cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation of immune cell reactivity with cis-binding Siglec agonists

Inflammatory pathologies caused by phagocytes lead to numerous debilitating conditions, including chronic pain and blindness due to age-related macular degeneration. Many members of the sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec) family are immunoinhibitory receptors whose agonism is an attractive approach for antiinflammatory therapy. Here, we show that synthetic lipid-conjugated glycopolypeptides can insert into cell membranes and engage Siglec receptors in cis, leading to inhibitory signaling. Specifically, we construct a cis-binding agonist of Siglec-9 and show that it modulates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in reporter cell lines, immortalized macrophage and microglial cell lines, and primary human macrophages. Thus, these cis-binding agonists of Siglecs present a method for therapeutic suppression of immune cell reactivity.
Breaking the City: Militarization and Segregation in Rio De Janeiro

Emerging from the global city literature of the 1980s and 1990s, a vast scholarship has developed that embraces the 'dual city' concept as a useful analytical tool for explaining how global transformations produce polarization within cities. However, less is known about how local policies shape uneven patterns of development. Through an examination of Rio de Janeiro's Favela Pacification Program, we argue that state-level public policies play a significant role in institutionalizing duality. The recent military occupation of the slums in Rio de Janeiro demonstrates how the historically and politically contextualized public policy of confrontation has exacerbated tensions between the city's elites and poor residents along a number of social, economic, and political dimensions. Local policymakers can influence the impact of globalization on social polarization by considering the effects of public policies on spatial justice.
Acute Consumption of Blueberries and Short-Term Blueberry Supplementation Improve Glucose Management and Insulin Levels in Sedentary Subjects

Background: Blueberries are polyphenol-rich fruits with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols from berries act by blocking digestive enzymes, reshaping gastrointestinal microbiota, and affecting the release of gastrointestinal hormones to regulate insulin dynamics and glucose management. However, most studies use fruit extracts instead of fresh fruit. We aimed to evaluate postprandial glucose management and antioxidant capacity of fresh blueberries consumed acutely or as a six-day supplementation in 10 sedentary subjects. Methods: To evaluate the effect of acute blueberry intake, 150 g of blueberries were consumed together with 150 g of white bread by the subject and blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min to measure glucose, insulin, and plasma antioxidant capacity. To evaluate supplementation, 150 g of blueberries were provided daily for six days and sample collection was performed at day 7. Results: Acute consumption of blueberries decreased postprandial glucose area under the curve (AUC) and increased insulin levels at 15 min timepoint. Supplementation did not affect glucose levels but decreased insulin levels at 120 min. No changes in antioxidant capacity were observed. Conclusions: Consumption of fresh blueberries improves postprandial glucose management presumably due to actions on the gastrointestinal tract, while supplementation improves insulin sensitivity, probably due antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
The Attorney as Gatekeeper: An Agenda for the Sec

Section 307 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act authorizes the SEC to prescribe "minimum standards of professional conduct" for attorneys "appearing or practicing" before it. This brief statutory provision frames a much larger question: What is the role of the corporate attorney in securities transactions in the public markets? Is the attorney's role that of (a) an advocate, (b) a transaction cost engineer, or, more broadly, (c) a gatekeeper - that is, a reputational intermediary with some responsibility to monitor the accuracy of corporate disclosures? The bar has long divided over this question, with the bar associations resisting any such obligation. Yet, Section 307 now "federalizes" this issue. Skeptics of a gatekeeper role for attorneys have long argued that (a) such a role conflicts with the traditional obligations of loyalty that the attorney owe their clients; and (b) imposing gatekeeping obligations on attorneys will chill attorney/client communications and thereby reduce law compliance. Thus, they have resisted a pending SEC proposal that would require an attorney to make a "noisy withdrawal" when the attorney is unable to stop or prevent certain ongoing material violations of law by the corporate client. This comment examines these arguments that attorneys make inferior gatekeepers and replies that (i) securities attorneys can and do perform a "gatekeeping" function; (ii) the differences between attorneys and auditors are less fundamental than bar associations maintain; (iii) in some respects, it is easier to impose gatekeeper obligations on attorneys than on auditors; and (iv) imposing such obligations on attorney should neither chill socially desirable client communications nor reduce the attorney's influence over the client (and probably will increase that leverage). Finally, this comments examines specific standards and obligations that the SEC might adopt to recognize the securities attorney's role as a gatekeeper. Going beyond the narrow "noisy withdrawal" issue, it proposes both limited certification and independence standards.
Finding and Analyzing True Effect of Non-Recurrent Congestion on Mobilityand Safety

