cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advances in research on clusters of transition metal atoms

Abstract This article reviews research on the physical and chemical properties of clusters of transition metal atoms, with special emphasis on recent advances made through the new molecular beam and flow techniques. Following our introductory section describing motivation for the study of metal clusters, we outline the major synthetic techniques: Matrix isolation or suspension and free-jet or cold flow condensation of laser-vaporization plasmas. Before discussing the new experiments based on these methods, we review physical and chemical models of transition metal clusters. These models are adaptations of bulk or molecular descriptions of metals or metal containing compounds, and are concerned with the prediction of electronic structure and elementary excitation in clusters, magnetic order and structural rigidity, or chemical reactivity and perturbations. Within this framework we survey recent experimental measurements and their interpretations. Highlighted examples include: (1) the precision measurement of rovibronic or magnetic properties of dimers and trimers as tests of computational electronic structure approximations, (2) measurements of electron binding energies of Fe and Ni clusters as a probe of the molecular versus bulk behavior of these systems, (3) the current status of experiments on the optical properties of small metallic particles, (4) magnetic moment measurements on Fe clusters as critical tests of the molecular theory of metallic and magnetic behavior, (5) discussion of possible effects of cluster melting, and the melting of Au clusters, (6) the facile size-selected reactions of free Fe and Ni clusters with H 2 , 0 2 and CO, and (7) the evidence for new chemistry in the adsorption of hydrocarbons on free Pt. Ir and Ru clusters.
Remark on the thermal radiation from a resonant absorber

Abstract The Planck spectrum of a body composed of a layered absorber on a strongly reflecting metallic underlayer is discussed. In the case in which the medium has a single Lorentzian resonance absorption and in which the width of this resonance is small compared to the width of the ordinary blackbody spectrum, the emissive power may be simply calculated. The result obtained differs from a T4 law.
Ascorbic acid metabolism in geranium and grape

Abstract l -Ascorbic acid-[UL- 14 C] has been used to follow the appearance of 14 C-labeled oxalic acid and tartaric acid as metabolic products of oxidative cleavage of ascorbic acid in geranium apices ( Pelargonium crispum ). The enantiomeric specificity of ascorbic acid metabolism was established in geranium by comparing the incorporation of d - and l -ascorbic acid-[6- 14 C] in the presence of l -ascorbic acid-[4- 3 H]. l -Ascorbic acid-[4- 3 H] has been used to demonstrate the retention of 3 H during biosynthesis of l -(+)-tartaric acid in the geranium and its exchange with water during biosynthesis of l -( +)-tartaric acid in the grape.
An integrated Ku-band nanosecond time-stretching system using improved dispersive delay line (DDL)

In this paper, we report an on-chip implementation of a Ku-band nanosecond scale time-stretching (TS) system in a 130 nm CMOS process. The system employs a linear chirp generator realized by ramping the control voltage of the voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a broadband amplitude modulation (AM) circuit and an active dispersive delay line (DDL) improved from a previous integrated DDL, showing 1 ns dispersion over the frequency range from 12 GHz to 16 GHz. This work not only shows the experimental demonstration of the time stretching effect on the pulsed signal, but also indicates the potential for implementation of more complicated time scaling signal processing systems on chip.
Proopiomelanocortin gene expression is decreased in the infundibular nucleus of postmenopausal women.

Abstract Previous studies have shown that estrogen withdrawal decreases the secretion of β-endorphin from the monkey hypothalamus. In addition, there are consistent age-associated changes in β-endorphin neurons in the rodent. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that the activity of hypothalamic β-endorphin neurons would be decreased in the hypothalamus of postmenopausal women. In the present study, we examined the expression of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA, the precursor mRNA for β-endorphin, in the medial basal hypothalamus of premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Every 20th sagittal section through the hypothalamus was hybridized with a synthetic [ 35 S ]labeled, 48-base oligonucleotide probe complementary to POMC mRNA. Labeled neurons were counted and their somatic profile areas were measured with an image-combining computer microscope system. The number of POMC mRNA-containing neurons/section in the infundibular nucleus was reduced by 65% in postmenopausal women. In contrast, there was no significant difference in the number of neurons expressing POMC gene transcripts in the retrochiasmatic region. The POMC neurons in the retrochiasmatic area were also distinct morphologically from those in the infundibular nucleus. The differences between the infundibular and retrochiasmatic regions suggest that functional subgroups of POMC neurons exist in the human hypothalamus. Our findings provide evidence that the activity of hypothalamic POMC neurons is decreased in the infundibular nucleus of postmenopausal women. Both aging and gonadal steroid withdrawal may contribute to the decline in POMC gene expression in postmenopausal women.
Resolution of ambiguities in the optical-model potential for 16O24Mg from elastic scattering data near the Coulomb barrier

