cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thioredoxin, a singlet oxygen quencher and hydroxyl radical scavenger: redox independent functions.

Thioredoxin is a ubiquitous small protein known to protect cells and tissues against oxidative stress. However, its exact antioxidant nature has not been elucidated. In this report, we present evidence that human thioredoxin is a powerful singlet oxygen quencher and hydroxyl radical scavenger. Human thioredoxin at 3 microM caused 50% inhibition of TEMP-(1)O(2) (TEMPO) adduct formation in a photolysis EPR study. In contrast, Escherichia coli thioredoxin caused 50% inhibition of TEMPO formation at 80 microM. Both E. coli thioredoxin and human thioredoxin inhibited (*)OH dependent DMPO-OH formation as demonstrated by EPR spectrometry. The quenching of (1)O(2) or scavenging of (*)OH was not dependent upon the redox state of thioredoxin. Using a human thioredoxin in which the structural cysteines were mutated to alanine, Trx-C3A, we show that structural cysteines that do not take part in the catalytic functions of the protein are also important for its reactive oxygen scavenging properties. In addition, using a quadruple mutant Trx-C4A, where one of the catalytic cysteines, C35 was mutated to alanine in addition to the mutated structural cysteines, we demonstrated that catalytic cysteines are also required for the scavenging action of thioredoxin. Identification of thioredoxin as a (1)O(2) quencher and (*)OH scavenger may be of significant importance in explaining various redox-related antioxidant functions of thioredoxin.
Spin cutoff parameters for /sup 28/Si, /sup 29/Si, and /sup 30/P: Comparison of measurements with spectral distribution calculations

Spin cutoff parameters for $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$, $^{29}\mathrm{Si}$, and $^{30}\mathrm{P}$ have been deduced from angular distribution measurements for ($\ensuremath{\alpha}, n$) reactions on $^{25}\mathrm{Mg}$, $^{26}\mathrm{Mg}$, and $^{27}\mathrm{Al}$. Calculations of the spin cutoff parameter which include the effect of two body interactions are made using the theory of spectral distributions. The results obtained by dividing the space into subspaces and expanding the strength distribution of each in a Gaussian are found to be more reliable than calculating a single Gaussian for the entire space. The comparisons in this study indicate a need for the inclusion of higher moments of the Hamiltonian in the level density expansion.NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{25}\mathrm{Mg}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, n)$, $^{26}\mathrm{Mg}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, n)$, $^{27}\mathrm{Al}(\ensuremath{\alpha}, n)$, ${E}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}=10\ensuremath{-}18$ MeV, measured $\ensuremath{\sigma}({E}_{n}, \ensuremath{\theta})$. Deduced spin cutoff parameters for $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$, $^{29}\mathrm{Si}$, and $^{30}\mathrm{P}$; compared spin cutoff parameters with spectral distribution calculations. Natural and enriched targets.
The intrarenal renin-angiotensin system

The standard concept of the renin-angiotensin system is that renin is secreted by the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney into the circulation, where it cleaves angiotensin to release angiotensin I. The angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin II by a converting enzyme located on the plasma membrane of the endothelial cell. The released angiotensin II binds to receptors on target cells to initiate a series of intracellular actions that result in a specific cell function. The kidney was conceived to secrete renin with the circulatory angiotensin II returning to the kidney to alter renal function. It is now clear that all the components of the renin-angiotensin system can be synthesized within the kidney. In fact, angiotensin II is formed in very high concentrations in the renal interstitial space. Local angiotensin II production can have profound influences on renal function, ie, alter glomerular hemodynamics, reduce sodium excretion, and constrict small arterioles. In certain disease states, the local action of angiotensin II may have harmful effects on the kidney, and blockade of the renin-angiotensin system can be beneficial to the kidney.
Ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties in BaTiO3 thin films on Si (100)

In this paper, we report on the epitaxial integration of room temperature lead-free ferroelectric BaTiO3 thin (∼1050 nm) films on Si (100) substrates by pulsed laser deposition technique through a domain matching epitaxy paradigm. We employed MgO and TiN as buffer layers to create BaTiO3/SrRuO3/MgO/TiN/Si (100) heterostructures. C-axis oriented and cube-on-cube epitaxial BaTiO3 is formed on Si (100) as evidenced by the in-plane and out-of-plane x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. X-ray photoemission spectroscopic measurements show that Ti is in 4(+) state. Polarization hysteresis measurements together with Raman spectroscopy and temperature-dependent x-ray diffraction confirm the room temperature ferroelectric nature of BaTiO3. Furthermore, laser irradiation of BaTiO3 thin film is found to induce ferromagnetic-like behavior but affects adversely the ferroelectric characteristics. Laser irradiation induced ferromagnetic properties seem to originate from the creation of oxygen vacancies, whereas the pristine BaTiO3 shows diamagnetic behavior, as expected. This work has opened up the route for the integration of room temperature lead-free ferroelectric functional oxides on a silicon platform.
Individual formation parameters of charged point defects in ionic crystals: Silver chloride.

