cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elastic and optical properties of rutile-structure fluorides in the rigid-ion approximation

The elastic constants and the infrared and Raman frequencies of the difluorides XF2 with X = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn have been calculated for a rigid ion model with an effective ionic charge and with first and second nearest neighbor central force short range interaction. Explicit expressions for the elastic constants are given with the internal strain contributions expressed in terms of the Raman frequencies. The nine parameters of the model are determined from the three equilibrium conditions and from least squares fits over some or all available experimental elastic and optical data. The model is able to account well for the magnitude of the experimental data and for their almost monotonic decrease with increasing cation radius, but the calculated deviations from the Cauchy relations are smaller than the observed values. Die elastischen Konstanten sowie die Frequenzen der ultrarot- und Raman-aktiven Schwingungen wurdenfur die Difluoride XF2 mit X = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn auf der Grundlage des Modells starrer Ionen mit einer effektiven Ladung und mit kurzreichweitigen Zentralkraften zwischen nachsten und ubernachstsn Nachbarn berechnet. Es werden explizite Gleichungen fur die elastischen Konstanten angegeben, wobei der Beitrag der inneren Verzcrrungen durch die Raman-aktiven Frequenzen ausgedruckt wird. Die neun Parameter des Modells wurden mittels der drei Gleichgewichtsbedingungen und mittels der Methode der kleinsten Quadrate aus einem Teil oder ails samtlichen verfugbaren experimentellen elastischen und optischen Daten bestimmt. Der Betrag der experimentellen Grosen sowie ihre beinahe monotone Abnahme mit zunehmendem Kationenradius werden durch das Modell gut beschrieben, jedoch sind die berechneten Abweichungen von den Cauchy-Relationen kleiner als die beobachteten Werte.
Adrenocortical atrophy and diffuse cerebral sclerosis (Addison-Schilder's disease).

Clinical histopathologic observations and studies of steroid excretion are described ina 5-year-old Negro male in whom classical Addison's disease preceded the development of diffuse cerebral sclerosis (Schilder's disease). Although the first reported in this country, the patient described here is the eleventh in whom the coexistence of these diseases has been documented. The frequency with which the concurrence of adrenocortical atrophy and Schilder'sdisease has been described, its appearance as a familial illness, and other characteristic clinical features suggest that the association represents a distinct clinical syndrome.
Remarks on frequency domain methods for Volterra integral equations

Abstract The equation u(t) = − ∫0t A(t − τ) g(u(τ)) dτ + h(t), t ⩾ 0 is studied on a Hilbert space H. A(t) is a family of bounded linear operators and g can be unbounded and nonlinear. Stability and asymptotic stability of solutions are studied. Frequency domain conditions are statements about the Laplace transform of A. An extension of the frequency domain method of Popov for H = R1 is given. Here it is assumed that g is the gradient of a functional G. The frequency domain conditions are related to monotonicity and convexity conditions on A thus connecting Popov's result with work of Levin and London on equations in R1. A second result is given in which g is not assumed to be a gradient. This extends a result of Levin in R1. The ideas are illustrated by an example of a nonlinear partial differential functional equation.
Changing paternity and the risk of preterm delivery in the subsequent pregnancy.

I studied whether changing a partner, and thus changing the likelihood of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) sharing between mating partners, affects the risk of preterm delivery in the subsequent pregnancy. I identified a total of 128,239 women who had two consecutive births during 1989-1991 through data linkage of the California birth certificates. Paternal date of birth and names on the records of the two consecutive births were compared to determine whether the same father was reported on both records. Three cohorts of women were formed on the basis of the gestational age of their first delivery: 36 weeks. If parental HLA sharing is associated with preterm delivery, the likelihood of HLA sharing was expected to be in a decreasing order from most likely among a 36-week cohort. Among women in the 36-week cohort, changing partners led to a 16% increase in the risk of early preterm delivery in the subsequent pregnancy (95% CI = 1.04-1.30). Among women in the 34-36-week cohort, changing partners did not affect the risk of preterm delivery (95% CI = 0.78-1.25). These estimates were adjusted for maternal race/ethnicity, age, educational level, prenatal smoking, prenatal care, parity, and interval from birth to conception of the subsequent pregnancy. The findings from this study suggest that the effect of changing paternity depends on the pregnancy outcome with the previous partner and support the hypothesis that parental HLA sharing may be related to preterm delivery.
Employment Patterns in a Capital-Rich, Labour-Poor Country: Qatar as a Case Study

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to examine the dynamics of employment creation in a small labour-importing country, Qatar. The main findings of the study suggest that a general decline in worker productivity has taken place in the country. This decline is evidenced primarily by the lack of a strong link between increases in employment and corresponding increases in output. In part, this phenomenon reflects the excessive retention and even expansion of the number of public sector workers, during a period of contraction of employment opportunities in the mixed (and presumably private) sectors.
The predictors of distant relapse following conservative surgery and radiotherapy for early breast cancer are similar to those following mastectomy.

