cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overseeing the Refugee Convention: NGO/National Linkages

At the Ministerial Meeting of States Parties to the 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Refugee Protocol held in Geneva on Dec. 12-13, states agreed formally to pursue efforts to reinforce effective implementation of their refugee protection treaty obligations. To that end, the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), in collaboration with the University of Michigan's Program in Refugee and Asylum Law, convened a Global Consultation on International Protection in Geneva on Dec. 11. That meeting launched a process of careful review of options for the establishment of an independent supervisory mechanism for international refugee law based on a series of Working Papers. The introductory paper, "Taking Oversight of Refugee Law Seriously," by Prof. James Hathaway of the University of Michigan Law School, makes the case for genuinely independent supervision of the Refugee Convention. In particular, it argues that scholars and activists must not be intimidated by institutional insistence that oversight of the Refugee Convention be a function exclusively of the UNHCR. The High Commissioner's duty to supervise implementation of the Convention and the more general obligation of state parties to take collective responsibility to oversee implementation of their treaty obligations are, in fact, compatible - not mutually exclusive - responsibilities. The first four Working Papers in the series consider the usefulness in the context of the Refugee Convention of the most widely used mechanisms of treaty supervision which, as forcefully argued by Harvard's Professor Henry Steiner, are mutually reinforcing and interdependent processes. The final three papers speak to the process of overseeing the Refugee Convention. Working Paper No. 5 draws the lessons from other treaty bodies' experience in involving both national and international NGOs in their work, and of linking the work of a supervisory body to the possibility of direct enforcement by judges and human rights commissions in state parties.
Dynamic Factor Graphs for Time Series Modeling

This article presents a method for training Dynamic Factor Graphs (DFG) with continuous latent state variables. A DFG includes factors modeling joint probabilities between hidden and observed variables, and factors modeling dynamical constraints on hidden variables. The DFG assigns a scalar energy to each configuration of hidden and observed variables. A gradient-based inference procedure finds the minimum-energy state sequence for a given observation sequence. Because the factors are designed to ensure a constant partition function, they can be trained by minimizing the expected energy over training sequences with respect to the factors' parameters. These alternated inference and parameter updates can be seen as a deterministic EM-like procedure. Using smoothing regularizers, DFGs are shown to reconstruct chaotic attractors and to separate a mixture of independent oscillatory sources perfectly. DFGs outperform the best known algorithm on the CATS competition benchmark for time series prediction. DFGs also successfully reconstruct missing motion capture data.
Low ambiguity in strong, total, associative, one-way functions

Rabi and Sherman present a cryptographic paradigm based on associative, one-way functions that are strong (i.e., hard to invert even if one of their arguments is given) and total. Hemaspaandra and Rothe proved that such powerful one-way functions exist exactly if (standard) one-way functions exist, thus showing that the associative one-way function approach is as plausible as previous approaches. In the present paper, we study the degree of ambiguity of one-way functions. Rabiand Sherman showed that no associative one-way function (over a universe having at least two elements) can be unambiguous (i.e., one-to-one). Nonetheless, we prove that if standard, unambiguous, one-way functions exist, then there exist strong, total, associative, one-way functions that are $\mathcal{O}(n)$-to-one. This puts a reasonable upper bound on the ambiguity.
Tax Planning and Financial Expertise in the Audit Committee

Specialized knowledge allows expert directors to provide valuable advice while simultaneously monitoring managers. We investigate the advising and monitoring roles of corporate directors by examining the relation between firm tax planning and the level of financial expertise on the audit committee. Consistent with the advising function, we find that firms whose audit committees have high levels of accounting expertise are associated with higher levels of tax planning. Consistent with the monitoring function, we find that firms with higher levels of accounting expertise on the audit committee are associated with a lower likelihood of engaging in risky tax planning. Despite controlling for CEO compensation, we find that the strength of corporate governance is associated with an overall reduction in both tax planning and risky tax planning. In contrast, we find evidence that firms with higher levels of non-accounting financial expertise on the audit committee exhibit a significantly higher likelihood of engaging in risky tax planning.
Song Variety in the Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)

Field recordings and playback experiments were conducted on brown thrashers (Toxostoma rufum) in central Massachusetts in order to gather information about the consequences and circumstances of song versatility in this species. The results show the birds to have a large song repertoire in excess of 1,100 song-types or 2,400 figure-types. The pattern of introduction of novel figure-types differed significantly from that predicted from a fixed repertoire model. Some song parameters varied systematically between the two individuals studied and between the different samples of one individual. Brown thrashers in the field responded differently to songs of different versatility but not to songs of different patterns of song parameter variation. Zusammenfassung Am Gesang des zu den Spottdrosseln gehorenden Rotsichelspotters Toxostoma rufum wurde die kommunikative Bedeutung der Variabiliat untersucht. Von zwei Mannchen auserte eins 1147 Gesangstypen in 1910, das andere 1116 Typen in 1971 Gesangen. Auf vorgespielte Gesange reagierten sie starker, wenn nur 25 statt 200 Gesangstypen darin enthalten waren. Eine Analyse von Freilandaufnahmen ergab, das die Variabiliat und andere Merkmale des Gesanges sowohl zwischen Individuen wie auch zwischen verschiedenen Wochen derselben Saison wechseln; aber nur wenige der Merkmalsunterschiede liesen sich okologisch wichtigen Faktoren zuordnen.
Blur identification and image restoration using a multilayer neural network

