cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
President Obama's Offshore Drilling Policy and Energy Security: A Game-Theoretic Policy Analysis

Abstract In the post-9/11 era, security has become a primary collective concern for governments, communities, industry, policy analysts, NGOs, and decision-makers. A powerful confluence of ideas from the fields of sustainable development, environmental justice, ecological engineering, political ecology, and energy security is transforming US national security policy. It is shown that the decision whether or not to expand offshore drilling in the US involves complex multi-criteria negotiation processes, many decision-makers (with conflicting priorities and dynamic preferences), high decision stakes, limited technical information (both in terms of quality and quantity), and difficult tradeoffs. Specifically, this paper applies advances in game-theoretic decision-making to President Obama's March 2010 decision to open new coastal areas of the US to drilling for offshore oil and gas. Our findings can be applied to environmental, political, energy, and socio-economic decision-making at strategic, operational, ...
Coupling impedance and wake functions for laminated structures with an application to the Fermilab Booster

We calculate the impedance and wake functions for laminated structures with parallel-plane and circular geometries in the ultrarelativistic limit. We critically examine the approximations used in the literature for the coupling impedance in laminated chambers and find that most of them are not justified because the wall surface impedance is large. A comparison between flat and circular geometry impedances is presented. We apply our calculation in a state-of-the-art beam dynamics simulation of the Fermilab Booster which includes nonlinear optics, laminated wakefields, and space charge impedance. The latter can have a significant effect away from the ultrarelativistic limit. Even though the simulations and the comparison with the experiment are done at the Booster injection energy, where the relativistic factor $\ensuremath{\gamma}=1.42$, we find good agreement between our calculation of the coherent tune shift and recent experimental measurements.
Distribution of K, Rb, Sr and Ba in some minerals relevant to basalt genesis

Abundance levels of K, Rb, Sr and Ba in pyroxenes, olivines and garnets of ultramafic rocks for upper mantle composition
Load Reductions on Buried Rigid Pipe

Buried structures such as pipes and culverts are often installed in the ground with special soft inclusion materials whose purpose is to reduce the overburden pressure that these structures must support. This study showed by computer simulation that the size, shape, location, and composition of these inclusions need to be considered to minimize the loads carried by these structures. The validity of the computer simulation was authenticated by comparing the computer results with an instrumented culvert installed in a laboratory testing tank.
The Role of ERP Implementation in Enabling Digital Options: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis

Many firms are transforming themselves from vertically integrated organizations into digitally enabled organizations. As firms become more innovative in their technical infrastructures and more competitive in their respective industries/verticals, their extended enterprise models include using their previous enterprise resource planning (ERP) investments as foundations for prioritizing additions and for longer-term strategies. The key issue for many firms is how to leverage their ERP implementation to become better partners and collaborators by enabling digital options to exploit business opportunities. This paper ascertains the contextual conditions under which ERP system implementations have the greatest impact on intention to adopt digital options. Using empirical data, it finds that the impact of ERP implementation on digital-options adoption intention is moderated by a firm's digital-resource readiness. For information systems (IS) practice, the study suggests that firms should view ERP divisibility as an option value generator for supporting new customers and revenue opportunities. For IS research, it relates digital-options theory to specific measurable constructs and to the firm's digital-resource readiness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
On the role of laser heating and adatom diffusion in femtosecond laser induced tungsten nanogratings

We have previously reported the observation of self-organized tungsten nanogratings during chemical vapor deposition of tungsten induced by a 400-nm 80-MHz laser oscillator on a wide range of substrates. We show that the growth of nanostructures begins with a thin tungsten film, followed by a rapid formation of periodic texture, when the laser power exceeds a threshold value. The threshold power is found strongly substrate dependent. The ubiquitous presence of thin films prior to nanograting growth suggests adatom diffusion induced by laser heating is vital, as the strong electronphonon coupling in tungsten is expected to turn absorbed photon energy rapidly into heat. Using a simplified 1D heat diffusion model, we estimate the critical surface temperature on various substrates at the onset of nanograting formation, based on substrate-specific threshold power and material properties. We found interesting correlation of critical temperatures: all the covalent substrates (AlN, Al2O3, quartz, silica, and glass) exhibit a common critical temperature while the ionic substrates (MgO, MgF2, and CaF2) share another yet different critical temperature. The critical temperature of covalent substrates is found higher than that of ionic substrates, indicating the former possesses larger activation energy for adatom diffusion. Based on this model, we can also extract a substrate-independent enthalpy for nanograting formation. Although the present 1D model overestimates the surface temperature, the correlation of critical temperatures among substrates and the presence of a unique enthalpy independent of substrates strongly support the role of laser heating and adatom diffusion in the formation of tungsten nanogratings.
Search for Anomalously Heavy Isotopes of Helium in the Earth’s Atmosphere

