cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sleep promotes downward firing rate homeostasis

SUMMARY Homeostatic plasticity is hypothesized to regulate neuronal activity around a stable set point to compensate for learning-related plasticity. This regulation is predicted to be bidirectional but only upward firing rate homeostasis (FRH) has been demonstrated in vivo. We combined chronic electrophysiology in freely behaving animals with a protocol that induces robust plasticity in primary visual cortex (V1) to induce downward FRH and show that neurons bidirectionally regulate firing rates around an individual set point. Downward FRH did not require N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) signaling and was associated with homeostatic scaling down of synaptic strengths. Like upward FRH, downward FRH was gated by vigilance state, but in the opposite direction: it occurred during sleep and not during wake. In contrast, FR changes associated with Hebbian plasticity happened independently of sleep and wake. Thus, we find that sleep’s impact on neuronal plasticity depends on the particular forms of plasticity that are engaged.
Organometallic Elaboration as a Strategy for Tuning the Supramolecular Characteristics of Aza-Crown Ethers

Outfitting an aza-crown ether with an organotransition-metal pendant provides a mechanism for tuning its supramolecular properties. The binding affinity can be tuned by more than 2 orders of magnit...
Defining Optimal Target Volumes of Conformal Radiation Therapy for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.

Purpose Optimal radiation therapy (RT) target margins for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) are unknown. We sought to define disease progression patterns in a contemporary cohort treated with conformal RT using different clinical target volume (CTV) margins. Methods and Materials We reviewed 105 patients with newly diagnosed DIPG treated with conformal conventionally fractionated RT at our institution from 2006 to 2014. CTV margins were classified as standard (1 cm) for 60 patients and extended (2-3 cm) for 45 patients. Survival and cumulative incidence of progression in treatment groups were compared by log-rank and Gray’s tests, respectively. Cox proportional hazard models identified predictors of survival. Results For 97 patients evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging at progression, the cumulative incidences of isolated local, isolated distant, and synchronous disease progression at 1 year were 62.6%, 12.3%, and 7.2%, respectively, and did not differ significantly according to the CTV margin. Central dosimetric progression (Vprogression95% ≥95%) was observed in 80 of 81 evaluable patients. Median progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 7.6 months (95% confidence interval, 6.9-8.2) and 11.3 months (95% confidence interval, 10.0-12.8), respectively, and did not differ significantly according to margin status. DIPG survival prediction risk group (standard vs high, P = .02; intermediate vs high, P = .009) and development of distant metastasis (P = .003) were independent predictors of OS. For the 41 patients (39%) with a pathologic diagnosis, H3.3 K27M mutation was associated with shorter OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.41; P =.02), whereas H3.1 K27M and ACVR1 mutations were associated with longer OS (HR, 3.56; P =.004 and HR, 2.58; P =.04, respectively). Conclusions All patients who experienced local failure showed progression within the high-dose volume, and there was no apparent survival or tumor-control benefit to extending the CTV margins beyond 1 cm. Given the increasing use of reirradiation, standardizing the CTV margin to 1 cm may improve retreatment tolerance.
Vaso-Occlusive Pain and Menstruation in Sickle Cell Disease: A Focus Group Analysis

Background: Acute vaso-occlusive pain, herein referred to as acute sickle cell disease (SCD) pain, associated with menstruation has received little attention. Key unanswered questions include how women differentiate acute SCD pain and menstrual cramps, and how both types of pain impact quality of life. Methods: Using inductive/deductive qualitative research methods, three focus groups were conducted to understand the patient experience of acute SCD pain associated with menstruation. Results: Fourteen women with SCD participated in our focus groups. Major themes were identified: (1) clinical sequelae of SCD surrounding menstruation, (2) coping with psychosocial challenges, (3) interpersonal difficulties and support systems, (4) impacts on quality of life, (5) impacts on emotional well-being, and (6) proposed solutions for health care systems. Conclusions: Women with SCD can distinguish acute SCD pain from menstrual cramps. Health care providers should become more familiar with acute SCD pain associated with menstruation and encourage a patient-centered dialogue to determine appropriate courses of action.
Effect of the Perioex® Fil Ter on Peritonitis Rates in an Unselecteo CAPO Population:

The use of the inline filter in a CAPD population was associated with a low incidence of peritonitis (0.064 infections per patient month). Pre-filter rates of peritonitis indicated that the populat...
Abundance and functional importance of complete ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (comammox) versus canonical nitrifiers in temperate forest soils

Abstract Forest disturbance increases soil nitrification rates in temperate ecosystems, but little is understood regarding contributions of newly discovered complete ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (i.e., comammox) to this important ecosystem process. We sampled soils across eight historically disturbed and adjacent reference forested watersheds at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in North Carolina and used qPCR to determine abundance of three groups of nitrifiers: canonical ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), and comammox bacteria (CAOB). All three groups exhibited significantly higher abundance in disturbed soils, though CAOB were more abundant than either AOA or AOB. Further, CAOB showed similar correlations with soil variables compared with AOB, suggesting similar niche requirements. CAOB were better predictors of soil NO3− relative to AOA and AOB, suggesting CAOB are functionally relevant to nitrification in temperate forests.
Optical waveguiding in proton-implanted GaAs†

We have produced optical waveguides in w-type GaAs by implantation with 300-keV protons. The guiding is shown to be due to the elimination of charge c a r r i e r s from the implanted region. Annealing of the waveguide leads to very large reductions in the 1.15 guidedwave absorption.
Impact of Biological Sex on Immune Activation and Frequency of the Latent HIV Reservoir During Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy.

