cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pesticide deposition on citrus orchard soil resulting from spray drift and runoff.

A substantial loss of pesticide spray mixture is evident during application to citrus trees. Some losses occur as a result of the spray passing between and through target trees. Additional losses occur as the result of runoff and drip from the target trees. The total amount of spray not retained on the tree has been variously estimated to range from 25-40% of the spray gallonage used, depending upon orchard conditions and operational parameters. The waxy composition of the citrus leaf surface is not conducive to the retention of large quantities of aqueous spray mixture. In principle, the amount of runoff could be limited by maintaining the gallons of spray/tree low. The amount applied, however, is dictated by the requirements of the pestcontrol situation (CARMAN 1975). Gallonage can be minimized if pests reside on the exterior foliage (lepidopteran larvae, aphids, katydids) or the pest is active (mites, thrips) and would be likely to contact treated foliage even if not directly exposed to the spray. If the pest is sessile or may frequently reside in the interior of the tree (scales), increased gallonage is required to penetrate the exterior barrier of foliage to wet the foliage, fruit, twigs, and branches inside the tree. Runoff losses of pesticides are then countenanced in order to achieve a thorough wetting of the tree. The most frequently encountered gallonages used for scale control in mature California citrus groves range from 1500 to 3500 gal of spray/A. Aside from the economic disadvantage associated with the non-useful deposition of pesticides, the pesticide reaching the soil surface has been suggested (GUNTHER et al. 1975, SPENCER e__~t al. 1975) as a source of toxicants to workers entering organophosphorus pesticide-treated fields. Tests were therefore conducted to characterize with reasonable accuracy the magnitude and distribution of spray mixture reaching the orchard floor when dilute spray gallonages in the range generally used are applied with oscillating boom spray equipment of the type currently in use.
Canagliflozin, an inhibitor of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Canagliflozin is an orally administered sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor proposed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Canagliflozin improves glycemic control in an insulin-independent fashion through inhibition of glucose reuptake in the kidney. Areas covered: This article reviews the available data on the pharmacodynamics, the pharmacokinetics and metabolism, and the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin. Relevant articles were identified via PubMed using the search term canagliflozin with no date restriction. The authors also discuss the abstracts from canagliflozin studies presented at large diabetes conferences. Expert opinion: Canagliflozin offers a relatively modest reduction in HbA1c, FPG, and PPG. It has a low incidence of hypoglycemia and a reduction in body weight. Dose adjustment may be recommended in the elderly, those on loop diuretics, and those with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 if there are concerns or symptoms of volume-related s...
Comparison of automated pre-column and post-column analysis of amino acid oligomers

It has been shown that various amino acids will polymerize under plausible prebiotic conditions on mineral surfaces, such as clays and soluble salts, to form varying amounts of oligomers (n = 2-6). The investigations of these surface reactions required a quantitative method for the separation and detection of these amino acid oligomers at the picomole level in the presence of nanomole levels of the parent amino acid. In initial high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) studies using a classical postcolumn o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) derivatization ion-exchange HPLC procedure with fluorescence detection, problems encountered included lengthy analysis time, inadequate separation and large relative differences in sensitivity for the separated species, expressed as a variable fluorescent yield, which contributed to poor quantitation. We have compared a simple, automated, pre-column OPA derivatization and reversed-phase HPLC method with the classical post-column OPA derivatization and ion-exchange HPLC procedure. A comparison of UV and fluorescent detection of the amino acid oligomers is also presented. The conclusion reached is that the pre-column OPA derivatization, reversed-phase HPLC and UV detection produces enhanced separation, improved sensitivity and faster analysis than post-column OPA derivatization, ion-exchange HPLC and fluorescence detection.
Anisotropic vortex-flux rotation in grain-oriented YBa2Cu3O7.

Magnetization-vector measurements were made at 4.2 K on a grain-oriented ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ sample rotated in the fixed external field ${\mathbf{H}}_{\mathit{e}}$ that was initially applied in the a-b plane or along the c axis during cooling from above ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$. The penetrating vortex-flux component of the sample magnetization was determined as a vector (${\mathbf{M}}_{\mathit{P}}$) over a complete rotational cycle, with diamagnetic shielding and demagnetization effects taken into account. At low ${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{e}}$, ${\mathbf{M}}_{\mathit{P}}$ turns rigidly with the rotating sample, and this simple behavior persists up to ${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{e}}$=1 kOe when applied along c during cooling. However, for ${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{e}}$=1 kOe applied along a-b during cooling, ${\mathbf{M}}_{\mathit{P}}$ reverses its direction in the a-b plane periodically, while its magnitude varies roughly as the projection of ${\mathbf{H}}_{\mathit{e}}$ on a-b. At higher ${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{e}}$ (\ensuremath{\ge}3 kOe), the rotational behavior of ${\mathbf{M}}_{\mathit{P}}$ is the same for both field-cooling directions. One part of ${\mathbf{M}}_{\mathit{P}}$ continues to show a periodic vortex motion in and out of the a-b plane, while another part stays fixed in direction relative to ${\mathbf{H}}_{\mathit{e}}$ and thus turns frictionally relative to the rotating sample. The observed properties testify to a pronounced anisotropy of the vortex pinning forces, but many of their detailed features, including those that reveal a vortex cross-flux effect, are not yet clearly understood.
Use of high-performance liquid chromatography to characterize the rapid decomposition of wortmannin in tissue culture media.

