cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Student Perceptions of Classroom Incivility

Classroom incivility is a major concern in higher education today. Yet little study has been done of student perceptions of behavior in the classroom. Based on a survey of 3,616 students at a Midwestern public university, the present study provides useful information to faculty members and administrators about the behaviors students find most uncivil and how frequently they are experiencing these behaviors. In general, it appears that students are experiencing a fair amount of at least moderately uncivil behavior in their classes. These results have implications for how faculty and administrators develop policies designed to guide students toward appropriate behavior.
Photomodulation and Photopumping in Membranes Containing Carriers Optimized for Facilitated Transport in the Dark

A steady-state model describing photofacilitated transport in liquid membranes is presented. The model can be used to consider photoactive carriers with a wide range of thermodynamic and kinetic properties in order to calculate photoinduced transport of solutes down their concentration gradient (photomodulation) and against their concentration gradient (photopumping). The description of transport in these systems is generalized by combining the relevant physical constants (diffusion coefficients, rate constants, concentrations, molar absorptivities, light intensity, etc.) into dimensionless parameters. Detailed descriptions of photomodulation and photopumping are presented for the case where the carrier has properties that are optimal for downhill transport in the dark (thermal transport). Absorption of light by the carrier and carrier solute complex can cause downhill transport to increase by 50% or to decrease by a factor of 4 depending on the light intensity. Photopumping can be maintained against a 10...
A linkage tool for analyzing earthquake traffic impact in micro level based on seismic risk assessment and traffic simulation

This paper developed a new software tool, RD-Linker, for analysis and simulation of earthquake traffic impact in micro level by the means of linking seismic risk assessment and traffic simulation based on Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)'s two software programs. Building a linker between them will be able to take advantages of their functionalities of these two software tools and avoid duplicating research and development work. REDARS (Risks from Earthquake Damage to Roadway Systems) is utilized for seismic risk assessment. DYNASMART-P (DYnamic Network Assignment-Simulation Model for Advanced Road Telematics) is employed for traffic simulation. REDRAS provides seismic risk analysis of highway systems to estimate the economic impact of earthquakes on transportation networks by evaluating damage to bridges and modeling the subsequent impacts on traffic flow. However, the analysis of the traffic impacts is limited in macro level only. Through RD-Linker, DYNASMART-P is able to do dynamic traffic network simulation in micro level with the damage affection on post-earthquake travel times and traffic flows as well as in comparison to pre-earthquake traffic status. Furthermore, the feedback information can improve the accuracy of the REDARS loss estimation based on the traffic congestions. These will be useful to emergency management officials and emergency responders.
A thermodynamic analysis for the growth of InP using the hydride technique

Abstract Thermodynamic calculations of the equilibrium HCl, InCl and H 2 partial pressures in the source zone and the equilibrium HCl, InCl, PH 3 , P 4 , P 2 and H 2 partial pressures in the deposition zone are made for different source and deposition temperatures and different source input HCl, downstream input HCl, and input PH 3 concentrations. Special attention is given to what increases the deposition HCl concentration because it has been suggested that this will reduce the equilibrium silicon activity. It is shown that the HCl concentration is most effectively increased by increasing the input HCl partial pressure and lowering the deposition temperature, is increased somewhat by increasing the input PH 3 concentration, and is not noticeably increased by injecting HCl downstream from the source zone.
Women at risk for cardiovascular disease lack knowledge of heart attack symptoms.

Background: It is not known whether cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk level is related to knowledge of the leading cause of death of women or heart attack symptoms. Hypothesis: Women with higher CVD risk estimated by Framingham Risk Score (FRS) or metabolic syndrome (MS) have lower CVD knowledge. Methods: Women visiting primary care clinics completed a standardized behavioral risk questionnaire. Blood pressure, weight, height, waist size, fasting glucose, and lipid profile were assessed. Women were queried regarding CVD knowledge. Results: Participants (N = 823) were Hispanic women (46%), non-Hispanic white (37%), and non-Hispanic black (8%). FRS was determined in 278: low (63%), moderate (29%), and high (8%); 24% had ≥3 components of MS. The leading cause of death was answered correctly by 54%, heart attack symptoms by 67%. Knowledge was lowest among racial/ethnic minorities and those with less education (both P< 0.001). Increasing FRS was inversely associated with knowing the leading cause of death (low 72%, moderate 68%, high 45%, P = 0.045). After multivariable adjustment, moderate/high FRS was inversely associated with knowing symptoms (moderate odds ratio [OR] 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28-0.98; high OR 0.29, 95% CI: 0.11–0.81), but not the leading cause of death. MS was inversely associated with knowing the leading cause of death (P< 0.001) or heart attack symptoms (P = 0.018), but not after multivariable adjustment. Conclusions: Women with higher FRS were less likely to know heart attack symptoms. Efforts to target those at higher CVD risk must persist, or the most vulnerable may suffer disproportionately, not only because of risk factors but also inadequate knowledge.
Self-Sterility in Arabidopsis Due to Defective Pollen Tube Guidance

In flowering plants, a series of cell-cell interactions govern the delivery of sperm to the ovules through precise guidance of pollen tubes. Two Arabidopsis genes, POP2 and POP3, were found that mediate pollen tube guidance and are critical for self-fertility in diploid reproductive cells. The pop2 and pop3 mutations exhibited genetic redundancy: Self-sterility occurred only when male and female tissues were defective in both genes. This phenotype resembles that found in many self-incompatible species.
Long-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency: biochemical studies in fibroblasts from three patients.

