cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minskyan and Feminist Analysis of Financial Instability and Social Provisioning

The purpose of this paper is to connect Minsky’s (1986) financial instability hypothesis which reveals the inherent endogenous destabilizing forces of monetary production to a social provisioning approach outlined by feminist economists (Jullie Nelson 1993; Hutchinson et al 2002; Power 2004). The paper builds more specifically on Power’s (2004) delineation of social provisioning as a framework for feminist analysis; delineates the emergence of similar elements from Minsky’s structural analysis of financial instability, and concludes that these frameworks are mutually enhancing. The implications are that such bridges in heterodox inquiry provide better understanding of the causes and effects of financial crises, and a basis for more comprehensive policy formulation.
The USD Science Gateway: A Bridge Between Research and Advanced Computing

Science Gateways are virtual environments that accelerate scientific discovery by enabling scientific communities to more easily and effectively utilize distributed computing and data resources. Successful Science Gateways provide access to sophisticated and powerful resources, while shielding their users from the underlying complexities. Here we present updated work completed by the University of South Dakota (USD) Research Computing Group in conjunction with the Science Gateways Community Institute (SGCI) [1] and Science Gateways Research Center at Indiana University to set up a Science Gateway to access USD's high-performance computing resources. We also introduce improvements to the system since the previous presentation of our work. These resources are now available to both faculty and students and allow ease of access and use of USD's distributed computing and data resources. The implementation of this gateway project has been multifaceted and has included placement of federated user login, user facilitation and outreach, and integration of USD's cyberinfrastructure resources. We present this project as an example for other research computing groups so that they may learn from our successes and the challenges that we have overcome in providing this user resource. Additionally, this project serves to exemplify the importance of creating a broad user base of research computing infrastructure through the development of alternative user interfaces such as Science Gateways.
Identifying and overcoming barriers to onsite non-potable water reuse in California from local stakeholder perspectives

Abstract Onsite (a.k.a. decentralized) water reuse can reduce overall potable water demand and aid in meeting water reduction goals. In spite of clear benefits, onsite non-potable water systems (ONWS), specifically non-blackwater commercial systems, face many challenges that are preventing growth and expansion in California. This study utilized a technical advisory committee and a survey to identify the most significant challenges facing onsite water reuse systems, how these challenges affect ONWS stakeholders, and potential solutions at the state level. The given methods found that the most prevalent challenges hindering the growth of ONWS appeared to be the absence of a local regulatory program, system cost, poor access to training for regulators, and limited public education about alternate water sources. Survey results revealed several possible drivers for the existence of these challenges including that informational and training resources are not adequately disseminated to target groups. The study concluded that the creation of trainings for regulators, the development of an organization dedicated to onsite systems, expanded technology certifications, policy changes, and highlighting existing systems might help overcome the challenges hindering growth and allow for greater expansion of onsite non-potable water systems throughout California.
Microblogs data management: a survey

Microblogs data is the microlength user-generated data that is posted on the web, e.g., tweets, online reviews, comments on news and social media. It has gained considerable attention in recent years due to its widespread popularity, rich content, and value in several societal applications. Nowadays, microblogs applications span a wide spectrum of interests including targeted advertising, market reports, news delivery, political campaigns, rescue services, and public health. Consequently, major research efforts have been spent to manage, analyze, and visualize microblogs to support different applications. This paper gives a comprehensive review of major research and system work in microblogs data management. The paper reviews core components that enable large-scale querying and indexing for microblogs data. A dedicated part gives particular focus for discussing system-level issues and on-going effort on supporting microblogs through the rising wave of big data systems. In addition, we review the major research topics that exploit these core data management components to provide innovative and effective analysis and visualization for microblogs, such as event detection, recommendations, automatic geotagging, and user queries. Throughout the different parts, we highlight the challenges, innovations, and future opportunities in microblogs data research.
Senior sexual and gender minorities’ perception of healthcare services: A phenomenological approach

The purpose of this research is to explore the sexual and gender minority seniors’ experience and perception of healthcare services. A phenomenological focus group study was conducted by interviewi...
A nurses’ ethical commitment to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

Aim: This article explores the issues of knowledge deficits of healthcare professionals in meeting the needs of people with IDD throughout the life span, and to identify factors that contribute to these deficits. Although statistics vary due to census results and the presence of a "hidden population," approximately 1%-3% of the global population identify as living with an intellectual or developmental disability. People with intellectual or developmental disability experience health inequities and confront multiple barriers in society, often related to the stigma of intellectual or developmental disability. Disparities in care and service are attributed to a lack of knowledge and understanding among healthcare providers about people with intellectual or developmental disability, despite their increased risk for chronic health problems. The near absence of educational programs in nursing both nationally and internationally contributes to this significant knowledge deficit. In addition, ethical considerations between paternalistic beneficence and idealized autonomy have resulted in a lack of clear direction in working with a population that is often ignored or exploited. Nurses who view people with intellectual or developmental disability as vulnerable without assessing or acknowledging their capabilities may err toward paternalism in an effort to "first do no harm." Likewise, nurses who fail to recognize the challenges and limitations faced by people with intellectual or developmental disability may not provide sufficient protections for a vulnerable person. People with intellectual or developmental disability are not binary, but rather complex individuals with a myriad of presentations. This article seeks to encourage a well-informed model of nursing care. Through an ethical lens, this article explores the nurse's ethical commitments in cases of victimization, access to care, decision making, and the provision of optimal end-of-life care for people with intellectual or developmental disability.
Kinetics of Surface Phase Transitions: Some Comments

