cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Moral Justification for Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Legislation

This essay explores, in two parts, the problems of justifying civil rights legislation for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. Part I shows that discrimination against gays and lesbians at least in respect to employment, housing, and public accommodations is an evil unsupported by ethical traditions in utilitarianism, rights theory, and communitarianism. It also shows that two theories, Kantian theory and natural law theory, which do support such discrimination on the claim that homoerotic behavior is universally or objectively immoral only do so because of a failure to make precise the concept of "natural" which underlies those theories. Part II argues that anti-discrimination legislation is both an appropriate and effective means to promote the idea that discrimination against lesbians and gays in respect to most employment, housing, and public accommodations is sufficiently injurious to both individuals and society that it should not be tolerated. The section also explains how such legislation might succeed practically in eliminating discrimination in these areas.
Evidence for a configurational emf in a conducting medium

There is a pressure drop associated with an increase in the flow rate of a moving fluid. The venturi meter and the aspirator are familiar devices which derive from this phenomenon. This paper concerns itself with the detection of an analogous effect in the electron gas in a metal.
A Rapid Determination of the Relative Purity of Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) in Pharmaceutical Products

A procedure is described involving the determination of absorptivities at 341 and 376 mμ and their ratio. Solutions of crystalline cyanocobalamin gave maximum absorptivities at 341 and 376 mμ of 80.4 and 80.9, respectively. The average ratio was 0.990 with none exceeding 0.998. A number of pharmaceutical preparations of cyanocobalamin injection gave ratios not in excess of 1.02. Several commercial preparations known to contain impure cyanocobalamin gave ratios up to 1.24. Solutions containing cobalamin concentrate N. F. and potential impurities of cyanocobalamin injection gave ratios ranging as high as 1.48. Validity of the procedure was established by comparison with reference cyanocobalamin solutions, and with a “Purity Index” obtained from the results of the Radioisotope Tracer Method for Cobalamins and the U. S. P. Spectrophotometric Method for Cyanocobalamin.
RECOGNITION OF THE ASTEROID (ECHINODERMATA) CROWN GROUP: IMPLICATIONS OF THE VENTRAL SKELETON

Abstract All known post-Paleozoic asteroids belong to the crown group, and no crown-group asteroid is known from the Paleozoic. A scanty fossil record provides limited data on morphology of both Paleozoic stem-group sister lineages and on the Triassic crown group diversification. Timing of events is weakly constrained. Interpretations based on this meager record are tentative. Within limitations of the record, recent work suggests that skeletal arrangement of the ventral surface offers apomorphies of crown-group diversification. Enlarged disk size is common in the crown group. Large disks are constructed in part by addition of many ventral and ventral-lateral so-called “actinal” ossicles. Actinals in the crown group are comparatively uniform in size, shape, and arrangement within each species. Actinal alignment is of one of two patterns, parallel to adambulacrals or parallel to marginals. Actinals in the crown group are tentatively considered to be an apomorphy of the crown group, although the incomplete ...
Martian cratering. III - Theory of crater obliteration.

Discussion of a theoretical basis for interpretation of Martian crater obliteration. Strong evidence is found that Martian craters are being degraded and obliterated at a rate much faster than on the moon, but much slower than on earth. The theory obviates the need to interpret the diameter distribution in terms of two classes of impacting bodies, as has been done elsewhere. It is suggested that obliteration is caused by filling of the craters, probably by deposition of dust.
Giant aneurysm of saphenous vein graft to coronary artery compressing the right atrium.

Aneurysm of reverse aortocoronary saphenous vein graft is a known complication of coronary artery bypass grafting. In this report we present a case of a 60-year-old man who presented 12 years after coronary artery bypass grafting with a giant graft aneurysm of the reverse aortocoronary saphenous vein graft to the right coronary artery, compressing the right atrium. Spiral computed tomography was used to identify the aneurysm measuring 7 × 6 × 7 cm. We also reviewed the English-language literature and found reports of 50 patients with similar aneurysms of which 30 (61%) were identified as true aneurysms and 17 (33%) were identified as pseudoaneurysms. Three patients could not be identified into either group. We reviewed the presenting symptoms, diagnostic tools, and treatment options for this rare entity. An understanding of the pathophysiology of reverse aortocoronary saphenous vein graft aneurysm is important to prevent the possibility of aneurysm rupture, embolization, myocardial infarction, or death.
Factitious physical disorders, litigation, and mortality.

