cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solution-processed broadband photodetectors without transparent conductive oxide electrodes

Broadband photodetectors (PDs) have great applications in both industrial and scientific sectors. In this study, solution-processed broadband PDs with an “inverted” vertical photodiode device structure without incorporating transparent conductive oxides electrodes, fabricated by bulk heterojunction (BHJ) composites composed of a low optical gap conjugated polymer blended with highly electrically conductive PbS quantum dots (QDs), operated at room temperature, are reported. The low optical gap conjugated polymer incorporated with PbS QDs contributes to the spectral response from the ultraviolet (UV)-visible to the infrared (IR) range. To realize the IR spectral response and to circumvent the weak IR transparency of the transparent oxide electrodes, the implementation of a photodiode with an “inverted” vertical device structure with the Au anode and the Ba/Al bilayer semitransparent cathode passivated with the MgF2 layer is demonstrated. Photoinduced charge carrier transfer occurring within the BHJ composite gave rise to decent photocurrent, resulting in detectivities greater than 1012 Jones (cm Hz1/2/W) over the wavelength from the UV-visible to the IR range under low applied bias. Thus, our findings of the utilization of the BHJ composites and an “inverted” vertical photodiode without the incorporation of the transparent conductive oxide electrodes provide a facile way to realize broadband PDs.
Discovering and Deriving Service Variants from Business Process Specifications

Software service organizations typically develop custom solutions from scratch in each project engagement. This is not a scalable proposition, since it depends too heavily on labor alone. Rather, creating and reusing software "assets" is more scalable and profitable. One prevalent approach to building software solutions is to use service-oriented architecture (SOA) to compose software services to support business processes. In this context, the key to reusing assets is to discover (from existing assets in a portfolio) or derive service variants to meet the requirements of a stated business process specification. To that end, this paper presents our Variation-Oriented Service Design (VOSD) algorithm for the same. Via IBM's Rational Software Architect modeling tool, we also demonstrate the practical usefulness of our algorithm via a prototype implementation in the insurance domain.
Fundamental concepts of recharge in the Desert Southwest: A regional modeling perspective

Recharge in arid basins does not occur in all years or at all locations within a basin. In the desert Southwest potential evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation on an average annual basis and, in many basins, on an average monthly basis. Ground-water traveltime from the surface to the water table and recharge to the water table vary temporally and spatially owing to variations in precipitation, air temperature, root zone and soil properties and thickness, faults and fractures, and hydrologic properties of geologic strata in the unsaturated zone. To highlight the fundamental concepts controlling recharge in the Southwest, and address the temporal and spatial variability of recharge, a basin characterization model was developed using a straightforward water balance approach to estimate potential recharge and runoff and allow for determination of the location of recharge within a basin. It provides a means for interbasin comparison of the mechanisms and processes that result in recharge and calculates the potential for recharge under current, wetter, and drier climates. Model estimates of recharge compare favorably with other methods estimating recharge in the Great Basin. Results indicate that net infiltration occurs in less than 5 percent of the area of a typical southwestern basin. Decadal-scale climatic cycles have substantially different influences over the extent of the Great Basin, with the southern portion receiving 220 percent higher recharge than the mean recharge during El Nino years in a positive phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, whereas the northern portion receives only 48 percent higher recharge. In addition, climatic influences result in ground-water traveltimes that are expected to vary on time scales of days to centuries, making decadal-scale climate cycles significant for understanding recharge in arid lands.
Cardano's Solution to the Cubic: A Mathematical Soap Opera

Introduction Through this research into the solution of the cubic, I hope to learn the thoughts of mathematicians during this period of history. This knowledge must be conveyed in a way that is historically and mathematically accurate, yet comprehensible and readily available to use in a class of eighth grade math students. It is my wish that as we begin to delve into the world of algebraic and graphical solutions to the problems in the eighth grade text, students will be able to make a connection with this information to that they are currently using to solve their problems. They should be made aware of the importance of math throughout history and able to enjoy parts of this problem-solving experience. It is commonly assumed that solving the quadratic equation is the algebraic pinnacle of the middle school curriculum. Through this paper and by using a historical approach I hope to present the cubic to future eigth graders. The motivation for doing this is follows.
Regulation of axonal caliber, neurofilament content, and nuclear localization in mature sensory neurons by nerve growth factor