ABSTRACT: We studied fibroblasts from three patients with long-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (LCADH) deficiency; siblings H.C. and J.C. had milder clinical phenotypes than unrelated patient R-1. In H.C, J.C, and R-1 oxidation of [9,10(n)-3H]palmitate was 50, 48, and 28% of control, respectively, with R-l having significantly less activity than H.C. and J.C. (p < 0.05). Assays of mitochondrial short-chain and medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenases were normal in H.C. and J.C. However, mitochondrial LCADH activities in all three ranged from 17 to 21% of control. Flavin adenine dinucle-otide addition increased LCADH activities in all three to 27–36% of control. In the presence of monospecific medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase antiseria, LCADH activity decreased 17% in controls, and fell to ≤11% of control in J.C. and R-1. The heterogeneity observed in the [3H]palmitate oxidation studies was not explained by differences in LCADH activities under any assay condition.
Species and temperature measurement in H2/O2 rocket flow fields by means of Raman scattering diagnostics

Validation of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes developed for prediction and evaluation of rocket performance is hampered by a lack of experimental data. Non-intrusive laser based diagnostics are needed to provide spatially and temporally resolved gas dynamic and fluid dynamic measurements. This paper reports the first non-intrusive temperature and species measurements in the plume of a 110 N gaseous hydrogen/oxygen thruster at and below ambient pressures, obtained with spontaneous Raman spectroscopy. Measurements at 10 mm downstream of the exit plane are compared with predictions from a numerical solution of the axisymmetric Navier-Stokes and species transport equations with chemical kinetics, which fully model the combustor-nozzle-plume flowfield. The experimentally determined oxygen number density at the centerline at 10 mm downstream of the exit plane is four times that predicted by the model. The experimental number density data fall between those numerically predicted for the exit and 10 mm downstream planes in both magnitude and radial gradient. The predicted temperature levels are within 10 to 15 percent of measured values. Some of the discrepancies between experimental data and predictions result from not modeling the three dimensional core flow injection mixing process, facility back pressure effects, and possible diffuser-thruster interactions.
NONPHARMACOLOGIC APPROACHES TO HYPERTENSION: Weight, Sodium, Alcohol, Exercise, and Tobacco Considerations

Weight loss decreases blood pressure, and this change can be sustained over the long-term when the lower weight is maintained. Salt restriction may be effective in blood pressure control only in salt-sensitive individuals. Heavy drinkers (those who drink more than three drinks [30 mL] daily) experience deleterious effects such as hypertension and more cardiovascular risk factors. Consequently, they should be advised to reduce alcohol intake to less than 30 mL daily. Endurance training with dynamic exercise appears to be beneficial for hypertensive patients, although recommendation guidelines are still imprecise. Finally, smoking cessation has not been proven to decrease blood pressure levels but should nonetheless be recommended because of its favorable effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
THE RAT ALPHA 1B ADRENERGIC RECEPTOR GENE MIDDLE PROMOTER CONTAINS MULTIPLE BINDING SITES FOR SEQUENCE-SPECIFIC PROTEINS INCLUDING A NOVEL UBIQUITOUS TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR

Transcription of the rat alpha 1B adrenergic receptor (alpha 1BAR) gene in the liver is controlled by three promoters that generate three mRNAs. The middle promoter (P2), located between -432 and -813 base pairs upstream from the translation start codon and lacking a TATA box, is responsible for generating the major, 2.7-kilobase mRNA-species expressed in many tissues (Gao, B., and Kunos, G. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 15762-15767). DNase I footprinting using rat liver nuclear extracts identified three protected regions in P2: footprint I (-432 to -452), footprint II (-490 to -540), and footprint III (-609 to -690). Putative response elements in footprints I and III were not analyzed except the AP2 binding site in footprint III, which could be protected by purified AP2 protein. Footprint II contains four sites corresponding to half of the NF-I consensus sequence, but DNA mobility shift assays indicate that this footprint binds two proteins distinct from NF-I: a ubiquitous CP1-related factor and another novel factor, termed alpha-Adrenergic Receptor Transcription Factor (alpha ARTF), which binds to two separate sites in this region. The alpha ARTF is widely distributed, with the highest amounts found in brain, followed by liver, kidney, lung, and spleen, but no detectable activity in heart. Deletions of alpha ARTF binding sites nearly abolished P2 promoter activity, which suggests that the alpha ARTF is essential for the transcription of the alpha 1BAR gene in most tissues.
Thermal production of superheavy magnetic monopoles in the new inflationary-universe scenario

