cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dissociation of photoreceptors from whole heads of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster

Photoreceptor cells that were mostly free of extracellular material and suitable for most electrophysiological study procedures were dissociated from whole heads of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, by a simple “smash” technique employing gentle chopping by a razor blade through Parafilm sheets. A variety of commonly available proteolytic and glycolytic digestion enzymes were tested as additions to the basic dissociation procedure described. With the aid of Nomarski interference contrast optics, periodic acid-Schiff staining, and fluorescent labeling and microscopy methods, it was determined that proteolytic enzymatic digestion does little to enhance the dissociation procedure, and instead, often damages the cells that one is attempting to recover. Unexpectedly, certain glycolytic enzymes, when added to the basic procedure, appear to enhance the recovery of intact viable Drosophila photoreceptors that are stripped of most extracellular material. Based on these results, a hypothesis concerning the biochemical nature of the extracellular matrix of the Drosophila retina is proposed. Drosophila photoreceptors are an interesting model system for the study of invertebrate phototransduction and photoreceptor cell biology because of their many well-characterized mutant strains. The technique described here should produce clean viable photoreceptors or ommatidia that respond to light, and that are suitable for patch clamping or cell culture.
Talking about money: how primary care physicians respond to a patient's question about financial incentives.

Patients sometimes express concern about the influence of “perverse” financial incentives on their care. We recruited a convenience sample of 101 primary care physicians and obtained information on their compensation. Then we audio-taped them as they role-played a response to a videotaped mock patient who asked them how they were paid and how their method of compensation affected clinical decisions. Overall, 36% of the physicians did not give enough information in their role-play response to allow an independent determination of how they were paid. Adopting a broad spectrum of attitudes and approaches, nearly every physician avoided discussing the role of incentives and stressed instead that he or she could be trusted under any circumstance.
Diagnostic precision of retinal nerve fiber layer and macular thickness asymmetry parameters for identifying early primary open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of intereye and intraeye differences in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and macular thickness for identifying early primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Design Prospective, cross-sectional cohort study. Methods All subjects were enrolled from an ongoing institutional glaucoma study. We used spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering) to obtain macular thickness (posterior pole asymmetry scan) and RNFL thickness (circumpapillary scan) in both eyes of 50 early POAG and 50 control subjects. Early POAG subjects had glaucomatous optic neuropathy with mild, reproducible visual field loss in at least 1 eye, and control subjects had normal intraocular pressures, visual fields, and optic nerves. We recorded total, superior, and inferior RNFL and macular thicknesses and then calculated intereye and intraeye differences (asymmetry parameters). Statistical evaluation included receiver operating characteristic and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results Intereye macular thickness asymmetry had the highest diagnostic sensitivity (88% at 80% specificity; 83% at 95% specificity), followed by total RNFL thickness (88% at 80% specificity; 75% at 95% specificity). Parameters with the largest areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were: total RNFL thickness (0.937), intereye RNFL asymmetry (0.921), intereye macular thickness asymmetry (0.913), inferior RNFL thickness (0.905), superior RNFL thickness (0.887), intereye inferior macular thickness asymmetry (0.872), and intraeye macular thickness asymmetry (0.860). These 7 values were not significantly different. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, intraeye macular thickness asymmetry, intereye macular thickness asymmetry, intereye RNFL thickness asymmetry, and total RNFL thickness were related independently to early POAG. Conclusions Structural asymmetry parameters performed well, identifying early POAG as well as RNFL thickness. Further study is indicated to validate these results.
Disarmament Decisions as Social Dilemmas

The individual deciding on a nuclear weapons production policy is faced with a dilemma in which a choice must be made to support one of several conflicting defense policies. In order to investigate the social-psychological variables that are related to armament policy decision making, a telephone survey was conducted in the City of St. Louis, Missouri. Adult subjects (N= 110) responded to questions concerned with cognitive, attitudinal, and emotional responses to nuclear arms. Participants were also asked to choose a weapons production policy for the United States under conditions of continued and decreased Soviet nuclear arms production. Results indicated that respondents decisions about nuclear weapons production were related to their support for deterrence, the availability of their nuclear-related images, their emotional response to nuclear war, their attributions of responsibility for the prevention of nuclear war, and their political party affiliation. Distinctions between antinuclear decision-makers and pronuclear decision-makers are discussed.
Mechanistic Toxicity Assessment of Nanomaterials by Whole-Cell-Array Stress Genes Expression Analysis

This study performed mechanistic toxicity assessment of nanosilver (nAg) and nanotitanium dioxide anatase (nTiO2_a) via toxicogenomic approach, employing a whole-cell-array library consisting of 91...
ROCKING OF LARGE BRIDGE CAISSONS DUE TO SEISMIC EXCITATION