Abstract Excitation functions for 16 O 24 Mg elastic scattering taken near the Coulomb barrier are used to reduce the number of phase-equivalent discrete ambiguities in the real optical-model potential well depth. For a Woods-Saxon form factor, a nuclear radius of 6 fm and a diffuseness parameter of 0.6 fm the real optical-model potential well depth for 16 O 24 Mg is found to be U = 45 ± 10 MeV. The results are quite insensitive to the value of the absorption term in the optical potential.
BG-12 in Multiple Sclerosis

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an orally administered agent that has been used for over 40 years for the treatment of psoriasis. Recent work demonstrates both DMF immunomodulatory and neuroprotective actions in vitro and in animal models of autoreactive central nervous system inflammation and neurodegeneration. DMF acts through chemical modification of the repressor protein Keap1, allowing stabilization and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor Nrf2, with subsequent downstream activation of a cascade of several cytoprotective and antioxidant pathways. Additionally, suppression of transcription factor NF-κB-mediated proinflammatory signaling results in the inhibition of proinflammatory responses and induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines. BG-12 is an orally administered, enteric-coated microtablet preparation of DMF. In two phase III, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) trials, BG-12 led to a 44 to 53% reduction in annualized relapse rate and a 71 to 85% reduction in new T2 lesions on magnetic resonance imaging. The most common side effects of BG-12 are cutaneous flushing and gastrointestinal symptoms, with the highest incidence in the first month after starting treatment. No serious safety signals were seen during the phase II and III trials, including no increased risk of opportunistic infections or cancer. Altogether, BG-12's novel mechanism of action appears to provide a favorable balance of efficacy, safety, and tolerability for treatment of relapsing MS.
Relying on the private sector: The income distribution and public investments in the poor

Abstract What drives governments with similar revenues to provide very different amounts of goods with private sector substitutes? Education is a prime example. I use exogenous shocks to Brazilian municipalities' revenue during 1995–2008 generated by non-linearities in federal transfer laws to demonstrate two things. First, municipalities with higher income inequality or higher median income allocate less of a revenue shock to education and are less likely to expand public school enrollment. They are more likely to invest in public infrastructure that is broadly enjoyed, like parks and roads, or to save the shock. Second, I find no evidence that the quality of public education suffers as a result. If anything, unequal and high-income areas are more likely to improve public school inputs and test scores following a revenue shock, given their heavy use of private education. I further provide evidence that an increase in public sector revenue lowers private school enrollment.
Effect of the mi allele on mast cells, basophils, natural killer cells, and osteoclasts in C57Bl/6J mice.

Abstract The osteopetrotic, microphthalmic (mi/mi) mouse lacks functional osteoclasts and has also been reported to be deficient in mast cells and natural-killer (NK) cells. The later deficiencies could be secondary to the osteopetrotic marrow, or a direct result of the mi allele. Therefore, heterozygotes were examined for these cell types, since these mice do not exhibit osteopetrosis. Adult +/mi animals have approximately 50%, and mi/mi animals examined by histologic techniques or tissue histamine levels have 0-10%, of the peritoneal, dermal, and intestinal mast cells compared with that of +/+ animals. Leukocyte histamine, indicative of the number of basophils, demonstrates the same pattern. Histamine content per mast cell in +/+ and +/mi animals is identical. The number of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) in splenic leukocyte preparations from +/mi animals is 50% that of +/+ animals, and these cells are undetectable in preparations from mi/mi mice. NK activity against YAC-1 cells paralleled the number of LGL present. The resorptive response of neonatal calvaria to parathyroid hormone was delayed in the case of cultured +/mi bone compared with that of +/+ bone, but the final rate of calcium release was identical. These data indicate that 1) the presence of one mi allele can affect the development of four distinct cell types, and 2) osteopetrosis alone does not account for the lack of mast cells, basophils, and NK cells in mi/mi mice.
Trade and Income Inequality in a Less Developed Country: The Case of Mozambique

Although the relationship between international trade and income inequality has been widely studied in developing economies at the national level, less attention has been paid to regional differentiation within those countries. This article examines the differential impacts of trade in two distinct regions in Mozambique: the relatively more developed southern portion and the more isolated region north of the Zambezi River. Despite differences in physical geography and levels of human and physical capital, these two regions are governed by the same trade and economic development policies. The results indicate that the effects of agricultural trade orientation-the degree to which a region's population is involved in the production and sale of cash crops and vegetable crops--on regional inequality are mixed. In southern Mozambique, the orientation toward crops traded within the country (vegetables) has inequality-increasing effects, whereas in northern Mozambique, the orientation toward internationally exported crops (cash crops) has inequality-dampening effects. These mixed findings imply a complex relationship between trade and inequality that varies by region and the type of trade. They suggest that regional trade and development policies that take historical, political, and geographic variation within countries into account would be better equipped to address the trade-related effects on uneven development than would national- level policy.
The question of credibility in Anne Brontë's The tenant of Wildfell Hall

(1982). The question of credibility in Anne Bronte's The tenant of Wildfell Hall. English Studies: Vol. 63, No. 3, pp. 198-206.
Adrenalectomy reduces alcohol-stimulated activity: Blood and brain alcohol content

