cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-Inclusion modeling of multiphase piezoelectric composites

Recent work on multifunctional materials has shown that a functionally graded interface between the fiber and matrix of a composite material can lead to improved strength and stiffness while simultaneously affording piezoelectric properties to the composite. However the modeling of this functional gradient is difficult through micromechanics models without discretizing the gradient into numerous layers of varying properties. In order to facilitate the design of these multiphase piezoelectric composites, accurate models are required. In this work, Multi-Inclusion models are extended to predict the effective electroelastic properties of multiphase piezoelectric composites. To evaluate the micromechanics modeling results, a three dimensional finite element model of a four-phase piezoelectric composite was created in the commercial finite element software ABAQUS with different volume fractions and aspect ratios. The simulations showed excellent agreement for multiphase piezoelectric composites, and thus the modeling approach has been applied to study the overall electroelastic properties of a composite with zinc oxide nanowires grown on carbon fibers embedded in the polymer. The results of this case study demonstrate the importance of the approach and show the system cannot be accurately modeled with a homogenized interphase.
U.S. and U.S.S.R agree on ocean research

On June 1, 1990, George Bush and Mikhail S. Gorbachev signed a renegotiated bilateral agreement for cooperation in oceanographic research. The original agreement for “Studies of the World Ocean,” signed in 1972, did not provide for the protection of intellectual property. The new agreement is administered by executive secretaries from both countries working under the U.S.-U.S.S.R. Joint Committee on Cooperation in Ocean Studies. The committee held its first meeting in Moscow September 14–17, 1990, at the headquarters of the U.S.S.R. State Committee for Science and Technology (GKNT). The U.S. delegation was led by John A. Knauss, undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and included Ned A. Ostenso, executive secretary of the agreement; Thomas E. Murray, NOAA; M. Grant Gross, National Science Foundation; Robert S. Winokur, U.S. Navy; Bonnie McGregor Stubblefield, U.S. Geological Survey; William S. Busch, Office of Science and Technology Policy; and William A. Erb, Eric Green, and Sidney Smith, Department of State.
Use of Substitute Species in Conservation Biology

In conservation biology, researchers often want to study the reasons why an endangered population is faring poorly but are unable to study it directly for logistical or political reasons. Instead they study a species that substitutes for the one of concern in the hope that it will cast light on the conservation problem. Here we outline the assumptions underlying this approach. Substitutes can be different populations or species and may be chosen because they are similar biologically to the target or representatives of a constellation of species of which the target is one. They also may be used to develop a predictive model to which the conservation target can be related. For substitutes to be appropriate, they should share the same key ecological or behavioral traits that make the target sensitive to environmental disturbance and the relationship between population vital rates and level of disturbance should match that of the target. These conditions are unlikely to pertain in most circumstances and the use of substitute species to predict endangered populations' responses to disturbance is questionable.
Modeling of Continuous Mixers in Polymer Processing

Modelisation numerique de l'ecoulement rampant et du melangeage en continu; decouplage des problemes d'ecoulement axial et transversal
Waveguide coupling optimization using lenses

This manuscript summarizes the work presented at the meeting. A more complete paper has already been submitted to a journal. In an effort to adapt the analysis of coupling lenses to the use of optical design software, we demonstrate that the coupling efficiency of a system can be related to an apodized and normalized point spread function. This approach allows the evaluation, optimization and tolerancing of systems which contain a fair amount of aberration. Comparison of theoretical predictions with experimental results shows good agreement© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Children and the courts: advocacy roles for pediatric nurses

The Advocate is a forum for exploring our roles as advocates for the children and families we serve.
A Test of Goodness-of-Fit Based on Extreme Spacings with some Efficiency Comparisons.

Tests for the goodness-of-fit problem based on sample spacings, i.e., observed distances between successive order statistics, have been used in the literature. We propose a new test based on the number of “small” and “large” spacings. The asymptotic theory under close alternative sequences is also given thus enabling one to calculate the asymptotic relative efficiencies of such tests. A comparison of the new test and other spacings tests is given.
CTH11-1: Queuing Aspects of Multiantenna Multiple Access Channels

In this communication, we investigate the effect of spatial dimension in a Gaussian multiple access system and study its impact on the physical layer capacity and the end to end delay from a queueing theory perspective. For a multiple-input, single-output (MISO) multiple access channel, we derive conditions on the transmit power and number of transmit antennas for which additional users increase or decrease the capacity. The capacity as a function of the number of users is used for calculating the end-to-end delay. Numerical analysis on the end-to-end delay for a Rayleigh fading MISO channel with no channel state information at transmitter (CSIT) indicates that increasing the number of transmit antennas can actually increase the delay.
Differences in Brain Uptake and Metabolism of Testosterone in Gonadectomized, Adrenalectomized Male and Female Rhesus Monkeys*