Caisson foundations are massive structures that respond to seismic loads in a primarily rocking mode. This paper presents a case study on an existing bridge caisson where the capacity spectrum approach was used to evaluate the performance for a specific seismic event. The deformation capacity curve was evaluated from nonlinear static pushover of a three dimensional finite element model of the caisson embedded in the surrounding soil. The model included interface elements to capture gapping, sliding, and rocking of the caisson during the analysis. The nonlinear behavior of the soil was represented by a cap plasticity model, which is based on the well known Drucker–Prager yield condition and a non-associated flow rule. Alternatively, a theoretical approach was developed, using basic principles of structural mechanics and the half-space theory, to determine the capacity curve. Results of nonlinear static pushover methods compared favorably to nonlinear time history analyses.
Characteristics of MOCVD-grown dilute-nitride quantum well lasers

Wide stripe and single-mode ridge guide dilute nitride quantum well lasers exhibit high performance in the 1.3 micron wavelength region. Optimizing the MOCVD growth of InGaAsN has yielded devices displaying reduced temperature sensitivity compared with conventional InP-based structures. Current annealing effects in InGaAsN QW lasers are minimized through the use of a nitrogen only cool down after growth of the laser structure. Device studies reveal the impact of nitrogen content and quantum well barrier materials on the optical gain, carrier confinement, and laser characteristics. Extension of the emission wavelength in MOCVD grown structures remains challenging. Higher N content results in a significant increase in threshold current density and higher temperature sensitivity.
Wild type p53 sensitizes soft tissue sarcoma cells to doxorubicin by down-regulating multidrug resistance-1 expression.

BACKGROUND p53 mutations occur in almost half of all soft tissue sarcomas (STS) and may contribute to multidrug resistance (MDR) in patients with STS. Doxorubicin (Dox) is one of the most active single agents in STS but is less effective in STS with p53 mutations. The effect of reintroducing wild type (wt) p53 into STS cells harboring p53 mutations on the cytotoxicity of DOX in vitro and in vivo was studied. METHODS The following cell lines were used in this study: SKLMS-1 STS cells, which do not express wt p53; two wt p53 stable transfectant cells derived from SKLMS-1 cells; and SKLMS-1 transfectant cells from a p53 temperature-sensitive mutant that expresses wt p53 at 32 °C and mutant p53 at 38 °C. The cytotoxicity of Dox was examined by [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazzol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenltetrazolium] (MTT) and clonogenetic assay, and the effect of reintroducing wt p53 on tumor suppression by Dox was evaluated with a tumorigenicity assay. DNA fragmentation was used to detect apoptosis. MDR-1 P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses of protein levels and by Northern blot analysis of mRNA levels, respectively. The intracellular accumulation of Dox was detected by flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Dox for the SKLMS-1 wt p53 transfectants decreased 16-fold compared with SKLMS-1 parental cells expressing mutant p53. Colony formation of SKLMS-1 cells after Dox treatment also was inhibited by wt p53 reintroduction. The tumorigenicity of SKLMS-1 cells was inhibited by wt p53 reintroduction alone or by Dox treatment alone and was inhibited further when p53 introduction was combined with Dox treatment in severe combined immunodeficient mice. Although no difference in DNA fragmentation, Bax expression, or Bcl-2 expression was detected among wt p53 transfectants and parental SKLMS-1 cells after Dox treatment, MDR-1 P-gp expression was decreased in wt p53 transfectants compared with parental SKLMS-1 cells. Furthermore, higher intracellular accumulations of Dox were found in wt p53 transfectants than that in SKLMS-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS Reintroduction of wt p53 into STS cells harboring p53 mutations can enhance their chemosensitivity to Dox through the inhibition of MDR-1 P-gp expression. Thus, the combination of p53 gene therapy and chemotherapy may increase the therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of patients with STS. Cancer 2001;92:1556–66. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Role of the Maillard Reaction in Diabetes Mellitus and Diseases of Aging

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are formed by spontaneous chemical reactions between carbohydrates and tissue proteins. The accumulation of AGEs in long-lived proteins contributes to the age-related increase in brown colour, fluorescence and insolubilisation of lens crystallins and to the gradual crosslinking and decrease in elasticity of connective tissue collagens with age. These nonenzymatic reactions, known collectively as Maillard or browning reactions, are also implicated in the development of pathophysiology in age-related diseases such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and in dialysis-related amyloidosis. Oxygen and oxidation reactions accelerates Maillard reactions in vitro, and the structurally characterised AGEs that accumulate in long-lived tissue proteins are in fact glycoxidation products, formed by sequential glycation and oxidation reactions. In addition to their immediate effects on protein structure and function, AGEs also induce oxidative stress, leading to inflammation and propagation of tissue damage. Thus, glycation of protein, formation of AGEs and resultant oxidative stress, which accelerate Maillard reactions, can initiate an autocatalytic cycle of deleterious reactions in tissues. Pharmacological inhibition of the Maillard reaction should improve the prognosis for a broad range of age-related diseases. The role of oxidative stress as a catalyst and the consequences of Maillard reaction damage in tissues suggests that antioxidant therapy may also retard the progression of age-related pathology.
The postmodern sexual order: Sex, lies and yuppie love