Our knowledge of the possible existence in nature of stable exotic particles depends solely upon experimental observation. Using a sensitive laser spectroscopy technique, we searched for a doubly charged particle accompanied by two electrons as an anomalously heavy isotope of helium in the Earth's atmosphere. The concentration of noble-gas-like atoms in the atmosphere and the subsequent very large depletion of the light $^{3,4}\mathrm{H}\mathrm{e}$ isotopes allow stringent upper limits to be set on the abundance: ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}--{10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ per atom in the solar system over the mass range of 20--10 000 amu.
A Positive Role for NLI/Ldb1 in Long-Range β-Globin Locus Control Region Function

Summary Long-range interactions between distant regulatory elements, such as enhancers, and their target genes underlie the specificity of gene expression in many developmentally regulated gene families. NLI/Ldb1, a widely expressed nuclear factor, is a potential mediator of long-range interactions. Here, we show that NLI/Ldb1 and erythroid-binding partners GATA-1/SCL/LMO2 bind in vivo to the β-globin locus control region (LCR). The C-terminal LIM interaction domain of NLI is required for formation of the complex on chromatin. Loss of the LIM domain converts NLI into a dominant-negative inhibitor of globin gene expression, and knockdown of NLI by using shRNA results in failure to activate β-globin expression. Kinetic studies reveal that the NLI/GATA-1/SCL/LMO2 complex is detected at the β-globin promoter coincident with RNA Pol II recruitment, β-globin transcription, and chromatin loop formation during erythroid differentiation, providing evidence that NLI facilitates long-range gene activation.
Impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immune Globulin in 1996-1997: A Local Controlled Comparison

Background Immune globulin containing high titers of neutralizing antibodies specific for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is clinically used to prevent hospitalizations for RSV-related respiratory infections among high-risk infants. However, recommendations regarding which patient populations should receive RSV immune globulin are inconsistent. Objective To compare hospitalization rates for prematurely born infants with and without chronic lung disease who received RSV immune globulin with similar infants whose parents refused such treatment during the 1996-1997 winter season. Design Inception cohort study. Participants Infants born at less than 35 weeks' gestation and less than 6 months old without lung disease and children who had been born prematurely, had chronic respiratory disease, and were less than 2 years old at the onset of the RSV season. Main Outcome Measure Hospitalization for an RSV-related respiratory illness. Results Seventy-six infants (66 [87%] with chronic lung disease and 10 [13%] born prematurely without lung disease) received RSV immune globulin; 65 infants (18 [28%] with chronic lung disease and 47 [72%] born prematurely without lung disease) did not. Three (4%) of the treated group and 2 (3%) of the untreated group were hospitalized for RSV infections. Of those with chronic lung disease, 5% (3/66) of those treated with RSV immune globulin were hospitalized, compared with 11% (2/18) of those untreated. Of those born prematurely without lung disease, no infant in the treated (0/10) or untreated (0/47) group was hospitalized. Conclusions The risk of hospitalization of infants born prematurely who are younger than 6 months without lung disease is low. Current recommendations for preventing RSV illness in this group by using RSV immune globulin may require inclusion of more specific clinical characteristics rather than gestational age alone.
Quantification of cellular protein expression and molecular features of group 3 LEA proteins from embryos of Artemia franciscana

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are highly hydrophilic, low complexity proteins whose expression has been correlated with desiccation tolerance in anhydrobiotic organisms. Here, we report the identification of three new mitochondrial LEA proteins in anhydrobiotic embryos of Artemia franciscana, AfrLEA3m_47, AfrLEA3m_43, and AfrLEA3m_29. These new isoforms are recognized by antibody raised against recombinant AfrLEA3m, the original mitochondrial-targeted LEA protein previously reported from these embryos; mass spectrometry confirms all four proteins share sequence similarity. The corresponding messenger RNA (mRNA) species for the four proteins are readily amplified from total complementary DNA (cDNA) prepared from embryos. cDNA sequences of the four mRNAs are quite similar, but each has a stretch of sequence that is absent in at least one of the others, plus multiple single base pair differences. We conclude that all four mitochondrial LEA proteins are products of independent genes. Each possesses a mitochondrial targeting sequence, and indeed Western blots performed on extracts of isolated mitochondria clearly detect all four isoforms. Based on mass spectrometry and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis migration, the cytoplasmic-localized AfrLEA2 exists primarily as a homodimer in A. franciscana. Quantification of protein expression for AfrLEA2, AfrLEA3m, AfrLEA3m_43, and AfrLEA3m_29 as a function of development shows that cellular concentrations are highest in diapause embryos and decrease during development to low levels in desiccation-intolerant nauplius larvae. When adjustment is made for mitochondria matrix volume, the effective concentrations of cytoplasmic versus mitochondrial group 3 LEA proteins are similar in vivo, and the values provide guidance for the design of in vitro functional studies with these proteins.
A method to evaluate the usability of interactive climate change impact decision aids

Reducing the impacts from climate change requires people to make decisions that may prompt substantial changes in their lives. One possible way to help them is with personalized decision aids. Here we describe a method for evaluating such aids, in terms of how they affect users’ understanding of their situation, defined in terms of their (a) knowledge, (b) consistency of preferences, and (c) active mastery of the material. Our method provides a simple way to evaluate the usability of climate-change decision aids, and to address concerns that the choice of display could bias users’ attitudes. We demonstrate it with the Surging Seas Risk Finder, a decision aid focused on coastal flooding ( http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/ ).
Mechanisms in eukaryotic mismatch repair.