Abstract Although previous studies have indicated that the predictors of local recurrence following conservative surgery (CS) and radiotherapy (RT) are not the same as those following mastectomy, it remains unclear whether the predictors of distant relapse differ by local treatment modality. Clinical and pathologic features predictive of distant relapse for patients treated with mastectomy have been well established and include lymph node involvement, histologic grade, and peritumoral lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI). To study the influence of these and other factors on the rate of distant relapse in patients treated with CS and RT, we have identified a group of 438 patients treated between 1968 and 1981 who met the following criteria: primary tumor size 5 cm, excision of the primary tumor, infiltrating ductal carcinoma as the most aggressive histologic subtype, histology evaluable for the presence of an extensive intraductal component, and a dose to the primary site 60 Gy. Estrogen receptor status was available in 58% of cases, 76% had an axillary dissection, and 23% were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. With a median follow-up of 89 months, 107 patients (24%) developed a distant relapse. The 5-year actuarial freedom from distant relapse (FDR) was 80%. Stepdown Cox proportional hazards regression analysis identified several factors associated with a significantly (p
A Computational Evaluation of Populations of Complexes under Atmospheric Conditions: The (H2O)2 and (CO2)2 Cases†

Various van-der-Waals or hydrogen-bonded complexes have been understood as significant components of the Earth's or other planetary atmospheres. The species can be characterized by computational-chemistry techniques. Present possibilities are illustrated with the water dimer described by flexible potentials. It is shown that the dimer mole fraction in equilibrium with the monomer should be about 0.1 -0.2% close to the Earth's surface under saturation conditions. For sample atmospheric conditions about 3 km above the surface the mole fraction decreases to some 0.004-0.005%. Another example is supplied with the carbon dioxide dimer in the Venus atmosphere, using the Stogryn-Hirschfelder treatment within a Lennard-Jones scheme and calculations based on recent quantum chemical data. The dimer mole fraction in equilibrium with carbon dioxide can be higher than 4% close to the Venus surface and the fraction should decrease with distance from the surface.
Molecular dynamics simulations of lipid bilayers

Computer simulation methods are becoming increasingly widespread as tools for studying the structure and dynamics of lipid bilayer membranes. The length scale and time scale accessible to atomic-level molecular dynamics simulations are rapidly increasing, providing insight into the relatively slow motions of molecular reorientation and translation and demonstrating that effects due to the finite size of the simulation cell can influence simulation results. Additionally, significant advances have been made in the complexity of membrane systems studied, including bilayers with cholesterol, small solute molecules, and lipid-protein and lipid-DNA complexes. Especially promising is the progress that continues to be made in the comparison of simulation results with experiment, both to validate the simulation algorithms and to aid in the interpretation of existing experimental data.
Phencyclidine-induced rotational behavior in rats with nigrostriatal lesions and its modulation by dopaminergic and cholinergic agents.

Abstract The peripheral administration of the psychotomimetic drug phencyclidine (1-(phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine hydrochloride) (PCP) induces a dose-related ipsilateral rotation in unilateral substantia nigra electrolytically-lesioned rats. The intensity of this rotation can be modulated by administration of various dopaminergic and cholinergic agents. Injection of alpha-methylparatyrosine methylester (125 mg/kg) or haloperidol (1 mg/kg) inhibited the ipsilateral circling behavior. Pimozide (1 mg/kg) also inhibited the rotation, but to a lesser extent. The injection of the anticholinergic agent trihexyphenidyl (5 mg/kg) potentiated, and the cholinometic drug arecoline (5 mg/kg), depressed the rotation induced by PCP (7.5 mg/kg). It is probable that PCP possesses significant dopaminergic and anticholinergic properties. The capacity of PCP to induce rotation in this model may be related to its effects on dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons in the rat striatum. Thus, PCP may induce rotational behavior by potentiating dopaminergic transmission, by blocking cholinergic activity, or both; both of these effects have been demonstrated to be important in the generation of circling behavior in rats with nigrostriatal lesions.
SEARCH FOR ORGANIZED ELEMENTS IN CARBONACEOUS CHONDRITES

Acknowledgment is due the New York Academy of Sciences for permission to publish Figs. 2, 4, 5, and 6 in the report "Search for organized elements in carbonaceous chondrites," by E. Anders and F. W. Fitch [ Science 138, 1392 (28 Dec. 1962)].
Conformational changes in erythrocyte membranes by prostaglandins as measured by circular dichroism.

Abstract Membranes were prepared from fresh, washed human erythrocytes by hemolysis and washing with 5 m m sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The mean residue ellipticity, [θ], of erythrocyte membrane circular dichroism was altered by prostaglandin E 1 or prostaglandin F 2α at 37 °C when observed from 250 nm to 190 nm. The decrease in negativity of [θ] with 10 −6 m prostaglandin E 1 was 12.7% at 222 nm and 17.7% at 208 nm, and with 10 −6 m prostaglandin F 2α 22.5% and 34.2%, respectively ( P −5 m to 3 × 10 −12 m was evident. A persistent alteration of [θ] with prostaglandin was observed at 37 °C. Transient change of [θ] occurred at 25 °C with prostaglandin. No change of [θ] was observed at 15 or 20 °C. Buffer or palmitic acid were without effect on membrane [θ]. Phosphatidyl inositol or methyl arachidonate caused an increase in negativity of membrane spectra. The observed alterations of membrane [θ] did not arise from changes in light scattering as the OD 700 –OD 200 of membranes was not changed by prostaglandin. Effects of prostaglandin were not dependent on light path length. The prostaglandin E 1 antagonist, 7-oxa-13-prostynoic acid, at 10 −7 m produced no change of [θ] of membrane spectra and prevented the otherwise demonstrable effects of 10 −10 m prostaglandin E 1 on [θ]. The decrease in negativity of [θ] at 222 nm is indicative of a decrease in ellipticity of membrane protein. These studies suggest that prostaglandins may act by inducing a conformational change in membrane protein.
Design issues in a CMOS implementation of a modularly-configured attached processor