Abstract It has been shown that adrenal glucocorticoids have a permissive role in some of the actions of alcohol. To determine if an intact adrenal was necessary for the stimulation of locomotor activity, 24 female C3H mice were tested for open field activity with ethanol or saline. Two weeks after adrenalectomy or sham surger, animals were tested for activity again with ethanol or saline. One week later, alcohol disappearance curves were generated for blood and brain. Adrenalectomy reduced estimated peak alcohol levels in alcohol-stimulated locomotor activtiy. In addition, adrenalectomy significantly reduced estimated peak alcohol levels in blood and brain but significantly reduced the disappearance rate for alcohol only in brain. These data suggest that adrenalectomy significantly changes alcohol distribution, with greater impact on brain alcohol levels than on blood levels, and that this may be responsible, at least in part, for the reduction in stimulated locomotor activity.
Modeling Energy Commodity Futures: Is Seasonality Part of It?

The article analyzes the price dynamics of two important commodity futures prices? crude oil and natural gas. Some of the latest models of commodity prices are subjected to empirical testing here? specifically the two-factor model of Schwartz-Smith [2000], which nests other important models developed earlier. The two-factor model includes a mean-reverting short-term deviation and uncertain equilibrium level to which prices gravitate. The two factors are not directly observable but can be estimated from futures prices. This is the base case model in this study. The model parameters of the Schwartz-Smith two-factor model are estimated out of traded futures on natural gas and crude oil, using the fixed maturity format the author creates for futures prices. Analysis of the variance structure of natural gas prices suggests the presence of seasonality. Seasonal adjustment is performed and the model is estimated on the deseasonalized data. The effect of seasonality is studied using both the fixed-maturity price series and the original price series for all the models dealing with seasonality to judge whether the model implications and parameters change across the data series. The seasonally adjusted series produce a better fit to the two-factor model, as indicated by various goodness-of-fit metrics computed. Model-based seasonality approaches are developed as well, among which seasonal dummies and a three-factor model with a stochastic seasonality component of log spot prices. The modeled-in seasonality specifications explain futures prices for natural gas better than the base case of the two-factor model, with the three-factor model producing an especially good description of the prices at a certain point of time, but predicting log prices up to three years out in the future with larger errors than alternative models. The author runs a race between the various parameterized and non-parameterized versions of models with seasonality to test both their in-sample and out-of-sample prediction ability, gauged by the pricing errors they generate. The volatility functions model, based on principal components extraction from daily data, with seasonality in short-term volatility, seems to have the best forecasting ability, followed by the two-factor model on Kendall-type deseasonalized data and the seasonal dummies specification. The Bayesian information criterion (BIC) applied to all the parameterized models singles out the three-factor model, followed by the two-factor model on Kendall-type deseasonalized data of fixed maturity. The three-factor model, however, produces less accurate parameter estimates and larger prediction errors than the other models.
Comparison of false discovery rate methods in identifying genes with differential expression

Current high-throughput techniques such as microarray in genomics or mass spectrometry in proteomics usually generate thousands of hypotheses to be tested simultaneously. The usual purpose of these techniques is to identify a subset of interesting cases that deserve further investigation. As a consequence, the control of false positives among the tests called "significant" becomes a critical issue for researchers. Over the past few years, several false discovery rate (FDR)-controlling methods have been proposed; each method favors certain scenarios and is introduced with the purpose of improving the control of FDR at the targeted level. In this paper, we compare the performance of the five FDR-controlling methods proposed by Benjamini et al., the qvalue method proposed by Storey, and the traditional Bonferroni method. The purpose is to investigate the "observed" sensitivity of each method on typical microarray experiments in which the majority (or all) of the truth is unknown. Based on two well-studied microarray datasets, it is found that in terms of the "apparent" test power, the ranking of the FDR methods is given as Step-down<Step-up: dependent<Step-up: one-stage (BH95)<Step-up adaptive<qvalue. The BH95 method shows the best control of FDR at the target level. It is our hope that the observed results could provide some insight into the application of different FDR methods in microarray data analysis.
Characterization of superoxide production from aldehyde oxidase: an important source of oxidants in biological tissues.

Abstract Aldehyde oxidase, a molybdoflavoenzyme that plays an important role in aldehyde biotransformation, requires oxygen as substrate and produces reduced oxygen species. However, little information is available regarding its importance in cellular redox stress. Therefore, studies were undertaken to characterize its superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production. Aldehyde oxidase was purified to >98% purity and exhibited a single band at ∼290 kDa on native polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis. Superoxide generation was measured and quantitated by cytochrome c reduction and EPR spin trapping with p -dimethyl aminocinnamaldehyde as reducing substrate. Prominent superoxide generation was observed with an initial rate of 295 nmol min −1 mg −1 . Electrochemical measurements of oxygen consumption and hydrogen peroxide formation yielded values of 650 and 355 nmol min −1 mg −1 . In view of the ubiquitous distribution of aldehydes in tissues, aldehyde oxidase can be an important basal source of superoxide that would be enhanced in disease settings where cellular aldehyde levels are increased.
The role of echocardiography and CT in the diagnosis of cardiac tumors

