cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Samaritanism and Civil Disobedience

In this paper, I defend the existence of a moral duty to disobey the law and engage in civil disobedience on the basis of one of the grounds of political obligation—the Samaritan duty. Christopher H. Wellman has recently offered a ‘Samaritan account’ of state legitimacy and political obligation, according to which the state is justified in coercing each citizen in order to rescue all from the perilous circumstances of the state of nature; and each of us is bound to obey the law, as the state demands, because we each have a responsibility to help rescue others when this assistance is not unreasonably costly. Though Wellman recognizes that there can be reasons for disobeying the law and resisting injustice in otherwise legitimate states, he overlooks the possibility that at least some of these reasons could be Samaritan in nature, grounded in the duty to rescue people from peril. As I shall argue, the Samaritan duty supports obligations to disobey the law, when the law prohibits Samaritan rescues, and to engage in civil disobedience, when unjust laws and practices contribute to endangering people. The discussion proceeds as follows. After a brief overview of the Samaritan duty, I articulate my case for Samaritan duties to disobey the law, and duties to engage in civil disobedience when unjust laws, institutions, or practices enable what I call ‘persistent Samaritan perils’. I then examine and respond to several objections to my account: first, that the costs of law-breaking are unreasonable, and thus cannot be morally required; second, that individuals’ particular acts of protest and civil disobedience do not appear to make any difference to the rescue, and thus cannot be required; third, that I stretch the Samaritan duty beyond recognition; and fourth, that the Samaritan duty binds us to help people in need or peril anywhere, not particularly at home. I consider in conclusion the advantages and limits of my account of citizens’ Samaritan duties in the face of injustice.
Are keloids really "gli-loids"?: High-level expression of gli-1 oncogene in keloids.

Abstract Background: Keloids are a common lesion arising from sites of previous trauma and are a considerable source of morbidity because of continued growth of lesions, pruritus, and physical appearance. They consist of mesenchymal cells embedded in a stroma of disordered collagen matrix. Clinically, keloids are distinguished from scars in that keloids demonstrate continued growth over the borders of the original injury. Keloids appear with increased frequency in patients of African and Asian descent. Currently, no entirely satisfactory method of treatment exists for these lesions. Recently, a patient who was enrolled in a clinical trial of topical tacrolimus for atopic dermatitis applied this drug to a keloid and noted clearing. Objective: Based on this clinical observation and the observation that rapamycin, a chemically similar compound to tacrolimus, is known to inhibit signaling from the gli-1 oncogene, we examined keloids and scars for expression of Gli-1 protein. Methods: Skin sections from keloids and scars were examined by immunohistochemical staining for gli-1. To further confirm the presence of gli-1 expression in keloids, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was carried out. Results: Expression of gli-1 was strongly elevated in keloids compared with scars. Conclusion: These results provide a rationale for the treatment of keloids with topical rapamycin analogs, including tacrolimus. Clinical trials of topical tacrolimus are warranted. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;45:707-11.)
Arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction fingerprinting and clonal analysis of oral Fusobacterium nucleatum isolates

F. nucleatum is the most commonly isolated microorganism from subgingival plaque, but the role of this microorganism in periodontal diseases remains undefined. Arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) was evaluated as a method for fingerprinting F. nucleatum isolates and for use in clonal analysis. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used to further differentiate F. nucleatum isolates, with identical AP-PCR patterns. Extremely heterogeneous AP-PCR fingerprints were observed among the 98 F. nucleatum isolates, with 36 different genotypes observed with primer C1 and 30 different genotype detected with primer C2. Combining the results of the AP-PCR genotype analysis from C1 and C2 primer amplifications revealed that up to 7 different genotypes could be distinguished from isolates from the same oral cavity and that up to 4 different genotypes were observed within a single site. An intense amplicon at approximately 450 bp generated in AP-PCR amplification with primer C2 was associated with F. nucleatum subsp. nucleatum (ATCC 25586) and with 15 F. nucleatum isolates from diseased sites and 2 isolates from healthy sites. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis confirmed the AP-PCR genotypes and demonstrated increased discriminatory power over AP-PCR. The results indicated that AP-PCR and pulsed field gel electrophoresis provide a simple and sensitive means for differentiating oral F. nucleatum isolates and further demonstrate the heterogeneity of this species. These techniques may serve as useful tools in the clonal and epidemiological analysis of F. nucleatum isolates, which may help define the role of these microorganisms in periodontal diseases.
Assimilation of Security-Related Policies in U.S. Firms: An Empirical Study of Web Assimilation and Related Knowledge as Antecedents

Security-related policies can help organizations safeguard against breaches and other threats and plan for how to respond to events. However, adoption of security, privacy and acceptable use policies, audit processes and disaster recovery, and business continuance planning may lag behind an organization's efforts to leverage the benefits of web-based technologies. This paper presents findings from a study of security-related policy assimilation. Assimilation is designed to measure the level of adoption. We examine the antecedents of assimilation--e.g., an organization's web strategy, business activities conducted on the web, and the existence of security related knowledge as predictors of assimilation.
Free-electron lasers: SACLA hard-X-ray compact FEL