The subsurface electric potential in oriented single crystals of silver chloride has been directly mapped out by a technique based on the equilibrium distribution of a very small concentration of a charged radiotracer. The potential was found to vary with depth according to the Gouy-Chapman solution of Poisson's equation, with screening lengths in the range 10\char21{}20 nm. The surfaces were all negative, relative to the deep interior, by 0.10\char21{}0.30 V, depending on temperature and surface orientation. The present results on the subsurface potential difference can be employed to resolve the Frenkel-pair formation enthalpy and entropy, as determined from transport measurements, into the formation enthalpies and entropies of the individual point defects comprising the pair. For the silver chloride (110) surface, for example, ${G}_{v}$=0.74 eV and ${G}_{i}$=0.37 eV at 150 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C; the best values obtained to date for ${H}_{v}$, ${H}_{i}$, ${S}_{v}$, and ${S}_{i}$, are 0.77 eV, 0.70 eV, 0.79k, and 9.0k, respectively.
On Optimal Signaling and Jamming Strategies in Wideband Fading Channels

We investigate the fundamental limits on communication performance in wideband fading channels, in the presence of a jammer. We show that energy-limited Gaussian jammers cannot affect the error exponents in the wideband regime. However, if the sender uses an impulsive training scheme, which is close to optimum in the wideband regime, the jammer may be able to interfere with sounding signals if the location of those signals is known. In the latter case, the jammer signi cantly reduces the wideband capacity limit.
EVALUATION OF BREMSSTRAHLUNG CROSS SECTIONS AT THE HIGH-FREQUENCY LIMIT

Recent experimental values for the bremsstrahlung cross section near the high-frequency limit with electron energies from 0.05 to 15 Mev and with target atomic numbers from 13 to 79 are compared with theoretical estimates. Calculations made to lowest order in Z/137 show large differences with the experimental results for large 2. Improved estimates. derived by detailed balancing arguments from more accurate photoelectric cross sections. agree reasonably well with the experimental results throughout the indicated range of electron energies and atomic numbers. (auth)
Steady-state growth in a Hotelling model of resource extraction

This paper re-examines the Hotelling model of optimal nonrenewable resource extraction in light of stock effects and technological progress. We assume functional forms for cost and demand so that the solution to the Hotelling problem is a steady-state consistent with the empirical observation that the growth rates of market prices have remained zero over a long period of time. We use data on 14 minerals from 1970 to 2004 to estimate the supply and demand functions using SUR and 3SLS and to test the model. We validate the model for 8 of 14 minerals. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Spatial and temporal processes affecting nitrogen availability at the landscape scale

Nitrogen dynamics in soils are affected by spatial and temporal processes. Drainage class is generally regarded to be the most significant source of variability for N in temperate humid climates. A 5-year study was conducted including four rates of N fertilizer and three drainage classes within a 15 ha maize (Zea mays L.) field. Variance component analysis showed that N response was minimally affected by drainage class, but showed strong yearly variations, apparently related to early-season precipitation. Annual field-averaged economic optimum N rates had a range of 65 kg ha ˇ1 with lower rates being associated with years with low early-season precipitation. A calibrated LEACHMN model and site-specific weather data were used to evaluate the effects of early-season weather conditions on N rate and availability. During wet years, soil N availability was reduced by approximately 35‐50 kg ha ˇ1 compared to dry years, largely independent of drainage class. For well-drained soils, most losses were attributed to leaching (especially in years with wet early-season), while poorly drained soils mainly experienced denitrification. It is concluded that limited benefits may be gained from spatially variable N applications within fields based on drainage class or soil type, but considerable economic and environmental gains are possible from yearly adjustment of supplemental N rates based on model simulations of N dynamics using information on early-season weather conditions. # 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Influence of bacterial communities based on 454-pyrosequencing on the survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in soils.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been implicated in many foodborne illnesses. In this study, survival of E. coli O157:H7 in 32 soils from California (CA) and Arizona (AZ) was investigated. Our goal was to correlate the survival time of E. coli O157:H7 in soils with 16S rRNA pyrosequencing based bacterial community composition. Kohonen self-organizing map of survival and associated soil chemical, physical and biological variables using artificial neural network analysis showed that survival of E. coli O157:H7 in soils was negatively correlated with salinity (EC), but positively correlated with total nitrogen (TN) and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC). Bacterial diversity as determined by the Shannon diversity index had no significant (P = 0.635) effect on ttd, but individual bacterial phyla had different effects. The survival of E. coli O157:H7 was positively correlated with the abundances of Actinobacteria (P < 0.001) and Acidobacteria (P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with those of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes (P < 0.05). Our data showed that specific groups of bacteria correlate with the persistence of E. coli O157:H7 in soils thus opening new ways to study the influence of certain bacterial phyla on persistence of this pathogen and other related pathogens in complex environments.
Effects of early postnatal handling on brain β-adrenoceptors and behavior in tests related to stress