A young male who presented with atypical chest pain was found to have a primary cardiac tumor. Chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, and echocardiographic findings can be nonspecific. Differential diagnosis and the role of different diagnostic modalities including echocardiogram, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are discussed.
Cataract formation and prevention

Cataract, a leading cause of blindness worldwide, is a multifactorial eye disease. In developing countries the incidence of cataract among young generations is not uncommon due to malnutrition, excess exposure to ultraviolet radiation and so on. In developed countries, age-related cataract affecting the population over 65 years of age is a major concern. Oxidative stress was suggested to inflict damage to the lens and induce opacification, and a variety of antioxidant nutrients were tested for the prevention or delay of cataract development. Although promising results were obtained in animal studies of various antioxidants, epidemiological studies on human populations do not seem to support their protective effects unequivocally. It is unlikely that age-related cataract in man, similar to the ageing process itself, will be prevented or delayed by therapeutic drugs in the foreseeable future. At present, keeping a health-conscious life style (i.e., no smoking) may be the most effective and least expensive s...
The phantom of tumor treatment - continually rapid proliferation unmasked

Therefore, if the doubling time of clonogens in the tumor towards the end of radiotherapy (T~er) becomes the same as the potential doubling time measured before treatment, this means by definition that the cell loss factor has become zero. The residual tumor is now doubling in only a few days (i.e. similar to Toot) instead of the 50 or 100 days (Tvol) typical of many tumors before treatment. Since the spontaneous cell loss factors in human tumors are usually large, often between 90 and 99~o in the epithelially derived carcinomas, the fall to zero represents a large change. Even if T~er and Tpot are not exactly the same, but are merely similar, both being just a few days, it means that the spontaneous cell loss factor has fallen nearly to zero. How can this be? And more importantly from the practical point of view, when does it occur? More trivially, the rapid proliferation represented by the short values of Tefrderived by many authors from clinical data is not really "accelerated proliferation". It is the unmasked birth rate of tumor cells, no longer concealed by a spontaneous cell loss factor. It
Microwave Processing to Destroy Salmonellae in Corn‐Soy‐Milk Blends and Effect on Product Quality

Enriched corn-soy-milk (CSM) blends were inoculated with Salmonella senftenberg and packed in 50-lb (22.7 kg) bags. The inoculated product and CSM bags containing natural salmonellae contamination were heated from 21° to 56.7°C through 82.2°C in 3.9 – 10 min, respectively, using a 60 Kw (2450 MHz) continuous microwave tunnel, and then palletized with and without 4-cm spacers between rows. Spacer palletized bags cooled to 43°C after 9.7 hr with moving air and after 23.3 hr without moving air, but 60 hr was required with no spacers. Initial most probable numbers (MPN) of 4 × 102 cells/g for S. senftenberg were reduced 102-fold to 105-fold after processing at 56.7° through 82.2°C, respectively. Nutritional damage occurred at process temperatures of 77.8° and 82.2°C. At 61.1° and 67.2°C, MPN were reduced 2 × 103-fold with no significant change in rheology, moisture, color, vitamins A and B1, available lysine, and protein efficiency ratios.
Algorithms for sequencing multileaf collimators

In delivering radiation therapy for cancer treatment, it is desirable to deliver high doses of radiation to the target tumor, while permitting a low dosage on the surrounding healthy tissues. In recent years, the development of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has made this possible. IMRT may be delivered by several techniques. The delivery of IMRT with a multileaf collimator (MLC) requires the delivery of radiation from several beam orientations. The intensity profile for each beam direction is described as a MLC leaf sequence, which is developed using a leaf sequencing algorithm. Important considerations in developing a leaf sequence for a desired intensity profile include maximizing the monitor unit (MU) efficiency (equivalently minimizing the beam-on time) and minimizing the total treatment time subject to the leaf movement constraints of the MLC model. In this work, we present a systematic study of the optimization of leaf sequencing algorithms and provide rigorous mathematical proofs of optimized leaf sequence settings in terms of MU efficiency under most common leaf movement constraints that include minimum and maximum leaf separation, leaf interdigitation and tongue-and-groove. We also develop algorithms to split large intensity modulated fields into two or three subfields.
Effects of postmortem interval, age, and Alzheimer's disease on G-proteins in human brain