(1991). The postmodern sexual order: Sex, lies and yuppie love. The Social Science Journal: Vol. 28, No. 3, pp. 407-424.
Cylindrical optic figuring dwell time optimization

The Constellation-X, grazing incidence, x-ray telescope may be fabricated from replicated segments. A series of mandrels will serve as the 'masters' in the replication processes. Diamond turning (milling) followed by abrasive figuring followed by a super polishing are the steps currently envisioned in making just one (of many) mandrel. The abrasive figuring of a mandrel is accomplished by moving a grinding tool along a helical path on this almost cylindrical surface. The measurement of the surface is, however, performed along 'axial' scan lines which intercept this helical path. This approach to figuring and measuring permits a relatively simple scheme to be implemented for the determination of the optimal dwell times of the figuring tool. These optimal dwell times are determined by a deconvolution which approaches the problem in a linear programming context and uses the Simplex Method. The approach maximizes the amount of material removed at any point subject to inequality constraints. The effects of using these 'optimum' dwell times is to significantly improve the tools effectiveness at removing the higher spatial frequencies while staying (strictly) within the bounds and constraints imposed by the hardware. In addition, the ringing at the edges of the optic, frequently present in deconvolution problems, is completely eliminated.
Roux-Y stasis syndrome after gastrectomy

The aim of the present study was to determine which factors lead to upper gastrointestinal stasis after Roux-Y reconstruction. Among the 214 patients with Roux-Y reconstructions performed between 1961 and 1983, follow-up data were obtained for 187 (87 percent) after a mean of 6.2 years. Patients with vomiting of food but not bile, postprandial pain, and nausea were considered to have the Roux-Y stasis syndrome. The syndrome was found in 49 patients with gastrojejunostomy (30 percent of those at risk) but in only 2 patients with esophagojejunostomy (8 percent, p less than 0.05). The condition was more common in women than men (p less than 0.05), but it was equally common in patients with and without vagotomy. The mean length of the Roux-Y limb in patients with stasis was 41 cm, which was longer than the 36 cm in patients without stasis (p less than 0.001). When multiple logistic regression was used, the length of the Roux-Y limb emerged as the major risk factor (p less than 0.01). In conclusion, construction of Roux-Y limbs greater than about 40 cm in length may increase the incidence of the Roux-Y stasis syndrome.
NON-IDEAL CURRENT TRANSPORT IN HETEROSTRUCTURE FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS

We describe a new analytical model of a Heterostructure Field Effect Transistors (HFETs) that accounts for electron trapping in the gate-drain spacing of the device and for related non-ideal device behavior. Under conditions of a very strong trapping, the electron velocity saturates outside the gate, in the trapping region, and the negative trapped charge leads to relatively large differential output conductance at the drain voltages exceeding the knee voltage. Also under the conditions of severe trapping, the negative trapped charge leads to the positive offset of the output current-voltage (I-V) characteristic. The model describes quite well numerous experimental data for passivated and unpassivated AlGaN/GaN HFETs with and without field plates (FP) under different bias conditions.
The host-cell architectural protein HMG I(Y) modulates binding of herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP4 to its cognate promoter.

The productive infection cycle of herpes simplex virus is controlled in part by the action of ICP4, an immediate-early gene product that acts as both an activator and repressor of transcription. ICP4 is autoregulatory, and IE-3, the gene that encodes it, contains a high-affinity binding site for the protein at its cap site. Previously, we had demonstrated that this site could be occupied by proteins found in nuclear extracts from uninfected cells. A HeLa cell cDNA expression library was screened with a DNA probe containing the IE-3 gene cap site, and clones expressing the architectural chromatin proteins HMG I and HMG Y were identified by this technique. HMG I is shown to augment binding of ICP4 to its cognate site in in vitro assays and to enhance the activity of this protein in short-term transient expression assays.
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and neutrophil-related changes in local host defense during recovery from shock and intra-abdominal sepsis.

Abstract Background: We have reported that treatment with exogenous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) improves abscess localization and reduces mortality without aggravating neutrophil (PMN)-mediated reperfusion injury in a model of septic abdominal trauma. The purpose of this study was to determine actions of G-CSF on PMN function in the peritoneum. Methods: Anesthetized swine were pretreated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and underwent cecal ligation and incision and 35% hemorrhage (trauma). After 1 hour they were resuscitated with shed blood, crystalloid, and either G-CSF (n = 10) or saline solution vehicle (n = 9). The animals were observed for 72 hours. Results: After trauma, saline solution treatment increased PMN infiltration into the peritoneum within 2 hours ( P = .035), increased peritoneal PMN elastase production (ie, cytotoxicity) by 24 hours ( P = .004), and decreased adherence of peritoneal PMNs to an artificial substrate from 4 to 72 hrs ( P = .043). The mean autopsy score was 7.0 ± 0.5. With G-CSF treatment peritoneal neutrophilia was enhanced (maximum 48 hours, P = .002) and PMN cytotoxicity was augmented and delayed (maximum 48 hours, P = .004). Despite these changes, adherence of peritoneal PMNs was not significantly changed and there was no evidence for PMN-mediated damage in the lung as judged by bronchoalveolar lavage protein, bronchoalveolar lavage PMNs, lung tissue myeloperoxidase, or histologic changes. The mean autopsy score was improved to 4.1 ± 0.3 ( P Conclusions: G-CSF in resuscitation fluids improved localization of an intra-abdominal septic focus by increased production of circulating PMNs, increased PMN extravasation into the peritoneal cavity, and increased PMN cytotoxicity at the abdominal septic focus, without exaggerating PMN-dependent reperfusion injury in the lung. Therefore these data further support the idea that G-CSF in resuscitation fluids might reduce septic complications in the multiply injured trauma patient. (Surgery 1999;126:305-13.)
Parsimonious Multi-dimensional Impact Assessment