BACKGROUND Persistent HIV infection of long-lived resting CD4 T cells, despite antiretroviral therapy (ART), remains a barrier to HIV cure. Women have a more robust type 1 interferon response during HIV infection relative to men, contributing to lower initial plasma viremia. As lower viremia during acute infection is associated with reduced frequency of latent HIV infection, we hypothesized that women on ART would have a lower frequency of latent HIV compared to men. METHODS ART-suppressed, HIV seropositive women (n = 22) were matched 1:1 to 22 of 39 ART-suppressed men. We also compared the 22 women to all 39 men, adjusting for age and race as covariates. We measured the frequency of latent HIV using the quantitative viral outgrowth assay, the intact proviral DNA assay, and total HIV gag DNA. We also performed activation/exhaustion immunophenotyping on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and quantified interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression in CD4 T cells. RESULTS We did not observe evident sex differences in the frequency of persistent HIV in resting CD4 T cells. Immunophenotyping and CD4 T-cell ISG expression analysis revealed marginal differences across the sexes. CONCLUSIONS Differences in HIV reservoir frequency and immune activation appear to be small across sexes during long-term suppressive therapy.
Detecting Deception Attacks on Autonomous Vehicles via Linear Time-Varying Dynamic Watermarking

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) such as autonomous vehicles rely on both on-board sensors and external communications to estimate their state. Unfortunately these communications render the system vulnerable to cyber-attacks. While many attack detection methods have begun to address these concerns they are limited to linear time-invariant (LTI) systems. Though LTI system models provide accurate approximations for CPS such as autonomous vehicles at constant speed and turning radii they are inaccurate for more complex motions such as lane changes turns and changes in velocity. Since these more complex motions are more suitably described by linear time-varying (LTV) system models rather than LTI models Dynamic Watermarking which adds a private excitation to the input signal to validate measurements has recently been extended to LTV systems. However this extension does not allow for LTV systems that require several steps before the ef ect of a given control input can be seen in the measurement signal. Additionally there is no consideration for the time-varying effects of auto-correlation. Furthermore a proof of concept was only provided using simulations of a simplified model. This paper relaxes the requirement for inputs to be visible in a single step and constructs an auto-correlation normalizing factor to remove the effects of auto-correlation. In addition, Dynamic Watermarking is applied to a high-fidelity vehicle model in CarSimTM and a 1/10 scale autonomous rover to further reinforce the proof of concept for realistic systems. In each case, the vehicle follows a predefined path with time-varying velocity and turning radii. A replay attack, which replays previously recorded measurements, is shown to be detectable using LTV Dynamic Watermarking in a quick and repeatable manner
A Study of the General Populations’ Knowledge of Mosquitoes and West Nile

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the lack of understanding by the public about the West Nile Virus and if there are common factors that influence people’s knowledge about this virus. We hypothesized that there is a lack of knowledge about West Nile Virus and a few factors might reveal the reason behind the gap in the public's understanding of this subject. A google form survey was sent out to 112 people. The survey contained questions about age, gender, education level, college major/concentration, and a questionnaire about West Nile Virus. The survey was sent to mostly people that had a connection with the students in the Texas A&M entomology 423 course. According to our data collected, the majority of people are from the age range of 18 to 27 and have some college education. Most responses stated that they are from College Station or Bryan or the state of Texas in general, and they answered most of the West Nile questions in the survey correctly. These correct answers led to the change in the purpose and hypothesis from lack of knowledge to surplus of knowledge. Based on the responses received, education level and location of current residence were common factors that could explain the extensive knowledge of the general public regarding West Nile.
Effect of Environmental Exposures on Fatigue Life of P/M Disk Superalloys

As the temperature capability of Ni-base superalloy powder metallurgy disks is steadily increased, environmental resistance and protection of advanced nickel-based turbine disk components are becoming increasingly important. Localized surface hot corrosion attack and damage from oxidation have been shown to impair disk fatigue life and may eventually limit disk operating temperatures. NASA Research Announcement (NRA) contracts have been awarded to GE Aviation and Honeywell Aerospace to separately develop fatigue resistant metallic and ceramic coatings for corrosion resistance and the corrosion/fatigue results of selected coatings will be presented. The microstructural response of a bare ME3 disk superalloy has been evaluated for moderate (704 C) and aggressive (760-816 C) oxidizing exposures up to 2,020 hours. Cross section analysis reveals sub-surface damage (significant for aggressive exposures) that consists of Al2O3 "fingers", interfacial voids, a recrystallized precipitate-free layer and GB carbide dissolution. The effects of a Nichrome corrosion coating on this microstructural response will also be presented.
Workshop Summary: Interleukin 2

