cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is species selfishness a viable concept

Abstract Two versions—a narrow and a broad one—of an important sociobiological thesis are based upon an inadequate conceptual analysis. The broad thesis that the genes perpetuate species—selfish behavior is mistaken on a number of grounds. It confuses intentional behavior with unintentional consequences. It turns the concept of selfishness into meaningless tautology. It fails to come to grips with evolution, from which one might as easily infer altruism: The narrow thesis that the body is an instrument in the perpetuation of the genes also fails to come to grips with the fact of evolution. Furthermore, its verification, even in limited experiments from which no broader inferences would be warranted, depends upon the arbitrary drawing of boundaries. Both versions are unscientific and impoverish the self-conception of human beings.
A genetic and epidemiologic study of cardiovascular disease in Alaska natives (GOCADAN): design and methods.

This article is a report of the design and methods of the Genetics of Coronary Artery Disease in Alaska Natives (GOCADAN) Study. This longitudinal, population-based study was initiated to investigate the genetic determinants of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. Between October 2000 and April 2004, this family study enrolled 1,214 Eskimos from several coastal villages in the Norton Sound region of Western Alaska. Examinations included a physical, laboratory determinations, and measures of subclinical disease. This study will generate a genome-wide scan for loci influencing cardiovascular disease-related traits. Relations between subclinical atherosclerosis and markers of inflammation will be examined using historic and newly drawn samples. The study will provide data on CVD prevalence, risk factors and the relative contribution of genetic and environmental determinants in Alaska Native peoples. Data from this study will contribute to the delivery of health-care and prevention of CVD in Alaska Eskimos and other populations. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2005; 64(3):206-221) Keywords: diabetes, epidemiology, genetics, heart disease, hypertension, Inuit Eskimo, vascular disease
Can inverse density dependence at small spatial scales produce dynamic instability in animal populations

All else being equal, inversely density-dependent (IDD) mortality destabilizes population dynamics. However, stability has not been investigated for cases in which multiple types of density dependence act simultaneously. To determine whether IDD mortality can destabilize populations that are otherwise regulated by directly density-dependent (DDD) mortality, I used scale transition approximations to model populations with IDD mortality at smaller “aggregation” scales and DDD mortality at larger “landscape” scales, a pattern observed in some reef fish and insect populations. I evaluated dynamic stability for a range of demographic parameter values, including the degree of compensation in DDD mortality and the degree of spatial aggregation, which together determine the relative importance of DDD and IDD processes. When aggregation-scale survival was a monotonically increasing function of density (a “dilution” effect), dynamics were stable except for extremely high levels of aggregation combined with either undercompensatory landscape-scale density dependence or certain values of adult fecundity. When aggregation-scale survival was a unimodal function of density (representing both “dilution” and predator “detection” effects), instability occurred with lower levels of aggregation and also depended on the values of fecundity, survivorship, detection effect, and DDD compensation parameters. These results suggest that only in extreme circumstances will IDD mortality destabilize dynamics when DDD mortality is also present, so IDD processes may not affect the stability of many populations in which they are observed. Model results were evaluated in the context of reef fish, but a similar framework may be appropriate for a diverse range of species that experience opposing patterns of density dependence across spatial scales.
A Predictive Confidence Interval for the Validity Coefficient

(1956). A Predictive Confidence Interval for the Validity Coefficient. The Journal of Experimental Education: Vol. 24, No. 4, pp. 323-324.
Explorations in Using Arts-Based Self-Study Methods.

Research methods courses typically require students to conceptualize, describe, and present their research ideas in writing. In this article, the author describes her exploration in using arts‐based techniques for teaching research to support the development of students’ self‐study research projects. The pedagogical approach emerged from the author’s sociocultural theoretical perspective in using symbols and dialogue as mediating tools. Three arts‐based research projects were utilized to assist doctoral students in articulating research interests, framing research proposals, and reflecting on their development as researchers. Data included students’ implementation and assessment of projects; the instructor’s teaching logs; and students’ course evaluations. The projects served to illuminate the subtleties of research interests, self‐understanding and understanding of other’s research, and learning about self‐study by practicing it. Research methods instructors are prompted to consider what happens when stu...
Microbial production of methane from municipal refuse

A heat and caustic pretreatment process has been tested to determine the increase in gas yield that can be obtained from fermentation of organic municipal refuse. A treatment temperature of 130°C and a NaOH concentration of 3 g/100 g of dry solids resulted in the highest gas yield for the conditions tested. The probable increase in gas yield was 20% for the best conditions tested. The treatment procedure also substantially increased the rates of gas production. A high conversion efficiency is possible at much shorter reactor retention times with pretreatment than without pretreatment.
Increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in intensive care units

