cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microscopic Theory of Flow Alignment in Nematic Liquid Crystals

A microscopic theory of the flow alignment in nematic liquid crystals is presented. The calculation is based on a thermodynamic sum rule derived earlier. The temperature dependence of the flow-alignment angle is obtained in terms of the nematic order parameter $S(T)$. The theory favors stable flow alignment, but the orientational instability found by G\"ahwiller cannot be ruled out.
Preliminary study of adaptation-level theory as a framework for projective testing.

Adapative behavior of the patient in the clinical test situation has been increasingly recognized as an important variable. This study attempts to apply the paradigm of adaptation-level to projective testing on the assumption that response to the projective technique is structurally similar to the types of judgments made in psychophysics, from which AL theory is derived ( 1 ). Twenty Ss rated the Rorschach inkblots after giving free responses on an evaluative scale of the semantic differential whose bipolar adjectival anchors were "pleasant" and "unpleasant." The prevailing adaptation-level or neutral point of responses was computed from mean ratings by Helson's method (2). Ss' original mean judgments were then post-dicted on the assumption that they had been made with respect to a framework of reference determined by the adaptation-level, as suggested by theory. An I; test of goodness of fit was applied to both sets of data (empirical and theoretical), yielding a significance level exceeding the .O1 level. These findings were cross-validated on an independent sample of 13 Ss. The hypothesis that test responses follow the psychophysical paradigm of adaptation-level was confirmed. This finding is important clinjcally because AL theory offers a conceptual model having construct validity, and one that is operationally defined. AL theory offers a bridge between clinical and laboratory experimentation and permits examination of interactional and contextual effects in testing. Finally, the AL paradigm ,offers possibilities of integrating test results of differing metalanguages within a common conceptual framework, and of relating test behavior directly to personality in adaptation terms.
PAMELA'S PLACE: Power and Negotiation in the Hair Salon

This article draws from field research in a Long Island beauty salon to explore the ways that female beauty work constructs gendered, classed identities. Stylists use their attachment to beauty culture to nullify status differences between themselves and their clientele, and to imagine themselves their customers' friends and social equals. However, the emotional ties stylists profess force them to accomodate clients' appearance preferences, even when they are, in the stylists' estimation, unattractive or unstylish. Hairdressers' emotion work thus serves to undermine their status as professionals. While stylists use beauty culture to nullify status differences, clients use professional identities to resist beauty ideology. Customers' understandings of beauty, rather than following some omnipotent ideal, are instead driven by social location and cultural distinctions. Women use beauty work to stress social differences; rather than an endpoint, beauty is exploited in the service of class and status.
Seismic network detects landslides on broad areal scale

From 1999 to 2006, Taiwan's Chenyoulan watershed experienced 48,000 landslides, rock avalanches, and other geomorphic events, the bulk of which are thought to have been triggered by the powerful tropical cyclones that batter the island each summer. Rock slides and other geomorphic events are a natural hazard, but they are also the source for some of the raw sediment that winds its way downstream, affecting watershed erosion and sedimentation dynamics. From both of these perspectives, having a handle on when and where these geomorphic events occur is important.
Characterization of interfacial microstructures in 3003 aluminum alloy blocks fabricated by ultrasonic additive manufacturing

Ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) is a solid-state processing technique that uses ultrasonic vibrations to bond metal tapes into near net-shaped components. The benefits of UAM include the production of complex geometries and the incorporation of smart materials to produce functional composites and join dissimilar metals. The majority of the current research focuses on processing parameter optimization to eliminate macroscopic void formation at the interface. The present study utilizes ion-channeling contrast imaging from a focused ion beam, electron backscattered diffraction and transmission electron microscopy to examine microstructural changes induced during the UAM process. The results indicate that there is a bonding mechanism due to localized plastic deformation of asperities that undergo recrystallization and grain growth across the interface. Evidence for localized solidification microstructures, generated due to frictional sliding between the sonotrode horn and the tape material, is also presented.
A realistic model for point-sources imaged on array detectors: The model and initial results