Abstract Implementation of a novel modularly-configured attached processor architecture has been evaluated using I μm CMOS logic on deposited interconnect multichip module technology. The transistor count was approximately 9 million, distributed on 25 chip dies. Delay, area and power calculations were performed using the SUSPENS model. Rent's rule was found to be not applicable. Speed was calculated to be in the 150MFLOPS range. The module footprint was calculated as 90 cm2 Power dissipation per unit area was low enough to allow air cooling.
The evolutionary history of Cys-tRNACys formation

The recent discovery of an alternate pathway for indirectly charging tRNACys has stimulated a re-examination of the evolutionary history of Cys-tRNACys formation. In the first step of the pathway, O-phosphoseryl-tRNA synthetase charges tRNACys with O-phosphoserine (Sep), a precursor of the cognate amino acid. In the following step, Sep-tRNA:Cys-tRNA synthase (SepCysS) converts Sep to Cys in a tRNA-dependent reaction. The existence of such a pathway raises several evolutionary questions, including whether the indirect pathway is a recent evolutionary invention, as might be implied from its localization to the Euryarchaea, or, as evidence presented here indicates, whether this pathway is more ancient, perhaps already in existence at the time of the last universal common ancestral state. A comparative phylogenetic approach is used, combining evolutionary information from protein sequences and structures, that takes both the signature of horizontal gene transfer and the recurrence of the full canonical phylogenetic pattern into account, to document the complete evolutionary history of cysteine coding and understand the nature of this process in the last universal common ancestral state. Resulting from the historical study of tRNACys aminoacylation and the integrative perspective of sequence, structure, and function are 3D models of O-phosphoseryl-tRNA synthetase and SepCysS, which provide experimentally testable predictions regarding the identity and function of key active-site residues in these proteins. The model of SepCysS is used to suggest a sulfhydrylation reaction mechanism, which is predicted to occur at the interface of a SepCysS dimer.
Opioids, sleep, and cancer-related fatigue.

Oddly enough, little is known about the effects on sleep of commonly administered analgesic medications. Even less is known about their effect on next-day fatigue, mood, and cognitive functioning. We speculate that part of the fatigue typically experienced by cancer patients can be attributed to disruption of sleep by opioid medications they are taking. Fatigue and sleep are critical to the quality of life of cancer patients. Research is needed to assess the sleep and next-day consequences that can be expected from typical doses of different types of pain medications.
Intense laser pulse propagation, optical guiding, and wakefield generation in plasma

The nonlinear, self-consistent propagation of ultra-intense, subpicosecond laser pulses in plasmas is analyzed. Large amplitude wakefields are generated when the laser pulse length is approximately equal to the plasma wavelength. Relativistic optical guiding is found to be ineffective in preventing diffraction of pulses with lengths less than the plasma wavelength. Short, intense laser pulses can be effectively guided with preformed plasma density channels. Simulations based on a 2D-axisymmetric fluid model are discussed.
Citizenship and Democratic Doubt: The Legacy of Progressive Thought

Citizenship and Democratic Doubt: The Legacy of Progressive Thought. By Bob Pepperman Taylor. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2004. 240p. $29.95. Spanning the 1890s to World War I, the Progressive era was characterized by optimism, faith in science and reason, and a commitment to broad social reform. It is remembered, today, mainly for its achievements in combating the social ills associated with new patterns of industrialization, urbanization, and immigration, among them poverty, prostitution, and political corruption.
Isothermal Crystallization Kinetics in Simulated High-Level Nuclear Waste Glass

Crystallization kinetics of a simulated high-level waste (HLW) glass were measured and modelled. Kinetics of acmite growth in the standard HW39-4 glass were measured using the isothermal method. A time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram was generated from these data. Classical glass-crystal transformation kinetic models were empirically applied to the crystallization data. These models adequately describe the kinetics of crystallization in complex HLW glasses (i.e., RSquared = 0.908). An approach to measurement, fitting, and use of TTT diagrams for prediction of crystallinity in a HLW glass canister is proposed.
A new model for Schizosaccharomyces pombe telomere recognition: the telomeric single-stranded DNA-binding activity of Pot11-389.