The world's second hard-X-ray free-electron laser has now been commissioned in Japan. The facility's compact accelerator and short-period undulator not only minimize space and cost but also ensure excellent output stability.
Determination of Variable Stiffness of a Human Elbow for Human-Robot Interaction

This paper aims to emulate human motion with a robot for the purpose of improving human-robot interaction (HRI). In order to engineer a robot that demonstrates functionally similar motion to humans, aspects of human motion such as variable stiffness must be captured. This paper successfully determined the variable stiffness humans use in the context of a 1 DOF disturbance rejection task by optimizing a time-varying stiffness parameter to experimental data in the context of a neuro-motor Simulink model. The significant improved agreement between the model and the experimental data in the disturbance rejection task after the addition of variable stiffness demonstrates how important variable stiffness is to creating a model of human motion. To enable a robot to emulate this motion, a predictive stiffness model was developed that attempts to reproduce the stiffness that a human would use in a given situation. The predictive stiffness model successfully decreases the error between the neuro-motor model and the experimental data when compared to the neuro-motor model with a constant stiffness value.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Make new friends or keep the old: Gender and personality differences in social networking use

The present study examined the influence of gender and personality on individuals' use of online social networking websites such as Facebook and MySpace. Participants were 238 undergraduate students who reported being members of Facebook, MySpace, or both. Based on prior research examining online behavior, we expected that gender and scores on the Big Five personality scale would moderate online social networking behavior. The results supported our predictions. Specifically, men reported using social networking sites for forming new relationships while women reported using them more for relationship maintenance. Furthermore, women low in agreeableness reported using instant messaging features of social networking sites more often than women high in agreeableness, whereas men low in openness reported playing more games on social networking sites compared to men high in openness. Overall, these results indicate the importance of examining individual differences in online behavior.
On Points of Zero Charge

Following on the pioneering efforts of Werner Stumm and his collaborators, environmental chemists have developed increasingly detailed molecular models of the adsorbent−aqueous solution interface in order to quantify the pH dependence of surface charge. This model development, irrespective of its level of sophistication, is subject to a few broad constraints, which may be termed generic properties of surface charge, that in turn reflect certain macroscopic conditions imposed by electroneutrality and thermodynamic stability. In this paper, rigorous proofs of these generic properties are given, and the results are used to establish general connections among conventional points of zero charge that all molecular models of the electrical double layer must respect. The nonunique relationship between a molecular model of the electrical double layer and the observed effects of ion adsorption on points of zero charge is emphasized.
Photodynamic Therapy and Digital Angiography of Experimental Iris Neovascularization Using Liposomal Benzoporphyrin Derivative

Purpose: To study the efficacy of liposomal benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD) (Verteporfin) for the angiographic visualization and photodynamic therapy (PDT) of experimental iris neovascularization. Methods: Experimental iris neovascularization was induced in eight cynomolgus monkey eyes by occluding all the branch retinal veins with a dye-yellow (577-nm) laser. Iris angiography was done with sodium fluorescein, indocyanine green (ICG), and Liposomal BPD to compare the visualization of normal and neovascular vessels by these three dyes. PDT was performed using an intravenous infusion of liposomal BPD (0.375-0.75 mg/kg), followed by irradiation with 689-nm light from a diode laser/slit-lamp delivery system using 600 mW/cm 2 irradiance and 150 J/cm 2 fluence. The effect of treatment was followed by iris photography and angiography, and the findings were confirmed by histopathology using light and electron microscopy. Results: Iris fluorescein angiography (FA) showed superficial tortuous and leaky new vessels. Liposomal BPD and ICG angiography of the same eye demonstrated deeper dilated and tortuous iris vessels, with minimal dye leakage. PDT of the iris with irradiation, performed within 20 minutes of the start of dye infusion (0.75 mg/kg), resulted in angiographic and histologic occlusion of iris vessels examined at 24 hours. Three to nine days after PDT, histopathologic examination showed regression of the iris neovascular membrane, with some open vessels. Conclusions: Liposomal BPD and ICG provided angiographic visualization of deeper normal and neovascular iris vessels. PDT using liposomal BPD leads to effective early closure to experimental iris neovascularization.
Apolipoprotein J expression at fluid-tissue interfaces: potential role in barrier cytoprotection.