The possibility that there are sexual differences in the pattern of brain uptake and metabolism of testosterone (T) was examined in five male and five female adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatto). Males and females were gonadectomized 36 h and 1 month, respectively, before infusing [3H]T. All animals were adrenalectomized immediately before the infusion. While animals were anesthetized, [3H]T was infused into the heart at a constant rate for 4 h. During this time blood samples were taken from the carotid artery and internal jugular vein. At the end of the infusion the brain was removed, and the following regions were dissected: anterior pituitary, preoptic area, medial basal hypothalamus, lateral hypothalamus, thalamus, hippocampus, septum, amygdala, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex. Blood and brain samples were analyzed subsequently for radioactive T, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, androstenedione, 5α-androstane-3,17-dione (5αA), 17β-estradiol, and estrone (E1i). By 4 h there was no difference in circulating 3H-...
A spectroscopic investigation of dialkyltin oxides and picolinates

Abstract Diethyl, di-n-octyl, and dicyclohexyltin picolinates have been synthesized for the first time. The vibrational spectra of these and related diorganotin oxides and picolinates have been obtained and assignments made for most bands, with particular attention paid to the SnO, SnC and SnN regions. CC and CH signals dominate the oxide spectra, while the chelate bands prevail in the picolinate scans. Further, vibrational signals from the six-coordinate tin complexes attest to monomeric and bridging carboxyl groups, an indication of the solid-state oligomeric nature of the picolinates. These complexes, in solution, have also been subjected to UV and PMR analyses.
Computer simulation of multipulse and Fourier transform NMR experiments. IV. Some simulations including the time development of the off-diagonal density matrix elements

Abstract The density matrix method has been used to simulate a number of multipulse and Fourier transform NMR experiments in which the time development of the off-diagonal diasity matrix elements (in the basis in which the Hamiltonian is diagonal) is important. The effects of the nonsecular elements in the relaxation matrix have been investigated, and these elements have been included in all the simulations where they are significant. The experiments simulated in this paper are the following. (a) The repetitively pulsed Fourier mode NMR experiment: Off-diagonal density matrix elements have not previously been included in a calculation of this type. As a result, the important phase effects in coupled spin systems are analysed for the first time. (b) The cw mode NMR experiment using a “time share” approximation: Calculations of the “time shared” spectra for coupled spin systems has not been considered before. (c) Carr-Purcell and modified Carr-Purcell pulse sequences, including Fourier transform spin echo spectroscopy and the simulation of J spectra: Realistic relaxation processes are included in the J spectra calculations. (d) The calculation and Fourier transformation of free induction decays. The examples presented in this paper are restricted to two-spin (AB) systems. However, the methods employed and the programs written in connection with this work can be applied to larger spin systems. As in earlier papers in this series the effects of intramolecular dipolar relaxation, external random field relaxation and mutual exchange are included in the relaxation matrices used.
Electron phase-space trajectories in a linearly polarized free electron laser

Abstract An exact solution to the phase-space trajectories of electrons in an operating free electron laser with a linearly polarized undulator has been obtained using a numerical simulation. The complicated phase-space motion caused by the transverse undulator deflections makes a rigorous derivation for trajectories difficult, if not impossible. The Bessel function coupling coefficient, J0(ξ)- J1(ξ), is found to be valid over a broad range of parameters.
Media Impact: Games in the Classroom: Using Games as a Motivator for the Study of Computing: Part 2

It's no secret that undergraduate computer science enrollment, which has suffered through one of its periodic downturns, seems to have bottomed out but is now on an upswing. This cyclic behavior has been occurring for many years now, producing many exciting ideas concerning how to revamp introductory computer science courses to make them more exciting and relevant, and to show beginning students that computer science entails more than just programming. Georgia Tech, one of the active participants in this revamp, has developed the concept of threads (a means to connect chunks of related knowledge across different courses) and is devising techniques to enrich beginning courses using minirobots and multimedia. The present article, the second of two parts, written by Andrew Phelps and his group at the Rochester Institute of Technology, describes a parallel effort to use gaming as a way to improve learning and to demonstrate to students that computer science is indeed exciting and cool.
Cholesterol ester oxidation by mycobacterial cytochrome p450.