Abstract Heterotrimeric G-proteins are critical components in many receptor-coupled signal transduction systems, and altered levels and functions of G-proteins have been implicated in several neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Investigations in postmortem human brain provide a direct approach to study G-protein involvement in neurological disorders. Therefore, the effects of postmortem interval, aging, and Alzheimer's disease on G-protein levels were determined in postmortem human brain and an assay to measure activation of G-proteins was developed. Within the postmortem interval range of 5 to 21 h, the levels of Gαi1, Gαi2, Gas, and Gβ were stable, whereas Gαq and Gαo decreased slightly, in human prefrontal cortex. In subjects aged 19 to 100 y, decreased levels of Gαq and Gαo were significantly correlated with increased age, but levels of the other G-protein subunits did not vary. In Alzheimer's disease prefrontal cortex, superior temporal gyrus, and occipital cortex, all G-protein subunit levels were equivalent to those in matched controls except for a slight deficit in Gail. An ELISA assay using selective antibodies was used to measure [35S]GTPγS binding to Gαo and Gαi1. Binding was proportional to the concentration of GTP-γS and was concentration-dependently stimulated by mastoparan equivalently in control and Alzheimer's disease prefrontal cortical membranes.
The effects of gender, age, and body mass index on standing lumbar curvature in persons without current low back pain

Reference values for standing lumbar curvature (SLC) obtained via noninvasive methods are not well established in persons without current low back pain. The effect of gender is considered to have a significant effect on SLC with women having more lumbar lordosis than men. The effect of age and degree of obesity are not considered to have a statistically significant effect on SLC. The purpose of this study was to test the assumption that measurements of SLC in healthy adults obtained by a flexible curve will differ between genders, whereas the SLC will not differ across categories of age and body mass index (BMI). Two hundred thirty-five volunteers (119 men and 116 women) whose ages ranged between 20 and 79 years participated in the study. Subjects were almost exclusively White and from the Midwest. Measurements of the SLC were obtained by a flexible curve. The curve's shape was transferred to poster board, and the value of SLC was quantified by a previously described technique. A three-way analysis of var...
In Vivo Electrometric Study of Carcinogenic Hydrocarbon Interaction with Mouse Epidermis

A bioelectrometric technique was implemented in the study of 3-methylcholanthrene and benzene interaction with the epidermis of hairless mice. In contrast to previous studies of this nature, the experimental results were obtained entirely in vivo without causing injury to the mice. The results obtained are analogous to titration curves of amphoteric macromolecules. Inspection of the curves and their temporal variations following the topical application of the hydrocarbons revealed the induction of significant changes in the density of ionogenic groups affixed to the epidermal colloids. The carcinogenic 3-methylcholanthrene was observed to induce consistently a reduction of net cationic fixed-charge density attributable to the loss or discharge of basic nitrogenous groups titratable above, at least, pH 7.4. A discussion of some of the possible mechanisms of this observation is presented. The results of the present study indicate the bioelectrometric method to be complementary to the more direct experimental techniques commonly employed.
The HhH(2)/NDD Domain of the Drosophila Nod Chromokinesin-Like Protein Is Required for Binding to Chromosomes in the Oocyte Nucleus

Nod is a chromokinesin-like protein that plays a critical role in segregating achiasmate chromosomes during female meiosis. The C-terminal half of the Nod protein contains two putative DNA-binding domains. The first of these domains, known as the HMGN domain, consists of three tandemly repeated high-mobility group N motifs. This domain was previously shown to be both necessary and sufficient for binding of the C-terminal half of Nod to mitotic chromosomes in embryos. The second putative DNA-binding domain, denoted HhH(2)/NDD, is a helix-hairpin-helix(2)/Nod-like DNA-binding domain. Although the HhH(2)/NDD domain is not required or sufficient for chromosome binding in embryos, several well-characterized nod mutations have been mapped in this domain. To characterize the role of the HhH(2)/NDD domain in mediating Nod function, we created a series of UAS-driven transgene constructs capable of expressing either a wild-type Nod-GFP fusion protein or proteins in which the HhH(2)/NDD domain had been altered by site-directed mutagenesis. Although wild-type Nod-GFP localizes to the oocyte chromosomes and rescues the segregation defect in nod mutant oocytes, two of three proteins carrying mutants in the HhH(2)/NDD domain fail to either rescue the nod mutant phenotype or bind to oocyte chromosomes. However, these mutant proteins do bind to the polytene chromosomes in nurse-cell nuclei and enter the oocyte nucleus. Thus, even though the HhH(2)/NDD domain is not essential for chromosome binding in other cell types, it is required for chromosome binding in the oocyte. These HhH(2)/NDD mutants also block the localization of Nod to the posterior pole of stage 9-10A oocytes, a process that is thought to facilitate the interaction of Nod with the plus ends of microtubules (Cui et al. 2005). This observation suggests that the Nod HhH2/NDD domain may play other roles in addition to binding Nod to meiotic chromosomes.
IR sounder technology trends

Advanced IR sounding benefits partly from cloud-top parameter and surface emissivity estimates, using coincident imaging spectroradiometry. While a separate imager on the same spacecraft on which the sounder is located can provide closely coincident surface and cloud parameter estimates, an "imaging sounder" that can deliver image and sounding data may reduce cost. Key technology trends enabling low-risk "imaging sounders" include better and lower cost optics, improved spectral-separation, low-noise wide bandwidth large area focal plane arrays, reliable active cooling, and low-power, higher density electronics for high-rate analog-to-digital conversion and on-board data processing. Trends over the last decade and efforts underway are identified with improvements anticipated in the next decade. Applications are described with reference to instrumentation either in-orbit or under development.
The role of women in abortion jurisprudence: from Roe to Casey and beyond.