Abstract The present study investigated the effects of early postnatal handling and temporary maternal isolation, between the 5th and 20th postnatal days, on various behaviors related to stress measured in adulthood in male Wistar rats. In addition, β-adrenoceptor binding in the brain was measured. The handling consisted of daily 3-min sessions during which a pup was gently held by an investigator. The isolated rat pups were kept separated from their nursing mothers for 1 h daily. Subsequently, it was found that the time spent immobile in Porsolt's swim test was shortened, and voluntary alcohol (5% v/v) consumption was reduced in the handled rats, as compared with the non-handled and isolated animals. No differences in the measure of anxiety — food consumed in a novel environment — or the time spent in social, aggressive and defensive behaviors in a resident-intruder paradigm, were noted. Neither did the density or affinity of β-adrenoceptors in the frontal cortex or hippocampus differ significantly between the groups. The results indicate that short-lasting maternal separation does not cause sustained effects on behavior in the rat. Early postnatal handling leads to shortened immobility in the swim test and reduced voluntary alcohol consumption, suggesting that handled rats show an improved ability to cope with stress.
Pulse CH4/D2O reaction on a Ni/YSZ anode in SOFC

Abstract The activity and coking characteristics of a nickel/yttrium stabilized zirconia (Ni/YSZ) anode in a YSZ electrolyte/LSM cathode fuel cell have been investigated by steady state H 2 as well as pulse CH 4 and D 2 O/CH 4 reactions. Pulse CH 4 reaction produced H 2 , CO and carbon deposits (i.e., coke); pulse D 2 O/CH 4 reaction led to the formation of H 2 , HD, D 2 and CO under the open circuit condition where O 2− was not able to diffuse across the YSZ membrane. Closing the circuit allowed O 2− to diffuse across the YSZ membrane from the lanthanum strontium manganate (LSM) cathode to the Ni/YSZ anode, leading to oxidation of HD/D 2 for electric power generation at 750 and 850 °C. The observed preferential electrochemical oxidation of HD/D 2 over H 2 suggests that (i) the reaction of D 2 O/CH 4 (i.e., reforming of CH 4 with D 2 O) occurs at the sites in the vicinity of the three phase boundary (i.e., the Ni–YSZ interface) where the electrochemical oxidation of HD/D 2 takes place; (ii) the production of H 2 from the dissociation of CH 4 occurs on the Ni surface sites which is far from the three phase boundary. Build-up of coke has a more significant inhibition effect on the electrochemical oxidation reaction for electric power generation than the CH 4 dissociation reaction on the Ni/YSZ anode at 750 and 850 °C. Coking could be attributed to the inability of O 2− to diffuse on the Ni surface to initiate electrochemical oxidation.
Image perception and enhancement for the visually impaired

Wavelets have been used extensively as a method of extracting information contained in images and even in modeling human physiological data processing. Wavelet implementation for image processing parallels the analysis done by Peli concerning image enhancement and human perception. In this article, wavelets were used to provide a new image enhancement procedure by manipulating the decomposition detail coefficients. The true usefulness of the wavelet coefficients as enhancement tools can only be determined by testing. The only sure statement that can be made about image enhancement for the visually impaired, without first having a better understanding of the human visual system, is that individual subject preferences will be the deciding factor when choosing the optimal enhancement technique. Wavelet enhancements will provide different information to the low-vision observer and may prove to be superior to other enhancement techniques for some patients. >
Disarming the Legal System: Impunity for the Political Murder of Dissidents in Mexico

Despite a body of emergent scholarship documenting state crimes (Ross 1995, 2000), and political terror (De Mesquita et al. 2005), much less is known about the specific use of political killings as a strategy of control of domestic political opponents. Nor is the role of the criminal justice system in perpetuating impunity for such crimes well understood. Most research on political killings are single case studies of the assassination of high-profile political leaders (e.g., Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy) or give very brief information about many cases from different cultures (Ford 1985; Kirkham et al. 1970). The few comparative approaches that exist conclude that political killings are largely the result of political vengeance against external enemies that occurs in the context of states with weak mechanisms of formal justice (Ben-Yehuda 1997).
Surface Preparation and Deposited Gate Oxides for Gallium Nitride Based Metal Oxide Semiconductor Devices

The literature on polar Gallium Nitride (GaN) surfaces, surface treatments and gate dielectrics relevant to metal oxide semiconductor devices is reviewed. The significance of the GaN growth technique and growth parameters on the properties of GaN epilayers, the ability to modify GaN surface properties using in situ and ex situ processes and progress on the understanding and performance of GaN metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices are presented and discussed. Although a reasonably consistent picture is emerging from focused studies on issues covered in each of these topics, future research can achieve a better understanding of the critical oxide-semiconductor interface by probing the connections between these topics. The challenges in analyzing defect concentrations and energies in GaN MOS gate stacks are discussed. Promising gate dielectric deposition techniques such as atomic layer deposition, which is already accepted by the semiconductor industry for silicon CMOS device fabrication, coupled with more advanced physical and electrical characterization methods will likely accelerate the pace of learning required to develop future GaN-based MOS technology.
The many faces of hydrops.

