cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors Related to the Anticipated Use of Drugs by Urban Junior High School Students

The major objective of this study was to examine factors related to intentions to use drugs in the future by urban junior high school students. One hundred forty-eight subjects enrolled in Health Education classes were administered four questionnaires during two consecutive classroom sessions: 1) the Stanford University Drug Evaluation Questionnaire; 2) the Drug Attitude Scale of the Pennsylvania State University Drug Education Evaluation Scale; 3) the Self-Observation Scales; and 4) the School Atmosphere Questionnaire. The results indicated that: adolescents who currently report using drugs had a significantly higher mean anticipatory use score than those who reported that they did not use drugs; subjects who had friends who used drugs had a higher mean anticipatory drug use score than subjects who did not have friends who used drugs; adolescents with a pro-drug attitude had more ambiguous feelings toward future drug use when compared to adolescents who were anti-drug; subjects who were low in self-secur...
The Use of Influence Strategies in Interfirm Relationships in Industrial Product Channels

The authors seek to extend theory and empirical findings on interfirm influence strategies by examining their use in channel relationships between suppliers and distributors of industrial products....
T cell costimulatory blockade as a novel immune intervention in autoimmune diseases.

To initiate their first proliferative cycle, naive T cells require T cell receptor (TCR) signaling consisting of antigen presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules that provide antigen specificity to the immune response, and a second signal resulting in a cascade of events causing resting T cells to enter the G1 phase of cell cycle progression and express the interleukin (IL)-2 receptor.1 The second signal is dependent on either soluble factors such as IL-2 or the interaction of cell surface molecules that provide essential costimulatory signals complementary to the TCR-mediated events. These costimulatory signals are pivotal in determining whether recognition of antigen by T cells leads to T cell activation or to anergy.2,3 This model was originally proposed4 as a partial solution to the problem of how potentially autoreactive T cells that had escaped deletion during intrathymic ontogeny could circulate and even encounter their target selfantigens without becoming activated and initiating autoimmune disease. By requiring that activation occurs only after signaling through the antigen receptor and costimulatory receptor, this system ensures that T lymphocytes cannot be activated simply by antigenic stimulation via a nonprofessional antigen-presenting cell (APC, such as epithelial cells) expressing a self-antigen without costimulatory molecules. Indeed, such aberrant stimulation may lead to autoreactivity. Secondly, stimulation of lymphocytes through the antigen receptor in the absence of costimulation is not a neutral event and mediates specific inactivation through anergy, a further safeguard against self-reactivity. Thus, it has been suggested that the absence of costimulation on resting tissue APCs could serve to induce and maintain T cell tolerance to self-antigens and that aberrant expression of costimulatory molecule on nonprofessional APCs could activate self-reactive T cells, resulting in autoimmunity. The two-signal model has gained enormous support in recent years defining several costimulatory pathways and is now widely accepted.2,3 This article will review the role of T cell costimulatory activation pathways and the implication of this model for autoimmune disease and treatment. In particular, we will focus on the bestcharacterized costimulatory pathways, namely B7CD28/CTLA-4 and the related CD40-CD40L pathways, and on how strategies to block these pathways are being used for experimental immunosuppression.
Equipping small robotic platforms with highly sensitive more accurate nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) detection systems

On the battlefield and on the home front there exists an increased Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) threat. There has been an ongoing effort to develop methods in detecting the presence of NBC agents. The utilization of small robotic platforms equipped with NBC sensors is one way to aid in reconnaisance missions along with inspecting suspicious areas and vehicles. The U.S. Army's Omni-Directional Inspection System (ODIS) and iRobot's Packbot are two low profile robotic platforms that are being investigated by the U.S. Army TARDEC's Robotic Mobility Laboratory (TRML) to perform such tasks. There currently exists a variety of testing methods used in detecting NBC agents, which each have advantages and disadvantages. These different methods, along with their advantages and disadvantages are discussed in this paper. Traditional NBC type sensing systems are large requires a large vehicle or a trailer to be transported. To integrate these sensors into small robotic systems, they need to require less power and shrunk in size. Some commercially available products and ongoing research at government and academic laboratories are looking at improving NBC based detection systems are discussed in this paper for the integration of robotic platforms.
Stories that bring peace to the mind: Communication and the education of feelings

Communication not only elicits fleeting emotional reactions; it also influences how people learn to approach life emotionally. It does so by shaping perceptions and beliefs implicit in emotions, as well as ideas about the value and appropriateness of emotions. Furthermore, communicative experiences help develop people's capacity and inclination for particular feelings. This essay advances a concept of communication as education for the feelings, then examines the role of storytelling in this process. Four elements of storytelling have important consequences for listeners’ emotional lives: (a) narrative depiction of feelings, attitudes, and behavior; (b) the narrator's emotional stance; (c) listeners’ expectations; and (d) listeners’ emotional responses. The essay uses this analysis to examine how telling and hearing stories can help people learn to approach life with greater peace of mind.
Postmenopausal ovarian follicle cyst: an unusual cause of estrogen excess.