It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to comment on two such excellent reviews concerning an emerging area in surface science, perhaps best denoted collective kinetic effects. The subject under consideration, in contrast to the others at this meeting, is not so much controversial as promising. Thus, in what follows we do not attempt to settle any disputes but rather discuss what are perhaps some important points in the articles, make a few suggestions that may prove helpful, and then end with some more general comments.
Creating analogs of thermal distributions from diabatic excitations in ion-trap-based quantum simulation

One broad goal of quantum simulation is to start a simple quantum system in its ground state and slowly evolve the Hamiltonian to a complex one, maintaining the ground state throughout the evolution (called adiabatic state preparation). This provides a natural setting to create a highly entangled and correlated quantum state if the final Hamiltonian supports such a ground state. In ion-trap-based quantum simulations, coherence times are too short to allow for such ground-state evolution for large chains, because the rapid evolution of the system creates excitations to higher energy states. Because the probability for this excitation depends exponentially on the excitation energy and because the thermal distribution also depends exponentially on the excitation energy, we investigate whether this so-called diabatic excitation can create the analog of a thermal distribution; as this could serve as an alternative for creating thermal states of complex quantum systems without requiring contact with a heat bath. In this work, we explore this relationship and determine situations, where diabatic excitation can approximately create thermal states.
Estimating controlled direct effects through marginal structural models

When working with panel data, many researchers wish to estimate the direct effects of time-varying factors on future outcomes. However, when a baseline treatment affects both the confounders of further stages of the treatment and the outcome, the estimation of controlled direct effects (CDEs) using traditional regression methods faces a bias trade-off between confounding bias and post-treatment control. Drawing on research from the field of epidemiology, in this article I present a marginal structural modeling (MSM) approach that allows scholars to generate unbiased estimates of CDEs. Further, I detail the characteristics and implementation of MSMs, compare the performance of this approach under different conditions, and discuss and assess practical challenges when conducting them. After presenting the method, I apply MSMs to estimate the effect of wealth in childhood on political participation, highlighting the improvement in terms of bias relative to traditional regression models. The analysis shows that MSMs improve our understanding of causal mechanisms especially when dealing with multi-categorical time-varying treatments and non-continuous outcomes.
Intratrial Exposure to Vitamin D and New-Onset Diabetes Among Adults With Prediabetes: A Secondary Analysis From the Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes (D2d) Study. Diabetes Care 2020;43:2916-2922.

This letter concerns the secondary analysis (1) of the Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes (D2d) study (2). The D2d study was a randomized controlled trial to determine whether vitamin D supplementation (4,000 IU per day) reduced the risk of diabetes among adults with prediabetes (2). In an intention-to-treat analysis, vitamin D nonsignificantly reduced new-onset diabetes by 12% compared with the placebo (2). A secondary analysis was subsequently …
State minimum wage and mental health in the United States: 2011–2019

Abstract Consistent with a rise in “deaths of despair” (drug overdose, alcoholism, and suicide), the percentage of Americans reporting major mental and emotional problems in all 30 of the last 30 days has been increasing. Based on the hypothesis that this rise in extreme levels of distress is driven partly by financial hardships, this study investigates whether higher state minimum wages reduce the likelihood of extreme levels of distress among low-income, prime-age Americans with no postsecondary education. By matching state minimum wages with individual-level data from the 2011–2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, this study finds that a ten percent increase in the minimum wage is associated with a 0.4–0.5 percentage-point decline in the likelihood of extreme distress. The finding is consistent with the notion that growing extreme distress is attributable to despair driven by economic hardships and financial strain.
Axisymmetric Parabolic Loading of Anistropic Halfspace

The complete formulation and solution of a boundary value problem, referred to as a frictionless loading case, are presented. An analytical solution to the problem of adhesive parabolic loading of a cross-anisotropic halfspace is outlined. The effect of soil anistropy on vertical and radial stresses and displacements under both frictionless and adhesive loading conditions are shown.
Symposium: A Broader Vision of the Reproductive Rights Movement: Fusing Mainstream and Latina Feminism

