cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The International Law of Colonialism in East Africa: Germany, England, and the Doctrine of Discovery

The non-European, non-Christian world was colonized under international law that is known today as the Doctrine of Discovery. This common-law international Doctrine was codified into European international law at the Berlin Conference of 1884-85 and in the Berlin Act of 1885 specifically to partition and colonize Africa. Thirteen European countries and the United States attended the four month Conference and then thirteen countries signed the Berlin Act on February 26, 1885. Under the Discovery Doctrine and the Berlin Act, European countries claimed superior rights over African nations and Indigenous Peoples. When European explorers planted crosses, signed hundreds of treaties, and raised flags in many parts of Africa, they were making legal claims of ownership and domination over the native nations and peoples, and their lands and assets. These claims were justified in the fifteenth and in the nineteenth centuries by racial, ethnocentric, and religious ideas about the alleged superiority of European Christian nations. This Article examines the application of the Doctrine and the Berlin Act by England and Germany in East Africa, the area that now comprises Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. This comparative law analysis demonstrates convincingly that the Berlin Act and these colonizing countries applied what we define as the ten elements of the Doctrine of Discovery. These elements had been developed and refined by European legal and political systems since the mid-1400s. Over 400 years later, the Berlin Conference of 1884-85 expressly and implicitly adopted and codified all ten elements to control the European partition and colonization of Africa. Germany and England used this international law to colonize East Africa. Needless to say, European domination, exploitation, and colonization seriously injured the human, property, sovereign, and self-determination rights of Indigenous nations and peoples and still impacts them today. The comparative legal analysis set out in this Article will benefit readers to see more clearly how law affected and directed African colonization, and to develop a better understanding of the international law of colonialism, that historic process, the impacts of colonization, and why this knowledge is of crucial importance to us all.
Quantum Chemistry for Solvated Molecules on Graphical Processing Units Using Polarizable Continuum Models

The conductor-like polarization model (C-PCM) with switching/Gaussian smooth discretization is a widely used implicit solvation model in chemical simulations. However, its application in quantum mechanical calculations of large-scale biomolecular systems can be limited by computational expense of both the gas phase electronic structure and the solvation interaction. We have previously used graphical processing units (GPUs) to accelerate the first of these steps. Here, we extend the use of GPUs to accelerate electronic structure calculations including C-PCM solvation. Implementation on the GPU leads to significant acceleration of the generation of the required integrals for C-PCM. We further propose two strategies to improve the solution of the required linear equations: a dynamic convergence threshold and a randomized block-Jacobi preconditioner. These strategies are not specific to GPUs and are expected to be beneficial for both CPU and GPU implementations. We benchmark the performance of the new implementation using over 20 small proteins in solvent environment. Using a single GPU, our method evaluates the C-PCM related integrals and their derivatives more than 10× faster than that with a conventional CPU-based implementation. Our improvements to the linear solver provide a further 3× acceleration. The overall calculations including C-PCM solvation require, typically, 20-40% more effort than that for their gas phase counterparts for a moderate basis set and molecule surface discretization level. The relative cost of the C-PCM solvation correction decreases as the basis sets and/or cavity radii increase. Therefore, description of solvation with this model should be routine. We also discuss applications to the study of the conformational landscape of an amyloid fibril.
A conceptual framework for a computer-assisted, morphometric-based phytolith analysis and classification system

Although automated approaches to shape analysis and object classification have been widely applied in the biological sciences, technical and time considerations have limited their use in phytolith research. As advanced microscopy systems become more affordable and accessible and digital imaging software provides a wider range of sophisticated analytical tools, there is increased potential for effective use of machine-vision and automation in phytolith research. In this paper, we describe technical limitations of phytolith imaging and identify several techniques that might improve results. Drawing on examples of software developed for related disciplines, we then describe a conceptual framework for development and integration of automated phytolith analysis software for: separating phytoliths from non-phytolith material in digital images; segmentation of phytolith boundaries; quantitative phytolith feature extraction, including a discussion of potentially more powerful, non-traditional parameters of phytolith shape and texture; phytolith classification and identification; and phytolith database image retrieval. While recognizing the difficulty of implementing this framework and the need for extensive empirical testing of suggested approaches on phytoliths, we examine the possibility of aggregating quantitative phytolith data collected in studies worldwide to construct a cloud-based database of phytolith images with associated morphotype data.
Free Riding in State Legislatures

This paper applies the theory of team production to thelegislative process and tests the empiricalimplications of that theory using a uniquestate-level data set. Empirically testablehypotheses are derived from the theory,including predictions that free riding willincrease as chamber (or majority) sizeincreases, and that legislativeinstitutions (such as committee structureand staffing levels) can mitigate freeriding. The hypotheses are tested using apooled state-level data set developed fromthe session laws of twenty-three statelegislatures. The empirical results areconsistent with the major hypotheses.
Identification and realization of symmetric switching functions