Abstract Although wortmannin is extensively used in molecular signaling studies, its stability in tissue culture medium has not been assessed precisely. Therefore, we used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS) to characterize the decomposition of wortmannin in five commonly used media. Wortmannin was added to medium alone or to medium supplemented with 10% unheated or heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and incubated at 37 °C. After 0, 5, 10, 20, 35, and 60 min, wortmannin remaining in the medium was quantified, and its decay constant and half-life were calculated. In all media, wortmannin decomposed monoexponentially, with half-lives between 8 and 13 min. HPLC/MS indicated that wortmannin decomposed to materials with m/z 447, 433, 373, and 313. Acidification of material produced by incubation of wortmannin in tissue culture medium or 1 μM NaOH converted the material with m/z 447 back to one that cochromatographed with and had an m/z (429) identical to that of wortmannin. Therefore wortmannin is much less stable in tissue culture medium than previously thought although some apparent loss of wortmannin reflects reversible, pH-dependent opening of the lactone ring of wortmannin. This rapid and complex decomposition of wortmannin argues for care being taken in how it is used in in vitro studies.
Purification and some properties of house cricket (Acheta domesticus) acetylcholinesterase

Abstract Bacterial protease from Bacillus subtilis was found to be effective in bringing the particulate house cricket head acetylcholinesterase (AChE) into solution. Following the solubilization, the AChE solution was further purified by DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-200, and hydroxylapatite column chromatography. A one-hundred-and-fifty fold purification with a specific activity of 9 μmoles per mg. protein per min. of the enzyme was obtained. There are at least two esterhydrolyzing enzymes in the crude homogenates of house cricket heads. One is the AChE which hydrolyses acetylcholine, phenyl acetate, and their thio-analogue, and is sensitive to low concetrations of physostigmine. Another enzyme utilizes phenyl acetate and phenylthioacetete as substrates and is insensitive to physostigmine. House cricket AChE hydrolyses acetylcholine and its thio-analogue at higher rates than other choline esters. In addition to the acetyl group the enzyme can only accommodate up to the propionyl group on the acid moiety of the choline esters. A series of K m values was determined for this enzyme as follows: acetylcholine 4.32 × 10 −5 M, acetylthiocholine 1.67 × 10 −4 M, propionylcholine 1.54 × 10 −4 M, propionylthiocholine 5.00 × 10 −5 M, phenyl acetate 4.76 × 10 −4 M, phenylthioacetate 1.43 × 10 −3 M. The anionic site of the enzyme seems to be important for the binding of phenyl acetate and phenyl-thioacetate. Maximal velocities for the hydrolysis of choline esters by this enzyme were shown at pS 3.4, pH 8.0. The sedimentation coefficient was determined by the sucrose density gradient centrifugation method as 4.66 S. The molecular weight was estimated as 6.62 × 10 4 .
Optimum dimensions of convective- radiative spines using a temperature correlated profile

Abstract Optimization of convective-radiative spines with an arbitrary profile is discussed. The profile is assumed to be correlated to the temperature distribution in the spine. Various profiles are considered by introducing a free parameter. With this choice of profile, the nonlinear heat transfer equation is integrated analytically. The optimization problem is written in terms of an integral that can be evaluated numerically. The temperature at the tip of the spine becomes an important optimization parameter in this analysis. The method is well suited for parametric studies and design analysis of optimum spines including temperature dependence of thermophysical properties.
Character and fitness requirements for professional psychologists : An examination of state licensing application forms

How do state licensing boards currently evaluate candidates for licensure along the dimensions of moral character and psychological fitness? An examination of application materials from all 50 states and the District of Columbia revealed marked heterogeneity with respect to explicit screening for character and fitness indicators. There appears to be minimal consensus regarding those elements of a candidate's previous experience that should be scrutinized prior to licensure. The authors highlight the frequency of character and fitness items across applications and ancillary licensure materials and conclude with several recommendations for licensing boards, national associations, and directors of training programs.
The tensor degree of freedom of nuclear shape

Abstract The nuclear deformation is described by the shape of the surfaces of constant nuclear density, which can be spin-dependent. The most general deformed surfaces should be described by matrix equations dependent upon the spin coordinate as well as the spatial coordinates. The characteristic dependence of the two-nucleon tensor interaction on the spin and the angular coordinates of each individual nucleon should give the nuclear surfaces a tensor degree of freedom. Based on these rather general observations, it is argued that the excitation of this degree of freedom must be a prominent feature common to all nuclei. A single-particle model with tensor deformation is solved numerically. Based on this specific model, it is speculated that permanent tensor deformation in the nuclear density might exist in heavy nuclei, especially those near magic nuclei. The strength of the tensor part of the M1 interaction between the nucleons and a lepton in the interior of the nucleus is greatly enhanced for the excitation of the tensor degree of freedom. The inelastic lepton scattering with a momentum dependence characteristic of the short range nature can provide an unambiguous test for the existence of tensor vibrational or tensor rotational states in nuclei.
The Fe/Mn ratio in MORB and OIB determined by ICP-MS