The Interleukin-2/Interleukin-2 receptor field is a relatively recent one, dating to the discovery of IL-2 as T cell growth factor in 1976 by Morgan, Ruscetti, and Gallo. When resting T cells are activated by antigen or mitogenic lectins, de novo synthesis and secretion of IL-2 ensues. This event appears to be mediated principally if not entirely by the T4 subpopulation of T cells. Activation of T cells also results in the de novo expression of high affinity IL-2 receptors at the cell surface. The Interleukin-2 workshop, co-chaired by Stanley Cohen and Warren Leonard was divided into three broad areas: (1) Molecular Biology of IL-2 and IL-2 Receptors, (2) Structure of the IL-2 Receptor, and (3) IL-2 and Signal Transduction. A large number of excellent abstracts were submitted. We chose for presentation those that best fit these topic headings.
Absorption spectra of impurities in silicon—II Group-V donors

Abstract The infra-red absorption spectra due to neutral, n-type, impurity centers (P, As, Sb) in silicon have been measured at liquid helium temperature, and ionization energies and term schemes for these materials have been determined from the data. The ionization energies found are P: 0.0503 eV; As: 0.0533 eV; and Sb: 0.0426 eV. These values are approximately 10 per cent greater than the thermal ionization energies. The differences can be accounted for partly by (1) a FranckCondon effect and (2) the presence of low-lying excited states. The positions of the excited p states of the impurity centers are all found to be roughly in the same positions relative to the conduction band, in good agreement with the results of the effective mass treatment of the impurity centers by K ohn and L uttinger . The variations observed between the various impurities are attributed to differences in the effective potentials in the immediate vicinity of the impurity ion cores. These differences are not taken into account in the effective mass theory.
Expanding Training Opportunities for Parents of Children with Autism

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that parents who have children diagnosed with autism can learn and accurately apply knowledge regarding a research-based practice for their children by ...
Desis in the House: Indian American Youth Culture in New York City

Desis in the House:Indian American Youth Culture in New York City. Sunaina Maira. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2002. 256 pp.
A Comparison of Profitability and CEO Turnover Sensitivity in Large Private and Public Firms

We construct a large sample of both private and public firms from a broad set of industries to provide a direct comparison of efficiency, profitability, and incentive alignment. We find that operating profit scaled by sales and net profit to sales in private firms are less than half those in public firms. Moreover, we find no evidence that CEO turnover is more sensitive to change in scaled profitability in private firms than in public firms. These results are robust to controls for risk, managerial ownership, industry, whether the CEO is a founder or family member, and firm size. High sensitivity of CEO turnover to performance, one possible way to align managerial and shareholder interests, is not prominently featured in the organization design of private firms, which is consistent with our finding that private firms are less profitable than public firms.
Probabilistic Soil Exploration: Case History

Probability concepts are applied to the interpretation of soil exploration data at a site where failure in a weak layer is considered probable. The subsoil is modeled as a two-class material with soft clay layer as included within a stiff clay. A hypothetical case history is constructed to illustrate the interpretation of data obtained at different stages of the soil exploration program. The analysis of the soil exploration program considers detection and recognition of the soft material and inference that the soft material exists at unexplored locations, given that it has been detected at explored locations. The judgment of practicing engineers regarding the site conditions are presented as subjective probabilities.
A concurrent non-recursive textured algorithm for distributed multi-utility state estimation

During power deregulation, power companies are releasing their transmission grids to form ISOs/RTOs while maintaining their own state estimators over their own areas. A recent trend for these ISOs/RTOs is to further combine and enlarge to become a bigger Mega-RTO grid for a better market efficiency. The determination of state over the whole system becomes challenging due to its size. Instead of a totally new estimator over the whole grid, the authors propose a distributed textured algorithm to determine the whole state; in their algorithm, the existing state estimators in local companies/ISOs/RTOs are fully utilized and the new estimator is no longer required. They need only some extra communication for some instrumentation or estimated data exchange. In addition, such an algorithm has the following advantages: (1) the distributed textured algorithm is nonrecursive, asynchronous and avoids central controlling node. Therefore, it is fast and practical; (2) based on exchanging data with neighboring companies/ISOs/RTOs, textured overlapped areas become part of the process. With the developed textured decomposition method, bad data detection and identification ability is better than existing distributed state estimation algorithm, especially when bad data occur around the boundary of individual estimators; (3) discrepancy on the boundary buses of different estimators decreases and the result over whole grid become more consistent. Moreover, when updating local estimation through estimated data exchanges, matrix modification techniques that utilize sparse techniques are developed to accelerate the computation speed. Detailed numerical tests are given to verify the efficiency and validity of the new approach.
Magnetic domain memory in multiferroic Ni2MnGa