A method for the identification of asymmetric, partially symmetric, and totally symmetric switching functions is presented. The proposed method is based on identifying the number of 1-points when a variable in the given switching function is assigned a value of one, and the number of 1-points when the same variable is assigned a value of zero. If certain relationships exist between such 1-points for all the variables of the given switching function, then the given switching function is totally symmetric; otherwise it could be an asymmetric or partially symmetric switching function. Two computer programs are developed and discussed. The first program takes the given switching function as input and tests it for asymmetric, partially symmetric and totally symmetric switching function. If desired, the second program finds the minterms that are to be added to or deleted from the given switching function (known from the first program) to transform it into a totally symmetric switching function. >
On response measurements using deterministic types of periodic signal and FFT

System response measurements appear in many areas of scientific and technical investigations. The speed of these measurements has been greatly improved with the advent of FFT analyzers. Conventional FFT analyzers require two channels to measure the system response using white noise as a stimulus. Bias errors such as aliasing, leakage, and picket fence effects have to be properly addressed and random errors have to be minimized by averaging. Uses of deterministic types of periodic signal as stimulus are not common although most of these errors would disappear. The inflexibility of the commercial FFT analyzers may be an important reason. To analyze periodic signals, it is necessary to use an `exact' multiple of the period of the signal to avoid leakage effect. It is also necessary to ensure that the signal frequencies coincide `exactly' with the analysis frequencies to avoid picket fence effect. This will require some tailoring of the sampling frequency and the number of data points. We explore the application of deterministic types of periodic signal for system response measurements using a dual channel A/D converter and a special FFT routine. Two types of periodic signal are discussed: (1) pure tones for single frequency measurements and (2) m-sequence or maximum-length sequence (MLS) for broadband measurements
Race and Rights, 1920-2000

This essay, which is a contribution to the Cambridge History of Law in America, Volume 3 (1920-2000), summarizes the Supreme Court's racial jurisprudence from 1920 to the present. The essay's primary interpretive focus is on situating the Court's decisions in the social and political context of the times and on evaluating the consequences - direct and indirect - of the rulings. The essay concludes by deriving some general lessons from this history: the extent to which the Supreme Court systematically favors the interests of racial minorities, the circumstances under which Court rulings are likely to prove efficacious, and the extent to which such decisions are likely to deviate from popular opinion.
Computer Crimes: Factors of Cybercriminal Activities

Cybercrime has increased exponentially in conjunction with the introduction and widespread use of electronic medium. This is not just confined to one area, but rather is occurring worldwide. Some progress has been made to counter this type of crime, but criminal legislation which crosses international borders is severely lagging behind. Some sort of public policy must be adopted, according to individuals, educational institutions, organizations and corporations who are interested in combating this wave of crime.
SLEEP CYCLE CHARACTERISTICS IN INFANTS

Within the sleep of adults and infants there are cyclic fluctuations between quiet and active sleep. These fluctuations may also persist during wakefulness as rest-activity cycles but are less readily detected. They constitute a fundamental biological rhythm on which other daily rhythms are superimposed. In adults the rest-activity cycle is 90 minutes in duration. The quiet-active sleep cycles of term, 3-, and 8-month-old infants were determined by polygraphic recording of eye and body movements, respirations, and electroencephalogram. The cycle length at term was 47 minutes and 49 and 50 minutes at 3 and 8 months. The increase in cycle length with maturation was not significant, but there was a significant change in the proportion of quiet to active sleep within a cycle. At term they were equal, while at 8 months quiet sleep was twice as long as active sleep. Quiet sleep is a highly controlled state requiring complex feedback mechanisms. The increasing proportion of quiet sleep may be a significant measure of normal brain development.
The Role of Theory and Modeling in the Development of Materials for Fusion Energy

The environmental and operational conditions of First Wall/ Blanket (FW/B) structural materials in fusion energy systems are undoubtedly amongst the harshest in any technological application. These materials must operate reliably for extended periods of times without maintenance or repair. They must withstand the assaults of high particle and heat fluxes, as well as significant thermal and mechanical forces. Rival conditions have not been experienced in other technologies, with possible exceptions in aerospace and defense applications. Moreover, the most significant dilemma here is that the actual operational environment cannot be experimentally established today, with all of the synergistic considerations of neutron spectrum, radiation dose, heat and particle flux, and gigantic FW/B module sizes. Because of these considerations, we may rely on a purely empirical and incremental boot-strapping approach (as in most human developments so far), or an approach based on data generation from non prototypical setups (e.g., small samples, fission spectra, ion irradiation, etc.), or a theoretical/computational methodology. The first approach would have been the most direct had it not been for the unacceptable risks in the construction of successively larger and more powerful fusion machines, learning from one how to do it better for the next. The last approach (theory and modeling alone) is not a very viable option, because we are not now in a position to predict materials behavior in all its aspects from purely theoretical grounds.
Steroidogenesis of the menopausal and postmenopausal ovary