Abstract Variations in the abundance of iron in the mantle may have important consequences for mantle dynamics and geochemistry. The abundance of iron in lavas derived from mantle source regions varies during partial melting and subsequent fractionation, so that source heterogeneities are not easily resolved in iron abundances alone. However, manganese is a geochemically similar element, so that the planetary Fe/Mn ratio is approximately constant. Here, we report new Fe/Mn results for mid-oceanic ridge basalts (MORBs), oceanic island basalts (OIBs) and komatiites using a precise inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) method to measure Fe/Mn to better than 0.5% (2σ). As a measure of reproducibility of Fe/Mn, five olivine and five orthopyroxene grains from a Kilbourne Hole peridotite xenolith yielded Fe/Mn 69.8 ± 0.4 and 44.3 ± 0.2, respectively. To avoid ubiquitous secondary Fe–Mn oxides, Fe/Mn ratios in Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian MORBs were determined by Laser Ablation ICP-MS. MORB Fe/Mn (53–56) corrected for crystal fractionation yielded a value of 54.0 ± 1.2 (1σ). Icelandic basalts and picrites (MgO 10–29%) had Fe/Mn ratios 56–61, with a single exception. Six relatively fresh komatiites from Belingwe (MgO 20–29%) yielded Fe/Mn values of 58.3 ± 0.2 (1σ). Basalts from Tahiti and Reunion exhibited high Fe/Mn (>65), like Hawaii. This implies that the mantle source regions of Tahiti and Reunion lavas may have been enriched in Fe relative to other mantle reservoirs (e.g., MORBs, Iceland, Belingwe). Combined with previous results for Hawaii, we now find that Fe/Mn > 65 is characteristic of at least two plumes from the Pacific Superswell. It is conceivable that this is evidence for excess Fe due to core–mantle interaction in these mantle plumes, although partial melting of secondary pyroxenites may cause similar variations in Fe/Mn. Heterogeneity of Fe/Mn in mantle-derived lavas is now clearly documented.
Amino acid stimulation of alkali-metal-independent ATP cleavage by an Ehrlich cell membrane preparation

Abstract A stimulation by certain amino acids of the hydrolysis of ATP by a vesicular preparation from the Ehrlich ascites tumor cell has been observed, independently of the presence or absence of Na+, K+ or ouabain. This membrane preparation failed to show evidence for the presence of a characteristic amino-acid-stimulated, Na+—K+-dependent ATPase previously observed for other preprations. Stimulating activity is shown by two groups of abnormal substrates of Na+-independent transport System L, which elicit a structure-dependent energization of that system. For some of these amino acids, adding an ionophore served to bring out the stimulation of ATP cleavage.
Damage to isolated hearts by oxygenators.

Abstract The developed tension, compliance, and contractile velocity of isolated isovolumetric canine hearts, with myocardial biopsies examined by succinic dehydrogenase, acid hematein, and birefringence techniques, have been employed to investigate currently used perfusion methods. Ten isolated hearts perfused from a standard oxygenator, 11 from a mini-oxygenator, 12 from an oxygenator perfusing the whole body as well as the heart, and 12 cross-perfused from another dog were thus compared. Performance tests showed cross-perfusion to be the least damaging, followed by whole-body perfusion plus oxygenator, perfusion with the large oxygenator, and perfusion with the mini-oxygenator, in that order. Histochemistry showed deterioration of the oxygenator-supported hearts, but there was no deterioration in those supported by cross-perfusion. The cross-perfused isolated isovolumetric heart should thus be a good model for prolonged tests involving ventricular function. Drill biopsy appears to be a reasonable method for detecting early myocardial damage.
Experimental study of potential neutron moderator materials

Abstract We present an experimental investigation of thermal neutron energy spectra produced by lead and bismuth hydroxides (Pb(OH) 2 , and Bi(OH) 3 ). The experimental energy spectra are compared with a thermal neutron energy spectrum produced by water measured in the same geometry. We developed an MCNPX geometry model designed to help with the interpretation of the experimental data. We demonstrate a very good reproduction of the experimental thermal neutron energy spectrum produced by the water moderator in our tightly coupled geometry. We study our experimental results for Pb(OH) 2 and Bi(OH) 3 using thermal neutron scattering kernels for hydrogen, bismuth, and lead.
SU‐FF‐T‐414: Monte‐Carlo BEAM Modeling of Off‐Axis Headscatter for Megavoltage Photons with MLC