Purpose Fetal hydrops arises from multiple disease processes and can portend a grim prognosis. We reviewed our experience with hydropic fetuses to understand relevant antenatal anatomic and physiologic predictors of survival.
On the antibacterial mechanism of graphene oxide (GO) Langmuir–Blodgett films

The Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique was used to immobilize flat graphene oxide (GO) sheets on a PET substrate to ascertain as to whether the edges of GO play an integral part in its antimicrobial mechanism. The observed antibacterial activity suggests that contact with the edges is not a fundamental part of the mechanism.
Fiscal decentralization and the development of the tobacco industry in China

Abstract Fiscal decentralization provides incentives for governments to promote local economies. However, the same motive to increase local tax bases can also induce governments to take protectionist measures detrimental to market competition. The Chinese tobacco industry makes an excellent case for the study of the impact of governmental competition on market performance. The industry enjoys an impressive growth in the 1980s and early 1990s with the support of local governments, while it witnessed inter-provincial protectionism in the mid-1990s when the market became saturated. The existence of grossly inefficient firms in a prosperous industry also reveals that governmental competition, while playing an important role in weakening or breaking state monopoly, has its limitations.
Data and public health decision making on HIV prevention in injection drug users.

In this issue, Neaigus et al.1 present interesting data comparing sources of injection equipment, injecting risk behavior, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence, hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence, and risk behavior among injecting drug users (IDUs) from Newark, NJ, and New York City. Newark is only 10 mi (16 km) from New York City, but at the time of data collection, the two cities had radically different environments with respect to obtaining sterile injection equipment for injecting drugs. At the time of data collection (2004–2006), New York City had both large-scale syringe exchange programs and the Expanded Syringe Access Program through which drug users can legally purchase needles and syringes at pharmacies without a prescription, while Newark had neither syringe exchange nor legal pharmacy purchase. As expected, IDUs in Newark were much less likely to obtain needles and syringes from guaranteed safe sources (exchanges and pharmacies; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.004, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.001 to 0.01), much more likely to report receptive syringe sharing (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.1 to 5.0), much more likely to be HIV seropositive (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.6 to 6.1), and much more likely to be HCV seropositive (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.8 to 4.9). These data should be seen as a continuation of differences that emerged with the legal expansion of syringe exchange programs in New York City in the mid-1990s. In a 1996 study, the adjusted hazard ratio of HIV incidence among IDUs attending the exchanges compared to IDUs not attending exchanges in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area was 3.5 (95% CI = 1.3 to 9.1).2 As noted in the article of Neaigus et al.,1 New Jersey recently passed a law permitting up to six syringe exchange programs in the state. This law included an extra $10 million for drug abuse treatment programs in the state but did not include any funding for syringe exchange programs. As of March 2008, the New Jersey syringe exchange programs were struggling. Only three had opened, and only one program—Atlantic City—was attracting large numbers of clients.3 The Atlantic City program was relatively well funded, had additional support from a local acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) service organization, and was utilizing staff from a nearby drug treatment program.4 That most of the New Jersey programs were struggling is also not surprising. In addition to the startup difficulties, the lack of public funding is strongly associated with both fewer syringes exchanged and fewer services offered by syringe exchange programs in the USA.5,6
An integrated database and expert system for failure mechanism identification: Part I—automated knowledge acquisition

Abstract An integrated database and expert system has been developed for identifying the failure mechanism of mechanical components. The system comprises six major modules: database and management system, case maintenance; knowledge acquisition and editing; expert system; explanation and test-recommendation facilities; and user interface. Part I of a two-part paper details the knowledge acquisition and editing module, as presented here. Part II describes the remaining modules and also gives test results (Liao TW, Zhan Z-H, Mount CR. Engineering Failure Analysis 1999;6:387–406) . The method used for automated knowledge acquisition is an inductive learning algorithm, which was modified from PRISM (Cendrowska J. Int J. Man–Machine Studies 1987;27:349–70) to handle noisy and missing data. Using the algorithm, a total of 48 rules were induced from 477 training examples gathered for the identification of 15 different failure mechanisms such as brittle fracture, fatigue, and stress corrosion cracking. Fifty-nine attributes were used to distinguish one failure mechanism from the others. They include pitted, beach marks, microvoids, etc. The knowledge editing function is provided to allow the verification of induced rules by the human expert.
Anton: a special-purpose machine that achieves a hundred-fold speedup in biomolecular simulations