Abstract Steroid production of menopausal and postmenopausal ovaries was studied by surviving tissue slices incubated with pregnenolone-7H 3 and Δ 4 -androstene-3, 17-dione-7H 3 precursors. Comparison of the steroid metabolites produced with the hormonal activity of premenopausal ovarian tissue revealed that the menopausal and postmenopausal ovarian stroma produces androgenic steroid hormones, primarily, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, and testosterone. The ovarian stroma is inactive in the aromatization of androgens to estrogens, although the endocrine effect of the postmenopausal ovary may be related to its contribution of androgens to the plasma pool for extragonadal conversion to estrogens. There was inconsistent clinical correlation between the spectrum of steroids produced by incubation studies and their effects on the target organs of the reproductive tract. The limited estrogenic function of the postmenopausal gonad would justify the removal of the normal ovary at the time of pelvic surgery during the perimenopausal period. The low incidence of cancer developing in the normal ovary retained at the time of hysterectomy (0.15 per cent) does not justify routine castration of the premenopausal patient.
Methods for the directed evolution of proteins

Directed evolution has proved to be an effective strategy for improving or altering the activity of biomolecules for industrial, research and therapeutic applications. The evolution of proteins in the laboratory requires methods for generating genetic diversity and for identifying protein variants with desired properties. This Review describes some of the tools used to diversify genes, as well as informative examples of screening and selection methods that identify or isolate evolved proteins. We highlight recent cases in which directed evolution generated enzymatic activities and substrate specificities not known to exist in nature.
Are Culturally Sophisticated Agencies Better Workplaces for Social Work Staff and Administrators

Using the concept of cultural sophistication, data from 285 African American social workers and administrators were analyzed to demonstrate the effect of perceptions of agency cultural sophistication on reports of psychological and work-related stress. Among African American workers, perceptions of cultural sophistication had a significant effect in many areas of work stress but not with reported psychological problems. For African American supervisors and administrators, a moderate effect was identified between cultural sophistication and decreases in work-related stress. The usefulness of cultural sophistication as an explanatory variable in understanding staff perceptions of occupational and psychological stress in human services organizations is discussed.
Enhanced activity of abscission enzymes predisposes oranges to invasion by Diplodia natalensis during ethylene degreening

Abstract Stem-end rot (SER) caused by Diplodia natalensis is a major postharvest disease of fresh Florida citrus degreened with ethylene to enhance fruit appearance. Significant increase in disease incidence by the use of ethylene at concentrations above those needed for degreening may be related to the activity of the abscission enzymes, polygalacturonase (PG) and cellulase (CX). Quiescent mycelia of D. natalensis in necrotic tissue on the surface of the calyx and disk (button) at the stem-end of the fruit grow into the fruit upon separation of the button from the fruit during abscission. Activity of the abscission enzymes in oranges was enhanced by high ethylene (0.055 ml l−1), and a larger number of cells were degraded within the abscission layer by their activity than at lower (0.002 ml l−1) more typical degreening concentrations. Commercial enzymes or partially purified preparations of the abscission enzymes added to abscission areas of debuttoned oranges before inoculation with mycelia of D. natalensis caused a significant increase in SER. Fruit dipped in 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or silver thiosulfate (STS) before degreening were more resistant to SER when inoculated following degreening. Addition of these metabolic inhibitors or cycloheximide (CHI) to the fruit abscission zone after removal of the button during early stages of degreening (18 h) with high ethylene also caused a significant reduction in SER. The metabolic inhibitors had no affect on SER if applied at 60 h after terminating the ethylene treatment. Reductions in activity of PG and CX were obtained by applying 2,4-D or STS to fruit before degreening, and STS or CHI to fruit abscission zones at early stages of degreening (18 h).
Well-being during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause: a longitudinal analysis.

Objective: To examine relationships between well-being and the menopausal transition (MT) to determine (1) whether women's well-being varies over the course of the MT and early postmenopause (PM) and (2) whether any observed variation is predicted by MT variables, other midlife transitions, or personal resources. Design: Women from the Seattle Midlife Women's Health Study (N = 334) provided data for these analyses from at least one annual health questionnaire and a menstrual calendar. A subset of women provided a first morning voided urine specimen from 1997 through 2005. Urine samples were assayed for estrone glucuronide and follicle-stimulating hormone. Mixed-effects modeling using the R library was used to investigate whether MT-related factors, including MT stage, presence of hot flashes, hot flash severity and levels of estrone glucuronide and follicle-stimulating hormone, number of negative life events, or personal resources of mastery and satisfaction with social support are significant predictors of well-being. Results: The model that best fit the data showed that mastery and satisfaction with social support predicted increases in well-being, whereas negative life events predicted decreases in well-being. None of the MT-related factors predicted change in well-being. Conclusion: The variability in women's well-being in this study was more affected by life events other than the MT and early PM and by the personal resources available to meet transition demands. These findings suggest that for most women, the MT is not a predictor of level of well-being when considered in a broader life context.
Sulfur Dioxide and Dimethyl Sulfide in the Central Pacific Troposphere