Received Oct. 7, 2003; revision received Feb. 10, 2004; accepted March 10, 2004. From the Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics, University of California, San Francisco. Address reprint requests to Dr. Eisendrath, Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics, University of California, 401 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143-0984; stuarte@lppi.ucsf.edu (e-mail). Copyright 2004 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. This case report describes four patients who died of factors directly related to factitious physical disorder and whose cases involved civil litigation. The causes of death varied among the patients and included massive aspiration pneumonia, cardiac arrest, opioid overdose, and septic shock. We discuss how individuals with factitious disorder may enter the legal system through the process of civil litigation. This entry into the legal system, in which monetary gain plays a significant role, illustrates that the boundary between malingering and factitious disorder can be permeable. Nonetheless, individuals with factitious physical disorder have a strong tendency toward self-injurious behavior that may eventually result in death. In the case series of 20 patients from which these four patients were drawn, four (20%) patients died as a direct result of factitious disease. This mortality rate should serve as a warning sign to physicians who provide care for these patients that they are dealing with a potentially fatal disease. Factitious physical disorders are those in which an individual consciously creates signs or symptoms of disease. The individual may create the signs or symptoms using a fictitious history, a simulation of disease, or by the actual production of disease states. These cases can be quite vexing for physicians and caregivers because they violate the basic patient-doctor contract. In this contract, patients are allowed to remain in the sick role with the expectation that they want to get out of that role as soon as possible. The patient with factitious disorder violates the contract by seeking to remain in the sick role as a primary goal. DSMIV established the following criteria for a diagnosis of factitious disorder:
How HCI talks about sexuality: discursive strategies, blind spots, and opportunities for future research

The topic of sexuality has been increasingly researched inside the field of HCI. At the same time, and for many reasons, research gaps remain. In this paper, we present a critical analysis of 70 works on this topic spanning the past two decades to understand how we as an academic field talk about sexuality. We use Foucauldian discourse analysis to identify and analyze the various rules of knowledge production on this topic inside our field. By doing so, we expose not only existing gaps in current research literature, but we also gain an understanding of why some of them exist. We suggest some opportunities to make the field more amenable to this kind of research and point out future research directions on sexuality inside the field of HCI.
Sparse PCA by iterative elimination algorithm

In this paper we proposed an iterative elimination algorithm for sparse principal component analysis. It recursively eliminates variables according to certain criterion that aims to minimize the loss of explained variance, and reconsiders the sparse principal component analysis problem until the desired sparsity is achieved. Two criteria, the approximated minimal variance loss (AMVL) criterion and the minimal absolute value criterion, are proposed to select the variables eliminated in each iteration. Deflation techniques are discussed for multiple principal components computation. The effectiveness is illustrated by both simulations on synthetic data and applications on real data.
A spectral problem based on so(3,R) and its associated commuting soliton equations

We present a spectral problem, based on the three-dimensional real special orthogonal Lie algebra so (3,R), and construct a hierarchy of commuting bi-Hamiltonian soliton equations by zero curvature equations associated with the spectral problem. An illustrative example of soliton equations is computed, together with its associated bi-Hamiltonian structure.
CDE and non-CDE dietitians' knowledge of exercise and content of exercise programs for older adults with type 2 diabetes.

Abstract Objective To study differences between non-certified diabetes educator registered dietitians (non-CDE-RDs) and certified diabetes educator registered dietitians (CDE-RDs) in the design and content of programs to promote physical activity in older adults with type 2 diabetes. Design The Exercise Teaching Questionnaire was used to assess knowledge of and promotion of physical activity. Setting and Participants Surveys were sent to CDE-RDs and non-CDE-RDs in Florida, California, and Texas. Ninety-four CDE-RDs and 73 non-CDE-RDs completed the study. Main Outcome Measures The independent variable was CDE status. The dependent variables were knowledge, design, content, and total exercise scores. Analysis Two-way ANOVA’s tested for Knowledge, Design, and Content scores by RD status and one of the following: years practicing in diabetes education, state, and practice setting. Results The exercise Knowledge, Design and Content scores were significantly (P Conclusions and Implications The results of this study indicate that education and experience play a key role in the design and content of programs to promote physical activity in older adults. Therefore, the results raise the question of the role the dietitian and nutrition educator should play in the promotion of physical activity in older adults.
A low profile folded dipole antenna on a reactive high impedance substrate

We present a fully planar realization of a low profile dipole antenna placed on top of a high impedance substrate. The structure is made by three metal layers and it does not requires vias between the layers. The antenna is matched to 50 Ohms and has a gain of 7.1 dBi including all feed network losses.
Geometric reasoning for re-allocation of supporting and clamping positions in the automated fixture design system

Abstract Geometric reasoning is an indispensable part of an automated fixture design system. This paper introduces a rational approach based on the use of both qualitative and quantitative reasoning tools to plan for the “best” supporting, locating and clamping positions (on a given workpiece) to hold the workpiece rigidly and accurately during machining processes. It discusses general algorithms to verify the preliminary fixture configuration, as obtained by using 3-2-1 locating rules against workpiece deformation and work piece-tool interference, and to re-allocate the locating positions, if necessary. The paper also addresses the issues of implementing the algorithm in a prototype, automated fixture design system.
Weak and global supervenience are strong

Kim argues that weak and global supervenience are too weak to guarantee any sort of dependency. Of the three original forms of supervenience, strong, weak, and global, each commonly wielded across all branches of philosophy, two are thus cast aside as uninteresting or useless. His arguments, however, fail to appreciate the strength of weak and global supervenience. I investigate what weak and global supervenience relations are functionally and how they relate to strong supervenience. For a large class of properties, weak and global supervenience are equivalent to strong supervenience. I then offer a series of arguments showing that it is precisely because of their strength, not their weakness, that both weak and global supervenience are useless in characterizing any dependencies of interest to philosophers.
Further experiments on a new, fast method for determining molecular weights of diffusing species in a liquid phase