Abstract The protection of telomeres 1 (Pot1) proteins specifically recognize the single-stranded 3′ end of the telomere, an activity essential for sustained cellular viability and proliferation. The current model for the telomeric single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding activity of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Pot1 is based on a 20 kDa fragment, Pot1pN. Recent biochemical studies suggest that SpPot1 contains a larger ssDNA-binding domain and we have identified a novel ssDNA-binding domain similar in size to the human Pot1 domain. This domain, Pot11-389, binds extremely tightly to an oligonucleotide consisting of two conserved hexameric S. pombe telomere repeats, d(GGTTACGGTTAC), with an affinity ∼4000-fold tighter than Pot1pN binds its cognate ssDNA. The Pot11-389/ssDNA complex exhibits a half-life of 53 min, consistent with that estimated for full-length SpPot1 and significantly longer than that of Pot1pN. Single nucleotide substitutions reveal that, in contrast to Pot1pN, tandem trinucleotide repeats (GTT) within d(GGTTACGGTTAC) are specifically recognized by Pot11-389. Interestingly, certain single nucleotide substitutions that impacted Pot1pN binding exhibited no effect on binding affinity by Pot11-389. However, these substitutions reduced binding affinity when simultaneously substituted in each hexameric repeat. The non-additive nature of these substitutions suggests that certain nucleotides are coupled through the ability of the flexible ssDNA oligonucleotide to adopt alternate, thermodynamically equivalent conformations. The biochemical behavior of Pot11-389 is more similar to that of the full-length SpPot1 protein than to that of Pot1pN, making Pot11-389 a valuable domain for the future study of how full-length SpPot1 interacts with telomeric ssDNA.
Checkpoints on the road to mitosis

Eukaryotic organisms use cell-cycle checkpoints to ensure that nuclear division is restrained while DNA is undergoing replication or repair. Recent studies of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe have illuminated these checkpoint mechanisms. These investigations have connected checkpoint proteins with central elements of the mitotic-control machinery.
Mantle and crustal structure in Phoebe Regio and Devana Chasma, Venus

[1] We use gravity and topography data to study crust and mantle structure in Phoebe Regio and Devana Chasma on Venus. We find that Phoebe is a region of thickened crust and hotter than normal mantle. These results are inconsistent with a cold, downwelling model and may support a mantle plume origin for Phoebe. However, the pattern of thermal anomalies is unusual, with temperature maxima on the periphery of the highland rather than in its center. This may reflect development of thermal boundary layer instabilities as the plume head interacts with the lithosphere. The hot mantle anomaly beneath Devana Chasma is discontinuous near latitude 10 North, coinciding with a 600 km offset in the rift zone trend. Devana should be regarded as two separate rifts, one propagating south from Beta Regio and the other propagating north from Phoebe Regio. Our results support the view that Venus remains a geologically active world.
Multiaxis radial circuit for transferred-electron devices

A class of multiaxis radial circuits for optimised performance of transferred-electron devices is presented. Nearly octave bandwidth c.w. amplification occurred with one configuration in preliminary tests. Extensive pulsed l.s.a. tests in the range 2?8 GHz have been made with another configuration, yielding the full efficiency expected from theory.
BOUNDARY OF CAT(-1) COXETER GROUPS

In this paper, we study the topological properties of the hyperbolic boundaries of CAT(-1) Coxeter groups of virtual cohomological dimension 2. We will show how these properties are related to combinatorial properties of the associated Coxeter graph. More precisely, we investigate the connectedness, the local connectedness and the existence problem of local cut points. In the appendix, in a joint work with Z. Sela, we will construct the JSJ decomposition of the Coxeter groups for which the corresponding Coxeter graphs are complete bipartite graphs.
Protein Folding as a Transition Step from Ancient to the Modern Life Forms

Several lines of evidence suggest that the first proteins on earth likely contained significantly fewer than the modern 20 amino acids. Subsequently many researchers examined the evolution of the genetic code using different criteria. Trifonov combined 40 different of these single-factor criteria into a consensus and proposed the following temporal order of addition for the amino acids: G/A, V/D, P, S, E/L, T, R, N, K, Q, I, C, H, F, M, Y, W. Brooks and co-workers estimated the amino acid composition for the Last Universal Ancestor (LUA). This composition was depleted and enriched in several of Trifonov's modern and ancient amino acids, respectively. The Brooks and coworker set of ancient proteins contains two almost equal-sized subsets: RNA-associated proteins and enzymes. We found the RNA-associated proteins from the LUA to be much more extensively depleted in the modern amino acids than were the enzymes. We also noticed that the more ancient amino acids are predominantly disorder-promoting while the more modern amino acids are predominantly order-promoting. Two different disordered protein predictors suggest the RNA-associated proteins to be disordered and the enzymes to be structured, which agrees with laboratory experiments on the modern protein counterparts. If the RNA-associated proteins are representative of the proteins present in the earliest life forms, then these proteins lacked regular 3D structure. Therefore, we propose that: 1. the change from ancient to modern life forms depended on the evolution a protein disorder-to-structure transition, thus enabling the formation of protein enzymes; and 2. this evolutionary disorder-to-order transition was enabled by the introduction of the structure-promoting amino acids during the modernization of the genetic code.
Signal Amplification in Multichromophore Luminescence-Based Sensors