Boundary-layer and free-troposphere measurements of sulfur dioxide, dimethyl sulfide, and carbon disulfide were made during transits of the central and southern Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Australia. Sulfur dioxide was generally less than 100 pptv and highly variable with no correlation with respect to geographic location or altitude. Dimethyl sulfide in the boundary layer had a concentration range of <10 to 200 pptv. Highest concentrations of DMS were in the equatorial region of the southern hemisphere although the concentrations were dependent on location and meteorological regime. In the region of the Fiji Islands several boundary layer samples had SO2, DMS, and CS2. In 1989, additional SO2 measurements were made between Hawaii and the equator and to the west of Hawaii downwind of the Kilauea volcano plumes.
Flicker-Noise Impact on Scaling of Mixed-Signal CMOS With HfSiON

The flicker noise in MOSFETs with short gate lengths (L < 1 mum) is severely degraded by the presence of a thick high-k gate dielectric layer. The gate length dependence of flicker noise becomes stronger with increasing high-k dielectric thickness - but only for n-FET. To explain these phenomena, a model based on excess traps at the gate edges has been developed. This model explains the flicker-noise dependence on high-k dielectric thickness and gate length and has successfully reproduced the experimental data. Based on the model, the impact of gate-length scaling is evaluated for future mixed-signal ICs using high-k gate-dielectric technology. The deployment of high-k gate dielectric adds another gate-length-scaling limit for analog devices due to the noise consideration.
Invariant theory, generalized Casimir operators, and tensor product decompositions of U(N)

One of the central problems in the representation theory of compact groups concerns multiplicity, wherein an irreducible representation occurs more than once in the decomposition of the n-fold tensor product of irreducible representations. The problem is that there are no operators arising from the group itself whose eigenvalues can be used to label the equivalent representations occurring in the decomposition. In this paper we use invariant theory along with so-called generalized Casimir operators to show how to resolve the multiplicity problem for the U(N) groups. The starting point is to augment the n-fold tensor product space with the contragredient representation of interest and construct a subspace of U(N) invariants. The setting for this construction is a polynomial space embedded in a Fock space of complex variables which carries all the irreducible representations of U(N) (or GLN ). The dimension of the invariant subspace is equal to the multiplicity occurring in the tensor product decomposition. Generalized Casimir operators are operators from the universal enveloping algebra of outer product U(N) groups that commute with the diagonal U(N) action and whose eigenvalues can be used to label the multiplicity. Using the notion of dual representations we show how to rewrite the generalized Casimir operators and prove that they act invariantly on the invariant subspace. A complete set of commuting generalized Casimir operators can therefore be used to construct eigenvectors that form an orthonormal basis in the invariant subspace. Different sets of generalized commuting Casimir operators generate different orthonormal bases in the invariant subspace; the overlaps between the eigenvectors of different commuting sets of generalized Casimir operators are called invariant coefficients. We show that Racah coefficients are special cases of invariant coefficients in which the generalized Casimir operators have been chosen with respect to a definite coupling scheme in the tensor product. The paper concludes with an example of the threefold tensor product of the eight-dimensional irreducible representation of U(3) in which the multiplicity of the chosen irreducible representation is 6. Eigenvectors in the six-dimensional invariant subspace are computed for different sets of generalized Casimir operators and invariant coefficients, including Racah coefficients.
Prognostic significance of neuroendocrine differentiation in patients with Gleason score 8-10 prostate cancer treated with primary radiotherapy.

Purpose To determine the prognostic significance of neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) in Gleason score 8–10 prostate cancer treated with primary radiotherapy (RT). Methods and Materials Chromogranin A (CgA) staining was performed and overseen by a single pathologist on core biopsies from 176 patients from the William Beaumont prostate cancer database. A total of 143 had evaluable biopsy material. Staining was quantified as 0%, 10% of tumor cells. Patients received external beam RT alone or together with high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier estimates determined if the presence/frequency of neuroendocrine cells correlated with clinical endpoints. Results Median follow-up was 5.5 years. Forty patients (28%) had at least focal positive CgA staining ( n = 21, 1–10% n = 11, >10% n = 8). No significant differences existed between patients with or without staining in terms of age, pretreatment prostate-specific antigen, tumor stage, hormone therapy administration, % biopsy core involvement, mean Gleason score, or RT dose/modality. CgA staining concentration independently predicted for biochemical and clinical failure, distant metastases (DM), and cause-specific survival (CSS). For patients with 1% staining, 10-year DM rates were 13.4% vs. 55.3%, respectively ( p = 0.001), and CSS was 91.7% vs. 58.9% ( p Conclusions For Gleason score 8–10 prostate cancer, >1% NED is associated with inferior clinical outcomes for patients treated with radiotherapy. This relates most directly to an increase in distant disease failure.
The effects of sea urchin grazing and drift algal blooms on a subtropical seagrass bed community