Inactivation of the human mismatch repair system confers a large increase in spontaneous mutability and a strong predisposition to tumor development. Mismatch repair provides several genetic stabilization functions: it corrects DNA biosynthetic errors, ensures the fidelity of genetic recombination, and participates in the earliest steps of checkpoint and apoptotic responses to several classes of DNA damage (see refs. 1-3 for recent reviews). Defects in this pathway are the cause of typical and atypical hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (4), but may also play a role in the development of 15 to 25% of sporadic tumors that occur in a number of tissues (5). The system is also of biomedical interest because mismatch repair-deficient tumor cells are resistant to certain cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs (2,3), a manifestation of its involvement in the DNA damage response. Of the several mutation avoidance functions of mismatch repair, the reaction responsible for replication error correction has been the most thoroughly studied, and the discussion that follows is restricted to this pathway.
An Improved Device for Studying Adaptation to Displaced Vision

For years psychologists studying or demonstrating the effects of adaptation to displaced vision have used thick, bulky prisms mounted on welder's goggles or eyeglass frames to produce displaced vision. A new method is presented here for creating lightweight compact eyeglasses that displace one's vision. These eyeglasses can be constructed to displace vision horizontally, vertically, or both. The necessary materials can be obtained from many optical suppliers for a reasonable price. The eyeglasses are easy to use for classroom demonstrations or for student research projects.
Climate change: a profile of US climate scientists’ perspectives

Climate scientists have played a significant role in investigating global climate change. In the USA, a debate has swirled about whether a consensus on climate change exists among reputable scientists and this has entered the policy process. In order to better understand the views of US climate scientists, we conducted an empirical survey of US climate scientists (N = 468) in 2005, and compared the results with the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) physical science report and policy summaries. Our results reveal that survey respondents generally agree about the nature, causes, and consequences of climate change, and are in agreement with IPCC findings. We also found that there is strong support for a variety of policy initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Aligned crystallite powder of NdFeAsO 0.86 F 0.14 : Magnetic hysteresis and penetration depth

We report the basal-plane critical current and superfluid density of magnetically aligned ${\text{NdFeAsO}}_{0.86}{\text{F}}_{0.14}$ powder. This sample has individual crystallite grains permanently oriented with their $c$ axis along the external measuring field. Magnetic irreversibilities at high field suggest strong flux pinning of basal-plane critical currents, with monotonic field dependence and no evidence of the ``fishtail'' effect. The small particles provide a sensitive indicator of dc flux penetration and allow analysis of the temperature dependence of $ab$-plane London penetration depth ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{ab,\text{L}}$, which is quadratic at low $T$. This feature may not necessarily be due to the nodes in the gap but may be rather a sign of a strong pair breaking. A quantitative determination of the absolute magnitude of ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{ab,\text{L}}$ is hindered by the need for accurate knowledge of the particle size distribution.
Preoperative chemoradiotherapy for carcinoma of the vulva

Abstract We report the case of a 71-year-old woman with advanced squamous carcinoma of the vulva who achieved marked tumor regression following therapy with 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin combined with preoperative radiotherapy. The patient underwent radical vulvectomy. On microscopic examination of the lesion, only a minute intradermal focus of apparently viable squamous cell carcinoma with no connection to the overlying epidermis could be seen. This multidisciplinary approach for advanced carcinoma of the vulva is worthy of further exploration in a larger number of patients.
PerfSight: Performance Diagnosis for Software Dataplanes

The advent of network functions virtualization (NFV) means that data planes are no longer simply composed of routers and switches. Instead they are very complex and involve a variety of sophisticated packet processing elements that reside on the OSes and software running on compute servers where network functions (NFs) are hosted. In this paper, we argue that these new "software data planes" are susceptible to at least three new classes of performance problems. To diagnose such problems, we design, implement and evaluate, PerfSight, a ground-up system that works by extracting comprehensive low-level information regarding packet processing and I/O performance of the various elements in the software data plane. Name then analyzes the information gathered in various dimensions (e.g., across all VMs on a machine, or all VMs deployed by a tenant). By looking across aggregates, we show that it becomes possible to detect and diagnose key performance problems. Experimental results show that our framework can result in accurate detection of the root causes of key performance problems in software data planes, and it imposes very little overhead.
Measurement invariance of expectancy-value questionnaire in physical education

Expectancy-Value Questionnaire (EVQ) measures student expectancy beliefs and task values of the domain content (Eccles & Wigfield, 1995).In this study the authors examine measurement invariance of EVQ in the domain of physical education between elementary and middle-school students. Participants included 811 students (3rd–5th grades) from 13 elementary and 903 (6th–8th grades) from 13 middle schools. Students completed the EVQ in their physical education classes within the same semester. A series of hierarchical steps for testing the measurement invariance were conducted based on means and covariance structures. The results suggest that the questionnaire possesses configural and metric invariance, but noninvariant item intercepts between these two groups of students (|∆CFI | > .05). EVQ can be used to measure expectancy-value constructs in physical education for both middle-school and elementary students. Yet the noninvariant item intercepts posted questions on how the measured construct difference should...
The Pavilion: Into the 21st Century: a space for reflection