A neural network model combining an adaptive heteroassociative network and an adaptive autoassociative network with a random Gaussian process is proposed to identify the noncausal blur function and to restore the blurred image at the same time. The noisy blurred images are modeled as continuous associative networks, where the autoassociative part determines the image model coefficients and the heteroassociative part determines the blur function of the system. The estimation and restoration are implemented by using an iterative steepest descent algorithm to minimize the error functions of the networks. Experiment results demonstrate that effective identification and restoration can be performed. >
Analysis of gas chromatography pulse dispersion data for the system n‐butane/zeolite nay

An analysis of gas chromatography pulse dispersion data for the system n-butane/zeolite NaY is presented. The data were analyzed in terms of two models, an intracrystalline diffusion limiting model and a surface barrier model. Both models provided acceptable fits to the pulse dispersion data; however, the temperature dependence of the apparent mass transport parameters strongly suggests that a surface barrier is responsible for the observed transport resistance. The Henry's law constants were independent of choice of model and the isosteric heat of sorption was consistent with literature values.
Angular Compensation For Multiline Dispersion In Raman Amplifiers

In a Raman amplifier pumped by a multiline laser, it is well-known that dispersion in the Raman medium may decouple the Raman gains of the lines from each other. The small-signal gain of each line is then reduced by the fraction of the total pump power in each line. If these gains are very different from each other, then the overall conversion efficiency to the Stokes-shifted output may be limited by the difficulty in optimizing the amplifier cell length for all lines simultaneously. We describe here how the gains may be completely coupled together to solve these problems by adjusting the relative angles between the input beams so as to compensate for medium dispersion, and thereby eliminate the four-wave mixing phase mismatch. The theoretical basis for the effect, different geometries for achieving coupling, and computer simulation results for sample cases are presented.
Influence of Adsorption and Catalytic Reaction on Sensing Properties of a Potentiometric La2CuO4 ∕ YSZ ∕ Pt Sensor

This study describes the gas-sensing properties of a La2CuO 4 /yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)/Pt potentiometric sensor and discusses its sensing mechanism in terms of the adsorptive and catalytic behavior of the electrode materials. The sensor is highly sensitive to NO, CO, and NO 2 , but virtually no response is observed for CO 2 and O 2 detection. Optimal NO sensing is obtained at ∼450°C. Above 500°C, there is an abrupt decrease in sensitivity. Below 400°C, there is a saturation of the response. The sensor is NO selective against O 2 , but its sensitivity is affected significantly by CO 2 and CO. This selectivity behavior is in good agreement with temperature-programmed desorption results, indicating that the NO response is very likely adsorption-related. For example, the NO chemisorption peak disappears in the presence ofCO 2 , which agrees with the sensor results showing a significant decrease in the NO sensitivity by CO 2 addition even though CO 2 itself shows no sensor response.
Synthesis and properties of a complex of polyriboguanylic acid and polyribocytidylic acid

RNA polymerase from Micrococcus lysodeikticus has been used to synthesize rG : rC† from rC and GTP. The rG: rC product appears to consist of one continuous rC strand and many short pieces of rG comprising the other strand. rG:rC is completely resistant to pancreatic RNase at 37°C. Attempts at thermal dissociation of the complex were unsuccessful. Dissociation can be achieved in alkali, for which the p K a is about 12·5 at 25°C. Alkaline dissociation is essentially reversible, but the complex formed by neutralization is distinguishable from the rG:rC synthesized initially. The density of rG:rC in cesium sulfate is 1·685.
Highly integrated CMOS RF SPDT switch with ESD and unit cell optimisation in MCM

Presented is the performance of a highly integrated RF single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch fabricated in a 0.18 µm bulk CMOS process and housed in a low-cost laminated multi-chip module (MCM-L) package. A switch controller is also implemented and consumes ∼40 µA from a 3.4 V supply. The switch, based upon the 1.8 V thin-oxide devices with resistive body-floating and unit cell layout optimisation techniques, achieves an insertion loss of 0.52/0.78 dB at 0.9/2.45 GHz, respectively. TX-to-RX isolation of > 29 dB and return loss of > 15 dB are achieved at these frequencies. The measured IP1dB of 21.7/21.2 dBm and IIP3 of 38.3/37.4 dBm are accomplished at 0.9/2.45 GHz, respectively. Finally, the switch achieves a RF electrostatic discharge (ESD) rating of 4 kV for the ± 2 kV human body model and 500 V for the ± 200 V machine model.
A positron annihilation study of an Fe14Nd2B-type permanent magnet alloy

Abstract A Dy-substituted Fe14Nd2B type permanent magnet alloy (Crumax 32) has been studied by positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) spectroscopy, and also magnetic coercivity and microstructural analysis, to evaluate the effects of thermal treatment of the material. The results of this preliminary study show that the room temperature lifetime spectra can be modeled accurately using a partially constrained three-component fit. The variations in lifetime spectra induced by thermal treatment of the sintered magnet can be correlated with the concomitant decreases in coercivity and with a decrease in the surface area of free α-Fe as indicated by transmission electron microscopy.
Estradiol modulates medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala activity during fear extinction in women and female rats.