Abstract Subtropical seagrass beds can be subject to relatively high levels of direct herbivory and large blooms of drift algae, both of which can have important effects on the floral and faunal components of the community. Caging experiments were used to investigate these factors in a Thalassia testudinum bed in Biscayne Bay, Florida. Abundance of sea urchins, Lytechinus variegatus, and drift algae was manipulated within the cages. Naturally occurring levels of urchin grazing do not appear to affect the T. testudinum population. With experimentally increased urchin densities in the winter, seagrass shoot density and aboveground biomass decreased significantly. Similar effects were not detected in the summer, indicating that the impact of grazing on T. testudinum is lessened during this time of year. Shoot density was more vulnerable to grazing than aboveground biomass. This may be a result of grazing-induced increases in seagrass productivity, in which the remaining shoots produce more or longer leaves. In the winter, drift algal blooms form large mats that cover the seagrass canopy. Under the normal grazing regime these algal blooms do not have significant negative effects on the seagrass. With increased grazing pressure, however, there is a synergistic effect of grazing and drift algae on seagrass shoot density. At intermediate urchin density (10 per m−2), cages without algae did not undergo significant decreases in shoot density, while those with algae did. At the high density of urchins, the number of seagrass shoots in cages both with and without algae decreased, but the effect was more pronounced for cages with algae. Invertebrate abundance at the field site was low relative to other seagrass beds. There were no discernible effects, either positive or negative, of urchin and algae manipulations on the sampled invertebrate community.
Evolving role definitions through permission invocation patterns

In role-based access control (RBAC), roles are traditionally defined as sets of permissions. Roles specified by administrators may be inaccurate, however, such that data mining methods have been proposed to learn roles from actual permission utilization. These methods minimize variation from an information theoretic perspective, but they neglect the expert knowledge of administrators. In this paper, we propose a strategy to enable a controlled evolution of RBAC based on utilization. To accomplish this goal, we extend a subset enumeration framework to search candidate roles for an RBAC model that addresses an objective function which balances administrator beliefs and permission utilization. The rate of role evolution is controlled by an administrator-specified parameter. To assess effectiveness, we perform an empirical analysis using simulations, as well as a real world dataset from an electronic medical record system (EMR) in use at a large academic medical center (over 8000 users, 140 roles, and 140 permissions). We compare the results with several state-of-the-art role mining algorithms using 1) an outlier detection method on the new roles to evaluate the homogeneity of their behavior and 2)a set-based similarity measure between the original and new roles. The results illustrate our method is comparable to the state-of-the-art, but allows for a range of RBAC models which tradeoff user behavior and administrator expectations. For instance, in the EMR dataset, we find the resulting RBAC model contains 22% outliers and a distance of 0.02 to the original RBAC model when the system is biased toward administrator belief, and 13% outliers and a distance of 0.26 to the original RBAC model when biased toward permission utilization.
Ice/metal interfaces: fracture energy and fractography

Results are presented of the fracture tests of ice/metal interfaces in an attempt to utilize fracture mechanics to characterize the failure of ice/solid adhesion. The four-point bending delamination specimen was used to measure the fracture energy of ice/aluminium and ice/steel joints at — 15 °C. The interfacial fracture energy was found to be dependent on ice type and formation procedure of the ice/metal composites. Crack growth was in a manner of asymmetrical bursting, and both cohesive and adhesive failure mechanisms were observed. Although the fracture of ice/metal interfaces was brittle in nature, the evidence of dislocation slip in ice crystals, as revealed by etching and replicating, suggests that microplastic deformations occur in the ice component.
Friction‐reducing and antioxidant capabilities of engine oil additive systems under oxidative conditions. II. Understanding ligand exchange in a molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate/zinc dialkyldithiophosphate additive system in various base oils

