cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Domestic AIDS Vaccine Trials: Addressing the Potential for Social Harm to the Subjects of Human Experiments

In 1998, the FDA approved the first large-scale human trials of a candidate AIDS vaccine in our nation's history. While the legal issues raised by these trials are manifold, the academic literature has focused almost exclusively on the potential for mass tort liability and the resulting hesitancy of biotech and pharmaceutical firms to enter the field. This Comment argues that another issue of vital concern demands attention: the potential for social harm to the human subjects of AIDS vaccine trials. After providing an overview of the current epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and explaining why a safe, effective AIDS vaccine represents the best way to control the pandemic, this Comment analyzes the scientific and social obstacles to production of such a vaccine. In order to know whether a candidate AIDS vaccine is truly effective, researchers will have to test the product in HIV-negative volunteers at high risk of infection. Since these volunteers may subsequently test positive for HIV on standard blood tests, they will be vulnerable to discrimination on that basis in such areas as employment, insurance, immigration, and incarceration. Moreover, by participating in vaccine trials, volunteers will be marking themselves as people at high risk of HIV infection, another basis for disparate treatment. Researchers have suggested that federal disability discrimination law may afford protection against research-related social harms. Through close analysis of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Supreme Court's decision in Bragdon v. Abbott, this Comment demonstrates that optimistic reliance on federal disability law is misplaced. The unique issues raised by domestic AIDS vaccine trials must be addressed in their own right. The Comment accordingly concludes with a broad range of legislative and regulatory proposals to protect trial participants and advance the AIDS vaccine research agenda.
The growth of transport cector CO2 emissions and underlying factors in Latin America and the Caribbean

This study examines the factors responsible for the growth of transport sector carbon dioxide emissions in 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries during 1980-2005 by decomposing the emissions growth into components associated with changes in fuel mix, modal shift, and economic growth, as well as changes in emission coefficients and transportation energy intensity. The key finding of the study is that economic growth and the changes in transportation energy intensity are the main factors driving transport sector carbon dioxide emissions growth in the countries considered. The results imply that fiscal policy instruments - such as subsidies to clean fuels and clean vehicles - would be more effective in reducing emissions in countries where the economic activity effect is the primary driver for transport sector carbon dioxide emissions growth. By contrast, regulatory policy instruments - such as vehicle efficiency standards and vehicle occupancy standards - would be more effective in countries where the transportation energy intensity effect is the main driver of carbon dioxide emissions growth. Both fiscal and regulatory policy instruments would be useful in countries where both economic activity and transportation energy intensity effects are responsible for driving transport sector carbon dioxide emissions growth.
Digitization workflows for flat sheets and packets of plants, algae, and fungi

Effective workflows are essential components in the digitization of biodiversity specimen collections. To date, no comprehensive, community-vetted workflows have been published for digitizing flat sheets and packets of plants, algae, and fungi, even though latest estimates suggest that only 33% of herbarium specimens have been digitally transcribed, 54% of herbaria use a specimen database, and 24% are imaging specimens. In 2012, iDigBio, the U.S. National Science Foundation's (NSF) coordinating center and national resource for the digitization of public, nonfederal U.S. collections, launched several working groups to address this deficiency. Here, we report the development of 14 workflow modules with 7–36 tasks each. These workflows represent the combined work of approximately 35 curators, directors, and collections managers representing more than 30 herbaria, including 15 NSF-supported plant-related Thematic Collections Networks and collaboratives. The workflows are provided for download as Portable Document Format (PDF) and Microsoft Word files. Customization of these workflows for specific institutional implementation is encouraged.
Provisioning of temporal QoS in Bluetooth networks

Bluetooth is a promising wireless technology that enables portable devices to form short-range wireless ad hoc networks. However, several issues must be properly addressed before its wide deployment, one of which is intra-piconet and inter-piconet scheduling. Several scheduling algorithms have been proposed, with the objective of maximizing throughput while maintaining fairness. None of them consider the issue of providing temporal quality of service (QoS). In this paper, we build upon the distance-constrained task model and its scheduling algorithm, in compliance with the Bluetooth specification, a scheduling algorithm to handle dynamic establishment and termination of connections with temporal QoS requirements. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms others in scheduling QoS sensitive connections while maintaining high throughput and low delay for non-QoS-sensitive connection.
Underwater Barking by Male Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus)

THE incessant, raucous barking in air by the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) is well known. Wenz1 presented sonograms of barks from Zalophus which were recorded during the breeding season by an underwater hydrophone at a depth of 360 feet, about 2 miles off the shore of San Clemente Island (60 miles from the coast of Southern California). These barks (like those recorded in air) were characterized by a rich harmonic structure, and an up–down–up frequency modulation, and sometimes terminated in a high upward sweep. Wenz thought that it was unlikely that these barks originated entirely in air and suggested that they were transmitted into the water by vibration of the submerged throat area while the sea lion's nose and mouth were in air.
Structural effects on the oxidation of HCOOH by bismuth modified Pt(111) electrodes with (110) monatomic steps