(Received We have constructed a computer model for simulation of point-sources imaged on two-dimensional detectors. An attempt has been made to ensure that the model produces “data” that mimic real data taken with 2-D detectors. To be realistic, such simulations must include randomly generated noise of the appropriate type from all sources (e.g. source, background, and detector). The model is generic and accepts input values for parameters such as pixel size, read noise, source magnitude, and sky brightness. Point-source profiles are then generated with noise and detector characteristics added via our model. The synthetic data are output as simple integrations (onedimensional), as radial slices (two-dimensional), and as intensity-contour plots (tb.ree4imensione.l). Each noise source can be turned on or off so that they can be studied separately as well as in combination to yield a realistic view of an image. This paper presents the basic properties of the model and some examples of how it can be used to simulate the effects of changing image position, image scale, signal strength, noise characteristics, and data reduction procedures. Use of the model has allowed us to confirm and quantify three points: 1) The use of traditionalsize apertures for photometry of faint point-sources adds substantial noise to the measurement which can significantly degrade the quality of the observation; 2) The number of pixels used to estimate the background is important and must be considered when estimating errors; and 3) The “CCD equation” normally used by the astronomical community consistently overestimates the signal-tonoise obtainable by a measurement while a revised equation, discussed here, provides a better estimator. Y
Multicenter spherical gaussian expansion of molecular orbital wavefunctions

Floating spherical Gaussian basis sets are systematically expanded for a series of small molecules: methane, ammonia, ethane, and acetylene. Localized (nonorthogonal) molecular orbitals are each constructed as a linear combination of up to five functions of the form exp [– (r – R)2/ρ2], where the size ρ and the position R of each function is optimized according to the variation principle. Basis sets are obtained for the C and N cores, the C ; H and N H bonds, the N lone pair, and the C C and CC bonds. Only three to five fully optimized functions are required to describe the main features of each bond orbital, including the negative lobes in the wavefunctions at the heavy atoms and the local maximum in the electron density at the hydrogen atoms. The energies obtained with three basis functions for the core orbitals are intermediate between the results of RHF-SCF calculations with STO-3G and 3-21G basis sets.
Uncertainty in the transaction environment: An empirical test

Previous studies examining the relationship between uncertainty and vertical integration have produced a conflicting set of results. To clarify this puzzle we drew on the literature to conceptualize three distinct forms of uncertainty—primary, competitive, and supplier—and hypothesized that each had a different effect on vertical integration. The hypotheses were tested using experimental data collected from 308 managers. Consistent with our prediction of differential effects, we found that primary and competitive uncertainty were negatively associated with the decision to vertically integrate, but supplier uncertainty was positively related to the vertical integration decision. No interaction effects were found. Implications for theory and research are suggested. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Partial Purification & Properties of Xylose & Ribose Isomerase in Higher Plants.

The conversion of L-arabinose into the pentose moieties of plant polysaccharides proceeds with little rearrangement of the carbon skeleton (14,18). On the other hand D-ribose and D-xylose suffer considerable rearrangement. Experiments with specifically labeled sugars suggest that these two pentoses must pass through a hexose and indeed through the pentose phosphate pathway (1, 3, 8,10, 14, 17, 18). The discovery by Hassid and his co-workers of Larabinose kinase and the appropriate pyrophosphorylases and sugar nucleotide epimerases readily accounts for the observations with L-arabinose (19). However kinases for D-ribose and D-xylose have not been found in higher plants. A previous communication from this laboratory noted the presence in plant tissues of an enzyme, xylose isomerase which catalyzed the interconversion of D-xylose and D-xylulose (20). The action of a suitable kinase (for which we have presented indirect evidence & which is currently the object of study in our laboratory) could yield D-xylulose-5phosphate which would serve to introduce the xylulose into the metabolic stream of the plant via the pentose phosphate pathway. It is the purpose of this paper to describe a partial purification of xylose isomerase from wheat germ, and to note some of its properties, including its ability to catalyze the interconversion of D-ribose and D-ribulose. The demonstration of xylose isomerase activities in several other plant species point to a possibly general significance of this enzyme.
USING A MNEMONIC TO AID IN THE RECALL OF UNFAMILIAR INFORMATION