This report describes research which examined the causes and impact of non-recurrent congestion. A method is presented which divides the total congestion delay in a freeway section into six components: the delay caused by incidents, special events, lane closures, and adverse weather; the potential reduction in delay at bottlenecks that ideal ramp metering can achieve; and the remaining delay, due mainly to excess demand. The method can be applied to any site with minimum calibration, but it requires data about traffic volume and speed; the time and location of incidents, special events and lane closures; and adverse weather. The method is illustrated by applying it to a 45-mile section of I-880 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Another component of the study involved implementing a simpler method which used routine data collected in the Freeway Performance Measurement System (PeMS). A PeMS application now provides a ‘congestion pie’ for any district or freeway segment. The pie divides the total congestion delay into three categories: potential reduction, excess demand, and accidents; and an unexplained, ‘miscellaneous’, category.
Protonation states of active‐site lysines of penicillin‐binding protein 6 from Escherichia coli and the mechanistic implications

The protonation states of the two active-site lysines (Lys69 and Lys235) of PBP 6 of Escherichia coli were explored to understand the active site chemistry of this enzyme. Each lysine was individually mutated to cysteine, and the resultant two mutant proteins were purified to homogeneity. Each protein was denatured, and its cysteine was chemically modified to produce an S-aminoethylated cysteine (γ-thialysine) residue. Following renaturation, the evaluation of the kinetics of the dd-carboxypeptidase activity of PBP 6 as a function of pH was found consistent with one lysine in its free-base (Lys69) and the other in the protonated state (Lys235) for optimal catalysis. The experimental estimates for their pKa values were compared with the pKa values calculated computationally, using molecular-dynamics simulations and a thermodynamic cycle. Study of the γ-thialysine69 showed that lysine at position 69 influenced the basic limb of catalysis, consistent with the fact that the two lysine side chains are in proximity to each other in the active site. Based on these observations, a reaction sequence for PBP 6 is proposed, wherein protonated Lys235 serves as the electrostatic substrate anchor and Lys69 as the conduit for protons in the course of the acylation and deacylation half-reactions.
Induction of Treebank-Aligned Lexical Resources.

We describe the induction of lexical resources from unannotated corpora that are aligned with treebank grammars, providing a systematic correspondence between features in the lexical resource and a treebank syntactic resource. We first describe a methodology based on parsing technology for augmenting a treebank database with linguistic features. A PCFG containing these features is created from the augmented treebank. We then use a procedure based on the inside-outside algorithm to learn lexical resources aligned with the treebank PCFG from large unannotated corpora. The method has been applied in creating a feature-annotated English treebank based on the Penn Treebank. The unsupervised estimation procedure gives a substantial error reduction (up to 31.6%) on the task of learning the subcategorization preference of novel verbs that are not present in the annotated training sample.
Treatment of attachment disorder of infancy in a neonatal intensive care unit.

As a psychiatric consultant in an inner-city level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), I have seen several cases involving premature infants who did not have a caring, consistent adult in their lives. This neglect appeared to contribute to the development of behavior problems (eg, irritability) or feeding problems (eg, failure to thrive), and sometimes an infant failed to progress medically or experienced an exacerbation of medical problems. These infants were assigned the diagnosis of reactive attachment disorder of infancy. This is a recognized psychiatric entity that is defined, as follows, in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed, revised):
Experimental Verification of Human Skill Transfer to Deburring Robots

A new adaptive controller for deburring robots is presented in this paper. The design of the control system is entirely based on a human skill model. With the use of the human skill model, the performance skills of a human expert can be acquired and transferred to robot control systems that allow robots to mimic human skills in performing deburring tasks. The human skill model comprises a tool manipulation strategy, a process perception model and associative memories. The tool manipulation strategy describes the dynamic interaction between the tool, held by the human expert, and the environment. Teaching data taken from human demonstration motions shows that the human expert changes his tool manipulation strategy with respect to the varying process condition. The process model, which characterizes the process conditions, provides a way to detect variations in process conditions. The associative memories, represented by mapping functions, reflect how a human expert modifies his tool control strategy with respect to changing process conditions. These mapping functions can be identified by using human teaching data. The consistency of the mapping and the transferrability of human skills are analyzed by using Lipschitz's condition. A robot controller is constructed based on the human skill model that involves associative memories derived from human teaching data. The control system is implemented on a direct-drive robot. The experimental results show that the robot can adapt itself to the deburring process in a manner very similar to a human expert.
The biodiversity–ecosystem service relationship in urban areas: a quantitative review