The ligand-exchange reactions between molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate, Mo(dtc)2, and zinc dialkyldithiophosphate, Zn(dtp)2, have been investigated during inhibited oxidation in a model hydrocarbon (hexadecane) and in a series of Group I–IV base oils at 160°C. These investigations revealed that the ligand exchange leads to formation of single-exchange products, Mo(dtc)(dtp) and Zn(dtp)(dtc), and double-exchange products, Mo(dtp)2 and Zn(dtc)2, and that the extent of the exchange is significantly affected by oxidation and inhibition reactions involving the original additives, the ligand-exchange products, the base oil, and base oil-derived oxidation products. It is concluded that there are two reaction sequences that control the product distribution and additive consumption during oxidation in different base oils. The first sequence involves the formation of peroxy radicals and hydroperoxides, and the decomposition of hydroperoxides by Zn(dtp)2 and Zn(dtp)(dtc). One of the most important factors affecting this sequence is the base oil oxidisability. The second sequence involves inhibition of oxidation by peroxy radical-trapping antioxidants naturally present in or added to the oil, or formed during the oxidation. Zn(dtc)2 and Zn(dtp)(dtc) appear to be very effective in this respect and are, therefore, preferentially consumed. This preferential consumption shifts the ligand-exchange equilibrium towards the formation of Mo(dtc)(dtp) and Mo(dtp)2. The combined effect of the two sequences depends on base oil properties. The first sequence predominates in base oils exhibiting high oxidisability (e.g., in Group I oils) and the second in paraffinic oils, such as Group III and IV oils, having low oxidisability and no sulphur or aromatics. the retention of friction-reducing capability with the Mo(dtc)2/Zn(dtp)2 additive system during oxidation appears to be tied to the first sequence, which leads to consumption of Zn (dtp)2, since the friction-reducing capability ceases when Zn (dtp)2 is consumed and hydroperoxides can accumulate in the system. Consequently, the best retention of friction-reducing capability is achieved in bases oils with low oxidisability.
Tracking the hyoid bone in videofluoroscopic swallowing studies

Difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, has become a growing problem. Swallowing complications can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, respiratory infection, and even death. The current gold standard for analyzing and diagnosing dysphagia is the videofluoroscopic barium swallow study. In these studies, a fluoroscope is used to image the patient ingesting barium solutions of different volumes and viscosities. The hyoid bone anchors many key muscles involved in swallowing and plays a key role in the process. Abnormal hyoid bone motion during a swallow can indicate swallowing dysfunction. Currently in clinical settings, hyoid bone motion is assessed qualitatively, which can be subject to intra-rater and inter-rater bias. This paper presents a semi-automatic method for tracking the hyoid bone that makes quantitative analysis feasible. The user defines a template of the hyoid on one frame, and this template is tracked across subsequent frames. The matching phase is optimized by predicting the position of the template based on kinematics. An expert speech pathologist marked the position of the hyoid on each frame of ten studies to serve as the gold standard. Results from performing Bland-Altman analysis at a 95% confidence interval showed a bias of 0.0±0.08 pixels in x and -0.08±0.09 pixels in y between the manually-defined gold standard and the proposed method. The average Pearson's correlation between the gold standard and the proposed method was 0.987 in x and 0.980 in y. This paper also presents a method for automatically establishing a patient-centric coordinate system for the interpretation of hyoid motion. This coordinate system corrects for upper body patient motion during the study and identifies superior-inferior and anterior-posterior motion components. These tools make the use of quantitative hyoid motion analysis feasible in clinical and research settings.
Induced Multi - Gluon Couplings and the Neutron Electric Dipole Moment

Weinberg recently pointed out that purely gluonic operators that violate CP, like in particular the dimension six operator GGG can be induced via electroweak radiative corrections; such an operator would generate a non-vanishing value for the neutron electric dipole moment. We generalize that discussion by analyzing various classes of models for CP violation. We also present an alternative procedure for estimating the size of the relevant hadronic matrix element. We find that this yields considerably smaller values; this comes on top of the recent observation that QCD radiative corrections greatly reduce the weight of the GGG operator. Nevertheless this operator can still have some phenomenological impact, in particular if there exists an extended Higgs sector containing CP violation.
Origin of the Boltzmann translational energy distribution in the scattering of hyperthermal Ne atoms off a self-assembled monolayer

A classical trajectory simulation is performed to study the dynamics of Ne-atom scattering off an n-hexyl thiolate self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The energy distribution of the scattered Ne-atoms may be deconvoluted into a Boltzmann component based on the surface temperature and a remaining non-Boltzmann high energy component. The former component becomes as large as 100% at low Ne-atom incident energies and appears to assume a high incident energy asymptotic value of ∽0.2–0.3 for incident angles less than 50°. This Boltzmann component does not arise from a Ne–SAM intermediate, since the vast majority of the collisions are direct with only one inner turning point in the Ne+SAM motion. Instead, it has varying contributions from trajectories which directly scatter from and those that penetrate the SAM. The translation (T)→vibration (V) energy transfer mechanism for the former class of trajectories may have similarities to exit-channel T→V coupling in models of unimolecular dissociation. SAM penetration becomes more important as the initial translational energy Ei is increased, resulting in both efficient and inefficient energy transfer. The latter results from repulsive forces as the Ne-atom is ‘‘ expelled’’ from the SAM. For incident angles less than 50° the size of the Boltzmann component scales with the total incident energy Ei reflecting equivalent energy transfer probabilities from the normal and parallel components of Ei. Such a result is consistent with the corrugated SAM surface. Penetration of the SAM scales with the normal component of Ei for small incident angles θi and Ei . Both the Boltzmann component to the transitional energy distribution of the scattered Ne atom, P(Ei) and SAM penetration become negligible for an increase in θi from 45° to 60°, suggesting an abrupt transition in the collision dynamics. The angular distributions for the scattered Ne-atoms are random for low initial energies Ei and θi, reflecting the surface corrugation and not the presence of an actual Ne–SAM intermediate. At high Ei and θi the scattering is non-random, preferring to remain in the incident plane with the parallel component of Ei conserved. This study shows there are ambiguities in associating a trapping desorption intermediate with statistical gas–surface scattering attributes, such as a Boltzmann component, in the translational energy distribution and a random angular distribution.
The development of negative skin tests in children treated with venom immunotherapy