Background Men and women differ in their ability to extinguish fear. Fear extinction requires the activation of brain regions, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and amygdala. Could estradiol modulate the activity of these brain regions during fear extinction? Methods All rat experiments were conducted in naturally cycling females. Rats underwent fear conditioning on Day 1. On Day 2, they underwent extinction training during the metestrus phase of the cycle (low estrogen and progesterone). Extinction recall was assessed on Day 3. Systemic injections of estrogen receptor-beta and -alpha agonists and of estradiol were administered at different time points to assess their influence on extinction consolidation and c-Fos expression in the vmPFC and amygdala. In parallel, healthy naturally cycling women underwent an analogous fear conditioning extinction training in a 3T functional magnetic resonance scanner. Measurement of their estradiol levels and skin conductance responses were obtained throughout the experiment. Results In female rats, administration of the estrogen-receptor beta (but not alpha) agonist facilitated extinction recall. Immediate (but not delayed) postextinction training administration of estradiol facilitated extinction memory consolidation and increased c-Fos expression in the vmPFC while reducing it in the amygdala. In parallel, natural variance in estradiol in premenopausal cycling women modulated vmPFC and amygdala reactivity and facilitated extinction recall. Conclusions We provide translational evidence that demonstrates the influence of endogenous and exogenous estradiol on the fear extinction network. Our data suggest that women's endogenous hormonal status should be considered in future neurobiological research related to anxiety and mood disorders.
Nitric oxide is essential for optimal meiotic maturation of murine cumulus-oocyte complexes in vitro.

This study was conducted to determine whether endothelial-derived nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) affects meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes in vitro. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were isolated from ovarian follicles of 27-day-old PMSG-primed wildtype (WT), and eNOS-knockout (eNOS-KO) females, and cultured in drops of medium under oil at 37 degrees C for 16-18 hr. Experiment 1 was carried out to determine effects of eNOS deficiency on the ability of COC to mature in vitro. To determine whether acute synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) was required for oocyte maturation, COC collected from WT mice were cultured in medium without (control) or with different doses of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NOS (exp. 2). To assess effects of NO deficiency on the kinetics of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), COC from WT and eNOS-KO females were observed for 3.5 hr. COC from WT females were also incubated in medium without or with L-NAME (exp. 3 and 4). After the culture period, cumulus cells were removed, and oocytes were counted and classified as metaphase II (M II), metaphase I (M I) or showing atypical (degenerative) morphology. To determine viability and nuclear morphology of oocytes, they were stained with fluorescein diacetate or 4,6-diamidine-2'-phenylindole dihydrochloride, respectively. There were no differences in body weights but ovarian weights were lower in eNOS-KO mice compared with WT mice (P < 0.05). Ovaries from eNOS-KO mice contained fewer COC collected relative to WT mice (P < 0.01). Maturation of COC from eNOS-KO mice or WT oocytes treated with L-NAME resulted in a lower percentage of oocytes at M II stage (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) and a higher percentage of oocytes at M I or atypical stages compared with those from WT (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Many oocytes that showed either an arrest in M I stage or abnormal morphology were not viable. Several oocytes in M II stage demonstrated abnormalities in distribution of maternal chromosomes. Our data demonstrate that eNOS-derived NO is a key modulator of oocyte meiotic maturation in vitro. These results support our previous observations in vivo and indicate that eNOS/NO has independent functions in both oocyte maturation and follicular/oocyte development.
Images on serving marijuana, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks.

The images on serving marijuana, beer, bourbon, and soft drinks at a small informal party were compared with use of a posttest only with a control group experimental design. A total of 249 Ss were ...
Liquefaction of subbituminous coals with a basic nitrogenous model process solvent

Abstract Liquefaction reactions in a tubing-bomb reactor have been carried out as a function of coal, coal sampling source, reaction time, atmosphere, temperature, coal pre-treatment, SRC post-treatment and process solvent. Pyridine as well as toluene conversions ranging from 70 to > 90 wt% involving both eastern bituminous and western subbituminous coals are obtained. 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) has been extensively used as a process solvent under optimized liquefaction conditions of 2:1 solvent: coal, 7.5 MPa H 2 , 691 K and 30 min reaction time. Comparisons of THQ with other model process solvents such as methylnaphthalene and tetralin are described. Liquefaction product yield for conversion of subbituminous coal is markedly decreased when surface water is removed from the coal by drying in vacuo at room temperature prior to liquefaction. The effect of mixing THQ with Wilsonville hydrogenated process solvent in the liquefaction of Wyodak and Indiana V coals is described.
The Influence of Exercise on an Unstable Surface on the Physical Function and Muscle Strength of Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee

[Purpose] This study investigated the influence of exercise on an unstable surface on ROM of the knee, muscle strength and the physical function of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. [Subjects] The subjects were 30 patients diagnosed with degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee, they were divided into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). [Methods] The experimental group performed exercise using an aero step XL (TOGU, Germany) 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. A control group performed the same exercise on a stable surface and without aero step XL. [Results] After the intervention, the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in active knee flexion, knee joint manual muscle test (MMT), knee joint MMT hamstring and WOMAC score. [Conclusion] Exercise on the unstable surface improved the symptoms of patient with osteoarthritis. Exercise on an unstable surface might be helpful for improving the muscle strength and alignment of lower extremities as well as improving physical function related to the knee joint.
Venous air embolism following orogenital sex during pregnancy

Venous air embolism is an infrequent complication of pregnancy but may occur if air is blown into the vagina during orogenital sex. Air passes beneath the fetal membranes and into the circulation of the subplacental sinuses, invariably causing death to both mother and fetus within minutes. Reported is the case of a nonfatal air embolism following vaginal air insufflation in the 38th week of pregnancy. The hospital course was complicated by hypotension, metabolic acidosis, acute neurologic changes, and emergency caesarean section with eventual fetal demise. Clinical and laboratory abnormalities as well as treatment measures are discussed. Familiarity with this syndrome is essential if prompt and appropriate therapy is to be rendered.
Is testosterone metabolized to estrogen in the forebrain of the Rockland-Swiss mouse?

Abstract The nuclear uptake and retention of [3H]testosterone or one of its metabolites was examined in the Rockland-Swiss (R-S) mouse. Castrated male and female mice were injected with 0.2 μg of testosterone [1,2,6,7-3H(N)] per 100 g body weight and killed 1.5 h later. The brains were removed and processed for autoradiography. A nuclear localization of [3H]testosterone or one of its metabolites was found in the nucleus (n.) interstitialis striae terminalis and the n. amygdaloideus medialis. This localization is very different from that reported in another strain of mouse after the injection of [3H]dihydrotestosterone. Together with previous reports, these data suggest: (1) that aromatization of T to E2 in the forebrain of the R-S mouse is of minimal consequence; (2) there may be differences in uptake of T or its metabolites in different strains of mice; and (3) different androgens may exhibit unique patterns of nuclear uptake and retention.
Efficacy and time-efficiency of a "sonographer-driven" contrast echocardiography protocol in a high-volume echocardiography laboratory.

Background Contrast echocardiography (CE) has not gained widespread use despite numerous studies demonstrating its efficacy in the assessment of left ventricular (LV) function. Methods We sought to determine whether CE could be used in a high-volume echocardiography laboratory in a clinically effective and time efficient manner. We implemented a protocol with a feasibility phase and an established phase. Cost-benefit analyses were done on the basis of time use. Results During the feasibility and established phases, data on 119 and 672 patients, respectively, were obtained. After a “sonographer-driven” protocol, contrast studies represented 7% to 8% of the total number of routine transthoracic and stress studies. Stress studies accounted for only 15% of the total number of contrast studies. Obesity was the most common indication for contrast use. LV visualization indices and wall thickening assessment, as evaluated by 2 blinded readers, were significantly improved with CE compared with second harmonic imaging alone. The time to make the decision to use CE and the time taken to administer contrast decreased significantly from the feasibility phase to the established phase (8.3 ± 5 vs 7.6 ± 5 min, P < .01, and 13.4 ± 10 vs 10.2 ± 5 min, P < .001, respectively). On the basis of time use only, a cost analysis indicated that savings were obtained at a 10-minute reduction in study time. Conclusions A “sonographer-driven” CE protocol for LV assessment is feasible in high-volume echocardiography laboratories. It is clinically effective because it significantly improves LV global and regional wall motion visualization. A “sonographer-driven” CE protocol can reduce decision and administration times substantially, thus making CE time-efficient. (Am Heart J 2003;145:535-41.)
Blockade of bicuculline-induced pressor and tachycardic responses by forebrain administration of muscimol.

To determine whether i.v. administered bicuculline acts in the forebrain to increase arterial blood pressure and heart rate, this agent was administered i.v. to chloralose anesthetized cats that had muscimol injected into and restricted to the forebrain ventricles. Bicuculline (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) given alone increased arterial pressure by 56 +/- 8 mm Hg and heart rate by 45 +/- 11 beats/min. Bicuculline given to animals exposed to muscimol exhibited no increase in either of these parameters. Muscimol localized to the forebrain did not alter the pressor response to a non-GABA antagonist agent, strychnine, indicating a specific interaction of the drugs with GABA receptors in the forebrain.
Some late-term thoughts of a density-functional theorist

Fourteen problems are stated within the density-functional theory of molecular electronic structure. Their alleviation will bring the subject closer to maturity.
Floral Inducing Extract from Xanthium

Flower formation was initiated in Lemna by acetone extracts of flowering cocklebur (Xanthium). These extracts also initiated flower formation in Xanthium when they were supplemented with gibberellic acid. No flower formation was initiated in dluckweed (Lemna) or Xanthium by extracts from vegetative Xanthium. Extracts from vegetative plants supplemented ivith gibberellic acid did not initiate flowers in Xanthium or Lemna.
Increased urinary urobilinogen following acute myocardial infarction.