Introduction 59 I. Background 61 A. The Mainstream Reproductive Rights Movement 61 B. Critiques by Women of Color 65 II. Reproductive Rights: The Latina Perspective 69 A. A History of Limited Choices 69 B. Reproductive Health and Rights Issues Facing Latinas Today 72 C. Shortcomings of the Mainstream Movement in Addressing the Needs of Latinas 80 D. The Latina Reproductive Rights Movement 82 III. Looking to the Future: Reproductive Rights as a Social Justice Issue 83
The Oil Searching Problem

Given n potential oil locations, where each has oil at a certain depth, we seek good trade-offs between the number of oil sources found and the total amount of drilling performed. The cost of exploring a location is proportional to the depth to which it is drilled. The algorithm has no clue about the depths of the oil sources at the different locations or even if there are any. Abstraction of the oil searching problem applies naturally to several life contexts. Consider a researcher who wants to decide which research problems to invest time into. A natural dilemma whether to invest all the time into a few problems, or share time across many problems. When you have spent a lot of time on one problem with no success, should you continue or move to another problem?
The Sialic Acids XIV. SYNTHESIS OF SIALYL-LACTOSE BY A SIALYLTRANSFERASE FROM RAT MAMMARY GLAND

Abstract A particulate fraction obtained from lactating rat mammary gland catalyzed the transfer of two of the sialic acids (N-acetylneuraminic acid and N-glycolylneuraminic acid) from their CMP derivatives to lactose and to other β-d-galactopyranosides. The products of the reaction, when lactose and N-acetyllactosamine (β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-N-acetylglucosamine) were used as acceptors, were characterized as sialyl-(2→3)-lactose, and sialyl→N-acetyllactosamine, respectively. Only β-d-galactopyranosides served as acceptors in the enzymatic reaction, and the particulate fraction was active with both short chain oligosaccharides and simple glycosides. Various tissues from the rat were shown to contain sialyltransferase activity.
Displaying mathematics in a web browser using MathML and SVG

Until recently, the only way to render mathematics in a web browser was to insert a picture. Now, a dialect of XML, called MathML, exists that allows mathematics to be displayed directly in a web page. The latest version of Netscape Navigator has MathML built in to it and a plug-in is available for Internet Explorer. But, if an author wants to go beyond the simple rendering of a mathematical formula and display its graph, then more graphical processing is necessary. Another dialect of XML, namely Scalable Vector Graphics, is emerging as the de-facto industry standard for doing web graphics. We show in this paper that it is also the most appropriate format for displaying graphical mathematical information on a web page and we discuss the features that make it the ideal companion for MathML.
“All or None” Bundle Philosophy

Geisinger’s innovations use healthcare information technology (HIT) systems to eliminate, shift, or automate as much of the workflow as possible. Additionally, Geisinger has committed to using an “All or None Bundle Philosophy” to measure the success of their program. This methodology looks at the percentage of patients that have received every element of recommended care rather than the percentage of patients that achieve any particular measure. This encapsulates the patient centered view as well as creates a great deal of cognitive dissonance as the all or none bundle score is often quite low, driving systematic changes in care delivery.
Optogenetic stimulation of astrocytes in the posterior hypothalamus increases sleep at night in C57BL/6J mice

A distributed network of neurons regulates wake, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, and REM sleep. However, there are also glia in the brain, and there is growing evidence that neurons and astroglia communicate intimately to regulate behaviour. To identify the effect of optogenetic stimulation of astrocytes on sleep, the promoter for the astrocyte-specific cytoskeletal protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was used to direct the expression of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and the linked reporter gene, enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP), in astrocytes. rAAV-GFAP-ChR2 (H134R)-EYFP or rAAV-GFAP-EYFP was microinjected (750 nL) into the posterior hypothalamus (bilateral) of mice. Three weeks later baseline sleep was recorded (0 Hz) and 24 h later optogenetic stimulation applied during the first 6 h of the lights-off period. Mice with ChR2 were given 5, 10 or 30 Hz stimulation for 6 h (10-ms pulses; 1 mW; 1 min on 4 min off). At least 36 h elapsed between the stimulation periods (5, 10, 30 Hz) and although 0 Hz was always first, the order of the other three stimulation rates was randomised. In mice with ChR2 (n = 7), 10 Hz, but not 5 or 30 Hz stimulation increased both NREM and REM sleep during the 6-h period of stimulation. Delta power did not increase. In control mice (no ChR2; n = 5), 10 Hz stimulation had no effect. This study demonstrates that direct stimulation of astrocytes powerfully induces sleep during the active phase of the sleep-wake cycle and underlines the inclusion of astrocytes in network models of sleep-wake regulation.
Predictors of Persistence and Success in an Engineering Program