Six years after menopause, a 61-year-old woman complained of enlarging, tender breasts. The serum follicle-stimulating hormone level was 62 mIU/ml; the serum estradiol value was 91 pg/ml; and challenge with progesterone, 100 mg i.m., induced withdrawal bleeding. Histologic examination of a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy specimen showed proliferative endometrium and an involuting, luteinized follicle cyst of the left ovary. A follicle cyst causing symptomatic hyperestrogenism after a menopause documented by biochemical tests has not been previously reported.
Distribution of Serotonin Transporter Labeled Fibers in Amygdaloid Subregions: Implications for Mood Disorders

Background The serotonin transporter 5-HTT mediates responses to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a mainstay treatment in mood disorders. The amygdala, a key emotional processing center, has functional abnormalities in mood disorders, which resolve following successful SSRI treatment. To better understand the effects of SSRIs in mood disorders, we examined the distribution of 5-HTT labeled fibers relative to specific nuclear groups in the amygdala. Methods Immunocytochemical techniques were used to chart 5-HTT labeled fibers in the amygdala in coronal sections through the brain of six adult Macaques. Nissl staining was used to define nuclear groups in the amygdala. Results The serotonin transporter 5-HTT is distributed heterogeneously in the primate amygdala, with the lateral subdivision of the central nucleus, intercalated cell islands, amygdalohippocampal area, and the paralaminar nucleus showing the heaviest concentrations. Conclusions 5HTT-labeled fibers are very densely concentrated in output regions of the amygdala. High concentrations of 5-HTT-positive fibers in the central nucleus indicate that tight regulation of serotonin is critical in modulating fear responses mediated by this nucleus. High concentrations of 5-HTT-labeled fibers in the intercalated islands and parvicellular basal nucleus/paralaminar nucleus, which contain immature -appearing neurons, suggest a potential trophic role for serotonin in these subregions.
“The China problem” in the eyes of the China‐watchers

This research is a survey study of the opinions of one group of China scholars in the U.S.—scholars teaching Chinese politics in American universities—on issues concerning the People's Republic of China. Our findings suggest that despite some new developments in the Sinologist community in the U.S., China scholars continue to favor more generous and more pragmatic approaches toward China. They are more concerned with practical issues such as regional stability and economic ties with China and do not want the U.S. to be highly moralistic in dealing with China.
Spatial scale of stereomotion speed processing.

To examine the spatial scale of the mechanisms supporting the perception of motion in depth deﬁned by binocular cues, wemeasured stereomotion speed discrimination thresholds as a function of stimulus size using a two-interval speedcomparison task. Stimuli were either random dot stereogram (RDS) bars featuring both the changing disparity (CD) and theinterocular velocity difference (IOVD) cues to motion in depth or dynamic random dot stereogram (DRDS) bars featuring theCD cue alone. Monocular speed discrimination performance was also assessed, using half-images of the RDS stimulus. Inaddition, subjects’ stereoacuity for stationary versions of the binocular stimuli was measured. Stimuli ranged in verticalextent from 1.25 to 40 min. Sensitivity to speed differences was strongly related to stimulus height for DRDS stimuli.Performance decreased rapidly as stimulus size was reduced, becoming nearly random for heights below 5 min. However,for RDS stimuli, speed discrimination performance declined with reductions in stimulus size at a far slower rate, providingsuperior performance at every stimulus size used. Monocular performance was superior still for the majority of subjects, yetshowed a similar rate of decline to binocular RDS stimuli. We conclude that the spatial resolution of the CD mechanism andits static disparity inputs is, on average, nearly nine times more coarse than the IOVD system and its monocular motioninputs. Static stereoacuity controls show that this ﬁnding cannot be explained by differences in the disparity signalsavailable in our RDS and DRDS stimuli.Keywords: binocular vision, motion in depth, spatial summation, spatial integration
Effects of variety, maturity and processing on pear juice quality and protein stability

?Anjou, Comice, and Bartlett pears were processed into clarified juices from hard green and soft ripened fruits. Processing trials with and without SO2 were conducted. Effects of variety, maturity and processing on browning, turbidity, proteins, and stability were investigated. Browning increased with heat treatment, and was reduced by processing with SO2. Total soluble protein content increased with fruit maturity and processing with SO2. Protein fractions from a clarifying enzyme preparation (mainly arabinase and amylase) with MW in the range of 64,000–92,000 and containing glycoproteins were not removed by fining/clarification. They contributed to protein instability in the clarified pear juices, but could be removed by heat treatment (pasteurization) prior to final filtration and bottling. Our results indicate some enzymes added for clarification during processing may contribute to post-clarification haze and sediment formation.
Adenosine analogues modulate the incidence of sleep apneas in rats

