cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contribution of direct actions of the oxime HI-6 in reversing soman-induced muscle weakness in the rat diaphragm☆

Abstract The actions of the bispyridinium oxime HI-6 ([[[(4-aminocarbonyl)pyridino]-methoxy]methyl]-2-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]-pyridinium dichloride) were investigated in vitro on rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparations. Isometric twitch and tetanic tensions were elicited at 37°C with supramaximal nerve stimulation at frequencies of 20 and 50 z. To approximate normal respiration patterns, trials consisting of 30 successive 0.55 s trains were alternated with 1.25 s rest periods. Under control conditions, the above stimulation pattern generated tensions that were well maintained at both frequencies. In contrast, a marked depression of muscle tension was observed in diphragms removed from rats administered 339 μg/kg soman (3 LD 50 ) and tested in vitro. Addition of HI-6, 4 h after soman exposure, led to a nearly complete recovery of muscle tension at 20 Hz. At 50 Hz, muscle tensions still declined especially when trains were elicited at 1.25 and 3 s intervals. The recovery by HI-6 observed in this study appears to be mediated by mechanisms unrelated to acetylcholinesterase reactivation since no increase of enzymatic activity was detected and the effect was reversed by a brief washout in oxime-free physiological solution. The results suggest that the direct action of HI-6 may play a role in restoring soman-induced diaphragmatic failure but this effect woul be significant primarily under low use conditions.
Definitions of Violence: African-American and Iraqi Refugee Adolescents' Perceptions

ABSTRACT This article explores the perceptions of urban African-American and Iraqi refugee adolescents regarding community violence, school violence, family violence and dating/intimate partner violence. A subset of participants from a larger study on violence and trauma was selected to participate in the current study. Using a card-sort exercise, participants identified situations as violent or not violent. Iraqi youth identified noticeably more behaviors as violence than African-American youth. Few significant gender differences emerged. Findings of important cultural differences provide implications for violence prevention programming.
Selective Determination of Isoproterenol and Isoproterenol Sulfonic Acid in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

Two simple, precise, and specific methods for the determination of isoproterenol in decomposed formulations are described. DEHP shakeout procedure, which depends upon ionpai formation with the unchanged drug at a suitable pH, enables the quantitative determination of isoproterenol from the DEHP-ether phase and of its sulfonic acid from the aqueous buffer phase. Isoproterenol sulfonic acid can then be determined selectively by treating the aqueous buffer phase with Doty's reagents. The sodium metaperiodate method has been developed as an alternate checking procedure to validate the results obtained by the DEHP method and involves the quantitative formation of an aryl aldehyde of the unchanged drug. The merits of both the procedures over the conventional UV and visible spectrophotometric procedures are shown by their application to the analysis of simulated decomposed formulation, aged simulated inhalations and injections, and commercial formulations. A thin-layer chromatographic procedure for the separation and detection of isoproterenol and its sulfonic acid and other artifacts is described.
Ultra-High-Contrast and Tunable-Bandwidth Filter Using Cascaded High-Order Silicon Microring Filters

High-contrast optical filtering is demonstrated using cascaded silicon microrings. We report an experimental measurement of a record 100 dB pass-band to stop-band contrast, tunable 12–125 GHz passband full-width at half-maximum, band-center insertion loss ripple ${ , and a group delay ripple ${ , using transverse electric polarized light.
Virion Formation Is Required for the Long-Distance Movement of Red Clover Necrotic Mosaic Virus in Movement Protein Transgenic Plants

The red clover necrotic mosaic dianthovirus (RCNMV) genome is split between two single-stranded RNA species. The polycistronic RNA-1 encodes the viral RNA polymerase and capsid protein (CP) and the monocistronic RNA-2 encodes the 35 kDa cell-to-cell movement protein (MP). Nicotiana benthamiana plants transformed with the RCNMV MP gene were generated. When inoculated onto the MP transgenic plants, cell-to-cell movement of RNA-1 occurred at a rate similar to wild-type virus. However, long-distance (leaf-to-leaf) movement of RNA-1 was not observed. Neither CP nor virions were detected in the inoculated leaves of the MP transgenic plants. When RNA-1 was coinoculated with RNA-2 mutants, which do not express a functional MP, onto MP transgenic plants, CP and virions were readily detected and a systemic infection resulted. These results demonstrate that both RNA-1 and RNA-2 are necessary for the accumulation of both CP and virions. Furthermore, CP accumulation was found to be required for long-distance movement of RCNMV. Therefore, these data provide evidence that CP, in the form of virions, is necessary for the long-distance movement of RCNMV.
Help-Seeking for Alcohol-Related Problems in College Students: Correlates and Preferred Resources