Abstract The maximum current density for HCOOH oxidation on deliberately stepped platinum surfaces with Pt(111) terraces of varying width and (110) monatomic steps decreases as the step density increases, or as the terrace width decreases. The maximum current densities on these surfaces are 1.6, 0.58, 0.46, and 0.39 mA cm−2 for Pt(111), Pt(554) (nine-atom wide (111) terrace), Pt(332) (five-atom wide terrace), and Pt(221) (three-atom wide terrace), respectively. When the step sites are modified by irreversibly adsorbed bismuth adatoms, the trend is reversed, and the current densities for HCOOH oxidation are enhanced to 5.4, 9.9, and 17.3 mA cm−2 for the Pt(554), Pt(332), and Pt(221) surfaces, respectively. The trend continues when bismuth is deposited on the terraces, where the maximum current densities normalized to the (111) terrace width for HCOOH oxidation are 2.8, 4.3, and 8.5 mA cm−2 per terrace atom for the Pt(554), Pt(332), and Pt(221) surfaces, respectively. That the oxidation of HCOOH on these stepped Pt surfaces is enhanced on narrow (111) terraces with high (110) step-site densities modified with bismuth suggests that a decrease in the reaction ensemble size increases its rate. In addition, bismuth appears to block the formation of strongly adsorbing reaction intermediates/poisons on the reactive step sites, and may also contribute via electronic effects to the oxidation of HCOOH.
Chronic intracochlear electrical stimulation in the neonatally deafened cat. II: Temporal properties of neurons in the inferior colliculus

The major focus of this study was to define the effects of chronic intracochlear electrical stimulation (ICES) on single unit responses in the inferior colliculus from three experimental groups: 1) normal adults 2) neonatally-deafened/unstimulated adults; and 3) neonatally-deafened/chronically stimulated adults. The major findings include: 1) IC neurons in normal adults showed a diversity of perstimulus responses to ICES which were qualitatively similar to those evoked by acoustic stimuli. They responded with: an onset burst, a sustained discharge, a decrease in their spontaneous activity, or a strong post-stimulus response. The excitatory responses showed either a monotonic or a nonmonotonic increase in activity with increasing stimulus intensity. Response latencies ranged from 5 to over 40 ms. 2) Responses to ICES in normal and deafened/unstimulated animals were virtually indistinguishable from one another. 3) In contrast, responses to ICES in neonatally deafened stimulated animals were different from normal and from deafened, unstimulated animals. Their perstimulus response latencies were significantly shorter, their late response latencies were significantly longer, and the frequency of occurrence of inhibitory and late responses were significantly higher. From these results we conclude that the responses to intracochlear electrical stimulation are directly comparable to those observed following normal acoustic stimulation; that development of cochleotopic organization of the inferior colliculus is not affected by the almost complete lack of normal acoustic input experienced by neonatally deafened animals; and that the basic response properties of IC units are likewise unaffected by neonatal deafening. Moreover, the results suggest that, although the limited regime of electrical stimulation employed in these studies produced no major qualitative distortions in the perstimulus response patterns of IC neurons, it did result in some quantitative changes in those responses.
Design of buildings for life safety — Part II

This is a continuation of the author’s examination of conventional fire protection practices.
A distributed reinforcement learning approach to mission survivability in tactical MANETs

In this paper we present an ongoing research to develop a distributed reinforcement learning approach for mission survivability that combines two basic strategies for mission resilience: a) mission decomposition and distribution with replication of critical components, and b) differential task allocation based on estimated level of threat. Level of threat is estimated from a locally perceived attack, or the possibility of an attack, based on threat information that is shared between similar nodes.
African American Young Adult Smoking Initiation: Identifying Intervention Points and Prevention Opportunities

Background African Americans have one of the lowest smoking rates as teens yet have one of the highest smoking rates as adults. Approximately 40% of African Americans who have ever smoked started smoking between the ages of 18 and 21. Purpose This study aimed to identify why African American young adults began smoking in young adulthood and what personal, social, and environmental influences promoted the transition to regular smoking. Methods Twelve focus groups were conducted with African American young adults (n = 99) between the ages of 18 and 29 who began smoking regularly after the age of 18. Results Participants did not smoke while they were younger because of strong maternal antismoking messages, out of respect for elders, or because they smoked marijuana instead. Factors influencing smoking initiation were perceived smoking social norms, changing parental messages about smoking, believing that smoking was an adult coping strategy, and extending a marijuana high. Discussion African American young a...
Characterization of implant displacement and deformation in gynecologic interstitial brachytherapy

Purpose To determine the uncertainties in implant position during multifraction gynecologic interstitial brachytherapy, we analyzed the interfraction displacements and deformations of gynecologic interstitial implants.
Structural heterogeneity of type I collagen triple helix and its role in osteogenesis imperfecta.