Abstract The effects of adenosine A1 and A2 agonists on spontaneous central sleep apneas in rats have been examined by simultaneously monitoring sleep and respiration in freely moving unanesthetized animals. Intraperitoneal administration of 1.0 mg/kg of the A1 receptor agonist R(−)N6-L-(2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine (L-PIA) and 150 and 300 μg/kg of 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-5′-N-ethylcarboxamido-adenosine hydrochloride (CGS 21680), a selective A2 agonist, decreased the apnea index (AI) during sleep. Within a sleep period, AI increased over time in both control and drug-treated animals. For both agonists, doses effective in reducing AI also significantly reduced sleep efficiency.
Adaptive Optics Techniques Used for in vivo Examination of the Retina and Visual System

Abstract (35 Word Limit) A short review of past and present developments of adaptive optics techniques used in Vision Science and ophthalmology for in vivo examination of retina and visual system will be presented.
Carcino-Foetal Human Liver Ferritins

FERRITIN is an iron-storage protein found in the cytoplasm of a wide variety of plant and animal cells1,2. Structurally, the molecule comprises a hollow protein shell, apoferritin, composed of 20 or 24 subunits, within which variable amounts of inorganic iron may be sequestered. These subunits may not be chemically identical since multiple molecular forms of differing charge, isoferritins, have been found in several organs by electrophoresis3,4 or electrofocusing5,6. Although the structural relationship of the isoferritins is unclear, these findings raise the possibility that the charge differences may represent primary structures coded by different genes. In addition to the isoferritins found in normal cells, an “abnormal” ferritin has also been found in malignant cell lines7 and in livers of tumour bearing animals8,9. As part of our investigations into tumour specific and embryonic antigens, we have examined the isoferritin profile in human hepatoma and compared it to that found in normal adult and foetal liver. Here we supply evidence for a unique isoferritin species in human hepatoma that is not present in normal adult liver. This tumour-specific isoferritin may correspond to a similar isoferritin found in foetal liver in early gestation.
The role of relative intensity in selective listening

The extent to which differences in intensity facilitate the selection of one of two dichotically presented messages was investigated in 25 male Ss. Different lists of disyllabic words were presented synchronously at five different levels of relative intensity between -10 and +10 dB, with the set signal held at a constant intensity level. Selectivity was found to be a monotonic increasing function of the relative intensity of the set list. However, selectivity was much lower and increased more slowly than suggested in earlier work. Implications of this finding for the future study of relative intensity and auditory selection are described.
Neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory mechanisms involved in alcohol abuse and alcoholism: Epitome of cerebral complexity

Abstract The review article by Nevo and Hamon examines selectively and evaluates many of the recent research findings on the possible role of neurotransmitters in the development of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Intriguing evidence now exists that certain monoaminergic and amino acid neurotransmitters as well as other factors are involved neurochemically in the actions of alcohol. Our critique introduces alternative viewpoints to several of the notions held today about alcohol's effect on neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Caveats are also raised in terms of the interpretation of observations, particularly in relation to procedures used for determining the effects of alcohol on these systems. The reason for the need to consider these alternative views and interpretations centers on the fact that what may appear on the surface to be straightforward may actually represent an oversimplification of the true complexity of the addictive liability to alcohol or those biological components underpinning the disease of alcoholism.
Issues in enhanced narrow-band signal attenuation in DSSS BPSK receiver systems

A simple 2nd-order FIR LMS adaptive filter is shown to track narrow-band interference very well under a variety of conditions. This filter or a more complex slaved filter can then be used in a DSSS-BPSK receiver to attenuate the interference.
Small-atom approximations for photoelectron scattering in the intermediate-energy range.

Five approximate models for describing the scattering of spherical waves by central potentials are explored. The point-scattering model introduced by Lee and Pendry [Phys. Rev. B 11, 2795 (1975)] allows a short-range potential to be close to the source; a new homogeneous-wave model lifts the restriction on the potential diameter, but requires asymptotic incident waves. The popular plane-wave model requires both an infinitesimal-diameter potential and incident waves at their asymptotic limit. For realistic potentials at near-neighbor separations, none of these models is adequate: Even a hybrid model combining features of the point-scattering and homogeneous-wave methods does not allow for amplitude variation across the potential. The fifth small-atom model is based on a Taylor-series, magnetic-quantum-number expansion of the addition theorem for screened spherical waves. This Taylor-series approximation has the homogeneous-wave model as its zeroth-order term and the exact spherical-wave scattering process as its limit. Multiple-scattering equations for angle-resolved photoemission extended fine structure (ARPEFS) are derived and the effectiveness of these approximations is compared. We demonstrate that while the plane-wave model is reasonably accurate for near-180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} backscattering, small-angle scattering requires the curved-wave-front corrections available in the Taylor-series-expansion method.
Steady-state kinetics of Rhus laccase with rapid substrate