The unique nature of the intensive care unit (ICU) environment makes this part of the hospital a focus for the emergence and spread of many antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. There are ample opportunities for the cross-transmission of resistant bacteria from patient to patient, and patients are commonly exposed to broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. Rates of resistance have increased for most pathogens associated with hospital-acquired infections among ICU patients, and rates are almost universally higher among ICU patients than non-ICU patients. Likewise, ICU patients hospitalized longer (i.e., >7 days) are two- to three-fold more likely to be infected with a pathogen possessing an antimicrobial-resistant phenotype of concern. However, there are many opportunities to prevent the emergence and spread of these resistant pathogens through improved use of established infection control measures (patient isolation, handwashing, glove use, and appropriate gown use) and implementation of a systematic review of antimicrobial use. (Crit Care Med 2001; 29[Suppl.]: N64-N68)
Adenylate cyclase and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases in the developing rat liver

Abstract A potential regulatory role for the cyclic nucleotides during liver morphogenesis will be better understood as the development of various components of the cyclic nucleotide system are characterized. Accordingly, adenylate cyclase response to glucagon and 5′-guanylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) and the specific activities, cellular distributions, and kinetic constants ( V and K m ) of the cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases were determined at variuos stages of rat liver development. These results show (1) a period of increasing sensitivity of rat liver adenylate cyclase to glucagon at a time when sensitivity to NaF and Gpp(NH)p remains unchanged, and (2) increased responsiveness to glucagon plus Gpp(NH)p which is dependent upon the degree of glucagon sensitivity. It is concluded that the guanul nucleotide regulatory site is a functional part of adenylate cyclase very early in liver development and that the development of glucagon sensitivity is more probably limited by the developmet of glucagon receptors. Two forms of each phosphodiesterase (high and low K m ) were found throughout, except that low K m cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase could not be demonstrated in the embryo. No significant change with age was found for the K m or V of any of the enzyme forms. The ratio of soluble: particulate cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase decreased with age, whereas no change in the ration for cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase was observed. Specific activities of each enzyme from were highest in the perinatal period and decreased with age. The changes in phosphodiesterase specific activities paralled changes in guanylate and adenylate cyclase activities, which argues against a selective regulatory role for phosphodiesterase in modulating cyclic nucleotide influences during liver morphogenesis.
Lipids in Innate Antiviral Defense

It is becoming apparent that infections by a major class of viruses, those with envelopes, can be inhibited during their entry at the step of fusion with cellular membranes. In this review, we discuss multiple innate immune mechanisms that have evolved to modify the lipid composition of cellular and viral membranes to inhibit virion fusion of enveloped viruses.
Nondestructive evaluation of residual stresses in case hardened steels by magnetic anisotropy measurements

This paper reports on a recent study aimed at developing the stress-induced magnetic anisotropy (SMA) technique for characterizing residual stresses in case hardened steel components. The results of SMA measurements performed on flat induction hardened steel discs with different case depths confirm the feasibility of detecting principal stress axes by measuring the angular variation of magnetic permeability. The permeability signals along the principal axes were found to vary monotonically with the residual stresses measured by XRD, but the signals are in general smaller for samples with a larger case depth. The magnetomechanical properties of the martensitic case and ferritic/pearlitic core of the induction hardened sample were studied by measuring magnetostriction curves from strip samples that were cut from the case and core regions, respectively. The case strip shows a significantly lower magnetostriction than the core strip, indicating a weaker stress dependence of magnetic properties for the martens...
Synthesis of stiffened conical shells.

The development of a method to effect the automated minimum weight design of ring and stringer stiffened shells is presented. Membrane theory is used for the shell prebuckling analysis. The buckling analysis is based upon an arbitrary shell of revolution computer program. The structural analysis includes both buckling and yielding modes of failure. The synthesis involves the coupling of an exterior penalty function with a method for the unconstrained minimization of a function comprised of a sum of squares. Results of the application of the method to the design of the Viking Aeroshell cone are presented. The least weight Viking Aeroshell appears to be an all magnesium shell with ring stiffeners of hollow circular cross section. Because the method incorporates a general shell of revolution buckling analysis, it can be readily modified and applied to the design of any axisymmetrically loaded uniformly stiffened shell of revolution for which a membrane prebuckling solution exists.
Dispersion of the third-order nonlinear optical response of organics using a few state model

Dispersion of the third-order nonlinear optical response can be predicted using a perturbative few-state model approach with knowledge of the linear and two-photon absorption spectra. This approach has been applied toward polymethines and squaraines.
Students' perceptions of textbook pedagogical aids

Despite the growing popularity of pedagogical aids in psychology textbooks, virtually no research has been conducted to assess their usefulness. In our study, students' familiarity with 13 common l...
Should acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) therapy for prevention of thromboembolic events be stopped prior to surgical extractions

Should acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) therapy for prevention of thromboembolic events be stopped prior to surgical extractions?
Experimental and mathematical modeling of three-dimensional natural convection in an enclosure