Abstract Lorentz microscopy is employed to study the evolution of magnetic domain structures across ferromagnetic and ferroelastic martensitic transformations in near stoichiometric Ni 2 MnGa. In situ transmission electron microscopy studies have revealed a new phenomenon of magnetic domain memory of the austenite across both ferroic transformations. The reversible magnetic domain structure is attributed to pinning of the magnetic domain walls by antiphase boundaries in the Heusler phase. Two types of martensite domain structures, herringbone and stripe domain, have been observed. The type of domain arrangement is found to be dependent on the relative orientation of the easy axis of magnetization with respect to the thin foil normal.
Synthesis and evaluation of substrate analogues as mechanism-based inhibitors of type II isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase.

Type 2 isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IDI-2), which catalyzes the interconversion of isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate, contains a tightly bound molecule of FMN. To probe the mechanism of the reaction, cyclopropyl and epoxy substrate analogues, designed to be mechanism-based irreversible inhibitors, were synthesized and evaluated with IDI-2 from Thermus thermophilus. The cyclopropyl analogues were alternative substrates. The epoxy analogue was an irreversible inhibitor, with kI = 0.37 ± 0.07 min-1 and KI = 1.4 ± 0.3 μM. LC−MS studies revealed formation of an epoxide-FMN adduct.
Structure–activity relationship (SAR) investigations of tetrahydroquinolines as BKCa agonists

The membrane bound large-conductance, calcium-activated potassium channel (BKCa) is an important regulator of neuronal activity. Here we describe the identification and structure-activity relationship of a novel class of potent tetrahydroquinoline BKCa agonists. An example from this class of BKCa agonists was shown to depress the spontaneous neuronal discharges in an electrophysiological model of migraine.
Spatially-resolved X-ray scattering measurements of a planar blast wave

Abstract We present X-ray scattering measurements characterizing the spatial temperature and ionization profile of a blast wave driven in a near-solid density foam. Several-keV X-rays scattered from a laser-driven blast wave in a carbon foam. We resolved the scattering in high resolution in space and wavelength to extract the plasma conditions along the propagation direction of the blast wave. We infer temperatures of 20–40 eV and ionizations of 2–4 in the shock and rarefaction regions of the blast wave. This range of measured ionization states allows for a detailed comparison between different models for the bound–free scattering. FLYCHK simulations of the temperature-ionization balance generally agree with the experimental values in the shocked region while consistently underestimating the ionization in the rarefaction.
Studies on the toxicity of amethopterin and tetrahydroamethopterin in chicks

Tetrahydroamethopterin is more toxic to chicks than amethopterin. The toxicity of both compounds is reversed by folate and tetrahydrofolate. It is suggested that tetrahydroamethopterin acts at enzymic steps in addition to those affected by amethopterin.
Simulation Methodology in Nursing Education and Adult Learning Theory

Simulation is often used in nursing education as a teaching methodology. Simulation is rooted in adult learning theory. Three learning theories, cognitive, social, and constructivist, explain how learners gain knowledge with simulation experiences. This article takes an in-depth look at each of these three theories as each relates to simulation. Pedagogical approaches as well as ties to simulation of each theory zare addressed. Finally, the implications for research and practice in health care and adult education are discussed.
Some lessons learned from research on a thin film electrochromic window

Abstract Five lessons learned during research on a variable reflectivity, completely inorganic, thin film electrochromic window were: (i) the “rocking-chair” model is valid, and has been, and is expected to be, useful in guiding the design, development and production of the window; (ii) with appropriate processing, charge transport through the six interfaces can be managed properly; (iii) nearly complete stress-change compensation during switching can be achieved for the window; (iv) electrochromic materials of opposite carrier types are desirable; and (v) one can fabricate, routinely by a production-type process, completely inorganic EC windows which are electrically, mechanically, and optically robust.
On a mixed boundary value problem of diffusion type

Fluid arriving at the surface of an unevenly heated solid (such as a reactor rod) may initially be converted to steam on the higher temperature portion of the surface; and the extent of the steam covered portion shrinks when there is a continual supply of cooling fluid. A two-dimensional model diffusion problem, involving linear specifications and intended for a determination of the steady advance of the (quench) front which separates the fluid and steam covered parts of a slab face, is resolved in exact fashion and the estimates of a prior approximate calculation (Caflisch and Keller, 1981) are thereby extended.
Status of fabrication of square-format masks for extreme-ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) at the MCoC