We investigated regions of different helical stability within human type I collagen and discussed their role in intermolecular interactions and osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). By differential scanning calorimetry and circular dichroism, we measured and mapped changes in the collagen melting temperature (ΔTm) for 41 different Gly substitutions from 47 OI patients. In contrast to peptides, we found no correlations of ΔTm with the identity of the substituting residue. Instead, we observed regular variations in ΔTm with the substitution location in different triple helix regions. To relate the ΔTm map to peptide-based stability predictions, we extracted the activation energy of local helix unfolding (ΔG‡) from the reported peptide data. We constructed the ΔG‡ map and tested it by measuring the H-D exchange rate for glycine NH residues involved in interchain hydrogen bonds. Based on the ΔTm and ΔG‡ maps, we delineated regional variations in the collagen triple helix stability. Two large, flexible regions deduced from the ΔTm map aligned with the regions important for collagen fibril assembly and ligand binding. One of these regions also aligned with a lethal region for Gly substitutions in the α1(I) chain.
Use of percentage of free prostate-specific antigen to identify men at high risk of prostate cancer when PSA levels are 2.51 to 4 ng/mL and digital rectal examination is not suspicious for prostate cancer: an alternative model.

Abstract Objectives. Currently, many clinicians do not recommend prostate biopsy for men with digital rectal examination (DRE) results that are not suspicious for cancer and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values between 2.51 and 4 ng/mL. We propose a new model for the detection of prostate cancer using the percentage of free PSA (%FPSA) in the limited range of PSA values between 2.51 and 4 ng/mL that maximizes clinical specificity (ie, minimizes false-positive results). This model identifies higher risk patients in this relatively low-risk population. Methods. Three hundred sixty-eight archived serum samples from men evaluated and treated at two academic institutions were reviewed. All men had a histologic diagnosis, findings not suspicious for cancer on DRE, and PSA levels between 2.51 and 4 ng/mL. Samples were tested in Hybritech’s Tandem-R PSA and Tandem-R free PSA (FPSA) assays in the same laboratory at each institution. Results. Various models for cancer detection using %FPSA when PSA is 2.51 to 4 ng/mL and DRE is not suspicious for cancer are proposed. These models recommend biopsy for only 10% to 36% of the men in this population and would identify as many as 30% to 54% of the detectable cancers. There is evidence that the cancers that would be detected are the most aggressive cancers in this population. Conclusions. Our models identified men with a higher risk of prostate cancer in a relatively low-risk population that currently does not routinely undergo biopsy. This may allow for a more cost-effective way to increase cancer detection when PSA values are between 2.51 and 4 ng/mL and DRE is not suspicious for cancer. This model has the potential to detect a greater number of clinically important and potentially curable cancers than would be detected with current practice.
Duality for a class of continuous-time homogeneous fractional programming problems

In this note we present a continuous-time analogue of a duality formulation due to Craven and Mond for a class of homogeneous fractional programming problems. In this duality formulation, the dual problem is also a fractional program with the same objective function as the primal problem.
Comments on the paper by C. R. Chapman: Chronology of terrestrial planet evolution—the evidence from Mercury

Abstract Despite the negative tone of Chapman's article, it is pointed out that there is substantial agreement between his opinions and those given in my previous publications on this subject. These areas of agreement are identified and distinguished from those which require further investigation or discussion. It is also pointed out that the apparent discrepancy between the small crater population on the Mercury intercrater terrain and the lunar plains may argue against a simultaneous late heavy bombardment. Suggested ways to resolve this discrepancy should be thoroughly evaluated. The primary need at this time is to identify further specific observational, experimental, or theoretical tests in order to advance beyond the stage of agreeing that the available evidence permits a simultaneous late heavy bombardment, to the more difficult task of determining whether or not it probably occurred.
An Engineered Factor Va Prevents Bleeding Induced by Anticoagulant wt Activated Protein C

Objective: An increased risk of bleeding is observed in patients receiving activated protein C (APC), which may be a limiting factor for the application of novel APC therapies. Since APC’s therapeutic effects often require its cytoprotective activities on cells but not APC’s anticoagulant activities, an agent that specifically antagonizes APC’s anticoagulant effects but not its cytoprotective effects could provide an effective means to control concerns for risk of bleeding. We hypothesized that super FVa, an engineered activated FVa-variant that restores hemostasis in hemophilia could reduce APC-induced bleeding. Approach and Results: Super FVa was engineered with mutations of the APC cleavage sites (Arg506/306/679Gln) and a disulfide bond (Cys609-Cys1691) between the A2 and A3 domains, which augment its biological activity and cause high resistance to APC. Super FVa normalized APC-prolonged clotting times and restored APC-suppressed thrombin generation in human and murine plasma at concentrations where wild-type (wt) FVa did not show effects. Following intravenous injection of APC into BALB/c mice, addition to whole blood ex vivo of super FVa but not wt-FVa significantly normalized whole blood clotting. Blood loss following tail clip or liver laceration was significantly reduced when super FVa was administered intravenously to BALB/c mice prior to intravenous APC-treatment. Furthermore, super FVa abolished mortality (,50%) associated with excessive bleeding following liver laceration in mice treated with APC. Conclusions: Our results provide proof of concept that super FVa is effective in preventing APC-induced bleeding and may provide therapeutic benefits as a prohemostatic agent in various situations where bleeding is a serious risk.
Further characterization of female sterile (1) 1304 mutant of Drosophila melanogaster