Abstract Further experiments have been conducted on a previously reported method for determining empirically the molecular weight of a series of proteins on the basis of the shape of the concentration profile of the protein sample exiting from a capillary after injection of the sample in plug from into into a mobile phase which exhibits laminar flow in the capillary. The method depends upon the influence of the relative amounts of convection and radial molecular diffusion in determining the shape of the concentration vs . time profile of the capillary effuent detected by a concentration detector at the capillary outlet. Two times on the concentration profile are chosen to reflect regions which are most strongly influenced by these two processes. The ratio, R , of the heights of the profile at the two times is correlated with molecular weights in an empirical fashion to construct a standard curve and the molecular weight of an unknown is found by interpolation. In the work reported here we have demonstrated the validity of this method for narrow-molecular-weight polystyrene standards in organic solvents as well as for a set of lower-molecular-weight, non polymer species. On the basis of these and our previous experiments we believe the method to be general for any species which is able to undergo Brownian motion, whose diffusivity is a well behaved function of molecular weight for a series of compounds of interest, and which does not engate in the type of extreme aggregation or adsorption behavior which we have previously reported when high-molecular-weight biopolymers are subjected to high shear stresses in a narrow capillary. The chief advantages of the method are the speed and the low expense involved. Given a predetermined standard curve, the number average molecular weight of a polymer system can be obtained in a matter of mitunes. We suggest that, because of its simplicity and speed, this method be applied to kinetic studies of polymerization or depolymerization and to studies of the effects of various parameters, such as ionic strength and pH, on the state of aggregation of biopolymers and to other experiments where rapid determination or confirmation of molecular weight is need.
Correspondence between layer morphology and intralayer excitation transport dynamics in zirconium-phosphonate monolayers

We use atomic force microscopy (AFM) in conjunction with fluorescence relaxation dynamics to establish the relationship between the physical morphology and optical response of zirconium−phosphonate (ZP) monolayers containing oligothiophene chromophores. For ZP monolayers formed on SiOx, island structures are seen with AFM in the size range 40−100 A with the nearest neighbor island spacing varying from 80 to 200 A. For these same surfaces, the fluorescence population relaxation dynamics we measure are nonexponential, chromophore concentration-independent, and identical for two different chromophores. This finding is fully consistent with the AFM data, and the results can be understood using an excitation hopping model. The spectroscopic data are consistent with aggregated islands ∼50−100 A in diameter. We demonstrate that the spectroscopic and physical domain sizes present on ZP/SiOx monolayers are the same. Studies using several initial priming schemes point to the silanol group distribution on the surfac...
Thermochemical Properties, ΔfH°(298), S°(298), and Cp°(T), for n-Butyl and n-Pentyl Hydroperoxides and the Alkyl and Peroxy Radicals, Transition States, and Kinetics for Intramolecular Hydrogen Shift Reactions of the Peroxy Radicals

Alkyl radicals in atmospheric and combustion environments undergo a rapid association with molecular oxygen (3O2) to form an alkyl peroxy radical (ROO*). One important reaction of these peroxy radicals is the intramolecular H-shift (intramolecular abstraction) to form a hydroperoxide alkyl radical (R'*COOH), where the hydroperoxide alkyl radical may undergo chemical activation reaction with O2 and result in chain branching at moderate to low temperatures. The thermochemistry and trends in kinetic parameters for the hydrogen shift reactions from each carbon (4-8-member-ring TST's) in n-butyl and n-pentyl peroxy radicals (CCCCOO* and CCCCCOO*) are analyzed using density functional and ab initio calculation methods. Thermochemical properties, DeltafH degrees (298 K), C-H bond energies, S degrees (298 K), and Cp degrees (T) of saturated linear C4 and C5 aliphatic peroxides (ROOH), as well as the corresponding hydroperoxide alkyl radicals (R'*COOH), are determined. DeltafH degrees (298 K) are obtained from isodesmic reactions and the total energies of the CBS-QB3 and B3LYP computational methods. Contributions to the entropy and the heat capacity from translation, vibration, and external rotation are calculated using the rigid-rotor-harmonic-oscillator approximation based on the CBS-QB3 frequencies and structures. The results indicate that pre-exponential factors, A(T), decrease with the increase of the ring size (4-8-member-ring TS, H-atom included). The DeltaH for 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-member rings in n-butyl (and n-pentyl) peroxy are 40.8 (40.8), 31.4 (31.5), 20.5 (20.0), 22.6-p (19.4) kcal mol(-1), respectively. The DeltaH for the 8-member ring in n-pentylperoxy is 23.8-p kcal mol(-1), All abstractions are from secondary (-CH2-) groups except those marked (-p), which are from primary sites. Enthalpy and barrier values from the B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,p) and BHandHLYP/6-311G(d,p) methods are compared with CBS-QB3 results. The B3LYP results show good agreement with the higher level CBS-QB3 calculation method; the BHandH barriers for the intramolecular peroxy H-shifts are not acceptable.
A temporospatial map that defines specific steps at which critical surfaces in the Gag MA and CA domains act during immature HIV-1 capsid assembly in cells