Fabricating masks for extreme ultraviolet lithography is challenging. The high absorption of most materials at 13.4 nm and the small critical dimension (45 nm) at the target insertion node force many new features, including reflective mask design, new film choices, and stringent defect specifications. Fabrication of these masks requires the formation and patterning of both a repair buffer layer and an EUV absorber layer on top of a molybdenum/silicon multi-layer substrate. IBM and Photronics have been engaged in developing mask processing technology for x-ray, electron beam projection and extreme ultraviolet lithographies at the Next Generation Lithography Mask Center of Competency (NGL-MCoC) within IBM's mask facility at Essex Junction, Vermont. This paper describes recent results of mask fabrication on 6 x 6 x 1/4 inch EUVL substrates (quartz with molybdenum silicon multi-layers) at the MCoC. Masks fabricated with high and low-stress chromium and externally deposited chromium absorber films are compared. In particular, etch characteristics, image size, image placement, line edge roughness, and defect levels are presented and compared. Understanding the influence of the absorber film characteristics on these parameters will enable us to optimize the effectiveness of a given absorber film or to select acceptable alternatives.
Un corps de désordre : la prostituée dans l’Atlantique français

En se basant sur le discours des autorites et des observateurs et sur les archives judiciaires, cet article fera la lumiere sur les prostituees de l’Atlantique francais a la fin du xviie siecle et au debut du xviiie siecle, et tentera d’expliquer en quoi l’activite de la prostituee fait d’elle un element de desordre pour la societe francaise tant dans la metropole qu’en Nouvelle-France. Les themes du genre et de la sexualite seront donc etudies dans une perspective imperiale et atlantique, afin de faire ressortir la particularite coloniale, mais surtout de suggerer des pistes pour la recherche.
The effect of convection planform on the toroidal–poloidal energy ratio

Abstract This study investigates the influence of thermal convection planform geometry on the pattern of surface deformation in a dynamic model of plate–mantle coupling. The lithosphere is viewed as a distinct rheological layer and is modeled as a thin, non-Newtonian sheet that is dynamically coupled to a three-dimensional, convecting Newtonian layer. The results of numerical experiments show that planforms which possess a high degree of symmetry excite only small amounts of toroidal energy in the thin non-Newtonian sheet and thus have low toroidal–poloidal energy ratios. Asymmetric planforms tend to possess toroidal–poloidal energy ratios that are one to two orders of magnitude larger than symmetric cases. The results of this study suggest the precipitous drop in the toroidal–poloidal energy ratio for the Earth's surface velocity field that occurred in the late Cretaceous–early Cenozoic resulted from the late Cretaceous superplume which organized mantle flow into a higher degree of symmetry.
Uncoupled phosphorylation and activation in bacterial chemotaxis. The 2.1-A structure of a threonine to isoleucine mutant at position 87 of CheY.

Abstract Position 87 of the chemotaxis regulatory protein CheY is a highly conserved threonine/serine residue in the response regulator superfamily. A threonine 87 to isoleucine mutant in CheY, identified by its in vivo non-chemotactic phenotype, was also found to be phosphorylatable in vitro. These properties indicate that this mutant does not undergo activation upon phosphorylation. The x-ray crystallographic structure of the threonine to isoleucine CheY mutant has been solved and refined at 2.1-A resolution, to an R factor of 15.6%. Comparison with the wild-type, Mg-free CheY structure shows that the active site structure is retained, but there are significant localized differences in the backbone conformation distal from the substitution. The presence of the isoleucine side chain also restricts the rotational conformation of another conserved residue in the molecule, tyrosine at position 106. These results provide further evidence for a signaling surface remote from the phosphorylation site of the CheY molecule and implicate threonine 87 and other residues in the post-phosphorylation signaling events.
Anaerobic digestion of sorghum biomass

Abstract Several sorghum cultivars including sweet, grain and ‘high energy’ were examined to determine their anaerobic biodegradability. The highest methane yield (0·40 liters g −1 VS (volatile solid) added) was obtained from a sweet sorghum cultivar, Rio. Methane yields from the other cultivars ranged from 0·27 to 0·36 liters g −1 VS added. These methane yields represented organic conversion efficiencies (volatile solids reductions) of greater than 90%. A methane yield of 0·36 liters g −1 VS added was achieved in a non-mixed vertical flow reactor fed Rio sorghum at a 3·2 g VS liter −1 day −1 loading, a 28 day HRT (hydraulic retention time) and a 75 day SRT (solids retention time). This represented a 36% increase in methane yield over a CSTR (continuously-stirred tank reactor) operated at the same loading and HRT. The methane production rate from a thermophilic OSR (occasionally-stirred reactor) operated at a 4·8 g VS liter −1 day −1 loading and a 75 day HRT/SRT was 1·8 v/v day −1 in comparison to a methane production rate of 1·2 v/v day −1 from the mesophilic NMVFR (non-mixed vertical flow reactor).
Resonant Rotation for Venus