Abstract Apolipoprotein J (apoJ) is a sulfated secreted glycoprotein that exhibits ubiquitous expression, evolutionary conservation, and diverse tissue inducibility. It has been proposed to have roles in programmed cell death, sperm maturation, complement regulation, and lipid transport. To identify cell types that synthesize apoJ and to aid evaluation of its function, we screened mouse and human tissues by in situ hybridization. ApoJ was expressed at high levels in an array of specialized cell types of adult and fetal mouse tissues and in similar cell types of human tissues. Most of these cell types are highly secretory and form the cellular interfaces of many fluid compartments. This group includes epithelial boundary cells of the esophagus, biliary ducts, gallbladder, urinary bladder, ureter, kidney distal convoluted tubules, gastric glands, Brunner's glands, choroid plexus, ependyma, ocular ciliary body, endometrium, cervix, vagina, testis, epididymus, and visceral yolk sac. Several nonepithelial secretory cell types that express high levels of apoJ also line fluid compartments, such as synovial lining cells and ovarian granulosa cells. In the context of its known biochemical properties, this expression pattern suggests that localized synthesis of apoJ serves to protect a variety of secretory, mucosal, and other barrier cells from surface-active components of the extracellular environment.
Reproducibility of Ultrasound Measurement of Transversus Abdominis During Loaded, Functional Tasks in Asymptomatic Young Adults

Objective To examine the reproducibility of repeat tests of ultrasound imaging (USI) measurement of transversus abdominis (TrA) activation in a single group of asymptomatic adults performing reaching and lifting tasks before and after abdominal drawing-in technique (ADIM) training in the supine position with TrA USI biofeedback. Design Clinical measurement, longitudinal reliability study. Setting University laboratory. Participants Five male (age, 20.6 ± 4.8 years; body mass index, 25.8 ± 4.5) and 8 female (age, 18.3 ± 0.5 years; body mass index, 24.4 ± 3.3) healthy college students. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Reliability and precision of minimum, maximum, and percentage of change in TrA thickness measures were examined on recorded cine loop images obtained via USI (B-mode, 7.5 MHz) for 13 asymptomatic adults. Thickness changes of the TrA muscle were measured at rest and during contraction while performing 5 functional, loaded tasks on 3 repeat tests during 3 testing sessions (ie, before ADIM training and 5 minutes and 5 months after ADIM training). The percent thickness change of TrA was calculated as [(thickness max – thickness min )/thickness min ] × 100. Reproducibility was examined by using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 2,k ), standard error of measurement (error variance formula), and repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results Ranges of ICC and standard error of measurement values for 3 repeat tests per testing session were high and precise for single measures of minimum thickness per task (session 1: 0.68-0.93, 0.24-0.37 mm; session 2: 0.62-0.87, 0.28-0.44 mm; session 3: 0.79-0.84, 0.43-0.56 mm) and for composite measures of maximum thickness (session 1: 0.93, 0.25 mm; session 2: 0.94, 0.37 mm; session 3: 0.95, 0.64 mm) and percent change in thickness (session 1: 0.81, 12%; session 2: 0.94, 14%; session 3: 0.94, 15%). Repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated significant effects for subjects, but not repeat tests. Conclusions This study produced acceptable reproducibility of USI measures of TrA during loaded functional activities.
Dechlorination of the Chloroacetanilide Herbicides Alachlor and Metolachlor by Iron Metal

Granular iron metal has been found to cause the reductive dechlorination of two important chloroacetanilide herbicides, alachlor and metolachlor. Aqueous solutions (113 mL) of the herbicides were contacted with 40 g of granular cast iron (CCI coarse, 40 mesh) with mild agitation at room temperature. First-order degradation rate constants were 0.12 and 0.10 h-1 for 10 mg/L solutions of alachlor and metolachlor, respectively. A two-site, rate-limited sorption and first-order degradation model was applied to both batch data sets, with excellent agreement for alachlor and fair agreement for metolachlor. The products of the reaction were chloride (84% mass balance for alachlor and 68% for metolachlor) and dechlorinated acetanilides. Supported by GC/EIMS analysis, two sequential reactions may have occurred for alachlor, hydrogenolysis of the chloroacetyl group followed by an N-dealkylation reaction. However, only one product was confirmed by GC/FID, and the mechanism for the N-dealkylation reaction is unknown. ...
Basic principles of Doppler ultrasound as applied in obstetrics.

Le chapitre rappelle un certain nombre de notions theoriques concernant la physique les ultrasons et de l'effet Doppler et presente les differentes applications possibles pour l'etude de la circulation utero-placentaire, fœtoplacentaire et fœtale
Erratum: Interfering amino terminal peptides and functional implications for heteromeric gap junction formation

Connexin43 (Cx43) is widely expressed in many different tissues of the human body. In cells of some organs, Cx43 is co-expressed with other connexins (Cx), including Cx46 and Cx50 in lens, Cx40 in atrium, Purkinje fibers, and the blood vessel wall, Cx45 in heart, and Cx37 in the ovary. Interactions with the co-expressed connexins may have profound functional implications. The abilities of Cx37, Cx45, Cx46, and Cx50 to function in heteromeric gap junction combinations with Cx43 are well documented. Different studies disagree regarding the ability of Cx43 and Cx40 to produce functional heteromeric gap junctions with each other. We review previous studies regarding the heteromeric interactions of Cx43. The possibility of negative functional interactions between the cytoplasmic pore-forming amino terminal (NT) domains of these connexins was assessed using pentameric connexin sequence-specific NT domain (iNT) peptides applied to cells expressing homomeric Cx40, Cx37, Cx45, Cx46, and Cx50 gap junctions. A Cx43 iNT peptide corresponding to amino acids 9 to 13 (Ac-KLLDK-NH2) specifically inhibited the electrical coupling of Cx40 gap junctions in a transjunctional (Vj) voltage-dependent manner without affecting the function of homologous Cx37, Cx46, Cx50, and Cx45 gap junctions. A Cx40 iNT (Ac-EFLEE-OH) peptide counteracted the Vj-dependent block of Cx40 gap junctions, whereas a similarly charged Cx50 iNT (Ac-EEVNE-OH) peptide did not, suggesting that these NT domain interactions are not solely based on electrostatics. These data are consistent with functional Cx43 heteromeric gap junction formation with Cx37, Cx45, Cx46, and Cx50 and suggest that Cx40 uniquely experiences functional suppressive interactions with a Cx43 NT domain sequence. These findings present unique functional implications about the heteromeric interactions between Cx43 and Cx40 that may influence cardiac conduction in atrial myocardium and the specialized conduction system.
A Systems Approach to Chile Harvest Mechanization