In this paper, I describe the Pavilion: Into the 21st Century project, a multimedia instrument based on the spherical mirror created for the Pepsi Pavilion – a visionary work of art and architecture originally created by E.A.T. (Experiments in Art & Technology) for Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan. The Pavilion is being returned to contemporary artists and audiences in order to extend the experience of the original to the Internet. The project draws from the fundamental notion of interdisciplinary collaboration and social interaction that was integral to the original concept – encouraging a freer, more participatory experience that breaks down the traditional distinction between artist, audience and artwork.
Determination of boron over a large dynamic range by prompt-gamma activation analysis

Abstract An evaluation of the PGAA method for the determination of boron across a wide dynamic range of concentrations was performed for trace levels up to 5 wt.% boron. This range encompasses a transition from neutron transparency to significant self- shielding conditions. To account for self-shielding, several PGAA techniques were employed. First, a calibration curve was developed in which a set of boron standards was tested and the count rate to boron mass curve was determined. This set of boron measurements was compared with an internal standard self-shielding correction method and with a method for determining composition using PGAA peak ratios. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are analyzed. The boron concentrations of several laboratory-grade chemicals and standard reference materials were measured with each method and compared. The evaluation of the boron content of nanocrystalline transition metals prepared with a boron-containing reducing agent was also performed with each of the methods tested. Finally, the k0 method was used for non-destructive measurement of boron in catalyst materials for the characterization of new non-platinum fuel cell catalysts.
Architecture and measured characteristics of a cloud based internet of things

The Internet of Things (IoT) many be thought of as the availability of physical objects, or devices, on the Internet [1]. Given such an arrangement it is possible to access sensor data and control actuators remotely. Furthermore such data may be combined with data from other sources - e.g. with data that is contained in the Web - or operated on by cloud based services to create applications far richer than can be provided by isolated embedded systems [2,3]. This is the vision of the Internet of Things.
Chronic kidney disease: Absence of evidence or evidence of absence? ACS treatment in CKD.

Individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are more likely to die of cardiovascular causes than progress to end-stage renal disease. A recent report on a large, contemporary cohort highlights the high rates of CKD among patients with acute coronary syndromes, the poor outcomes associated with CKD, and the ongoing gap between evidence and practice in this population.
ALPHA-RECOIL DAMAGE AND PREFERENTIAL SOLUTION EFFECTS: MECHANISM OF TRACK-PRODUCTION, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ISOTOPIC DISEQUILIBRIUM, RADON RELEASE AND NUCLEAR WASTE DISPOSAL

ABSTRACT Preferential loss of 234U from rocks into solutions relative to 238U has long been attributed to recoiling alpha-emitting nuclei. Using fission-track activation, direct evidence has been obtained for two mechanisms: (1) recoil ejection from grains and (2) release by natural etching of alpha-recoil tracks. A sensitive test of the second mechanism can be done using a 239PuO2 source to implant 235U as recoiling nuclei. These particles will leave similar tracks to the recoils from 238U decay, and the implanted nuclei are chemically the same as the 234U that results in nature. Another virtue of 235U nuclei is their fissionability, which allows them to be sensitively detected by neutron irradiation followed by etching of the induced particle tracks. The 235U nuclei are implanted in a mineral, the mineral is exposed to a solution, and both the mineral and the solution are tested for their 235U content. Preferential removal of the recoil nuclei occurs in a wide spectrum of natural minerals. Among the ten substances that have been studied, fractions of recoil nuclei removed with 24-hour treatments range from near zero in diopside to 62% for orthoclase. The existence of the effect in silicon, a semiconductor, supports the idea that recoil tracks are not an ionization-caused phenomenon.
Utility Analysis of Five Weighting Methods for Making Consumer Loan Decisions.

The economic utility of five weighting methods (unit, weighted application blank, chi-square, Bayes, and regression) for evaluating consumer loan applications was determined. A sample of 443 consumer loans which had been classified as either good or bad accounts was analyzed via 11 predictor variables. The predictor variables were weighted by each of the five weighting methods. Cross-validated correlations revealed that consumer credit risk is highly predictable. The five methods differed in the extent to which they produced false positive and false negative selection decisions. Utility assessments revealed that the best methods were the unit and weighted application blank procedures. The findings were discussed in terms of the assessment of credit risk and issues associated with the implementation of decision models by real world decision makers.
Inhibition of HIV-1 in human T-lymphocytes by retrovirally transduced anti-tat and rev hammerhead ribozymes