Abstract Rhus laccase exhibits ping-pong kinetics [1]. Though reductants do not bind, an apparent Km reflecting substrate-independent steps was reported with a DMPD, a rapid substrate. This work examines the effects of pH, D2O and anions on reductant substrate-dependent (kr) and substrate-independent (kcat) steps. Activity was measured with an O2 electrode using DMPD as the reductant. The pH dependency of kr is bell-shaped indicating contributions from at least two groups. The group required in its dissociated form has an apparent pka 7.55 ± 0.12 as reported previously [1], while the group required in its undissociated form has an apparent pka 8.43 ± 0.23. Anaerobic reduction data does not detect pH-dependencies consistent with these pka values and forms [2, 3]. In particular, no group with pka near 7.5 required in its undissociated form is detected. Therefore, the pH-dependency of kr must involve enzymic states specific to catalytic turnover. Both pH-dependent steps are more likely associated with type 2 Cu than type 1 Cu reduction. Type 1 Cu(II) reduction in laccase which has been activated by a reduction-reoxidation cycle does not show these pH-depedencies [4]. A recently derived steady-state rate law implies that this also holds for type 1 reduction during turnover [4]. The pH dependence of kcat is also bell-shaped. The implicated pka values were: pka 5.91 ± 0.035 for an acid catalyst and pka 8.99 ± 0.02 for a base catalyst. Residual activity (0.22 maximal) at high pH, which implies that the putative acid catalyst is not mandatory, was accounted for in the data fits. While kr does not show a solvent isotope effect, kcat does. In 50% D2O, pH 7.40, kH/kD is 1.36, in 100%, 2.12 ± 0.038. The ratio of the pH independent kcat is 1.48 in 50% D2O. Thus, proton(s) transfers are implicated in a rate-limiting substrate-independent step. Analyses of the D2O concentration dependence of kcat at pH 7.4 are consistent with 2 proton transfers. The isotope-exchanging group is most likely functioning as the acid catalyst given the pka of the base catalyst and the magnitude of the effect at the pH 7.40. Both F− and N3− inhibit laccase immediately when they are added during steady-state turnover. The inhibition patterns obtained indicate that both F− and N3− inhibit both reductant-dependent and substrate-independent steps. Laccase exhibits partial activity for both the kr and kcat effects when saturated with F−. ESR spectra of laccase at pH 6.0, 4 °C, show that both types 1 and 2 Cu are 30% reduced during steady-state turnover. The concentration of reduced type 1 and 2 are significantly increased when 40 mM F− is added. Stopped-flow experiments show that F− does not affect type 3 reoxidation of O2 binding. Thus, the ESR results indicate that during steady-state turnover in the presence of F−, the rate-limiting step is a substrate-independent step affecting type 1 and type 2 Cu reoxidation. These results also imply that F− can remain bound to the reduced type 2 Cu.
Prevalence of Human Herpesvirus-8 Salivary Shedding in HIV Increases with CD4 Count:

Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) is the etiologic agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), which occurs in epidemic form in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-infected individuals. Saliva is the only mucosal fluid in which infectious HHV-8 has been identified, although factors associated with HHV-8 salivary shedding remain unclear. Our study performed PCR analysis for HHV-8 DNA in saliva (and other body fluids) in 66 HIV- and HHV-8-co-infected women without KS so that we could examine predictors for HHV-8 DNA detection. CD4 count was the most significant predictor of HHV-8 salivary shedding, with increased prevalence of HHV-8 salivary DNA at higher CD4 counts. The odds of salivary HHV8 shedding at CD4 counts > = 350 cells/microL was 63 times the odds of shedding at CD4 200. Analysis of these data suggests an increased potential for HHV-8 transmission early in HIV infection, with implications for HHV-8 prevention.
Converting Maturing Nuclear Sites to Integrated Power Production Islands

Nuclear islands, which are integrated power production sites, could effectively sequester and safeguard the US stockpile of plutonium. A nuclear island, an evolution of the integral fast reactor, utilizes all the Transuranics (Pu plus minor actinides) produced in power production, and it eliminates all spent fuel shipments to and from the site. This latter attribute requires that fuel reprocessing occur on each site and that fast reactors be built on-site to utilize the TRU. All commercial spent fuel shipments could be eliminated by converting all LWR nuclear power sites to nuclear islands. Existing LWR sites have the added advantage of already possessing a license to produce nuclear power. Each could contribute to an increase in the nuclear power production by adding one or more fast reactors. Both the TRU and the depleted uranium obtained in reprocessing would be used on-site for fast fuel manufacture. Only fission products would be shipped to a repository for storage. The nuclear island concept could be used to alleviate the strain of LWR plant sites currently approaching or exceeding their spent fuel pool storage capacity. Fast reactor breeding ratio could be designed to convert existing sites to all fast reactors, or keep the majority thermal.
The Human Skin Double-Stranded DNA Virome: Topographical and Temporal Diversity, Genetic Enrichment, and Dynamic Associations with the Host Microbiome