A method for signal amplification in the detection of vapors with luminescence-based sensors is described. Amplification involves energy transfer between two or more fluorescent chromophores in a carefully selected polymer matrix. A quantitative model has been derived that can be applied to any luminescence sensor comprising donor−acceptor pairs, and it can be generalized to multichromophore systems with n chromophores leading to n-fold signal amplification. Signal amplification has been demonstrated experimentally in the fluorescent sensing of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) using two dyes, 3-aminofluoranten (AM) and Nile Red (NR), in a hydrogen-bond acidic polymer matrix. The selected polymer matrix quenches the fluorescence of both dyes and shifts dye emission and absorption spectra relative to those of more inert matrixes. Upon DMMP sorption, the AM fluorescence shifts to the red at the same time that the NR absorption shifts to the blue, resulting in more band overlap and increased energy transfer ...
Nonequilibrium Thermodynamic State Variables of Human Self-Paced Rhythmic Motions: Canonical-Dissipative Approach, Augmented Langevin Equation, and Entropy Maximization

Nonequilibrium thermodynamic state variables are derived for a stochastic limit-cycle oscillator model that has been used in motor control research to describe human rhythmic limb movements. The nonequilibrium thermodynamic state variables are regarded as counterparts to the thermodynamic state variables entropy, internal energy, and free energy of equilibrium systems. The derivation of the state variables is based on maximum entropy distributions of the Hamiltonian energy of the stochastic limit-cycle oscillators. The limit-cycle oscillator model belongs to the class of canonical-dissipative systems, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, can be cast into the form of an augmented Langevin equation. Both concepts are known as physical models for open systems. Experimental data from paced and self-paced pendulum swinging experiments are presented and estimates for the nonequilibrium thermodynamic state variables are given. Entropy and internal energy increased with increasing oscillation frequency both for the paced and self-paced conditions. Interestingly, the nonequilibrium free energy decayed when oscillation frequency was increased, which is akin to the decay of the Landau free energy when the control parameter is scaled further away from its critical value.
Update on endoscopic management of lingual thyroglossal duct cysts.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDC) are uncommon congenital midline neck masses arising from tubal remnants of embryologic thyroid descent. A rare variant of TGDC can present in the central tongue base and is named lingual TGDC (LTGDC). Left untreated, LTGDC may present with life-threatening airway obstruction. TGDC require surgery for cure; however, the surgical approach to LTGDC has not been discussed fully. This study was designed to examine the incidence, clinical features, and surgical management of LTGDC. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients from a pediatric tertiary care institution diagnosed with lingual TGDC from 1997 to 2008. Results: One hundred eighty-nine patients underwent surgical excision of TGDC, of which 16 (8.5%; mean age, 3 years) presented with lingual TGDC alone. Most lingual TGDC were discovered incidentally, although seven patients (44%) presented with moderate to severe upper airway obstruction. Endoscopic transoral excision was performed in each case. This included suspension laryngoscopy with electrocautery, electrocautery, and cold dissection, or a combination of microdebridement and electrocautery. Most patients were intubated electively overnight for airway protection. All patients recovered without complication and have shown no evidence of recurrence (median follow-up, 3.7 years). Two LTGDC cases were revisions of prior surgeries (marsupialization and an open procedure) performed at outside hospitals. Conclusions: Although rare, LTGDC frequently present as a prominent tongue base mass with the potential of life-threatening airway obstruction. Herein we described the typical presentation, workup, and ideal surgical approach of these lesions. Complete surgical extirpation can be performed successfully with endoscopic techniques and minimal risk of complication or recurrence.
"I Am Not an Animal": Jan Fabre's Parrots and Guinea Pigs

Animal presence unsettles practices of spectatorship and reframes assumptions about embodiment and affect in four differently exemplary animal performances, including one dating back to the 18th century. In all of them, the ethics of watching other animals, human or nonhuman, and the call for evaluation and judgment is complicated by recognition of the multiplicitous and mysterious nature of pain and pleasure.
Chromosomes of Sequoia sempervirens; 8-hydroxy-quinoline-castor oil pretreatment for improving preparation.

Living root tips of coast redwood were pretreated for 6 hr at 10-14 C in a homogenized mixture of 0.003 M aqueous solution of about 5 ml of 8-hydroxyquinoline and a drop of castor oil. They were rinsed 2-3 times in Carnoy's alcohol-chloroform-acetic acid (3:2:1), and fixation allowed to continue in this fluid for 1 hr at 60 C. They were then hydrolysed in 1 N HC1 at 60 C for 45 min; washed with distilled water, and squashed in a drop of aceto-carmine or aceto-orcein to make a temporary slide, subsequently made permanent by a quick-freezing method. Our work to date seems to confirm 2n = 66 for S. sempervirens.
The decomposition of benzoyl peroxide in polymers. III

The decomposition of benzoyl peroxide in polystyrene in the presence of air has been studied spectrophotometrically over an expanded (55 to 98°C.) temperature range. Rates of decomposition of benzoyl peroxide in polyvinyl chloride films are also presented. Peroxide decomposition in both polymers obeys first-order kinetics and the Ea for decomposition appears to change at or near the second-order transition temperature of the polymers. Rates of peroxide decomposition are lower and energies of activation are higher in polyvinyl chloride than in polystyrene.
Electron microscopic observations of waxy maize starch.