This study identifies student variables that predict persistence and success in an undergraduate engineering program. Three logistic models were developed that predicted the probability of persisting successfully. Significant predictors included both cognitive and noncognitive variables; students who did well in science and mathematics courses and who were genuinely interested in engineering were more likely to persist and succeed. Predictor variables were not constant over time but changed as students progressed through the first two years of study, with performance in prerequisite science and mathematics courses emerging as the best predictors. The authors briefly discuss academic advising implications.
Measurement of the separation dependence of resonant energy transfer between CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanocrystallite quantum dots

The separation dependence of the interaction between two resonant groups of CdSe$/$ZnS nanocrystallite quantum dots is studied at room temperature. A near-field scanning optical microscope is used to bring a group of monodisperse $\ensuremath{\sim}$6.5-nm-diam nanocrystallite quantum dots, which are attached to the microscope probe, into close proximity of an $\ensuremath{\sim}$8.5-nm-diam group of nanocrystallite quantum dots which are deposited on a solid immersion lens. Information extracted from photoluminescence, photoluminescence excitation, and absorption curves as well as numerical calculations of the energy levels show that the third excited excitonic energy level of the large quantum dots nearly matches the ground excitonic energy level for the small quantum dots. Quenching of the small quantum dots' photoluminescence signal is observed as they approach the large quantum dots. On average, the separation between microscope probe and solid immersion lens changed in the 15\char21{}50-nm range. The transition probability between these two groups of quantum dots is calculated to be $(2.60\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}47}\phantom{\rule{4.pt}{0ex}}{\text{m}}^{6})/{R}^{6}$, within the experimentally obtained range of transition probabilities $(0.70\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}47}\phantom{\rule{4.pt}{0ex}}{\text{m}}^{6})/{R}^{6}$\char21{}$(11.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}47}\phantom{\rule{4.pt}{0ex}}{\text{m}}^{6})/{R}^{6}$ . The F\"orster radius, as a signature of energy transfer efficiency, is experimentally found to be in the 14\char21{}22-nm range.
Geminivirus-Mediated Delivery of Florigen Promotes Determinate Growth in Aerial Organs and Uncouples Flowering from Photoperiod in Cotton

This article discusses geminivirus-mediated delivery of florigen. Florigen acts as a general growth hormone, advancing determinate growth. The findings extend our understanding of florigen as a general growth hormone and could benefit crop management techniques.
Optimization of externally modulated analog optical links

Analog fiber-optic links using an integrated-optical intensity modulator have been demonstrated and analyzed. Experimental links operate at frequencies from 40 MHz to 22 GHz with electrical gain up to 11 dB, noise figure as low as 6 dB, and intermodulation-free dynamic range of up to 113 dB-Hz2/3. The gain, noise figure, and dynamic range are shown to have a simple dependence upon a few link design parameters. Other factors affecting link performance, such as stimulated Brillouin scattering, interferometric intensity noise, modulator linearization, and addition of an optical amplifier, are also discussed briefly.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
What is "computer animation"?: examining technological advancements and cultural aesthetics of Japanese animation

This paper begins with the argument that technology is not simply a tool or means employed to deliver contents or ideas; rather, technologies are themselves constructed, and further acquire cultural meaning through divergent understanding of the visual (Eisenhauer, 2006). By investigating current narratives in the United States and Japan's deployment of computer animation, this paper argues that at different socio-cultural contexts "computer animation" acquires its cultural meaning and styles, and re-constitutes a specific cultural aesthetic for the society it resides. I first examine three current narratives of computer animation in the United States: (1) the ideological driven by the search of perfect representation of reality, (2) the mythological based on a modernist paradigm of progression, and (3) the hegemonic leading a habitual mode of production. It is suggested that computer animation were developed to approach virtually indistinguishable images from live action recording, to process a phenomenological illusion of reality, and to sustain the long ideological tradition in the West---cinema as a total representation of the real (Lamarre, 2006; Manovich, 2000, 2001). Research of computer animation tends to center on what technologies can do, and production is driven by a hegemonic mode that deploys computer animation as a genre of hyperrealism. Hence, discourses on computer animation risk falling into a constant search for "progression" through technological advancements and innovations whereas this search may merely resemble a modernist paradigm and functions as repetitions of Western cinema traditions.By examining Japanese animation Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005), I identify a divergent perception through which computer animation acquires its cultural meaning and aesthetics: the hyper-spectacle embedded in a superflat culture and the tradition of contingency. This animation discussed reveals more about cultural understanding of the visual than it does about the effectiveness of using particular technologies. Finally, this paper suggests studies not locating "computer animation" in machines or tools as a neutral object, rather, to explore that "computer animation" is discursively constituted by and through culture, and how it constantly acquires its aesthetic and meaning in society.
Automatic selection of load balancing parameters using compile‐time and run‐time information