ABSTRACT During HIV-1 assembly, Gag polypeptides target to the plasma membrane, where they multimerize to form immature capsids that undergo budding and maturation. Previous mutational analyses identified residues within the Gag matrix (MA) and capsid (CA) domains that are required for immature capsid assembly, and structural studies showed that these residues are clustered on four exposed surfaces in Gag. Exactly when and where the three critical surfaces in CA function during assembly are not known. Here, we analyzed how mutations in these four critical surfaces affect the formation and stability of assembly intermediates in cells expressing the HIV-1 provirus. The resulting temporospatial map reveals that critical MA residues act during membrane targeting, residues in the C-terminal CA subdomain (CA-CTD) dimer interface are needed for the stability of the first membrane-bound assembly intermediate, CA-CTD base residues are necessary for progression past the first membrane-bound intermediate, and residues in the N-terminal CA subdomain (CA-NTD) stabilize the last membrane-bound intermediate. Importantly, we found that all four critical surfaces act while Gag is associated with the cellular facilitators of assembly ABCE1 and DDX6. When correlated with existing structural data, our findings suggest the following model: Gag dimerizes via the CA-CTD dimer interface just before or during membrane targeting, individual CA-CTD hexamers form soon after membrane targeting, and the CA-NTD hexameric lattice forms just prior to capsid release. This model adds an important new dimension to current structural models by proposing the potential order in which key contacts within the immature capsid lattice are made during assembly in cells. IMPORTANCE While much is known about the structure of the completed HIV-1 immature capsid and domains of its component Gag proteins, less is known about the sequence of events leading to formation of the HIV-1 immature capsid. Here we used biochemical and ultrastructural analyses to generate a temporospatial map showing the precise order in which four critical surfaces in Gag act during immature capsid formation in provirus-expressing cells. Because three of these surfaces make important contacts in the hexameric lattices that are found in the completed immature capsid, these data allow us to propose a model for the sequence of events leading to formation of the hexameric lattices. By providing a dynamic view of when and where critical Gag-Gag contacts form during the assembly process and how those contacts function in the nascent capsid, our study provides novel insights into how an immature capsid is built in infected cells.
Weighted Composition Operators on the Bergman Space

Bounded, compact and Schatten class weighted composition operators on the Bergman space are characterized by the use of generalized Berezin transforms. An estimate of the essential norms of weighted composition operators on the Bergman space is given. Most of the results remain true for Hardy spaces and weighted Bergman spaces.
Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Piston Ring Friction

The influence of piston ring lubrication on internal combustion engine performance has received considerable attention for over half-century. Studies show that hydrodynamic lubrication prevails through most of engine cycles, and asperity contact only occurs near the vicinity of dead centers [1][2]. In order to solve the governing equation of lubricant, appropriate velocity and pressure boundary conditions should be incorporated into the lubrication equation - Reynolds equation. While lubricant obeys the no-slip velocity boundary condition, the pressure boundaries at the leading and trail edge of piston ring are related to the chamber and the inter-ring crevice gas pressures. A complete lubrication analysis of piston ring requires an inter-ring gas flow model. In most of existing lubrication models, an isentropic orifice flow model is adopted and the gas flow is assumed to an ideal gas passing through the piston ring end gaps with a constant discharge coefficient [2][3][4][5]. In additional to the flow path of piston ring end gaps, gas also flows through the side-clearance between piston ring and flank groove [6][7][8][9][10]. In this paper, a quasi-Rayleigh narrow-channel gas flow model is proposed by consideration of temperature gradient along radial direction of piston assembly. Piston ring friction force is estimated by a test-rig verified mixed lubrication model [11]. Numerical simulation shows that piston ring friction force and ring axial motion are sensitive to inter-ring gas flow model. The instantaneous indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) method was adopted here to measure the piston friction during motoring condition. Experimental and numerical results indicate that top ring could contribute about 10% of total power cylinder friction loss.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Mass and Aerodynamic Imbalance of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

It is very common among wind turbines of all designs that a spectral analysis of operating variables, such as yaw motion, torque, or electrical power output has a large concentration of variance at the rotational frequency of the low speed shaft. This spike in the spectrum of the operating variables has come to be known as the once per revolution response or 1P. In addition to this 1P spike, three-bladed wind turbine spectral signatures usually include the harmonic integers 2P and 3P. The two main sources of 1P are mass imbalance in the rotor plane and various aerodynamic performance imbalances of the rotor blades. This paper is dedicated to determining the specific contribution of each of these sources to 1P as well as their effects on the 2P and 3P harmonics. Mass imbalance and aerodynamic imbalance issues are addressed separately so that the relative contribution of each can be quantified. The nonlinear differential equations describing the coupled azimuth and yaw motion with mass imbalance were analytically solved using a perturbation technique. A blade strip element technique was used to determine the effects of aerodynamic imbalance on 1P, 2P, and 3P fluctuations. It was found that 60% of the 1P low-speedmore » shaft torque (LSST) fluctuation is due to mass imbalance and 40% due to aerodynamic imbalance. These results compare quite favorably with the NREL 15 kW Combined Experiment wind turbine data.« less
Striving for quality: The key role of internal and external customers