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has long been recognized as a potentially transformative tool for understanding the behavior of proteins and other biological macromolecules, and for developing a new generation of precisely targeted drugs. Many biologically important phenomena, however, occur over timescales that have previously fallen far outside the reach of MD technology. We have constructed a specialized, massively parallel machine, called Anton, that is capable of performing atomic-level simulations of proteins at a speed roughly two orders of magnitude beyond that of the previous state of the art. The machine has now simulated the behavior of a number of proteins for periods as long as two milliseconds -- approximately 200 times the length of the longest such simulation previously published -- revealing aspects of protein dynamics that were previously inaccessible to both computational and experimental study. The speed at which Anton performs these simulations is in large part the result of a tightly coupled codesign process in which the machine architecture was developed in concert with novel algorithms, including an asymptotically optimal parallel algorithm (with highly attractive constant factors) for the range-limited N-body problem.
The flush statistic on semistandard Young tableaux

Abstract In this note, a statistic on Young tableaux is defined, which encodes data needed for the Casselman–Shalika formula.
Antecedents to Customer Expectations for Service Recovery

Selected antecedents of customers’ service recovery expectations are considered in this study. A conceptual model is proposed in which customer perceptions of service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer organizational commitment function as antecedents to service recovery expectations. The proposed model was tested with covariance structure analysis. The results support the hypothesized relationships, suggesting that service quality and customer organizational commitment have direct effects on customer service recovery expectations and that customer satisfaction has an indirect effect on service recovery expectations.
Effects of various habituation procedures on pituitary-adrenal responsiveness in the mouse.

Abstract This study examined the effect of prior experience with a testing apparatus on pituitary-adrenal responsiveness in mice. In Experiment 1, an attempt was made to habituate mice to an apparatus (jar) while investigating responsiveness to other stimuli. No evidence of habituation was found following 21 exposures to the jar. Experiment 2 examined 3 habituation procedures involving prolonged exposures. None of the procedures resulted in habituation and 2 of the procedures produced significantly higher plasma corticosterone levels than did a single short exposure to the jar (novelty condition). The results demonstrate the difficulty of habituating the mouse's pituitary-adrenal response to an apparatus and show that habituation procedures may actually increase rather than decrease responsiveness.
Perioperative Management of the Patient with Liver Disease and Management of the Chronic Alcoholic

Each year millions of Americans undergo surgical procedures requiring local, general, or spinal epidural anesthesia. A disproportionate number of the patients are older than age 65, and up to 10% of the patients have end-stage liver disease. Most patients do not suffer complications as a result of the surgical procedure or the anesthetic. However, about 3% to 10% of patients experience significant morbidity, often caused by infections or cardiac or pulmonary complications. Patients who have serious liver disease are generally believed to be at increased risk for perioperative morbidity and mortality. Appropriate preoperative evaluation is the cornerstone of successful intra- and postoperative management of the effects of anesthesia and surgery and is necessary for combating complications that may result from preexisting liver disease. The presence of decompensated liver disease increases the risk for postoperative complications. Acute liver disease (eg, viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis) is associated with more ongoing hepatocytic damage than chronic liver disease. Patients who have hepatitis generally have higher morbidity rates than those who have cholestatic disease. Patients who have chronic liver disease, including conditions such as chronic hepatitis C, whose liver function is preserved may not have an increased operative risk but are susceptible to hypoxic injuries. A comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of liver diseases, how the diseases impact liver physiology, and the effects of anesthesia is required for perioperative management of patients who have liver diseases. This article discusses each factor with emphasis on intricate management. Pathophysiology
The vaginal administration of 9-deoxo-16,16-dimethyl-9-methylene PGE2 for second trimester abortion.

Abstract 9-Deoxo-16,16-dimethyl 9-methylene PGE 2 was given as a vaginal suppository at 0 and 8 hours to 37 patients. Two different doses were given, a 75-mg and 60-mg dose. The larger dose achieved an 86% abortion rate at 24 hours and for the smaller dose it was 53%. When an intramuscular injection of 15-methyl PGF 2α . Tham was added at 24 hours, the success rate was 91% and 80% at 36 hours. The incidence of gastrointestinal side effects were significantly reduced when compared to vaginal administration of either PGE 2 or 15-methyl PGF 2α methyl ester. The incidence of temperature elevation was similar to that achieved with the use of vaginal PGE 2 but higher than with the use of vaginal 15-methyl PGF 2α methyl ester.
Egg capsules of a parasitic turbellarian flatworm: Ultrastructure of hatching sutures