Mycobacteria share a common cholesterol degradation pathway initiated by oxidation of the alkyl side chain by enzymes of cytochrome P450 (CYP) families 125 and 142. Structural and sequence comparisons of the two enzyme families revealed two insertions into the N-terminal region of the CYP125 family (residues 58–67 and 100–109 in the CYP125A1 sequence) that could potentially sterically block the oxidation of the longer cholesterol ester molecules. Catalytic assays revealed that only CYP142 enzymes are able to oxidize cholesteryl propionate, and although CYP125 enzymes could oxidize cholesteryl sulfate, they were much less efficient at doing so than the CYP142 enzymes. The crystal structure of CYP142A2 in complex with cholesteryl sulfate revealed a substrate tightly fit into a smaller active site than was previously observed for the complex of CYP125A1 with 4-cholesten-3-one. We propose that the larger CYP125 active site allows for multiple binding modes of cholesteryl sulfate, the majority of which trigger the P450 catalytic cycle, but in an uncoupled mode rather than one that oxidizes the sterol. In contrast, the more unhindered and compact CYP142 structure enables enzymes of this family to readily oxidize cholesteryl esters, thus providing an additional source of carbon for mycobacterial growth.
Quantitative analysis of carbonaceous aerosols using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy: a study on mass loading induced plasma matrix effects

We present results indicating mass loading induced plasma matrix effects on the application of quantitative laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for estimation of carbon contents in aerosols. An in-house flow-controlled powder-dispersion system generated carbonaceous aerosols with varying bi-modal particle size distributions (∼1 µm and 10 µm median diameters), thereby resulting in a wide mass loading range. For ease of chemical handling and to eliminate toxic effects, common talcum powder was used as our standard aerosol. Normalized atomic species concentrations of C, i.e., [C]/[Si] ratios, were calculated from atomic emission lines of C I (248 nm), Si I (252 nm), and plasma temperatures estimated from a series of Mg I lines. The results show a decrease in [C]/[Si] ratio to about 65% of the initial value as relative mass loadings increased (5.5–100%) due to the increase in number concentrations of larger sized particles (∼10 µm median diameter). As a comparison, normalized ratio of [Mg]/[Si] did not exhibit any marked change with increased mass loading. The normalized total absorption of photon flux across the C I (248 nm) spectral line indicated a strong correlation to the percentage decrease in [C]/[Si] ratio. We used an impactor with a cut-off size of around 10 µm diameter to generate mono-modal aerosolized powders (∼1 µm median diameter) that had lower relative mass loadings (0.32–0.16%). Similar LIBS analysis on these did not indicate any of the matrix effects. We conclude that for aerosol systems with widely varying mass loadings, quantitative LIBS analysis can be significantly affected by plasma matrix effects, specifically for the C I (248 nm) emission line as noticed in this study. This bears significance for the application of quantitative LIBS in the chemical characterization of all forms of carbonaceous aerosols.
Document Engineering Issues in Document Analysis

We present an overview of the field of malware analysis with emphasis on issues related to document engineering. We will introduce the field with a discussion of the types of malware, including executable binaries, polymorphic malware, malicious PDFs, and exploit kits. We will conclude with our view of important research questions in the field.
A bioactive peptide from the transmembrane 5 - intracellular loop 3 region of the human 5HT1a receptor

15 amino acid peptide from the transmembrane 5-intracellular loop 3 region of the human 5HT1a receptor produced concentration-dependent decreases in agonist binding. This result is consistent with a competitive interaction between peptide, receptor, and G protein at the receptor-G protein interface. Bombesin and a 13 amino acid peptide from the carboxyl terminus region of the receptor were inactive. Additionally, the peptide decreased forskolin-mediated cAMP elevation. Overall, these results suggest that amino acid residues from this region of the receptor are involved in receptor-G protein coupling and that G protein is activated by the receptor.
Reading in the Borderland: An Ethnographic Study of Serious Readers in a Mega-Bookstore Café

Today, mega-bookstores are one of the most powerful sponsors of reading. They are not just selling books; they are teaching people new ways to read. The enthusiasm among some individuals to read in a retail store (as opposed to the home or library) did not occur spontaneously. Mega-bookstores’ marketing strategies underwrote a “commercial-contract approach to reading” and wider social formations helped enable it. This ethnographic study explores the tension between the reading environment constructed by one Borders bookstore in a midwestern college town and the different expectations and practices that serious and not-so-serious readers bring to the cafe. Although the reading culture in the cafe appears unstructured, Borders has made sure that little has been left to chance. Borders’ fluid “social, sensual” narrative of reading is designed to control store space by affirming the identities of its preferred customers and by promoting reading practices that translate into sales. The author would like to tha...
Fuzzy spatial relations

We present a fuzzy version of the crisp spatial logic developed by Randell et al., which takes the single relation connected-with as primitive. Membership functions are defined for each spatial relation defined in the crisp theory. Furthermore, principles are presented for defining linguistic variables whose linguistic values are spatial relations. The work reported here addresses spatial reasoning in situations where numerical or geometric precision is unlikely; it is particularly suited for dynamic situations.
Consumer decision making styles in retailing: evolution of mindsets and psychological impacts