Abstract Gene therapy for AIDS requires the identification of genes which effectively inhibit HIV-1 replication coupled to an efficient vector system for gene delivery and expression. Hammerhead ribozymes are RNA molecules capable of catalytic cleavage of complementary RNA molecules. Ribozymes targeted against two portions of the HIV-1 genome were designed to cleave HIV RNA in the tat gene (TAT) or in a common exon for tat and rev (TR). The ribozymes were cloned into the LN (LTR-neomycin) retro viral vector plasmids and expressed as part of viral LTR-driven transcripts. The vectors were packaged as amphitropic virions and used to transduce human T-lymphocytes. Expression of the vector transcripts containing the ribozyme sequences was readily detected by Northern blot analysis of the transduced T cells. The T-lymphocytes expressing the anti-HIV-1 ribozymes showed resistance to HIV-1 replication. In contrast, cells expressing mutant ribozymes, containing substitutions of a key nucleotide in the catalytic domain which cripples the cleavage activity of the ribozymes, supported replication of HIV-1, demonstrating that the functional ribozymes were cleaving the target RNAs. These studies demonstrate that retrovirally transduced ribozymes included in long, multifunctional transcripts, can inhibit HIV replication in human T-lymphocytes. The ribozyme and expression strategies described here should be useful for the gene therapy of AIDS by conferring resistance to HIV-1 replication on cells derived from transduced hematopoietic stem cells.
Synthesis, Structure, and Characterization of N-Ligated Mo6S8L6 Cluster Complexes. Molecular Precursors to Chevrel Phases

A modified method has been developed for the synthesis of the Mo[sub 6]S[sub 8] cluster unit in one step from Mo[sub 6]Cl[sub 12] via reaction with NaSH and NaOBu in refluxing n-BuOH-pyridine. The ligand-deficient Na[sub 2x]Mo[sub 6]S[sub 8+x](py)[sub y] (1) serves as a convenient starting material for the preparation of the amine complexes Mo[sub 6]S[sub 8]L[sub 6], with L = pyridine (2), pyrrolidine (4), and piperidine (5). Although propylamine readily dissolves the ligand-deficient starting material, only amorphous Mo[sub 6]S[sub 8](PrNH[sub 2])[sub 6-x] (3) could be isolated. However, the latter acts as a facile reactant for the preparation of the other complexes by ligand substitution. Crystallographic data for the complexes are as follows: Mo[sub 6]S[sub 8](py)[sub 6][center dot]2py (2), cubic, Pa[bar 3], a = 16.994(2) [angstrom], Z = 4, R = 0.0381, R[sub w] = 0.0351; Mo[sub 6]S[sub 8](pyrr)[sub 6][center dot]pyrr (4), tetragonal, I4[sub 1]/a, a = 29.933(4) [angstrom], c = 23.697(8) [angstrom], Z = 16, R = 0.0675, wR2 = 0.2036; Mo[sub 6]S[sub 8](pip)[sub 6][center dot]7pip, (5), tetragonal, in the IR at 380 [+-] 5 cm[sup [minus]1] and in the Raman at 414 [+-] 4 cm[sup [minus]1], assigned as predominantly Mo-S stretching modes. XP spectra give characteristic binding energies atmore » 227.7 [+-] 0.1 (Mo 3d[sub 5/2]), 230.8 [+-] 0.1 (Mo 3d[sub 3/2]), 225.1 [+-] 0.3 (S 2s), 160.6 [+-] 0.1 (S 2p[sub 3/2]), and 161.8 [+-] 0.1 (S 2p[sub 1/2]) eV. Mo-Mo and Mo-S bond distances show little variation among the complexes, with average values of 2.647 and 2.454 [angstrom], respectively. The average Mo-N bond distance, 2.297 [angstrom], indicates rather weak bonding of these N-donor ligands.« less
Use of discriminative models of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia in granulocytopenic rats for testing antimicrobial efficacy.

The efficacy of single agent and combination antibiotic therapy was evaluated in rats with severe granulocytopenia andPseudomonas aeruginosa infection using animal survival, rates of bacteremia and the emergence of resistant organisms as criteria. In this model end points following single agent therapy with imipenem/cilastatin and the synergistic combination of moxalactam plus amikacin were comparable. At a high bacterial challenge dose, equivalent results were obtained using single agent therapy with either piperacillin or ticarcillin. Results were also similar following therapy with piperacillin or ticarcillin in synergistic combination with amikacin. At a lower bacterial challenge dose, aminoglycoside therapy was superior to therapy with the beta-lactams. Therapy with the in vitro synergistic double beta-lactam combination of ceftazidime plus piperacillin was no more effective than therapy with the individual compounds. Results from these studies in this discriminative animal model have in part been used to formulate prospective clinical antibiotic studies in granulocytopenic cancer patients.
Comparison of 808, 980, and 1075nm lasers for noninvasive thermal coagulation of the canine vas deferens, ex vivo