The Drosophila melanogastor mutant fs(1) 1304 (1-19 ± 2) has been characterized using various experimental approaches. The mutant ap4 (2-55.2), used as a control in some of the experiments reported in this paper, has also been examined more carefully. Electrophoresis of ovarian extracts from the mutants on polyacrylamide gels yield results suggesting that vitellogenesis is completely inhibited in ap4/ap4 females, while it proceeds at an abnormally slow rate in fs/fs females. Both mutants accumulate hemolymph proteins in amounts in excess of those found in the hemolymph of wild type females, suggesting that uptake of proteins from the hemolymph is affected by both the mutant genes. Qualitative differences in the banding patterns obtained from the hemolymph of wild type and ap4 female suggest that homozygous ap4 females may also be defective in the synthesis or processing of yolk proteins. Three of the protein bands observed in our electropherograms are suspected to represent yolk proteins, and an additional band is thought to represent an aggregate of the three yolk proteins. Neither juvenile hormone nor ecdysone treatment enhance vitellogenesis in fs(1)1304, although ap4 females produce yolky oocytes after JH treatment, in agreement with previously reported results. Ovarian transplantation studies suggest that fs(1)1304 behaves autonomously. Previous studies have shown that ap4 females behave non-autonomously.
Assignment of Configuration of Dehydrochlorination Products of Mitotane

The drug of choice in the treatment of adrenal cortical carcinoma is mitotane (o,p'-DDD). The two geometric isomers obtained on dehydrochlorination of mitotane were separated for the first time and characterized. Analysis of the NMR spectra and the results of dipole moment measurements conclusively prove that the assignment of configuration of these compounds in the literature is incorrect. These compounds may be metabolites of mitotane.
β-Sitosterol modulates TLR4 receptor expression and intracellular MyD88-dependent pathway activation in J774A.1 murine macrophages

Recent evidence has shown that dietary phytosterols (PS) possess anti-inflammatory properties both in vivo and in vitro. Our previous work shows that PS β-Sitosterol (SIT), may function by down-regulating pro-inflammatory transcription factors NF-kB and STAT1 in response to LPS stimulation, possibly through modulation of the TLR4 pathway. The objective in this study was to determine the effects of SIT on TLR4 surface expression and localization into lipid rafts, as well as to investigate its effects on intracellular MyD88 dependent pathway activation. J774A.1 macrophages were pre-treated with cyclodextrin vehicle loaded with cholesterol or SIT, then stimulated with LPS (100 ng/ml) for 30 min. ImageStream cytometry demonstrated that SIT down-regulates TLR4 expression without affecting lipid raft distribution. Western blot demonstrated that SIT down-regulated the adaptor protein MyD88 and the activity of IRAK1 but increased SOCS3 expression. Together, these results provide evidence that SIT may indeed elicit anti-inflammatory properties by down-regulating some components of the TLR4 pathway.
Defining determinacy: Components of the sentencing process ensuring equity and release certainty

Determinate sentencing has gained in popularity in recent years, yet the specific meaning of determinacy is not universally accepted. Determinacy is viewed as a means for providing prisoners with release certainty, a mechanism for increasing fairness in the sentencing process, or both. The purpose of this paper is to define the components of determinacy and to articulate the conditions of the sentencing and post-adjudication process necessary to fulfill these criteria. The discussion of fairness in sentencing is restricted to issues of procedural equity, or the degree to which sentencing decisions are made reliably. Release predictability involves providing inmates early in their prison stays with knowledge concerning their release dates. Sentencing equity and predictability depend on how the sentencing model is structured to deal with a series of discretionary decisions affecting criminal defendants throughout the judicial and correctional process. Six choice points are considered, three pertaining to th...
Upside-down spleen as cause of suprarenal mass

An upside-down configuration of the spleen can be mistaken for a left suprarenal mass. A radioisotopic liver-spleen scan will demonstrate a characteristic appearance of the spleen with its hilus superiorly and its convex border medially and adjacent to the kidney. When a left suprarenal mass is identified, we advocate the liver-spleen scan as the first step in the diagnostic workup. If the typical configuration is found, no further studies are necessary.
Low factor XII level in an individual with Sotos syndrome

Sotos syndrome is an overgrowth disorder that manifests characteristic dysmorphic features, neurological problems, and an increased risk for cancers and heart defects. Alterations of NSD1 are responsible for this disease. A subset of cases arise from deletions, which is of interest as the factor XII locus lies in close proximity to NSD1. This case report describes an individual with Sotos syndrome and factor XII deficiency, providing a potential link between these two genes and, consequently, expanding the clinical phenotype of Sotos syndrome.
6-Bromo-6-deoxy-l-ascorbic Acid AN ASCORBATE ANALOG SPECIFIC FOR Na+-DEPENDENT VITAMIN C TRANSPORTER BUT NOT GLUCOSE TRANSPORTER PATHWAYS