By 2050, up to 75% of people globally will live in cities. Despite the potential ramifications of this urbanization for ecosystem services (ES), and the importance of locally produced ES for the health and wellbeing of urban residents, syntheses addressing the underlying ecology of ES provision rarely include urban areas. Here, I conduct a quantitative review of urban ES studies in the ecological literature, synthesizing trends across the discipline. I also quantify the extent to which this work considers the organisms and ecosystem components responsible for ES provision using two approaches: assessment of biodiversity–ES relationships, and an adaptation of the service provider concept. The majority of urban ES studies were conducted in western, developed countries, and typically assessed a single service in a single city – largely ignoring ES synergies and tradeoffs, and cross-city comparisons. While several different ES are studied in urban ecosystems, the field is dominated by weather and climate-related regulating services, with assessments of cultural services particularly lacking. Most studies described a habitat type as the service provider; however, studies that considered the biodiversity–ES relationship were more likely to identify a specific functional group, community, or population as the key provider of an ES. The biodiversity–ES relationship itself was most frequently characterized as dependent on the composition of species, functional traits, or structures, rather than correlated with the magnitude of any specific biodiversity metric. While the study of ES in urban ecosystems is increasing, there exists considerable room for further research. Future studies would benefit by expanding the number and categories of ES assessed within and across cities, as well as broadening the geographical scope of urban ES research. Biodiversity–ES assessments in urban ecosystems would also benefit from an expansion of the biodiversity types considered, particularly regarding non-species based approaches, and consideration of non-native and invasive species. Synthesis Urban ecosystem services (ES) affect the health and wellbeing of over 3.5 billion people who live in cities. However, syntheses addressing ES provision rarely include urban areas. I conducted the first quantitative review focused explicitly on the ecology of urban ES, including the role of biodiversity in service provision. I found that studies typically measure only a single service in one city, precluding assessment of ES synergies, tradeoffs, and cross-city comparisons. I also found that while most studies attribute ES provision to a habitat or land-use type, studies that consider biodiversity-ES relationships are more likely to recognize a specific functional group, community, or population as the key provider of an ES.
Arizona Practice Materials: A Selective Annotated Bibliography*

This bibliography provides a list of primary and secondary sources that are beneficial for the practice of law in Arizona. The authors created this bibliography to help Arizona legal practitioners. This bibliography begins with a listing of general publications often used in legal practice. The authors then provide information on Arizona practice books and treatises, which are grouped by topical areas of law. A brief description of each publication is included in the bibliography.
The Protein Binding of Acetylsalicylic Acid and Salicylic Acid

Quantitative experiments to study the binding of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and salicylic acid (SA) by human serum albumin (HSA) were carried out using 14C-labeled ASA or SA and gel filtration to separate the free from the bound forms. Two binding procedures were employed: the ASA or SA was incubated with the HSA, or the mixture was placed in an equilibrium dialysis cell. By withdrawing samples at intervals, the extent of binding or the attainment of equilibrium could be assessed. Evidence that filtration by the gel caused unbinding of the bound SA was obtained, with resultant lower percentage binding of SA by HSA than that obtained by equilibrium dialysis without gel filtration. In either case, binding equilibrium was reached in 4-8 hr. The binding of ASA by HSA was markedly different from that of SA. The experiments both with or without gel filtration demonstrated a progressive increase in binding of ASA in the 20- to 53-hr periods studied. In addition, ASA apparently displaces SA from its binding sites on albumin, an observation that may have therapeutic implications.
Millenarianism and Messianism in Early Modern European Culture Vols. 1–4. Edited by Matt Goldish, Richard H. Popkin, James E. Force, Karl A. Kottman, and John Christian Laursen. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2001. 784p. $253.00.

All societies contain some image or vision of their own perfection—of life, both individual and collective, free of the burdens of history and death. In the history of civilizations, these visions have often served as a fulcrum of radical change and social transformation. Just as often, they have served as the ideological underpinnings of more abortive movements of social change. Moreover, in the lives of individuals and groups, they have often led to a renunciation of the world and its concerns in search of a more private wholeness, in a life of contemplation and retreat.
Melting reactions and trace element relationships in selected specimens of migmatitic pelites from New Hampshire and Maine

Leucosomes and melanosomes in selected specimens of migmatitic, sillimanite-zone, pelitic schists are modal and chemical complements formed by segregation within originally homogeneous paleosomes. Systematic bulk chemical and modal variations in melanosomes can be used to infer the reactions by which leucosomes were generated.
Preparing to work in the virtual organization

Forming virtual organizations (VOs) is a new workplace strategy that is also needed to prepare information, technology, and knowledge workers for functioning well in inter-organizational teams. University information studies programs can simulate VOs in courses and teach certain skill sets that are needed in VO work: critical thinking, analytical methods, ethical problem solving, stakeholder analysis, and writing policy are among the needed skills and abilities. Simulated virtual teams allow participants to learn to trust team members and to understand how communication and product development can work effectively in a virtual workspace. It is hoped that some of these methods could be employed in corporate training progrmns also.In an innovative course, inter-university VOs were created to develop information products. Groups in four geographically dispersed universities cooperated in the project; at its conclusion, students answered a self-administered survey about their experience. Each team's success or difficulties were apparently closely related to issues of trust in the team process. Access to and ease of communication tools also played a role in the participants' perceptions of the learning experience and teamwork.
Cross-sections of the GenBank® database