Purpose: The study examines the off‐axis headscatter for megavoltage photons with a Multi‐Leaf Collimator(MLC).Methods and Material: The effect of off‐axis headscatter becomes most pronounced in low dose regions IMRT fields. We define the headscatter off‐axis ratio (HOA) as the ratio of the kerma from headscatter photons at off‐axis positions to that from direct primary photons on the central axis. Monte‐Carlo (MC) simulations of HOA are performed for an accelerator with an MLC replacing the lower jaws. Headscatter contributions from components of the LINAC, e.g. flattening filter, MLC, primary and secondary collimators, are separated for lateral mean energy distribution, HOA, energy fluence distribution and spectrum. Results: Lateral distribution of the mean energy differs for individual components. Mean energy distribution within the beam collimation is dominated by the primary beam and decreases radially from 1.8∼1.6MV. The mean energy distributions of primary collimator and flattening filter remain relatively flat within the treatment field at 1.5MV and 1.2MV, respectively. MC simulation also shows that dose outside of treatment field is dominated by the headscatter from the flattening filter, the primary collimator, and the secondary collimators. Primary collimator and flattening filter's contributions to HOA on‐axis are estimated to be 1.8% and 3.7%, respectively, for a 20×20 cm2 field. Total headscatter contribution in this case is ∼6.1%, which agrees with experimental results to within 1%. Contributions to HOA from the Y‐Jaw and the MLC are consistently smaller than 0.3%. The asymmetric nature of HOA, due to the vertical displacement of the secondary X & Y collimators, is also examined. Conclusion: Contributions from individual components in the treatment head to off‐axis headscatter are characterized. It's found that the asymmetric distribution of HOA due to contributions from MLC and Y‐jaw may need to be incorporated into future IMRTtreatment planning systems.
Comparison of the vortex shedding behavior of a single plate and a plate array

This study compares the shedding behavior around and downstream of a single plate positioned in a flow field alone with the shedding behavior around and downstream of the same plate positioned in an array of identical plates. The shedding frequencies and corresponding Strouhal numbers based on chord [Sr(c)] and based on thickness [Sr(t)] are obtained using a hot-wire anemometer. In comparison with the plate positioned as a single plate, the same plate placed in a plate array shows increases in Sr(c) of up to 55.5% and produces a dominant peak in the power spectra that is wider by a factor of 3.5. In contrast to the single-plate results, which exhibit step changes in Sr(c) of about 0.6 at c/t ≈ 6, 8 and 11, the plate positioned in an array shows only one abrupt transition at c/t ≈ 4.
Identification of risk factors for exertional heat-related illnesses in long-distance cyclists: experience from the California AIDS Ride

Objectives To identify risk factors for exertional heat-related illnesses and to determine if patients who are afflicted with the human immunodeficiency virus or have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome have an increased risk of exertional heat-related illness. Design Descriptive, retrospective, matched case-control study. Setting Mobile community of 2650 participants in the California AIDS Ride 3. Participants Participants included 117 patients presenting for medical care with heat-related illnesses and 234 age-, gender-, and registration site–matched control subjects who did not develop a heat-related illness. Methods Retrospective, matched case-control study utilizing univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression to determine if human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity, the number of chronic medical illnesses, or the number of current medications known to affect heat dissipation increased the risk of exertional heat-related illnesses. Results The multivariate model revealed that patients with a greater number of chronic medical illnesses were at a significantly increased risk of a heat-related illness (odds ratio=1.6, 95% CI=1.2–2.1). The number of current medications (odds ratio=1.1, 95% CI=0.8–1.5) and human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity (odds ratio=0.7, 95% CI=0.2–3.1) were not significant predictors of risk for exertional heat-related illness. Conclusions Those riders suffering from a greater number of chronic medical illnesses were at a greater risk for developing an exertional heat-related illness. Human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity alone was not associated with increased risk of exertional heat-related illness.
Deep neck infections in patients at risk for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic has introduced an increasing population of immune-compromised patients susceptible to infections by unusual pathogens. To evaluate the role of traditional antibiotic therapy for deep neck infections in high-risk patients, we reviewed the records of 73 patients with deep neck infections. Forty-six had or were at risk for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and nine were diabetics. Staphylococcal infections were more common in the at-risk group, and 24% of staphylococcal isolates in intravenous drug abusers were methicillin-sodium resistant. In addition, Klebaiella was isolated in two of nine diabetic patients. No other clinical differences were noted, and no unusual organisms were isolated from any other patients. Although traditional antibiotic therapy is appropriate for deep neck infections in patients at risk for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, vancomycin hydrochloride should be considered when staphylococcal infections are suspected in intravenous drug abusers. Since diabetics appear to be susceptible to infections by gram-negative rods, broader antibiotic coverage must be considered in this population.
Fostering general transfer with specific simulations