ABSTRACT Viruses make up a major component of the human microbiota but are poorly understood in the skin, our primary barrier to the external environment. Viral communities have the potential to modulate states of cutaneous health and disease. Bacteriophages are known to influence the structure and function of microbial communities through predation and genetic exchange. Human viruses are associated with skin cancers and a multitude of cutaneous manifestations. Despite these important roles, little is known regarding the human skin virome and its interactions with the host microbiome. Here we evaluated the human cutaneous double-stranded DNA virome by metagenomic sequencing of DNA from purified virus-like particles (VLPs). In parallel, we employed metagenomic sequencing of the total skin microbiome to assess covariation and infer interactions with the virome. Samples were collected from 16 subjects at eight body sites over 1 month. In addition to the microenviroment, which is known to partition the bacterial and fungal microbiota, natural skin occlusion was strongly associated with skin virome community composition. Viral contigs were enriched for genes indicative of a temperate phage replication style and also maintained genes encoding potential antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. CRISPR spacers identified in the bacterial DNA sequences provided a record of phage predation and suggest a mechanism to explain spatial partitioning of skin phage communities. Finally, we modeled the structure of bacterial and phage communities together to reveal a complex microbial environment with a Corynebacterium hub. These results reveal the previously underappreciated diversity, encoded functions, and viral-microbial dynamic unique to the human skin virome. IMPORTANCE To date, most cutaneous microbiome studies have focused on bacterial and fungal communities. Skin viral communities and their relationships with their hosts remain poorly understood despite their potential to modulate states of cutaneous health and disease. Previous studies employing whole-metagenome sequencing without purification for virus-like particles (VLPs) have provided some insight into the viral component of the skin microbiome but have not completely characterized these communities or analyzed interactions with the host microbiome. Here we present an optimized virus purification technique and corresponding analysis tools for gaining novel insights into the skin virome, including viral “dark matter,” and its potential interactions with the host microbiome. The work presented here establishes a baseline of the healthy human skin virome and is a necessary foundation for future studies examining viral perturbations in skin health and disease.
Large scale oxidation of AlAs layers for broadband saturable Bragg reflectors

Summary form only given. Describes oxidation of AlAs to Al/sub x/O/sub y/ for use as a broadband saturable Bragg reflector (SBR) where an Al/sub x/O/sub y//GaAs mirror with lateral dimensions >300 /spl mu/m is required. For the SBR structure described, the simulated bandwidth extends from 1200 nm to 1800 nm with greater than 99.5% reflectivity. The layers within the SBR are grown using gas-source molecular beam epitaxy. The SBR structure contains an 8 period GaAs/AlAs quarter-wave stack grown on a GaAs substrate. The Al/sub x/O/sub y/ layer is initially grown as AlAs and later oxidized. The AlAs layer is relatively thick (240 nm) to correspond to a quarter wavelength in Al/sub x/O/sub y/ (n = 1.66) minus a 10% shrinkage upon oxidation. The active region consists of an InP/InGaAs quantum well emitting near /spl lambda/ = 1550 nm. The effects of the SBR for self-starting the laser cavity are detailed.
The Commons as New Economy & What This Means for Research

Suppose the entire social and commercial fabric supporting the creation of software is changing--changing by becoming completely a commons and thereby dropping dramatically in cost. How would the world change and how would we recognize the changes? Software would not be continually recreated by different organizations, so the global "efficiency" of software production would increase dramatically; therefore it would be possible to create value without waste, experimentation and risk-taking would become affordable--and probably necessary because firms could not charge for their duplication of infrastructure--, and the size and complexity of built systems would increase dramatically, perhaps beyond human comprehension. As important or more so, the activities of creating software would become the provenance of people, organizations, and disciplines who today are mostly considered consumers of software--there would, in a very real sense, be only a single software system in existence, continually growing; it would be an ecology husbanded along by economists, sociologists, governments, clubs, communities, and herds of disciplines. New business models would be developed, perhaps at an alarming rate. How should we design our research to observe and understand this change? There is some evidence the change is underway, as the result of the adoption of open source by companies who are not merely appreciative receivers of gifts from the evangelizers of open source, but who are clever thieves re-purposing the ideas and making up new ones of their own.
Incidence, significance, and follow-up of para-aortic lymph node metastases in late invasive carcinoma of the cervix

Abstract One hundred and four patients with Stages II and III of cervical carcinoma underwent para-aortic node biopsies. Of these, 12.5 per cent of patients with Stage IIA, 14.9 per cent of patients with Stage IIB, and 38.4 per cent of patients with Stage III carcinoma of the cervix had positive para-aortic nodes. They subsequently recleve 6,000 rads to the para-aortic area. The radiotherapy complication rate was high. Within four years, 50 per cent of the patients with positive para-aortic nodes had other distant metastases. The two- and four-year follow-up is presented. Only one of 13 patients with positive para-aortic nodes was alive at the end of four years.
Fire‐ and heat‐resistant polymer based on maleimido‐substituted 2,2‐bis(anilino)‐4,4,6,6‐tetrakis‐(4‐aminophenoxy)‐cyclotriphosphazene