Three-dimensional natural convection patterns in an enclosure under conditions simulating flow in glass-making furnaces have been calculated using an approximate method in which solutions for the temperature and velocity fields in orthogonal two-dimensional planes are superposed. The computational method was tested by comparison with measurements of the temperatures and velocities in an enclosure heated and cooled from above and with a controlled heat loss from the sides. Good agreement was found between measurements and computations under conditions of interest in glass-making furnaces, wherein the motion in one of the two orthogonal planes is dominant.
Molecular mobility in a homologous series of amorphous solid glucose oligomers

Abstract The molecular mobility of amorphous solid biomaterials influences the stability of dried foods and pharmaceuticals, the viability of seeds and spores, and the desiccation-tolerance of organisms during anhydrobiosis. Current understanding of how structure correlates with molecular mobility in the glassy state is inadequate. We used phosphorescence from vanillin dispersed in amorphous films to study the effect of temperature on molecular mobility in the homologous series of oligosaccharides glucose, maltose, maltotriose, maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, and maltoheptaose. Phosphorescence emission spectra and intensity decays were collected from −10 to as high as 130 °C. Emission peak energy, a measure of the extent of dipolar relaxation around the excited state prior to emission, decreased monotonically with temperature, decreasing more significantly in the glassy state in larger sugars (higher degree of polymerisation). The intensity decays were well fitted with sums of either four (glucose, maltose, maltotriose) or three exponentials (maltotetraose, maltopentaose, maltohexaose, maltoheptaose); fit lifetimes at each temperature varied over nearly two orders of magnitude, suggesting a comparable range in matrix dynamic heterogeneity. The lifetimes decreased monotonically with temperature, while the lifetime amplitudes favoured the long lifetime components at lower and short lifetime components at higher temperatures near T g . Arrhenius analysis indicated that the rate of non-radiative decay, which reflects coupling of probe vibrations with matrix motions and thus provides an estimate of the matrix molecular mobility, increased with molecular size in the glassy state. Both apparent activation energy and activation entropy increased systematically with temperature in all sugars. These data provide additional evidence that the rate and extent of molecular mobility in glassy state carbohydrates is higher in sugars of greater molecular size (mass) and thus higher glass transition temperature and provides additional insight into the molecular dynamics of the glassy state in carbohydrates.
Analytical and Experimental Evaluation of Progressive Collapse Resistance of a Flat-Slab Posttensioned Parking Garage

AbstractDespite the popularity of posttensioned (PT) floors for parking garages and the likelihood of a column loss, due to blast or vehicle impact, there is a lack of research on the progressive collapse potential of this structural system subsequent to initial damage. In this paper, progressive collapse resistance of an actual posttensioned parking garage is evaluated experimentally and analytically. An interior column was removed by explosion and the structure resisted progressive collapse with a permanent maximum vertical displacement of about 61 mm (2.4 in.). Analytical models of the garage are developed using computer software and nonlinear dynamic analyses are performed. The interaction between the tendon and the slab is modeled explicitly. The analytical results show that despite the fact that the slab around the removed column had no bottom reinforcement and the tendons were placed close to the top of the slab, pushing the slab down, the compressive membrane forces developed in the slab helped in...
Order-parameter profile at long distances in an adsorbed binary liquid mixture near criticality.

Adsorption of a binary liquid mixture near criticality onto a solid glass substrate can be studied using light reflected off the glass/liquid boundary. Reflectivity data analyzed with a modified Landau-Ginzburg theory using a contact wall interaction are consistent with an exponential decay of the order parameter into the bulk. This analysis provides a measure of ${h}_{1}$, the effective glass/liquid interaction strength. The reflectivity can also be expressed as an expansion in the moments of the order-parameter profile. For the data presented and an exponential profile the expansion can be truncated at the first-order moment, ${M}_{1}$. We assume an exponential form of the profile to express the zeroth moment as a function of ${M}_{1}$. The first moment is fitted as a power law in t, the reduced temperature. Analysis of these preliminary data yields an exponent p=0.88\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10 that is consistent with the prediction p=2\ensuremath{\nu}-\ensuremath{\beta} from the scaling law of Fisher and de Gennes.
About a Liouville phenomenon

Abstract This work is devoted to the study of a new Liouville-type phenomenon for entire subsolutions of elliptic partial differential equations of the form A(u)=0. Typical examples of the operator A(u) are the p-Laplacian for p>1 and its well-known modifications. To cite this article: V.V. Kurta, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 338 (2004).
Gene regulation in reverse transformation: cyclic AMP-induced actin homolog in CHO cells.