Waxy maize starch (WMS) has been examined by electron microscopy to learn details of the structure of the molecules and their organization in starch granules. After dispersion in dimethyl sulfoxide WMS shows highly elongated irregular particles (molecules and aggregates) approximately 100 A in diameter and several hundred angstroms long. Granules that have been mashed in water retain vestiges of granule organization, including “growth rings” and, after negative staining, show “rippled” fibrous structures, the ripples being about 70 A apart along the fiber dimension. Thin (∼ 500-) sections of native granules show no interpretable detail, but after extensive acid treatment, the growth rings become very obvious and are composed of lamellae, about 50 A thick, oriented in an irregular pattern, more or less tangential to the growth rings. Recrystallized Naegeli amylodextrin from WMS also shows platelets about 55 A thick and several hundred angstroms in the other dimensions. We interpret the 70- ripples in the granule fragments as being alternations between amorphous and crystalline regions, the crystalline regions being due to the side-by-side association of parallel clusters of starch chains. During acid treatment, the more amorphous or gel phase of the granule gradually is eroded, the intercluster zones are hydrolyzed, and the more regular chains form crystalline lamellae. The thickness of one lamella is just the average length of a single 12- to 15-glucose unit molecular chain; that is, about 50 . We envision the molecular chains as being packed in double helices as is appropriate for the A-type Xray diffraction pattern, both before and after the acid treatment.
Cultivar and clonal differences for water-use efficiency and yield in four forage grasses

Cultivars with greater water-use efficiency (WUE) would be beneficial to forage production and utilization in this semiarid region. Our objective was to assess variability in forage yield and WUE among genotypes of four common forage grasses
Corticosteroid-induced cataracts

The association linking corticosteroid therapy with the development of posterior subcapsular cataracts has been well documented. These drugs are widely used therapeutically, principally to capitalize on their ability to inhibit inflammatory responses. The literature on corticosteroid-induced posterior subcapsular cataracts is reviewed here. Data from the previously published series and individual lens susceptibility to corticoids do not allow the establishment of a direct factor relating cataract formation to corticosteroid dose and the duration of therapy; however, significant progress has been made in elucidating the mechanism by which corticoids bring about the development of these opacities. Exploration into the development of these lesions has shed light on the similarities these opacities share with other cataracts, especially with regard to location and pathogenesis.
Hepatic Dysfunction in Hospitalized Patients with Acute Thyrotoxicosis: A Decade of Experience

Thyroid disease is a common condition, and thyroid hormone excess or deficiency is known to have wide-ranging effects on a variety of organ systems. Our objective is to describe the magnitude, biochemical features, and clinical characteristics of hepatic abnormalities in patients with acute thyrotoxicosis. We performed a retrospective review of all patients admitted to our institution between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2008 with a discharge diagnosis of acute thyrotoxicosis excluding iatrogenic causes. The records of these patients were reviewed and data extracted regarding demographic, biochemical, and clinical data particularly relevant to liver function. Fourteen patients were identified of which eleven had liver studies performed. The majority (90.9%) had Graves disease. Nine of eleven patients (81.8%) had some degree of hepatic abnormality. Seven patients (63.6%) had an elevation in one or both transaminases, and two (18.2%) had isolated synthetic dysfunction as manifested as an elevated INR and/or decreased albumin without transaminitis. The mean magnitude of deviation from the normal range was greater in the transaminases as compared to bilirubin, INR, or albumin. Definitive treatment was radioiodine ablation in six cases (54.5%) and surgical thyroidectomy in two cases (18.2%). Noniatrogenic acute thyrotoxicosis requiring hospitalization is a rare condition which is most frequently caused by Graves disease. The majority of patients have disordered liver tests of a highly variable nature, making the recognition of this association important in the care of patients presenting with acute thyrotoxicosis.
Altered cellular infiltration and cytokine levels during early Mycobacterium tuberculosis sigC mutant infection are associated with late-stage disease attenuation and milder immunopathology in mice.

Mouse virulence assessments of certain Mycobacterium tuberculosis mutants have revealed an immunopathology defect in which high tissue CFU counts are observed but the tissue pathology and lethality are reduced. M. tuberculosis mutants which grow and persist in the mouse lungs, but have attenuated disease progression, have the immunopathology (imp) phenotype. The antigenic properties of these strains may alter the progression of disease due to a reduction in host immune cell recruitment to the lungs resulting in disease attenuation and prolonged host survival. In this study we focused on the mouse immune response to one such mutant; the M. tuberculosis ΔsigC mutant. Aerosol infection of DBA/2 and SCID mice with the M. tuberculosis ΔsigC mutant, complemented mutant and wild type strain showed proliferation of mutant bacilli in mouse lungs, but with decreased inflammation and mortality in DBA/2 mice. SCID mice shared the same phenotype as the DBA/2 mice in response to the ΔsigC mutant, however, they succumbed to the infection faster. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid analysis revealed elevated numbers of infiltrating neutrophils in the lungs of mice infected with wild type and complemented ΔsigC mutant strains but not in mice infected with the ΔsigC mutant. In addition, DBA/2 mice infected with the ΔsigC mutant had reduced levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-γ in the lungs. Similarly, there was a reduction in proinflammatory cytokines in the lungs of SCID mice. In contrast to the mouse model, the ΔsigC mutant had reduced initial growth in guinea pig lungs. A possible mechanism of attenuation in the ΔsigC mutant may be a reduction in neutrophilic-influx in the alveolar spaces of the lungs, and decreased proinflammatory cytokine secretion. In contrast to mouse data, the M. tuberculosis ΔsigC mutant proliferates slowly in guinea pig lungs, a setting characterized by caseating necrosis. Our observations suggest that the immunopathology phenotype is associated with the inability to trigger a strong early immune response, resulting in disease attenuation. While macrophages and T cells have been shown to be important in containing M. tuberculosis disease our study has shown that neutrophils may also play an important role in the containment of this organism.
Potential grain and forage production of early maturing pigeonpea in the southern Great Plains