This article develops the conceptual and empirical foundations for a parsimonious, generic modeling approach to multi-dimensional (i.e., economic, environmental and social) impact assessments of agricultural technologies and environmental change. Joint distributions between technology adoption and outcome variables are characterized, and used to analyze the selection effects of adoption on a general class of impact indicators. The approach is implemented with a generic model that can be parameterized with low-order moments of outcome variables. A case study of adoption of a high-yielding maize variety in Kenya illustrates the model's use and confirms theoretical results. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.
ThermoData Engine (TDE): Software Implementation of the Dynamic Data Evaluation Concept. 4. Chemical Reactions

ThermoData Engine (TDE) is the first full-scale software implementation of the dynamic data evaluation concept, as reported recently in this journal. This paper describes the first application of this concept to the evaluation of thermodynamic properties for chemical reactions. Reaction properties evaluated are the enthalpies, entropies, Gibbs energies, and thermodynamic equilibrium constants. Details of key considerations in the critical evaluation of enthalpies of formation and of standard entropies for organic compounds are discussed in relation to their application in the calculation of reaction properties. Extensions to the class structure of the program are described that allow close linkage between the derived reaction properties and the underlying pure-component properties. Derivation of pure-component enthalpies of formation and of standard entropies through the use of directly measured reaction properties (enthalpies of reaction and equilibrium constants) is described. Directions for future enhancements are outlined.
Feasibility of Cervical Cancer Screening Utilizing Self-sample Human Papillomavirus Testing Among Mexican Immigrant Women in Harris County, Texas: A Pilot Study

Here we evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of self-sample human papillomavirus (HPV) testing (self-HPV) among a sample of predominantly Mexican immigrant women who never or sporadically attend for Pap testing. Immigrant women who had not had a Pap test in the past 3 years (n = 100) were recruited. Participants self-collected a cervical sample for HPV testing. High-risk (HR) HPV-positive women were referred for clinical follow-up. Acceptability of self-HPV was high, with 99% reporting that they would be willing to use self-HPV regularly. Nineteen women (19%) tested positive for HR-HPV. Of these, 50% obtained clinical follow-up within 3 months. For those who did not, the primary barrier to follow-up was difficulty obtaining healthcare coverage. In conclusion, self-HPV is highly acceptable to Mexican immigrant women who otherwise do not attend for Pap testing. While the approach addresses critical barriers to primary screening, questions remain as to whether uninsured HR-HPV positive women are able to attend for clinical follow-up.
Grandmothers' Diaries: A Glimpse at Daily Lives:

Little information exists about the daily lives of women who are grandmothers, and the differences in daily stresses based on caregiving status to grandchildren. This content analysis examines the stresses of 64 grandmothers as grouped by caregiver status (grandmothers raising grandchildren, grandmothers living in multigeneration homes, non-caregivers to grandchildren) as recorded in three-week diaries. The nature of salient issues and stressful interactions differed by caregiver groups. Grandmothers raising grandchildren reported more stresses related to grandchildren's routines, activities, and school progress, more time pressure, and difficult interactions with grandchildren. The diary entries of grandmothers in multigenerational homes reflected their supplemental role in childcare, and sometimes stressful interactions with other family members. Grandmothers with no routine caregiving to grandchildren reported more involvement with those outside the immediate family. Many general concerns about the well-being of the family represent commonalities in grandmothers despite differences in current caregiving roles to grandchildren.
Illness behavior—an experimental investigation☆

Abstract From the behavioral model hypotheses were generated concerning individuals' statements about their physical health. A verbal conditioning procedure within the context of a health survey was used. Independent variables were level of utilization of health-care facilities, status of the surveyor, and reinforcement for increased or decreased statements of physical ill health. The consistently positive finding was that over all conditions the changes in subjects' statements were in the reinforced direction. The advantages of supplementing the medical model with the behavioral model and its implications concerning physical illness, especially chronic illness, are discussed.
Dynamic Pattern Detection with Temporal Consistency and Connectivity Constraints