Reverse transformation (RT) presents a challenge in understanding of the role of protein-genome interaction in regulating gene expression in normal and transformed cells. Early during RT of CHO-K1 cells by cyclic AMP a new protein, mol wt=43,000 and pI=5.3±0.2, was rapidly and specifically induced. This cAMP-induced protein (CIP) is a phosphorylated actin homolog. Induction required new protein synthesis. Actinomycin D treatment failed to inhibit CIP induction, suggesting the existence of an untranslated or sequestered mRNA in untreated cells. Expression of CIP was not dependent upon cell shape or cytoskeletal integrity as are other steps in RT. CIP was detectable only in cAMP-treated cells, whether transformed or nontransformed, and cAMP treatment inhibited growth of both cell types. CIP was associated with soluble cell fractions and not with F-actin. We propose that CIP plays an early role in RT, that is necessary but not sufficient for the complete RT process, and that it participates in the cAMP signaling pathway of cells through changes in the cytoskeleton. This pathway inhibits cell growth as required in the differentiated phenotype. A molecular model is presented for the RT reaction in CHO-K1, which also explains cAMP effects on transformed cells such as the S49 lymphoma and other malignancies.
Change in neonatal response to optimizing and non-optimizing sucking stimulation

Three groups of human newborns were presented with 50 trials of intra-oral stimulation for 10-sec. durations while sucking rate was recorded. One received 10 blocks of five-trial alternations of rubber-nipple and rubber-tube stimulation, one received 50 trials of tube alone, and another of nipple alone. The nipple elicited more sucking than the tube. In the alternation group, the nipple elicited an increasing amount of sucking over trials within blocks, while the tube elicited a decreasing amount, apparently due partly to a contrast phenomenon whereby the nipple became more effective in eliciting sucking through alternation with the less effective stimulus, and partly to perseveration, whereby sucking rate to the tube was highest immediately following the nipple trials.
Extraversion and subjective well-being in a U.S. national probability sample

Abstract Recent work on subjective well-being has demonstrated that extraversion is a replicable correlate of emotional well-being (e.g., Costa & McCrae, 1980 ; Emmons & Diener, 1985 ). In the present study, data from a national probability sample in the United States were used to explore whether extraverts report higher levles of subjective well-being regardless of the social versus nonsocial nature of their environments. At two points in time separated by 10 years it was found that extraverts were happier whether living alone or with others (p's ≤ .001), whether living in large cities or rural areas (p's ≤ .001), and whether working in social or nonsocial occupations (p ≤ .07 and p
M118, a novel low-molecular weight heparin with decreased polydispersity leads to enhanced anticoagulant activity and thrombotic occlusion in ApoE knockout mice

Heparin and low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) are complex, heterogeneous polysaccharides used in the treatment of arterial and venous thrombosis. M118 is a novel LMWH with low polydispersity and pronounced anti-Xa and anti-thrombin (IIa) activity as compared to current LMWHs. To determine if M118 is effective in preventing thrombosis in the setting of a vascular plaque, apolipoprotein E knockout mice fed a high fat diet were injected with M118, enoxaparin, unfractionated heparin, or saline control and examined for arterial thrombosis using a rose bengal laser induced carotid artery injury model. M118 significantly increased the time to occlusion as compared to control and unfractionated heparin but not compared to enoxaparin although fewer M118 treated animals had any vascular occlusion present at the time of protocol completion. Platelet-neutrophil aggregates were studied by flow cytometry and were found to be decreased with M118 as compared to enoxaparin. This is the first published report examining M118, a novel LMWH designed to have low polydispersity and enhanced anticoagulant activity. In an animal model of vascular plaque, M118 is a potent inhibitor of arterial thrombosis and, despite lower in vivo anti-Xa and anti-IIa activity levels, M118 was superior to UFH in the prevention of arterial thrombosis.
Stimuli contributing to the decrement in sexual receptivity of female golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

Abstract Stimuli capable of altering sexual receptivity in the female golden hamster were examined. Females receiving full copulatory stimulation from a normal male hamster or a combination of mounting by a male and mechanical vagino-cervical stimulation were almost totally unreceptive upon retest. Mounting alone or mechanical stimulation alone produced significantly smaller depressions in receptivity, but females receiving these treatments were less receptive than unmated females. The amount of stimulation received during intromissions-only from a male was also positively related to a depression in female receptivity. Thirty-six intromissions were adequate to produce maximal changes in receptivity. Ejaculation was not necessary to alter female behaviour. Increases in fighting generally accompanied decreases in receptivity.
Histological responses of some plant leaves to hydrogen fluoride and sulfur dioxide

Dicotyledonous plants were fumigated with hydrogen fluoride and/or sulfur dioxide. Samples were taken of injured and control leaves, processed microtechnically, and examined microscopically. Histological responses to hydrogen fluoride and sulfur dioxide were indistinguishable. The spongy mesophyll and lower epidermis first collapsed, followed by distortion and chloroplast disruption in the palisade cells. The upper epidermis finally distorted and collapsed. Microscopically injured leaf tissues were selectively stained with safranin. Various postulates are discussed concerning the means and pathways by which a phytotoxic air pollutant may enter the leaf and produce injury therein. The evidence indicates that should fluoride enter a leaf in sub-phytotoxic concentrations, it is transported acropetally. Should phytotoxic levels be reached, visible marginal injury results.
Linkage analysis using heterozygote detection in phenylketonuria