Purpose – India has undergone dramatic change in its retail markets since economic liberalization in 1992. The authors aim to use the framework of consumer decision making styles to investigate longitudinally how these styles have changed from 1994 to 2009. They also conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the 2009 data to determine whether decision making styles are shaped by psychological variables: perceived time pressure, shopping opinion leadership, shopping self-confidence, consumer susceptibility to interpersonal influence, and materialism. Design/methodology/approach – The eight different consumer decision making styles were measured with instrument by Sproles and Kendall. The psychological variables were measured with established instruments with adequate reliabilities. The survey was administered to young adults. The Indian samples from 1994 and 2009 were matched allowing for comparisons. Findings – The longitudinal analysis showed that four of the eight decision making styles changed statistica...
Conditions for uniform growth of GaAs by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition in a vertical reactor

The uniformity of epitaxial growth of GaAs by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition in a vertical‐flow rotating‐disk reactor has been investigated. Observations of the thickness of the epitaxial layer versus radial distance on the susceptor surface are made for various conditions of carrier gas flow and growth temperature. A model is proposed in consideration of hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layer effects at the susceptor surface. The effects of a parasitic processes in the limit of smaller boundary layers and transition to source input rate‐limited growth in the limit of thicker boundary layers are described.
Plasma 3-nitrotyrosine is a biomarker in animal models of arthritis: Pharmacological dissection of iNOS’ role in disease

The contribution of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) to oxidative/nitrative stress is well-documented in inflammation, but difficult to quantify. Using a novel, recently developed assay for 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), we characterized iNOS activity and its inhibition in preclinical models of inflammation. In particular, we utilized the 3-NT assay to assess the role of iNOS in the disease pathology as well as for proof of pharmacology of iNOS inhibitors in an acute endotoxin challenge model, in models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) such as rat adjuvant- and collagen-induced arthritis (AIA and CIA) and a model of osteoarthritis (OA) such as rat sodium monoiodoacetate-induced arthritis (MIA). Quantification of nitrotyrosine was performed using immuno-affinity 2-D LC-MS/MS assay. This assay is a very specific and reproducible and is amenable to a number of biological fluids. Plasma levels of 3-NT were significantly elevated in an acute model of inflammation (rat LPS) and in models of rheumatoid arthritis (adjuvant- and collagen-induced arthritis), and osteoarthritis (monoiodoacetate-induced arthritis). Plasma 3-NT correlated with the severity of the inflammatory response; thus, a 20-fold increase was observed in the rat LPS model, a 10-fold increase in AIA, and only a 2.5-fold elevation in CIA. Pharmacological intervention with iNOS inhibitors decreased 3-NT levels and associated pathology. 3-NT determination allowed for better elucidation of the role of iNOS in RA and OA disease pathology and provided proof of pharmacology for NOS inhibitors in animal models of RA and OA.
Effects of Offender Motivation, Victim Gender, and Participant Gender on Perceptions of Rape Victims and Offenders

The primary purpose of the present study was to examine whether knowledge of the motivation of an offender can influence participant perceptions of victim and perpetrator responsibility for a sexual assault. In addition, the synergistic influence of victim gender and participant gender with offender motivation was explored. Participants were 171 men and women from a small Northeastern college exposed to a stimulus in which a rapist's motivation was varied as either sexual or violent. Participants were more certain that the stimulus described a rape, recommended a longer prison sentence for the offender, and assigned less blame to the victim when exposed to an offender motivated by violence as opposed to an offender motivated by sex. Offender motivation also interacted with participant gender and victim gender on participants' perceptions of victim blame and offender responsibility. The results suggest that an offender's motivation for rape can influence perceptions of the offender's and victim's responsibility for the assault.
Teachers learning from analysis of other teachers' reading lessons

Abstract This study explores teachers' responses to a video-based multimedia program designed to reflect current views of effective professional development for practicing teachers. The Case Studies of Reading Lessons program engages teachers in analysis of others' reading instruction. Findings showed teachers' enthusiasm for studying authentic reading instruction but suggest mixed views of the benefits of questions used to guide analysis of instruction. Teachers reported making connections to their own reading instruction and provided evidence that analysis of reading lessons may contribute to reflective practice. Future studies might investigate long-term effects of systematic analysis of case studies to develop adaptive expertise.
Elastic waves push organic fluids from reservoir rock

[1] Elastic waves have been observed to increase productivity of oil wells, although the reason for the vibratory mobilization of the residual organic fluids has remained unclear. Residual oil is entrapped as ganglia in pore constrictions because of resisting capillary forces. An external pressure gradient exceeding an “unplugging” threshold is needed to carry the ganglia through. The vibrations help overcome this resistance by adding an oscillatory inertial forcing to the external gradient; when the vibratory forcing acts along the gradient and the threshold is exceeded, instant “unplugging” occurs. The mobilization effect is proportional to the amplitude and inversely proportional to the frequency of vibrations. We observe this dependence in a laboratory experiment, in which residual saturation is created in a glass micromodel, and mobilization of the dyed organic ganglia is monitored using digital photography. We also directly demonstrate the release of an entrapped ganglion by vibrations in a computational fluid-dynamics simulation.
Laser-Feedback Noise In Magneto-Optical Recording