The neuronal perikaryal response to axonal injury (axon reaction) includes reduction in axonal caliber beginning in the proximal portion of the nerve (somatofugal axonal atrophy), development of nuclear eccentricity, and chromatolysis. The means by which these events are triggered is unknown, but it has been argued that loss of a neurotrophic signal from the target of injured neurons plays a role. To date, the identity of this substance(s) remains unknown. In the present study, we have asked whether NGF normally functions to control axonal caliber of sensory neurons in the L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of the adult rat. Two approaches were used: (1) NGF was continuously delivered to the proximal stump of a transected sciatic nerve to determine whether NGF administration would prevent the production of somatofugal axonal atrophy; and (2) NGF antisera were administered to normal animals to determine whether NGF deprivation would produce somatofugal axonal atrophy. In the first experiment, 9-week-old rats underwent a unilateral sciatic nerve transection at midthigh, and the proximal stump was connected to an osmotic pump containing either NGF or cytochrome C (as control). At 11 weeks of age, dorsal root fibers in lumbar DRG from the control group appeared smaller in caliber and less circular in shape than fibers from age-matched normal animals. Although smaller than those in normal animals, fibers from the NGF-treated nerves were larger than in axotomized controls. Mean axonal area and shape factor (an index in circularity) were measured and found to be decreased significantly (22% and 15%, respectively) from the control group. Fibers from the NGF-treated nerves were significantly (p less than 0.05) larger in axonal caliber and more circular in shape; mean values were only reduced by 11% and 10%, respectively. Quantitation of neurofilament (NF) numbers revealed that the larger calibers in the NGF-treated nerves result from a greater NF content. NGF treatment did not prevent the atrophy of motor fibers in the proximal ventral root. In the second experiment, 2 antisera to mouse NGF were given daily into the footpad for 11 or 12 d; control animals were given normal goat serum. Quantitation of axonal calibers in the L5 DRG demonstrated that mean axonal area and shape factor were significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced by 14% and 17% respectively. The axoplasm of atrophic fibers demonstrated a paucity of NFs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Candidates or Districts? Reevaluating the Role of Race in Voter Turnout

Leading theories of race and participation posit that minority voters are mobilized by co-ethnic candidates. However, past studies are unable to disentangle candidate effects from factors associated with the places from which candidates emerge. I reevaluate the links between candidate race, district composition, and turnout by leveraging a nationwide database of over 185 million individual registration records, including estimates for the race of every voter. Combining these records with detailed information about 3,000 recent congressional primary and general election candidates, I find that minority turnout is not higher in districts with minority candidates, after accounting for the relative size of the ethnic group within a district. Instead, Black and Latino citizens are more likely to vote in both primary and general elections as their share of the population increases, regardless of candidate race.
Aspect-Perception as a Philosophical Method

Inducing aspect-experiences – the sudden seeing of something anew, as when a face suddenly strikes us as familiar – can be used as a philosophical method. In seeing aspects, I argue, we let ourselves experience what it would be like to conceptualize something in a particular way, apart from any conceptual routine. We can use that experience to examine our ways of conceptualizing things, and reevaluate the ways we make sense of them. I claim that we are not always passive with regard to these experiences, and explain how we can actively induce them. I distinguish this method from other standard Wittgensteinian philosophical methods.
Review of MRI-based measurements of pulse wave velocity: a biomarker of arterial stiffness.

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Western world. In the early development of atherosclerosis, vessel walls remodel outwardly such that the vessel luminal diameter is minimally affected by early plaque development. Only in the late stages of the disease does the vessel lumen begin to narrow—leading to stenoses. As a result, angiographic techniques are not useful for diagnosing early atherosclerosis. Given the absence of stenoses in the early stages of atherosclerosis, CVD remains subclinical for decades. Thus, methods of diagnosing atherosclerosis early in the disease process are needed so that affected patients can receive the necessary interventions to prevent further disease progression. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a biomarker directly related to vessel stiffness that has the potential to provide information on early atherosclerotic disease burden. A number of clinical methods are available for evaluating global PWV, including applanation tonometry and ultrasound. However, these methods only provide a gross global measurement of PWV—from the carotid to femoral arteries—and may mitigate regional stiffness within the vasculature. Additionally, the distance measurements used in the PWV calculation with these methods can be highly inaccurate. Faster and more robust magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences have facilitated increased interest in MRI-based PWV measurements. This review provides an overview of the state-of-the-art in MRI-based PWV measurements. In addition, both gold standard and clinical standard methods of computing PWV are discussed.
Selling and Sales Management in Action: Attitudes and Applications of Quotas by Sales Executives and Sales Managers

A survey of 186 sales managers and executives revealed that in setting sales quotas, factors such as the sales territory and the support provided by the manager were considered more important than the past performance of the sales representative. As would be expected, in an inspection of general opinions about sales quotas, the managers demonstrated a preference for linking the sales quota to the compensation of the salesperson.
Triflyloxy-substituted carboranes as useful weakly coordinating anions.

