and free-environment experience after weaning both resulted in significantly heightened activity scores. In addition, females were significantly more active than males and defaecated significantly less. There was no evidence that the presence or absence of social interaction between the sexes affected emotionality.
The Bhuj, India, earthquake: lessons learned for earthquake safety of dams on alluvium

Abstract The Bhuj, India, earthquake of 26 January 2001, M s 7.9, caused dams built on alluvium to sustain damage ranging from cosmetic to severe. Major damage was caused almost entirely by soil liquefaction in the alluvium. The critical factor was the level of earthquake ground motion. The Bhuj earthquake showed that peak horizontal accelerations (PHAs)≤0.2 g were generally safe. PHAs>0.2 g were hazardous, when unconsolidated granular foundation soils were water saturated. N values of 0.2 g, must be evaluated over the full area beneath a new dam and all soils deemed susceptible to liquefaction must be either removed or treated. For remediating an old dam, reliable options are removal and replacement of liquefiable alluvium beneath upstream and downstream portions of the dam, combined with building berms designed to provide stability for the dam should there be a strength loss in soils beneath the dam.
An old.new tool for nuclear analysis: Time-of-Flight spectrometry

The Time-of-Flight (ToF) technique can be used for mass identification, for separation of a specified mass or for measuring the energy of a given mass particle. The instrumentation required is simple and low in cost. The method features high yield, transmission efficiency is typically of 5 to 20%. Even with short flight paths (5 to 10 cm), ToF has adequate mass resolution (M/ΔM∼300 to 500) for identifying isotopic species. This paper examines the scope of ToF in nuclear science with examples in mass spectrometry, in mass separation and in kinetic energy measurements of fixed mass particles. An example of the latter is the energy determination of recoil nuclei. If a recoil is produced inside a solid, the residual recoil energy reveals the depth from which it originates. This approach is used for profiling nitrogen via14N(n, p)14C. The ToF measurement of the14C recoil energies reveals the depth distribution of nitrogen with better than 50 A resolution.
Presenilins in the Developing, Adult, and Aging Cerebral Cortex

Mutations in presenilins are the major cause of familial Alzheimer disease. The involvement of presenilins in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease, therefore, has been the subject of intense investigation during the past decade. Genetic analysis of phenotypes associated with presenilin mutations in invertebrate and vertebrate systems has greatly advanced our understanding of the in vivo functions of presenilins. In this review, the authors will summarize the current understanding of presenilin function, with an emphasis on the mammalian cerebral cortex. During development, presenilins play crucial roles in the maintenance of neural progenitor cell proliferation, the temporal control of neuronal differentiation, the survival of Cajal-Retzius neurons, and proper neuronal migration in the developing cerebral cortex. Analysis of presenilin function in the adult cerebral cortex has revealed essential roles for presenilins in synaptic plasticity, long-term memory, and neuronal survival. The authors will also discuss the molecular mechanisms through which presenilins may mediate these functions, including the Notch, CREB, and NMDA receptor-mediated signaling pathways. These diverse functions of presenilins in cortical development and function and neuronal survival have important implications for the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative dementia.
A one nanosecond molecular dynamics simulation of the glucocorticoid receptor protein in complex with a glucocorticoid response element DNA sequence in a 10 Angstrom water layer.

Abstract We investigated protein/DNA interactions, using molecular dynamics simulations computed for one nanosecond, between a 10 Angstom water layer model of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) DNA binding domain (DBD) amino acids and DNA of a glucocorticoid receptor response element (GRE) consisting of 29 nucleotide base pairs. Hydrogen bonding interactions were monitored. In addition, van der Waals and electrostatic interaction energies were calculated. Amino acids of the GR DBD DNA recognition helix formed both direct and water mediated hydrogen bonds at cognate codon-anticodon nucleotide base and backbone sites within the GRE DNA right major groove halfsite. Likewise amino acids in a beta strand structure adjacent to the DNA recognition helix formed both direct and water mediated hydrogen bonds at cognate codon-anticodon nucleotide base and backbone sites within both the GRE right and left major groove halfsites. In addition, amino acids within a predicted alpha helix located on the carboxyl terminus of...
Contamination of the genome by very slightly deleterious mutations: why have we not died 100 times over?