There is approximately a half century of published research on harvest mechanization of cultivars of Capsicum annuum var. annuum L. This review focuses primarily on research pertaining to chile for canning and fresh markets. Most of the crop is still harvested by hand, displacing production to locations where labor costs are low. Mechanizing chile harvest will require a systems approach, integrating research in plant breeding, production practices, and harvester and processing plant machinery design. Cultivars need to be selected for high determinant fruit set, low attachment force, and increased fruit wall toughness. Production practices need to be modified to cause the development of tall, well-rooted plants with minimal branching. Harvest machinery needs to be developed that is both aggressive enough to remove almost all fruit and gentle enough to minimize damage. Processing plant equipment needs to be developed to handle fruit that may have more foreign matter, some stems still attached, and will arri...
Directed search methods for surface structure determination by LEED

Conventional surface crystallography by low-energy electron diffraction employs a trial-and-error search controlled at each step by a human being. This trial-and-error approach becomes very cumbersome and unreliable when it is applied to complex surfaces with a large number of unknown structural parameters. We present an automatic optimisation procedure for LEED which combines the complementary techniques of Tensor LEED and a numerical search algorithm. The significant advantages of using Tensor LEED as the basis of a search strategy are illustrated by its application as part of an automatic directed search to the determination of two surface structures: clean Pd(111) and Pd(111)(3 × 3)R30°-CO. This approach can reduce the computer time required for an entire structure determination by several orders of magnitude. It also allows all structural parameters to be found simultaneously; in particular complex, non-symmetric structures and adsorbate induced substrate distortions can be readily determined.
Anorchia Masked by Septo-optic Dysplasia

Hypogonadism affecting the male pediatric population is uncommon, with that attributed to multiple unrelated etiologies being exceedingly rare. We report a case of septo-optic dysplasia, an atypical cause of delayed puberty, with subsequent workup unveiling 2 coexistent conditions: hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anorchia. Primary and secondary etiologies must be considered in patients with undescended testes. Thorough evaluation is mandatory to ensure proper diagnosis and care, because Occam's razor can, on unique occasions, be double-edged.
Syllabification and prosodic templates in Yawelmani

This article addresses the interaction of syllabification and templatic morphology in Yawelmani. The morphological templates (in CV terms, CVCC, CVVCC, and CVCVVC) do not parse directly into well-formed Yawelmani surface syllables (CV, CVV, CVC). Nonetheless, as argued here, these templates can be expressed in terms of legitimate prosodic units, thereby supporting the prosodic morphology hypothesis (McCarthy and Prince 1986, 1987, 1990). The basic idea is that segments map from left to right to the template, but if a template is too small, any leftover stem consonants simply undergo right to left syllabification. This analysis accounts for the general templatic mapping of verbs and nouns as well as the different kinds of reduplication in Yawelmani. It also provides a more explanatory account of the ‘ghost’ consonants — initial consonants of some of the suffixes which surface only when the stem is biconsonantal, but not if the stem is larger. The analysis not only provides support for the prosodic morphology hypothesis, it also argues in favor of a templatic view of syllabification (Ito 1986, 1989) and a rule of Weight-by-Position (Hayes 1989) operating independently of the general syllabification process.
Affinity chromatography of rat liver aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex

Abstract The affinity column lysyldiaminohexyl-Sepharose 4B has been synthesized for the purification of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complexes. Lysyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.1.6) bound specifically to the Sepharose-bound lysine. The purified lysyl-tRNA synthetase was associated with arginyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.1.16) and sedimented at 18S and 12S. A 24S lysyl-tRNA synthetase bound specifically to the affinity column and also found associated with arginyl-tRNA synthetase. The results favor the model of a heterotypic multienzyme complex of mammalian aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.
Functional reactive programming, continued

Functional Reactive Programming (FRP) extends a host programming language with a notion of time flow. Arrowized FRP (AFRP) is a version of FRP embedded in Haskell based on the arrow combinators. AFRP is a powerful synchronous dataflow programming language with hybrid modeling capabilities, combining advanced synchronous dataflow features with the higher-order lazy functional abstractions of Haskell. In this paper, we describe the AFRP programming style and our Haskell-based implementation. Of particular interest are the AFRP combinators that support dynamic collections and continuation-based switching. We show how these combinators can be used to express systems with an evolving structure that are difficult to model in more traditional dataflow languages.
In vitro derivation of interferon-γ producing, IL-4 and IL-7 responsive memory-like CD4(+) T cells.