Science education faces the difficult task of helping students understand and appropriately generalize scientific principles across a variety of superficially dissimilar specific phenomena. Can cognitive technologies be adapted to benefit both learning specific domains and generalizable transfer? This issue is examined by teaching students complex adaptive systems with computer-based simulations. With a particular emphasis on fostering understanding that transfers to dissimilar phenomena, the studies reported here examine the influence of different descriptions and perceptual instantiations of the scientific principle of competitive specialization. Experiment 1 examines the role of intuitive descriptions to concrete ones, finding that intuitive descriptions leads to enhanced domain-specific learning but also deters transfer. Experiment 2 successfully alleviated these difficulties by combining intuitive descriptions with idealized graphical elements. Experiment 3 demonstrates that idealized graphics are more effective than concrete graphics even when unintuitive descriptions are applied to them. When graphics are concrete, learning and transfer largely depend on the particular description. However, when graphics are idealized, a wider variety of descriptions results in levels of learning and transfer similar to the best combination involving concrete graphics. Although computer-based simulations can be effective for learning that transfers, designing effective simulations requires an understanding of concreteness and idealization in both the graphical interface and its description.
Producing Data, Producing Software: Developing a Radio Astronomy Research Infrastructure

The production and use of software pipelines is a key component of much modern scientific research. We present emerging findings from our qualitative, social science study of a radio astronomy group developing software pipelines as they produce a data processing infrastructure. This paper examines how these researchers co-produce data products and software pipelines to enact their research infrastructure. We investigate the work of co-producing data and software to illustrate that to better support data-intensive science, we need to understand the practices that enable and produce data products, software, and ultimately infrastructures.
American association of clinical endocrinologists meeting, may 2002.

This is the first of two articles covering the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Meeting in Chicago, 1–5 May 2002. Topics include the sequencing of the human genome, obesity and diabetes, PPAR agonists, and erectile dysfunction. J. Craig Venter (Rockville, Maryland) gave the keynote address, discussing his work in the sequencing of the human genome using high through-put technologies with biocomputational analysis. He reviewed his initial work in the field during the 1980s sequencing the epinephrine receptor, a task which took a decade. He subsequently developed an approach using a “shotgun sequencing strategy” using mechanical shearing to cut a whole genome into different sized expressed sequence tags (ESTs), developing a computational algorithm to piece the EST into a full genome. With the development of more powerful algorithms and computers, his group progressed from sequencing the Haemophilus influenzae genome, 1.8 Mbp, in 1995, to analyzing the Drosophila genome, 120 Mbp, and to sequencing the 3,000-Mbp human genome, reported in June 2000. “The biggest surprise,” Venter stated, “was the small number of genes.” Approximately 26,000 different genes were present, with some sections of chromosomes highly dense in genes, but many sections with very few genes. Overall, only 1.1% of the genome actually encodes genes, and 42% of those discovered are of unknown function. Comparison of the genomes of Drosophila with man reveals that new genes appear in the immune and hemostatic systems as well as many aspects of cell signaling, particularly those transcription factors that regulate the expression of other genes. Venter noted the phenomenon of repeat gene sequences in the human genome. Chromosome 19 has the highest density of genes, many of which are repeated in other chromosomes. Analysis of these repeats, he suggested, may allow assessment of our “genetic history.” The mouse genome is 90% the size of that of …
Distributed-infrastructure multi-robot routing using a Helmholtz-Hodge decomposition

Using graphs and simplicial complexes as models for an environment containing a large number of agents, we provide distributed algorithms based on the Helmholtz-Hodge decomposition that, given desired flow rates on edges or across faces, produce incompressible approximations to the specified flows. These flows are then “lifted” to produce hybrid controllers for the agents, and a related algorithm is described that computes continuous streamfunctions over the environment, also in a distributed way.
System-level monitoring of floating-point performance to improve effective system utilization

NCAR's Bluefire supercomputer is instrumented with a set of low-overhead processes that continually monitor the floating point counters of its 3,840 batch-compute cores. We extract performance numbers for each batch job by correlating the data from corresponding nodes. From experience and heuristics for good performance, we use this data, in part, to identify poorly performing jobs and then work with the users to improve their job's efficiency. Often, the solution involves simple steps such as spawning an adequate number of processes or threads, binding the processes or threads to cores, using large memory pages, or using adequate compiler optimization. These efforts typically result in performance improvements and a wall-clock runtime reduction of 10% to 20%. With more involved changes to codes and scripts, some users have obtained performance improvements of 40% to 90%. We discuss our instrumentation, some successful cases, and its general applicability to other systems.
Defiant spirituality: Care traditions in the black churches

I have tried to demonstrate that black church defiant spirituality is a complex, multi-dimensional phenomenon. In essence it represents the quest of exiled African peoples to experience ontological harmony with God and all of creation. In the context of a racist society, it has adapted itself to the exigencies of survival and gradual liberation. Specifically, it has sought to reconstruct reality by religiously affirming God's sovereignty over the just and unjust. Also, it has negated black invisibility, subverted political anemia, and now struggles to resist and conquer an encroaching spiritual despair in post-industrial society. I have identified three basic treasures which the black church may offer to other cultures, namely, that care and discipline are the responsibility of every Christian, that authentic Christian worship nurtures commitments to individual and social transformation and it offers a full sensory experience. I close with words from one of America's greatest twentieth century poets, Langston Hughes (1974)—entitled “Mother to Son”: Well, son, I'll tell you: Life for me ain't been no crystal stair. It's had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor—Bare. But all the time I'se been a-climbin' on, And reachra' landin's, And turnin' corners, And sometimes goin' in the dark Where there ain't been no light. So boy, don't you turn back. Don't you set down on the steps 'Cause you finds it's kinder hard. Don't you fall now —For I'se still goin', honey, I'se still climbin', And life for me ain't been no crystal stair. (p. 187)
The chemical durability of optical glass.