CAN the rotation period of Venus be commensurate with its synodic period? If the rotation period is 243.16 days retrograde, the axis of Venus which points toward the Earth at one inferior conjunction will point toward the Earth at all subsequent inferior conjunctions. This value for the rotation period of Venus lies within the errors of the measured rotation period1–3. If the moment of inertia of Venus about this axis is minimal, it is possible that the planet is locked into this synodic commensurability with its permanent bulge or longest axis pointed toward the Earth at each inferior conjunction. In other words, the presence of the Earth may have stabilized the sidereal rotation period of Venus at the value of 243.16 days retrograde. To investigate the stability of such a commensurate spin angular velocity for Venus, we shall use a method similar to that used to determine the stability of the spin angular velocities of Mercury which are commensurate with its orbital angular velocity4.
Woven Fabrics Prepared from High Tenacity Cotton/Polyester Core Yarn

Woven fabric was prepared from core yarns having a high tenacity polyester filament core and a cotton wrap. To demonstrate the unique characteristics of this core-yarn fabric, an all-cotton control...
Femtosecond carrier dynamics in low-temperature-grown III-V semiconductors

We report systematic studies of the femtosecond transient reflectivity and transmission in low- temperature-grown III-V semiconductors. By using a 2-eV-pump/white-light-probe system as well as a tunable infrared laser we are able to investigate different materials and shed new light on the processes governing the photoexcited carrier dynamics in these compounds.
Some Social Concomitants of Industrialization and Urbanization

The transformation of society by industrialization and urbanization is currently of great concern to men of affairs and to men of science. Since the second World War the rate of industrialization has increased as people in previously isolated or tradition-bound societies have entered the main stream of world history to demand the material benefits of modern technology. They often seek those material benefits while hoping to retain their traditional cultures, yet, since England pointed the way in the eighteenth century, experience indicates that their hopes are utopian, for a radical change in the mode of production has profound repercussions on the rest of culture. This generalization is as sure as any in all of social science, but it is so abstract as to offer little guide to one who wants to know what the specific consequences of industrialization are likely to be. Some recent research helps us to do better.
The Role of Water Intake on Sexual Dimorphism for Early Growth of Broilers

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to investigate feed intake and body weight of males restricted to the water intake of ad libitum females immediately after hatch. Ad libitum males were heavier and consumed more feed than ad libitum females, with differences becoming significant after Day 10. Body weight and feed intake of water-restricted males and females were essentially identical, suggesting that when males and females receive the same amount of water, they also consume similar amounts of feed. Ad libitum males tended to have higher feed efficiencies than females, whereas water-restricted males and females had similar feed efficiencies. These data indicate that unless males are able to consume more water than females, there is an absence of development of sexual dimorphism in body weight during early life.
Identification of four biliary metabolites of the diterpene sclareol in the laboratory rat.

1. Ag.l.c. method was developed to determine sclareol (1) and its microbial metabolites: 3-keto-sclareol (2), 2α;-hydroxysclareol (3), 3α;-hydroxysclareol (4), 3β-hydroxysclareol (5), 18-hydroxysclareol (6), and 2α;, 18-dihydroxysclareol (7) in both microbial cultures and biological fluids of the laboratory rat.2. Metabolism of the diterpene (1) was studied in the laboratory rat. This in vivo study was facilitated by the availability of microbial metabolites of sclareol as reference standards, and the g.l.c. assay for sclareol and its metabolites in biological fluids.3. Following i.v. treatment (100 mg/kg), the disappearance of (1) from rat plasma was rapid and biphasic. No microbial metabolites of sclareol were detectable in plasma.4. Sclareol (1) and its microbial metabolites were not detected in rat urine following either i.v. or oral treatments; unchanged (1) was excreted in rat faeces to the extent of 9% of an oral dose in 48 h.5. Following i.v. treatment, 0.02% dose was recovered in bile as unchange...
IODIN AS THE ACTIVE PRINCIPLE OF THE THYROID GLAND

The relation of iodin to the thyroid gland has been for many years a matter of great interest to clinicians and experimentalists, and it has long been recognized that this substance holds an important place among the constituents of the gland. For several years the writer has been engaged in research on problems involving the thyroid, and this last spring obtained some results in the course of a series of iodin-feeding experiments which should prove of interest to clinicians and other readers of this magazine. The complete account of these experiments has appeared elsewhere (Jour. of Exp. Zoology, Abstracts, Endocrin, 1918, 2, 200, hence only a summary will be given here. The problem briefly stated was to test the relation of iodin to the physiological activity of the thyroid and the general problem of amphibian metamorphosis, by feeding this substance and various of its compounds to normal and thyroidless frog larvae.
A Single-Center Experience With Six-Antigen—Matched Kidney Transplants