New carborane anions carrying one or three triflyloxy substituents are described. The mono-triflyloxy substituted carborane can be halogenated to give pentabromo and decachloro derivatives with preservation of the B–OTf linkage. The use of [HCB11Cl10OTf]− as a weakly coordinating anion is demonstrated.
A combinatorial algorithm for the maximum lifetime data gathering with aggregation problem in sensor networks

Performing tasks energy efficiently in a wireless sensor network (WSN) is a critical issue for the successful deployment and operation of such networks. Gathering data from all the sensors to a base station, especially with in-network aggregation, is an important problem that has received a lot of attention recently. The Maximum Lifetime Data Gathering with Aggregation (MLDA) problem deals with maximizing the system lifetime T so that we can perform T rounds of data gathering with in-network aggregation, given the initial available energy of the sensors. A solution of value T to the MLDA problem consists of a collection of aggregation trees together with the number of rounds each such tree should be used in order to achieve lifetime T. We describe a combinatorial iterative algorithm for finding an optimal continuous solution to the MLDA problem that consists of up to n-1 aggregation trees and achieves lifetime T"o, which depends on the network topology and initial energy available at the sensors. We obtain an @a-approximate optimal integral solution by simply rounding down the optimal continuous solution, where @a=(T"o-n+1)/T"o. Since in practice T"[email protected]?n,@a~1. We get asymptotically optimal integral solutions to the MLDA problem whenever the optimal continuous solution is @w(n). Furthermore, we demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm via extensive experimental results.
Motivational systems of social behavior in male rats and monkeys: Are they homologous?

A comparison is presented between the behaviors of male rats and male stumptail macaques that occur when two unfamiliar males are paired for 10 min. Results which have been presented in detail in separate papers elsewhere are compared and discussed here in terms of the hypothetical organization of motivational systems. The following motivational mechanisms appear to be homologous in the rat and monkey: offense, defense, submission, male sex, self grooming, and allogrooming. Two motivational mechanisms are analogous but not homologous: patrol/marking in the rat and display in the monkey. There is a shift in sensory modality of motivating stimuli from olfaction in the rat to complex visual and auditory stimuli in the monkey. There is also a shift in the modalities of motor patterns from predominant use of the mouth by the rat to use of the hands by the monkey. Both shifts affect most or all motivational systems of social behavior. It is hypothesized that the outer parts of motivational systems, their sensory and motor interfaces with the environment, change more rapidly and incrementally during the course of mammalian evolution than does the inner part, the integrational portion that consists of the motivational mechanisms.
Only Two Ways to Achieve Perfection

The functional repertoire of a network is determined by its topology. Ma et al. (2009) analyze enzyme networks with three nodes and take a reverse-engineering approach to ask how many core network topologies can establish perfect adaptation, the ability to reset after perturbation. Surprisingly, the answer is just two.
Household fertility responses following communism: Transition in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

In central Europe fertility fell during transition from centrally planned to market oriented economies. Families reevaluated fertility plans facing new wages, reduced child-care subsidies, and economic uncertainty. Using micro-data from 1984 and 1993 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, this paper relates fertility changes following Communism to wages, prices␣and risks. Earnings have little impact on fertility timing during transition, though age, job uncertainty, and children conceived during Communism do. In the Czech Republic, changed fertility demand parameters account for much of the␣fall in fertility. In Slovakia a sizable proportion results from predictable responses to changed incentives.
Malignant evolution of penile horn

We report a rare case involving evolution of a penile horn into a neoplastic lesion. This patient was treated with surgical excision and external radiation because of the invasive characteristics of the lesion.
Polarization, Directional Distribution, and Off-Specular Peak Phenomena in Light Reflected from Roughened Surfaces

Directional distribution of light reflected from roughened surfaces with measurements made of plane-polarized components of reflected light as well as of mixed radiation
Kinetics of nucleosome unfolding at low ionic strength.

The kinetics of a conformational change which occurs in nucleosome core particles at about 1 mM ionic strength have been studied by observing changes in the fluorescence of labeled histone H3. The unfolding reaction is intramolecular since no concentration dependence is observed. However, the kinetics are unexpectedly complicated and reveal evidence of at least three relaxation times. It is possible to fit the kinetics observed under several conditions to a consistent four-state cyclic mechanism in which folded and unfolded forms can inter-convert by two parallel pathways, each involving a distinct intermediate. While the data are not sufficient to establish this mechanism as a unique choice, they exclude many simpler possibilities. The cyclic mechanism is quite reasonable in view of what is currently known about the structures of the folded and unfolded forms.
Ability of exercise to inhibit carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia in rats.

Abstract The ability of spontaneous running to prevent carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia was studied in young, nonobese rats. Exercise-trained and sedentary rats were fed a diet consisting of (as percent total calories) 12% fat, 22% protein, and 66% carbohydrate. The source of the carbohydrate was varied, and experiments were carried out with sucrose and glucose as the sole dietary carbohydrate. Plasma triglyceride (TG) levels rose in response to both forms of dietary carbohydrate in both sedentary and exercise-trained rats, but the magnitude of the elevation was greatly attenuated in the exercise-trained group. Plasma insulin concentrations were also significantly lower in exercise-trained rats. Measurements of hepatic very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-TG secretion rate and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity were made in an effort to determine how exercise-training prevented the development of carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia. The results of these studies indicated that perfused livers of exercise-trained rats secreted significantly less VLDL-TG, whereas adipose tissue LPL activity of the two groups was similar. On the basis of these results, it is postulated that the ability of exercise-training to inhibit carbohydrate-induced hypertriglyceridemia is due to an increase in insulin sensitivity resulting from chronic exercise. As a result, the postprandial insulin responses to high carbohydrate diets would be relatively reduced in exercise-trained rats, leading to decreased hepatic VLDL-TG secretion, and lower plasma triglyceride concentrations.
The effect of sinusoidal rolling ground motion on lifting biomechanics