We explore scalable and accurate dynamic pattern detection methods in graph-based data sets. We apply our proposed Dynamic Subset Scan method to the task of detecting, tracking, and source-tracing contaminant plumes spreading through a water distribution system equipped with noisy, binary sensors. While static patterns affect the same subset of data over a period of time, dynamic patterns may affect different subsets of the data at each time step. These dynamic patterns require a new approach to define and optimize penalized likelihood ratio statistics in the subset scan framework, as well as new computational techniques that scale to large, real-world networks. To address the first concern, we develop new subset scan methods that allow the detected subset of nodes to change over time, while incorporating temporal consistency constraints to reward patterns that do not dramatically change between adjacent time steps. Second, our Additive Graph Scan algorithm allows our novel scan statistic to process small graphs (500 nodes) in 4.1 seconds on average while maintaining an approximation ratio over 99% compared to an exact optimization method, and to scale to large graphs with over 12,000 nodes in 30 minutes on average. Evaluation results across multiple detection, tracking, and source-tracing tasks demonstrate substantial performance gains achieved by the Dynamic Subset Scan approach.
The maintenance of respiratory control at 25°C by mitochondria from various animal and plant sources

Abstract 1. 1. Mitochondria from four different animal and five different plant sources exhibit a wide variation in their capacity to maintain respiratory control at 25°C. 2. 2. Beef heart mitochondria, and pear and avocado fruit mitochondria exhibit the longest retention of respiratory control extending to periods of approximately 80 and 40 hr, respectively.
Fluorous triosmium clusters. Preparation, properties, and reactivity of Os3(CO)11{P(CH2CH2(CF2)5CF3)3} and Os3(CO)10{P(CH2CH2(CF2)5CF3)3}2. Crystal structure of Os3(CO)9(PPh3)2{P(CH2CH2(CF2)5CF3)3}. Ring opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene by (μ-H)2Os3(CO)9{P(C6H4-4-CH2CH2(CF2)7CF3)3}

Abstract Several fluorous phosphine ligand triosmium carbonyl cluster derivatives, e.g., Os3(CO)11{P(CH2CH2(CF2)5CF3)3} (1) and Os3(CO)10{P(CH2CH2(CF2)5CF3)3}2 (2) have been synthesized in order to assess their properties in fluorocarbon, or fluorous, phases. Cluster 1 reacts with PPh3 above 100 °C to substitute one or two carbonyl ligands and provide the mixed ligand derivatives Os3(CO)10(PPh3){P(CH2CH2(CF2)5CF3)3}, (3) and Os3(CO)9(PPh3)2{P(CH2CH2(CF2)5CF3)3}, (4). The crystal structure of 4 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. At circa 102 °C and 1 atm H2, 1 will form the unsaturated compound (μ-H)2Os3(CO)9{P(CH2CH2(CF2)5CF3)3} (5) in modest yield. Compound 5 and the related compound (μ-H)2Os3(CO)9{P(C6H4-4-CH2CH2(CF2)7CF3)3} (6) are obtained more cleanly by treating (μ-H)2Os3(CO)10 with the corresponding fluorous phosphine ligand at room temperature followed by decarbonylation in refluxing hexane. Compounds 1–6 have been characterized by employment of IR and 1H NMR and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Partition coefficients between fluorous and non-fluorous solvents have been determined. The use of 6 as a ROMP catalyst with norbornene in a variety of organic and universal solvents is described.
An ab initio study of the complexes of HCl with the chloromethanes

Abstract Ab initio calculations have been carried out at the MP2/6-31+G(d,p) level to determine the equilibrium structures of the complexes formed between HCl and the chloromethanes, HCl:CH 4 − n Cl n , for n = 1–4. Two equilibrium structures corresponding to global and local minima have been found in each case, except for HCl:CCl 4 , where only one exists. However, on the HCl:CH 3 Cl and HCl:CH 2 Cl 2 surfaces, the two equilibrium structures are easily interconverted through rotation about the hydrogen-bonded ClC bond, and hence correspond to a single hydrogen-bonded complex. Only on the HCl:CHCl 3 surface are two distinct complexes found, one stabilized primarily by a favorable antiparallel alignment of dipole moment vectors, and the other by a ClH … Cl hydrogen bond. The binding enthalpies of the various complexes at 13 K, computed at MP2/cc-pVTZ+//MP2/6-31+G(d,p), vary from 1.4 to 2.5 kcal mol −1 . The stability of the hydrogen-bonded complexes increases in the order CCl 4 CHCl 3 CH 2 Cl 2 CH 3 Cl , which correlates with the order of increasing electron density on the chlorine atoms. The computed shifts of the HCl stretching frequency in these hydrogen-bonded complexes also increase in this same order. Significant differences are found between the HCl and HF complexes with the chloromethanes. In particular, distinguishable cyclic complexes and complexes with bifurcated and trifurcated hydrogen-bonded structures are not found on the HCl : CH 4 − n Cl n surfaces, and a stable van der Waals complex is not found on the HCl:CCl 4 surface.
The effect of numerical integration in finite element approximations to degenerate evolution equations