CD4(+) memory is critical for successful protection against pathogenic challenge. As such, understanding the heterogeneity of cells that arise and survive after initial stimulation of naive CD4(+) T cells will aid in the design of more successful vaccines. In previous studies, in vivo experimental systems have been extensively used to generate functional memory responses by lymphocytes. Here, we have attempted to develop an in vitro experimental system to generate memory CD4(+) T lymphocytes. CD4(+) T cells stimulated through the antigen receptor complex were examined for their memory-like characteristics after 3 weeks of cell culture. A subset of surviving cells expressed high levels of CD44 and low levels of CD45RB (CD44(hi)CD45(lo)), a phenotype that is similar to bonafide memory CD4(+) T cells. In vitro generated memory-like CD4(+) T cells secreted higher levels of IFN-γ, with rapid kinetics, upon re-stimulation than their naive counterparts. In addition, these memory-like CD4(+) T cells did not produce either IL-2 or IL-4 but readily proliferated when cultured in the presence of IL-7 and IL-4. These observations suggest that CD4(+) cells surviving the expansion phase of immune response produce a Th1-signature cytokine and retain responsiveness to IL-4, a Th-2 cytokine, as well as to a well described survival factor, interleukin-7.
XML and WML integration: An analysis and strategies for implementation to meet mobile commerce challenges

The market for providing mobile content for wireless devices is currently growing at a phenomenal rate. Competition to provide this content is being waged upon the technologies that support wireless communications to display rich media content for those wireless devices. The integration of XML and WML technologies would provide the necessary functions and capabilities to deliver this dynamic content to WAP enabled cellular phones. This article first gives an overview of XML and WML technologies and then explores the rationales for the integration of the two by examining the driving forces, justifying the use of the two to provide mobile content, and analyzing two associated integration aspects. The study further presents three strategies for XML and WML integration with three case studies of vendors' applications, and addresses the roles of integration facilitators. Finally, future implications and market considerations are discussed. The intention of this study is to analyze the current mobile market, and show how using XML and WML technologies can enable businesses to provide mobile content to cellular phone users.
Pulmonary venous aneurysm presenting as a mediastinal mass in ischemic cardiomyopathy

True aneurysm of the pulmonary vein is a rare lesion and may present as a mediastinal mass. Acquired aneurysm of the right superior pulmonary vein presenting as a middle mediastinal mass in a patient with ischemic cardiomyopathy associated with severe mitral regurgitation and dilated left atrium is described. Though the natural history of this lesion is uncertain, it may progressively enlarge and become symptomatic. Presence of this lesion in this patient with cardiomyopathy may require a modification of surgical technique at cardiac transplantation or surgical resection of an aneurysm without cardiopulmonary bypass.
Physiological and cultural characteristics of Chromobacterium marinum sp. n.

A new species ofChromobacterium was isolated from open ocean waters. While it possessed somewhat different flagellar characteristics than some described species it demonstrated enough affinities to establish it in the genusChromobacterium. Under optimum conditions this organism had an unusually short generation time as well as an unusually rapid transition from the lag phase of growth to the death phase. It is suggested that this characteristic is one of the major reasons that organisms of this type have not, in the past, been successfully transferred from isolation plates inoculated with samples of sea water. The proposed name isChromobacterium marinum.
Structural Basis for Recognition of H3T3ph and Smac/DIABLO N-terminal Peptides by Human Survivin.

Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis family protein implicated in apoptosis and mitosis. In apoptosis, it has been shown to recognize the Smac/DIABLO protein. It is also a component of the chromosomal passenger complex, a key player during mitosis. Recently, Survivin was identified in vitro and in vivo as the direct binding partner for phosphorylated Thr3 on histone H3 (H3T3ph). We have undertaken structural and binding studies to investigate the molecular basis underlying recognition of H3T3ph and Smac/DIABLO N-terminal peptides by Survivin. Our crystallographic studies establish recognition of N-terminal Ala in both complexes and identify intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions in the Survivin phosphate-binding pocket that contribute to H3T3ph mark recognition. In addition, our calorimetric data establish that Survivin binds tighter to the H3T3ph-containing peptide relative to the N-terminal Smac/DIABLO peptide, and this preference can be reversed through structure-guided mutations that increase the hydrophobicity of the phosphate-binding pocket.
A Note on the Applicability of the Method of Oddments to 3 x 3 Two Person Zero Sum Games

This paper examines a short-cut method for the solution of two person zero-sum games. The method of oddments always works for 2 x 2 games which do not exhibit saddle points. When larger games are examined, the method is not universally successful. The paper examines the estimated success rate for the method of oddments using 3 x 3 matrices whose elements have been randomly selected from a uniform probability distribution.
New isotopic temperature estimates for early silica diagenesis in bedded cherts