Clusters of workstations are emerging as an important architecture. Programming tools that aid in distributing applications on workstation clusters must address problems of mapping the application, heterogeneity and maximizing system utilization in the presence of varying resource availability. Both computation and communication capabilities may vary with time due to other applications competing for resources so dynamic load balancing is a key requirement. For greatest benefit, the tool must support a relatively wide class of applications running on clusters with a range of computation and communication capabilities. We have developed a system that supportsdynamic load balancing of distributed applications consisting of parallelized DOALL and DOACROSS loops. The focus of this paper is on how the system automatically determines key load balancing parameters using run-time information and information provided by programming tools such as a parallelizing compiler. The parameters discussed are the grain size of the application, the frequency of load balancing, and the parameters that control work movement. Our results are supported by measurements on an implementation for the Nectar system at Carnegie Mellon University and by simulation.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids and their potential therapeutic role in multiple sclerosis

Considerable interest has been shown in the potential anti-inflammatory effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune inflammatory disorders. Studies suggest a modest association between consumption of low levels of unsaturated fat and an increased incidence of MS. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that omega-3 and omega-6 PUFA supplementation can reduce immune-cell activation via a number of complex pathways. Noncontrolled and controlled clinical trials of PUFA supplementation in patients with MS have, however, provided mixed results. These studies had important limitations in design and selection of outcome measures, and these factors might partially explain the inconsistent results. We propose that the potential role of PUFAs as disease-modifying, anti-inflammatory treatments for MS should be revisited in proof-of-concept trials that use accepted MRI outcome measures.
Predicting protein content by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy in diverse cereal food products

Simultaneous determination of constituents (e.g. dietary fibre, protein, fat) by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy would increase the speed and efficiency of nutrient analysis while substantially re...
Effect of precooling on physical performance in multiple sclerosis

Many individuals with MS experience heat sensitivity that may be associated with transient increases in the frequency of clinical signs and symptoms. Although physical activity may be beneficial fo...
Fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology as an adjunct in the diagnosis of childhood sarcoidosis.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology performed in three children with sarcoidosis expedited clinical investigation and diagnosis of their disease. Each patient had a different clinical presentation; in two of them lymphoma was part of the initial differential diagnosis. Aspiration cytology in all cases revealed collections of epithelioid histiocytes, and multinucleate foreign body-type giant cells, without accompanying necrosis or acute inflammation. A diagnosis of non-caseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis was made in all aspirates. Special stains for identification of organisms performed on the smears of one case, and culture of aspirate material from one case were negative. Subsequent serum angiotensin converting enzyme levels in all patients were elevated. Chest x-ray films in all patients showed mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. One patient had an interstitial pulmonary infiltrate. All patients responded to steroid therapy. Fine needle aspiration biopsy can be a useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of children with suspected sarcoidosis. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reliability in reporting asthma history and age at asthma onset.

Background: Evaluation of the prevalence and incidence of asthma and research into its etiology often rely on self-reported information. We conducted this analysis to investigate reliability in rep...
Nobody Does It Better: Ian Fleming’s James Bond Turns Sixty

Most of the world knows Ian Fleming’s fictional character James Bond through the 12 novels, 2 collections of short stories, and 23 films over the past 50 years which have been made of him. However, very few realize that the character began 60 years ago as a pulp hero standing up for Western values against a morally corrupt, vindictive, and spreading communist empire. Ian Fleming created a hero that embodied the West and its ideals of individualism, perseverance, and greatness, and in order to understand the popularity of James Bond, one must understand just what the character represents to the world. In this concise article, a textual and philosophic consideration of the character of James Bond is undertaken by examining Fleming’s original novels, stories, and writings on the subject. It becomes apparent that Fleming’s creation was to stand strongly opposed to the collectivist Soviet Union and its values, as well as be a tribute to Western spies who sacrifice their own happiness in the name of protecting democracy. The continued popularity of James Bond is found in the idea that the character represents the West against those who seek to destroy it and its values.
SOLUBILIZATION AND EVALUATION OF POLY-N-VINYL-5-METHYL-2-OXAZOLIDINONE BARBITURATE SYSTEMS.

A study was undertaken to investigate the solubilization (complexation) of phenobarbital and several other barbituric acid derivatives by a nonionic macromolecule, poly- N -vinyl-5-methyl-2-oxazolidinone (PVOM). A method was demonstrated whereby the acidification of an aqueous solution of PVOM and sodium phenobarbital proved to enhance significantly the extent of the interaction of polymer and drug over other methods studied. A comparison of several barbiturates has shown that the greater the aliphatic character of the disubstitution at the 5-position of barbituric acid, the lesser the affinity of the barbiturate for the polymer. PVOM was also shown to interact with phenobarbital to a greater degree than polyvinylpyrrolidone. Dialytic release rates and in vivo evaluation of polymer-drug solutions demonstrated no appreciable difference in the availability of the drug from the drug complex with respect to the free drug. The nature of the polymer-drug interaction was elucidated by various chemical and analytical techniques.
"Sir, Please Do Not Take Away My Cubicle" The Phenomenon of Environmental Deprivation

Based on an ethnographic study of a work organization, from a microsocial ecological perspective, I describe a phenomenon I call environmental deprivation, its various conditions and effects, as we...
Repair of plasmid DNA damaged in vitro with cis- or trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) in Escherichia coli.