The GenBank® nucleotide sequence database has been designed to facilitate the retrieval of sequence data on the basis of a number of associated kinds of information, including for example the taxonomic classification of the source organism, the genomic map position, and the function of the individual sequences. We present here three cross-sections of the GenBank® database that illustrate this point: the relative map positions of sequenced Escherichia coli genes, a review of influenza strains that have been sequenced, and a catalogue of sequenced actin-coding genes.
Integrated low-voltage converter architecture with ac power delivery

Future computation systems pose a major challenge in energy delivery that is difficult to meet with existing devices and design strategies. To reduce interconnect bottlenecks and enable more flexible computation and energy utilization, it is desired to deliver power across the interconnect to the chip at high voltage and low current with on- or over-die transformation to low voltage and high current. This paper presents an integrated converter architecture with ac voltage transformation to provide very-high-frequency, low-voltage integrated power delivery.
Real-time dynamics in the interaction between a trial stimulus and its temporal context

Real-time changes in the interaction of a trial stimulus and the temporal properties of the interfood context were observed. An autoshaping procedure with pigeons partitioned the interfood interval with explicit stimuli correlated with the passage of time. Three experiments altered the duration, the probability, and the validity of the keylight trial stimulus and measured control over keypeck responding exerted by both the trial stimulus and the explicit temporal “clock” stimuli making up the interfood interval. In general, it was found that the trial stimuli (1) did not abolish the responding controlled by the explicit temporal stimuli of the context, (2) increased the rate of responding to the explicit temporal stimuli of the context immediately preceding the trial stimulus onset, and (3) suppressed the responding to the explicit temporal stimuli immediately following the trial stimulus onset. Most typically, responding increased across the latter portion of the interfood interval. These effects were robust across variations in the duration and probability of the trial stimulus. Variations in the validity with which the trial stimulus correctly signaled the upcoming trial outcome had a pronounced effect on the ability of the trial stimulus to condition antecedent temporal stimuli. The results were taken to indicate that a real-time conceptualization of the results of conditioning procedures is necessary.
A Covariance NMR Toolbox for MATLAB and OCTAVE

The Covariance NMR Toolbox is a new software suite that provides a streamlined implementation of covariance-based analysis of multi-dimensional NMR data. The Covariance NMR Toolbox uses the MATLAB or, alternatively, the freely available GNU OCTAVE computer language, providing a user-friendly environment in which to apply and explore covariance techniques. Covariance methods implemented in the toolbox described here include direct and indirect covariance processing, 4D covariance, generalized indirect covariance (GIC), and Z-matrix transform. In order to provide compatibility with a wide variety of spectrometer and spectral analysis platforms, the Covariance NMR Toolbox uses the NMRPipe format for both input and output files. Additionally, datasets small enough to fit in memory are stored as arrays that can be displayed and further manipulated in a versatile manner within MATLAB or OCTAVE.
Effects of aldehyde/aldose reductase inhibition on neuronal metabolism of norepinephrine

Abstract After norepinephrine (NE) is deaminated by monoamine oxidase (MAO), the aldehyde formed is either metabolized to 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid (DHMA) by aldehyde dehydrogenase or is converted to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) by aldehyde or aldose reductase. The present study examined the effects of inhibition of aldehyde and aldose reductase on production of DHPG and DHMA in rats. Mean (±S.E.) baseline plasma concentrations of DHPG (4.73±0.21 pmol/ml) were 60-fold higher than those of DHMA (0.08±0.01 pmol/ml). Inhibition of aldose and aldehyde reductase reduced plasma DHPG concentrations to 1.88±0.14 pmol/ml and increased plasma DHMA to 4.43±0.29 pmol/ml; additional inhibition of MAO reduced plasma DHPG to 0.16±0.06 pmol/ml and DHMA to 0.19±0.02 pmol/ml. Inhibition of aldehyde and aldose reductase also increased brain tissue levels of DHMA from 8±2 to 384±47 pmol/g and decreased levels of DHPG from 70±9 to 44±5 pmol/g. The results show that DHMA is normally a minor metabolite of NE, but becomes a major metabolite after aldehyde/aldose reductase inhibition.
Carrier and prenatal diagnosis of X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency: mutation detection methods and utilization