Chemical durability, or corrosion resistance, of optical glasses is a special problem; the chemical composition of many such glasses makes them quite vulnerable. Service problems frequently encountered include those involving weathering by atmospheric moisture and leaching during processing, e.g., polishing, or handling. The mechanisms of weathering can usefully by classified as alkaline attack, or etching, and as acid attack, or leaching. Various test methods are available; these are of varying utility.
Fatty acid composition of the living layer and stratum corneum lipids of human sole skin epidermis

Lipids from the living layer and stratum corneum of human sole epidermis were extracted, saponified and the fatty acids analyzed. The proportion of fatty acids to unsaponifiables (mainly cholesterol), was higher in the living layer than in the stratum corneum. Fatty acids of the living layer and stratum corneum of human sole epidermis comprise saturates, monoenes, dienes, traces of polyenes and α-hydroxy fatty acids. Homologs of monoenoic and dienoic fatty acids for both living layer and stratum corneum lipids have a similar distribution. C16 and C18 were major components for each type of acids. There appeared to be two clusters, especially for saturates of both living layer and stratum corneum acids. One of these clusters ranged from C12 to C20 with C16 or C18 as a maximum and the other ranged from C21 to C30 with C24 as a maximum. The proportion of saturated acids with chain length C20 and above was much higher in the stratum corneum than in the living layer. Position isomers of the monoenoic fatty acids for both the living layer and stratum corneum show a predominance of ω9 acids, due to the overwhelmingly large amount of oleic acid. Linoleic acid was by far the major component of the dienoic acids. Homolog distribution of α-hydroxy fatty acids for the living layer was similar to that of the stratum corneum and again two clusters of acids below and above C20 with maxima at C16 and C24 were noticeable. Comparison of epidermal acids with those of sebaceous glands showed that each tissue can synthesize the same kind of acids but in widely different amounts. Oxidation of palmitate and stearate could supply the necessary energy for the late stages of keratinization.
Perception of affect in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type.

• The ability to perceive affect was examined in 19 patients with Alzheimer's disease and in 19 control subjects. Nine tasks were given. All participants were asked to recognize facial emotion, to provide verbal labels of facial emotion, and to identify emotion portrayed in drawings or in verbal descriptions of emotional situations. The results indicate that there are significant differences between patients with Alzheimer's disease and control subjects on all of the tasks. However, when test scores were adjusted for the cognitive abilities of the subjects, few of the tests continue to differentiate the groups. These results suggest that the deficits of patients with Alzheimer's disease on perception of affect tasks are likely to be the result of their cognitive defects and not the result of a primary impairment in the perception of emotion.
Gallbladder motility in agouti-yellow and leptin-resistant obese mice.

Abstract Background Obesity is a polygenic disorder that is associated with gallstone disease. We have previously shown that leptin deficiency in obese mice correlates with decreased gallbladder motility, suggesting that leptin plays a role in the link between gallstone disease and obesity. However, most obese humans are leptin-resistant, and relatively few are leptin-deficient. To confirm that leptin dysfunction is responsible for impaired gallbladder motility in obese mice, we hypothesized that leptin-resistant obese mice (Lepdb) would have abnormal gallbladder motility while obese mice with intact leptin function (Agouti Yellow, Ay) would have normal gallbladder motility. Materials and methods Eighteen lean control (C57BL/6J), 10 Ay and 12 Lepdb female mice were fasted overnight, weighed, and livers and gallbladders were harvested. Liver weights and gallbladder volumes were measured. Gallbladder contractile responses (N/cm2) to acetylcholine (10−5M), neuropeptide Y (10−8,−7,−6 M) and cholecystokinin (10−10,−9,−8,−7M) were determined in muscle bath chambers. Results were analyzed by analysis of various (ANOVA) and with the Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test. Results Both Agouti yellow (Ay) and leptin-resistant (Lepdb) obese mice had body weights, liver weights and gallbladder volumes that were significantly greater (P Conclusions These data suggest that (1) leptin-resistant obese mice (Lepdb) have abnormal gallbladder motility and (2) obese mice with normal leptin metabolism (Ay) have normal gallbladder response to neurotransmitters. We conclude that leptin represents a link between obesity, gallbladder motility and gallstone formation.
Robust Generation of Dynamic Data Structure Visualizations with Multiple Interaction Approaches

jGRASP has three integrated approaches for interacting with its dynamic viewers for data structures: debugger, workbench, and text-based interactions that allow individual Java statements and expressions to be executed/evaluated. These approaches can be used together to provide a complementary set of interactions with the dynamic viewers. Data structure identification and rendering were tested by examining examples from 20 data structure textbooks. Controlled experiments with CS2 students indicate that the viewers can have a significant positive impact on student performance. The overall result is a flexible environment for interacting with effective dynamic data structure visualizations generated by a robust structure identifier.
Depressive Symptoms among Firefighters and Related Factors after the Response to Hurricane Katrina