We consider the thermal production of superheavy (e.g. approx.10/sup 16/ GeV) monopoles in an inflationary-universe scenario in which the grand-unified-theory (GUT) and inflationary phase transitions are distinct. By investigating the requirements placed on the GUT sector in such a scenario, we find that a large class of GUT models are consistent with the scenario and admit reheating to temperatures high enough to produce ''interesting'' (i.e., observable but not overabundant) numbers of thermal monopoles. We conclude that these scenarios could provide an explanation for the existence of superheavy magnetic monopoles in an inflationary universe.
Quantitative image analysis of intra-tumoral bFGF level as a molecular marker of paclitaxel resistance

Background The role of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in chemoresistance is controversial; some studies showed a relationship between higher bFGF level and chemoresistance while other studies showed the opposite finding. The goal of the present study was to quantify bFGF levels in archived tumor tissues, and to determine its relationship with chemosensitivity.
Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy of High-Purity Germanium Diodes/Detectors

Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) has been applied for the first time to high-purity germanium p-i-n diodes. Using the correlator technique, a large number of peaks due to acceptor levels in the forbidden band have been observed. The levels due to substitutional copper, to copper-hydrogen complexes and to divacancy-hydrogen defects have been positively identified. Several unknown levels have been discovered. The results obtained with DLTS are in excellent agreement with results from Hall-effect measurements. DLTS is the perfect tool to follow the creation and annealing of radiation defects.
Characterization of super-active insulin, prolactin and placental lactogen.

Abstract Complexes between insulin, prolactin or placental lactogen and cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose release hormone-like materials when treated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) (1). These materials have enhanced biological activities, and are, presumably, N 1 N 2 -disubstituted guanidines in which the hormones and BSA are the substituents. The present studies show that ammonium bicarbonate can substitute for BSA in the generation of the super-active hormones. Super-activity of the released, guanidinated hormones, therefore, can be manifested in the absence of the BSA substituent. The key derivatized amino acid residues have not yet been identified, but it appears that guanidination of lysine is either unnecessary or insufficient. Several operational considerations which are important for the demonstration of these enhanced activities are discussed.
Two minds on the solid surface

Modern Techniques of Surface Science. By D. P. Woodruff and T. A. Delchar. Cambridge University Press: 1986. Pp. 453. £50, $89.50.
Insect multicopper oxidases: diversity, properties, and physiological roles.

Abstract Multicopper oxidases (MCOs) are a group of related proteins that are ubiquitous in nature. They perform a wide variety of functions including pigmentation, lignin synthesis and degradation, iron homeostasis, and morphogenesis. The laccases of fungi are intensely studied for their biotechnological potential as a more environmentally friendly alternative to harsh or toxic chemicals used for certain industrial applications. Research into insect MCOs has recently attracted renewed interest as it is evident that they have diverse roles in insect physiology. MCO mRNA or enzymatic activity has been detected in extracts from epidermis, midgut, Malpighian tubules, salivary glands, and reproductive tissues. Genome sequencing has allowed for the identification of MCO genes and revealed that the number of genes can vary between species. The function of one of the genes, MCO2, has been demonstrated to be a laccase-type phenoloxidase critical for cuticle sclerotization. However, the enzymatic properties and physiological functions of the remaining MCOs remain to be elucidated. A better understanding of the roles MCOs play in insect biology may help to develop new control measures of pest species.
Stability vs. Flexibility in the Dynamics of the Ego

Abstract The dynamic of the personality is more than a theoretical concept, is an existential reality, what is revealed in the person behavior. In an effort to articulate semantico-operational the concept dyamics of the Ego, we considered productive a definition based on the concept of mental dynamics. The dynamics of the Ego could be defined as action and interaction of all Ego processes, features and conditions of investments made under the influence of psychological events that change. The purpose of this dymanics would be mantaining the emotional security of the subject, Ego integrity under changing external or internal environment. In the effort to identify the processes in the Ego dynamics, we use in this paper models from: psychoanalysis, humanistic theory, the social cognitive approach and phenomenology of personality development.
Emerging cities of the third wave

I argue that three distinctive waves of urbanization can be recognized, each of them associated with a major historical phase of capitalist development. The leading edges of capitalism today can be typified in terms of a basic cognitive–cultural system of production that is transforming the economic foundations of many large metropolitan areas all over the world. This turn of events is evident in two further aspects of urbanization processes at the present time. First, a new division of labor is strongly under way with major implications for the restratification of urban labor markets and urban social life. Second, the economic and social transformations currently evident in large urban areas are provoking significant changes in the physical milieu and built form of the city, from gentrification to what I call aestheticized land use intensification. I attempt to synthesize important elements of the discussion by means of a disquisition on the city and the world, in which I point to some of the more outsta...
Focal adhesion kinase signaling regulates cardiogenesis of embryonic stem cells.