This paper studies some effects of numerical integration on the rate of convergence of finite element approximations to a degenerate initial, boundary value problem. It is shown that if the quadrature scheme and the finite element space satisfy certain accuracy and consistency conditions then the approximation converges to the true solution at an optimal rate in theW21 norm. When a specific choice of starting data is made, convergence is also optimal inL2.
Effects of reinforcer magnitude on response acquisition with unsignaled delayed reinforcement

Sixteen rats received eight 1-h sessions of a tandem fixed-ratio 1 differential-reinforcement-of-other-behavior 30-s schedule with reinforcer magnitude at one or six food pellet(s) across groups of eight rats. The larger reinforcer magnitude established the lever press more effectively. First, mean schedule completions differed across groups, in terms of both their overall difference and in their increase across sessions. Second, whereas the larger reinforcer magnitude established reliable response acquisition in all eight rats by the end of the experiment, the smaller reinforcer magnitude only established reliable response acquisition in four of eight rats. The present results systematically replicate earlier findings obtaining more reliable response acquisition with unsignaled delayed reinforcement with greater food deprivation. Taken together, this work demonstrates the influence of motivational variables on response acquisition with unsignaled delayed reinforcement.
Role of inflammation and oxidative stress in atrial fibrillation

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia seen in clinical practice. Increasing evidence indicates that inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenesis of AF, but their role remains poorly defined. In addition, whether inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with particular types of AF is unclear. Objective The purpose of this study was to define the role of inflammation and oxidative stress in AF. Methods Using a case-control study design, 305 patients with AF were compared with 150 control patients. AF was categorized into lone and typical AF and further subcategorized as paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent AF. Serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), N-terminal pro–brain (B-type) natriuretic peptide (NTpBNP), and urinary F 2 -isoprostanes, a measure of oxidative stress, were measured. Results IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, MCP1, VEGF, and NTpBNP concentrations were independently associated with AF (all P 2 -isoprostane excretion was not elevated ( P = .50). Graded increases in TNF-α [median (interquartile range) 6.8 (3.4–11.3), 8.0 (5.6–10.9), 10.1 (5.7–12.4) pg/mL, P P Conclusion Inflammatory biomarkers were significantly increased in patients with AF, supporting a strong association between inflammation and AF. Surprisingly, urinary F 2 -isoprostanes, a sensitive index of systemic oxidative stress in vivo , were not increased in AF overall or in different subtypes of AF.
Pithy brown core in ‘d’Anjou’ pear (Pyrus communis L.) fruit developing during controlled atmosphere storage at pO2 determined by monitoring chlorophyll fluorescence

Abstract Physiological responses and fruit quality of ‘d’Anjou’ pear fruit from five orchard lots were evaluated after cold storage in air or controlled atmospheres (CA) with the O2 concentration based on assessment of fruit chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) or standard conditions (1.5 kPa O2). The pCO2 for all CA fruit was 0.5 kPa. Softening, acid loss, and peel degreening of all lots were delayed at one or more evaluation dates (2, 4, 6, 8 months) by previous storage at the CF pO2 compared with fruit stored in 1.5 kPa O2 or in air. Superficial scald developed on fruit previously stored in air but not on fruit stored in a CA. Pithy brown core developed on fruit from all lots stored at the CF pO2 and on fruit stored at 1.5 kPa in 3 of the 5 lots. Pithy brown core incidence decreased with advanced harvest maturity. Post-storage ethylene and CO2 production were in most instances lowest for fruit stored at the CF pO2. A significant relationship between fruit ethanol content and pithy brown core incidence was observed. Results indicate low pO2 storage based on CF monitoring slows fruit ripening relative to fruit stored at 1.5 kPa O2, prevents superficial scald development compared with fruit stored in air, however, development of pithy brown core in fruit stored at the CF pO2 was not accompanied by a change in CF.
The San Patricio deserters in the Mexican war.

One of the perplexing problems in the history of the Mexican War has been the account of a body of deserters from the American army which called itself the San Patricio Battalion. Many of these deserters were being tried and executed or severely punished as the troops of General Scott pushed into the heart of Mexico’s capital. The account of the desertion of the San Patricios has been the subject of much debate, a great deal of it bitter, between historians with either a Catholic or Protestant point of view. Many Protestant writers have been prone to use this event as an illustration of placing faith above patriotism, the desertions being laid at the door of the Mexican clergy who are charged with actively attempting to entice Catholic soldiers among the American forces, largely recent German and Irish immigrants, to leave the army of a Protestant power bent on the destruction of a Catholic nation and on the spoliation of the temples of the Catholic faith. Catholic writers have been quick to issue a full denial of such charges. To date most of the charges and countercharges concerning the San Patricio Battalion have been based almost exclusively on secondary evidence. The essential truth of the matter would appear to be obtainable only from the actual records of the deserters in the files of the United States Army. It is on these records that this article is based.
Effect of electrical stimulation on gastric electrical activity, motility and emptying