A study was conducted of the serial urinary urobilinogen excretion in patients with acute myocardial infarction, using Watson's semiquantitative method. Increased excretion was observed in some 90 per cent of the subjects with infarcts confirmed by the electrocardiogram and in more than half of the subjects where the electrocardiogram was not conclusive. The degree and duration of increased urinary urobilinogen had no apparent bearing upon prognosis. It is postulated that the altered urobilinogen excretion is induced by hepatic effects of the stress reaction incident to acute myocardial infarction.
Direct numerical simulations of evaporating droplet dispersion in forced low Mach number turbulence

Abstract Dispersion of evaporating droplets in forced low Mach number isotropic turbulence is studied using direct numerical simulation (DNS). The carrier phase is treated in the Eulerian frame, the droplets are tracked in the Lagrangian frame, and a (realistic) two-way coupling is considered. The results of the simulations are used to investigate the effects of the initial droplet time constant, the initial mass loading ratio, the initial droplet temperature, the latent heat of evaporation, the boiling temperature, and the initial vapor mass fraction on the droplet size, the temperature fields, and the vapor mass fraction. The DNS results indicate that the evaporation rate is nonlinear during the early times. The pdfs of the droplet diameter are skewed towards smaller droplets, however, they may be approximated as Gaussian for small mass loading ratios. An examination of the mean vapor mass fraction indicates that the mixture becomes nearly saturated at long times. The evolution of the fluctuating vapor mass fraction is investigated by considering the transport equation for the variance of this quantity.
Harmonic optimization of a periodic flow wind tunnel

This work describes a wind-tunnel modification designed to superpose on the mean velocity sinusoidal longitudinal velocity fluctuations with minimal harmonic content. The technique is presented in light of a theoretical analysis of the low-frequency performance illustrating how harmonic suppression can be achieved with this particular design. Velocity fluctuations are produced by a system of primary rotating vanes and a bypass containing a secondary set of rotating vanes. Experimental data on tunnel performance are also presented. A significant reduction of the second harmonic content of the freestream velocity oscillations was achieved by adjustment of the bypass flow.
Effects of Chloral Hydrate, γ-Butyrolactone, and Equithesin on the Efflux of Dopamine and 5-Hydroxytryptamine Metabolites into Cerebroventricular Perfusates of Rats

Chloral hydrate, gamma-butyrolactone, and Equithesin are general anesthetics which have been employed in a variety of neurochemical and electrophysiological experiments. The effects of these anesthetics on the efflux of dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolites into lateral cerebroventricular perfusates were determined in rats bearing chronically implanted cannulas. Chloral hydrate and Equithesin increased, whereas gamma-butyrolactone decreased, the efflux of the dopamine metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid. None of the anesthetics had a consistent effect on the efflux of the 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid.
Facilitated acquisition of the classically conditioned eyeblink response in male rats after systemic IL-1β

Exposure to inescapable stressors enhances cue—dependent learning in male rats; enhanced learning is apparent as facilitated acquisition of the classically conditioned eyeblink respouse (CCER). The proinflammatory cytokines, in particular interleukin (IL)-1β, are presumed to orchestrate a number of acute-phase stress responses in rats, most notably fever, reduced feeding, and inactivity. Little is known of the impact proinflammatory cytokines have on learning and memory processes. Here, we address the effects of IL-1β treatment on acquisition of the classically conditioned eyeblink response 2 hours [?] after injection in male rats. Training was accomplished with a delay-type paradigm (500-ms conditional stimulus coterminating with a 10-ms periorbital unconditional stimulation). Facilitated acquisition was clearly apparent in rats treated with IL-1β (3.0 μg/kg). In a second experiment, we compared rats treated with 3.0 μg/kg to those treated with 1.0 μg/kg. Facilitated acquisition was reproduced, but the lower dose did not appreciably affect acquisition. These data further support contentions that IL-1β has anxiogenic properties, affecting basic new motor learning in a manner similar to that observed after exposure to stress.
Effect of doping fulllerene soots with metals on the conversion of methane into higher hydrocarbons

We have previously demonstrated that fullerene soots catalyze hydrogen-transfer reactions that are useful for hydrocarbon processing, including conversion of methane into higher hydrocarbons. In this paper we describe the effect of doping fullerene soot with alkali and transition metals for converting methane and other light hydrocarbons. The fullerene soot was found to lower the temperature threshold for methane activation compared to other carbons; however, the selectivity to C2 hydrocarbons was quite low (20%). In contrast, when the soot was doped with metals such as Mn or K, the overall yield of hydrocarbons increased and selectivities as high as 80% were achieved. When potassium was used as a dopant, the selectivity to C3 and C4 hydrocarbons also increased.
Lotic Habitat Availability and Use by Channel Catfish in the Red River of the North