This research suggests that the concept of customer orientation is at the core of a successful quality program. Based both on a series of interviews conducted at a Baldridge Award winning company and on past literature support, it is shown that in addition to an external customer orientation, an internal customer orientation plays a strategic role in the achievement of high quality standards throughout the organization. Several recommendations are proposed to foster the development of an internal customer orientation—a concept which has been largely neglected in the quality management literature.
Geomagnetic paleointensity at ∼2.41 Ga as recorded by the Widgiemooltha Dike Swarm, Western Australia

Abstract Absolute geomagnetic paleointensity measurements were conducted on samples from six mafic dikes of the ∼2.41 Ga Widgiemooltha swarm (Western Australia). Rock magnetic analyses indicate that the paleointensity signal is carried by nearly stoichiometric pseudosingle-domain magnetite and/or low-Ti titanomagnetite. Paleointensity values were determined using the Thellier double-heating method supplemented by low-temperature demagnetizations (the LTD-Thellier method) in order to reduce the effect of magnetic remanence carried by large pseudosingle-domain and multidomain magnetite grains. Thirty-one samples from five dikes yielded successful paleointensity determinations with the mean value of 41.2 ± 3.8 μT , which corresponds to a virtual dipole moment of 6.65 ± 0.98 A m 2 . The mean and range of paleofield strength values are similar to those of the recent Earth's magnetic field and are consistent with a compositionally driven geodynamo established by the earliest Paleoproterozoic Era. The existence of a stable, dipolar geomagnetic field during the Proterozoic indicated by paleointensity and paleodirectional data from this and prior studies seems incompatible with a young age of the inner core suggested by recent models of the Earth's thermal evolution. Acquisition of reliable paleointensity estimates using the novel approaches such as the LTD-Thellier method is crucial in constraining the development of more realistic, Earth-like models of long-term geodynamo behavior.
A Simple Forecasting Mechanism for Moral Hazard Settings

Abstract This paper studies a multiagent moral hazard setting. We resolve the tacit collusion problem that arises in our setting while employing a solution concept that makes less demanding behavioral assumptions than Nash. A simple mechanism is constructed that approximately implements the second-best solution in two rounds of iteratively removing strictly dominated strategies. Under our mechanism, the agents′ best-reply correspondences are well defined, a small message space is employed, and the messages can be interpreted as divisional forecasts. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C72, D82.
REVIEW: MEMS and Its Applications for Flow Control

Emerging micromachining technology enables us to fabricate mechanical parts on the order of micron size. It provides us with micro-sensors and micro-actuators which facilitate the exploration of all areas of science. Furthermore, these miniature transducers can be integrated with microelectronics. With an integrated system, it then becomes possible to complete the loop of sensing, information processing, and actuation. This type of system enables us to perform real-time control of time varying events which are common in fluid dynamics. In this review paper, we will first briefly introduce Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) technology. Then, the applications of MEMS to flow control will be discussed.
Electron induced adsorption, desorption and decomposition of ammonia on GaAs(100)

Abstract The desorption and dissociation of ammonia adsorbed on (GaAs(100) occurs readily upon activation with 50 eV electrons. Complementary results from temperature programmed desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate that the cross-sections for parent desorption and for dissociation to NH x (= 1, 2) are similar (10 −16 −10 −17 cm 2 ), whereas that for nitride production is two orders of magnitude smaller. All these are more than an order of magnitude higher than observed in analogous photon-driven reactions.
Modified Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplantation Using Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane for Unilateral Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency

Purpose To report the results of simple limbal epithelial transplantation using a double-layered cryopreserved amniotic membrane graft for the management of unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency. Design Retrospective case series. Methods Four consecutive patients with unilateral partial (2 eyes) and total (2 eyes) limbal stem cell deficiency secondary to ocular surface burns (2 eyes), trauma (1 eye) and conjunctival melanoma treatment (1 eye) underwent modified simple limbal epithelial transplantation at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity and quality of corneal epithelium were evaluated. Results The patients were followed up for a mean ± standard deviation of 7.5 ± 1.3 months. The donor eye returned to a healthy state in all patients. All patients had significant improvement in visual acuity and resolution of ocular pain in the affected eye. Regular corneal epithelium and a quiet ocular surface were obtained in all patients by a median of 4 weeks. Conclusions Compared with the currently used surgical techniques for management of limbal stem cell deficiency, simple limbal epithelial transplantation seems to be a safe, reproducible, and effective alternative. The use of a double layer allows more protection for the explant without impacting outcomes. Also, the use of cryopreserved amniotic membrane allows surgeons to perform this procedure in the Unites States. More cases with longer follow-up will be needed to assess the outcomes further.
Protein transfer in chimaeric Taricha-Rana explants.