IL2RG, the gene encoding the common γ chain, γc, of the receptor for interleukin-2 and other cytokines, has been identified as the disease gene for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) of the X-linked type. Specific mutational diagnosis for X-linked SCID has thus become possible. For many women at risk for carrying an IL2RG mutation, no samples were saved from an affected male relative prior to either death or bone marrow transplantation (BMT). To establish optimal methods for genetic evaluation of such women, we compared mutational screening by single-strand conformational polymorphism, heteroduplex analysis and dideoxy fingerprinting (ddF). Abnormally migrating band patterns were followed up with direct sequencing for identification of specific mutations. The most sensitive method, ddF, detected heterozygous alterations, subsequently confirmed to represent significant mutations, in all of 19 unrelated obligate or suspected carriers studied. Some of these women, as well as others at risk for carrying an X-linked SCID mutation, enrolled in a study of prenatal diagnosis after fetal testing for gender determination. Originally using linkage analysis and, more recently, specific detection of IL2RG mutations, we evaluated pregnancies at risk for X-linked SCID prospectively on a research basis. Of 27 male fetuses tested 14 were predicted to be unaffected and confirmed to have normal immune status at birth. Among pregnancies predicted to be affected, 2 were terminated, while 11 affected males were born at term. Nine of these received neonatal BMT, one had BMT at 3 months of age, and one underwent a successful experimental in utero BMT. In our study cohort accurate prenatal diagnosis assisted decision making and expanded treatment options for families at risk for having infants with a severe, but treatable genetic disorder that presents early in life.
Estrangement factors associated with addiction to alcohol and drugs among homeless youth in three U.S. cities

Abstract Substance use is highly prevalent among homeless, street-involved young people. Societal estrangement is often associated with substance use, particularly among this population. The current study sought to identify four domains of social estrangement (disaffiliation, human capital, identification with homeless culture, and psychological dysfunction) in relation to alcohol and drug addiction. Homeless young adults were recruited from three disparate urban areas: Los Angeles, CA ( n = 50), Austin, TX ( n = 50) and St. Louis, MO ( n = 46) using comparable research methods and measurement instruments. Findings demonstrated that variables measuring psychological dysfunction and homeless culture predicted alcohol addiction, while institutional disaffiliation and homeless culture predicted drug addiction. Findings affirm distinct patterns of estrangement related to alcohol compared to drug addiction. Understanding these features and the heterogeneity of this population has strong potential for assisting development of programs targeting substance use among this underserved population.
Aristotle's Theory of the State

Perhaps the fundamental question to ask about any treatise of political theory is, why is it important? About the Politics it is hard to know where an answer to this question would begin. Aristotle’s work intersects with contemporary problems of both politics and philosophy in such a large number and variety of places that the question itself seems redundant. One need only mention Aristotle’s concerns with the sovereignty of law, the fundamental ‘class’ structure of political regimes, the causes and preventions of revolutions among states, the meaning of justice and how to secure it in various regimes, the place of virtue and ethics in political life generally, the role of wealth and money in political elections, the importance of education and habituation in political socialization (to mention only a few), in order to see that many or most of Aristotle’s problems are the same ones that continue to occupy political thinking in the twentieth century.
A high performance embedded machine tool controller

Abstract A Diamond Turning Machine (DTM) can fabricate components with extremely high precision and high quality surface finish characteristics. Existing commercial controllers are limited in their ability to support high performance machining and related advanced control algorithms. Evolving enhancements to the functional capability and control algorithms of a DTM require increased performance and flexibility from the computer system controlling it. To provide this capability the Precision Engineering Center at North Carolina State University has developed and implemented a high performance control system for such a machine tool. The control system is based on a heterogeneous hierarchical multiprocessor computer architecture. This provides the capacity to apply advanced control concepts to the DTM, resulting in improved precision and quality of machined parts. Additionally, the ability to machine non-rotationally symmetric components has been made possible by application of multiprocessor capability.
Muscle atonia can be induced by carbachol injections into the nucleus pontis oralis in cats anesthetized with α-chloralose

Cholinergic excitation of structures in the pontine reticular formation appears to be a key step in the generation of active sleep. For example, muscle atonia which occurs as a result of the postsynaptic inhibition of motoneurons during active sleep is also present after carbachol, a cholinergic agonist, is injected into the nucleus pontis oralis. In the present study, in order to obtain information regarding the mechanisms that generate atonia during active sleep and to provide a paradigm for studying atonia in anesthetized cats, we determined whether cholinergically induced atonia could be generated in an animal that was anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. Cats which were initially anesthetized with alpha-chloralose (40 mg/kg, I.V.) exhibited spikes in the EEG, hippocampus and lateral geniculate nuclei. Muscle atonia occurred after carbachol (200 mM) was injected by microiontophoresis (300-500 nA) into the nucleus pontis oralis; the spikes in the EEG, hippocampus and lateral geniculate nuclei were still present. We believe that the atonia induced by carbachol in alpha-chloralose-anesthetized cats is mediated by the same mechanisms that operate during active sleep in the unanesthetized animal for the following reasons. First, in the same cats when they were not anesthetized with alpha-chloralose, carbachol injections in the identical brainstem sites induced active sleep with its accompanying pattern of muscle atonia. Second, after carbachol was injected into the same sites in alpha-chloralose-anesthetized cats, intracellular recordings from lumbar motoneurons revealed that inhibitory postsynaptic potentials were bombarding motoneurons; these inhibitory potentials were similar to those which are present during naturally occurring active sleep. In addition, stimulation of the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis (NRGc) was found to induce large amplitude depolarizing potentials in lumbar motoneurons in alpha-chloralose-anesthetized cats prior to the administration of carbachol, whereas after its administration, accompanying muscle atonia there were large amplitude hyperpolarizing potentials and a reduction in the amplitude of depolarizing potentials. We therefore conclude that the cholinergically induced processes that initiate and maintain muscle atonia are not blocked by the actions of alpha-chloralose.
Performance of a Feedback Controlled Electrostatic Energy Analyzer for Use with an Ion Beam Probe Diagnostic System