Laser-feedback noise has important negative ramifications for the design of magneto-optical media and system performance. However, with appropriate noise-suppression techniques, its consequences can be minimized. This paper models laser noise in a magneto-optical drive and discusses four possible methods for reducing its effects. Finally, experimental results are presented.
Stress-driven grain growth in ultrafine grained Mg thin film

Significant grain growth, manifest as a doubling of the average grain size, was triggered during high rate Kolsky bar experiments on ultrafine grained Mg. This grain growth is attributed to the high applied stress and is consistent with recent reports of stress-driven grain boundary migration. The experimental results indicate that stress can trigger grain growth, thereby reducing the importance of thermal activation at very high stresses. This also indicates that stress-assisted grain growth is not restricted to small grained fcc metals.
Imaging of phase segregation in gradient copolymers: Island and hole surface topography

Application of traditional block copolymer microscopy techniques to gradient copolymers yields limited results, due to the low compositional contrast provided from the sinusoidal composition profiles of their phase segregated nanostructures. In contrast, optical microscopy and profilometry allow for the first direct visualization of their phase segregation properties through surface features formed in annealed thin films. Three comonomer systems are studied; one block and one gradient copolymer are compared for each system. Island/hole topography is observed in all block cases. Of the three gradient copolymers, one showed no pattern development and two showed emergence of island/hole patterns, which coarsen over initial annealing and then appear to anneal away. These results are related to the lower driving force for phase segregation from gradient sequencing, which lowers the potential of gradient copolymers to form island/hole patterns and also to pin any patterns formed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Optimal throughput analysis for indoor multi-hop wireless networks in IEEE 802.11n

The IEEE 802.11 WiFi standard has been widely used in wireless local area networks (WLAN), which specifies an over-the-air interface between wireless clients and access point or between two wireless clients. With the recent development of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems at the physical (PHY) layer and frame aggregation at the medium access control (MAC) layer, the IEEE 802.11n standard provides the fastest data rates and larger coverage areas in different environments. However, as wireless network proliferates in indoor environments specially homes, the network topology has evolved from simple single access point-based network into more complex multi-hop topologies. This paper deals with the study of throughput delivered to end terminals in a WiFi indoor environment, when additional relays or extenders are placed between the router and the clients to develop a multi-hop system. It is proposed that there are certain optimal locations where the extenders can be placed to give optimal throughput and coverage in wireless home environments.
Effect of attitude similarity-dissimilarity on the utilization of additional stimulus inputs in judgments of interpersonal attraction

In the context of a study in social judgment, Ss were presented with eight stimulus persons, varying in attitude similarity (to S), physical attractiveness, and favorability as judged by others. Ss were asked to rate these persons on a measure of interpersonal attraction. It was hypothesized that attitude similarity would operate as an “open gate” in disposing the S to utilize the attractiveness and favorability information, whereas dissimilarity would reduce the impact of these cues. This hypothesis received fairly strong support. The Ss* agreement with traits attributed to the stimulus persons provided validity data for the attraction response, the form of the interaction effect again snowing greater utilization of additional stimulus information under conditions of similar, as opposed to dissimilar, stimulus persons.
VARSHA: variation and reliability-aware application scheduling with adaptive parallelism in the dark-silicon era

With deeper technology scaling accompanied by a worsening power-wall, an increasing proportion of chip area on a chip multiprocessor (CMP) is expected to be occupied by dark-silicon. At the same time, design challenges due to process variations and soft-errors in integrated circuits are projected to become even more severe. In this work, we propose a novel framework that leverages the knowledge of variations on the chip to perform run-time application mapping and dynamic voltage scaling to optimize system performance and energy, while satisfying dark-silicon power-constraints of the chip as well as application-specific performance and reliability constraints. Our experimental results show average savings of 35%-80% in application service-times and 13%-15% in energy consumption, compared to the state-of-the-art.
Execution of a Performic Acid Oxidation on Multikilogram Scale

In order to run a peracid oxidation on multikilogram scale in a pilot plant facility with an acceptable level of risk, an extensive study of the thermal characteristics of the reaction, reactants, and quench was undertaken. A number of features were engineered into the process in order to confidently run the process without the potential for a thermal or pressure excursion on scale.
Eco-geomorphic implications of hillslope aspect: Inferences from analysis of landscape morphology in central New Mexico