Successful noninvasive laser coagulation of the canine vas deferens, in vivo, has been previously reported. However, the therapeutic window for treatment is relatively narrow. This study determines the dependence of vas thermal coagulation on laser wavelength for development of a noninvasive laser vasectomy procedure. Noninvasive laser coagulation of canine vas tissue, ex vivo, was performed using three commonly available near-infrared laser wavelengths: 808, 980, and 1075 nm. Each laser delivered an average power of 9.2 W, 500-ms pulse duration, pulse rate of 1.0-Hz, and 3.2-mm diameter laser spot, synchronized with cryogen spray cooling of the scrotal skin surface for a total treatment time of 60 s. Vas burst pressures were measured to determine strength of vas closure and compared to previously reported ejaculation pressures. Gross inspection of vas and scrotal skin was also performed immediately after the procedure as an indicator of thermal coagulation and skin burns. The 1075 nm laser produced the highest vas burst pressures (288 ± 28 mmHg), significantly greater than previously reported ejaculation pressures (136 ± 29 mmHg). The 808 nm wavelength produced insufficient vas burst pressures of 141 ± 61 mmHg, and minor scrotal skin burns were observed in at least one case. The 980 nm wavelength was unable to produce thermal coagulation of the vas, with low burst pressures (89 ± 58 mmHg) and severe scrotal skin burns. The 1075 nm wavelength was the only near-IR wavelength that consistently thermally coagulated the vas with a strong degree of closure and without any scrotal skin burns.
Attraction as a Function of Boasting, Self-Apology, and Credibility of an Actor

76 male and 91 female undergraduates rated the attractiveness and personality characteristics of an actor in a taped conversation. In one condition the actor boasted throughout and then apologized for boasting at the end of the conversation. In a second condition the actor boasted but did not apologize for his behavior. In the third condition the actor did not boast. The credibility (high or low) of boasting was varied in each condition. Results indicated that boasting in all cases was seen as unattractive; that credibility was more salient for attractiveness in business-type, as opposed to social-type, roles; and that self-apology to some degree compensated for unattractive boasting behavior. Implications of these findings were discussed.
Down-regulation of topoisomerase IIα is caused by up-regulation of GRP78

Abstract Glucose-regulated protein of Mr 78 kDa (GRP78) is a resident protein of endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We have previously shown that the cells become resistant to topoisomerase IIα (topo IIα) targeted cancer chemotherapeutic drug such as etoposide (VP-16) when GRP78 is up-regulated by various means. Up-regulation of GRP78 in V79 Chinese hamster cell lines was achieved by treating the cells with NAD antagonist 6-aminonicotinamide (6AN), inhibitor of glucose metabolism such as 2-deoxyglucose (2dG). Further, up-regulation of GRP78 was also observed in V79-derived cell lines which are deficient in poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP1) metabolism. However, mechanisms of association of GRP78 up-regulation and resistance to VP-16 remained obscured under the conditions outlined above. In the manuscript, using various methods, we demonstrate, for the first time, that up-regulation of GRP78, using approaches depicted above, causes down-regulation of topo IIα and its activity. We have also discussed the clinical implications of our findings.
“It’s Work, Work, Work, Work”: Young People’s Experiences of Effort and Engagement in Dance (2007)

This co-authored study is the second phase of a large project examining young people’s experiences in dance education. It draws on multi-modal data from over 700 young people, diverse both demographically and in terms of degree and kind of dance experience. This phase focuses on data (words from young people, captioned drawings, and descriptions from trained observers) reflecting engagement and disengagement in dance, and illuminates them from a number of theoretical perspectives. The analysis found a variety of obstacles to active engagement in dance, including disinterest in the content, fear of failure, and lack of fit between individual skills and interests on the one hand and the content and demands of the class on the other. Students who find dance engaging and worthy of effort cite personal interest/emotional connection in activities and content, desire for challenge, and appreciation for autonomy in setting their own standards and assessing their achievements. Yet there is not always a clear distinction between engagement and disengagement; this is a continuum rather than a dichotomy. While recognizing the significance of a well-developed work ethic for success in school, the authors conclude by problematizing the tendency to blame lack of effort on student laziness and other personal failures.
Acute and late damage in the mouse small intestine following multiple fractionations of neutrons or X-rays☆

Abstract The neutron RBE for acute intestinal damage as measured by decrease in the intestine DNA content and the LD 50 5 following whole-body exposure of mice is compared with the RBE for late effects in this organ. Late damage, primarily fibrosis, ulceration, perforation, and obstruction, was produced by irradiating a segment of the intestine. A significant sparing effect of fractionation was observed for all forms of gut injury with neutrons and X-rays. However, there was less sparing with neutron-induced injury, resulting in an increase in RBE with fractionation. The RBE for late effects changed more rapidly than the RBE for acute effects. This resulted in a significantly larger RBE for late effects relative to acute effects as the neutron dose per fraction approached that used clinically.
Interferon-gamma, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha induce CD11a mRNA and protein via Na+/H+ exchange and protein kinase C-dependent mechanisms in tissue macrophages.