Despite the development of a variety of efficacious alcohol intervention approaches for college students, few student drinkers seek help. The present study assessed students' history of help-seeking for alcohol problems, as well as their estimates of how likely they would be to use various help-seeking resources, should they wish to change their drinking. Participants were 197 college students who reported recent heavy drinking (46% male, 68.5% White, 27.4% African-American). Participants completed measures related to their drinking and their use (both past use and likelihood of future use) of 14 different alcohol help-seeking options. Repeated-measures analyses of variance revealed that students preferred informal help-seeking (e.g., talking to friends and family) over formal (e.g., talking with a counselor or medical provider) and anonymous resources (e.g., internet- or computer-based programs). Higher self-ideal discrepancy, greater depressive symptoms, and more alcohol-related consequences were positively associated with actual past help-seeking. Alcohol-related problems and normative discrepancy were negatively associated with hypothetical likelihood of utilizing all three help-seeking resources. These results suggest that heavy drinking college students prefer low-threshold intervention options including peer, family, computerized, and brief motivational interventions. Only 36 participants (18.3% of the sample) reported that they had utilized any of the help-seeking options queried, suggesting that campus prevention efforts should include both promoting low-threshold interventions and attempting to increase the salience of alcohol-related risk and the potential utility of changing drinking patterns.
Whole-plant utilization of sunflowers

Abstract Forty-eight accessions representing 39 taxa of the genus Helianthus (sunflower) were collected from a common garden and whole plants examined for yields of non-polar extractables (hydrocarbons, rubber, etc.), polar extractables (resins, sugars, etc.) and crude protein. This study revealed several promising species for obtaining hydrocarbons: H. agrestis, H. annuus, H. argophyllus, and H. arizonensis. Species highest in methanol extractables were H. ciliaris, H. leavigatus, H. occidentalis ssp. plantagineus, H. paradoxus, H. petiolaris, and H. silphioides. Species with greater than 16% protein yields were H. arizonensis, H. grosseserratus, H. neglectus, H. petiolaris ssp. fallax, and H. simulans. Since this genus is well known agronomically, the development of one of the species for whole-plant utilization may be easier than the domestication of some lesser-known genera.
Numerical Solution of Boussinesq Equations to Simulate Dam-Break Flows

To investigate the effect of nonhydrostatic pressure distribution, dam-break flows are simulated by numerically solving the one-dimensional Boussinesq equations by using a fourth-order explicit finite-difference scheme. The computed water surface profiles for different depth ratios have undulations near the bore front for depth ratios greater than 0.4. The results obtained by using the Saint Venant equations and the Boussinesq equations are compared to determine the contribution of individual Boussinesq terms in the simulation of dam-break flow. It is found that, for typical engineering applications, the Saint Venant equations give sufficiently accurate results for the maximum flow depth and the time to reach this value at a location downstream of the dam.
Optimal simple rules in RE models with risk sensitive preferences

Abstract This paper provides a useful method to solve optimal simple rules under risk sensitive preference in macromodels with forward looking behavior. An application to a new Keynesian model with lagged dynamics is offered and risk sensitive preference is found to amplify the policy responses.
Onset of Resin Micro-cracks in Unidirectional Glass Fiber Laminates with Integrated SHM Sensors: Numerical Analysis:

The embedment of micro-sensors and micro-devices into composite laminates for structural health monitoring systems leads to stress/strain concentrations due to geometrical and material discontinuities around such embedded inclusions, with high potential to initiate premature failures. This article presents the efforts to estimate the effects of these stress/strain concentrations induced by the integration of rectangular-shape sensors within unidirectional fiber-glass composites. The micro-crack initiation sites and the failure load are predicted using finite-element simulations. Good agreement has been found between the numerical results and the experimental findings presented in an accompanying paper.
The effect of mycoplasmosis on carotenoid plumage coloration in male house finches

Parasites are widely assumed to cause reduced expression of ornamental plumage coloration, but few experimental studies have tested this hypothesis. We captured young male house finches Carpodacus mexicanus in Alabama before fall molt and randomly divided them into two groups. One group was infected with the bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallicepticum (MG) and the other group was maintained free of MG infection. All birds were maintained through molt on a diet of seeds with tangerine juice added to their water as a source of β-cryptoxanthin, the natural precursor to the primary red carotenoid pigment in house finch plumage. All males grew drab plumage, but males with MG infection grew feathers that were significantly less red (more yellow), less saturated, and less bright than males that were not infected. MG targets upper respiratory and ocular tissue. Our observations show that a pathogen that does not directly disrupt carotenoid absorption or transportation can still have a significant effect on carotenoid utilization.
Induction of angiotensin converting enzyme in human monocytes in culture.