[1] We investigate the influence of hillslope aspect on landscape morphology in central New Mexico, where differences in soils, vegetation, and landforms are observed between mesic north-facing and xeric south-facing slopes. Slope–area and curvature–area relations, derived from a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), are used to characterize the opposing hillslope morphologies. In all geologies and elevation ranges studied, topographic data reveal significantly steeper slopes in north-facing aspects, and shallower slopes in south-facing aspects. North-facing slope curvatures are also greater than south-facing curvatures. Using a conceptual slope-area model, we suggest that for a given drainage area, steeper north-facing slopes imply lower soil erodibility. We argue that this interpretation, consistent with recent views of ecosystem control on semiarid erosion rates, shows the influence hillslope aspect on topography and its associated vegetation communities. Observed valley asymmetry in the region reinforces this concept and suggests a long-term legacy of aspect-modulated ecogeomorphic processes.
Environmental enrichment for captive animals

A review of "Second Nature: Environmental Enrichment for Captive Animals," edited by David J. Shepherson, Jill D. Mellen, and Michael Hutchins. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Press, 1998, 350pp., $32.50, hardbound; $17.95 paperback.
THE MAJOR SITE OF GUINEA-PIG MYELIN BASIC PROTEIN ENCEPHALITOGENIC IN LEWIS RATS12

— In the Lewis rat, fragment 43–88 of the highly encephalitogenic guinea-pig basic protein has been previously shown to retain the full activity of the parent protein. In the present studies this fragment was subjected to controlled chymotryptic digestion so that cleavage occurred only at tyrosine 67, generating two peptides, residues 43-67 and residues 68-88. When compared on an equimolar basis peptide 68-88 had the same encephalitogenic activity as the intact fragment and induced the same degree of immunologically specific cell response as measured by the in vitro lymphocyte stimulation test. Peptide 68-88 was further fragmented by selective tryptic cleavage at arginine 78 after blocking lysine 73 with citraconic anhydride. The two peptides, residues 68-78 and residues 79-88, were not encephalitogenic, indicating that residues adjacent to the point of cleavage contribute to the active site.
Phytochemicals from berries and grapes inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end‐products by scavenging reactive carbonyls

Abstract Phenolic phytochemicals were extracted from blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, and Noble muscadine grapes. These extracts were purified to remove free sugars. Blueberry extract was separated into five fractions using a Sephadex LH‐20 column. Berry extracts and fractions significantly inhibited AGEs generation in (bovine serum albumin) BSA‐fructose, BSA‐methylglyoxal, and arginine‐methylglyoxal models, respectively. Their capacity to scavenge methylglyoxal suggested carbonyl scavenging as a major mechanism of protein glycation inhibition. Procyanidins were detected in all berry extracts and blueberry subfractions and were deduced to be one class of active compounds. (+)‐Catechin, constituent unit of procyanidins, was used as a model compound to react with glyoxal and methylglyoxal. Five catechin‐carbonyl adducts were detected and their structures were tentatively identified using HPLC‐ESI‐MS n . Results in this study suggested that sugar‐free phytochemicals extracted from berries were effective carbonyl scavengers and protein glycation inhibitors. These phytochemicals could be beneficial to prevent AGE‐related chronic diseases.
Endovascular Repair of the Thoracic Aorta: Lessons Learned

Background Available information on outcome and best strategies for thoracic endovascular repair is somewhat limited and unclear. We sought to gain a better understanding of these issues through a retrospective review of our 8-year clinical experience in the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. Methods A retrospective chart review of 186 patients undergoing stent-graft repair of thoracic aortic lesions at our institution during the 92-month period ending on December 31, 2004 was performed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the indication for treatment; group A had thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and group B had type B aortic dissections (TBAD). Both groups were analyzed for outcome variables including technical success, mortality, major morbidity, endoleak rate and type, secondary endovascular interventions, and long-term survival. Mean follow-up was 40 months (range, 1 to 92 months). Results Compared to group B, group A patients were older and had a higher incidence of peripheral vascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Sixty percent of all patients were American Society of Anesthesiologists class III and the remainder were class IV (38.3%) and V (1.7%). The procedure was completed in 180 patients (96.7%), with all 6 failures being access-related. The average procedure time was 149 minutes (range, 72 to 405). The 30-day mortality was 4.7% (9 patients), and serious morbidity was 19.9% (37 patients). Eight patients (4.3%) developed spinal cord ischemia, 4 immediately after the procedure and 4 delayed (1 to 3 days). Total hospital length of stay averaged 6.7 days. Secondary endovascular interventions were successful in 17 patients with angiographically confirmed endoleaks (type I and III). At an average follow-up of 40 months, freedom from all-cause mortality was 62.5% in group A and 58.1% in group B. Conclusions Stent-graft repair for TAA and TBAD can be achieved with high technical success and comparatively low rates of morbidity and mortality. Midterm survival appears to be favorable. Further refinements in device technology and procedural techniques are needed.
The Geography of Civil Union Households

Geographers and social scientists more generally have studied and located the lives of gay men and lesbians for well over 20 years now. However, the particular visibilities and invisibilities of gay life that geographers have mapped have only been possible if scholars created their own data, either by way of interviews or manipulating census data so as to create surrogates for gay and lesbian households. The move throughout the United States and several Western countries to solemnize gay and lesbian relationships through civil union, marriages, or domestic partnerships has also created a new source of data by which to track and map particular kinds of gay and lesbian lives. By way of an example, this article seeks to map the lives of gay men and lesbian women who undertook Vermont civil unions in 2000. The results show that very little geographical difference exists between the lives of homosexual and heterosexual coupled households throughout the United States.
Anorexia induced by activators of the signal transducer gp 130.