The performance of a feedback controlled electrostatic energy analyzer has been investigated for use as the basic detection mechanism in an ion beam probe plasma diagnostic system. This system provides the only direct, spatially resolved measurement of plasma space potential. The principles involved in analyzer operation are presented, leading to an analyzer system with a design entrance angle of 33°. The voltage correction function which results when the probing beam is swept across the plasma has been measured experimentally and is in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. The measured amplitude and phase response of the system show that the entire analyzer/detector system may be modeled as a linear feedback system. Finally, a dual beam technique is described for making absolute space potential measuremermts and is substantiated with experimental data from an arc plasma using a Rb-K combination.
Magnetization Near Saturation in Polycrystalline Ferromagnets

An important mechanism involved in the variation of the magnetization of ferromagnets near saturation is the rotation of the magnetization vector under the combined influence of the magnetic field and crystalline anisotropy torques. The effect of this mechanism in polycrystalline specimens has been calculated by Akulov and Gans; their result is ${M}_{\mathrm{Av}}={M}_{0}[1\ensuremath{-}(\frac{c}{{{M}_{0}}^{2}}){H}^{\ensuremath{-}2}]$, where $H$ is the sum of the external and demagnetizing fields, ${M}_{0}$ the saturation magnetization, and $c$ a constant proportional to the square of the crystalline anisotropy constant. The Akulov-Gans derivation, however, is subject to a serious error; namely, neglect of the internal magnetic field arising from the magnetization itself. In the present paper, this internal field is taken into account; then, with the dual assumption, of randomness of orientation of crystallographic axes, and irregularity of shapes of the individual crystal grains, one obtains the formula, ${M}_{\mathrm{Av}}={M}_{0}[1\ensuremath{-}(\frac{{c}^{\ensuremath{'}}}{{{M}_{0}}^{2}}){H}^{\ensuremath{-}2}]$. Here, ${c}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ is a slowly varying function of $H$; for $H\ensuremath{\gg}4\ensuremath{\pi}{M}_{0}$, ${c}^{\ensuremath{'}}=c$; $H\ensuremath{\ll}4\ensuremath{\pi}{M}_{0}$, ${c}^{\ensuremath{'}}=\frac{1}{2}c$. Applications of the last formula to the analysis of the experimental data are discussed.
STRATEGY AND CONTROL IN SUPPLIER–DISTRIBUTOR RELATIONSHIPS: AN AGENCY PERSPECTIVE

This paper examines the influence of competitive strategy on the relationship between suppliers and their distribution networks. Drawing on agency theory, hypotheses are developed specifying the appropriate match between manufacturer strategies and systems of control within distribution channels. Cluster analysis is used to show distinct differences in channel management and structure for the three generic strategies of cost leadership, differentiation and focus. Results suggest that variation in control relationships may be explained by the demands posed by manufacturers' competitive strategies. This study therefore extends the applicability of Porter's typology to the specific structure of distribution channels and shows that agency theory can provide insights into the economic basis of interorganizational relationships.
C1 quadratic macroelements and C1 orthogonal multiresolution analyses in 2D

Each triangle of an arbitrary regular triangulation Δ of a polygonal region Ω in R2 is subdivided into twelve subtriangles by using three connecting lines joining three arbitrarily chosen points on its edges, three connecting lines from an arbitrarily chosen interior point in the triangle to its three vertices, and three connecting lines joining the points on the edges and the interior point. In this refinement \gD of Δ, C1 quadratic finite elements can be constructed. In this paper, we will give explicit Bezier coefficients of elements in terms of the parameters that describe function and first partial derivative values at vertices and values of the normal derivatives at vertices of subtriangles that lie on the edges of Δ. Consequently, the basis and approximation properties of C1 quadratic spline space under refined grid partition \gD can be found. Finally, we discuss the construction of C1 orthogonal scaling functions by using C1 quadratic macroelements.
Assessing and Managing Risk With Suicidal Individuals

Abstract The University of Washington Risk Assessment Protocol (UWRAP) and Risk Assessment and Management Protocol (UWRAMP) have been used in numerous clinical trials treating high-risk suicidal individuals over several years. These protocols structure assessors and treatment providers to provide a thorough suicide risk assessment, review standards of care recommendations for action, and allow for subsequent documentation of information gathered and actions taken. As such, it is a resource for providers treating high-risk populations across multiple contexts (e.g., primary care, outpatient psychotherapy, emergency department). This article describes both the UWRAP and UWRAMP. Taken together, these assessment and risk management tools include (a) assessment questions for gathering information to determine the level of risk, (b) action steps that can be taken to ensure safety, and (c) a companion therapist note where providers document their assessment and actions.
Transition metal based supramolecular systems: synthesis, photophysics, photochemistry and their potential applications as luminescent anion chemosensors