Abstract Plasmid pBR322 was modified in vitro with the antitumor compound cis -diamminedichloroplatimum(II) ( cis -DDP) or the isomeric trans -DDP. The numbers of platinum adducts were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotetry. DNA-repair-proficient and various DNA-repair-deficient ( uvr B, uvr D, rec B and rec A) strains of Escherichia coli were transformed by the damaged plasmids and the ratios of the transformation frequencies of cells by damaged plasmids relative to those by untreated plasmids were determined. Results of transformation assays indicated that the uvrB gene function was essential for repair of plasmid DNA damaged with cis -DDP. A functional rec A gene product seemed to be of minor importance for repair of plasmids damaged with cis -DDP. trans -DDP had a different effect on plasmid DNA. trans -DDP-modified DNA was better able to transform cells than cis -DDP-modified DNA, and the DNAs appeared to be repaired differently. Prior induction of SOS functions increased the survival of plasmids treated with cis -DDP in wild-type and uvr D mutants, but did not increase the survival of plasmids damaged with trans -DDP in these strains. In in vitro repair experiments, plasmid DNA modified with cis -DDP was more readily incised by the UVRABC excinuclease than that modified with trans -DDP.
Gas-phase transport and sorption of benzene in soil

To better understand the transport of gaseous organic compounds through soil near buildings and under high soil gas flow rates in remediation processes, we have studied benzene equilibrium partitio...
Optimization of electromagnetic absorption in laminated composite plates

Analyzes an electromagnetic model of radar-absorbing layered structures for several stacking sequences of a woven glass/vinyl ester laminate, foam layers, and resistive sheets. It considers configurations that are either deposited on different backing materials or embedded in a laminated sandwich plate. Through-the-thickness layer dimensions and sheet resistances offering the best signal absorption over a specified frequency range are found for each configuration by minimizing an objective function with an enhanced genetic algorithm. The objective function includes selected values of minimum reflection coefficients and novel weight function distributions. In contrast to other optimization methods, this approach works with a population of initially selected values of the objective function and explores in parallel new areas in the search space, thus reducing the probability of being trapped in a local minimum. The procedure also yields the maximum reflection coefficient of -38.9 dB for a 0/spl deg/ incident wave passing through an optimized Jaumann absorber deposited on a metallic backing in the 7.5- to 18-GHz range, which corresponds to 5.2 times smaller reflected signal than a patented design. Two additional surface-mounted designs and three sandwich plate configurations are analyzed in a frequency band used by marine radars. In general, the surface-mounted designs have much lower reflection coefficients.
MNDO study of charged complexes of dodecahedron-shaped C20 with Li

Abstract Singly charged complexes of dodecadedron-shaped C20 with Li were studied by means of the MNDO semiempirical method and optimal structures, energies and harmonic vibrations were obtained for C20, C202−, [C20·Li]+ and [C20·Li]−. Two locations of the Li atom were treated (external and internal) and the external complexes were found to be thermodynamically more stable by at least 600 kJ mol−1. The internal location is, however, kinetically stabilized by a potential barrier of about 1000 kJ mol−1. The interactions with the Li atom do not produce substantial changes in the cage geometry, but they can be well seen in the vibrational patterns.
Proteolysis at the secretase and amyloidogenic cleavage sites of the beta-amyloid precursor protein by acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase using model peptide substrates.

1. It was recently proposed that acetylcholinesterase (AChE), in addition to its esteratic activity, has proteolytic activity such that it may cleave theβ-amyloid precursor (β-APP) within theβ-amyloid sequence. The purpose of this paper was to examine further whether AChE or butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) had associated proteinase activity that was involved in the metabolism ofβ-APP. 2. The ability of various preparations of AChE and BuChE to hydrolyze two synthetic fragments ofβ-APP695 as model substrates containing the normal and aberrant cleavage sites was studied. 3. Digestion of these synthetic substrates with commercial preparations ofElectrophorus electricus AChE indicated the presence of a trypsin-like proteolytic activity cleaving each peptide at the carboxy-terminal side of an internal lysine residue. 4. Purification of the trypsin-like proteinase activity by aminobenzamidine affinity chromatography yielded a preparation that was devoid of AChE activity but retained all of the proteinase activity. 5. Amino-terminal sequence analysis of this preparation showed that the first 13 amino acid residues were identical toβ-pancreatic trypsin. 6. These data indicate that the proteinase activity found in these commercial preparations of AChE is due to contamination with trypsin.
Lubricant-derived tribochemical films: an infra-red spectroscopic study