Abstract Vitamin C intracellular accumulation is mediated by Na+-dependent vitamin C transporters SVCT1 and -2 and dehydroascorbic acid transporters GLUT1 and -3. It is unclear which pathways dominate in vivo. As a new step to resolve this issue, we identified and tested 6-bromo-6-deoxy-l-ascorbic acid as a specific candidate for SVCTs. In high performance liquid chromatography and electron paramagnetic resonance analyses, the reduced compounds ascorbic acid and 6-bromo-6-deoxy-l-ascorbic acid were similar. The oxidized products 6-bromo-6-deoxy dehydroascorbic acid (BrDHA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) had comparable stabilities, based on reduction recoveries. Upon expression of GLUT1 or GLUT3 in Xenopus oocytes, BrDHA was neither transported nor bound, in contrast to robust transport of DHA. The findings were not explained by differences in the oocyte reduction of DHA and BrDHA because lysed oocytes reduced both compounds equally. Further, there was no transport of the reduced compound, 6-bromo-6-deoxy-l-ascorbic acid, by GLUT1 or GLUT3. As a prerequisite for investigating 6-bromo-6-deoxy-l-ascorbic acid transported by SVCTs, SVCT2 transport activity in oocytes was enhanced 14-fold by construction and use of a vector that added a fixed poly(A) tail to the 3′ end of cRNA. For SVCT1 and SVCT2 expressed in oocytes, similar Km and Vmax values were observed for ascorbic acid and 6-bromo-6-deoxy-l-ascorbic acid. In human fibroblasts, predicted to have SVCT-mediated ascorbate accumulation, Km and Vmax values were again comparable for ascorbic acid and 6-bromo-6-deoxy-l-ascorbic acid. Using activated human neutrophils, predicted to have ascorbate accumulation mediated predominantly by DHA and GLUT transporters, 6-bromo-6-deoxy-l-ascorbic acid accumulation was <1% of accumulation when compared with ascorbic acid. We conclude that 6-bromo-6-deoxy-l-ascorbic acid is the first transport substrate identified as completely specific for SVCTs, but not GLUTs, and provide a new strategy to determine the contribution of each pathway to ascorbate accumulation.
The evaluation of the glycoside, oleandrin, on the embryo chick heart

Embryonic chick hearts of 48- to 50-hour development were dissected by known methods and exposed to glycosidal-Tyrode solutions in prewarmed chambers of 39°. Atrioventricular block took place in the majority of instances and was taken as the end point. Occasionally dropped beats or diastolic arrest occurred first, and in such cases these were taken as the end point. Twelve hearts were used for five concentrations of the drug. The length of the complete systole-diastole heart cycle, measured in seconds, was taken at minute intervals. The pharmacologic evidence indicated that the glycoside, oleandrin, has a cardiotonic action on the embryo chick heart. The results follow a quantitative pattern in relation to the speed of the complete heart cycle to the potency of the drug, the end result demonstrating cardiac fibrillations ending in atrioventricular block.
A tether system for psychophysiological studies in the dog

A system for monitoring blood pressure or other physiological variables in the unanesthetized and chronically instrumented dog is described. An indwelling catheter attaches to a pressure transducer affixed to the underside of a leather shield, which snaps onto a custom-fitted leather vest worn by the dog. The transducer cable ascends vertically through a hollow, flexible, stainless steel tether, which is attached at the lower end to the leather shield and at the upper end to a fluid and electrical swivel. The swivel is attached to an overhead counterbalanced boom assembly, which moves in concert with the dog, maintaining a constant minimal tension on the tether. The boom assembly is attached to a wall plate via a universal joint approximately 7 ft above floor level. Dogs can be maintained comfortably in this system 24 h/day over periods of months, with freedom of posture and movement, including rotational behavior. The system is economical to construct and provides versatile stimulation and record-ing capability and reliable long-term performance.
β-Amyloid-induced calcium influx induces apoptosis in culture by oxidative stress rather than tau phosphorylation

β-Amyloid (βA) toxicity in culture is accompanied by multiple events culminating in apoptosis. Calcium influx may represent the initial event, since calcium chelation prevents all subsequent events, while subsequent events include increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hyperphosphorylation of tau. In the present study, we undertook to determine whether ROS generation or tau hyperphosphorylation mediate βA-induced apoptosis. The anti-oxidant vitamin E or the kinase inhibitor N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenslfonamide (W7) was added following brief treatment of differentiated SH-SY-5Y human neuroblastoma cells with 22 μM βA. Under these conditions, vitamin E prevented ROS generation and apoptosis, but did not prevent intracellular calcium accumulation or tau phosphorylation. W7 prevented tau phosphorylation but did not block βA-induced calcium influx, ROS generation or apoptosis. While these studies do not address the long-term consequences of PHF formation, they indicate that ROS generation, rather than tau hyperphosphorylation, leads to apoptosis following βA-induced calcium influx into cultured cells.
Lie group analysis for the effects of temperature-dependent fluid viscosity and chemical reaction on MHD free convective heat and mass transfer with variable stream conditions