Forage-based livestock production is a significant component of the agricultural economy throughout the southern U.S. Great Plains. However, Livestock production in grazing systems is limited by low forage mass and quality from late July to early November. Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) is a warm-season grain legume that may have potential as a summer forage crop. A 3-yr (1996-1998) field study was conducted near El Reno, OK, to assess the performance of two early maturing pigeonpea lines, Georgia-2 and ICPL 85010. The two lines did not differ significantly in forage and grain production and nutritive value. At 96 d after planting (DAP), total aboveground biomass was 5.2 Mg ha -1 , N content was 23 g kg -1 , and in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) was 580 g kg -1 averaged across years. At final harvest (118 DAP), total dry biomass was 12.6, 6.4, and 9.3 Mg ha -1 in 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively. Seed yield was 5.4, 1.9, and 1.2 Mg ha -1 in 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively. Nitrogen concentration and IVDDM at final harvest was 19 and 585 g kg -1 for total plant biomass, 34 and 758 g kg -1 for leaves, 9 and 420 g kg -1 for stems, and 26 and 750 g kg -1 for seed, respectively. Early maturing pigeonpea lines can fill the forage deficit period during late summer and provide protein supplement for livestock.
Gated carbon nanotube pillar arrays for high current applications

In this paper we outline a process for the integration of gated CPAs. The process employed to fabricate this gated cathode is highly scaleable and promises the realization of stable high current cold cathodes with low turn-on voltages for many potential applications. In addition, we will present data detailing the field emission performance and reliability of gated carbon nanotube pillar arrays.
Corporate product planning: A vector analysis approach

Abstract This article presents one approach for reviewing corporate product decisions using vector analysis. Vector analysis is a relatively little used technique in business; however, it is helpful in dealing with marketing problems involving more than two major variables. This technique is especially useful to marketing executives since it can provide information for allocating resources to each brand in the product line. The companies in which this technique may be applied share certain characteristics: all have multi-products which are substitutable and distributed nationally; all depend on marketing as an important part of their operations and all use marketing research on a regular basis.
In Vitro Effects of β-Carotene and Vitamin A on Peripartum Bovine Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Proliferation

The effects of beta-carotene, retinol, and retinoic acid on function of mononuclear cells during the peripartum period was assessed in vitro. Blood was collected from 14 Holstein cows on wk -4, -1, 0, 1, and 4 postpartum, and mononuclear cells were obtained by gradient centrifugation. Mononuclear cell proliferation induced by concanavalin A was measured in the presence of beta-carotene, retinol (1 x 10(-9) and 1 x 10(-8) M), and retinoic acid (1 x 10(-10) and 1 x 10(-9) M). Retinol and beta-carotene had no effect on spontaneous cell proliferation, whereas retinoic acid was suppressive. However, 1 x 10(-9) M beta-carotene enhanced concanavalin A-induced proliferation at wk -1, whereas 1 x 10(-8) M beta-carotene was suppressive at wk -4. Retinoic acid suppressed concanavalin A-induced proliferation at wk 0, but retinol had no effect. These results suggest a mechanism by which beta-carotene affords the mammary gland protection against infection immediately prepartum.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Down-regulates Cell Membrane Growth- and Nuclear Growth-promoting Signals by the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

1,25(OH)2D3antiproliferative properties are widely known. However, the molecular bases of these properties are only partially elucidated. Since 1,25(OH)2D3 effectively arrests growth in many tumors and hyperplastic tissues whose growth is driven by co-expression of EGFR and its ligand TGF-α, it was hypothesized that 1,25(OH)2D3 could affect the TGF-α/EGFR-autocrine growth loop. This study examined 1,25(OH)2D3 regulation of EGFR-growth signals, using human epidermoid A431 cells, in which the overexpression of EGFR and TGF-α constitute the major autocrine mitogenic signal. 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibited autocrine and EGF-induced A431 cell proliferation. Furthermore, 1,25(OH)2D3 changed the cellular localization of both TGF-α and EGFR and inhibited ligand-dependent phosphorylation of EGFR and ERK1/2. In addition, 1,25(OH)2D3 impaired autocrine and EGF-induced nuclear translocation of activated EGFR and, consequently, its binding to AT-rich DNA sequences and transcriptional activation of the cyclin D1 promoter. These results demonstrate that 1,25(OH)2D3 alters EGFR membrane trafficking and down-regulates EGFR growth signaling.
“Allegiance and land go together”: Automatic Naturalization and the Changing Nature of Immigration in Nineteenth-Century America