Abstract It is well known that whens,the selection coefficient against a deleterious mutation, is below ≈ 1/4Ne, whereNeis the effective population size, the expected frequency of this mutation is ≈ 0.5, if forward and backward mutation rates are similar. Thus, if the genome size,G,in nucleotides substantially exceeds theNeof the whole species, there is a dangerous range of selection coefficients, 1/G
Whorish Representation Pornography, Media, and Modernity in Fin-de-siècle Beijing

Using materials from police reports to song chapbooks, this article traces the experience of and discourse about sexually explicit media in late Qing and early Republican Beijing. Although explicit...
The Roles of Modality Richness and Involvement in Shopping Behavior in 3D Virtual Stores

Abstract The rapid growth of e-commerce and consumers' increasing use of 3D virtual worlds to make purchases have rendered it important to understand how consumers develop their buying intentions in this novel context. Drawing from literature on modality richness, this study examined the effects of pre-experimental product involvement and the modality of marketing information presentation on consumers' product evaluations, buying intentions, and enjoyment of online shopping. The results of a 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment indicate significant interaction effects between modality richness and prior involvement. Consumers with low involvement are influenced by modality richness, whereas those with high involvement are not, thus confirming the moderating role of prior involvement for shopping behaviors inside 3D virtual environments. Managerial implications of these findings are discussed.
Transitory impairment of interferon production in serotonin treated mice.

SummaryThe ability of mice to produce either virus or statolon induced interferon was temporarily impaired (for 1-2 hours) following an injection of serotonin. This impairment was also noted in splenectomized and in adrenalectomized mice. Endo-toxin induced interferon was not influenced by serotonin. The possible mechanisms of this impairment are discussed.
Fine‐needle aspiration biopsy of lymphoblastic lymphoma and leukemia. A clinical, cytologic, and immunologic study

Six cases of lymphoblastic lymphoma or leukemia are reviewed in which fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy was used to either initially diagnose or to document relapse of the condition. Accuracy of diagnosis was confirmed by surgical or autopsy material or by subsequent clinical course. Cytologically, aspirates were characterized by numerous blast cells with frequent mitoses. Immunologic confirmation utilizing aspirate material was obtained in all cases. Adequate material for extensive immunologic studies was obtained in five of six cases. The impact of FNA on patient management included; primary diagnosis in three cases; documentation of recurrence in two cases; avoidance of surgical biopsy in a patient considered a poor surgical candidate in three cases; correct subtyping of a lymphoma in which material obtained by surgical biopsy was unclassifiable in one case; and correct subtyping of a lymphoma inaccurately subtyped by surgical biopsy in one case.
Characterizing white LEDs for general illumination applications

During the past few years several manufacturers have introduced white Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). At the present time these LEDs do not provide sufficient luminous flux for general lighting applications. Many manufacturers are studying the possibility of grouping several LEDs and overdriving them to produce more luminous flux. The impact of higher drive current on long-term performance of LEDs is not well known within the lighting community. Therefore, an experimental study was conducted to investigate the photometric characteristics of white LEDs as a function of time for different drive currents. The LEDs investigated in this study were the 5-millimeter type that uses GaN-based blue LEDs and Y3Al5O12 (yttrium aluminum garnet) phosphors (YAG phosphors). These LEDs produced 65 percent more light output at 55 mA compared to the light output at 20 mA. Groups of ten LEDs were driven continuously at constant current 20, 30, 50, 70, 90, and 110 mA and their relative light output were monitored at regular intervals for over 4000 hours. The light output degradation rate increased with increasing drive currents. Typically, LED manufacturers do not recommend driving these LEDs above 20 mA. However, it was noticed that the light output of these LEDs degraded to 65% of its initial value around 4000 hours even for those LEDs driven at 20 mA, which is the manufacturer recommended value for drive current. Considering the amount of flux produced by these 5 mm type white LEDs and their light output degradation rate, they are not yet suitable for general lighting applications.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Systems thinking and cultural relativism

Summary Literary canons nowadays have less of a social influence, but institutionalization prevents academics from facing the challenge this presents. If texts can be viewed within the larger context of culture, literary studies may be revitalised. The nature of power and the role of “rewriters” should be studied for the “resocialization” of literature. Systems theory presents a useful base for this endeavour. The principles of the theory are treated, with special attention to the role of patrons and the interface between systems. Examples of the way in which dominant cultures influence dominated systems, are given.
Spike-wave rhythms in cat cortex induced by parenteral penicillin. II. Cellular features