The signaling steps that induce cardiac differentiation in embryonic stem (ES) cells are incompletely understood. We examined the effect of adhesion signaling including Src and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) on cardiogenesis in mouse ES cells using α-myosin heavy chain promoter-driven enhanced green fluorescent protein or luciferase as reporters. Cardiac transcription factors including Nkx2.5 and Tbx5 mRNA were first expressed at day 4 in hanging drop embryoid bodies, and adhesion of embryoid bodies to surfaces at or before that day strongly inhibited differentiation of ES cells to cardiomyocytes. Since adhesion signaling could suppress cardiogenesis through Src kinases, embryoid bodies were exposed to the small molecule PP2, known as a Src family kinase inhibitor. PP2 during embryoid body adhesion dramatically increased cardiomyocyte differentiation and decreased mRNA expression of neuronal cellular adhesion molecule and α-fetoprotein, neuroectodermal, and endodermal markers, respectively. Surprisingly, although there was an interaction between Src and FAK in cardiogenesis, the procardiogenic effect of PP2 appeared incompletely explained by Src kinase inhibition, since another Src family kinase inhibitor, SU6656, failed to induce cardiogenesis. Instead, PP2 specifically inhibited adhesion-induced FAK phosphorylation. In ES cells stably expressing FAK-related nonkinase, which functions as a dominant negative FAK, cell migration from embryoid bodies was inhibited, whereas α-myosin heavy chain expression and myosin-stained cardiomyocytes were increased, suggesting that reducing cell motility may contribute to cardiogenesis. These data indicate that FAK is a key regulator of cardiogenesis in mouse ES cells and that FAK signaling within embryoid bodies can direct stem cell lineage commitment.
From hypertension to heart failure: update on the management of systolic and diastolic dysfunction

Abstract The aging of the population of the United States (US) will bring with it higher numbers of patients with coronary heart disease and heart failure (HF). Because HF already imposes severe economic and medical burdens on our health care system, it is imperative to optimize primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) disease. In most cases, HF develops as a result of either long-standing hypertension or a myocardial infarction (MI). Other than cardiac death, HF represents the last stage in the progression of CV disease, which begins with CV risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and smoking. These risk factors lead to the development of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy or an MI (or both), which lead to LV dysfunction and, finally, to HF. The prognosis of HF is poor, the 5-year survival rate being approximately 25%. Heart failure may be due to either LV systolic or diastolic dysfunction, the latter having a normal ejection fraction. Because CV disease is progressive, interventions are possible at all stages along the CV continuum. β-Blockers (βB) are recommended agents at several stages of CV disease. Large-scale trials have shown that βB significantly reduce risks for morbidity and mortality in patients with HF. Ongoing studies should help to clarify further the optimal cardioprotective therapies in patients with HF.
Understanding the effect of surfactant aggregation on corrosion inhibition of mild steel in acidic medium

Corrosion inhibition by surfactant molecules is related to the surfactant's ability to aggregate at interfaces and in solution. Understanding the factors that affect aggregation as well as the state of aggregation of surfactant molecules on metal surfaces is, therefore, an important prerequisite to understanding corrosion inhibition by surfactant molecules. This article investigates the relationship between surfactant aggregation and mild steel corrosion inhibition in acidic medium using cetyl pyridinium chloride and cety trimethyl ammonium bromide.
Ethical issues in editing scholarly journals

Various ethical issues that often involve dilemmas to face editors of scholarly journals. These issues are treated via discussions of treatment of colleagues’ submissions; paradigm-based decisions, and decisions based on personal sociological predilections and commitments; “reasonable” referee-assignment policies; policies with respect to how referees’ judgments are used; and “privileged” treatment of categories of authors relative to other categories.
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring during spine surgery with total intravenous anesthesia or balanced anesthesia with 3 % desflurane

Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and opioids is frequently utilized for spinal surgery when somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and transcranial motor evoked potentials (tcMEPs) are monitored. Many anesthesiologists would prefer to utilize low dose halogenated anesthetics (e.g. 1/2 MAC). We examined our recent experience using 3 % desflurane or TIVA during spine surgery to determine the impact on propofol usage and on the evoked potential responses. After institutional review board approval we conducted a retrospective review of a 6 month period for adult spine patients who were monitored with SSEPs and tcMEPs. Cases were included for the study if anesthesia was conducted with propofol–opioid TIVA or 3 % desflurane supplemented with propofol or opioid infusions as needed. We evaluated the propofol infusion rate, cortical amplitudes of the SSEPs (median nerve, posterior tibial nerve), amplitudes and stimulation voltage for eliciting the tcMEPs (adductor pollicis brevis, tibialis anterior) and the amplitude variability of the SSEP and tcMEP responses as assessed by the average percentage trial to trial change. Of the 156 spine cases included in the study, 95 had TIVA with propofol–opioid (TIVA) and 61 had 3 % expired desflurane (INHAL). Three INHAL cases were excluded because the desflurane was eliminated because of inadequate responses and 26 cases (16 TIVA and 10 INHAL) were excluded due to significant changes during monitoring. Propofol infusion rates in the INHAL group were reduced from the TIVA group (average 115–45 μg/kg/min) (p < 0.00001) with 21 cases where propofol was not used. No statistically significant differences in cortical SSEP or tcMEP amplitudes, tcMEP stimulation voltages nor in the average trial to trial amplitude variability were seen. The data from these cases indicates that 1/2 MAC (3 %) desflurane can be used in conjunction with SSEP and tcMEP monitoring for some adult patients undergoing spine surgery. Further studies are needed to confirm the relative benefits versus negative effects of the use of desflurane and other halogenated agents for anesthesia during procedures on neurophysiological monitoring involving tcMEPs. Further studies are also needed to characterize which patients may or may not be candidates for supplementation such as those with neural dysfunction or who are opioid tolerant from chronic use.
Epidemiology and Natural History of NAFLD and NASH