A fire- and heat-resistant polymer was obtained by the thermal polymerization of bismaleimido-substituted 2,2-bis(anilino)-4,4,6,6-tetrakis-(4-Aminophenoxy)-cyclotriphosphazene. The thermal stabilities of the polymer were evaluated in nitrogen and in air by thermogravimetric analysis. This polymer was stable to 345°C and had char yields of 78% at 800°C in nitrogen and of 71% at 700°C in air. The structures of cyclotriphosphazene precursors and the polymer were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Estimating the Contribution of Mutation, Recombination and Gene Conversion in the Generation of Haplotypic Diversity

Recombination occurs through both homologous crossing over and homologous gene conversion during meiosis. The contribution of recombination relative to mutation is expected to be dramatically reduced in inbreeding organisms. We report coalescent-based estimates of the recombination parameter (ρ) relative to estimates of the mutation parameter (θ) for 18 genes from the highly self-fertilizing grass, wild barley, Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum . Estimates of ρ/θ are much greater than expected, with a mean \(\mathrm{{\hat{{\rho}}}}\) / \(\mathrm{{\hat{{\theta}}}}\) ≈ 1.5, similar to estimates from outcrossing species. We also estimate \(\mathrm{{\hat{{\rho}}}}\) with and without the contribution of gene conversion. Genotyping errors can mimic the effect of gene conversion, upwardly biasing estimates of the role of conversion. Thus we report a novel method for identifying genotyping errors in nucleotide sequence data sets. We show that there is evidence for gene conversion in many large nucleotide sequence data sets including our data that have been purged of all detectable sequencing errors and in data sets from Drosophila melanogaster , D. simulans , and Zea mays . In total, 13 of 27 loci show evidence of gene conversion. For these loci, gene conversion is estimated to contribute an average of twice as much as crossing over to total recombination.
EFFECTS OF GROUP-SELECTION OPENING SIZE ON BREEDING BIRD HABITAT USE IN A BOTTOMLAND FOREST

Research on the effects of creating group-selection openings of various sizes on breeding birds habitat use in a bottomland hardwood forest of the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina. Creation of 0.5-ha group selection openings in southern bottomland forests should provide breeding habitat for some field-edge species in gaps and habitat for forest-interior species and canopy-dwelling forest-edge species between gaps provided that enough mature forest is made available.
Thermal depolarization of fluorescence from polytene chromosomes stained with acridine orange.

The degree of polarization of fluorescence from stretched Chironomus thummi polytene chromosomes, stained with low concentrations of acridine orange (AO), decreases with increasing temperature. The "half temperature" of this decrease (T½R) is lower than the expected DNA thermal denaturation temperature (Tm) by about 20°C. T½R is lowered as histone is removed from chromosomes. Balbiani ring regions of the fourth chromosome have T½R's much lower than other regions, and nearly as low as chromosomes which had been extensively pretreated with trypsin to remove histone and other proteins. Measurements of the thermal change in the rotational diffusion rate of AO in solution with DNA indicate that the temperature at which the DNA-AO bonding changes from a "rigid" to a "loose" mode varies with the GC percentage of the DNA, and in the same fashion as Tm, although 20°C lower.
The nature of the antigenic determinant in a genetic control of the antibody response.

The response of inbred mouse strains to two polypeptides derived from multichain polyprolines, (T,G)-Pro--L and (Phe,G)-Pro--L, is different from the response of the same mouse strains to a similar series of polymers built on multi-poly-D,L-alanyl--poly-L-lysine, although the same short sequences of amino acids are attached to the side chains of the polypeptides in the two series. These results indicate that a portion of the side chain (e.g. polyalanine or polyproline) participates in the antigenic determinant. This was confirmed by studying the response of different mouse strains to two kinds of polypeptides: (T,G)-Pro-A--L 717 and 718 and (T,G)-A-Pro--L 719 and 721. Antibody assay of antisera to (Phe,G)-Pro--L with the cross-reacting antigens (T,G)-Pro--L and (Phe,G)-A-L indicates that different inbred mouse strains make antibodies specific for different parts of the same polypeptide. Thus, antibody from DBA/1 mice reacts almost exclusively with the (Phe,G) sequence, while SJL antisera bind only (T,G)-Pro--L and fail to bind (Phe,G)-A-L. The immune responses to the same amino acids on two different polypeptides (i.e. A--L and Pro--L) appear to be under separate genetic control.
Wavelet Analysis and Ocean Modeling: A Dynamically Adaptive Numerical Method ''WOFD-AHO''