Abstract Epileptiform potentials, consisting of spontaneous, generalized bursts frequently assuming a 3/sec spike-wave form and tonic-clonic electrographic seizures were produced in 32 lightly anesthetized cats by parenteral injections of penicillin. The activity of 83 identified pyramidal tract cells and 207 cortical non-pyramidal tract cells was correlated with the surface EEG. The majority of both cell types generated depolarizations and action potentials with the EEG spike. Hyperpolarizations, during which cells were inhibited, followed the depolarizations. The depolarizations responded to injected current as if they were generated by excitatory synapses; and hyperpolarizations to injected current and chloride ions as if generated by proximal inhibitory synapses. Attempts to identify a class of neurons firing during the surface-negative wave (presumed inhibitory interneurons) were unsuccessful. Forty-two units were recorded during tonic-clonic seizures. Intracellular records disclosed tonic oscillations of membrane potential, phased bursting with “depolarization shifts”, abortive action potentials and post-ictal hyperpolarizations. Cell somata often depolarized to the point of inactivation, but axons continued to fire at high rates. These results emphasize the role of EPSP-IPSP sequences in the generation of spikewave rhythms.
Genetic Evidence That Formins Function within the Nucleus

The murine limb deformity (ld) locus encodes a set of proteins, termed formins, that are required for embryonic limb and kidney development. Previous studies had indicated that these proteins are located in the nucleus and cytoplasm and have biochemical properties consistent with an action within the nucleus. To test the notion that nuclear localization is crucial for formin function, we carried out molecular and biochemical studies on three ld alleles. We show that two transgene-induced alleles, ldTgHd and ldTgBri, generate similar COOH-truncated formins that lack the terminal 110 amino acids, while a third allele, ldIn2, generates a less extensively truncated formin that lacks the terminal 42 amino acids. Using subcellular fractionation analysis, we find that wild-type formin is detected in both nuclear and cytosolic fractions; in contrast, the truncated formins encoded by ldTgHd and ldTgBri are strictly cytosolic. The less extensively truncated ldIn2 formin shows a similar, but less complete, localization defect. Consistent with this weaker cellular phenotype, hind limbs from ldIn2 mice have milder skeletal defects than those of ldTgBri mice. These observations define a small region in the carboxyl terminus that is required for nuclear localization and suggest that nuclear localization plays a role in formin action.
Neutron capture cross sections of 184 , 189 , 190 , 192 Os and the decays of 185 Os, 190 Os m , 191 Os, and 193 Os

Radiative neutron capture cross sections have been measured for the stable isotopes of natural Os with mass numbers 184, 189, 190, and 192 by observing radioactive decays of the activation products following neutron irradiation of naturally occurring Os. From irradiations of Os samples separately with thermal and epithermal neutrons, independent values of the thermal cross sections and resonance integrals have been deduced. By observing the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays emitted by the activation products ${}^{185}$Os, ${}^{190}$Os${}^{m}$, ${}^{191}$Os, and ${}^{193}$Os, improved values for the energies and intensities of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays and the decay half-lives have been obtained, enabling corresponding improvements in the energy values and $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay feedings of levels in the daughter nuclei.
Radiation from asymmetric laser-induced plasmas collected by a lens or optical fiber

A method of calculating radiation spectra of an asymmetric (ellipsoidal) laser-induced plasma plume is developed for two cases, when the radiation is collected by a lens and by an optical fiber. The lens receives the radiation coming from the entire plasma plume, while the view sight of an optical fiber is restricted to an acceptance cone so that only the radiation coming with an incident angle smaller than the cone angle is collected. The method incorporates the solution of the radiative transfer equation along the line of sight. An optimal number of lines is found to achieve the numerical convergence with a relative error <1%. Several practical simulations are carried out that include different placements and orientations of the lens and optic fiber. The effect of a motion of the center of the mass of the plasma plume on the radiation spectra is also investigated.
Biodegradabilities and Microbial Activities During Composting of Municipal Solid Waste In Bench-Scale Reactors

In the design of large scale, in-vessel systems, the biodegradability of the waste, the optimal nutritional conditions, and the length of time required to complete the high-rate phase are important. Because composting is a microbial process, the overall levels and activities of microorganisms influence the rate and extent of degradation. In this study, bench-scale reactors were used to determine the biodegradability of municipal solid waste, primarily office trash, and the effects of nutrient supplementation on biodegradability during six weeks of composting. Supplementation with nitrogen, phosphorus, vitamins, and trace minerals did not increase the biodegradability of the waste. Although the levels of specific microbial subpopulations varied, total numbers of microorganisms did not change significantly.