Abstract Angiotensin converting enzyme (E.C.3.4.15.1, peptidyl dipeptidase) in circulating human monocytes rose from undetectable or minimal levels in vivo to as high as 35.5 nmol/min·mgprotein (>300-fold increase) after 6 or 7 days in culture. Enzyme induction was enhanced by autologous serum and exposure for two days to 0.45 μM dexamethasone. Potent inhibition of enzyme induction by 370 μg/ml of actinomycin D and 1 μM cycloheximide suggested that new messenger RNA and enzyme biosynthesis are involved in the induction. Human monocyte and lung enzyme were similar with respect to EDTA inhibition, CoCl2 activation and inhibition by an antienzyme antiserum. Human lymphocytes had minimal or undetectable enzyme which was not induced after 4 days in culture.
Torsional stiffness of NITINOL-reinforced composite drive shafts

Abstract The torsional stiffness of composite drive shafts is actively controlled by activating optimal sets of shape-memory alloy (NITINOL) wires which are embedded near the outer surfaces of these shafts and parallel to their longitudinal axes. With such active control capabilities, drive shafts can be manufactured from light-weight sections and their stiffness can be actively tuned to avoid undesirable resonant responses. These features may find applications in drive shafts of critical vehicles, such as helicopters, where high torque-to-weight ratios are of utmost importance. However, more development work must proceed these applications. A finite element model is developed to describe the individual contributions of the composite matrix, the NITINOL wires and the shape-memory effect to the overall performance of the drive shafts. The theoretical predictions of the models are validated experimentally on a prototype of a NITINOL-reinforced drive shaft which is 2.9 cm in diameter and 26.6 cm long. The shaft is reinforced with two NITINOL-55 wires which are 0.54 mm in diameter. The effect of the initial pre-load of the NITINOL wires and of their activation strategy on the performance of the shaft is determined. The experimental results obtained indicate that activating the NITINOL wires results in doubling the torsional stiffness of the shaft. The theoretical and experimental techniques presented will provide useful guides for designing SMART drive shafts.
Magnetosheath quasi-trapped distributions and ion flows associated with reconnection

Using a sample of ISEE 1 and 2 magnetopause crossings previously identified as times of quasi-steady reconnection, flows of medium energy ions in the magnetosheath are identified. The paper then investigates the particle pitch angle distribution immediately before and after each of these events for the signature of quasi-trapped distributions of energetic ions. Several of the ion flows identified were observed simultaneously with previously identified flux transfer events (FTEs). While FTEs identified from the magnetometer tracings typically show evidence of ion flows, the converse is not necessarily true. However, all properties of the magnetosheath ion flows are the same regardless of whether an FTE can be identified from the magnetometer data. Evidence is found for small-scale reconnection processes (FTEs, ion flows) embedded within a larger region of interconnected field, which is traced out by the quasi-trapped particles. Quasi-trapped distributions of medium-energy ions are seen to sandwich reconnection-associated ion flows in the magnetosheath. The results of this survey have been used to suggest a morphology for reconnection events that incorporates both large- and small-scale features.
A Hybrid Micro-Scale Model for Transport in Connected Macro-Pores in Porous Media

This paper presents a hybrid model for transport in connected macro-pores in porous media. A pore-scale model is used to parameterize the hybrid model. The hybrid model explicitly models the advection and diffusion of species in the connected macro-pores and treats the porous media around the connected macro-pores as a continuum with effective transport properties. The pore-scale model is used to calculate the effective transport properties of the porous continuum. This approach negates the need to calibrate the hybrid model against experimental data, which is common for continuum-scale models of porous media, and allows an arbitrary microstructure to be considered. The paper presents the multi-scale modeling approach along with the details of the hybrid and pore-scale models. Validation of the model is also presented along with several case studies investigating the applicability of the multi-scale modeling approach to different geometries and transport conditions. The case studies show that the multi-scale modeling approach is accurate for various connected macro-pore geometries given that the porosity of the porous medium around the connected macro-pores is sufficiently small. The accuracy of the hybrid model decreases with increasing porosity of the matrix.
Influence of Accompanying Substrate on In Vitro Volatile Fatty Acid Formation from α-Cellulose-14C,

Abstract The effect of accompanying substrate on volatile fatty acid (VFA) formation from α -cellulose- 14 C incubated 4 hr with ruminal ingesta obtained from a cow fed either alfalfa hay (H) or a 2.5:1 grain–alfalfa hay mixture (G) was investigated. Addition of starch or linoleic acid to H or G ingesta had no discernible effect on the relative amounts of titratable VFA or VFA- 14 C produced. Continuous flushing of the incubating H or G ruminal ingesta with N 2 or CO 2 had no significant effect on the production of titratable VFA or VFA- 14 C, but did affect the route of propionate formation. Continuous gassing with CO 2 increased the proportion of propionate formed by the randomizing route. Addition of sodium lactate markedly increased the molar percentage of titratable butyrate and butyrate- 14 C. The dramatic change in titratable VFA and VFA- 14 C production caused by the addition of sodium lactate was considered evidence for the direct influence ration constituents or feed additives could have on the rumen fermentation by altering the metabolic routes used by the existing microbial population. The randomizing route of propionate formation accounted for 82% or more of the propionate formed when H ingesta was subjected to the various treatments. With the G ingesta, 63% or more of the propionate was formed by the randomizing route.
Distinct roles for matrix metalloproteinase-2 and α4 integrin in autoimmune T cell extravasation and residency in brain parenchyma during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Abstract Expression of α4 integrin by auto-reactive T cells is critical for their ability to induce EAE, an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system in mice, used as a model to study human multiple sclerosis. Having previously identified one role for α4 integrin in adhesion-mediated induction of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), an enzyme that degrades the subendothelial basement membrane matrix, we investigated independent roles for MMP-2 and α4 integrin during EAE. The data suggest that expression of α4 integrin by auto-reactive T cells is important not only in mediating MMP-2 induction to facilitate entry into the CNS, but also plays a role in maintaining residency within the CNS.
Jim Blinn's corner-return of the Jaggy (high frequency filtering)