Cytokines [interleukin (IL-1, chemokines/intercrines, interferon, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)] induce anorexia when administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) at estimated pathophysiological concentrations. Here, the effects of the i.c.v. microinfusion (1.0, 20 and 100 ng) of activators of glycoprotein (gp) 130, a common signal transducer among receptors for members of the IL-6 subfamily [IL-6, IL-11, ciliary neurotrophic factor, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), oncostatin M (OSM)], on short-term feeding in rats were investigated. Several members of the IL-6 subfamily induced anorexia, IL-11 was the most potent, LIF the most effective, and OSM had no effect. The results suggest that IL-6 subfamily members act centrally to decrease feeding and this effect may participate in the anorexia which frequently accompanies pathological processes. This action could interact with the anorexigenic effect of other cytokines released during disease.
A Pharmacokinetic Approach to Rapidly Titrate Propofol During Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy for Evaluation of Sleep Apnea Prior to Transoral Robotic Tongue Base Surgery

Objectives: To describe a method for performing drug-induced sleep endoscopy on severe sleep apnea patients, utilizing a rapid titration of propofol with real-time calculation of maintenance dose infusions to quickly reach and maintain a goal of moderate airway obstruction.
The Irrelevance of the Amount of Evil

In an attempt to shed more light on our topic let me stress that while the question of the amount of evil the world contains most vitally affects our lives, in the context of our problem this is an entirely irrelevant question. Some defenders of theism have tacitly assumed the contrary to be the case. Some have movingly urged that we acknowledge the great abundance of goodness in the world. Instead of focusing attention on the things we lack, we ought to show appreciation for the fact that the important things in life are free. We ungrateful humans tend to overlook that the essentials of life are available most of the time for most of the people. However, not only in real life do we seem to hold that good news is no news, but even in literature it is mostly the bad which is highlighted. There are very few significant novels about people whose needs are supplied and lives are fulfilled; literature thrives on anguish and misery, defeat and tragedy. Sinful as we are, we keep complaining about what we do not like, regarding it as unfair that we should be subjected to any deprivation, while passing over all the support and benefit received, regarding all of it as ours by right. An unbiased observer should however realize that the amount of good in the world by far outstrips the amount of bad. A man of faith ought to go even further, denying that there is any real evil in the world, believing that all suffering is instrumental in eventually bringing about a great amount of benefits to both the sufferer and others.
Reactions of diphosphineplatinum(II) oxalate complexes with phenylacetylene. Formation of phenylalkynylplatinum complexes

Abstract [Pt(C 2 O 4 )(dppe)] reacts thermally with PhCCH to produce [Pt(CCPh) 2 (dppe)], which has been prepared by alternative routes. Similar treatment of [Pt(C 2 O 4 )(dppm)] initially produces [Pt(CCPh) 2 (dppm)], which rearranges to give cis , cis -[Pt 2 (CCPh) 4 (μ-dppm) 2 ]. Reaction of [PtCl 2 (dppm)] with PhCCH/KOH/18-crown-6, or with (PhCC)SnMe 3 , gives [Pt(CCPh) 2 (dppm)], which may be converted to the cis , cis -dimer by addition of oxalic acid. Ultraviolet irradiation or refluxing with a trace amount of dppm converts [Pt(CCPh) 2 (dppm)] to trans , trans -[Pt 2 (CCPh) 4 (μ-dppm) 2 ], but the cis , cis -dimer is stable under these conditions. [Pt(C 2 O 4 )L 2 ] (L = PPh 3 , PEt 3 ) complexes also react thermally with PhCCH to yield [Pt(CCPh) 2 L 2 ] species.
A novel dual force sensing instrument with cooperative robotic assistant for vitreoretinal surgery

Robotic assistants and smart surgical instruments have been developed to overcome many significant physiological limitations faced by vitreoretinal surgeons, one of which is lack of force perception below 7.5 mN. This paper reports the development of a new force sensor based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) with the ability not just to sense forces at the tip of the surgical instrument located inside the eye, but also to provide information about the interaction force between the instrument shaft and the sclera. The sclera section provides vital feedback for cooperative robot control to minimize potentially dangerous forces on the eye. Preliminary results with 2×2 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) force sensor and force scaling robot control demonstrate significant reduction of forces on the sclera. The design and analysis of the sensor is presented along with a simulated robot assisted retinal membrane peeling on a phantom with sclera constraints and audio feedback.
Details of a canine venous insufficiency model