Wavelet analysis provides information on the energy present at various scales and locations throughout a computational domain. This information is precisely the information that is needed to define the appropriate gridpoint densities and the appropriate numerical order to resolve the physics at hand in the computationally most efficient manner. Here a two-dimensional version of the numerical method known as the Wavelet Optimized Finite Difference Method (WOFD) is introduced to a model problem in oceanography. WOFD is a completely dynamically adaptive numerical method that has the ability to focus on small-scale physics throughout the computational domain as the scale of the physics gets smaller and as structures are transported across the domain. In this manner, WOFD applies the computational effort where it is needed without overcomputing in the regions of the domain where the physics is somewhat smooth and perhaps more linear. The version of WOFD used here is such that both the spatial and temporal orders will be fixed at four. In the areas of oceanography and climate modeling, order four can be considered high order and therefore this two-dimensional version will be called the Adaptive High Order (AHO) version of WOFD, or simply WOFD-AHO.
Volatile Cues Influence the Response of Rhopalosiphum padi (Homoptera: Aphididae) to Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus–Infected Transgenic and Untransformed Wheat

Abstract The attractiveness of Barley yellow dwarf luteovirus (BYDV)–infected wheat plants to Rhopalosiphum padi L. was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Two untransformed wheat varieties, virus-susceptible Lambert and virus-tolerant Caldwell, and one transgenic wheat genotype (103.1J) derived from Lambert and expressing the BYDV coat protein gene, were tested in three bioassays. First, R. padi responses to BYDV-infected or noninfected Lambert and Caldwell were evaluated. Significantly more aphids settled onto virus-infected than noninfected plants when aphids were able to contact the leaves. Second, aphid responses to headspace from virus-infected or noninfected Lambert and Caldwell were tested. Significantly more aphids congregated on screens above headspace of BYDV-infected plants than above headspace of noninfected plants of both varieties. Third, aphid responses to headspace from virus-infected or noninfected and sham-inoculated (exposed to nonviruliferous aphids) Lambert and 103.1J plants were ...
Hegemony and Bifurcation Points in World History

Examination of the rise and fall of hegemons over the last 500 years reveals that each lasts about 100 years, with another 100 year period between hegemons that is characterized by rough balance among shifting powers frequent major wars. Can the future differ from the long and established pattern? Theories that causally link hegemony to uneven development succeed in explaining the perennial rise and fall of world leaders, but fail to explain the persistence of a leader who has become hegemonic. The explanation given here is the establishment of institutional inertia in the world order, which slows the diffusion of innovations, but also restrains the adoption of subsequent changes. An analytic model describes the cycle of hegemony as the historically and politically contingent interaction of long terms trends in the world-system. Recently, hegemony has come into interaction with the cumulative trends of market commodification, decolonization, and democratization. This has produced a rise in independent nations and decline of imperial states worldwide. In the conclusion, we speculate on how these new developments make possible such events as a multi-state hegemony, a shared world polity, and a democratic world government.
Enhanced forward scattering and transmitted light diffraction in low aspect-ratio Si nanopillars for high efficiency Si solar cells

We investigate optical properties of various aspect-ratio Si nauopillar (Si NP) to find its optimal dimension for enhanced light absorption for thin Si solar cell applications. Two different optical modeling techniques, finite-difference time-domain (TDTD) and rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA). are used to analyze the scattering properties of incident light and the diffraction behavior of transmitted light, respectively. From the computational study, we find that a low-aspect ratio Si NP is highly effective compared to high aspect-ratio NPs in terms of forward scattering to suppress light reflection loss from the front surface. In addition, low aspect-ratio NPs also significantly diminishes zeroth (0th) order diffraction and increase the fraction of higher order diffraction which can provide increased light path-length and effective light trapping of the transmitted light. Therefore, a low-aspect ratio Si NP is more ideal for highly enhanced light absorption for thin Si solar cell applications.
Turbulence in Transition? Authoritarian Leader Succession and Civil Conflict

The relationship between leadership change and conflict behavior figures prominently in the international relations literature. Lesser studied from a cross-national perspective, however, is the effect of leadership succession on civil unrest. How does leadership succession affect the propensity for domestic turbulence? I examine the effect of leadership change on levels of political unrest and instability through an analysis of executive leadership changes from 1950 to 2008. The findings indicate that state institutions, specifically authoritarian regime type and the presence of formal succession procedures, as well as the manner by which leaders change influence post-succession unrest. Both regular and irregular means of succession increase the propensity for turmoil, the latter to a greater extent, while formal succession procedures alleviate this risk. Personalized regimes are most vulnerable to domestic disorder as leaders change, though the distinction between military and civilian regimes has an important effect on the forms of disorder that are likely.
Demyelinating disorders secondary to TNF-inhibitor therapy for the treatment of psoriasis: A review.