Abstract Lubricant-derived tribochemical films were prepared in a cam/tappet tribometer using fully formulated engine oils containing zinc dialkydithiophosphate. A direct acting bucker tappet geometry with a removable friction disc in the tappet was employed. The friction discs could easily be removed for analysis after the completion of the friction experiments. Reflection-absorption infra-red was used to characterize the films, together with XPS and Auger spectroscopies. The results were consistent with an inorganic, amorphous phosphate film with cations derived from the lubricant additives. Building on these results, additional experiments were undertaken to determine the nature of the films better. Model materials for the films were prepared by synthesizing phosphate glasses and by thermally and thermo-oxidatively decomposing zinc diisopropyl dithiophosphate. The results indicated that the tribochemical films were not phosphate glasses as expected, but rather predominantly amorphous orthophosphates and pyrophosphates formed by thermooxidative decomposition of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate.
Depth profiling of Langmuir-Blodgett films with a buckminsterfullerene probe.

Bombardment with C60+ primary ions of monolayer and multilayer barium arachidate Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) films is investigated. The behavior of cluster versus atomic (Ga+) bombardment is monitored by the barium-cationized arachidate ion (mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) 449) and a characteristic fragment ion (m/z 209) using 1-, 7-, and 15-layer model systems. The removal rate of material from the films is shown to be on the order of several hundred molecules per C60 impact, a value 100-fold larger than Ga+ impact. The enhancement in secondary ion yield is also shown to be larger for the 15-layer film (400×) than for the monolayer film (100×). Moreover, most of the increase in yield is shown to be associated with ejection of sputtered species rather than an increase in ionization probability. High yields associated with cluster bombardment are also shown to be amenable to depth profiling experiments in which the two ions can be monitored as the film is being removed. In this modality, chemical damage associated w...
Investigation of the Properties of Phthalocyanine Resin Containing Bismaleimide Groups

A bisphthalonitrile monomer containing bismaleimide groups was synthesized using 4,4′-bismaleimidodiphenylmethane and 4-aminophenoxyphthalonitrile. The structure of the monomer was confirmed by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. With this monomer, a phthalocyanine resin containing bismaleimide groups was obtained by catalytic thermal polymerization. The structure of the resin was confirmed by IR spectroscopy. The characteristic absorption peak of nitrile groups at 2200cm-1 disappeared in the IR spectra, showing that polymerization of monomer was complete. Thermogravimetry of the resin in air and N2 was investigated; the results show that this resin has excellent thermal and thermo-oxidative stabilities, and a high char yield in nitrogen (82·7%). In addition, a monomer solution in dimethylacetamide was flow-coated on a glass strip to form a resin film. The adhesion between film and glass strip was firm, and the resin film had strong resistance to saturated alkali solution. A solubility test showed that the resin possessed good chemical inertness. Copper and aluminium strips were bonded using monomer solution. The single-lap shear strength of samples was tested after curing. The results demonstrated that the adhesion between resin and copper strips was stronger than with aluminium strips. The resin can be used as a heat-resistant adhesive. © of SCI.
Ultrasound-guided Transthoracic Intramyocardial Injection in Mice

Murine models of cardiovascular disease are important for investigating pathophysiological mechanisms and exploring potential regenerative therapies. Experiments involving myocardial injection are currently performed by direct surgical access through a thoracotomy. While convenient when performed at the time of another experimental manipulation such as coronary artery ligation, the need for an invasive procedure for intramyocardial delivery limits potential experimental designs. With ever improving ultrasound resolution and advanced noninvasive imaging modalities, it is now feasible to routinely perform ultrasound-guided, percutaneous intramyocardial injection. This modality efficiently and reliably delivers agents to a targeted region of myocardium. Advantages of this technique include the avoidance of surgical morbidity, the facility to target regions of myocardium selectively under ultrasound guidance, and the opportunity to deliver injectate to the myocardium at multiple, predetermined time intervals. With practiced technique, complications from intramyocardial injection are rare, and mice quickly return to normal activity on recovery from anesthetic. Following the steps outlined in this protocol, the operator with basic echocardiography experience can quickly become competent in this versatile, minimally invasive technique.
Thermogravimetric study of the reductions of oxides present in oxidized nickel-base alloy powders

Carbon, hydrogen, and hydrogen plus carbon reduction of three oxidized nickel-base alloy powders (a solid solution strengthened alloy both with and without the gamma prime formers aluminum and titanium and the solid solution strengthened alloy NiCrAlY) were evaluated by thermogravimetry. Hydrogen and hydrogen plus carbon were completely effective in reducing an alloy containing chromium, columbium, tantalum, molybdenum, and tungsten. However, with aluminum and titanium present the reduction was limited to a weight loss of about 81 percent. Carbon alone was not effective in reducing any of the alloys, and none of the reducing conditions were effective for use with NiCrAlY.
Nasopharyngeal perforation by a new electromagnetically visualised enteral feeding tube