Understanding of the epidemiology and natural history of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased; it is the most common form of chronic liver disease in the Western world and increasing in importance in other parts of the world. Prevalence is expected to increase as obesity and diabetes epidemics evolve. The natural history of NAFLD depends on the histologic subtype. Those who have simple hepatic steatosis or nonspecific inflammation generally have a benign long-term prognosis, whereas non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can progress to cirrhosis. NASH-related cirrhosis may have a similar prognosis as cirrhosis from other causes, leading to liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma.
Vertical gaze: Clinical and experimental considerations with particular reference to oblique movements

On correlating the clinicopathologic data in man with those in the experimental monkey one may conclude that the syndrome of paralysis of upward gaze is due to involvement of the mesencephalon, while the syndrome of paralysis of downward gaze is due to implication of a more rostral area in the diencephalon. In instances of paralysis of both upward and downward gaze the pathology is at the mesodiencephalic junction. Paralysis of downward gaze is rarely associated with impairment of pupillary reflexes, whereas paralysis of upward gaze is frequently accompanied by impairments of efferent pupillary responses, eyelid retraction and, less frequently, by binocular adductive saccades. In man, paralysis of upward gaze is commonly caused by lesions, such as tumor, vascular disease or aqueductal stenosis, localized within the mesodiencephalon. Isolated paralysis of downward gaze is rare in cases of tumor and found predominately in patients with vascular disease. In patients with diffuse involvement of the brain, suc...
A note on spaces related to Namioka spaces

Namioka proved that the following condition (*) given below holds, if X is Cech-complete and Y is a locally compact, σ-compact space. (*) Let X and Y be spaces, Z be a metric space and let f : X × Y → Z be separately continuous. Then there is a dense, G δ set A in X such that A × Y ⊂ C ( f ). Following Christensen a space X is called Namioka if (*) is true for any compact space Y . In this paper we introduce and study a new class of spaces which is closely related to Namioka spaces. Namely, we say that a space Y is co-Namioka if (*) holds for any Namioka space X .
Mechanistic investigation of the cobalt-catalyzed selective conversion of diallylanilines to quinolines involving C-N and C-H activations.

2,3-Substituted quinolines were readily prepared from diallylanilines in good yields under mild conditions by using Co2(CO)8 as catalyst.1,2 Regioselectivity has been explored by examining a series of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing functional groups at ortho, meta, and para positions of the diallylanilines. The results show that both steric and electronic effects influence the isolated yields. Electron-withdrawing groups inhibit the reaction. Solvent effects, temperature effects, and catalyst loadings have also been investigated. Isotopic labeling experiments were devised to permit delineation of the mechanism of reaction.
Conservation biology: When an infection turns lethal.

Losses in biodiversity and the emergence of new infectious diseases are among the greatest threats to life on the planet. The declines in amphibian populations lie at the interface between these issues.
The effect of working memory, semantic access, and listening abilities on the comprehension of conversational implicatures in L2 English

This research examined the extent to which pragmatic comprehension, namely accurate and speedy comprehension of conversational implicatures, is related to cognitive processing skills and general listening abilities. Thirty-five Japanese students learning English as a second language completed five tasks: (1) a pragmatic listening test (PLT) that measured the ability to comprehend implied speakers’ intentions, (2) a phonemic discrimination test, (3) a listening section of the institutional TOEFL, (4) a working memory test, and (5) a lexical access test that measured the ability to make speedy semantic judgment. The students’ pragmatic comprehension was analyzed for accuracy (scores) and comprehension speed (time taken to answer items correctly). Results revealed a significant relationship between accuracy scores of the PLT and the TOEFL listening scores, but not with phonemic discrimination ability. Response time of pragmatic listening significantly correlated with the semantic access speed, but not with working memory.
3-Omega Measurements of Vertically Oriented Carbon Nanotubes on Silicon