The antialiasing problem of filtering out high frequencies before sampling is considered. The techniques examined are simple filters, box filters, the triangle or tent filter, Gaussian and similarly shaped filters, and the ideal filter. The use of subsampling and the effect of D/A (digital-to-analog) converters are discussed. >
Drosophila to bacteriophage to erythrocyte: the erythrocyte as a model for molecular and membrane aging of terminally differentiated cells.

Senescent cell antigen appears on old cells and marks them for death by initiating the binding of IgG autoantibody and subsequent removal by phagocytes in mammals and other vertebrates. Although the i
Spatiotemporal behavior of Pt/Rh/CeO2/BaO catalyst during lean–rich cycling

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the impact of key operating variables (ceria loading, space velocity, cycle time, and rich pulse intensity) on the oxygen storage and release process of a Pt/Rh/CeO2/BaO monolithic catalyst during periodic lean (oxygen)–rich (propylene) operation. The concentrations were measured by spatially-resolved capillary inlet mass spectrometry (SpaciMS), and the temperature profile was measured by coherent optical frequency domain reflectometry (c-OFDR), providing detailed insight into the spatio-temporal features of the reaction system. The experiments revealed that the addition of ceria increased the breakthrough time of the propylene during a lean-to-rich transition due to an increased oxidation rate. Hydrogen was formed in the upstream and was consumed in the downstream section of the catalyst by reaction with ceria. Increasing the space velocity increased the upstream hydrogen formation rate and decreased its downstream oxidation rate. Increasing the lean and rich durations (while keeping their duration ratio constant) increased the oxygen uptake but resulted in propylene breakthrough and decreased the solid temperature. Increasing the rich period (at a fixed rich feed and total cycle time) allowed the catalyst to release more oxygen. A comparison of the ceria-containing catalyst to one without ceria revealed a more efficient complete oxidation for the former, while a comparison of the periodic to stationary operation revealed that less than half the propylene was converted to CO2 by the former.
Dolphin-Assisted Therapy: Flawed Data, Flawed Conclusions

(1998). Dolphin-Assisted Therapy: Flawed Data, Flawed Conclusions. Anthrozoos: Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 194-200.
The role of employee development in the growth of intellectual capital

The focus on costs that characterised organisations in the 1980s and early 1990s is now being replaced by an interest in the concept of value. In assessing value, it is the “intangible assets” of an organisation that are likely to be worth considerably more than the measured tangible ones. Traditional accounting systems find themselves challenged as a result. These intangible assets need to be understood and identified. People form a very critical part of them, and indeed the “human capital” can be logically argued to be the ultimate driver of all value growth. The contribution of human capital to current and future value for stakeholders is examined. The key conditions for such growth are suggested as individual capability, individual motivation, leadership, the organisational climate, and workgroup effectiveness. Each of these is examined in some detail together with options for quantifiable measures. Employee development, including the continuing generation and exchange of knowledge and experience, is concluded to be the key driver of value growth in any kind of organisation.
Post-operative heparin may not be required for transitioning patients with a HeartMate II left ventricular assist system to long-term warfarin therapy.

Background Anti-coagulation with heparin is often used after left ventricular assist device implantation as a transition to long-term warfarin therapy. We retrospectively evaluated the effects of heparin use on thromboembolic and bleeding complications after implantation of the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Methods LVAD patients ( n = 418) implanted as a bridge to transplant were divided into three groups: Group A patients (therapeutic, n = 118) received heparin and had a partial thromboplastin time (PTT) of >50 seconds on two or more occasions; Group B patients (sub-therapeutic, n = 178) had at least one PTT value in the range of 40 to 55 seconds; and Group C patients (no heparin, n = 122) had no PTT values >40 seconds. All patients were transitioned to warfarin and aspirin therapy. The following adverse events were evaluated: ischemic stroke; hemorrhagic stroke; pump thrombosis; bleeding requiring surgery; and bleeding requiring ≥2 units of packed red blood cells in 24 hours. Results There was no difference in the percentages of patients with ischemic (5%, 4%, 3%) or hemorrhagic (3%, 3%, 5%) strokes or pump thrombosis (3%, 2%, 2%) after post-operative day (POD) 3 among Groups A, B and C, respectively. From PODs 3 to 30, the percentage of patients requiring transfusion for bleeding was significantly lower for Group C (18%) than for Groups A (32%) and B (26%) ( p = 0.04); differences after 30 days were not significant. Multivariate analysis revealed that post-operative heparin use, low post-operative platelet count and low baseline hematocrit value were independent risk factors for bleeding events between PODs 3 and 30. Conclusions In patients receiving the HeartMate II LVAD who were directly transitioned to warfarin and aspirin therapy without intravenous heparin there was no short-term increase in risk of thrombotic or thromboembolic events, and bleeding requiring transfusion was significantly reduced. Additional long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate possible late effects.
Antibiotics from within: antibacterials from human and animal sources.