Abstract The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of ground surface motion on the biomechanical responses of a person performing a lifting task. A boat motion simulator (BMS) was built to provide a sinusoidal ground motion (simultaneous vertical linear translation and a roll angular displacement) that simulates the deck motion on a small fishing boat. Sixteen participants performed lifting, lowering and static holding tasks under conditions of two levels of mass (5 and 10 kg) and five ground moving conditions. Each ground moving condition was specified by its ground angular displacement and instantaneous vertical acceleration: A): +6°, −0.54 m/s2; B): +3°, −0.27 m/s2; C): 0°, 0 m/s2; D): −3°, 0.27 m/s2; and E): −6°, 0.54 m/s2. As they performed these tasks, trunk kinematics were captured using the lumbar motion monitor and trunk muscle activities were evaluated through surface electromyography. The results showed that peak sagittal plane angular acceleration was significantly higher in Condition A than in Conditions C, D and E (698°/s2 vs. 612–617°/s2) while peak sagittal plane angular deceleration during lowering was significantly higher in moving conditions (conditions A and E) than in the stationary condition C (538–542°/s2 vs. 487°/s2). The EMG results indicate that the boat motions tend to amplify the effects of the slant of the lifting surface and the external oblique musculature plays an important role in stabilizing the torso during these dynamic lifting tasks.
Equilibrium constrained assumed natural co‐ordinate strain plate elements

Equilibrium constraints are used to improve the stress accuracy of existing assumed natural-co-ordinate strain (ANS) plate elements. This is accomplished by introducing hierarchical degrees of freedom, which are subsequently eliminated by invoking kinematic consistency and element-interior homogeneous equilibrium conditions. The resulting element enrichments are completely contained in the strain-displacement matrix. In addition, the modified displacement shape functions become available for consistent mass and nodal load calculations, a feat not shared by some hybrid-type elements. The performance of the present element (ANS-EC) is compared with other plate bending elements. This performance comparison includes convergence studies for both displacements and stresses.
Crystal Structure, Electronic Structure and Magnetism of Transition Metal Nitrides

A systematic computational study of the relative stability of the zinblende (ZB) versus rocksalt (NaCl or RS) structure of the transition metal nitrides (TMN) is presented. The early TMN prefer NaCl, the later ones ZB with the crossing occuring at MnN. The minimum energy lattice constant of the ZB phase is always significantly larger than that of RS. The TMN are shown to have a stronger tendency to be magnetic in the RS than in the ZB phase. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparison of the reversed passive Arthus and local Shwartzman reactions of rabbit skin: effects of the long-acting PAF antagonist UK-74,505.

By using the selective, potent and long acting platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist, UK-74,505, we investigated the role of PAF in a local Shwartzman reaction (LSR) and a reversed passive Arthus (RPA) reaction in rabbit skin. For comparison, we also studied the effect of the PAF antagonist on neutrophil aggregation in vitro and on acute inflammatory responses induced by intradermally (i.d.) injected lipopolysaccharide (LPS), PAF, bradykinin and zymosan-activated plasma. Neutrophil aggregation was assessed photometrically. Haemorrhage, oedema formation, platelet deposition and neutrophil accumulation were quantified in rabbit skin by measuring the accumulation of i.v. injected 51Cr-labelled red blood cells (RBC), 125I-labelled human serum albumin, 111In-labelled platelets and 111In-labelled neutrophils respectively. UK-74,505 inhibited in vitro neutrophil aggregation induced by PAF but not by leukotriene B4. When injected i.v. into rabbits UK-74,505 suppressed oedema formation in response to i.d. PAF for up to 4 h but had no effect on oedema induced by bradykinin or zymosan-activated plasma. Oedema formation, but not neutrophil accumulation, produced during the RPA reaction was significantly inhibited by i.v. UK-74,505. The PAF antagonist also suppressed 111In-platelet but not 111In-neutrophil accumulation in response to i.d. LPS. UK-74,505 did not affect haemorrhage or oedema formation produced during the LPS-mediated LSR. The results demonstrate that PAF is an important mediator of oedema formation, but not neutrophil accumulation, in the immune-complex mediated RPA reaction in rabbit skin. PAF also appears to be required for platelet, but not neutrophil, accumulation in response to locally injected LPS. Our studies do not suggest a role for PAF in the LPS-mediated LSR. British Journal of Pharmacology (1997) 120, 1286–1293; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0701057
Prayer to the Saints or the Virgin And Health Among Older Mexican Americans