ABSTRACT Comparisons of habitat use to availability suggested that cover and low velocity refugia were preferentially selected by channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in the Red River of the North. We did not find greater depth to be selected as has been suggested in other studies; however, we examined only summer, daytime habitat use. We defined habitat variables as being selected when used by radio-tagged channel catfish in greater proportion than available in the environment. Channel catfish selected habitat with greater cover density and percent cover (two-six cover structures and 10–40% cover by area) and lesser velocity (< 0.6 m/s) and distance to cover (often < 10 m). It appeared that cover, primarily in the form of large woody debris, was important habitat for channel catfish and is necessary for conservation. It is likely that lower velocities associated with cover result in substantial reduction in the energetic cost of holding position in lotic systems.
REGULATION OF DIRECTED MOTILITY IN MYXOCOCCUS XANTHUS

Myxococcus xanthus is a Gram-negative bacterium that exhibits a complex life cycle. During vegetative growth, cells move as large swarms. However, when starved, cells aggregate into fruiting bodies and sporulate. Both vegetative swarming and developmental aggregation require gliding motility, which involves the slow movement of cells on a solid surface in the absence of flagella. The frequency of cell reversals controls the direction of movement and is regulated by the frz genes, which encode the 'frizzy' signal-transduction proteins. These proteins contain domains which bear striking similarities to the major chemotaxis proteins of the enteric bacteria: CheA, CheY, CheW, CheR, CheB and Tar. However, significant differences exist between the Myxococcus Frz proteins and the enteric Che/MCP proteins. For example, the Frz system contains three CheY-like response-regulator domains: one is present on FrzE, which also contains a CheA-like domain, and two are present on FrzZ, which is a novel protein required for attractant, but not for repellent, responses. The identification of multiple CheY homologues in this system indicates a more complex regulatory pathway than that found in the enteric bacteria. While responses to repellent stimuli appear to follow the enteric paradigm, responses to attractants during vegetative swarming and development are more complex and may involve self-generated autoattractants. The Frz signal-transduction system regulates directed motility in M. xanthus and is essential for controlling both fruiting-body development and vegetative swarming.
Gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectral analysis of mono-, di- and tricarboxylates as their tert.-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives.

Abstract A gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) procedure is described which permits the baseline separation and quantitation of twenty saturated monocarboxylates, sixteen dicarboxylates (both alkanedioic and alkenedioic), and the tricarboxylates citrate and aconitate in a single GLC analysis. The carboxylic acids, as their tert.-butyldimethylsilylated derivatives, are readily separable on a SPB-1 (bonded) capillary column. Separation data on an OV-17 (bonded) capillary column and a SP-2250 packed column of these carboxylates, in addition to fifteen unsaturated carboxylates, are also given. The tert.-butyldimethylsilylation of carboxylic acids in their free or ammonium salt forms is accomplished in a single derivatization step with N-methyl-N-(tert.-butyldimethylsilyl)-trifuloroacetamide. Retentiond ata and responses for all mono-, di- and tricarboxylic acids are given. Mass spectral analysis of all ert.-butyldimethylsilylated carboxylic acids is presented and each displays a prominent and characteristic [M — 57] fragment ion.
Abstract 5311: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells and immune cell responsiveness in tumor-bearing mice

Conditions that inhibit IFN-induced signal transduction and gene transcription can dampen the host immune system and its ability to recognize and eliminate tumors leading to impaired immunoediting. We hypothesized that in the setting of cancer, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) could impair the responsiveness of immune effector cells to interferons. We used the murine adenocarcinoma cell line C26 which induces MDSC generation when implanted in C2DF1 mice. C26-bearing mice had significantly elevated levels of GR1 + CD11b + MDSC (p 2 -10 4 U/mL) was significantly reduced in C26-bearing mice (Mean P-STAT1 = 18.8; Range = 4.0 - 33.4) as compared to control mice (Mean P-STAT1 = 37.9; Range = 27.0 - 50.0; p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5311.
Late Wisconsin and Holocene tectonic stability of the United States mid-Atlantic coastal region

Deposits that formed in the intertidal zone during sea-level rise 12,000 to 9,000 yr ago have undergone very little differential vertical deformation in the area between New York City and South Carolina. The lack of north-south vertical deformation contrasts with tide-gauge and with precise leveling measurements that have been used to indicate that considerable differential vertical movement is occurring along the coast. Probably, present rates of deformation cannot be extrapolated to early Holocene. Depths of dated in-place intertidal deposits and estimates that suggest the U.S. mid-Atlantic shelf was downwarped during Holocene glacio-isostatic adjustment are used to indicate that eustatic sea levels were not substantially below 30 m depth about 12,000 yr B.P.
Pretreatment With Intravenous Lipid Emulsion Reduces Mortality From Cocaine Toxicity in a Rat Model