This linkage investigation was undertaken utilizing an improved method for phenylketonuria (PKU) heterozygote detection. This method is based on studies of semi-fasting, noon-time, blood specimens obtained from 85 obligate heterozygotes and 45 controls who were neither pregnant nor on birth control medication. The best separation between heterozygotes and normals was achieved with a discriminant function involving the logarithms of the serum concentrations of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan. The theoretical overlap area between the distributions of heterozygotes and controls, based on the above function, was 3.75 %. In 19 obligate heterozygotes and 13 controls who were either pregnant or on birth control medication, the best separation was achieved with a discriminant function involving the logarithms of the serum concentrations of phenylalanine and tyrosine. The theoretical overlap area was 8.23 %. These equations identified heterozygotes with sufficient accuracy to permit efficient genetic linkage analysis. We were unable to demonstrate genetic linkage between the PKU locus and 15 common blood, serum, and urinary markers. All but loose linkage (θ > 0.3) was excluded for Rh, ABO, Gc, Kidd, and AP. Moderate linkage exclusion (θ < 0.2) was shown for PGM, Duffy, Hp, MNS, HL-A, and Kell. Close linkage (θ < 0.1) was excluded for Amy2, 6PGD, P, and ADA. We were unable to find linkage heterogeneity between the Amish and non-Amish populations.
Controlled release from condensation coated respirable aerosol particles

Abstract Extending the residence time of drugs delivered to the lungs as inhalation aerosols may result in sustained therapeutic drug levels and reduced toxicity. Droplets were generated from 0.25 wt% disodium fluorescein (DF), and 0.25 wt% albuterol sulphate solutions at a rate of 1 ml min−1 using a Turbotac jet nebulizer. These droplets were dried, concentrated and mixed with saturated lauric acid (LA) vapor at bath temperatures of 60–140°C. The resulting coated particles were t 1 2 for albuterol sulphate particles increased from 2.5 ± 1.5 min to 12.5 ± 1.9 min for albuterol sulphate particles coated with lauric acid at a bath temperature of 100°C. Inhalation studies performed on beagle dogs with DF particles coated with lauric acid (bath temperature, 100°C) indicated there was a shift and broadening of the peak plasma concentration in comparison with aerosols of DF alone. The average absorption half-time increased from 4.7 ± 0.8 min for uncoated DF particles to 11.5 ± 1.6 min for lauric acid coated DF particles.
Current sheet applicator arrays for superficial hyperthermia of chestwall lesions.

The current sheet applicator is an electromagnetic heating device whose size may be chosen virtually independent of frequency even though practical limitations may restrict it to VHF and UHF bands. In this paper we investigate absorbed power distributions in muscle tissue from current sheet applicators when used as elements of a planar array intended for superficial hyperthermic treatment of tumours. Advantages offered by current sheet applicators for tissue heating include compact size, a linear polarization of the induced electric field and relatively large heating area. It is shown that the effective field produced by a pair of these elements is continuous regardless of whether the common edges of the elements are perpendicular or parallel to the direction of impressed current. The feasibility of customizing the shape and size of the field is also illustrated. The absorbed power distribution patterns due to a coherently driven array operating around 434 MHz is relatively insensitive to phase variations...
Lack of association of C-reactive protein and coronary calcium by electron beam computed tomography in postmenopausal women: implications for coronary artery disease screening

Abstract OBJECTIVES We sought to test the hypothesis that C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, would correlate positively with coronary calcium, a marker of atherosclerosis, in postmenopausal women. BACKGROUND High sensitivity testing for C-reactive protein (hsCRP) has recently been shown in large population studies to predict cardiac events in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. Coronary calcification determined by electron beam computerized tomography (EBCT) has also been suggested to be predictive of cardiac events in women. METHODS We performed hsCRP testing and determined calcium scores by EBCT in 172 asymptomatic postmenopausal women (mean age: 64.5 ± 7.9 years) at risk for cardiac disease. Risk factors were determined by history, physical, electrocardiogram, exercise testing, and lipoprotein profiles. RESULTS Calcium scores ranged from 0 to 2618. For analysis, calcium scores were divided into three groups; none (0 to 10), minimal (>10 to 50), and significant (>50). Overall, there was no significant positive relationship between hsCRP level and calcium score. Specifically, the hsCRP levels (mg/dl) were 0.24 ± 0.43, 0.33 ± 0.47 and 0.17 ± 0.32 (medians 0.11, 0.15, and 0.06) for women with none, minimal, and significant coronary calcification, respectively. In subgroup analysis, a similar lack of positive association was observed after stratification by smoking status and by hormone replacement therapy use, two factors known to increase hsCRP. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to our a priori hypothesis, we found no evidence of a positive association between hsCRP and calcium score by EBCT. These data thus raise the possibility that hsCRP and EBCT calcium score reflect different pathologic processes, an issue with implications for coronary artery disease screening.
The crystal and molecular structure of bis-(O,O′-diethyldithiophosphato) nickel (II)