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a conceptual model that assesses whether praying to the saints or the Virgin is associated with the health of older Mexican Americans. A survey was conducted of 1,005 older Mexican Americans (Mean age = 73.9 years; SD = 6.6 years). Data from 795 of the Catholic respondents are presented in this study. The findings support the following relationships that are embedded in the conceptual model: (1) older Mexican Americans who attend church more often are more likely to believe in the efficacy of prayer to the saints or the Virgin; (2) stronger beliefs in the efficacy of intercessory prayer are associated with more frequent prayer to the saints or the Virgin; (3) frequent prayer is to the saints or the Virgin is associated with greater God-mediated control beliefs; (4) stronger God-mediated control beliefs are associated with greater optimism; and (5) greater optimism is associated with better self-rated health.
Methods of applying Bacillus thuringiensis to stored corn for moth control.

Two practical methods of applying Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner to the surface layer of stored com, treating the grain after the bins were filled or during transfer of the grain with an auger, were compared with a laboratory method, treating grain in a cement mixer. The bacterial deposits resulting from use of each method were ca. equally toxic to insect larvae. Spore counts on individual kernels varied only slightly more with the practical methods than with the laboratory method, and all 3 methods provided sufficient mixing to prevent pockets of over- or under-treated kernels. The auger method was more prone to error in dose rate than were the other methods.
Changes in the Nuclear Envelope of Amoeba during Mitosis

IN Amoeba proteus, the interphase nucleus is surrounded by a complex envelope consisting of an outer double membrane and an inner honeycomb structure1. Roth et al.2 have found that during mitosis two morphological changes in the nuclear envelope complex can be detected with the electron microscope; first, the honeycomb structure disappears during the later stages of prophase (see also ref. 3) and, second, numerous gaps appear in the outer, membranous layer during metaphase (Fig. 1). Reconstruction of the membranous component of the envelope occurs shortly after anaphase2, but the honeycomb structure does not completely reform until several hours after cytokinesis (my unpublished work).
Kl3 form factors and the (8,8) model of chiral symmetry breaking—Unitarized version

Abstract Kl3 form factors are studied in an analytic hard-meson approach, using the (8, 8) model of chiral SU(3) ⊗ SU(3) symmetry breaking. The divergence form factor is required to show resonance behavior near the kappa meson mass. The ensuing resonance conditions are used to express λ0, the slope of the divergence form factor and Γκ, in terms of the kappa width, in the kappa mass. A considerable suppression of λ0 below its Callan-Treiman value can be obtained. Comparison is made with a previous analysis of Kl3 decay using the (3, 3∗) + (3∗, 3) model of symmetry breaking. It is suggested that one cannot rule out the (8, 8) model in favor of the (3, 3∗) + (3∗, 3) at present.
High-resolution 3-T MR imaging of the temporal part of the caudate tail in children

This study aims to investigate the high-resolution 3-T MRI appearance and morphological variation of the temporal part of the caudate tail in pediatric subjects with normal brain MR examinations. One hundred pediatric patients were retrospectively evaluated using a high-resolution 3-T imaging protocol. Different morphological parameters including shape, size, and symmetry were evaluated. The appearance and shape of the caudate tail were classified into nodular, linear, or imperceptible. The location and relation of the caudate tail to the temporal horn and adjacent brain parenchyma were categorized. Relationships between age, gender, shape, location, side, and the cross-sectional area of the caudate tail were investigated. The caudate tail was imperceptible in 22 %, had a nodular shape in 66.5 %, and was flat in 11.5 %. There was asymmetry of the caudate tail between the two sides in 37 % of subjects. The caudate tail was completely embedded within the temporal lobe parenchyma in 8.3 %, completely protruding into the temporal horn in 27.5 %, or intermediate in 64.1 %. The mean cross-sectional area of the caudate tail was constant across ages despite the varied age range of the subjects. There was no difference in overall mean cross-sectional area of the caudate tail between the two sides. There is a wide variation in the appearance of the caudate tail adjacent to the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle. Identification of anatomical variation of the caudate tail may prevent potential diagnostic pitfalls, especially with respect to subependymal heterotopia.
Understanding Bulk Power Reliability: The Importance of Good Data and a Critical Review of Existing Sources

Bulk power system reliability is of critical importance to the electricity sector. Complete and accurate information on events affecting the bulk power system is essential for assessing trends and efforts to maintain or improve reliability. Yet, current sources of this information were not designed with these uses in mind. They were designed, instead, to support real-time emergency notification to industry and government first-responders. This paper reviews information currently collected by both industry and government sources for this purpose and assesses factors that might affect their usefulness in supporting the academic literature that has relied upon them to draw conclusions about the reliability of the US electric power system.
Antimony-induced alterations in thiol homeostasis and adenine nucleotide status in cultured cardiac myocytes