An exploratory thermal interface structure, made of vertically oriented carbon nanotubes directly grown on a silicon substrate, has been thermally characterized using a 3-omega method. The effective thermal conductivities of the carbon nanotubes (CNT) sample, including the effects of voids, are found to be 74 W/m K to 83 W/m K in the temperature range of 295 K to 323 K, one order higher than that of the best thermal greases or phase change materials. This result suggests that the vertically oriented CNTs potentially can be a promising next-generation thermal interface solution However, fairly large thermal resistances were observed at the interfaces between the CNT samples and the experimental contact. Minimizing these contact resistances is critical for the application of these materials.
The effect of acetyl-b-methlyl choline (Mecholyl) on the gastric secretion in animals and in man

1. There was no outpouring of mucinous, alkaline gastric secretion in 6 rabbits after subcutaneous injections of 2 and 4 mgm. of mecholyl chloride. 2. There is no marked change in the free and total acid of the gastric contents in rabbits after these dosages but because of large amounts of solid gastric residue these figures are not wholly accurate. 3. In 3 cats no free hydrochloric acid was present in the fasting gastric specimen nor did any appear after subcutaneous injections of 2, 4 and 10 mgm. of mecholyl chloride. 4. When proper care is taken to prevent the swallowing of saliva there is no marked change in character in the gastric secretions in human subjects following the subcutaneous injection of 25 mgm. of mecholyl chloride. 5. There is in most instances a slight to marked rise in free and total acidity following such an injection. 6. There is a marked increase in flow of saliva which becomes mucinous and more alkaline. 7. The accidental swallowing of less than one-half of the saliva more than neutralizes the rise in gastric acidity and the purposeful swallowing of the entire amount is suggested as a possible therapeutic measure in cases of hyperacidity.
Purification and characterization of a glutathione S-transferase from the fungus Cunninghamella elegans

Abstract Cunninghamella elegans grown on Sabouraud dextrose broth had glutathione S -transferase (GST) activity. The enzyme was purified 172-fold from the cytosolic fraction (120 000× g ) of the extract from a culture of C. elegans , using Q-Sepharose ion exchange chromatography and glutathione affinity chromatography. The GST showed activity against 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, 4-nitrobenzyl chloride, and ethacrynic acid. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gel filtration chromatography revealed that the native enzyme was homodimeric with a subunit of M r 27 000. Comparison by Western blot analysis implied that this fungal GST had no relationship with mammalian α-, μ-, and π-class GSTs, although it showed a small degree of cross-reactivity with a θ-class GST. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme showed no significant homology with other known GSTs.
Factors influencing cadmium toxicity in A-V conduction system of isolated perfused rat heart☆

Abstract The effects of cadmium (3 × 10−2m m –3 × 10−5 m m ) and calcium (2.65 m m –4.91 × 10−3 m m ) concentrations and pH were studied in isolated Langendorff rat heart preparations to extend and quantitate cadmium effects on the mammalian heart. Progressive PR interval increase was noted and accompanied by partial A-V block in six of eight hearts exposed to 3 × 10−2 m m Cd2+ and in one of five hearts exposed to 3 × 10−3 Cd2+ at pH 7.2. Complete A-V block occurred in all hearts perfused with cadmium (3 × 10−2 m m Cd2+) at pH 6.8 and 7.0. Partial A-V block occurred in five of eight hearts at pH 7.4 and 7.6. In all cases of A-V block, atrial activity persisted as evidenced by rhythmical P wave patterns and constant P to P intervals. Heart rate was significantly reduced by exposure to cadmium at concentrations greater than 3 × 10−4 m m All instances of A-V block were characterized as Wenckebach (Type 1) heart block. The affinity coefficient of cadmium relative to calcium for the rate limiting enzyme system which maintains normal A-V conduction was 1.14 × 10−7. These results suggest that cadmium is a specific depressant of A-V junctional conduction and its effects are more rapid and less reversible with decreasing pH. Metal mercaptide formation via sulfhydryl binding at the membrane surface may be involved in this effect.
SEARCH FOR DIRAC MONOPOLES

Nuclear emulsions were used to establish the upper limits for the production of Dirac monopoles by 6.3-Bev protons. If poles of protonic mass are produced by direct nucleon-nucleon collision, the production cross section is less than 2 x 10/sup 35/ cm/sup 2/ per nucleon. If poles of protonic or lower mass are produced by direct or by secondary processes and are subsequently held in matter with a binding energy less than 3 ev, the production cross section is less than l.5 x l0/sup -37/ cm/sup 2/ per nucleon. If poles of protonic or lower mass are produced by direct or by secondary processes and are subsequently held in matter with a binding energy between 3 ev and 20 ev, the production cross section is less than l0/sup -40/ cm/sup 2/ per nucleon. (auth)
XANES Investigation of Phosphate Sorption in Single and Binary Systems of Iron and Aluminum Oxide Minerals