AbstractBackground: Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (TNFi) are the most widely used systemic treatments for patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. There currently exists a U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning label on all TNFi for “rare cases of new onset or exacerbation of central nervous system demyelinating disorders.” The aim of this review was to update the incidence of TNFi-induced demyelinating diseases. Methods: Pubmed database was searched for safety data regarding demyelinating disease secondary to TNFi therapy prescribed for psoriasis. Results: In clinical trials: 6990 patients had received treatment with etanercept with one reported case of multiple sclerosis; 5204 patients were treated with adalimumab with no cases identified and 2322 patients were treated with infliximab with one case of demyelinating polyneuropathy. Outside of clinical trials: 19 individual cases of demyelinating disorders from TNFi treatment have been reported. Conclusion: Although there is potenti...
Reflex vagal control of atrial repolarization

The reflex vagal control of atrial repolarization was investigated in eight open-chest, anesthetized dogs. A monophasic action potential was recorded from the right atrium, and the action potential duration to 90% repolarization (APD90) was determined every cardiac cycle. beta-Adrenergic receptors were blocked with timolol (0.1 mg/kg). Under baseline conditions, sinus slowing during sinus arrhythmia was accompanied by a significant shortening of APD90 (24 +/- 4.0 ms). Transient occlusion (30 s) of the descending thoracic aorta increased systolic aortic pressure from 138 +/- 2.8 to 181 +/- 3.3 mmHg (P < 0.01). Heart rate decreased from 99 +/- 3.6 to 42.5 +/- 3.4 beats/min (P < 0.01), and APD90 shortened from 168 +/- 5.1 to 94 +/- 3.3 ms (P < 0.01). Release of the occlusion caused arterial hypotension (95 +/- 2.8 mmHg) and an overshoot in both rate (126 +/- 5.2 beats/min) and APD90 (189 +/- 2.3 ms). Aortic occlusion during atrial pacing (130-160 beats/min) decreased APD90 from 147 +/- 7.0 to 78 +/- 3.4 ms (P < 0.01). Cervical vagotomy or atropine eliminated changes in rate and APD90 evoked by aortic occlusion. The results indicate that there is parallel central vagal control of both sinus rate and atrial repolarization. Sinus bradycardia during reflex vagal activation does not prevent the acceleration of atrial repolarization.
Transmission expansion with smart switching under demand uncertainty and line failures

One of the major challenges in deciding where to build new transmission lines is that there is uncertainty regarding future loads, renewal generation output and equipment failures. We propose a robust optimization model whose transmission expansion solutions ensure that demand can be met over a wide range of conditions. Specifically, we require feasible operation for all loads and renewable generation levels within given ranges, and for all single transmission line failures. Furthermore, we consider transmission switching as an allowable recovery action. This relatively inexpensive method of redirecting power flows improves resiliency, but introduces computational challenges. We present a novel algorithm to solve this model. Computational results are discussed.
Ultra-thin planar tunnel junctions grown on Nb thin films by atomic layer deposition

Abstract Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is used to grow ultra-thin and low-defect Al2O3 tunnel junction barriers on sputter-deposited Nb thin films. Junctions of sizes on the order of 100 × 100 μm2 and barrier thicknesses of 4.4 to 11 A exhibit over 90% reproducibility. The conductance characteristics at low temperature show the clear density of states signature of superconducting Nb. The junction resistance times area product increases exponentially with barrier thickness, further supporting the high quality of the junctions, in which single-step elastic tunneling predominates. The background conductance at low temperature could not be fit with the Brinkman-Dynes-Rowell model, indicating the barriers are not likely to act as a trapezoidal potential. Our work shows that ALD is an effective method in preparing planar tunnel junctions with ultra-thin barriers.
The effects of dietary protein restriction on chronic progressive renal disease

There have been a large number of clinical trials and two meta-analyses attempting to determine if dietary protein restriction retards the rate of renal disease progression. Indeed, in a systematic search of prospective controlled trials examining the effects of protein restriction over at least 6 months, we located 23 published between 1980 and 1996. Only 12 of these trials were randomized and controlled. The results of the 23 studies were heterogeneous. Two meta-analyses combined the results of randomized, controlled trials. Although both meta-analyses concluded that dietary protein restriction significantly reduced the number of patients who died or required treatment for end-stage renal disease, the well-known effects of protein restriction on the signs and symptoms of uremia leave open the question of whether protein restriction had a substantial effect on renal disease progression per se. Adding to the uncertainty is the inconclusive result of the largest, best-designed clinical trial, the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study. In any case, the effect of protein restriction on the rate of decline in renal function is arguably modest, making it difficult to demonstrate statistical significance, even in large, well-designed clinical trials. All of these trials suggest that we need therapies that are more effective than dietary protein restriction to halt the progression of renal disease.
The Right to Be Forgotten

The American ethos is imbued with the belief in second chances—from immigrants who came to start over, to born-again Christians, to workers eyeing the promise of upward mobility. But for those who have committed indiscretions that have been stored in the endless archives of the internet, Google poses as an albatross around their necks. Noting this obstacle to redemption, some have called for a “right to be forgotten,” which would through law empower citizens to gain some degree of control over the content published and maintained about them online. This chapter analyzes the possible benefit and harm that would be incurred by such a policy. Pointing to evidence in the areas of criminal recidivism, medical malpractice, and sexual crimes, the chapter contends that a full-scale right to be forgotten is not in the best interest of communities, that the potential harm outweighs the potential benefit. As an alternative, the chapter advocates for a hedged right to be forgotten, which would take into account the severity of the misdeed that the subject would like to erase from public memory.