Abstract Cytological examination of chimaeric explants of salamander embryo gastrula ectoderm and frog embryo chorda mesoderm or larval brain (denuded of epidermis) did not reveal any passage of frog cells into the salamander tissue. The greater activity in precipitin reactions of test antigen preparations from salamander tissues that had been separated from the chimaeric explants, as compared to control cultures of salamander ectoderm, confirms previous results and tends to indicate that frog proteins are passing over into the salamander tissue. When Taricha tissues from the chimaeric explants are separated and cultured for a further period of time, the activity of extracts from these tissues against the anti- Rana gastrula serum decreases.
Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler Assessment in Head and Neck Reconstruction

ObjectiveTo assess the advantages of using mechanical anastomotic systems in head and neck free tissue transfer.Study designCase series with chart review.SettingA university-based tertiary care center.Subjects and MethodsA retrospective review of mechanical venous coupler devices in head and neck reconstruction performed between October 2004 and December 2006. A total of 261 venous anastomoses were performed in 234 consecutive patients. Five types of flaps were performed: radial forearm (66%), anterior lateral thigh (12%), fibula (9%), rectus abdominis (8%), and latissimus dorsi (2%). Demographic data were collected, and the outcomes measured were flap survival and microvascular complications.ResultsThe size of the venous anastomosis ranged from 1.5 to 4.0 mm, with most being 3.0 mm (56%) followed by 3.5 mm (23%). The most common recipient vein used was a stump off the internal jugular vein (76%) followed by the external jugular vein (17%). Microvascular complications occurred in <5% (n = 11) of patients,...
Organizational dissidence: The case of whistle-blowing

Research on whistle-blowing has been hampered by a lack of a sound theoretical base. In this paper, we draw upon existing theories of motivation and power relationships to propose a model of the whistle-blowing process. This model focuses on decisions made by organization members who believe they have evidence of organizational wrongdoing, and the reactions of organization authorities. Based on a review of the sparse empirical literature, we suggest variables that may affect both the members' decisions and the organization's responses.
MASE: A novel approach to readout of a highly segmented silicon detector array

A new approach in the signal processing and readout of highly segmented silicon detector arrays is described. The realization of this approach is Multiplexed Shaped Analog Electronics (MASE), an electronic system that allows the effective readout of highly segmented detector arrays when the occupancy in a single event is low. MASE combines the features of good energy resolution with time resolution adequate for random rejection. Both the design and the performance characteristics of MASE are described.
Reaction of metal-Carbene complexes with vinyllithium reagents

Abstract The reaction of vinyllithium with (CO) 5 CrC(OCH 3 )C 6 H 5 (Ic) at−78° followed by the treatment with HCl at −78° gave 43% ( Z )-1-methoxy-1-phenylpropene (IIIa) and 21% 1,4-dimethoxy-1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene (IVa) and no trace of a vinylphenylcarbene complex or its expected decomposition products. IIIa and IVa are proposed to arise from electrophilic attack at the carbon-carbon double bond of a σ-allychromium intermediate. The reaction of phenyllithium with (CO) 5 CrC(OCH 3 )CH=CHC 6 H 5 (V) gave 9% (CO) 5 CrC(OCH 3 )CH 2 CH- (C 6 H 5 ) 2 (VI) and 17% ( E )-1-methoxy-1,3-diphenylpropene (VII). Reaction of V with lithium diphenylcuprate gave 30% of the conjugate addition product VI.
Antibacterial diterpenes from Calceolaria pinifolia

Two new isopimaranes, 19-methylmalonyloxy-ent-isopimara-8(9),15-diene (5) and 19-malonyloxy-ent-isopimara-8(9),15-diene (6), were isolated using bioassay-guided fractionation of the CH2Cl2−MeOH (1:1) extract of the aerial part of Calceolaria pinifolia along with eight other diterpenes (1−4, 7−10) and two triterpenes (11, 12). All compounds were assayed against Staphylococcus aureus (SA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Bacillus subtilis (BS), and Escherichia coli (EC). 4-Epi-dehydroabietinol (2) and ent-isopimara-9(11),15-diene-19-ol (8) were found to be active against MRSA with MIC values of 8 and 2 μg/mL, respectively. Mechanistic studies of 8 in BS suggested rapid and nonspecific inhibition of uptake and incorporation of radiolabeled precursors into DNA, RNA, and protein consistent with membrane-damaging effects in bacteria. Compound 8 did not afford protection against an acute infection with SA in mice.
Activation of a Ca2+-Mg2+-dependent endonuclease as an early event in castration-induced prostatic cell death.