Abstract The isolation of potent antibacterial proteins and peptides from human and animal phagocytes has raised the possibility that these ‘antibiotics from within' can be used as therapeutic agents. Problems in delivery to and toxicity towards the host must be faced, but rapid progress in defining the structural determinants of the cytotoxic action of these naturally occurring cytotoxins provides a basis for biotechnological development of new classes of antibiotics.
Novel CaF2 Nanocomposite with High Strength and Fluoride Ion Release

Secondary caries and restoration fracture remain common problems in dentistry. This study tested the hypothesis that combining nano-CaF2 and glass fillers would yield nanocomposites with high mechanical properties and F release. Novel CaF2 nanoparticles (56-nm) were synthesized via spray-drying and incorporated into resin. F release increased with increasing the nano-CaF2 content, or with decreasing pH (p 0.1). The nanocomposites had flexural strengths of 70-120 MPa, after 84-day immersion at pH 4, pH 5.5, and pH 7. These strengths were nearly three-fold that of resin-modified glass ionomer, and matched/exceeded a composite with little F release. In summary, novel CaF2 nanoparticles produced high F release at low filler levels, thereby making room in resin for reinforcement glass. This yielded nanocomposites with high F-release and stress-bearing properties, which may help reduce secondary caries and restoration fracture.
Contagious Equine Metritis Within the United States: A Review of the 2008 Outbreak

Abstract Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a reportable foreign animal disease in the United States caused by the organism Taylorella equigenitalis. Import and export regulations regarding transport of horses into the United States from countries which either have a high prevalence of CEM or those that trade freely with countries having a high prevalence of CEM have failed to prevent the 2008 outbreak, which has not yet been traced to the original horse. It is important to recognize the clinical signs of acute CEM infections (endometritis, infertility, and abortion) to prevent further outbreak of disease. With early recognition, proper testing, and quarantine measures, the outbreaks and economic losses to the United States can be kept to a minimum. However, there are certain characteristics of the disease that are difficult to diagnose and control, such as the ability of the organism to infect an animal without creating clinical signs and the difficulty in culturing it. A review of the transmission, clinical signs, diagnostic methods, treatment, and prevention of CEM as well as a brief summary of the 2008 outbreak of CEM within the United States has been discussed in this article.
My view of the future of symbolic and algebraic computation

This note has been composed in response to Bruno Buchberger's invitation to the program committee of Eurocal '85 (and others), to provide a short paper on this topic.
Local Recurrence After Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumors: An Analysis of 1032 Tumors

The best measure of the technical success of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is local recurrence (LR). The aim of this prospective study is to identify factors that predict LR. Three hundred thirty-five patients with 1032 unresectable liver tumors underwent laparoscopic RFA between November 1999 and August 2005. All lesions were assessed prospectively regarding tumor type, size, liver segment, blood vessel proximity, and central or peripheral location in the operating room and size of ablation zone at 1-week computed tomographic (CT) scans. Lesions that recurred in follow-up CT scans were identified prospectively. LR was categorized as contiguous or adjacent. Univariate Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models were used for statistical analysis. LR was identified 21.7% of tumors on CT scans with a mean follow-up of 17 months (median, 12 months; range, 3–68 months). This was contiguous in 70% and adjacent in 30%. LR rate per tumor was highest for colorectal metastasis (34%), followed by noncolorectal, nonneuroendocrine metastasis (22%), hepatocellular carcinoma (18%), and neuroendocrine metastasis (6%). By univariate analysis, tumor type and size, ablation margin, liver segmental location, blood vessel proximity, and type of ablation (first time vs. repeat) were found to affect LR. The Cox proportional hazard model identified tumor type, tumor size, ablation margin, and blood vessel proximity to be independent predictors of LR. LR after RFA is predicted by certain tumor characteristics and technical factors. This information can be used intraoperatively to identify those tumors at a higher risk for failure.
Pulses, fronts and oscillations of an elastic rod