This paper concerns with a steady two-dimensional flow of an electrically conducting incompressible fluid over a vertical stretching surface. The flow is permeated by a uniform transverse magnetic field. The fluid viscosity is assumed to vary as a linear function of temperature. A scaling group of transformations is applied to the governing equations. The system remains invariant due to some relations among the parameters of the transformations. After finding three absolute invariants a third-order ordinary differential equation corresponding to the momentum equation and two second-order ordinary differential equation corresponding to energy and diffusion equations are derived. The equations along with the boundary conditions are solved numerically. It is found that the decrease in the temperature-dependent fluid viscosity makes the velocity to decrease with the increasing distance of the stretching sheet. At a particular point of the sheet the fluid velocity decreases with the decreasing viscosity but the temperature increases in this case. It is found that with the increase of magnetic field intensity the fluid velocity decreases but the temperature increases at a particular point of the heated stretching surface. Impact of chemical reaction in the presence of thermal radiation plays an important role on the concentration boundary layer. The results thus obtained are presented graphically and discussed.
Coal liquids distillation tower corrosion: titrations relating the acidity and the corrosive chlorides

Abstract Coal-derived liquids containing chlorides have resulted in severe corrosion incidents in the distillation area of direct coal liquefaction plants. The chloride is present, in corrosive coal liquids, in an amount equivalent to the acidity that is titratable by sodium hydroxide. The curve obtained for the coal liquids titration is essentially the same as the one obtained for the titration of an amine hydrochloride solution. The corrosive chloride is exchangeable. The experimental results support the view that the corrosive species in coal liquids containing chloride are amine hydrochlorides.
Graphene on nanoscale gratings for the generation of terahertz Smith-Purcell radiation

Generation of THz radiation based on the Smith-Purcell effect in graphene is investigated numerically. The specific device geometry considered involves an electrically biased single-layer sheet of graphene deposited on a periodic array of holes in a solid substrate. Rigorous electrodynamic simulations combined with a basic model of charge transport are presented, showing that technologically significant output power levels can be obtained at geometrically tunable THz frequencies. These results suggest that graphene is a uniquely suited materials platform for the demonstration of THz electron-beam radiation mechanisms in compact solid-state systems.
Prevalence and location of nodal metastases in distal esophageal adenocarcinoma confined to the wall: Implications for therapy

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the prevalence and location of regional lymph node metastases in adenocarcinoma confined to the esophagal wall, to determine the extent of dissection required, and to investigate the applicability of nonoperative therapy. Methods: Histologic evaluation of the resected specimens after en bloc esophagogastrectomy with mediastinal and abdominal lymphadenectomy was performed on 37 patients with adenocarcinoma confined to the esophageal wall. Follow-up was complete in all patients (median 24 months). Results: Fifteen patients (41%) had intramucosal tumors. Twelve (32%) had submucosal tumors and 10 (27%) had muscular invasion. The prevalence of regional lymph node metastases (15/37 patients, 41%) increased progressively with depth of tumor invasion, with involved nodes identified in 80% of patients with muscular invasion. Lymph node metastases were also more common at distant node stations in intramuscular tumors (5/10, 50%). Actuarial survival for the entire group was 63% at 5 years. Recurrence was identified in 6 of the 37 patients (16%), with the risk of recurrence correlating with tumor depth. Conclusions: Tumor depth is a strong predictor of the probabilities of regional lymph node metastases, the likelihood of involvement of distant node groups, and the risk of recurrence. Patients with invasion of the muscular wall are at particularly high risk. En bloc esophagectomy with mediastinal and abdominal lymphadenectomy has the highest likelihood of achieving an R 0 resection. The long-term survival and low recurrence rate achieved with an en bloc esophagectomy emphasizes the importance of an aggressive lymph node dissection to remove all potentially involved nodes. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117:16-25)
Comparative complexation behavior of the rare earths