Previous studies have demonstrated that castration-induced androgen withdrawal results in the fragmentation of prostatic DNA into nucleosomal oligomers, and this process comprises an early event in the activation of programed cell death in the rat ventral prostate. This DNA fragmentation could be due to changes in the chromatin conformation increasing its sensitivity to preexisting nucleases and/or to increases in the activity of the nucleases themselves. However, comparative kinetic analysis of in vitro DNA fragmentation induced by exogenous nucleases did not reveal any differences in the sensitivity of prostatic chromatin between intact and castrated rats. In contrast to these negative findings, using [3H] DNA as an exogenous substrate, it was shown that within the first day following castration there was a twofold increase in a Ca2+-Mg2+-dependent nuclease activity without a concomitant increase in other nuclear nucleases. This Ca2+-Mg2+-dependent nuclease activation occurred coincidental with the initial increase in nuclear DNA fragmentation following castration and preceded the enhanced appearance of morphological changes characteristic of dying cells (i.e., apoptosis), as well as the major increase in prostatic DNA loss. These results suggest that castration-induced androgen deprivation leads to a sequential activation of a Ca2+-Mg2+-dependent nuclease leading to the fragmentation of the genome into discrete nucleosomal-sized fragments of DNA, subsequently followed by the fragmentation of the nucleus itself (i.e., apoptosis) and eventually with the complete digestion of the nucleosomal oligomers into component nucleotides (i.e., DNA loss). Since the castration-induced nuclease is dependent upon calcium ions for maximal activity, a potential role of intracellular calcium in the early events activating prostatic cell death was investigated. Acute disturbances in intracellular calcium homeostasis within the ventral prostate by means of a potent calcium influx blocker, nifedipine, simultaneous with castration, resulted in a significant delay in the biochemical and morphological changes associated with prostatic cell death (i.e., prostatic weight loss, prostatic DNA loss, and DNA fragmentation). These results point to a potential role of intracellular calcium levels in the mechanism of activation of castration-induced death of the androgen-dependent epithelial cells in the ventral prostate.
World Ecological Degradation : Accumulation, Urbanization and Deforestation 3000 B.C.-A.D. 2000

Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 1. Ecological Degradation over World History Chapter 3 2. Third Millenium Bronze Age World System: Mesopotamia and Harappa Chapter 4 3. Second Millennium Bronze Age World System: Crete and Mycenaean Greece Chapter 5 4. The Age of City States: Classical Greece Chapter 6 5. The Age of Empire: Rome Chapter 7 6. The Sun Rises and Sets in the East Chapter 8 7. The Emerging Economies Chapter 9 8. Europe at the Helm Chapter 10 9. Ecological Consciousness and Social Movements among les ancients et les modernes Chapter 11 Bibliography Chapter 12 Index
Food uptake in the harmful alga Prymnesium parvum mediated by excreted toxins

Toxin production is widespread among aquatic microalgae, suggesting a functional advantage for organisms producing toxic compounds. However, the biological role of algal toxin production is only vaguely understood. Here, we show that excretion of a toxic substance in the phagotrophic phytoflagellate Prymnesium parvum(Prymnesiophyceae) constitutes a mechanism to immobilize and seize motile prey. Feeding frequency of P. parvum in dilute batch cultures was low when fed the motile prey Heterocapsa rotundata (dinoflagellate). However, dense cultures caused immobilization of H. rotundata cells, thereby allowing P. parvum to feed on them. In contrast, when fed a nonmotile prey—the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana—feeding frequency was high, even in dilute P. parvum cultures. We could demonstrate that feeding frequency of P. parvum on H. rotundata was positively correlated with the measure of the toxic effect causing immobilization and lysis of prey cells. The fact that the toxic effect on H. rotundata was found in cell-free filtrate of P. parvum cultures suggests that immobilization and lysis of prey cells were caused by the excretion of toxins. Blooms of planktonic algae are common in aquatic environments, and harmful algal blooms cause substantial commercial problems for the exploitation of marine and freshwater resources, as well as for recreational purposes (e.g., Hallegraeff 1993). The harmful effects of algal blooms are typically from toxins produced by the algae. The question of why algae produce toxins has, therefore, been a point of much speculation, but few facts exist on possible biological or ecophysiological roles of toxin production. Toxins might function as grazing deterrents (Verity and Stoecker 1982). Another possibility is that toxin-producing algae inhibit and thereby outcompete other phytoplankton competitors through the release of allelopathic substances (Maestrini and Bonin 1981; Schmidt and Hansen 2001). It has also been suggested that some toxic substances produced by algae primarily function as hormones or regulate ion channels (Turner et al. 1998). In this report, we present data on the role of toxin excretion by a toxic alga, the prymnesiophyte flagellate Prymnesium parvum in feeding. The species is mixotrophic (i.e., it is photosynthetic), but it also feeds phagotrophically on other microorganisms, such as bacteria (Nygaard and Tobiesen 1993) and other protists (Tillmann 1998, P. parvum f. patelliferum [Green, Hibberd et Pienaar] A. Larsen). Blooms of P. parvum occur in brackish and coastal waters where they have caused much damage to the aquaculture industry (Reich and Aschner 1947; Moestrup 1994). Most P. parvum blooms have been reported from Europe, but the species is ubiquitous and has caused toxic blooms worldwide (Moes1
The asymptotic sufficiency of sparse order statistics in tests of fit with nuisance parameters