Abstract Twenty-eight of 62 children (45%) with a history of sting-induced anaphylaxis and initially positive skin tests to venom(s) developed negative venom skin tests to one or more of the venoms used in their treatment after 3 yr or more of immunotherapy. Children who developed negative venom skin tests were less sensitive prior to treatment, as judged by venom skin tests and venom specific IgE antibody determinations, than children who maintained positive venom skin tests. Levels of venom-specific IgE antibodies declined with time in most children, but to lower levels in those with negative skin tests. Venom specific IgG antibody levels were similar in both patients with negative skin tests and those with persistently positive skin tests. The development of negative skin tests may reflect a loss of allergic sensitivity, which is sufficient to allow the physician to consider the discontinuation of venom injections.
Collapse of compacted clayey sand

Compacted soils wetted under load can both swell and collapse (subside) depending on their condition and the magnitude of the vertical overburden stress. One‐dimensional compression tests were conducted to clarify the influences of compaction method, compaction water content, relative compaction, vertical stress level, and load‐wetting sequence on post‐compaction wetting‐induced volume changes in a moderately plastic clayey sand. Compaction method and load‐wet sequence had only a minor effect on wetting‐induced collapse. The double‐odometer test was judged to be sufficiently accurate for use in evaluating wetting‐induced collapse. Both swelling and collapse were reduced or eliminated by compacting the soil at water contents on the wet side of the line of optimums for impact compaction. Collapse, but not swelling, could also be reduced by compacting the soil to high levels of relative compaction. By plotting isograms of volume changes in the compaction water content‐relative compaction space, combinations ...
Posterior polymorphous dystrophy of the cornea: Cell culture studies

Four corneal buttons were obtained as keratoplasty specimens from patients with posterior polymorphous dystrophy (PPMD) of the cornea. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of cell cultures of corneal endothelial cells revealed the presence of epithelial-like cells as well as ‘normal’ endothelial cells. The epithelial-like cells displayed myriad microvillus projections, stratification, desmosomal junctions and 8 nm cytoplasmic filaments. Indirect immunofluorescent staining of the PPMD corneal sections and cell cultures with antisera prepared against total human epidermal keratins disclosed areas of staining corresponding to the epithelial-like cells observed by electron microscopy and dark nonstaining areas corresponding to ‘normal’ endothelial cells.
Competition Has Not Lowered U.S. Industrial Electricity Prices

Previous studies have shown that significant price reductions resulted from deregulation in airlines, trucking, railroads, and natural gas. Retail electricity price data from 1990 through 2003 show no such benefit to industrial customers.
Effect of parental coronary artery disease on adverse effects of the metabolic syndrome and aging on carotid artery intima-media thickness (from the Bogalusa Heart Study).

Genetic susceptibility is considered an important predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its risk factors. This study was conducted to assess the hypothesis that parental CAD, a surrogate measure of genetic susceptibility, increases the vulnerability of the arterial wall to adverse effects of the metabolic syndrome and the aging process in asymptomatic young adults. The study cohort consisted of 1,073 black and white subjects (29.1% black, 43.7% male) aged 25 to 44 years. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid, carotid bulb, and internal carotid segments was measured using B-mode ultrasound. Subjects with parental CAD had greater composite (average of 3 segments) carotid IMT (0.839 vs 0.802 mm, p = 0.04) and a higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (20.7% vs 13.3%, p
On gender role violations and judgments made about euthanasia: a research note.