Enteral nutrition is the preferred route of feeding in critically ill patients. It has multiple advantages over parenteral nutrition and potentially improves patients’ outcome. Enteral nutrition is delivered via gastric or postpyloric (small intestine) feeding tubes. The latter option used to be a more challenging choice to achieve unless the feeding tube is placed endoscopically or by interventional radiology. Multiple technical advances have facilitated postpyloric feeding, including a new electromagnetically visualised jejunal feeding tube system (CORTRAK Enteral Access System). We are presenting a case of a 50-year-old woman who suffered a nasopharyngeal perforation caused by this novel technology. The complication was recognised promptly and managed successfully with conservative measures. This case illustrates the importance of recognising patients at high risk for feeding tube placement complications, meticulous placement technique and appropriate follow-up once the tube has been inserted.
Conceptual design of a low resolution spectrograph for the Astronomical Observatory of Córdoba

We present a conceptual design for a low resolution optical spectrograph for the Astronomical Observatory of Cordoba 1.54m telescope. The simple instrument is required to cover a broad wavelength range (4000A<λ <9000A with 3000A simultaneous coverage) at a resolution of R=λ/∆λ ~ 500, allowing its use as a versatile astronomical spectrograph. In particular, we explore the use of inexpensive commercial off-the-shelf lenses, gratings, and a CCD system to create a small and simple spectrograph that has reasonable performance. We carefully measure properties of the lenses and demonstrate that they have excellent image quality and high throughput.
Review of the use of hepatitis B core antibody–positive kidney donors

This article reviews the risks of transplanting hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc)–positive (+) kidneys and strategies to minimize the risks to the recipient. In the United States, there is a shortage of kidneys available for transplantation. Presently, 4% of kidneys transplanted are anti-HBc (+). In published retrospective studies, the serologic conversion rate for recipients of anti-HBc (+) kidneys varied between 0% and 27%; and the development of elevated hepatic transaminases varied between 0% and 26%. Only one published article had a trend toward increased risk of graft loss. Other published studies had no significant difference in graft or patient survival. Factors that influence the risk of transmission include hepatitis B viral load, vaccination, and antiviral therapy. If the donor is anti-HBc (+) and hepatitis B DNA negative, the risk of transmission is negligible; unfortunately, this information may not be available at the time of transplant. Vaccinated recipients with a protective hepatitis B surface antibody of at least 10 mIU/mL had a 4% conversion rate compared with 10% in recipients with antibody levels not exceeding 10 mIU/mL. Both hepatitis B immunoglobulin and lamivudine have been used in recipients of anti-HBc (+) kidneys to decrease seroconversion with success. The data do support the use of anti-HBc (+) kidneys if precautions are taken. The recipients should be informed of the risk, should be vaccinated with an adequate response, and should have surveillance serologies performed.
Risk of malignancy in unilocular ovarian cystic tumors less than 10 centimeters in diameter.

Abstract Objective To determine the natural history and to estimate the risk of malignancy of unilocular ovarian cystic tumors less than 10 cm in diameter followed conservatively by transvaginal ultrasound. Methods From 1987 to 2002, 15,106 asymptomatic women at least 50 years old entered the University of Kentucky's Ovarian Cancer Screening Program and underwent initial transvaginal ultrasonography. If the screen revealed nothing abnormal, women were asked to repeat transvaginal ultrasonography yearly. If the screen revealed abnormalities, transvaginal ultrasonography was repeated in 4 to 6 weeks, along with Doppler flow ultrasonography and CA 125 testing. Results Of the 15,106 women at least 50 years old, 2763 women (18%) were diagnosed with 3259 unilocular ovarian cysts. A total of 2261 (69.4%) of these cysts resolved spontaneously, 537 (16.5%) developed a septum, 189 (5.8%) developed a solid area, and 220 (6.8%) persisted as a unilocular lesion. During this time, 27 women received a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, and ten had been previously diagnosed with simple ovarian cysts. All ten of these women, however, developed another morphologic abnormality, experienced resolution of the cyst before developing cancer, or developed cancer in the contralateral ovary. No woman with an isolated unilocular cystic ovarian tumor has developed ovarian cancer in this population. Conclusion The risk of malignancy in unilocular ovarian cystic tumors less than 10 cm in diameter in women 50 years old or older is extremely low. The majority will resolve spontaneously and can be followed conservatively with serial transvaginal ultrasonography.
Geomechanical Behavior of Wells in Geologic Sequestration

Abstract We present a preliminary model of geomechanical failure in wellbore systems induced by elevated pore- pressure following injection of CO 2 . The model is a coupled flow and geomechanics and operates on 2-D and 3- D detailed representations of the wellbore environment. We find that failure occurs at over-pressures of 6-7 MPa and that subsequent flow of water and/or CO 2 relieves pressure in the injection reservoir.