Objectives: To review our center's experience with the United Network of Organ Sharing six-antigen—matched (6-AgM) kidney program. Specifically, to determine whether recipients of 6-AgM cadaver kidney transplants have less perioperative and short-term ( Design: A retrospective review of all solitary kidney transplantations performed over a 24-month period, from 1992 to 1993. Setting: A large urban tertiary care referral center with a long history of renal and extrarenal transplantation. Patients: Adult patients receiving a solitary kidney transplant from either a cadaver or a living donor. Main Outcome Measures: Mortality, morbidity, and patient and graft survival. Other variables measured included rejection episodes, length of stay, readmissions, postoperative complications, waiting time, and delayed postoperative graft function. Results: Recipients of 6-AgM kidney transplants were at higher risk than the control groups of cadaver and LRD recipients, with more retransplantations, higher sensitization, and more with diabetes. There were fewer rejection episodes in the 6-AgM group, and these were more steroid responsive. They had fewer hospital days (22.6 days) in the first year following transplantation, compared with the remaining cadaver group (28 days). The delayed postoperative graft function rate was also significantly lower than that of the cadaver control group. Graft and patient survival were excellent for all groups. Analysis of these factors showed similar results when comparing the LRD and 6-AgM groups and a marked improvement over the cadaver control group. Conclusions: Identical HLA matching for cadaver recipients provides superior results for graft and patient survival. There is much less perioperative morbidity in comparison with the less well-matched cadaver recipients. The effect of HLA matching is reflected in the perioperative courses of these patients, in addition to the long-term benefits of graft survival. Allograft survival is superior for this select group of cadaver recipients. The 6-AgM recipients behave similarly to LRD recipients in this cohort of patients. Our results would support the continued sharing of 6-AgM kidneys to optimize outcome and best use the limited resources available to the patients undergoing transplantation. (Arch Surg. 1995;130:277-282)
Cloning and Sequencing of a Complementary Deoxyribonucleic Acid Coding for a Bovine αs1-Casein A from Mammary Tissue of a Homozygous B Variant Cow

Abstract A cDNA clone for bovine α s1 -casein variant A was isolated from a mammary gland cDNA library using a synthetic degenerate oligonucleotide probe. The largest Pst I insert containing an EcoR I site was sequenced. It contained 1090 base pairs, 47 in the 5′ noncoding region, 603 in the coding region and 440 in the 3′ noncoding region. The nucleotide sequence was compared with three published cDNA sequences for α s1 -casein variant B. The most obvious difference was the absence of the 39 bases encoding the 13 amino acids that are present in die B variant but absent from the A variant. In addition, five other single base positions differed within individual codons among the four sequences at the third base for each codon, but this did not change the amino acids encoded. There were, however, a number of differences found in the 3′ noncoding region. The isolated cDNA was subjected to site-directed mutagenesis to replace a Val-Ile dipeptide with Phe-Phe to increase the chymosin sensitivity of the protein. When the milk proteins from mammary gland tissue extracts were typed, the α s1 -casein A gene product was not detected.
Electrical bias as an alternate method for reproducible measurement of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) photovoltaic modules

Light-to-dark metastable changes in thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules can introduce uncertainty when measuring module performance on indoor flash testing equipment. This study describes a method to stabilize module performance through forward-bias current injection rather than light exposure. Measurements of five pairs of thin-film copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) PV modules indicate that forward-bias exposure maintained the PV modules at a stable condition (within 1%) while the unbiased modules degraded in performance by up to 12%. It was also found that modules exposed to forward bias exhibited stable performance within about 3% of their long-term outdoor exposed performance. This carrier-injection method provides a way to reduce uncertainty arising from fast transients in thin-film module performance between the time a module is removed from light exposure and when it is measured indoors, effectively simulating continuous light exposure by injecting minority carriers that behave much as photocarriers do. This investigation also provides insight into the initial light-induced transients of thin-film modules upon outdoor deployment.
CONDUCTION BLOCK OF PERIPHERAL NERVE USING HIGH-FREQUENCY ALTERNATING CURRENTS DELIVERED THROUGH AN INTRAFASCICULAR ELECTRODE

Many diseases are characterized by undesired or pathological neural activity. The local delivery of high-frequency currents has been shown to be an effective method for blocking neural conduction in peripheral nerves and may provide a therapy for these conditions. To date, all studies of high-frequency conduction block have utilized extraneural (cuff) electrodes to achieve conduction block. In this study we show that high-frequency conduction block is feasible using intrafascicular electrodes.
Reagents and assay strategies for quantifying active enzyme analytes using a personal glucose meter

This communication describes small molecule reagents and a rapid single-step assay for quantifying nanomolar levels of active enzyme analytes using a personal glucose meter.
Ordered Multi-variable Multi-constrained Distributed Constraint Optimization Framework

Applying distributed constraint optimization problem (DCOP) solution techniques to domains such as service-oriented agent networks can violate key limiting assumptions behind standard DCOP formulations. We extend the multi-constrained (MC-) DCOP to model problems where each agent controls multiple variables, calling this multi-variable (MV-) MC-DCOP. The MV-MC-DCOP formulation abstracts away some problem details including those about task ordering, so we have developed an ordered variation O-MV-MC-DCOP. We empirically show that the [O-]MV-MC-DCOP approach can fruitfully prune the space of joint policies that service-oriented agents would otherwise explore.
The growth of minicircle networks on regular lattices

The mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomes is organized into a network of topologically linked minicircles. In order to investigate how key topological properties of the network change with minicircle density, the authors introduced, in an earlier study, a mathematical model in which randomly oriented minicircles were placed on the vertices of the simple square lattice. Using this model, the authors rigorously showed that when the density of minicircles increases, percolation clusters form. For higher densities, these percolation clusters are the backbones for networks of minicircles that saturate the entire lattice. An important relevant question is whether these findings are generally true. That is, whether these results are independent of the choice of the lattices on which the model is based. In this paper, we study two additional lattices (namely the honeycomb and the triangular lattices). These regular lattices are selected because they have been proposed for trypanosomes before and after replication. We compare our findings with our earlier results on the square lattice and show that the mathematical statements derived for the square lattice can be extended to these other lattices qualitatively. This finding suggests the universality of these properties. Furthermore, we performed a numerical study which provided data that are consistent with our theoretical analysis, and showed that the effect of the choice of lattices on the key network topological characteristics is rather small.
Dynamic Helix Interactions in Transmembrane Signaling

Studying how protein transmembrane domains transmit signals across membranes is beset by unique challenges. Here, we discuss the circumstances that have led to success and reflect on what has been learned from these examples. Such efforts suggest that some of the most interesting properties of transmembrane helix interactions may be the least amenable to study by current techniques.
Novel decomposition products of chlorophyll-a in continental shelf (Louisiana shelf) sediments: formation and transformation of carotenol chlorin esters

Abstract In April 2000, we collected box cores from five stations along a cross-shelf transect on the Louisiana (LA) continental shelf. Novel esters of carotenols and chlorins (carotenoid chlorin esters, CCEs), which are highly specific grazing markers, were identified in surface and deep sediments (>10 cm) from the LA shelf. Chlorophyll-a inventory indicated that CCEs are one of the major decay products of chlorophyll-a in shelf sediments. Abundances of total CCEs (9–18%) in surface sediments along the cross-shelf transect were comparable to the abundance of pheophytin-a, pyropheophytin-a, and total steryl chlorin esters (SCEs). Prior work has identified four CCEs which have dehydrated fucoxanthin/fucoxanthinol as a substitute alcohol of phytol. We report on four newly identified CCEs associated with nondehydrated fuxocanthin/fucoxanthinol esterified to (pyro)pheophorbide-a. These nondehydrated CCEs were generally present in lower concentrations than their dehydrated counterparts, but were detectable by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectrometry coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We attributed differences between this study and previous work to the time allowed for predepositional decay and grazing processes to occur. The rapid sedimentation of CCEs in the shallow water column (ca. 10 m) on the LA shelf allowed for effective burial of all CCEs compared to the deeper water column regions sampled by previous work. This speculation is supported by the fact that the concentrations of CCEs with nondehydrated fucoxanthin/fucoxanthinol were extremely low in sediments from the site on the outer LA shelf with a deeper (253 m) water column. We also tentatively identified an additional CCE and its isomer as fucoxanthinol didehydrate pyropheophorbide-a ester. We suggest that the formation and transformation of CCEs are primarily controlled by the following three biologically mediated reactions: demethoxycarbonylation, dehydration, and deacetylation. Our laboratory copepod grazing experiment also confirmed that CCEs can be excellent class-specific biomarkers of zooplankton grazing on phytoplankton.
Energy streamlines in near-field radiative heat transfer between hyperbolic metamaterials

Metallodielectric photonic crystals having hyperbolic dispersions are called indefinite materials because of their ability to guide modes with extremely large lateral wavevectors. While this is useful for enhancing near-field radiative heat transfer, it could also give rise to large lateral displacements of the energy pathways. The energy streamlines can be used to depict the flow of electromagnetic energy through a structure when wave propagation does not follow ray optics. We obtain the energy streamlines through two semi-infinite uniaxial anisotropic effective medium structures, separated by a small vacuum gap, using the Green functions and fluctuation-dissipation theorem. The lateral shifts are determined from the streamlines within two penetration depths. For hyperbolic modes, the predicted lateral shift can be several thousand times of the vacuum gap width.
Effect of feed rate during comminution of coal by high energy waterjet

Abstract High pressure waterjets attack, fragment and comminute coal. The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of selected waterjet parameters on the specific energy required to create particles less than 75 μm in size. The selected parameters are waterjet pressure, nozzle diameter, relative velocity between moving coal sample and stationary waterjet nozzle and nozzle standoff distance, defined as the distance between nozzle and target. This information is necessary as a starting point for the design of coal comminution equipment based on waterjet technology. Over 980 individual specimens of bituminous coal from Moberly, Missouri USA, were subjected to controlled attack by waterjet. Trials were executed with waterjet pressures up to 100 MPa, and with nozzle standoff distances between 0.80- to 44.5 × 10−3 m. Nozzle diameters of 1.14-, 0.81 -, and 0.41 × 10−3 m were used, and coal sample feedrates varied up to 0.127ms−1 relative to a stationary nozzle. The most important parameter was found t...