The aim was to measure the effect of gastric electrical stimulation on the frequency of canine antral pacesetter potentials (PPs), the strength of antral contractions, and the rate of gastric emptying while fasting, after feeding and with pentagastrin stimulation. Four conscious dogs with a stimulating electrode placed 10 cm proximal to the pylorus and recording electrodes and strain gauges placed 7, 5 and 3 cm proximal to the pylorus underwent myoelectric and strain gauge recordings while fasting, after feeding (250 ml 5% dextrose labelled with polyethylene glycol), and during pentagastrin infusion (0.5 micrograms kg-1 min-1) on four separate days. On each day, electrical stimulation was done using one of four stimulation frequencies (0, 6, 30 and 1200 stimuli per minute [s.p.m.]). Stimulation at 6 and 30 s.p.m. increased the fasting and fed PP frequency, whereas 1200 s.p.m. stimulation did not. Feeding decreased the maximum driven frequency, and pentagastrin increased it. Neither the motility index nor the gastric emptying rate were consistently changed by stimulation at any frequency. In conclusion, canine proximal antral stimulation at 6 and 30 s.p.m. sped PP frequency during fasting and after feeding, but stimulation over a wide range of frequencies had little effect on gastric contractions and emptying.
Automatic Removal of Chromatic Aberration from a Single Image

Many high resolution images exhibit chromatic aberration (CA), where the color channels appear shifted. Unfortunately, merely compensating for these shifts is sometimes inadequate, because the intensities are modified by other effects such as spatially-varying defocus and (surprisingly) in-camera sharpening. In this paper, we start from the basic principles of image formation to characterize CA, and show how its effects can be substantially reduced. We also show results of CA correction on a number of high-resolution images taken with different cameras.
The Strategy of Economic Policy and Income Distribution

In a capitalist economy, income distribution is compounded out of the distribution of capital income, the dis tribution of labor income and the shares of capital and labor in total income. As capital inequality is much greater than in come inequality, a decrease in capital's share would decrease income inequality. Keynes held that euthanasia of the rentier —that is, a decrease in capital's share of total income—would result from the investment that takes place during sustained full employment. Tolerably full employment has been sus tained ever since World War II, but capital's share of income has not fallen. Full employment over the postwar period has been the result of policy which conformed to a private invest ment strategy. This strategy operates by sustaining and in creasing the returns on capital and also carries threats of finan cial instability and inflation. An alternative public employ ment strategy for full employment policy is available. This strategy would probably lead to a partial euthanasia...
Elastoplastic modeling of progressive interfacial debonding for particle-reinforced metal-matrix composites

The purpose of this study is to model the elastoplastic behavior of particle-reinforced metal-matrix composites with particle-matrix interfacial debonding. The partially debonding process at the interface is represented by the debonding angles. The equivalent orthotropic elastic moduli are constructed for the debonded yet isotropic particles to characterize the reduction of the load-transfer ability in the debonded directions. To simulate the debonding evolution and the transition between various debonding modes, the volume fractions of various particles are expressed in terms of the Weibull's statistical functions. Micromechanical homogenization procedures are utilized to estimate the effective moduli and the overall yield function of the resultant multi-phase composites. The associative plastic flow rule and isotropic hardening law are postulated based on the continuum plasticity theory. The effects of partially interfacial debonding on the overall yield surfaces and stress-strain relations of the composites are investigated and illustrated via numerical examples as well.
Analysis of change in the presence of informative censoring: application to a longitudinal clinical trial of progressive renal disease.

The rate of change in a continuous variable, measured serially over time, is often used as an outcome in longitudinal studies or clinical trials. When patients terminate the study before the scheduled end of the study, there is a potential for bias in estimation of rate of change using standard methods which ignore the missing data mechanism. These methods include the use of unweighted generalized estimating equations methods and likelihood-based methods assuming an ignorable missing data mechanism. We present a model for analysis of informatively censored data, based on an extension of the two-stage linear random effects model, where each subject's random intercept and slope are allowed to be associated with an underlying time to event. The joint distribution of the continuous responses and the time-to-event variable are then estimated via maximum likelihood using the EM algorithm, and using the bootstrap to calculate standard errors. We illustrate this methodology and compare it to simpler approaches and usual maximum likelihood using data from a multi-centre study of the effects of diet and blood pressure control on progression of renal disease, the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study. Sensitivity analyses and simulations are used to evaluate the performance of this methodology in the context of the MDRD data, under various scenarios where the drop-out mechanism is ignorable as well as non-ignorable.
Development and analysis of higher order finite volume methods over rectangles for elliptic equations

Currently used finite volume methods are essentially low order methods. In this paper, we present a systematic way to derive higher order finite volume schemes from higher order mixed finite element methods. Mostly for convenience but sometimes from necessity, our procedure starts from the hybridization of the mixed method. It then approximates the inner product of vector functions by an appropriate, critical quadrature rule; this allows the elimination of the flux and Lagrange multiplier parameters so as to obtain equations in the scalar variable, which will define the finite volume method. Following this derivation with different mixed finite element spaces leads to a variety of finite volume schemes. In particular, we restrict ourselves to finite volume methods posed over rectangular partitions and begin by studying an efficient second-order finite volume method based on the Brezzi–Douglas–Fortin–Marini space of index two. Then, we present a general global analysis of the difference between the solution of the underlying mixed finite element method and its related finite volume method. Then, we derive finite volume methods of all orders from the Raviart–Thomas two-dimensional rectangular elements; we also find finite volume methods to associate with BDFM2 three-dimensional rectangles. In each case, we obtain optimal error estimates for both the scalar variable and the recovered flux.
Development of high efficiency segmented thermoelectric unicouples