Abstract Two coupled nonlinear Klein–Gordon equations modeling the three-dimensional dynamics of a twisted elastic rod near its first bifurcation threshold are analyzed. First, it is shown that these equations are Hamiltonian and that they admit a two-parameter family of traveling wave solutions. Second, special solutions corresponding to simple deformations of the elastic rod are considered. The stability of such configurations is analyzed by means of two coupled nonlinear Schrodinger equations, which are derived from the nonlinear Klein–Gordon equations in the limit of small deformations. In particular, it is shown that periodic solutions are modulationally unstable, which is consistent with the looping process observed in the writhing instability of elastic filaments. Third, numerical simulations of the nonlinear Klein–Gordon equations suggesting that traveling pulses are stable, are presented.
Rethinking Environmental Racism: White Privilege and Urban Development in Southern California

Geographic studies of environmental racism have focused on the spatial relationships between environmental hazards and community demographics in order to determine if inequity exists. Conspicuously absent within this literature, however, is any substantive discussion of racism. This paper seeks to address this shortcoming in two ways. I first investigate how racism is understood and expressed in the literature. I argue that although racism is rarely explicitly discussed, a normative conceptualization of racism informs the research. Not only is this prevailing conception overly narrow and restrictive, it also denies the spatiality of racism. Consequently, my second goal is to demonstrate how various forms of racism contribute to environmental racism. In addition to conventional understandings of racism, I emphasize white privilege, a highly structural and spatial form of racism. Using Los Angeles as a case study, I examine how whites have secured relatively cleaner environments by moving away from older in...
A Holistic Approach to Guide Development of Future Climate Scenarios for Water Resource Applications

: Changes in climate are expected to have a substantial impact on water resources. Consequently, numerous hydrologists have studied the widely recognized challenge of using climate-change projections to address questions related to management of future water resources. Significant effort has been invested in formulating methods to overcome the difference in spatial scales between available future climate scenarios and water management needs. While numerous downscaling options exist, resource evaluation for the various approaches is rarely discussed; most assessments are focused on evaluating the skill of different methodologies. In this study, a framework is described that water managers can use 1) to identify their climate scenario needs and 2) to assess their financial, computing, time, and workforce resource limitations for climate scenario development. This framework will enable water resource managers to optimize the use of their available resources when developing future climate scenarios.
On formal integrability of evolution equations and local geometry of surfaces

Abstract Some relationships between local differential geometry of surfaces and integrability of evolutionary partial differential equations are studied. It is proven that every second order formally integrable equation describes pseudo-spherical surfaces. A classification of integrable equations of Boussinesq type is presented, and it is shown that they can be interpreted geometrically as “equations describing hyperbolic affine surfaces”
Quantifying cross-platform engagement through large-scale user alignment

As online social media becomes prevalent as part of our daily life, it is increasingly common for a user to have accounts on multiple social media platforms. In this work, we present our findings on quantifying the extent of user engagement of different platforms as well as their correlations. The study is conducted based on a large-scale user alignment on 6 major social media platforms. Specifically, we identify both explicit and implicit mentions of social media accounts from the Twitter Decahose stream over a period of 22 months. During the process, we have aligned a total of 21,456,808 Twitter users to their alternative accounts on different platforms. Subsequently, we extract the number of overlapping users between any combination of these social media platforms exhaustively.
The Taunting of Parentally Bereaved Children: An Exploratory Study

This exploratory study addresses the rarely mentioned, minimally investigated topic of peer taunting of parentally bereaved children. It suggests that social support cannot be adequately conceptualized or measured on an essentially one-dimensional scale from high to low support. The data are derived from lengthy semistructured transcribed research interviews of bereaved children. Using conservative criteria, 7 of the 35 children were found to have experienced direct, raw taunting about their loss. The varied forms of taunting experienced are described, as well as a range of victim reactions. Suggestions of foci for future research are presented.
Natural-abundance 43Ca solid-state NMR spectroscopy of bone.

Structural information about the coordination environment of calcium present in bone is highly valuable in understanding the role of calcium in bone formation, biomineralization, and bone diseases ...
Reliability of Measures From 500 Written Words.

Hunt (1965) obtained scores from 1000-word writing samples to measure sentence maturity. If smaller samples could provide reliable measures, much menial tabulation could be spared. The present study gives data on the reliability of the Hunt measures when 500-word samples are used. Unknown to them, the themes of 135 eighth graders (72F, 63M) were collected weekly for 6 wk. The topics were expository and narrative and were part of the English curriculum. Samples of at least 1000 words from each student were typed verbatim, triple spaced, sentence by sentence so that each S's writing sample was a continuous document of about 12 pages. The samples were scored page by page on 16 of the measures'%ed by Hunt (1965). Two divisions of the 1000-word samples were made, and the correlations between halves for each of the 16 measures were calculated. The themes of h e first 3 wk. were compared with those of the second 3 wk., and the odd pages were compared with the even pagcs Clause of comparison, deferred subject, cleft, "the mote, the merrier," subjunctive, spec~al "which" clause, comparative adjective, and adverb complement occurred infrequently and showed nonsignificant correlations. Adjective, adverb, and noun clauses cotrelated -35. .31, and .08, respectively, from first half to second half, and .46, .42, and .26 in the odd-even comparison. Clause length, clauses per T-unit, T-unit length, T-units per sentence, and sentence length correlated .48, .22, .56, .48, and .62, respectively, between first half and second half, and .69, .54, .74, .65, and .77 between odd and even page samples. Apparently, samples much larger than 500 words are needed to give a reliable indication of the kinds of subordinate structures used, but for scores such as clause length, T-unit length, and sentence length, the reliability of the SOO-word sample may often be sufficient. Sampling systematically from a larger sample maintains a higher level of reliability than analyzing all of a smaller sample.
Chemokine-leukocyte interactions. The voodoo that they do so well