Egg capsules of Syndisyrinx franciscanus, an intestinal parasite of sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp.), consist of a bulb, which contains the embryos, and a stalk-like filament. The wall of the bulb is about 12 microns thick and is composed of sclerotized proteins. The end of the bulb opposite the attachment of the filament bears a reticulum of hatching sutures. Transmission electron microscopy discloses that hatching sutures traverse the entire thickness of the capsule wall. The inner 9-10 microns of sutures are a uniform 20 nm in width and contain a trilaminar cementum. The outer 2-3 microns of sutures are 15 nm to more than 500 nm in width and contain an electron-lucent cementum. The latter may contain an irregular, median, electron-dense layer or, more commonly, electron-dense granules. The outside of some capsules is partially covered by a thin, electron-dense material. A previous study showed that sutures in intact capsules of Syndisyrinx franciscanus are not affected by host digestive fluids, but are severely weakened immediately prior to hatching owing to activities of the embryos. The hypothesis that the embryos secrete a hatching enzyme is supported by findings that sutures of intact capsules are not affected by externally applied trypsin, but become weakened when capsules are cut open and then incubated in trypsin. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the outer parts of sutures often remain intact after hatching. We hypothesize that the ability of sutures to resist enzymatic attack from the outside, but not the inside, results from differences in the chemical properties of the cementums in outer and inner parts of sutures.
A new direction in the study of carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity

Abstract An unknown chain of causality links the early events of CCl 4 metabolism to emergence of the classical spectrum of pathological changes elicited by this hepatotoxin. Recent developments suggest that an early disturbance in hepatocellular Ca 2+ homeostasis may be involved. The possibility that generation of toxic products of lipid peroxidation may act as toxicological “second messengers” linking events near cytochrome P-450 to distant parts of the cell seems unlikely. This mini-review attempts to highlight major recent developments underlying the current situation.
Unsymmetric composite laminates morphing via piezoelectric actuators

A composite panel, with a [0/90] unsymmetric layup, exhibits bi-stable anticlastic equilibrium configurations. One way to provide morphing capabilities to such a panel is attained by attaching piezoelectric actuators to its surface. In such a design an electric field is applied to the piezoelectric actuators in order to trigger snap-through behavior of the panel/actuator assembly. A simple cantilever beam configuration is discussed to perform actuator assessment. Results are compared to with predictions from Extended Classical Lamination Theory and finite element analysis. Guidelines are proposed to design a morphing unsymmetric panel/actuator assembly. The panel/actuator(s) assembly is manufactured accordingly. Snap-through experiments are conducted and the ABAQUS finite element software is used to predict snap-through behavior. Analysis predictions are in good agreement with test results.
Fraud in US organisations: an examination of control mechanisms

Focuses on a type of white‐collar crime known as occupational fraud, which is estimated to amount to 6% of total revenues in the USA. Describes the control mechanisms that US organisations use to control and prevent this crime, including background checks, internal and external audits, and more recently, the use of anonymous reporting aimed to make employees turn in fraudulent co‐workers. Reviews the literature on this topic and describes the methodology used in the research, which examines the four types of control mechanism. Concludes that the study validates previous research in finding that the direct costs of occupational fraud are extensive, that there exist related societal effects which are however unmeasurable with any accuracy, that virtually no US organisational setting is immune from internal fraud, and that a variety of measures are needed to control this crime.
New variational principle for the Vlasov-Maxwell equations.

A new Eulerian variational principle is presented for the Vlasov-Maxwell equations. This principle uses constrained variations for the Vlasov distribution in eight-dimensional extended phase space. The standard energy-momentum conservation law is then derived explicitly by the Noether method. This new variational principle can be applied to various reduced Vlasov-Maxwell equations in which fast time scales have been asymptotically eliminated (e.g., low-frequency gyrokinetic theory).
Antiphase magnetic boundaries in iron-based superconductors: A first-principles density-functional theory study

Superconductivity arises in the layered iron-pnictide compounds when magnetic long range order disappears. We use first principles density functional methods to study magnetic arrangements that may compete with long range order near the phase boundary. Specifically, we study the energetics and charge density distribution (through calculation of the electric field gradients) for ordered supercells with varying densities of antiphase magnetic boundaries. We quantify the amount by which Fe atoms with low spin moments at the antiphase boundaries have higher energies than Fe atoms with high spin moments away from the antiphase boundaries. These disruptions in magnetic order should be useful in accounting for experimental data such as electric field gradients and hyperfine fields on both Fe and As atoms.
Inversion of Cubic de Haas-van Alphen Data, with an Application to Palladium

We have constructed to high order ($l=30$) all the linear combinations of spherical harmonics which transform as the identity representation of the full cubic group ${O}_{h}$. These are used with Mueller's inversion scheme to obtain the radius vectors of the palladium $s$-band surface from the de Haas-van Alphen areas. The accuracy of this inversion is limited by the ambiguities inherent in data restricted to the symmetry planes. The limits to which such data define the anisotropy uniquely are calculated explicitly in an analysis which applies to any anisotropic quantity in a cubic system. The practical importance of this point is emphasized. We find that the electron surface in Pd contains 0.364\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004 electrons/atom.
Sweet orange scab with a new scab disease "syndrome" of citrus in the USA associated with Elsinoë australis