This article discusses the long-neglected early period (1790–1906) of American naturalization. The article maintains that lax naturalization procedures dominated this period because of a conscious social effort to facilitate territorial expansion and because an unconscious schema of automatic naturalization of rural immigrants guaranteed that newcomers would invariably become loyal and productive citizens. This naturalization regime was questioned in the mid-nineteenth century and ultimately abandoned in the early twentieth century amidst the closing of the American frontier and a massive influx of labor migrants who were not only urban and industrial, but also showed more interest in work than in citizenship. As a result, the naturalization process became centralized and the federal government adopted a new naturalization schema that emphasized civic education and an expectation that “enlightened” immigrants would assimilate into American society.
Proton MR spectroscopic and diffusion tensor brain MR imaging in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: Initial experience

PURPOSE: To compare conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, proton MR spectroscopic imaging, and diffusion tensor (DT) MR imaging findings in patients with X chromosome–linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multisection proton MR spectroscopy and DT imaging were performed in 11 patients with X-ALD and in 11 healthy control subjects. Quantitative measures of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline, and creatine values and of isotropic apparent diffusion coefficient (IADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were obtained from coregistered regions of interest. DT imaging and metabolic parameters were compared by using regression analysis. In addition, differences in DT imaging and metabolite measurements between normal- and abnormal-appearing white matter on conventional MR images were evaluated by using a nonparametric (Mann-Whitney) test. RESULTS: A strong logarithmic relationship between NAA value and FA (r = 0.64, P < .001) and an inverse logarithmic relationship were found between NAA v...
Preparation of deuterium labelled catecholamines

The preparation of deuterium labelled catecholamines and their metabolites is described. The procedures involve simple treatment of the compounds in DC1/D2O solution. Mass spectra of these labelled compounds — as their PFP or TFA derivative — are presented. The relative intensity of ions suitable for selective ion monitoring are given for each compound. Results are presented concerning ease or difficulty of deuteration. The compounds studied include dopamine, tyramine, 3-methoxytyramine, norepinephrine, metanephrine, normetanephrine, homovanillic acid and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid.
Interactions of a 5-nitroxide-labeled poly(uridylic acid) with poly(adenylic acid).

Abstract The physicochemical properties of a high-molecular-weight spin-labeled nucleic acid, (RUGT,U) n , synthesized by enzymatic copolymerization, were evaluated by uv and ESR spectroscopy. It was shown earlier that spin labeling of nucleic acids by chemical modification to an extent which gives a nitroxide-to-nucleotide ratio greater than 0.002 can cause noticeable lattice perturbations (A. M. Bobst, A. Hakam, P. W. Langemeier, and S. Kouidou (1979) , Arch. Biochem. Biophys . 187 , 339–345). The presence of RUGT, a 5-nitroxide-labeled uridine residue, in a (U) n lattice at a RUGT U ratio of 0.01 is shown here not to affect the complexation with (A) n , since the uv melting temperature ( T 0 OD ) of the 2 → 1 transition and the hypochromicity changes were the same for (RUGT,U) n · (A) n and (U) n ·(A) n . ESR measurements indicated that the nitroxide radical reflects the transition accurately within the error limit, although a slight destabilization of the spinlabeled segment could not be excluded. Computer simulations showed conclusively that the spin melting temperature ( T m sp ) corresponds to the temperature at which half of the spin-labeled segments are no longer complexed, for the ESR spectrum at T m sp can be simulated with equal contributions from the line shapes of ESR spectra taken before and after the transition. Arrhenius plots obtained by using two different approaches for computing correlation times were qualitatively the same. Computer analysis also revealed that the formation of a (RUGT,U) n ·(A) n complex can be described by a two-state model, in contrast to results obtained with chemically spin-labeled (U) n . Thus, using (RUGT,U) n over chemically spin-labeled (U) n can offer distinct advantages.
Mechanical properties, ductility, and grain size of nanocrystalline iron produced by mechanical attrition

The main goal of this investigation is to determine the influence of grain size on the mechanical properties and, specifically, the intrinsic ductility of nanocrystalline (nc) Fe. Ball-milled nc Fe was consolidated into compacts of near theoretical density by uniaxial warm pressing. Compaction parameters and annealing treatments resulted in a range of grain sizes for subsequent mechanical testing. The miniaturized disk bend test, hardness, and the automated ball indentation (ABI) method were used to test nanocrystal (nc) iron in compression and tension. The deformation and fracture morphologies of the tested samples were characterized by light and scanning electron microscopy. The hardness, as a function of the grain size, was described with a Hall-Petch slope, which was smaller than that in coarse-grained Fe. In tension, the material failed in a macroscopically brittle manner, while local ductility in very concentrated shear bands was observed. The compressive characteristics of the nc Fe were similar to those of a perfectly plastic material. The results are discussed in the context of the mechanical behavior of coarse-grained polycrystalline metals and alloys.