Abstract Leukocyte recruitment from the circulation into inflammatory tissues requires a series of soluble and cell-bound signals between the responding leukocyte and vascular endothelial barrier. Chemotactic factors are believed to be responsible for this selective adhesion and transmigration. A superfamily of small, soluble, structurally-related molecules called ‘chemokines' have been identified and shown to selectively promote the rapid adhesion and chemotaxis of a variety of leukocyte subtypes both in vivo and in vitro . Chemokines are produced by almost every cell type in the body in response to a number of inflammatory signals, in particular those which activate leukocyteendothelial cell interactions. These molecules also appear to play important roles in hematopoesis, cellular activation, and leukocyte effector functions. In addition, chemokines have been found in the tissues of a variety of disease states characterized by distinct leukocytic infiltrates, including rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis, atherosclerosis, asthma, psoriasis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, HIV replication, and a variety of pulmonary disease states. This review will primarily focus on the role of chemokines in cell adhesion and trafficking as well as their role as effector molecules.
Predictors of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in patients undergoing bariatric surgery: when is liver biopsy indicated?

Abstract Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a frequent accompaniment of morbid obesity. A component of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, steatosis, can, on occasion, lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Bariatric surgery has been shown to alter the course of this disease. Intraoperative liver biopsies might identify patients with NASH for more careful follow-up. We sought to determine noninvasive preoperative indicators of NASH. Methods The patients scheduled for bariatric surgery underwent a preoperative assessment. The study variables included age, gender, race, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and the results of serum liver function tests and triglyceride, cholesterol, iron, and prealbumin measurements. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify significant variables associated with NASH as determined by subsequent core liver biopsies taken during open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Results A total of 139 patients were entered into the study. NASH or NASH-associated fibrosis was found in 57 patients (41%). On univariate analyses, male gender (odds ratio [OR] 2.46, P = .06), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.60, P = .009), elevated serum triglyceride levels (OR 1.003, P = .02), elevated gamma glutamyl transferase (OR 1.015, P = .01), and decreased prealbumin (OR 0.94, P = .04) correlated with the presence of NASH. On multivariate analysis, only increased triglycerides (OR 1.004, P = .04) and decreased prealbumin (OR 0.88, P = .005) correlated with the presence of NASH. Conclusion NASH is a frequent accompaniment of morbid obesity in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the clinical parameters studied could not identify strong predictors of biopsy-verified NASH. Therefore, intraoperative biopsy remains instrumental in diagnosing NASH and providing information for additional follow-up.
Visualization of Oleic Acid-induced Transdermal Diffusion Pathways Using Two-photon Fluorescence Microscopy

In a novel application of dual-channel high-speed two-photon fluorescence microscopy, the skin autofluores-cence and the transdermal fluorescent model drug spatial distributions were imaged simultaneously over precisely the same spatial coordinates. The dual channels enable the detection of the fluorescence emission wavelengths characteristic of the endogenous (intrinsic) skin fluorophores, as well as of the rhodamine-based model drug intensity emission at a different wavelength range of the fluorescence emission spectrum. These fluorescent model drugs delineate the oleic acid induced changes in permeant diffusion with respect to the skin structural features over the 0.3 mm by 0.3 mm skin area imaged per skin sample. The dual-channel high-speed two-photon fluorescence microscopy studies presented here provide evidence for the existence of intracorneocyte diffusion in addition to the commonly cited lipid multilamellar transdermal pathway. The image quantification analysis methodology introduced in this paper reveals that intracorneocyte diffusion exists for the hydrophobic (rhodamine B hexyl ester) and for the hydrophilic (sulforhodamine B) model drugs, in the absence of oleic acid chemical enhancer action. The mechanism of oleic acid chemical enhancer action, however, depends on the model drug physicochemical properties, where the oleic acid induces hydrophobic model drug localization to the lipid multilamellar region, while increasing the hydrophilic model drug lipid to corneocyte partitioning.
DRIP150 Coactivation of Estrogen Receptor α in ZR-75 Breast Cancer Cells Is Independent of LXXLL Motifs