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducted an evaluation regarding physical and psychological health symptoms among New Orleans firefighters 13 weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005. This report examines associations between depressive symptoms and concurrent comorbidity. Depressive symptoms were twice as likely among those with either lower respiratory symptoms or skin rash. Firefighters housed with their families were less likely to report depressive symptoms compared to those not living with their families. Perceived low supervisor support was associated with depressive symptoms, whereas participating in group counseling was not. The results underscore the need for the incorporation of physical and psychological health follow-up of emergency responders after natural disasters to better understand, monitor, and treat their health conditions.
Intrinsic localized spin waves in classical one-dimensional spin systems: Studies of their interactions

One-dimensional classical spin systems can support nonlinear excitations referred to as intrinsic localized spin-wave modes. These entities have internal frequencies which lie outside the spin-wave bands of linear theory, and are localized by virtue of the intrinsic nonlinearity present in spin systems. By numerical methods, we have explored collisions between these objects. We explore the influence of a defect on the spectrum of intrinsic nonlinear spin waves, to find a new class of modes localized at the defect. We also examine the interaction of a propagating nonlinear mode with the defect, to find rich behavior. The mode may be transmitted with no reflected component, trapped or reflected depending on the strength of the perturbation associated with the defect spin.
Neuronal contact guidance in magnetically aligned fibrin gels: effect of variation in gel mechano-structural properties

Neurite outgrowth from chick dorsal root ganglia entrapped in isotropic and magnetically aligned fibrin gels was studied, and the dependence on the diameter of the fibrin fibrils was characterized. The fibrin fibril diameter was varied, as inferred from turbidity measurements, by using different Ca2+ concentrations in the fibrin-forming solution, but this variation was accomplished without affecting the degree of magnetic-induced alignment, as directly visualized in fluorescently spiked gels. Magnetically aligned fibrin gels possessing different fibril diameters but similar alignment resulted in drastic changes in the contact guidance response of neurites, with no response in gels formed in 1.2 mM Ca2+ (having smaller fibril diameter, ca. 150 nm), but a strong response in gels formed in 12 and 30 mM Ca2+ (having larger fibril diameter, ca. 510 nm) with an attendant two-fold increase in neurite length. These changes are attributed to variation of the mechano-structural properties of the network of aligned fibrils as the fibril diameter is varied.
The effect of surgical case volume on outcome after the Norwood procedure.

Objectives We analyze the effect of surgical case volume on the survival of infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who underwent stage I surgical palliation (the Norwood procedure). The purpose of our study was to understand more clearly the relative effects of institution and surgeon experience on patient outcome. Methods Using the Pediatric Health Information System database belonging to the pediatric hospital members of the Child Health Corporation of America, we identified newborn infants ( Results Twenty-nine hospitals and 87 surgeons performed 801 Norwood procedures during the study period. In the 4 of 29 institutions that averaged 1 or more Norwood procedures per month during the study period, survival averaged 78%. The remaining 25 institutions averaged 1 Norwood procedure every 9.6 weeks, with a survival of 59%. Data analysis revealed that higher institutional volume ( P = .02) but not the number of cases performed by surgeons ( P = .13) increased survival after the Norwood procedure. There was no such association with average length of stay in survivors or the time to mortality in nonsurvivors. Conclusion Survival after the Norwood procedure is associated with institutional Norwood procedure volume but not with individual surgeon case volume, suggesting the need for improvements in institutional-based approaches to the care of children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and the need for establishing regional referral centers for such high-risk procedures to improve patient survival.
Classical Molecular Dynamics of Clathrate−Methane−Water−Kinetic Inhibitor Composite Systems†

Classical molecular dynamics simulations of clathrate-methane-water and an inhibitor of clathrate formation are performed using different inhibitor/water ratios and a hydrate system modeled as a 5 12 6 2 cavity. Vinylpyrrolidone, vinylvalerolactam, L-proline, 1-formylpyrrolidine, and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate are used as models of clathrate formation kinetic inhibitors. The goal is to get new insights into the behavior of these composite systems in the early stages of clathrate formation, where the inhibitor is thought to perform its main inhibition effect. Before performing the simulations for the clathrate systems, evidence was searched to find if the chosen combination of force fields reproduced the cage effect for an infinitely diluted methane-water system, and the distribution of water and methane surrounding clathrate-like structures. The systems are analyzed via visualization of the trajectories and examination of the radial distribution functions and the mean-square displacements. The inhibitors can be grouped into hydrophilic and hydrophobic types, and their behavior toward water is analyzed on the basis of their structure and intermolecular interactions. It is found that at the initial stages of clathrate formation the hydrophobic inhibitors may act by blocking the surface of the nascent crystals, whereas the hydrophilic ones act mainly by disruption of the water structure.
Genetic determinants of mate recognition in Brachionus manjavacas(Rotifera)