The decision of the US Supreme Court in Roe vs. Wade called upon a womans right to privacy to assert a womans right to a previability abortion in a framework based upon a consideration of the trimester of the pregnancy. A state policy or abortion law would only survive a constitutional challenge if it passed the exacting test of serving a "compelling state interest." The Courts decision in Roe grew out of an analysis which ignored the possibility that women as individuals would be able to arrive at an abortion decision for themselves. Instead a physicians right to exercise medical judgement and perform a first-trimester abortion upon request was upheld. The decision of the Court in Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania vs. Casey upheld the constitutionality of abortion but allowed states to impose abortion regulations which would only be invalid if they imposed an "undue burden" upon women. In Casey the Court linked the abortion decision to the concept of liberty embodied in the 14th Amendment. Thus the abortion decision is seen as solely a womans rather than a medical decision undertaken only with the guidance of a physician. The Court acknowledged that its ruling in Roe was sound and that there was no compelling reason to overturn it. This allowed the Court to maintain its legitimacy and thus its authority and sense of responsibility to the people who had acted in good faith under Roe. The new "undue burden" test was applied to the Pennsylvania statutes and the real experiences of individual women were called into play to explain why spousal notification would pose an undue burden but the informed consent requirement would not. This test will likely continue to reflect the real experiences of women and reveal the underpinnings of state regulations (such as the "repugnant" view of a womans status within a marriage forwarded by the proposed spousal consent requirement). Unlike Roe which resulted in delineation and polarization of the "prochoice" and "prolife" positions in the abortion debate the "undue burden" test may achieve reconciliation of these views in light of the commonality of womens experience.
Biventricular repair for aortic atresia or hypoplasia and ventricular septal defect.

Abstract Objective: Aortic valve atresia or hypoplasia can present with a ventricular septal defect and a normal mitral valve and left ventricle. These patients may be suitable for biventricular repair, although the optimal initial management strategy remains unknown. Methods: From January 1991 through March 1999, 20 patients with aortic atresia or hypoplasia and ventricular septal defect underwent operation with the intent to achieve biventricular repair. Aortic atresia was present in 7 patients, and aortic valve hypoplasia was present in 13 patients. Among those patients with aortic hypoplasia, Z-scores of the aortic valve anulus ranged from –8.8 to –2.7. Associated anomalies included interrupted aortic arch (n = 12 patients), coarctation (n = 6 patients), aortopulmonary window (n = 1 patient), and heterotaxia (n = 1 patient). Nine patients were staged with an initial Norwood procedure followed by biventricular repair in 8 patients. One patient awaits biventricular repair after a Norwood procedure. The conditions of 11 patients were corrected with a single procedure. Results: Among the 9 patients who underwent staged repair, there were no deaths after the Norwood procedure and 1 death after biventricular repair. For the 11 patients who underwent a primary biventricular repair, there was 1 early death and 2 late deaths from noncardiac causes. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 85 months (mean, 28 months). Actuarial survival for the entire group was 78% ± 10% at 5 years and was not significantly different between staged repair (89%) and primary biventricular repair (73%). Conclusions: Both primary and staged biventricular repair for patients with aortic atresia or hypoplasia and ventricular septal defect may be performed with good late survival. Refinements in technique of conduit insertion and arch reconstruction have resulted in primary biventricular repair becoming our preferred approach. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;118:648-54)
Zidovudine resistance and HIV-1 disease progression during antiretroviral therapy

Objective To evaluate the association between resistance of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to zidovudine and clinical progression. Design Retrospective analysis of specimens from patients in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) protocol 116B/117, a randomized comparison of didanosine with continued zidovudine therapy in patients with advanced HIV-1 disease who had received 16 weeks or more of previous zidovudine therapy. Setting Participating ACTG virology laboratories. Patients 187 patients with baseline HIV-1 isolates. Measurements Zidovudine susceptibility testing and assays for syncytium-inducing phenotype were done on baseline HIV-1 isolates. Relative hazards for clinical progression or death associated with baseline clinical, virologic, and immunologic factors were determined from Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results Compared with other patients, 15% (26 of 170) with isolates showing high-level zidovudine resistance (50% inhibitory zidovudine concentration > or = 1.0 microM) had 1.74 times the risk for progressing to a new AIDS-defining event or death (95% CI, 1.00 to 3.03) and 2.78 times the risk for death (CI, 1.21 to 6.39) in analyses that controlled for baseline CD4+ T-lymphocyte count, syncytium-inducing HIV-1 phenotype, disease stage, and randomized treatment assignment. The clinical benefit of didanosine was not limited to patients with highly zidovudine-resistant baseline HIV-1 isolates. Conclusions High-level resistance of HIV-1 to zidovudine predicted more rapid clinical progression and death when adjusted for other factors. However, patients with advanced HIV-1 disease may benefit from a change in monotherapy from zidovudine to didanosine whether high-level HIV-1 resistance to zidovudine is present or absent, and laboratory assessment of zidovudine resistance is not necessary for deciding when to switch monotherapy from zidovudine to didanosine.
Coupled-grain/RSJ series array for modeling of nonlinear microwave surface impedance of YBCO thin films