Phosphate sorption on Fe- and Al-oxide minerals helps regulate the solubility and mobility of P in the environment. The objective of this study was to characterize phosphate adsorption and precipitation in single and binary systems of Fe- and Al-oxide minerals. Varying concentrations of phosphate were reacted for 42 h in aqueous suspensions containing goethite, ferrihydrite, boehmite, or noncrystalline (non-xl) Al-hydroxide, and in 1:1 (by mass) mixed-mineral suspensions of goethite/boehmite and ferrihydrite/non-xl Al-hydroxide at pH 6 and 22 °C. X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy was used to detect precipitated phosphate and distinguish PO4 associated with Fe(III) versus Al(III) in mixed-mineral systems. Changes in the full width at half-maximum height (fwhm) in the white-line peak in P K-XANES spectra provided evidence for precipitation in Al-oxide single-mineral systems, but not in goethite or ferrihydrite systems. Similarly, adsorption isotherms and XANES data showed evidence fo...
Addiction and Responsibility

What can philosophical and pragmatic notions of responsibility lend to the understanding of the multi-faceted phenomenon of human addiction? The editors of this multidisciplinary volume of essays a...
The Valley of the Fallen: Tales from the Crypt

This article focuses on Spain's Valley of the Fallen, the brainchild of dictator Francisco Franco (1939-1975) and the country's largest monument. I argue that, while the monument glorifies General Franco's personal legacy, it also represents a dramatic effort to re-assert a Christian-military nationalist Spain as a model to the world. The article also suggests that the monument calls on Spaniards to struggle not only with the meanings of Franco's defeat of a progressive republic, but also with the country's relationships to its Christian imperial past, to northern Africa and Muslim immigrants to the country, to Fortress Europe, and to current debates about empire and occupation.
The response regulator PhoP negatively regulates Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Yersinia pestis biofilms

A few Yersinia pseudotuberculosis strains form biofilms on the head of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, but numerous others do not. We show that a widely used Y. pseudotuberculosis strain, YPIII, is biofilm positive because of a mutation in phoP, which encodes the response regulator of a two-component system. For two wild-type Y. pseudotuberculosis that do not make biofilms on C. elegans, deletion of phoP was sufficient to produce robust biofilms. In Yersinia pestis, a phoP mutant made more extensive biofilms in vitro than did the wild type. Expression of HmsT, a diguanylate cyclase that positively regulates biofilms, is diminished in Y. pseudotuberculosis strains with functional PhoP.
Directed evolution of (betaalpha)(8)-barrel enzymes.

Abstract Natural molecular evolution supplies us with manifold examples of protein engineering. The imitation of these natural processes in the design of new enzymes has led to surprising and insightful results. Well-suited for design by evolutionary methods are enzymes with the common and versatile (βα)8-barrel fold. Studies of enzyme stability, folding and design as well as the evolution of (βα)8-barrel enzymes are discussed.
A new method for estimating probability of survival in pediatric patients using revised TRISS methodology based on age-adjusted weights

Background: TRISS methodology estimates probability of survival (P s ) based on coefficients derived largely from adult data. We developed a novel pediatric age-specific method to estimate P s . Methods: The Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study database was queried for pediatric patients injured between 1993 and 1996 (n = 9730). P s derived from the Pediatric Age-Adjusted TRISS (PAAT) methodology was generated using our Age-Specific Pediatric Trauma Score and Injury Severity Score with corresponding weights. A test data set of 7138 pediatric patients entered in the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study from 1997 to 1999 was used to compute an expected number of survivors for PAAT, TRISS, and ASCOT (A Severity Characteristic of Trauma). Observed and expected survival were compared for blunt injured patients, for head injured patients, and by age category. Results: PAAT showed no significant difference between observed and expected survival. TRISS and ASCOT significantly underestimated overall survival: across age groups, for blunt injuries, for head injuries, and for patients whose P s was less than 91%. Conclusion: PAAT offers a more reliable methodology than TRISS and ASCOT for comparing pediatric trauma outcomes.
Planting Disinformation through Voluntary Export Restraints

Voluntary export restraints typically are determined in bilateral negotiations between an importing country and a major exporting country, and have the appearance of forcibly limiting exports from the latter while leaving minor exporters unrestrained. However, during the negotiation process the major exporter can acquire insight into the nature of the importing country government. This private information may actually motivate the major exporter to restrain exports voluntarily.
Role of Exogenous Oxytocin in Eliciting Milk Ejection in Dairy Cows

Abstract The efficacy of small doses of exogenous oxytocin in eliciting milk ejection was measured in eight lactating Holstein cows. Treatments comprised intravenous administration of .02, .05, .10, and .30 IU of oxytocin. The smallest dose of oxytocin that induced milk ejection in all cows was .10 IU. Administration of .10 and .30 IU produced greater peak rates of milk flow and shorter milking times. Ranges for these two variables were 2.9 to 3.9kg/min and 4.8 to 5.6min. Variations in milk yield (8.2 to 9.1kg/milking) were not significant, but more fat was harvested after administration of the two higher doses. Differences in peak concentrations of serum oxytocin were 17.7 to 21.2 μ U/ml. Differences in latent time before peak concentration was reached were 1.3 to 4.0min.
Spectrum of reoperations after repair of aortic coarctation: importance of an individualized approach because of coexistent cardiovascular disease.