Background Mate choice is of central importance to most animals, influencing population structure, speciation, and ultimately the survival of a species. Mating behavior of male brachionid rotifers is triggered by the product of a chemosensory gene, a glycoprotein on the body surface of females called the mate recognition pheromone. The mate recognition pheromone has been biochemically characterized, but little was known about the gene(s). We describe the isolation and characterization of the mate recognition pheromone gene through protein purification, N-terminal amino acid sequence determination, identification of the mate recognition pheromone gene from a cDNA library, sequencing, and RNAi knockdown to confirm the functional role of the mate recognition pheromone gene in rotifer mating.
AN OUTBREAK OF BESNOITIOSIS IN MINIATURE DONKEYS

Fourteen miniature donkeys (Equus asinus) in a mid-Michigan herd of 38 animals presented with clinical signs of besnoitiosis, including the presence of typical tissue cysts in the ocular sclera, the buccal and nasal mucosa, together with characteristic dermatitis in specific areas of the body. The common histopathological change seen was the presence of many 100–200-μm diameter, thick walled, typical Besnoitia sp. tissue cysts together with a chronic cellular response associated with degenerating cysts. Microscopy of isolated scleral cysts and skin biopsies showed the presence of protozoal organisms consistent in morphology with that of Besnoitia bennetti bradyzoites. Molecular analysis of these parasites indicates that they differ from previously described coccidia, including Besnoitia sp., from rabbits and opossums. Isolated cases of infection with this agent have been reported infrequently in equids; however, this is the first report of an outbreak in a herd of donkeys in the United States.
A Three-decade X-band VLBI Study of 3CR Lobe-dominated Quasar Nuclei

We report X-band VLBI observations of several 3CR lobe-dominated quasar nuclei from 1981 to 2010, mostly obtained with the NRAO VLBA. The goal is to follow flux density outbursts and to fully determine the jet morphology and kinematics on 1-100 pc scales. In 3C207, the core region has flux outbursts at mean intervals of ~7 yr; one of these is actually a double outburst from a stationary true core and a swinging component ~0.5 mas apart. The position angle (PA ) of the swinging component varies by ~40°, while the PA values of the jet components span ~25°. The jet extends to ~25 mas. Average superluminal speeds are ~10c . One component shows apparent acceleration from 7c to 14c at 2-3 mas from the true core, in a jet recollimation zone that redirects the flow toward PA ~90°. Individual jet components expand until reaching the recollimation zone. In 3C263 and other objects, some of the same phenomena are seen, including ejection of jet components over a range in PA , superluminal motion, and apparent acceleration, but to a lesser degree. Possible physical interpretations involving beaming, orientation, projection, precession, and magnetic effects are discussed.
Thermally activated glide in face-centred cubic metals and its application to the theory of strain hardening

Abstract The influence of temperature and strain rate on the flow stress of polycrystalline aluminium, and single crystals of aluminium, copper and silver was studied. Tensile tests were carried out at various temperatures down to 1.7°K. The results indicate that the reversible change of flow stress (after correction for variation in elastic modulus in experiments involving temperature change) results from the thermally activated surmounting of barriers by glide dislocations. The main barriers are believed to be forest dislocations cutting the glide plane. The variation of the force between a dislocation and an obstacle with their separation was derived for the three metals; the values agreed well with the expected forms. The maximum force can be computed if the distance at which the force rises steeply is assumed to be equal to the Burgers vector; the values are, for aluminium, 3.5 × 10−5 dynes, and for copper, 6.3 × 10−5 dynes. It has been shown that the internal stress varying over distances larger tha...
Novel platinum(II) complexes containing diaminocyclohexane and thiourea derivative ligands: Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of ( trans -1,2-diaminocyclohexane)dithioureaplatinum(II) nitrate monohydrate

Abstract Six novel platinum(II) complexes of the form [Pt(dach)L2](NO3)2, where dach = trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, L = thiourea (tu) or its derivatives, including 1-acetyl-2-thiourea, 1-ethyl-2-thiourea, 2-imidazolidinethione, 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-2-thiourea, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrometry, and NMR (1H and 13C) spectroscopy. The general synthetic procedure involves the reaction of [Pt(dach)(H2O)2](NO3)2, which is formed in situ by treating Pt(dach)I2 with silver nitrate, and two equivalents of tu or its derivatives. All the complexes are ionic compounds with nitrate counter ions and thus water soluble. The crystal structure of [Pt(dach)(tu)2](NO3)2·H2O is determined using a single crystal X-ray diffraction method. This compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with centrosymmetry.
Gene regulation: Selfish elements make a mark

Transposons qualify as ‘selfish’ DNA elements, adding new copies of themselves into our genomes without regard for the consequences. This wilful habit may, however, help in normal gene regulation.