Cultured cardiac myocytes were exposed for up to 4 h to 50 and 100 microM potassium antimonyl tartrate (PAT). After 4 h, 50 and 100 microM PAT killed 14 and 33% respectively of the cardiac myocytes. PAT-induced alterations in both protein and nonprotein thiol homeostasis. Transient increases in oxidized glutathione disulfide (GSSG) levels were detected after cells were treated with 100 microM PAT for 2 h. After 4 h, both concentrations of PAT significantly depleted reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Protein thiols levels were also decreased after a 2-h exposure to 50 and 100 microM PAT. Cells treated with 50 microM and 100 microM PAT had a 15% and 40% reduction respectively in protein thiols after 4 h. PAT also significantly inhibited glutathione peroxidase and pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in cardiac myocytes. Pyruvate dehydrogenase activity levels were inhibited as early as 1 h after cells were treated with both concentrations of PAT. Cardiac myocyte ATP levels were also decreased by PAT, but only after a 4-h exposure to 50 microM and 100 microM PAT. Decreases in cellular ATP levels paralleled PAT toxicity put appeared to be secondary to other cellular changes initiated by PAT exposure.
Pulmonary Toxicity Recurring after a Six Week Course of Busulfan Therapy and after Subsequent Therapy with Uracil Mustard

A growing number of drugs, including a number of alkylating agents, have been implicated as the cause of pulmonary diseases. A patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia presented with typical cytology, biopsy, and roentgenologic findings of lung toxicity after only six weeks of therapy with busulfan. There was subsequent clearing. A similar roentgenologic change also occurred after administration of uracil mustard. This has not been reported previously.
Rayleigh wave propagation in curved waveguides

Abstract A JWKB asymptotic expansion describing inplane elastic waves is used to approximate a Rayleigh-like wave guided within a curved elastic waveguide whose curvature is small and changes slowly over a wavelength. The two lowest eigenmodes in a curved guide, taken together, constitute the Rayleigh-like wave. It is shown that this wave lies in the shadows of four, closely spaced, virtual caustics, two caustics per constituent eigenmode. If the curvature becomes too large one or more of the caustics ceases to be virtual and enters the guide after which a Rayleigh-like wave cannot propagate. The overall disturbance is shown to have an amplitude that is modulated because the wavenumbers of the constituent eigenmodes differ by a small amount. Moreover, the disturbance is shown to propagate with a wavenumber that, to leading order, has a linear dependence on the curvature causing the phase to be modulated, as well. Passing from a thin guide to a very thick one suppresses the amplitude modulation, making the phase modulation evident. Propagation into an environment of increasing curvature, for both thin and thick, shallowly curved guides is studied so that the modulations may be observed.
The blood-brain barrier to protein tracers in focal cerebral ischemia and infarction caused by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.

A study was made on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to protein tracers in focal cerebral ischemia and infarction caused by permanent or temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in the rhesus monkey.
Sampling variability of petiole nitrate in irrigated cotton

Abstract Sampling variability of petiole nitrates was evaluated on commercial, furrow‐irrigated cotton fields in southern Arizona. Analysis of individual petioles shows that sampling from the first mature leaf is best and when the maturity of the leaf is in question, it is better to sample the next older leaf. Field sampling methods used by a growers’ association were evaluated and confidence levels of their estimations were determined.
Directing the personnel search part II: notes on contacting applicants

Purpose – This purpose of this paper is to expound on what makes for solid contacts with applicants.Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses modes of communication, giving advantages and disadvantages for each, and then focuses on what can and should be accomplished through good communication during the search process.Findings – The paper finds that good communication practices with all applicants will both earn their respect and keep the process on track toward hiring the best fit for the position.Originality/value – The value of the paper is in learning how to use communication as a tool in the search process.
Amyloid-β Peptide Is a Substrate of the Human 20S Proteasome

Intraneuronal accumulation of ubiquitin conjugates is a pathological feature of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous reports propose that accumulation of ubiquitinated species in AD is a result of inhibition of proteasomal activity by amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, which leads to blocking of ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation by the proteasome. Here, we provide additional insight into proteasomal dysfunction by Aβ peptides by revealing that aggregated forms of Aβ(1-42) peptides (especially small oligomers) are, in fact, competitive substrates for the chymotrypsin-like activity of the human 20S (h20S) proteasome. In addition to examining the kinetics of the h20S proteasome activity in the presence or absence of Aβ peptides, we use gel electrophoresis, LC-MS, and TOF-MS/MS analyses to examine the degradation of Aβ(1-42) by the h20S proteasome. The observed peptide fragments resulting from proteolytic cleavage of Aβ were consistent with predicted cleavage sites from proteasome degradation. These results support that the interaction of Aβ peptides with the proteasome may play a mechanistic role in proteasomal dysfunction in AD pathology. These results may also reveal a previously unknown natural pathway for clearance of Aβ in normal or diseased cells.
Radiation-effects in graphite at high temperature