Abstract The crystal and molecular structure of bis-(O,O′-diethyldithiophosphato) nickel (II), Ni[S 2 P(OC 2 H 5 ) 2 ] 2 , has been established by a single crystal three dimensional X-ray study. The monoclinic unit cell, a = 10·48 A , b = 10·22 A , c = 8·62 A , and β = 102·5° has two formula units in the space group P2 1 c . Each nickel atom occupies a centre of symmetry and forms a planar tetracoordinated chelate with the sulphur atoms of two ligand molecules. The disruption of the chelate rings in solvents of high dielectric constant has been attributed to the presence of an ionic nickel-sulphur bond.
Theory of High Frequency Differential Interferometry: Application to the Measurement of Infrared Circular and Linear Dichroism via Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

A general method for the direct measurement of differential absorption intensities using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer is described. The differential intensities must be higher in frequency than the interferogram frequencies and may arise from a periodic variation of the absorption strength of the sample, or by dichroic response of the sample to alternate states of polarization of the infrared beam. Specific expressions are presented for the measurement of circular and linear dichroism. These expressions represent an extension of the Grosjean-Legrand polarization modulation technique to Fourier transform interferometry.
Sleep budgets in a globalizing world: Biocultural interactions influence sleep sufficiency among Egyptian families

Declines in self-reported sleep quotas with globalizing lifestyle changes have focused attention on their possible role in rising global health problems such as obesity or depression. Cultural factors that act across the life course and support sleep sufficiency have received scant attention, nor have the potential interactions of cultural and biological factors in age-related changes in sleep behavior been systematically investigated. This study examines the effects of cultural norms for napping and sleeping arrangements along with sleep schedules, age, and gender on sleep budgets among Egyptian households. Data were collected in 2000 from 16 households with 78 members aged 3–56 years at two sites in Egypt (Cairo and an agrarian village). Each participant provided one week of continuous activity records and details of each sleep event. Records showed that nighttime sleep onsets were late and highly variable. Napping was common and, along with wake time flexibility, played a key role in maintaining sleep sufficiency throughout the life course into later middle age. Cosleeping was prevalent and exhibited contrasting associations with reduced duration and sufficiency of both nocturnal and total sleep, and with earlier, more regular, and less disrupted sleep. Daily sleep quotas met published guidelines and showed age-related changes similar to existing reports, but differed in how they were achieved. Cultural norms organizing sleep practices by age and gender appear to tap their intrinsic biological properties as well. Moreover, flexibility in how sleep was achieved contributed to sleep sufficiency. The findings suggest how biocultural dynamics can play key roles in sleep patterns that sustain favorable sleep quotas from infancy onwards in populations pursuing globalizing contemporary lifestyles.
Dissociation of striatal GTPase and dopamine release responses to muscarinic cholinergic agonists in F344 rats: influence of age and dietary manipulation.

There is evidence that dietary lipids and age both influence neuronal membrane composition and receptor G protein-linked signal transduction, but very little information is available on the interaction between these two factors. To investigate this, we obtained striata from 2, 12, and 22-month-old male F344 rats who were fed either a high-cholesterol, high-saturated fat or low-fat diet for 1 month. The striata were assayed for muscarinic agonist-stimulated low-K m GTPase activity using 10 -3 M carbachol and 10 -5 M oxotremorine and for KCl-evoked dopamine release enhancement by 10 -5 M oxotremorine. Membrane cholesterol and phospholipid content and phospholipid class composition were also determined. Mature animals showed significant but divergent changes in GTPase activity and dopamine release for high-cholesterol and low-fat diets: GTPase activity decreased, whereas dopamine release increased in these groups. Alterations in GTPase activity but not in dopamine release were inversely correlated with the cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio. Old control animals showed reductions in both GTPase activity and oxotremorine-enhanced dopamine release compared with young animals. Whereas none of the experimental diets affected GTPase activity in old animals, the low-fat diet produced a marked decrease in dopamine release. In contrast to mature and old groups, young rats showed no significant change in either GTPase or dopamine release, suggesting a relative «resistance» to such dietary lipid modulation. The observed dissociation in GTPase and dopamine release responses to diet may reflect differing effects of these diets on discrete membrane lipid domains that preferentially influence different signal transduction components. The substantial age-related differences in striatal membrane response to dietary lipid modulation may represent the effects of underlying age differences in membrane lipid metabolism, structure, and/or dynamics. Our findings support the work of other groups that have shown that brain membranes are susceptible to modification by exogenous lipids. They also suggest the need for a more systematic examination of the influence of age on the response to other types of dietary lipid changes
Velocity, temperature and concentration profiles in a vertical flow reactor☆