The nonlinear microwave impedance of YBCO thin films may be due to Josephson-junction-like defects. In this work, high-T/sub c/ thin films are modeled as a series of ideal superconducting grains coupled by resistively shunted Josephson junctions that simulate the defects. The model calculates the surface resistance and reactance as a function of microwave current. Comparisons with experimental results from YBCO thin-film stripline resonators show good quantitative agreement for resistance at frequencies in the range 1-6 GHz and at several temperatures. Long junction effects are proposed to explain deviations between measured and computed results above 6 GHz. We have also modeled a phase-shifting device consisting of 300 high-T/sub c/ Josephson junctions in series along a microstrip transmission line. Computed results are in good quantitative agreement with the measured device phase shift versus microwave input power. Similarities in the power dependencies of the series array of junctions and the patterned film resonators are discussed.
Can biochar be used as a seed coating to improve native plant germination and growth in arid conditions

Abstract Direct seeding is a common large-scale restoration practice for revegetating arid and semi-arid lands, but success can be limited by moisture and temperature. Seed coating technologies that use biochar may have the potential to overcome moisture and temperature limitations on native plant germination and growth. Biochar is a popular agronomic tool for improving soil properties, such as water availability and nutrient retention and has been recently marketed, but not tested, as a seed coating. We analyzed the effect of biochar seed coating thicknesses on the germination and growth of four plant species native to western United States: mountain brome (Bromus marginatus), prairie junegrasss (Koeleria cristata), Wyeth's buckwheat (Eriogonum heracleoides), and western yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Across different temperature and water potential treatments using environmental chambers and polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions, biochar coating applied at different thicknesses had either a neutral or negative effect on germination for all species. In the field, biochar seed coatings slightly improved mountain brome root weight and prairie junegrass cover. Our results, alongside the high economic expense of native plant seed and direct seeding operations, suggest that biochar, by itself, may not be an appropriate seed coating for improving native plant establishment.
Carotid baroreflex control during hemorrhage in conscious and anesthetized dogs

The hypothesis was tested that carotid baroreflex gain is increased after 20% hemorrhage. The baroreceptor reflex responses to changes in carotid sinus pressure (CSP) were measured in control, 20% hemorrhage, and reinfusion conditions in three experimental groups: conscious intact (n = 7), anesthetized intact (n = 8), and anesthetized vagotomized (n = 8) dogs. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), and calculated total peripheral resistance (TPR) responses to changes in CSP were measured. At any given CSP, MAP, CO, and SV all decreased significantly with the 20% hemorrhage, as reflected by a downward shift in the reflex characteristic curve with no change in overall reflex range or gain. In contrast, TPR and HR responses to CSP were not significantly altered by 20% hemorrhage; reflex curves and gains were comparable to control conditions. In the conscious intact dogs, the maximal reflex gain, Gmax, for the MAP response was -1.365 +/- 0.25, -1.298 +/- 0.33, and -1.324 +/- 0.25 in control, 20% hemorrhage, and reinfusion conditions, respectively, and was not significantly altered by hemorrhage. In the same group, the Gmax for the HR response was -1.792 +/- 0.65, -1.709 +/- 0.33, and -1.986 +/- 0.67 in control, 20% hemorrhage, and reinfusion conditions, respectively; baroreflex gain on HR was not increased with hemorrhage. Plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP), an increase in which has been proposed to augment baroreflex gain, increased from a control level of 0.98 +/- 0.27 to 9.66 +/- 2.67 pg/ml during 20% hemorrhage in the conscious intact dogs; despite the increase in plasma AVP during hemorrhage, augmentation of baroreflex gain was not observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Influence of body posture on defecation: a prospective study of "The Thinker" position

We hypothesized that bending the upper body into what we have termed “The Thinker” position facilitates defecation. This study aimed to assess the influence of “The Thinker” position on defecation. This is the prospective single-group study. Patients who could not evacuate the paste in normal sitting position on cinedefecography between January and June 2013 were enrolled in this study. Cinedefecography was first performed in the sitting position; if the patient was unable to evacuate the paste, images were obtained in “The Thinker” position. Patients who were able to evacuate the paste were excluded from the study. Anorectal angle (ARA), perineal plane distance (PPD), and puborectalis length (PRL) during straining in both positions were measured from the radiographs. Twenty-two patients unable to evacuate the barium paste underwent cinedefecography in “The Thinker” position. Seventeen patients were female, average age of 56 (range 22–76) years. “The Thinker” position had significantly wider ARA than the sitting position (113° vs. 134°, respectively; p = 0.03), larger PPD (7.1 vs. 9.3 cm, respectively; p = 0.02), and longer PRL (12.9 vs. 15.2 cm, respectively; p = 0.005) during straining. Eleven patients could evacuate completely in “The Thinker” position. “The Thinker” position seems to be a more efficient method for defecation than the sitting position. This technique may be helpful when retraining patients with constipation.
Oncostatin M induces VEGF through regulation of HIF-1α