Previously CD11a or leukocyte function-associated antigen alpha-1 was found to be induced at the surface protein level in thioglycolate-elicited peritoneal macrophages by bacterial lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma. To investigate this induction further, Northern blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to examine the role of second messengers in CD11a gene product induction by these agents. Here I report that CD11a RNA and cell surface protein induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are sensitive to inhibition of protein kinase C, while insensitive to inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange. CD11a induction by interferon-gamma conversely is sensitive to inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange and insensitive to inhibition of protein kinase C. These observations indicate that CD11a may be induced by multiple and separate second messenger systems in primary macrophages.
RELATION OF OXYGEN PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE TO GROWTH AND CARBON‐DIOXIDE PRODUCTION IN THE FUNGUS POLYSTICTUS VERSICOLOR

THE EXPERIMENTS reported in this paper were planned to furniish information concerning the influence exerted by maintained temperature and mainitained oxygen pressure on mycelial growth and carbon-dioxide production in a strain of Polystictus versicolor Linn. (Fr.) growing on malt-agar strips in special culture tubes through which there was a continuous flow of water-saturated gas. The continuous gas stream served to maintain a known partial pressure of oxygen in each culture throughout the 5-day experiment period and also provided a satisfactory means for removing carbon dioxide as it was produced, delivering it to an absorber for measurement by titration at daily intervals. The data to be considered here represents nine different partial pressures of oxygen in the gas used and five different temperatures. The temperatures considered are 17.50, 21.50, 25.50, 29.50 and 33.5?C., and the oxygen pressures (measured as heights of mercury column) are approximately 0.0 mm. (practically pure nitrogen), 1.5 mm., 10 mm., 15 mm., 37 mm., 115 mm., 152 mm. (ordinary air), 381 mm. and 745 mm. (nearly pure oxygen). All combinations of these temperatures and oxvgen pressures are represented by growth data but there are no carbon-dioxide data for 33.50 combined with 0.0 mm. of oxygren pressure, nor for any of the temperatures combined with 10 mm. of oxygen pressure. Consequenltly the following discussions are based on 5-day experiments with each of forty-five and thirtynine different combinations of temperature and oxygen. pressure for growth and carbon-dioxide production, respectively. For all experiments excepting those with ordinary air the total pressure of the flowing gas was about 773 mm. (since gas for these was drawn from a highpressure storage cylinder provided with a HokePhoenix pressure-reducing valve), but the total pressure when ordinary air was used was lower, about 755 mm. (for this part of the study air was drawn by aspirator suction from the atmosphere). For the zero value of oxygen pressure, commercial nitrogen was employed, from which any oxygen present had been removed with alkaline solution of pyrogallol. For the highest oxygen pressure commercial oxygen was used, which was fouind to contain 95.5 per cent of oxygen bv volume. Intermediate oxygen pressures were secured by mixing the two commercial gases in requisite pressure proportions, in the manner described by Mack (1930). The daily rate of gas flow throughl each culture unit was always about 15 liters.
Transport of a Large Oligomeric Protein by the Cytoplasm to Vacuole Protein Targeting Pathway

Aminopeptidase I (API) is transported into the yeast vacuole by the cytoplasm to vacuole targeting (Cvt) pathway. Genetic evidence suggests that autophagy, a major degradative pathway in eukaryotes, and the Cvt pathway share largely the same cellular machinery. To understand the mechanism of the Cvt import process, we examined the native state of API. Dodecameric assembly of precursor API in the cytoplasm and membrane binding were rapid events, whereas subsequent vacuolar import appeared to be rate limiting. A unique temperature-sensitive API-targeting mutant allowed us to kinetically monitor its oligomeric state during translocation. Our findings indicate that API is maintained as a dodecamer throughout its import and will be useful to study the posttranslational movement of folded proteins across biological membranes.
Energy storage methods for two hydro plants

WHEN TWO or more hydroelectric storage plants are located on a river so that storage from upstream reservoirs will be used through downstream plants, certain methods of storage withdrawal will produce more energy as needed by the load than others. As the net head drops due to storage withdrawal at any plant, all natural flow water as well as remaining upstream reservoir storage then must be used at some lower averaged head, until refill is made later during a period of high river flow. Only incremental energy obtainable from storage withdrawal is used here for comparison of various methods and five components of incremental energy (ΔE) are obtained for each method. Three components are positive; plant 1 storage through plant 1, plant 2 storage through plant 2, plant 1 storage through plant 2; two components are negative; plant 1 natural flow through plant 1, and plant 2 natural flow through plant 2. The last two are obtained due to drops in head and from the total natural flow passing during the period of reduced head.
Evaluation of Stethorus nigripes [Col.: Coccinellidae] for biological control of spider mites in California almond orchards

Stethorus nigripes Kapur (=S. loxtoni Britton & Lee) was imported from Australia in 1978 and released in California during 1978–1980. Laboratory and field cage studies evaluated aspects ofS. nigripes' biology considered likely to affect establishment. Our tests indicated that most ♀♀ became nonreproductive during late fall. The females' reproductive arrest seems not to be a true diapause, but may be due to chill experienced by pupae. Survival over winter of both sexes was low if they were not provided abundant prey; honey or water alone were inadequate.S. nigripes adults and larvae could not feed onPanonychus ulmi (Koch) orP. citri (McGregor) eggs and avoided all stadia ofBryobia rubrioculus (Scheuten) in laboratory tests, so it is not a “generalist” predator of spider mites.S. nigripes also is susceptible to pesticides used to control key insect pests in almonds, including the pyrethroid, permethrin (LC 50 value=0.48 g A.I./100 liter water). Releases to establish this predator were discontinued after 3 years, asS. nigripes' sensitivity to pesticides and its requirement for prey during winter seem sufficient to account for its failure to establish. Even if established, these factors might preventS. nigripes from becoming an effective spider mite predator in pesticide-treated almond orchards in California.
High-frequency folding and optimal phase conjugation for high-contrast adaptive optics