Study objective We compare the effects of intravenous lipid emulsion and normal saline solution pretreatment on mortality and hemodynamic changes in a rat model of cocaine toxicity. We hypothesize that intravenous lipid emulsion will decrease mortality and hemodynamic changes caused by cocaine administration compared with saline solution. Methods Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were sedated and randomized to receive intravenous lipid emulsion or normal saline solution, followed by a 10 mg/kg bolus of intravenous cocaine. Continuous monitoring included intra-arterial blood pressure, pulse rate and ECG tracing. Endpoints included a sustained undetectable mean arterial pressure (MAP) or return to baseline MAP for 5 minutes. The log-rank test was used to compare mortality. A mixed-effect repeated-measures ANOVA was used to estimate the effects of group (intravenous lipid emulsion versus saline solution), time, and survival on change in MAP, pulse rate, or pulse pressure. Results In the normal saline solution group, 7 of 10 animals died compared with 2 of 10 in the intravenous lipid emulsion group. The survival rate of 80% (95% confidence interval 55% to 100%) for the intravenous lipid emulsion rats and 30% (95% confidence interval 0.2% to 58%) for the normal saline solution group was statistically significant ( P =.045). Conclusion Intravenous lipid emulsion pretreatment decreased cocaine-induced cardiovascular collapse and blunted hypotensive effects compared with normal saline solution in this rat model of acute lethal cocaine intoxication. Intravenous lipid emulsion should be investigated further as a potential adjunct in the treatment of severe cocaine toxicity.
Finite-size corrections for inclined interfaces in two dimensions: Exact results for Ising and solid-on-solid models

Analysis of finite-size corrections for the surface tension and surface stiffness coefficients in two-dimensional models with inclined interfaces is presented. We obtain a universal leading contribution proportional to (lnL)/L for the 2D system of sizeL. By explicit calculations for restricted and unrestricted solid-on-solid models and the square lattice Ising model, we demonstrate the Gaussian nature of rough interfaces with fixed ends, and derive the leading 1/L-type corrections for appropriate surface quantities.
Effect of zinc impurity on silicon solar-cell efficiency

Zinc is a major residue impurity in the preparation of solar-grade silicon material by the zinc vapor reduction of silicon tetrachloride. This paper projects that in order to get a 17-percent AM1 cell efficiency for the Block IV module of the Low-Cost Solar Array Project,1the concentration of the zinc recombination centers in the base region of silicon solar cells must be less than 4 × 1011Zn/cm3in the p-base n+/p/p+ cell and 7 × 1011Zn/cm3in the n-Base p+/n/n+ cell for a base dopant impurity concentration of 5 × 1014atoms/cm3. If the base dopant impurity concentration is increased by a factor of 10 to 5 × 1015atoms/cm3, then the maximum allowable zinc concentration is increased by a factor of about two for a 17-percent AM1 efficiency. The thermal equilibrium electron and hole recombination and generation rates at the double-acceptor zinc centers are obtained from previous high-field measurements as well as new measurements at zero field described in this paper. These rates are used in the exact dc-circuit model to compute the projections.
Effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on the restoration of contact inhibition in tumor cells and its relationship to cell density and the cell cycle

Abstract KB cell cultures exposed to 10 −4 M dibutyryl cyclic AMP were significantly inhibited and exhibited contact inhibition of growth at cell densities of 8 × 10 4 /cm 2 irrespective of the initial plating density. Control cultures reached densities of 2.5 × 10 5 /cm 2 . Inhibition of growth did not occur in KB cells when the density was below 1 × 10 4 cells/cm 2 . When dibutyryl cyclic AMP was removed from KB cells in the contact-inhibited state, growth resumed with DNA synthesis beginning in about 6 h. Labeled metaphases increased rapidly after 22 h without the appearance of an early rise in unlabeled metaphases. This suggests that the inhibitory effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP is on the G1 phase of the cell cycle.
AMPA antagonist LY293558 blocks the development, without blocking the expression, of behavioral sensitization to morphine.

Morphine (3.0 mg/kg, SC) stimulates locomotor activity in rats, and this effect sensitizes with repeated intermittent treatment. We examined the ability of the AMPA antagonist LY293558, administered systemically over a range of doses (0.1–3.0 mg/kg), to alter morphine sensitization. Pretreatment with 3.0 mg/kg LY293558 attenuated the acute (session 1) locomotor-stimulating actions of morphine, whereas 1.0, 0.3, and 0.1 mg/kg were without effect. No sensitization was observed after repeated morphine treatment (3.0 mg/kg, SC, every other day for 9 days) when morphine injections were preceded by 0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/kg LY293558, whereas significant sensitization was observed when morphine injections were preceded by vehicle or 0.1 mg/kg of the antagonist. When all rats were challenged with morphine (3.0 mg/kg, SC) alone on day 11, the locomotor activity of rats previously exposed to LY293558 at 3.0, 1.0, or 0.3 mg/kg—but not at 0.1 mg/kg—was significantly lower than that of rats previously given morphine preceded by vehicle. On day 13, pretreatment with 1.0 mg/kg LY293558 failed to alter preestablished morphine sensitization in rats previously pretreated with vehicle. These data indicate that LY293558 blocks the development but not the expression of morphine sensitization, confirming a role for AMPA receptors in the initiation of neurobiological adaptations that occur with chronic morphine treatment. Synapse 31:256–262, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An Aquifer Vulnerability Assessment of the Paluxy Aquifer, Central Texas, USA, Using GIS and a Modified DRASTIC Approach