When analyzed by a stepwise fluorination technique that reduces undesired oxygen contributions from hydroxyl and water, opal-CT samples from the siliceous member of the Miocene Monterey Formation, California, yield δ 18 O values that contribute to mounting evidence that silica diagenesis in bedded chert can occur at much lower temperatures than previously supposed. Monterey opal-CT δ 18 O values of 37.5‰ and 36.3‰ point to diagenetic temperatures at least as low as 17-21 °C, rather than the 35-50 °C values normally inferred. Our results suggest that hydration waters can significantly reduce the bulk δ 18 O of opal-CT and that special analytical techniques and consideration of water/rock ratios are warranted for isotope thermometry off diagenetic silica transformations.
Adiabatic microring modulators.

In this work, we demonstrate and experimentally characterize a new class of high-performance silicon photonic modulators—the adiabatic microring modulator. The adiabatic microring modulator utilizes a vertical PN junction and interior electrical contacts, leveraging all the advantages of previously-demonstrated microdisk modulators. However, this device also incorporates an adiabatic transition from the wide, multimode contact region, to a narrow, single-mode coupling region, eliminating unwanted spatial modes common to microdisks. As a result, the adiabatic microring modulator demonstrated in this work is the smallest microring modulator demonstrated to date, with a diameter of only 4 μm, yielding a 6.92-THz uncorrupted free spectral range. Here, we perform an experimental comparative analysis between silicon adiabatic microring modulators, silicon microdisk modulators, and a commercial lithium-niobate Mach-Zehnder modulator. We show that the silicon adiabatic microring modulator using partial doping is capable of operating at 12.5-Gb/s data rates and beyond. This device combines the best of all modulator designs, leveraging the depletion-based method to maximize the speed, utilizing the vertical-junction configuration to minimize the power consumption, employing a unique adiabatic design to eliminate higher-order modes, and using partial doping to reduce resistance, further enhancing the speed of the device.
Scanning auger microscopy of consolidated Al/Cu2O thermite pellets

Abstract The outer and the fractured surfaces of hot-pressed Al/Cu 2 O pellets were investigated by scanning Auger microscopy (SAM). The surface images and elemental pictures of aluminum and copper are illustrated. Auger spectra of the outer surface show the existence of carbon, chlorine, oxygen, and sodium as contaminants. Auger mapping of the grains gives a clear picture of the Cu 2 O particles and the general continuum of the aluminum. These pictures compare well with scanning electron micrographs taken previously of similar Al/Cu 2 O pellets. In-depth elemental profiling by sputter-etching illustrates that carbon, sodium, and chlorine are surface contaminants. The analysis of the fractured surface verified the presence of an interfacial region between the aluminum and the Cu 2 O of of at least 100 A that was caused by the pelletization process at elevated temperatures.
How does the mobility of the elderly affect health care delivery in the U.S.A.

This review essay explores the mobile elderly's impact upon health care services in the U.S.A. Particular attention is placed on the strategic decisions made by the elderly in preparation for their moves, the mediation of cost factors as they pertain to socioeconomic status and institutional provisions for illness treatment, and the extent to which provider services are responsive to changes in demand. The discussion is structured around five questions: 1) what health care strategies do international elderly seasonal migrants use; 2) do seasonal migrants in popular destination cities in the U.S.A. seasonally burden the service system; 3) does the concentration of retirees in rural communities burden the health care system over time; 4) can the territorial patterns of movement to nursing homes in rural counties be viewed in market terms; and 5) does the migration of older veterans have a measurable impact on the veterans administration in the U.S.A.? The most illustrative study to answer each question was reviewed.
Atomistic Study of Lateral Contact Stiffness in Friction Force Microscopy

Abstract The effective stiffness of a friction force microscope tip–substrate system is an important parameter that describes the relationship between lateral force and elastic deformation. In this study, we use a multi-spring model to simplify the system, where two contributions, the tip apex stiffness and the lateral contact stiffness, are discussed in detail. Molecular dynamics simulations are used to characterize stiffness by simulating a tip apex subject to shear or sliding over a substrate surface. The results show that, although the height of the tip apex and tip–substrate orientation affect the various stiffness contributions, the contact itself dominates the overall compliance.
Acute Streptococcal Tonsillopharyngitis: A Review of Clinical Efficacy and Bacteriological Eradication

This review evaluates studies published between January 1997 and August 2003 comparing clinical outcome and bacteriological eradication rates for patients with acute streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis treated with penicillin or other antimicrobial agents. Studies were identified using MEDLINE, and clinical outcome and bacteriological eradication at end of treatment and 2 weeks after end of treatment were ascertained. Any longer-term follow-up was also noted, along with treatment-related adverse events and compliance. Clinical efficacy rates between penicillin and comparator antibiotics were generally high and similar. Bacterial eradication rates were more variable and, 2 weeks after treatment, ranged from 64% to 93% for penicillin and 31% to 98% for comparators. Simpler dosing schedules and shorter therapy durations produced higher compliance rates. This review highlights the similarities and differences between treatment with penicillin and a wide range of comparator antibiotics. Therapy for acute group A streptococcal pharyngitis should combine excellent clinical efficacy, high bacteriological eradication rates, good tolerance and a simple, convenient dosing regimen.
An emerging role for calcineurin Aα in the development and function of the kidney