The impact of perceived gender role violations on the willingness of evaluators to label a deadly act to "end suffering" as euthanasia was explored in two studies. It was predicted that "killing" (even mercy killing) would be perceived as more role contradictory for a female actor than for a male actor. Therefore, it was expected that the deadly actions of a female actor would be judged as less justified (i.e., less likely to be labeled as euthanasia) than the same action committed by a male actor. A total of 486 undergraduates participated in one of two studies. It was found that although perceptions of justification for a deadly act were clearly influenced by whether or not the method of action taken was direct and proactive (commission) vs. indirect and passive (omission), the gender of the actor did not impact differently on the judgments of the participants. Possible explanations and future research directions are discussed.
Fish Biliary PAH Metabolites Estimated by Fixed-wavelength Fluorescence as an Indicator of Environmental Exposure and Effects

Abstract Biliary polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites have been studied since the mid 1980s as an indicator of exposure of fish to PAHs. However, the measurements of PAH metabolites are often costly and time-consuming. A simple and rapid method, fixed-wavelength fluorescence (FF), was used to measure the concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P)-type and naphthalene (NAPH)-type PAH metabolites in the bile of brown bullheads ( Ameiurus nebulosus ) collected from Old Woman Creek, Ottawa River, Cuyahoga River-harbor and Cuyahoga River-upstream. The biliary PAH metabolites in fish from the less contaminated Old Woman Creek were significantly lower than those from the industrially contaminated Ottawa and Cuyahoga rivers. The levels of biliary PAH metabolites were found to be related to the PAH sediment contamination for the four sites except Cuyahoga River-upstream, and to the prevalence of fish barbel abnormalities and external raised lesions observed in all rivers except Ottawa. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between the occurrence of barbel abnormalities and concentrations of biliary NAPH-type metabolites and between the occurrence of raised lesions and concentrations of B[a]P-type metabolites. This study provides added evidence that FF is an effective bile analysis method for determining the exposure of fish to PAHs. This study also indicates that the measurement of PAH metabolites could help establish causal relationship between the chemical exposure and effects such as barbel abnormalities and raised lesions.
Acceptance of novel flavours is increased after early experience of diverse tastes.

WE believe that the more an animal experiences diversity of flavours at one time the more it will accept novel flavours later. Thus, rats given several distinctive flavours early in life would be more likely to accept an unfamiliar flavour later than would rats whose early gustatory experiences have been less varied. This hypothesis has had some empirical support in the literature. Kuo1, for example, mentions pilot research suggesting that cats, dogs and mynah birds raised on restricted diets for extended periods avoided new food, while others of their kind reared on varied diets ate novel foods readily. We have now found a similar effect with rats using flavoured solutions rather than solid foods.
Behavioral dimensions of intercultural effectiveness: A replication and extension☆

Abstract Previous research has identified three general behavioral skill/ability domains that North American sojourners perceive as important in facilitating their intercultural effectiveness. These three dimensions are: (a) the ability to manage psychological stress; (b) the ability to effectively communicate; and (c) the ability to establish interpersonal relationships. The present study represents an attempt to replicate findings from previous research. That is, the present study employed confirmatory factor analysis to test the degree to which the three factor model identified above provides a reasonable fit to data obtained from 210 North American sojourners who lived three months or longer in a foreign culture. Results indicate that this three factor model provides a good fit to the data, offering additional confirmation of the perceived importance of the general abilities of managing stress, effectively communicating, and establishing interpersonal relationships in facilitating sojourner effective functioning in a foreign culture.
Isolation and Characterization of the Human Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Gene in the Hypothalamus and Placenta

The GnRH gene has been cloned in several species, but the location of the promoter and the exact start of transcription have not previously been determined. To characterize the low abundance human GnRH mRNA in the hypothalamus and placenta, we have employed the polymerase chain reaction. The hypothalamus was found to have a 61-base pair first exon, and its transcriptional start site was determined. The human hypothalamic GnRH cDNAs isolated thus far have all contained a short 5′ untranslated region which would correspond to this start site. However, all human placental GnRH cDNAs reported to date have a long 5′ untranslated region, which extends more than 140-base pairs 5′ to this start site in the hypothalamus, suggesting the utilization of an alternative promoter in the placenta. In addition, the human GnRH gene undergoes differential splicing in these tissues. The first intron is removed from the hypothalamic, but retained in the placental, GnRH mRNA. Thus, the placenta has a very long first exon, whil...
The dynamic determinants of reaction specificity in the IMPDH/GMPR family of (β/α)8 barrel enzymes

The inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH)/guanosine monophosphate reductase (GMPR) family of (β/α)(8) enzymes presents an excellent opportunity to investigate how subtle changes in enzyme structure change reaction specificity. IMPDH and GMPR bind the same ligands with similar affinities and share a common set of catalytic residues. Both enzymes catalyze a hydride transfer reaction involving a nicotinamide cofactor hydride, and both reactions proceed via the same covalent intermediate. In the case of IMPDH, this intermediate reacts with water, while in GMPR it reacts with ammonia. In both cases, the two chemical transformations are separated by a conformational change. In IMPDH, the conformational change involves a mobile protein flap while in GMPR, the cofactor moves. Thus reaction specificity is controlled by differences in dynamics, which in turn are controlled by residues outside the active site. These findings have some intriguing implications for the evolution of the IMPDH/GMPR family.