This review describes our recent research results on several transition-metal based supramolecular systems. A number of self-assembly metallocyclophanes and cages have been prepared. We have found that the photophysical properties of these systems are highly dependent on the nature of the bridging ligands and that many of these metallocyclophanes and cages are capable of binding different guest molecules such as inorganic anions and a variety of aromatic compounds. Moreover, trinuclear (diimine) rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes linked by a stilbene-like ligand exhibit most interesting photoswitching features, where the luminescence from the complexes can be switched on and off by photoinduced ligand isomerization. In addition, a structurally simple and easily synthesized luminescent anion receptor has been recently developed and it displays outstanding sensitivity and selectivity toward anionic species. We also review the synthesis of two shape-persistent hexagonal phenylacetylenes and their use as ligands to synthesize dinuclear transition-metal complexes. The photophysical properties of both phenylacetylenic ligands and their corresponding metal complexes are summarized.
The problem of time-dependent natural convection melting with conduction in the solid

Abstract This paper reports a theoretical and experimental study of the effect of solid-side subcooling on the phenomenon of melting by natural convection at the vertical interface between a solid body and a pool of its own liquid. The first part of the study consists of a conjugate boundary layer analysis of the transient melting process, in which the effect of solid subcooling leads to the formation of a time-dependent conduction boundary layer in the solid. The theoretical solution documents not only the effect of solid subcooling on the melting rate, but also the effects of liquid superheating (Stefan number) and thermal diffusivity ratio. The second part of the study consists of melting experiments conducted in a rectangular enclosure heated at a constant rate from the side. The solid subcooling parameter B covers the range 0.3–6.3, as the Rayleigh number remains fixed. The experiments show that in the conduction-dominated regime the Nusselt number increases as B increases. In the convection-dominated regime, the effect of the subcooling parameter B is insignificant. It is shown that these experimental observations agree with the trends anticipated theoretically in the first part of the study.
Benzoylarginine peptidase and iminopeptidase profiles of Treponema denticola strains isolated from the human periodontal pocket

Seven clinical isolates and the ATCC strain 35405 ofTreponema denticola, obtained from human periodontal pockets, were studied for peptidase activity with several chromogenic compounds as substrates. The cell sonicates of all strains hydrolyzed phenylazobenzyloxycarbonyl-l-prolyl-l-leucyl-glycyl-l-prolyl-d-arginine (a collagenase substrate), azocasein, and the 2-naphthylamines ofl-proline,l-hydroxyproline,l-pyrrolidine, and benzoyl-l-arginine, but the rates of hydrolysis varied considerably from strain to strain. Fast protein liquid chromatography on gel and anion exchange columns revealed further biochemical differences between the strains. The ATCC strain consistently produced several proline iminopeptidases, whereas four of the clinical isolates yielded high and three yielded low iminopeptidase activity. The ATCC strain and six clinical isolates displayed high benzoylarginine peptidase activity. The use ofN-l-prolyl-2-naphthylamine as substrate revealed more differences between the strains than other substrates. The substrate specificity of the enzymes discovered suggests that they may be important for the nutrition of the organism or in the protection of the organism against chemical defense factors present in the gingival pocket.
MINIMAL KNOTTING NUMBERS

This article concerns the minimal knotting number for several types of lattices, including the face-centered cubic lattice (fcc), two variations of the body-centered cubic lattice (bcc-14 and bcc-8), and simple-hexagonal lattices (sh). We find, through the use of a computer algorithm, that the minimal knotting number in sh is 20, in fcc is 15, in bcc-14 is 13, and bcc-8 is 18.
Present status of intrauterine treatment of hydrocephalus and its future

At a time when the intrauterine diagnosis of hydrocephalus is common and pioneering efforts of antenatal therapy are evolving, an assessment of intrauterine treatment of this disorder becomes pertinent. Consequently, the current status of the intrauterine treatment of fetal hydrocephalus is presented. The new data from the International Fetal Surgery Registry at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg are discussed. The technical problems of antenatal shunting, the clinical trials, and experimental treatment are assessed. The prognostication and possible new approaches in intrauterine treatment of hydrocephalus are presented as well as the new diagnostic and surgical techniques. The outcome of the antenatal diagnosis and treatment of fetal hydrocephalus is evaluated.
Rostrolateral prefrontal cortex: domain-general or domain-sensitive?