Highly efficient, segmented thermoelectric unicouples incorporating advanced thermoelectric materials with superior thermoelectric figures of merit are currently being developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). These segmented unicouples include a combination of state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials based on Bi/sub 2/Te/sub 3/ and novel p-type Zn/sub 4/Sb/sub 3/, p-type CeFe/sub 4/Sb/sub 12/-based alloys and n-type CoSb/sub 3/-based alloys developed at JPL. The maximum predicted thermal to electrical efficiency is about 15% for a hot-side temperature of 975K and a cold-side temperature of about 300K. Various segmentations have been explored and several unicouples have been fabricated and tested. The set-up for testing these unicouples is described in this paper and some of the tests results reported. I-V curves have been generated for selected unicouples. The results show that experimental thermal to electrical efficiency values close to theoretical predicted values have been measured.
Genetic evaluation of beef cattle accounting for uncertain paternity

Abstract A hierarchical Bayes (HIER) model for the quantitative genetic analysis of performance data was compared to a model based on the use of Henderson's average numerator relationship matrix (ANRM) when some pedigrees are characterized by uncertain paternity. A simulation study consisted of ten datasets characterized by 30% of animals having uncertain paternity for each of two traits: one having moderate heritabilities for direct and maternal genetic effects on weaning weight (WWT) and another having a high heritability for direct genetic effects on postweaning gain (PWG). Posterior inference on the variance components was very similar between the two models. In an application to WWT and PWG data from Brazilian Herefords, posterior inference on variance components was also very similar between ANRM and HIER. Furthermore, rank correlations on posterior means for genetic effects between the two models exceeded 0.90. Nevertheless, large differences in posterior means between these two models were observed for some animals. Furthermore, animals with uncertain paternity had generally larger posterior standard deviations of genetic effects using the HIER model compared to the ANRM model, likely because the HIER model infers upon sire assignment probabilities. Bayesian model choice criteria consistently favored the HIER model over the ANRM model in both simulation and Hereford data analysis studies.
Some Possible Approaches for Improving the Energy Density of Li-air Batteries

A physics-based model is proposed for the simulation of Li-air batteries. The model is carefully calibrated against published data and is used to simulate standard Li-air batteries with nonaqueous (organic) electrolyte. It is shown that the specific capacity is mainly limited by the oxygen diffusion length which is a function of the oxygen diffusivity in the electrolyte and the discharge current density. Various approaches to increase the specific capacity of the cathode electrode and the energy density of Li-air batteries are discussed. It is shown that, in order to increase the specific capacity and energy density, it is more efficient to use a nonuniform catalyst that enhances the reaction rate only at the separator-cathode interface than a catalyst uniformly distributed. Using uniformly distributed catalysts will enhance the current and power density of the cell but will not increase significantly the specific capacity and energy density. It is also shown that the specific capacity and energy density can be increased by suppressing the reaction rate at the oxygen-entrance interface in order to delay the pinch-off of the conduction channel in this region. Other possibilities to enhance the energy density such as using solvents with high oxygen solubility and diffusivity, and partly wetted electrodes are discussed.
Endoscopic spray cryotherapy for genitourinary malignancies: safety and efficacy in a porcine model.

Objective:To examine the effects and safety of using endoscopic spray cryotherapy (ESC) on bladder, ureteral, and renal pelvis urothelium in a live porcine model.Subjects and methods:ESC treatments were systematically applied to urothelial sites in the bladder, ureter, and renal pelvis of eight female Yorkshire swine in a prospective trial. Freeze–thaw cycles ranged from 5 to 60 s/cycle for one to six cycles using a 7 French cryotherapy catheter. Tissue was evaluated histologically for treatment-related effects. Acute physiologic effects were evaluated with pulse oximetry, Doppler sonography, and postmortem findings.Results:In bladder, treatment depth was inconsistent regardless of dose, demonstrating urothelial necrosis in one, muscularis propria depth necrosis in two, and full thickness necrosis in all remaining samples. In ureter, full thickness necrosis was seen in all samples, even with the shortest spray duration (5 s/cycle for six cycles or 30 s/cycle for one cycle). Treatment to the renal pelvis w...
Electronically Produced and Controlled Illumination

After a brief summary of the theory of electronically produced pulses of light, energy storage systems, and energy converting devices, a review is made of commonly used triggering and controlling elements. A series of practical devices utilizing the previously described methods are discussed, showing typical stroboscopes, high-speed single-flash photographic lights, high-speed motion-picture lights, and flash sequence equipment.