Vitamin D receptor-interacting protein 150 (DRIP150) has been identified as part of mediator-like complexes that enhance transcriptional activation of the estrogen receptor (ER) and other nuclear receptors (NRs). DRIP150 coactivates ligand-dependent ERα-mediated transactivation in ZR-75 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells transfected with a (luciferase) reporter construct (pERE3) regulated by three tandem estrogen-responsive elements. Coactivation of ERα by DRIP150 in ZR-75 cells was activation function 2-dependent and required an intact helix 12 that typically interacts with LXXLL motifs (NR box) in p160 steroid receptor coactivators. DRIP150 contains C- and N-terminal NR boxes (amino acids 1182–1186 and 69–73, respectively), and deletion analysis of DRIP150 showed that regions containing these sequences were not necessary for coactivation of ERα. Analysis of multiple DRIP150 deletion mutants identified a 23-amino-acid sequence (789–811) required for coactivation activity. Analysis of the protein crystal structure data base identified two regions at amino acids 789–794 and 795–804, which resembled α-helical motifs in Lanuginosa lipase/histamine N-methyltransferase and hepatocyte nuclear factor 1, respectively. By using a squelching assay and specific amino acid point mutations within each α-helix, the NIFSEVRVYN (795–804) region was identified as the critical sequence required for the activity of DRIP150. These results demonstrate that coactivation of ERα by DRIP150 in ZR-75 cells is NR box-independent and requires a novel sequence with putative α-helical structure.
Three Transgressions: Nietzsche, Heidegger, Derrida

Nietzsche, Heidegger and Derrida: these are not merely the names of three authors, but of three matters for thought, of three ways beyond metaphysics, three transgressions. I want to offer here a reflection, first, upon the dynamics of these transgressions—how each conceives metaphysics and where each makes its move against metaphysics—and, then, upon the relationships of the three to one another, on the interplay of their transgressive practices.
Effect of grip span on maximal grip force and fatigue of flexor digitorum superficialis

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of grip span on isometric grip force and fatigue of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscle during sustained voluntary contractions at 60-65% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Eighteen subjects performed isometric, submaximal gripping contractions using a grip dynamometer at four different grip span settings while the pronated forearm rested on a horizontal surface. Maximal absolute grip force and median power frequency of FDS surface electromyography (EMG) during the submaximal trials were analyzed. Fatigue of FDS, as inferred from EMG frequency shifts, did not change as a function of grip size. However, middle grip sizes allowed for greater absolute forces than the small or large size. When contractions are at 60-65% MVC and the muscle is allowed to fatigue, however, grip size may be less influential than when maximal absolute force is required.
Determination of the interfacial mass transfer coefficient of vinyl acetate monomer diffusion into poly(vinyl acetate) and polystyrene latex particles stabilized with different stabilization mechanisms using a vapor phase addition method

A vapor phase monomer addition method was used to measure the monomer transfer rate into latex particles. The classical mathematical model for the diffusion process was used to calculate the overall mass transfer coefficients of monomer between the vapor and the water phases, and between the water and the polymer particle phases. At the initial stage of the monomer transfer into the glassy polystyrene latex particles at 60°C, the rate-determining step was the monomer transfer inside the polymer. As more monomer transferred into the latex particles and the glass transition temperature of the swollen latex particles decreased below the experimental temperature, the rate-determining step became the monomer transfer across the interfacial surfactant layer. This transition was not observed with poly(vinyl acetate) latex, which was rubbery at the experimental temperature. The diffusion coefficients calculated were in the order of 10−13 to 10-14 cm2/s. These low values correspond to molecular diffusion of small molecules through a solid or glassy membrane. This was attributed to the resistance of the adsorbed surfactant layer. The mass transfer rates into latex particles stabilized with ionic, nonionic surfactants, and a water-soluble polymer were compared. In the case of the ionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate, when a large amount of electrolyte was added, the mass transfer rate decreased compared to the electrolyte addition free case. This was attributed to the formation of a “condensed” layer of adsorbed surfactant. Adsorbed nonionic surfactant or water-soluble polymer showed larger resistance to monomer transport compared to the ionic surfactant layer. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An efficient adaptive dynamic algorithm

Abstract An automatic time stepping scheme utilizing a modified Newton approach is discussed for the solution of nonlinear structural problems. Through the application of rather simple logic, the formation of costly stiffness matrices are minimized, while the time steps are maintained at a reasonable level to ensure an efficient analysis. The algorithm is applied to two simple but highly nonlinear transient problems. The results indicate a robust adaptive scheme that should be very cost-effective, especially for large sized problems in which stiffness formation and inversion is particularly costly.
On the local norm map for abelian varieties with good ordinary reduction

In [a], Mazur studied the cokernel of the norm mapping on an abelian variety A over a finite extension K of Q,,. with good ordinary reduction modulo the prime over p. The question of primary interest was to calculate A(K)iNA(L) where NA(L) is the group of universal norms coming from a r-extension L/K (i.e., Gal( L/K) = r 2 Z,, ). For the unramilied I--extension. he shows that this quotient is trivial. For a totally ramified r-extension, Mazur was able to give an upper bound for the order of this group to show that it is finite. His calculation gives the exact sequence