Radiation-damage effects in various nuclear graphites were studied at neutron exposures ranging up to 1.6 × 1022 neutrons/cm2 (E > 0.18 MeV) for irradiation temperatures of 425–1200°C. Graphites tested were conventional-coke graphites CSF and TSGBF; needle-coke graphites NC7, NC8, and TSX; and raw-coke graphites. Properties studied were length changes; coefficient of thermal expansion, microscopy, and strengths. For samples cut in the direction transverse to the extrusion axis, physical length changes at an irradiation temperature of 800°C show a contraction followed by an expansion several times greater than the contraction. At 425 and 1200°C the transverse samples exhibit about the same contraction and the amount is more than that at 800°C. In the parallel direction, the samples continue to contract with increasing neutron exposure. The 800°C data again show the least contraction but the contraction at 1200°C is much greater than that at 425°C. The raw-coke graphites generally contract less than the other types. The CTE of the less-graphitic material changes under neutron irradiation.
Binding of 125I-CCK-8 and 125I-gastrin-I to dispersed chief cells from guinea-pig stomach

In dispersed gastric chief cells from guinea-pig stomach, binding of iodinated cholecystokinin octapeptide (125I-CCK-8) was relatively slow, temperature-dependent, to a single class of binding sites and inhibited by various gastrin- and CCK-related agonists and receptor antagonists. Binding of iodinated gastrin-I (125I-gastrin-I) was moderately rapid, temperature-dependent, to a single class of binding sites, and inhibited by various gastrin and CCK-related agonists and receptor antagonists. Gastrin-I as well as C-terminal fragments of CCK containing from eight amino acids (CCK-8) to four amino acids (CCK-4) stimulated pepsinogen secretion and inhibited binding of 125I-CCK-8 and 125I-gastrin-I. In addition, each of five different receptor antagonists inhibited binding of 125I-CCK-8 and 125I-gastrin-I and inhibited pepsinogen secretion stimulated by CCK-8 or gastrin-I. With each of eight different agonists and with each of five different antagonists the value of IC50 for inhibition of binding of 125I-CCK-8 was not significantly different from the value of IC50 for inhibition of binding of 125I-gastrin-I, indicating that in gastric chief cells the sites to which 125I-CCK-8 binds are the same sites to which 125I-gastrin-I binds. With the agonists as well as with the antagonists, however, there was no consistent relationship between the ability of a particular agent to inhibit binding and its ability to modify pepsinogen secretion, indicating that in gastric chief cells the sites that bind 125I-CCK-8 and 125I-gastrin-I are not the receptors that mediate stimulation of pepsinogen secretion by CCK-8 or by gastrin-I.
Effects of estrogen and progesterone on acute activation of uterine phosphorylase

Ovariectomized rats were treated estrogen, progesterone or estrogen plus progesterone. Uteri were either frozen in situ or excised and then frozen. The frozen uteri were then either homogenized in a ground glass homogenizer at 0 °C or pulverized and mixed with powdered frozen extraction medium at liquid N2 temperature. This mixture was allowed to thaw. All extracts were assayed for glycogen phosphorylase a and t activity. Lowest estimates of phosphorylase a and t activity were obtained when the uteri were frozen in situ and extracted at low temperature. This indicates that phosphorylase activity in the resting, in vivo, uterus is very low compared to previous estimates. Phosphorylase a activity could be increased several fold by either excising uteri before freezing or homogenizing in a ground glass homogenizer. Phosphorylase t activity was also increased by these manipulations but this increase was not necessarily proportional to the changes in phosphorylase a. These results indicate that in situ freezing and low temperature extraction are necessary to obtain phosphorylase estimates that reflect the state of the living tissue in vivo. Prior treatment of the rats with estrogen or progesteron had a strong influence on the magnitude of the stimulated increases in phosphorylase a activity. Increases in phosphorylase a were least in uteri treated with progesterone alone, intermediate in uteri from rats treated with estrogen plus progesterone and in uteri from ovariectomized untreated rats while increases greatest in estrogen-treated uteri. These results offer an explanation for the observation that the rate of uterine glycogenolysis is enhanced by treatment of rats with estrogen (H. P. Schane, S. L. Leonard and B. C. Moulton, Endocrinology, 77 (1965) 917). They are also in agreement with previous results indicating that estrogen treatment inhibits inactivation of phosphorylase a and progesterone treatment stimulates inactivation of phosphorylase a (G. A. Rinard, Biochem. Biophys. Acta, 222 (1970) 455).
Nanoscale topography of dynamic surfaces with ultrafast time resolution

We describe an optical system for detecting the movement of a surface with subnanosecond temporal and nanometer vertical displacement resolution. The system is fielded on an experiment to determine the distortion of a laser-ablated metal layer and compare the results with hydrodynamic simulations. We also discuss errors that can arise and potential means to mitigate them. The resultant data show one can examine dynamic changes to a reflective surface with accuracy down to tens of nanometers at hundreds of picoseconds time resolution.
Purification of labeled antibody by minicolumn gel centrifugation

Radiolabeled anti-human immunoglobulin G was purified by the elution from a minicolumn of Protein A-Sepharose by gel centrifugation. As much as 93.7% of the Protein A-bound 125I-labeled immunoglobulin G was recovered within the first three 200-μl fractions. Removal of the eluting agent was achieved by centrifuging the peak fractions through a minicolumn of hydrated Sephadex G-50.
Two-dimensional echocardiography in the evaluation of penetrating intrapericardial injuries.