epth to water, net Recharge, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topography, Impact of the vadose zone, and Conductivity of the aquifer). Using such an approach allows one to investigate the potential for groundwater contamination on a regional, rather than site-specific, scale. Based upon data from variables such as soil permeability, depth to water, aquifer hydraulic conductivity, and topography, subjective numerical weightings have been assigned according to the variable's relative importance in regional groundwater quality. The weights for each variable comprise a GIS map layer. These map layers are combined to formulate the final groundwater pollution potential map. Using this method of investigation, the pollution potential map for the study area classifies 47% of the area as having low pollution potential, 26% as having moderate pollution potential, 22% as having high pollution potential, and 5% as having very high pollution potential.
The soriano award lecture emerging infections of the nervous system

Abstract The epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency disease [AIDS] has focused interest on the origins of “new” infectious agents. Great plagues are well known from the distant past, but a number of novel diseases affecting the nervous system infections have emerged in recent years. The causes of such new disorders are diverse: whereas rapid mutations of microbes allow the evolution of truly novel agents, the appearance of new diseases is more often due to changes in human or vector populations or changes in societal mores that result in dissemination of preexistent microbes. Examples of recently emerging infections that involve the nervous system include the enterovirus 70 epidemics with poliomyelitis-like disease, the appearance of California virus encephalitis in the midwestern United States, the rapid spread of Lyme disease with its many neurological complications in the eastern United States, and the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the United Kingdom, in addition to the devastating epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which will cause nervous system disease in over half of those infected. As the world population increases and modern transportation brings us closer into a “global village” more new agents will emerge and more will be sustained. Knowledge of the molecular biology and ecology of the agents and awareness of how our actions can alter their behavior are our best defense.
Interpreting results from field deployments of semipermeable membrane devices.

Three canisters of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs), each containing five SPMDs, were deployed at three different locations on a transect across a small river removed from the impact of near-field point sources. Following a 62-day deployment, the masses of various polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) sequestered by each SPMD in each canister were determined. The compound-specific mean residues (ng/SPMD) obtained for the PAHs with pKow values >4.4 showed statistically significant (α = 0.10) differences between the three deployment locations (canisters) ranging from approximately 10 to 160 ng/SPMD, corresponding to relative percent differences (RPDs) ranging from 10% to 54%. There were no statistically significant differences between the same three locations for the single PAH with a pKow <4.4. A detailed discussion of how different (uncontrollable) environmental variables may have impacted the experimental results is provided to illustrate the uncertainties associated with interpreting the results...
Mercury interstitial generation in ion implanted mercury cadmium telluride

Junction formation and stability in ion implanted mercury cadmium telluride critically depend on the ability to generate Hg interstitials. The creation of Hg interstitials is found to strongly depend on the preferred lattice position of the element implanted. Elements that substitute onto the cation sublattice create significantly more Hg interstitials than elements that sit interstitially or on the anion sublattice. Recoils from implant damage also contribute to Hg interstitial formation in heavier mass implants (Z ≥ of mass Zn), but appear to have negligible influence on interstitial generation in implants of lighter ions. The combination of implanting ions of large mass and high solubility on the cation sublattice produces strong Hg interstitial sources. Implants with these ions can form deep junctions even in heavily doped substrates. Junction stability is also improved with the stronger interstitial source.
Metabolic and morphologic effects of colchicine on human T-lymphocyte expression of Fc mu and Fc gamma receptors

The influence of colchicine on human T-cell Fc mu- and Fc gamma-receptor expression during culture was studied utilizing a rosette technique with bovine erythrocytes coated with IgM (EOx-IgM) or IgG (EOx-IgG). Treatment of T cells with greater than or equal to 10(-6) M concentrations of colchicine induced in these cells progressive loss of microtubules and surface microvilli, inhibited their Fc mu-, but not Fc gamma-receptor expression during culture, and increased their cyclic AMP levels. However, similar treatment of cells with lumicolchicine, a photoinactivated isomer, identically inhibited the T-cell Fc mu-receptor expression as well, without inducing loss of microtubules or microvilli or raising cyclic AMP levels in them. A direct influence on T-cell protein synthesis by either colchicine or lumicolchicine is likely, as greater than or equal to 10(-6) M concentrations of alkaloid identically inhibited [3H]leucine incorporation and Fc mu-receptor expression by T cells without inhibiting their alpha-methyl isobutyric acid transport. No impairment of optimal EOx-IgM rosette formation occurred in control T lymphocytes cultured for 24 hr and then treated with colchicine, which suggests that its effects did not directly influence the receptor-ligand interaction itself. These findings suggest colchicine has several sites of action on T cells, dependent and independent of microtubular depolymerization, which may be responsible for alterations of T-lymphocyte cellular metabolism and function.