In an earlier paper, it was shown that for the problem of testing that a sample comes from a completely specified distribution, a relatively small number of order statistics is asymptotically sufficient, and for all asymptotic probability calculations the joint distribution of these order statistics can be assumed to be normal. In the present paper, these results are extended to certain cases where the problem is to test the hypothesis that a sample comes from a distribution which is a member of a specified parametric family of distributions, with the parameters unspecified.
Improving the labeling processes of an Argentine winery by reducing time to shipment

Wineries that export their wines are constantly striving to reduce shipping time and associated costs for the bottles of wine they sell to distributors. With diverse distributors, distinct order sizes per varietal, and alcohol labeling regulations which vary from country to country, many wineries are confined by the labeling process. Up to half of the total time required to ship the order can be attributable to the labeling process, as wineries must wait to order labels until an order is placed. Additionally, due to variability in label regulations between countries, many wineries order labels for each order instead of in bulk. This practice leads to increased costs per label. This project focuses on improving the labeling process at an Argentine winery, Alta Vista, with improvement being defined by reductions in the time between orders being placed and shipped and the labeling costs. Probabilistic modeling and Monte Carlo simulation was used to develop a forecast of how many labels per varietal would be required each year. These forecasts were used to recommend preordering the proper number of labels, thereby reducing the time from order to shipment to 12 days (a 42% reduction).
ADAMTS5 is required for biomechanically‐stimulated healing of murine tendinopathy

A recently developed murine model of tendinopathy, induced by TGF-b1 injection, has been used to examine the reparative capacity of tendinopathic Achilles in Adamts5 � /� mice. After TGF-b1 injection and 2 weeks of treadmill exercise, the Achilles from Adamts5 � /� mice exhibited a reduction in maximum tensile stress of approximately 60%. However, in contrast to wild type mice previously characterized by this model, Adamts5 � /� mice subjected to further treadmill exercise were unable to reverse this biomechanical deficit. This nonreparative phenotype was accompanied by a major deficiency, relative to wild-type, in expression of Col1a1 and Col3a1 and an abnormally elevated expression of a wide range of integrins. In addition, the tendinopathic Adamts5 � /� mice showed a persistent accumulation of chondrogenic cells in the tendon body and an aggrecan-rich fibrocartilaginous matrix within disorganized collagen fiber bundles. Moreover, consistent with the compromised biomechanical properties of the Achilles in the Adamts5 � /� mice, in vivo gait analysis revealed a strong trend (p ¼ 0.07) towards increased swing time of the injected limb in Adamts5 � /� relative to wild-type mice. These findings demonstrate that a deficiency in ADAMTS5 promotes a chondrogenic response to
Analysis of secondary structure and self-assembly of amelogenin by variable temperature circular dichroism and isothermal titration calorimetry.

Amelogenin is a proline-rich enamel matrix protein known to play an important role in the oriented growth of enamel crystals. Amelogenin self-assembles to form nanospheres and higher order structures mediated by hydrophobic interactions. This study aims to obtain a better insight into the relationship between primary-secondary structure and self-assembly of amelogenin by applying computational and biophysical methods. Variable temperature circular dichroism studies indicated that under physiological pH recombinant full-length porcine amelogenin contains unordered structures in equilibrium with polyproline type II (PPII) structure, the latter being more populated at lower temperatures. Increasing the concentration of rP172 resulted in the promotion of folding to an ordered β-structured assembly. Isothermal titration calorimetry dilution studies revealed that, at all temperatures, self-assembly is entropically driven due to the hydrophobic effect and the molar heat of assembly (ΔHA) decreases with temperature. Using a computational approach, a profile of domains in the amino acid sequence that have a high propensity to assemble and to have PPII structures has been identified. We conclude that the assembly properties of amelogenin are due to complementarity between the hydrophobic and PPII helix prone regions.
THE LARGE DEVIATION PRINCIPLE FOR CERTAIN SERIES

We study the large deviation principle for stochastic processes of the form , where is a sequence of i.i.d.r.v.'s with mean zero and . We present necessary and sufficient conditions for the large deviation principle for these stochastic processes in several situations. Our approach is based in showing the large deviation principle of the finite dimensional distributions and an exponential asymptotic equicontinuity condition. In order to get the exponential asymptotic equicontinuity condition, we derive new concentration inequalities, which are of independent interest.
Physical-layer routing issues in free-space optical communication networks

The application of free-space optical communications to interconnect applications may be essential regardless of system scale. For different length scales, we explore the optimal use of channel resources, various physical impairments, and potential reconfigurable routing challenges.
The Application of Population Pharmacokinetics to the Drug Development Process

Population pharmacokinetics is playing an increasing role in clinical drug development. An overview of the population approach, including software and the advantages and limitations of the approach compared to the traditional approach to pharmacokinetic studies, is given. This paper also documents how the area has evolved over the past 15 years and addresses some of the issues that have arisen over the design and conduct of population studies. Finally, some alternative applications of the population approach are given for areas other than clinical drug development.