Abstract Linear free energy relationships (LFERs) have been used to assess the general character of rare earth element (REE) solution complexation. These analyses demonstrate that the coherence of interelement complexation behavior changes substantially across the fifteen-member series of REEs. The most coherent interelement relationships with a single rare earth reference element and the remaining rare earths as a group are obtained by referencing rare earth complexation behavior to Dy. The least coherent relationships are obtained using Pr or Nd as reference elements. Across the rare earth series of elements a light rare earth pattern of complexation behavior (La-Eu) and a heavy rare earth pattern of complexation behavior (Tb-Lu) is observed. At the junction of these light (LREE) and heavy (HREE) rare earth element series, Gd appears to behave as a HREE for weak (outersphere) complexation and as a LREE for strong (innersphere) complexation. Due to the unique position of Gd among two trends of complexation behavior, the solution chemistry of Gd may appear anomalous with respect to the complexation behavior of its immediate neighbors. Other than that observed for Gd, our work provides no evidence for substantial “breaks”, junction points, or apparent anomalies in the average behavior of aqueous REE stability constants. The quantitative LFER results obtained in this work can be used to examine the complexation characteristics of individual ligands in the context of typical (average) REE complexation behavior. Such examinations reveal that substantial deviations from “average” behavior are common. This observation demonstrates, in a geochemical context, that detailed observation of REE complexation by organic ligands on particle surfaces is required to understand REE behavior in the organic-rich marine environment.
The exponent of the calcium power function is reduced during steady-state facilitation in neuron R15 of Aplysia.

Abstract Stimulation of the right pleurovisceral connective at frequencies greater than 0.2 Hz produces a steady-state facilitation of the Input 1 excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) in neuron R15 of Aplysia. The magnitude of facilitation is reduced by increases in the concentration of extracellular calcium. Unfacilitated EPSPs (EPSP1) exhibited a power function dependence on the concentration of extracellular calcium with an exponent (XEPSP1) of approximately 3. The exponent for facilitated released (XEPSPSS) was examined by comparing steady-state EPSP amplitudes obtained in different static concentrations of calcium (Method A), or by changing the calcium concentration during continuous stimulation and determining changes in steady state EPSP amplitudes (Method B). Method A failed to reveal any dependence of XEPSPSS on stimulation frequency, while Method B revealed frequency-dependent changes in XEPSPSS consistent with the hypothesis that presynaptic calcium accumulation is at least partly responsible for steady-state facilitation. At a stimulation frequency of 0.5 Hz, the XEPSPSS value was significantly reduced to 2/3 of the XEPSP1 value.
Molecular analysis of the LYS2 gene of Candida albicans: homology to peptide antibiotic synthetases and the regulation of the alpha-aminoadipate reductase.

The unique α-aminoadipate pathway for lysine biosynthesis is present only in fungi and involves eight enzyme steps. α-Aminoadipate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, commonly called α-aminoadipate reductase (AAR), catalyzes the conversion of α-aminoadipic acid to α-aminoadipic semialdehyde by a novel mechanism. Two genes, LYS2 and LYS5, encode the heterodimeric enzyme in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The LYS2 gene of Candida albicans was shown to be contained in the 4.8-kb insert of the plasmid pCaLYS2. This plasmid complemented lys2 mutants of both S. cerevisiae and C. albicans. The S. cerevisiae and C. albicans Lys2+ transformants exhibited 138% and 160% of wild-type AAR activity, respectively. The DNA-sequence analysis of the 4.8-kb region in plasmid pCaLYS2 and a PCR product from genomic DNA which overlapped with the 4.8-kb insert revealed a continuous ORF of 4173 nucleotides encoding 1391 amino-acid residues. The C. albicans LYS2 ORF exhibited 63.0% identity at the nucleotide level and 56.2% identity at the amino-acid level to the LYS2 gene of S. cerevisiae. The ORF is preceded by consensus sequences for the TATA-, CAAT- and GCN4-box elements. An S. cerevesiae-type transcription termination signal is seen in the 3′ flanking region. The deduced amino-acid sequence revealed a motif for an AMP-binding site and also the highly conserved core sequences common to peptide antibiotic synthetases. The LYS2 mRNA and α-aminoadipate reductase activity were repressed to a higher level in YEPD-grown cells than in cells grown in the presence of lysine or minimal medium. Additionally, AAR was shown to be feedback-inhibited by lysine and the lysine analog, thialysine. The results of the present report reveal the molecular characteristics of the LYS2 gene of C. albicans, its homology to peptide antibiotic synthetases, its divergence from the LYS2 gene of S. cerevisiae, and the regulation of AAR in C. albicans.
Uniqueness of renormalized quantities in dimensional regularization

It is proved that in any order of perturbation expansion the dimensionally regularized Feynman integration may be multiplied by an arbitrary analytic function of the space-time dimension, which can be absorbed in the redefinition of the bare coupling constants so that the finite renormalized quantities are unchanged. It is also shown that the Ward-Takahashi identities of a gauge theory are unaffected by this multiplication factor. A most convenient choice of the multiplicative analytic function is suggested and the effective potential of massless $\ensuremath{\lambda}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{4}$ theory is calculated in the two-loop approximation as an explicit example.
Bulk and surface states analysis in a‐Si:H by Schottky and MIS tunnel diodes capacitance and conductance measurements