Elsinoe fawcettii causes citrus scab and E. australis causes sweet orange scab and there are different pathotypes of each species. Citrus scab is widely distributed, whereas sweet orange scab is limited mostly to southern South America. In 2010, E. australis was detected by PCR in Texas for the first time in the USA and subsequently found in commercial areas of Texas. In this study, cultures were obtained in Texas mostly from diseased fruit with symptoms similar to "late-season windscar" and identified as the Natsudaidai pathotype of E. australis by sequencing of the PCR amplification products and sequencing of the translation elongation factor and ITS regions. Inoculations of detached leaves and fruit of grapefruit, sweet orange, and tangerine produced scab-like symptoms on all organs and species. The fungus was re-isolated from the inoculated organs and PCR tests on re-isolated fungal colonies and lesions confirmed the presence of E. australis. The disease represents sweet orange scab of citrus with a new scab disease symptomatology, but the host range, ecology and epidemiology of this pathotype are still not completely understood. Thus far, Natsudaidai pathotype has been reported only from South Korea.
Intermolecular interactions and tautomerism of nucleic acid bases and their analogues

Abstract The structures and stabilization energies of guanine—cytosine, guanine—thymine and adenine—thymine base pairs formed by “normal” amino-oxo and “rare” amino-hydroxy tautomers of guanine and the “normal” tautomers of adenine and thymine are studied using a combined quantum-mechanical approach, an ab initio calculation for relative stabilities of the isolated tautomers together with a calculation of intermolecular interaction energies using a multipolar expansion method developed by Claverie and co-workers. It is shown that the interaction between the components of the base pairs decreases the relative stability of the pairs involving “rare” tautomers of guanine; for the isolated molecules the stability of both tautomers of guanine is found to be approximately the same. Our calculations include the base pairs formed by the “rare” hydroxy tautomer of guanine, whose existence has been reported in recent experimental studies of guanines isolated in an inert low-temperature matrix. Calculations for this amino-hydroxy form of guanine serve as a model for interactions of O 6 -methylguanine with pyrimidine bases.
Robustness of the dynamic visual movement effect

The present study examines further the effects of certain selected spatiotemporal parameters on dynamic visual movement. The results suggest that the subjectively perceived number of inputs is highly sensitive to the spatiotemporal ordering of the input array.
Agent-based error prevention algorithms

This article presents a new methodology using distributed algorithms to identify and prevent errors in production and service. A sequential production/service line is selected to challenge the analysis, and reveal if the distributed algorithms can outperform centralized algorithms in automating error prevention. Agent-based error prevention algorithms (AEPAs) are developed for distributed agents to identify and prevent errors with decision rules. Analytical studies and simulation experiments are conducted to compare AEPAs with traditional centralized error prediction and detection algorithms. The results show that the AEPAs employing nominal and optimistic rules perform better than the centralized algorithms in terms of preventability and reliability. Collaboration among agents improves AEPAs' performance. It is recommended to prevent errors by two agents simultaneously executing the AEPA employing the integrated nominal rule.
Design and synthesis of pyridazinone-based 5-HT2C agonists

The SAR of a series of pyridazinone derived 5-HT 2C agonists has been explored and resulted in identification of a compound with excellent levels of 5-HT 2C functional agonism and selectivity over 5-HT 2A and 5-HT 2B . This compound displayed good in vivo efficacy in pre-clinical models of stress urinary incontinence, despite having physiochemical properties commensurate with impaired CNS penetration.
A COMBINED TITRATION CALORIMETER AND FIXED WAVELENGTH COLORIMETER

Abstract A combined titration calorimeter and fixed wavelenth LED colorimeter is described. The appears consists of a conventional thermistor-Dewar calorimeter and includes a LED light source—light pipe-phototransistor colorimeter. Not only can the temperature change of the reacting system be recorded but the color change of the solution as well. The use of the apparatus is illustrated with the acid—base (indicator) reaction, iodine and formaldehyde clock reactions, and an oscillating iodine clock reaction.
A new measurement of tissue capillarity: the capillary-to-fibre perimeter exchange index.

The surface area of contact between capillaries and muscle fibres has been suggested to be the site of greatest oxygen flux density in the movement of oxygen from the capillaries to the muscle fibres. A new measurement of tissue capillarity, designed specifically for use on non-perfusion fixed muscle tissue (i.e., that obtained via needle biopsy), is presented that describes the capillary supply from this perspective. The Capillary-to-Fibre Perimeter Exchange Index (the CFPE Index) is derived as the quotient of the individual capillary-to-fibre ratio (i.e., the capillary-to-fibre ratio calculated for each fibre individually) and the fibre perimeter. This method is suggested to provide a means of quantitating potential alterations in the capacity for oxygen flux (e.g., as may occur in response to a training intervention) and any carrier- or receptor-mediated aspect of blood-tissue exchange between the capillaries and muscle-fibres (e.g., insulin or glucose delivery).
Women's Health, Accountable Care Organizations, and Radiology Practice: Maximizing Radiology's Value Under Health Care Reform