The ability to jointly consider several structured mental representations, or relations, is funda- mental to human cognition. Prior studies have consistently linked this capacity for relational integration to rostrolateral prefrontal cortex (RLPFC). Here, we sought to test two competing hypotheses: (1) RLPFC processes relations in a domain-general manner, interacting with different brain regions as a function of the type of lower-level relations that must be integrated; or (2) A dorsal-ventral gradient exists within RLPFC, such that relational integration in the visuospatial domain involves relatively more dorsal RLPFC than integration in the semantic domain. To this end, we examined patterns of fMRI activation and functional connectivity during performance of visuospatial and semantic variants of a relational matching task. Across the two task variants, the regions that were most strongly engaged during rela- tional comparison were left RLPFC and left intraparietal sulcus (IPS). Within left RLPFC, there was con- siderable overlap in activation for the semantic and visuospatial tasks. However, visuospatial task activation peaks were located dorsally to the semantic task peaks. In addition, RLPFC exhibited differen- tial functional connectivity on the two tasks, interacting with different brain regions as a function of the type of relations being compared. While neurons throughout RLPFC may share the function of integrat- ing diverse inputs, individual RLPFC neurons may have privileged access to particular representations depending on their anatomical inputs, organized along a dorsal-ventral gradient. Thus, RLPFC is well- positioned as a locus of abstraction from concrete, domain-specific details to the general principles and rules that enable higher-level cognition. Hum Brain Mapp 00:000-000, 2011. V C 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Diacetyl Accumulation in Mixed-Strain Lactic Acid Cultures with Antioxidants

Butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, and sodium erythorbate were added to reconstituted nonfat dry milk (11% total solids) prior to culturing with lactic acid starter cultures at 72°C. Butylated hydroxytoluene up to 50 ppm did not affect acid production or diacetyl accumulation in the cultures. Butylated hydroxyanisole at 10, 25, and 50 ppm inhibited diacetyl production or accumulation but not acid production. Inhibition at 10 and 25 ppm was only after 18 h incubation. However, at 50 ppm diacetyl accumulation was inhibited after 18, 24, and 36 h of incubation. Sodium erythorbate concentrations of .10 and .25% stimulated diacetyl production or accumulation after every incubation period. The amount of stimulation ranged from 38 to 108%. Increasing erythorbate above .10% did not increase the degree of stimulation. There was no culture effect in any of the experiments.
Diffusion Theory via Asymptotics

It is known that classic diffusion theory can lead to negative scalar fluxes if the external source of particles is anisotropic. The usual derivation of diffusion theory, via a truncated spherical harmonics expansion, gives no consistent way of dealing with this lack of positivity. In this paper we show that asymptotic methods can be used to derive a positive diffusion equation. These same ideas can be used to produce alternate diffusion theories which should be more accurate than classic diffusion theory for diffusive problems. A specific such modified diffusion theory is developed in some detail.
MCP-1 chemokine receptor CCR2 is decreased on circulating monocytes in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS)

Recent studies suggest that monocyte activation may play a role in ALS pathogenesis. Therefore, monocyte CCR2, the receptor for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and plasma levels of MCP-1 were measured in 42 sALS patients, 38 healthy and 34 age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) controls. MCP-1 was elevated in both sALS and ARMD patients, but CCR2 levels were significantly decreased on sALS but not on ARMD monocytes. Loss of monocyte CCR2 expression was inversely correlated with degree of monocyte/macrophage activation in sALS and this decrease was unlikely due to receptor down-regulation given the ARMD results. Defective monocyte/macrophages may play an active role in sALS.
The extraction of uranium(IV) from nitric acid by tri-n-octylamine

Abstract The extraction of uranium(IV) from nitric acid solutions by tri-n-octylamine has been studied by a spectrophotometric technique. The data are consistent with the extraction of the hexanitrato anion, as was the case with tetravalent thorium, neptunium, and plutonium previously studied.
Penetration of minoxidil from ethanol/propylene glycol solutions : effect of application volume and occlusion

We have previously established that the relative concentrations of propylene glycol and ethanol as a binary solvent system have a significant effect on the skin penetration of 2% solutions of minoxidil at 50 μL/cm2. The present work extends these studies and investigates the penetration of minoxidil from the different vehicle combinations as functions of application volume and occlusion. Decreasing the application volume has a variable effect which depends on vehicle composition. Penetration of minoxidil from 100% ethanol solutions decreased linearly with application volume. Generally, irrespective of the volume applied, the penetration of minoxidil increased with increasing ethanol fraction with a maximum penetration at 90% ethanol. Penetration from all the formulations was enhanced upon occluding the skin, with greatest increase evident in solutions with higher volatile fraction. Penetration of minoxidil in vivo showed trends similar to those seen in vitro.
Cancer of the cervical esophagus

Cancer of the cervical esophagus is an aggressive neoplasm with a high mortality. Total esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction is the preferred approach for operable cases. Indications for surgery, technique, complications, and postoperative issues are discussed.