An experimental and theoretical study of both the capacitance and the conductance of Schottky and MIS tunnel diodes made on undoped a‐SI:H, versus frequency, temperature, and voltage is presented in this paper. It is based on a general model using an equivalent electrical circuit of the devices, which permits an unambiguous distinction to be made between the contributions of bulk surface states, to determine their respective densities and to analyze their kinetic properties, It is shown that the bulk density of states (DOS) can be determined from capacitance and conductance measurements versus temperature and frequency on both Schottky and MIS devices, provided the modulation frequency is high enough to prevent any contribution from surface states. It is demonstrated that capacitance‐voltage characteristics of Schottky diodes cannot provide reliable information about either bulk or surface as the diffusion theory and not the thermionic theory is appropriate to describe the transport of electrons across th...
X—The Structure-in-things: Existence, Essence and Logic

It has been common in contemporary philosophical logic to separate existence, essence and logic. I would like to reverse these separative tendencies. Doing so yields two theses, one about the existential basis of truth, the other about the essentialist basis of logic. The first thesis counters the common claim that both logical and essential truths—in short, structural truths—are existence-free. It is proposed that only real existences can generate essentialist and logical predications. The second thesis counters the common assumption that logic is free of essentialist involvement. I propose the contrary—logical predications are to be explained as a special kind of essentialist attributions.
Magnetic resonance imaging detection and wire localization of an 'occult' breast cancer.

An occult breast cancer was detected and wire localization performed using magnetic resonance imaging.
Client and provider perspectives regarding the stigma of and nonstigmatizing interventions for depression.

Fifty clients and providers narrated their experiences with the stigma associated with seeking care for depression and/or suicidal ideation. Participants also shared their perspectives on ways to minimize stigma. The narrative interviews were audiotaped, transcribed into text, and then interpreted using an interpretive phenomenological method. Open communication; community awareness, education, and prevention; as well as community-centered and in-home services were identified as ways to minimize stigma and enhance the care available to depressed or suicidal individuals. The importance of modifying health care providers' attitudes and changing the climate of inpatient services were also highlighted as priorities by the participants.
Modulation of Polyglutamine Conformations and Associations by C-Terminal Proline Rich Regions from Exon 1 of Huntingtin

Huntington's disease (HD) is associated with CAG repeats within exon 1 that lead to polyglutamine (polyQ) expansions in the protein huntingtin (htt). Proteolysis of htt leads to products that can be trafficked into the nucleus and form neuronal intranuclear inclusions. The presence / absence of flanking sequences namely, the N-terminal 17-residue amphipathic stretch (Nt17h-htt) and the C-terminal 38-residue proline-rich stretch (Ct38h-htt) in products of proteolysis have a profound effect on the HD phenotype in animal models (where h-htt denotes human-htt). The biophysical basis for the effects of these flanking sequences remains unresolved. Here, we focus on the influence of different proline-rich C-terminal sequences on the conformations of and intermolecular associations through the polyQ tract. The flanking sequences include Ct38h-htt and Ct31m-htt (the mouse 31-residue C-terminal proline-rich region).We used atomistic simulations based on the ABSINTH implicit solvation model and underlying forcefield paradigm to quantify the nature of the coupling between C-terminal flanking sequences and polyQ tracts for different polyQ lengths. There are clear differences between the intrinsic and context dependent properties of Ct31m-htt and Ct38h-htt. Detailed analyses of the monomer conformations and intermolecular associations of polyQ in cis with different synthetic and naturally occurring C-terminal proline-rich stretches identify how flanking sequences modulate aggregation mechanisms. These results might be important for recent studies in animal models that show different toxicity profiles between transgenic animals expressing different C-terminal proline-rich sequences.This work was supported by grant 5R01NS056114 from the National Institutes of Health.
The Matalisi: pathway to early sexual initiation among the youth of Mpigi Uganda.

This paper describes the role and personal characteristics of the “matalisi,’’ a previously unreported phenomenon uncovered during a study of youth sexual behavior in Uganda. The “matalisi,’’ a go-between, played a central role in sexual relationships of most youth in Mpigi, Uganda. The first phase of the study was an ethnographic inquiry of youth (ages 10–16) sexual behavior. During this phase it became evident that matalisis were used in most courtships and initial sexual liaisons. The second phase included a sociometric investigation of youth networks and a mini survey of youth who had been matalisis. Among youth interviewed, 47.3% of males (105/222) and 14.1% of females (42/298) had experienced sexual intercourse. For 88%, participating as someone’s matalisi preceded first coitus. By understanding the role of the matalisi, interventions may be developed to improve sex education and more effectively address sexual behaviors that lead to unwanted pregnancies, STIs, and HIV infection.
Single-leader–multiple-follower games with boundedly rational agents

Abstract This paper studies a class of hierarchical games called single-leader–multiple-follower games (SLMFGs) that have important applications in economics and engineering. We consider such games in the context of boundedly rational agents that are limited in the information and computational power they may possess. Agents in our SLMFG are modeled as adaptive learners that use simple reinforcement learning schemes to learn their optimal behavior. The proposed learning approach is illustrated using a well-studied problem in economics. It is shown that with a patiently learning leader the repeated plays of the game result in approximate equilibrium outcomes.