Objective To determine the indications for and spectrum of late reoperations in adults who had previously undergone coarctation repair. Patients and Methods We reviewed clinical, cardiac catheterization, and echocardiographic data and criteria for reoperation, surgical procedures, and outcome in 43 patients who underwent 54 reoperations between 1972 and 1996. Results Of the reoperations for recoarctation or associated cardiovascular disease (or both), 20% were performed in asymptomatic patients and 80% in symptomatic patients. Associated cardiovascular disease included bicuspid aortic valve in 36 patients (84%), aortic arch hypoplasia in 12 (28%), true or false aortic aneurysm in 6 (14%), mitral valve disease in 6 (14%), and subvalvular aortic stenosis in 5 (12%). Surgical procedures included 22 recoarctation repairs and 32 other cardiovascular interventions. Simultaneous repair of recoarctation and associated cardiovascular disease was performed as a single-stage repair in 5 reoperations through a median sternotomy using an extra-anatomic, ascending-to-descending aortic bypass, with no complications. One patient died (surgical mortality, 1.9%) of preexisting severe pulmonary vascular obstructive disease. Conclusions After coarctation repair, associated cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause for reoperation. An individualized surgical approach is important and may range from valve replacement or recoarctation surgery to extra-anatomic bypass combined with other cardiovascular procedures, enabling simultaneous repair of recoarctation and associated lesions. Despite complex surgical techniques and multiple reoperations, morbidity and mortality were low in our series.
Empire, Health, and Health Care: Perspectives at the End of Empire as We Have Known It

Health and health care have played important roles during the rise of empire and during its subsequent decline. Research has emphasized the underdevelopment of health in less developed countries, the opening of new markets for medical products manufactured in dominant nations, the contribution of public health in enhancing the productivity of labor, the impact of medicine in reinforcing international class relations, and the adverse effects of military interventions on health and mental health. Latin American social medicine, especially work by Salvador Allende, has clarified the social origins of illness and early death in the context of empire. Connections among empire, health, and health care have operated through key mediating institutions: trade agreements and international financial institutions, foundations, and international public health organizations. Several popular struggles show a diminishing tolerance among the world's peoples for the health policies of empire and a growing demand for health...
Die Pioniere der Intelligenzmessung in Amerika

Der erste brauchbare Intelligenztest wurde in Frankreich von Alfred Binet im Jahre 1905 entwickelt. Die grundlegenden Fakten sind jedem bekannt, der ein Hochschulseminar in Psychologie mitgemacht hat, und sie sind auch in jedem beliebigen Lehrbuch verfugbar. Der franzosische Minister fur offentliche Bildung hatte Binet beauftragt, ein Test-Verfahren zu entwickeln, das dabei helfen konnte, die Schuler zu identifizieren, deren intellektuelle Fahigkeiten so gering waren, das ihre Unterbringung in „Spezialschulen“ notwendig wurde.
More powerful solid modeling through ray representations

Ray-representations simplify geometrical calculations and effectively decouple application design from the particulars of modeling systems. They extend the geometric coverage of solid modelers, while increasing the range of supported applications. The authors list some of the problems with solid modelling and explain how the use of ray representations for solids provides effective solutions to the domain, application support, and some system problems. >
Evidence for impulsivity in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat drawn from complementary response-withholding tasks.

The inability to inhibit reinforced responses is a defining feature of ADHD associated with impulsivity. The Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) has been extolled as an animal model of ADHD, but there is no clear experimental evidence of inhibition deficits in SHR. Attempts to demonstrate these deficits may have suffered from methodological and analytical limitations. We provide a rationale for using two complementary response-withholding tasks to doubly dissociate impulsivity from motivational and motor processes. In the lever-holding task (LHT), continual lever depression was required for a minimum interval. Under a differential reinforcement of low rates schedule (DRL), a minimum interval was required between lever presses. Both tasks were studied using SHR and two normotensive control strains, Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Long Evans (LE), over an overlapping range of intervals (1 – 5 s for LHT and 5 – 60 s for DRL). Lever-holding and DRL performance was characterized as the output of a mixture of two processes, timing and iterative random responding; we call this account of response inhibition the Temporal Regulation (TR) model. In the context of TR, impulsivity was defined as a bias toward premature termination of the timed intervals. The TR model provided an accurate description of LHT and DRL performance. On the basis of TR parameter estimates, SHRs were more impulsive than LE rats across tasks and target times. WKY rats produced substantially shorter timed responses in the lever-holding task than in DRL, suggesting a motivational or motor deficit. The precision of timing by SHR, as measured by the variance of their timed intervals, was excellent, flouting expectations from ADHD research. This research validates the TR model of response inhibition and supports SHR as an animal model of ADHD-related impulsivity. It indicates, however, that SHR's impulse-control deficit is not caused by imprecise timing. The use of ad hoc impulsivity metrics and of WKY as control strain for SHR impulsivity are called into question.