2044 Oncostatin M (OSM), a gp130-multifunctional cytokine, has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of breast and other tumor cell line, and attention has been given to OSM as a potential cancer therapeutic. However, more recent studies have shown that OSM stimulates cell detachment and invasion and induces vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in endothelial and astroglioma cells suggesting that OSM may play a role in angiogenesis and tumor progression. We demonstrate a novel property of OSM in the upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), a potent pro-angiogenic transcription factor necessary for the induction of VEGF. We subjected MDA-MB-231 and T47D human breast cancer cells to hypoxia or normoxia along with small molecule inhibitors to determine the mechanism of OSM-upregulated HIF-1α. We show that OSM inducement of HIF-1α is primarily through protein synthesis. In addition, we find that the expression of OSM-induced VEGF and HIF-1α is dependent on STAT3 involvement. Finally, unlike some gp130-cytokines, OSM appears to activate multiple signaling pathways necessary for the induction of VEGF. These results suggest the importance of designing therapeutics to inhibit OSM during breast cancer progression and subsequent metastasis.
Introduction to "The Politics of Educational Reforms".

AbstractIt has become increasingly clear that education is a site of conflict. This essay examines the ideological positions that now dominate educational reforms and suggests a number of roles that critically democratic educators should play in -confronting these reforms. It then details the contributions that the authors -included in this special issue make toward understanding both the limits of current reforms and the possibilities of interrupting them.
Assessing faculty bias in rating embedded assurance of learning assignments

ABSTRACTAssurance of learning (AoL) processes for continuous improvement and accreditation require business schools to assess program goals. Findings from the process can lead to changes in course design or curriculum. Often AoL assignments are embedded into existing courses and assessed at regular intervals. Faculty members may evaluate an assignment in their course and a business faculty colleague may also evaluate the assessment. This study uses the AoL data from a quantitative decision making course and finds bias, leading to imprecise assessments by business faculty of their students' performance. Implications and areas for future research are discussed.
The Deposition of Contaminants from Deionized Water onto Hydrophobic Silicon Wafers

The liquid-based deposition of particles onto hydrophobic silicon surfaces was investigated by exposing hydrophobic silicon wafers to sample contaminants in a stirred deionized water bath. Wafers were rendered hydrophobic by exposure to dilute hydrofluoric acid, and a goniometer was employed to monitor wafer contact angles. As has been observed in the past for hydrophilic wafers, the zeta potential recorded for the test particle had a significant impact on the deposition resulting on the hydrophobic silicon surfaces. This suggests that, despite treatment with HF and an overall hydrophobic surface behavior, regions remain on the wafer surface which are ionizable in aqueous solutions.The behavior of the silicon test wafers used in these studies is consistent with the presence of a negative zeta potential at the hydrophobic silicon surface. In contrast to the deposition seen on hydrophilic wafers, however, deposition onto hydrophobic silicon is frequently nonuniform.Additionally, Auger analysis indicates tha...
Integrative and comparative reproductive biology: from alligators to xenobiotics

Abstract Dr. Louis J. Guillette Jr. thought of himself as a reproductive biologist. However, his interest in reproductive biology transcended organ systems, life history stages, species, and environmental contexts. His integrative and collaborative nature led to diverse and fascinating research projects conducted all over the world. He doesn’t leave us with a single legacy. Instead, he entrusts us with several. The purpose of this review is to highlight those legacies, in both breadth and diversity, and to illustrate Dr. Guillette’s grand contributions to the field of reproductive biology. He has challenged the field to reconsider how we think about our data, championed development of novel and innovative techniques to measure endocrine function, helped define the field of endocrine disruption, and lead projects to characterize new endocrine disrupting chemicals. He significantly influenced our understanding of evolution, and took bold and important steps to translate all that he has learned into advances in human reproductive health. We hope that after reading this manuscript our audience will appreciate and continue Dr. Guillette’s practice of open-minded and passionate collaboration to understand the basic mechanisms driving reproductive physiology and to ultimately apply those findings to protect and improve wildlife and human health.
Effects of Φ-Stacking on the Absorption and Emission of Light by Conjugated Polymers and Oligomers

We have determined the crystal structures of regioregular HH-TT oligomers with a variety of side chains, including hydroxy-bearing side chains capable of H-bonding. The H-bonding orders the molecular packing into infinite 2-D sheets of Φ-stacks. In these H-bonded sheets, the Φ-stacks are insulated from each other by the aliphatic side chains and form one-dimensional “wires”. In contrast, the structures of similar oligomers that do not have H-bonded side-chains feature a structure in which neighboring Φ-stacks in are in contact (“shorted wires”). The effects of these differing molecular arrangements on the spectral properties and exciton splitting are discussed.