Abstract A vertical, adiabatic, steady-state, flow reactor in which a homogeneous chemical reaction takes place has been studied. Release of heat by the reaction sets up density gradients, which cause free convective flow to be superimposed on the laminar upflow. The coupled differential equations of momentum, energy, and mass transfer have been solved numerically by two different finite difference methods. In the first numerical method, the momentum transfer equation formulated in terms of the stream function required large amounts of computer time and storage for solution. In the second method, a simplified form of the momentum transfer equation was solved with a significant reduction of the computer requirements. Velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles have been obtained from the two numerical methods and the results analyzed in terms of dimensionless groups. The excellent agreement which has been found between the two methods confirms the accuracy and usefulness of the simplified method.
The Whole Universe Is My Cathedral: A Contemporary Navajo Spiritual Synthesis

This article discusses the three major spiritual healing ways used by Navajo Indians today: Traditional healing practices that have been used for generations and still have a dynamic existence relevant to everyday Navajo life; Christian healing traditions, ranging from Catholic Charismatic to Protestant Pentecostal; and practices of the Native American Church (NAC). The complex relationship among these healing traditions on the Navajo reservation is examined through a case study of a Navajo woman whose personal spirituality includes all three. Faced with serious medical problems, this devout Catholic turned to Navajo Traditional and Native American Church spiritual diagnosis and treatment. This analysis is the occasion for a reflection on the contemporary relevance of the kind of spiritual synthesis characterized in this woman's experience. [Navajo, religion, healing, life history]
Analysis of center-notched monolayers with application to boron/aluminum composites

Abstract A method for calculating the stresses in a notched monolayer of unidirectional, filamentary composite is described. This numerical formulation permits the modeling of a finite dimensioned monolayer which contains a centered notch transverse to the fibers. Tractions or displacements parallel to the fibers and elastic work-hardening constitutive relationships for the fibers and/or matrix may be specified. Slow notch growth can be analyzed by the method presented. Illustrative calculations for a boron/aluminum monolayer identify widespread matrix yielding and a notch-fiber stress concentration whose magnitude depends on the nature of the work-hardening matrix. When applied to center-notched, multilayered, unidirectional boron/aluminum, this model predicts a nonlinear response of the notch opening displacement to load. It also predicts the matrix yielding in regions remote from the notch tip. Each of these predictions has been confirmed by experiments. The model is also able to provide reasonable estimates of notched composite failure strength.
Becoming Stranger: Defending the Ethics of Absolute Hospitality in a Potentially Hostile World

Richard Kearney describes Derrida’s ethics of absolute hospitality as a “fine lesson in tolerance but not necessarily moral judgment.” This paper takes on Kearney’s insistence that ethics requires at least minimal practical discernments of the approaching other in order to safeguard the self in a hostile world. By examining Derrida’s phenomenological investigation into hospitality and combining his conclusions with the ethical practices of desert nomads and ethical luminaries such as Gandhi, this paper unveils that ethics at its heart is a call to vulnerability. As such, any assertion of a power to judge the other is already a violation of the ethical call. Kearney’s search for an ethics of phronetic judgments, no matter how tentative, is challenged as ultimately a desire to eliminate the very vulnerability that makes us human.
The Making of the Victorian Campus: Teacher and Student at Amherst College, 1850–1880

In the mid nineteenth century Amherst, Massachusetts, amounted to a cluster of farm houses and a collection of public buildings. Its 3,000 inhabitants remained agricultural by trade and localist in orientation. Overlooking the town stood Amherst College, founded in 182 1. Its three humble dormitories and decrepit chapel provided a fitting tribute to the evangelical asceticism of its founders. The clotiing of its 200 students betrayed their disparate backgrounds. Freshmen stood out. A cringing, submissive manner distinguished them as they scurried to recitation. In contrast, sophomores exuded a haughty derneanor. Others boasted a genteel look, while Amherst's seven professors imparted an air of gravity to the campus. Bearded and dignified, they nodded warmly to pupils who stood aside in deference.' Silence typically prevailed at sundown, but attacks by upperclassmen on the freshmen sometimes sFhattered the quiet. On select evenings, murmured prayers also broke the silence. Kneeling on the chapel floor, students might be found with their hands clasped and eyes shut in meditation. Some broke into tears under the intensity of the prayer meeting, weeping and holding one another with temporary abandon. Professors often knelt beside them. During such revivals, the walls that stood between teacher and pupil crumbled, if only for a moment, in a cathartic surrender. Thirty years later, around 1880, Amherst supported 4,000 residents and a more diversified economy. A new gymnasium and library sat upon College Hill. Over 300 students, generally of well-to-do lineage, now trod
Model Data Interoperability for the United States Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)