For many years, calcineurin has been a familiar molecule as a target of the immunosuppressive agents cyclosporin A and FK-506. Calcineurin inhibition interferes with T cell signaling by preventing ...
Distributions of point defects in bounded media under irradiation

Abstract The steady state diffusion profiles of vacancies and interstitials in the half-space and the foil under irradiation at elevated temperatures are calculated by solving the general rate equations. The calculations include spatial variation of defect production and of size and number distributions of internal sinks, preferential absorption of point defects at internal sinks, thermal equilibrium vacancies, and the image interaction of point defects with free surfaces. Numerical calculations are made for Ni in the temperature range 0.3 T m ∼ 0.5 T m , and applications to defect cluster formation during irradiation by heavy ions in an accelerator and by electrons in a high-voltage electron microscope are discussed.
Relações de poder na vida conjugal e prevenção da AIDS

Este ensaio tem o objetivo de discutir as interfaces existentes entre a prevencao da AIDS e as relacoes afetivo-sexuais e de poder na vida conjugal. O tema e interpretado a luz do referencial foucaultiano de poder e emergiu de uma pesquisa conduzida anteriormente. O pacto de fidelidade, assumido pelo homem como compromisso consigo proprio e com a mulher, contribui para que considere remota a hipotese de contaminacao sexual. Entretanto, mesmo distante, a possibilidade de contrair aids provoca certa inseguranca no homem, que se sente dependente do comportamento da parceira nessa questao.
The dynamics of dense and dilute clusters of drops evaporating in large, coherent vortices

The behavior of evaporating clusters of drops embedded into large, coherent vortices is described using a formulation which is valid for both dense and dilute clusters. Drops and gas interact both dynamically and thermodynamically. Dynamic coupling occurs through a force on the drops due to drag resulting from a slip velocity between the two phases The net interaction force on the gas with drops is due to a source thrust from evaporation plus drag on each drop. The drag coefficient accounts for blowing from the drop surface. Thermodynamic coupling is a result of drop heating and evaporation. Limitations due to drop proximity on heating and evaporation are taken into account. The vortical motion of the drops in the cluster results in the formation of a core region devoid of drops at the center of the vortex, and a shell region containing the drops and surrounding the inner core. Results are presented showing the dependence of the evaporation time, the final to initial volume ratio and the final to initial shell thickness ratio upon the initial air/fuel mass ratio and as a function of the initial tangential velocities, upon the initial Stokes number, initial drop radius and initial outer cluster radius. Differences in behavior between and control parameters of dense and dilute clusters are pointed out by these new results. It is found that for dense clusters the final to initial volume ratio and final to initial shell thickness scale with the initial Stokes number, a new result which must be validated experimentally.
Transient formation of water-conducting states in membrane transporters

Membrane transporters rely on highly coordinated structural transitions between major conformational states for their function, to prevent simultaneous access of the substrate binding site to both sides of the membrane—a mode of operation known as the alternating access model. Although this mechanism successfully accounts for the efficient exchange of the primary substrate across the membrane, accruing evidence on significant water transport and even uncoupled ion transport mediated by transporters has challenged the concept of perfect mechanical coupling and coordination of the gating mechanism in transporters, which might be expected from the alternating access model. Here, we present a large set of extended equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations performed on several classes of membrane transporters in different conformational states, to test the presence of the phenomenon in diverse transporter classes and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism of water transport through membrane transporters. The simulations reveal spontaneous formation of transient water-conducting (channel-like) states allowing passive water diffusion through the lumen of the transporters. These channel-like states are permeable to water but occluded to substrate, thereby not hindering the uphill transport of the primary substrate, i.e., the alternating access model remains applicable to the substrate. The rise of such water-conducting states during the large-scale structural transitions of the transporter protein is indicative of imperfections in the coordinated closing and opening motions of the cytoplasmic and extracellular gates. We propose that the observed water-conducting states likely represent a universal phenomenon in membrane transporters, which is consistent with their reliance on large-scale motion for function.
Evaluating the Suitability of Using Rat Models for Preclinical Efficacy and Side Effects with Inhaled Corticosteroids Nanosuspension Formulations