Conventional adaptive optics methods use phase conjugation based on measurements of the phase aberrations at the pupil plane. The measurements are typically done using a Shack-Hartmann sensor sampling at spatial frequencies determined by the spatial frequency limitations of the deformable mirror. The work presented here shows that the nulling needed for high contrast imaging cannot be achieved using such a methodology. Linear combinations of high frequencies in the aberration at the pupil plane "fold" and appear as low frequency aberrations at the image plane. We present an optimized solution for the shape of the deformable mirror based on the Fourier decomposition of the effective phase aberration.
Predicting second gas–solid virial coefficients using calculated molecular properties on various carbon surfaces

Abstract Gas–solid chromatography was used to obtain values of the second gas–solid virial coefficient, B 2 s , in the temperature range from 343 to 493 K for seven adsorbate gases: methane, ethane, propane, chloromethane, chlorodifluoromethane, dimethyl ether, and sulfur hexafluoride. Carboxen-1000, a 1200 m 2 /g carbon molecular sieve (Supelco Inc.), was used as the adsorbent. These data were combined with earlier work to make a combined data set of 36 different adsorbate gases variously interacting with from one to four different carbon surfaces. All B 2 s values were extrapolated to 403 K to create a set of 65 different gas–solid B 2 s values at a fixed temperature. The B 2 s value for a given gas–solid system can be converted to a chromatographic retention time at any desired flow rate and can be converted to the amount of gas adsorbed at any pressure in the low-coverage, Henry's law region. Beginning with a theoretical equation for the second gas–solid virial coefficient, various quantitative structure retention relations (QSRR) were developed and used to correlate the ln B 2 s values for different gas adsorbates with different carbon surfaces. Two calculated adsorbate molecular parameters (molar refractivity and connectivity index), when combined with two adsorbent parameters (surface area and a surface energy contribution to the gas–solid interaction), provided an effective correlation ( r 2 =0.952) of the 65 different ln B 2 s values. The two surface parameters provided a simple yet useful representation of the structure and energy of the carbon surfaces and thus our correlations considered variation in both the adsorbate gas and the adsorbent solid.
Increased Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity and Expression in the Human Uterine Artery During Pregnancy

Abstract —Evidence exists that NO plays a role in the vasodilation that occurs during pregnancy. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the role of NO is associated with an increase in the activity and protein expression of NO synthase (NOS) in the human uterine artery. Uterine arteries were obtained from pregnant patients (P arteries) and nonpregnant patients (NP arteries). NOS activity was estimated with the l-[3H]-arginine–to–l-[3H]-citrulline conversion method and on the basis of changes in tissue levels of cGMP. Western immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry were used to assess NOS protein expression. Ca2+-dependent NOS activity was 8 times greater ( P NP arteries (follicular)>NP arteries (luteal). The neuronal NOS was located in the adventitia of P and NP arteries. Basal NO-dependent and bradykinin-stimulated levels of cGMP were higher ( P <0.05) in P than in NP arteries. These results indicate that an upregulation of eNOS protein expression could account for the increased NO synthesis/release in the human uterine artery during pregnancy.
Fesoterodine: a new antimuscarinic for overactive bladder

Anticholinergic drugs are the mainstay of therapy of overactive bladder. Overactive bladder is defined by the presence of urinary urgency, with or without incontinence, usually accompanied by urinary frequency and nocturia. Until recently, there were five agents available and widely-used in this regard: darifenacin, oxybutynin, solifenacin, tolterodine and trospium chloride. Recently, fesoterodine has been approved for the treatment of urgency and urge incontinence associated with detrusor overactivity. Fesoterodine acts as a prodrug, delivering the active moiety (5-hydroxymethyl tolterodine or 5-HMT) to the circulation after nonspecific plasma esterases rapidly cleave off the 5-HMT portion from fesoterodine. In this way, it is somewhat similar to tolterodine, which could also be considered a ‘prodrug’, delivering 5-HMT via hepatic metabolism. This moiety is subject to extensive metabolism to a variety of inactive metabolites as well as renal excretion of unchanged 5-HMT to a limited extent. Cytochrome P-...
Backbone formation in MANETs via the leader-follower consensus: Overview

An overview of a theoretical study of distributed coordination between nodes in a Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET) is presented with preliminary simulation observations. The main focus is placed on using an average consensus control law and its stability guarantees. First a linear control law is discussed, based on the Laplacian matrix of the underlying graph depicting the topology of a network of agents. Placing a weight to the control law has a role in preserving ‘connectedness’, in that when the nodes approach the maximum communication distance the link is not lost.