Continued study of a chronic deep venous insufficiency (CDVI) model allows optimal comparison with the human condition. This study evaluates the model's long-term stability, its lack of observed clinical effect, and a simulated exercise study as a physiologic estimate of normal hindlimb walking. The time to maximal ankle venous pressure after standing (VFT), and to 90% of the venous refilling time after electrical stimulation, quadripedal, or hindlimb walking (VRT90), and the minimal pressure after exercise (AVP) were measured up to 10 months after CDVI model creation. The animals' intravenous resting pressure was obtained after standing stationary on all four limbs. Analysis of variance was used to determine statistical significance where indicated. VFT, AVP, and VRT90 measurements demonstrated values consistent with CDVI in animals studied up to 10 months after model creation and were statistically different from control limb values (p < or = .002, n = 8). Animals studied during quadripedal walking showed no difference in resting pressure, AVP, and VRT90 between model and control limbs (n = 5). There was no statistical difference in AVP or VRT90 measured under conditions of stimulated exercise or bipedal walking; and both conditions produced hemodynamic changes consistent with CDVI (n = 5). This animal model is a reliable long-term CDVI hemodynamic model. The normal venous hemodynamics recorded during quadripedic walking may explain the lack of clinical sequelae observed in this model. Lastly, the method of simulated exercise used in this study is a reliable test that reflects physiologic measurements obtained during bipedal walking.
A monolithic HEMT diode balanced mixer for 100-140 GHz

We report the design and evaluation of a broadband, balanced mixer for 100-140 GHz using a HEMT MMIC process on a 75 /spl mu/m InP substrate. The circuit uses Schottky diodes as mixing elements. It demonstrates a conversion loss of 15 /spl plusmn/ 2 dB from 100-130 GHz with 5 dBm LO drive at 80 GHz, Measurements indicate a wide IF bandwidth extending beyond 50 GHz. This is the first demonstration of a monolithic HEMT diode balanced mixer in this frequency range.
Testing Whether One Regression Function is Larger Than Another

The problem of testing whether one regression function is larger than another on a specified set R is considered The regression functions must be linear functions of the parameters but need not be linear functions of the independent variables The proposed test has an exactly specified size in typical situations The test's critical value is a standard t percentile. The power function of the test is investigated.
A refined global‐local finite element analysis method

A refined global-local method was proposed to improve the efficiency of finite element analysis. The proposed method was based on the regular finite element method in conjunction with three basic step, i.e. the global analysis, the local analysis and the refined global analysis. In the first two steps, a coarse finite element mesh was used to analyse the entire structure to obtain the nodal displacements which were subsequently used as displacement boundary conditions for local regions of interest. These local regions with the prescribed boundary conditions were then analysed with refined meshes to obtain more accurate stresses. In the third step, a new global displacement distribution based on the results of the previous two steps was assumed for the analysis, from which much improved solutions for both stresses and displacements were produced. Numerical examples showed that the proposed method yielded accurate solutions with significant savings in computing time compared with the regular finite element method. Further, this method is suitable for parallel computation.
Prominence and exclusivity: Identity and opposition to immigration in a multinational context

ABSTRACTUsing a framework derived from Identity Theory, this work focuses on the extent to which attitudes towards immigration are structured by the prominence and exclusivity of national identity. Prominence refers to the value of an identity relative to others. Exclusivity is when the prominence of a single identity negates all other comparable identities. Prominence and exclusivity are relevant for understanding attitudes towards immigration in that they imply degrees of flexibility on the very dimension of identity that most distinguishes immigrants—nationality. Catalonia, an autonomous region of Northwestern Spain that is home to multiple autochthonous identities and a recent large influx of immigrants, allows the role of identity exclusivity and prominence to be directly assessed. Using a representative survey of attitudes towards immigration collected in 2010 (n = 1389), results show that, contrary to expectations, exclusive and prominent identifiers (i.e. only Spanish or only Catalan) are not sign...
The physiologic health care needs of HIV-infected black men on admission to an AIDS-dedicated nursing home

The purpose of this study is to describe the physiologic health care needs of HIV-infected Black men on admission to an AIDS-dedicated nursing home. Participants were 68 Black men aged 26 to 60 years who were admitted to an AIDS-dedicated nursing home in the southern New England area between 1995 and 1999. The participants were very ill and weak on their admission to the nursing home, with most having diagnoses of AIDS (n = 65), an average Karnofsky Performance Scale score of 44 (SD = 14.90), and some degree of mental impairment. The late-stage of disease of the participants was reflected in their multiple symptomatology and functional impairment in activities of daily living. With patients living longer in the chronic disease stages of HIV disease, the results of this study provide support for the further investigation of the most effective long-term care settings for Black men with HIV/AIDS. The results also have implications for the multiple clinical roles nursing can assume within HIV/AIDS long-term care settings.