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are often prescribed as first-line therapy for patients with asthma Despite their efficacy and improved safety profile compared with oral corticosteroids, the potential for systemic side effects continues to cause concern. In order to reduce the potential for systemic side effects, the pharmaceutical industry has begun efforts to generate new drugs with pulmonary-targeted topical efficacy. One of the major challenges of this approach is to differentiate both efficacy and side effects (pulmonary vs. systemic) in a preclinical animal model. In this study, fluticasone and ciclesonide were used as tool compounds to explore the possibility of demonstrating both efficacy and side effects in a rat model using pulmonary delivery via intratracheal (IT) instillation with nanosuspension formulations. The inhibition of neutrophil infiltration into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and cytokine (TNFα) production were utilized to assess pulmonary efficacy, while adrenal and thymus involution as well as plasma corticosterone suppression was measured to assess systemic side effects. Based on neutrophil infiltration and cytokine production data, the ED50s for ciclesonide and fluticasone were calculated to be 0.1 and 0.03 mg, respectively. At the ED50, the average adrenal involution was 7.6 ± 5.3% for ciclesonide versus 16.6 ± 5.1% for fluticasone, while the average thymus involution was 41.0 ± 4.3% for ciclesonide versus 59.5 ± 5.8% for fluticasone. However, the differentiation became less significant when the dose was pushed to the EDmax (0.3 mg for ciclesonide, 0.1 mg for fluticasone). Overall, the efficacy and side effect profiles of the two compounds exhibited differentiation at low to mid doses (0.03–0.1 mg ciclesonide, 0.01–0.03 mg fluticasone), while this differentiation diminished at the maximum efficacious dose (0.3 mg ciclesonide, 0.1 mg fluticasone), likely due to overdosing in this model. We conclude that the rat LPS model using IT administration of nanosuspensions of ICS is a useful tool to demonstrate pulmonary-targeted efficacy and to differentiate the side effects. However, it is only suitable at sub-maximum efficacious levels.
A Call to Promote Indigenous Rights

: Ellen Lutz is the outgoing contributing editor of “Human Rights Forum”, the AAA Committee for Human Rights column in Anthropology News. Shannon Speed is the incoming contributing editor.
Covariation between understorey light environments and soil resources in Bornean mixed dipterocarp rain forest

Variation in understorey irradiance is both a cause and consequence of the structure and dynamics of closed-canopy forests, which are also influenced by soil nutrients and water availability. We tested the hypothesis that understorey light regimes differ among four mixed dipterocarp forest types that share the same rainfall, but grow on different soils along an edaphic gradient at one site in Borneo. Based on data from photosynthetically active radiation sensors deployed at 1-m height at 36 locations for 351 sensor-days, we found significant soil-related variation in irradiance. The more productive forest types on clay and fine loam had lower daily photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) than those on the more nutrient-depleted and better-drained sandy loam and loam. They also had fewer moderate to high-intensity sunflecks, and a greater proportion of their daily PPFD came from low-intensity light. Understorey irradiance did not, however, monotonically decline with increasing soil resources. Forests on intermediate soils had greater irradiance than those with more and less soil resources, due to steeper slopes. Plant communities arrayed on resource gradients are commonly used to test hypotheses of environmental factors driving their assembly. Our results indicate that consideration of multiple resource dimensions in such tests is critical.
Tensile and Compressive Responses of Nociceptors in Rat Hairy Skin

Khalsa, Partap S., Robert H. LaMotte, and Peter Grigg. Tensive and compressive responses of nociceptors in rat hairy skin. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 492–505, 1997. Mechanically sensitive nociceptor affe...
Subclinical orthostatic pulse pressure confirms mothers' ratings of ADHD in preschoolers

Subclinical levels of orthostatic hypotension (OH) have been linked to a variety of emotional and behavioral outcomes across the life span. These connections are not surprising, given the multitude of correlated conditions, including autonomic control, cardiovascular functioning, baroreceptor activity, and dopamine and serotonin. The current study assessed blood pressure regulation in healthy preschool children ages 3-5 (n = 61). The Conner's Parent Rating Scale Revised was used to assess indexes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). With the difference between standing and supine pulse pressure as the index of orthostatic blood pressure regulation, the results indicated that efficient pulse pressure regulation was significantly correlated with lower ADHD scores. Poorer orthostatic pulse pressure regulation in response to an orthostatic challenge may be a risk for symptoms of ADHD.
Performance of the pigeon on the ambiguous-cue problem

Three pigeons were trained on the two-choice ambiguous-cue problem which involves three stimuli: a positive stimulus, to which responding is always reinforced, a negative stimulus, to which responding is never reinforced, and an ambiguous stimulus, to which responding is sometimes reinforced and sometimes not reinforced, depending on which of the other stimuli is simultaneously presented. Using distinctively colored stimuli, all Ss quickly learned to choose the ambiguous stimulus when it was paired with the negative stimulus. Ss also learned, although more slowly, to choose the positive stimulus when it was paired with the ambiguous stimulus.
Radiative transitions in heavy mesons in a relativistic quark model

The radiative decays of D*, B*, and other excited heavy mesons are analyzed in a relativistic quark model for the light degrees of freedom and in the limit of heavy quark spin-flavor symmetry. The analysis of strong decays carried out in the corresponding chiral quark model is used to calculate the strong decays and determine the branching ratios of the radiative D* decays. Consistency with the observed branching ratios requires the inclusion of the heavy quark component of the electromagnetic current and the introduction of an anomalous magnetic moment for the light quark. It is observed that not only D, but also B meson transitions within a heavy quark spin multiplet are affected by the presence of the heavy quark current.