257 risk of false-negative screening mammography compared with the risk of false-positive screening MRI. Shifting recommendations lead to patient uncertainty regarding screening mammography benefit. This doubt potentially disproportionately affects minorities who already engage less frequently in cancer screening activities and may exacerbate racerelated breast cancer morbidity and mortality [2, 3]. A better understanding of competing risks and preferences must inform future coverage decisions in breast cancer screening as well as in the general use of imaging.
Pulse amplification in nonlinear systems

Abstract It is shown that a system of weakly anharmonic oscillators can be used to amplify pulses. The conditions for amplification are given.
Olefin/Paraffin Separations by Reactive Absorption: A Review

Light olefins and paraffins are commonly separated by cryogenic distillation. A process based upon reversible chemical complexation, which employs a mass-separating agent rather than an energy-separating agent, presents an attractive alternative to distillation. Use of such a facilitated-transport-assisted process could substantially reduce the capital costs and energy requirements of olefin/paraffin separations. Copper(I) and silver(I) have long been known to form electron donor/acceptor complexes with olefins. Several chemical systems using these transition metals as the selective separating agent have been studied. A review of copper- and silver-based complexing solutions for olefin/paraffin separations via gas/liquid contacting is presented.
Efficient stereochemical relay en route to leucascandrolide A.

A complete relay of the initial stereochemical information is central to the efficient and highly stereocontrolled construction of the C1−C15 fragment of the marine macrolide leucascandrolide A. Cyclic silane 3, assembled via Pt-catalyzed hydrosilylation, was designed to serve as a temporary template for the installation of the C12 stereogenic center. The strategy features a highly convergent C10−C11 bond construction via 1,5-anti-selective aldol reaction and rapid assembly of the trisubstituted pyran subunit via Prins desymmetrization.
Squamous carcinoma metastatic to the sternum.

Abstract A 63-year-old man had a 10 × 16-cm sternal mass 18 months after a second aortocoronary bypass operation. The resected lesion was a metastatic tumor of squamous histology. No primary tumor was found. The diagnostic work-up and treatment options are presented.
Optimization of the injection process for drag-reducing additives

The primary objective of this experimental study was to determine the optimum combination of additive concentration, additive flowrate, injector angle and injector width for injecting a drag-reducing additive into a channel flow of water. The experiments were designed to keep an effective concentration of the additive in the buffer region where previous experiments have shown the additives directly affect the turbulent structures. Flow visualization of the wall-layer structures was conducted for the optimum combination of injection variables at the streamwise locations where the drag reduction peaked and where the additive became fully mixed with the channel flow of water.
Cysteine-Cysteine Contact Preference Leads to Target-Focusing in Protein Folding

We perform a statistical analysis of amino-acid contacts to investigate possible preferences of amino-acid interactions. We include in the analysis only tertiary contacts, because they are less constrained—compared to secondary contacts—by proteins' backbone rigidity. Using proteins from the protein data bank, our analysis reveals an unusually high frequency of cysteine pairings relative to that expected from random. To elucidate the possible effects of cysteine interactions in folding, we perform molecular simulations on three cysteine-rich proteins. In particular, we investigate the difference in folding dynamics between a Gō-like model (where attraction only occurs between amino acids forming a native contact) and a variant model (where attraction between any two cysteines is introduced to mimic the formation/dissociation of native/nonnative disulfide bonds). We find that when attraction among cysteines is nonspecific and comparable to a solvent-averaged interaction, they produce a target-focusing effect that expedites folding of cysteine-rich proteins as a result of a reduction of conformational search space. In addition, the target-focusing effect also helps reduce glassiness by lowering activation energy barriers and kinetic frustration in the system. The concept of target-focusing also provides a qualitative understanding of a correlation between the rates of protein folding and parameters such as contact order and total contact distance.
FAIRNESS IN COST ALLOCATIONS AND COOPERATIVE GAMES

In an economic environment where there is a conflict of interest among several parties, the job of an adjudicator is to devise a “solution” to this conflict that is “fair” or at least acceptable to all parties. For example, a cost accountant may have to allocate the cost of a research and development division or of a common power facility to several departments—each of which makes some use of the facility. Perhaps, several firms responsible for the pollution of a lake or river may be under a court order to clean up the lake, and he must decide how to distribute this cost among the several firms. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate through the above two examples how the theory of cooperative games may be of service to such an adjudicator. However, there are several different notions of “fairness,” and the decision as to which notion of “fairness” is appropriate to which conflict situation is a decision that at this point is beyond the theory of cooperative games. By examining these different notions of fairness, a person may find himself able to distinguish features of various solution proposals which make one solution “fairer” than another.