Abstract Patients with penetrating pericardial trauma whose vital signs stabilize after fluid administration may present a therapeutic dilemma. Two-dimensional echocardiography has emerged as a diagnostic technique to help determine whether surgical intervention may be required. We present 5 patients with penetrating pericardial trauma whose vital signs stabilized after fluid administration and who had minimal clinical findings. In 3 of these patients, a small effusion was seen; in 2 others. no abnormalities were noted. All 5 underwent surgical exploration and had major intrapericardial injuries. We conclude that a normal echocardiographic study does not rule out major intrapericardial injury in patients with penetrating chest trauma. Furthermore, small areas of effusion seen on echocardiography in these patients represent indications for surgical exploration.
Modeling of Static, Switched, and RF Fields in the Body for MRI

In MRI, electromagnetic fields with frequencies from DC to hundreds of MHz and with magnitudes from under one microTesla to several Tesla are used to manipulate the magnetic moments of atomic nuclei within the human body. These fields interact with tissues in numerous ways, resulting in both engineering challenges to maintain image integrity, and safety considerations. Field calculations can be used as tools to both design improvements to the quality of MRI in the presence of tissue-induced field distortions and to ensure patient safety. This requires accurate representation of the fields, realistic biological models, and adequate consideration of MRI physics.
Liver and Kidney Disease in Ciliopathies

Hepatorenal fibrocystic diseases (HRFCDs) are among the most common inherited human disorders. The discovery that proteins defective in the autosomal dominant and recessive polycystic kidney diseases (ADPKD and ARPKD) localize to the primary cilia and the recognition of the role these organelles play in the pathogenesis of HRFCDs led to the term "ciliopathies." While ADPKD and ARPKD are the most common ciliopathies associated with both liver and kidney disease, variable degrees of renal and/or hepatic involvement occur in many other ciliopathies, including Joubert, Bardet-Biedl, Meckel-Gruber, and oral-facial-digital syndromes. The ductal plate malformation (DPM), a developmental abnormality of the portobiliary system, is the basis of the liver disease in ciliopathies that manifest congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF), Caroli syndrome (CS), and polycystic liver disease (PLD). Hepatocellular function remains relatively preserved in ciliopathy-associated liver diseases. The major morbidity associated with CHF is portal hypertension (PH), often leading to esophageal varices and hypersplenism. In addition, CD predisposes to recurrent cholangitis. PLD is not typically associated with PH, but may result in complications due to mass effects. The kidney pathology in ciliopathies ranges from non-functional cystic dysplastic kidneys to an isolated urinary concentration defect; the disorders contributing to this pathology, in addition to ADPKD and ARPKD, include nephronophithisis (NPHP), glomerulocystic kidney disease and medullary sponge kidneys. Decreased urinary concentration ability, resulting in polyuria and polydypsia, is the first and most common renal symptom in ciliopathies. While the majority of ADPKD, ARPKD, and NPHP patients require renal transplantation, the frequency and rate of progression to renal failure varies considerably in other ciliopathies. This review focuses on the kidney and liver disease found in the different ciliopathies.
Effects of N-acetyl dimethoxyphenethylamine (NADMPEA) in man.

The effects of N-acetyldimethoxyphenethylamine in human volunteers was evaluated in a modified rising dose tolerance test.
Studies on triplet-singlet energy transfer with 1,3-dibromo-9,10-bis-[phenylethynyl]-anthracene

Abstract Benzophenon triplet sensitizes the fluorescence from the title compound by direct triplet-singlet energy transfer while sensitize fluorescence from the non-brominated analog results from biphotonic triplet-triplet annihilation following triplet-triplet energy transfer.
Immunoglobulin levels in heroin addicts after treatment with methadone and methadyl acetate

Immunoglobulin levels of 21 heroin addicts at the Brentwood Veterans Administration Hospital Drug Treatment Service were studied after 9 months of treatment with methadone or methadyl acetate. This paper discusses the results of this study regarding IgM, IgA, and IgG levels.
Alcohol withdrawal and carbamazepine

The use of pharmacologic intervention in the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome is briefly presented. The use of carbamazepine, a tricyclic anticonvulsant with clinical efficacy in depressive illness, in alcohol withdrawal treatment is reviewed. A comparative analysis between carbamazepine and major drugs used in alcohol withdrawal syndrome is made. This includes the evaluation of both clinical advantages and disadvantages in addition to identification of drug adverse reaction and interaction with alcohol. The mechanism of action of carbamazepine is also examined. Carbamazepine appears to possess a useful pharmacotherapeutic potential in the management of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and its use in long-term treatment is suggested.