Model data interoperability for the United States Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) was initiated with a focused one year project. The problem was that there were many regional and national providers of oceanographic model data; each had unique file conventions, distribution techniques and analysis tools that made it difficult to compare model results and observational data. To solve this problem, a distributed system was built utilizing a customized middleware layer and a common data model. This allowed each model data provider to keep their existing model and data files unchanged, yet deliver model data via web services in a common form. With standards-based applications that used these web services, end users then had a common way to access data from any of the models. These applications included: (1) a 2D mapping and animation using a web browser application, (2) an advanced 3D visualization and animation using a desktop application, and (3) a toolkit for a common scientific analysis environment (Matlab®). Due to the flexibility and low impact of the approach on providers, rapid progress was made. The system was implemented in all eleven US IOOS regions and at the NOAA National Coastal Data Development Center, allowing common delivery of regional and national oceanographic model forecast and archived results that cover all US waters. The system, based heavily on software technology from the NSF-sponsored Unidata Program Center, is applicable to any structured gridded data, not just oceanographic model data. There is a clear pathway to expand the system to include unstructured grid (e.g. triangular grid) data.
Asymptotic stability analysis on generalized intelligent coordinated control system of 600MW unit and engineering application

For overall interests of the entire power system stability, generator units should have faster and more flexible load response characteristics. Due to complexity of dynamic characteristics of controlled object in thermal control field and new problems are caused by large-capacity power generation equipments updated, many difficulties brings out for control system's design and application. According to concepts and definitions of linear system theory, fussing multiple thinking modes of intelligent control, a generalized intelligent control system was designed and described by state space method in this paper. To explore sufficient condition of asymptotic stability by mathematical analysis, take overall asymptotic stability of control system as the premise, the approaches are given which improved the system rapidity in theory. Engineering practice verify the application effect. The system has opening designing manner that can accept and lodge novel technique method and control thinking of modern control field.
Infrared processed Cu composites reinforced with WC particles

Abstract Copper matrix composites with WC particle reinforcements have been prepared with an innovative infrared infiltration technique. The volume content of the reinforcement particles in the composite is about 53%. The relative composite density of as high as 99.9% has been obtained with this process. The electric conductivity of composites prepared in this study as determined by a four-point probe method, is similar to commercially available Cu/W composites containing 52 vol% tungsten. Microhardness, microstructure and wear resistance of the composites were also determined. The microstructure of Cu/WC composite reveals excellent wetting between the two constituent phases, WC and copper. The microhardness values of all completely infiltrated Cu/WC composites were in the range of 360–370 HV which is significantly higher than the microhardness of pure copper, 65 HV. Wear resistance of the composites was determined with a pin on disk wear test technique. The wear test results show that composites prepared in this study performed much better than those commercially available Cu/W composites by more than two-fold against silicon carbide abrasive disks.
Chronic focal epileptiform discharges induced by injection of iron into rat and cat cortex

A single injection of 5 or 10 microliters of ferrous or ferric chloride into rat or cat sensorimotor cortex resulted in chronic recurrent focal paroxysmal electroencephalographic discharges as well as behavioral convulsions and electrical seizures. Recurrent focal epileptiform discharge caused by cortical injection of iron salts suggests that the development of human posttraumatic epilepsy may depend, in part, on the neurochemical alterations induced by the principal metallic ions found in whole blood.
Age-related changes in reappraisal of appetitive cravings during adolescence

Abstract The ability to regulate temptation and manage appetitive cravings is an important aspect of healthy adolescent development, but the neural systems underlying this process are understudied. In the present study, 60 healthy females evenly distributed from 10 to 23 years of age used reappraisal to regulate the desire to consume personally-craved and not craved unhealthy foods. Reappraisal elicited activity in common self-regulation regions including the dorsal and ventral lateral prefrontal cortex (specifically superior and inferior frontal gyri), dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and inferior parietal lobule. Viewing personally-craved foods (versus not craved foods) elicited activity in regions including the ventral striatum, as well as more rostral and ventral anterior cingulate cortex extending into the orbitofrontal cortex. Age positively correlated with regulation-related activity in the right inferior frontal gyrus, and negatively correlated with reactivity-related activity in the right superior and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices. Age-adjusted BMI negatively correlated with regulation-related activity in the predominantly left lateralized frontal and parietal regions. These results suggest that the age-related changes seen in the reappraisal of negative emotion may not be as pronounced in the reappraisal of food craving. Therefore, reappraisal of food craving in particular may be an effective way to teach teenagers to manage cravings for other temptations encountered in adolescence, including alcohol, drugs, and unhealthy food.
Fire performance standards and the problem of fire risk assessment

It is submitted that the development of a set of complementary performance test standards and of an algorithm for calculating from the test results the inherent potential of products for harm is the prerequisite of any progress towards a coherent fire risk assessment philosophy.