A 2×2 factorial design was used to test the effect of a mnemonic device on the recall of unfamiliar scientific information. Subjects were 26 8-yr.-olds and 20 18- to 21-yr.-olds, who were divided into four different groups: Older Song Group, Older Lecture Group, Younger Song Group, and Younger Lecture Group. Both the lecture and the song presented to the subjects included minerals, colors, and other related information to be recalled. Analysis showed information learned in a song increased recall rate over recall after lecture.
The Relationship Between Main Actor Behaviors and Treatment Outcome in Group Psychotherapy

The therapeutic process of 89 members in time-limited group psychotherapy was investigated using a group modification of the Vanderbilt Psychotherapy Process Scale (GRP-VPPS) applied to the most focused on member, or Main Actor, in each 30-minute group segment. The means of each patient's GRP-VPPS scores during those segments in which he or she was Main Actor were subjected to Principal Component Analysis, resulting in three factors: Therapeutic Participation, Negative Reaction and Ease of Self-Expression. Exploration of the relation of process to outcome found that Therapeutic Participation was positively related to therapeutic benefit as judged by patients, therapists, and independent raters. Negative reaction was negatively related to change on two scales, while ease of self-expression was negatively related to improvement in self-esteem. For several outcome variables there was an interaction indicating that more resistant behavior was related to better outcome for patients who were main actor only a f...
Acinar cell cystadenoma of the pancreas a benign neoplasm or non-neoplastic ballooning of acinar and ductal epithelium?

Acinar cell cystadenoma (ACA) of the pancreas was initially described as a non-neoplastic cyst of the pancreas and, at that time, referred to as "acinar cystic transformation." In subsequent studies, these lesions were given the designation of "-oma," despite the relative lack of evidence supporting a neoplastic process. To characterize these lesions further, we examined the clinical, pathologic, and immunohistochemical features of 8 ACAs. The majority of patients were female (7 of 8, 88%) and ranged in age from 18 to 57 years (mean, 43 y). Grossly, the cysts involved the head (n=5), body (n=1), or the entire pancreas (n=2). ACAs were either multilocular (n=4) or unilocular (n=4) and ranged in size from 1.8 to 15 cm (mean, 6.8 cm). Histologically, multilocular ACAs were lined by patches of acinar and ductal epithelium. Immunolabeling, including double-labeling for cytokeratin 19 and chymotrypsin, highlighted the patchy pattern of the ductal and acinar cells lining the cysts. In some areas, the cysts with patches of acinar and ductal differentiation formed larger locules with incomplete septa as they appeared to fuse with other cysts. In contrast, the unilocular cases were lined by 1 to 2 cell layers of acinar cells with little intervening ductal epithelium. Nuclear atypia, mitotic figures, necrosis, infiltrative growth, and associated invasive carcinoma were absent in all cases. In addition, we assessed the clonal versus polyclonal nature of ACAs, occurring in women, using X-chromosome inactivation analysis of the human androgen receptor (AR) gene. Five of 7 cases were informative and demonstrated a random X-chromosome inactivation pattern. Clinical follow-up information was available for all patients, and follow-up ranged from 10 months to 7.8 years (mean, 3.6 y), with no evidence of recurrence or malignant transformation. We hypothesize that early lesions are marked by acinar dilatation that expands into and incorporates smaller ductules and later larger ducts. As the cysts increase in size, they fuse forming larger cysts. Later lesions demonstrate a unilocular cyst lined by predominantly acinar epithelium with scattered ductal cells. The term cystadenoma, with its neoplastic connotation, does not seem to accurately reflect the histologic, immunohistochemical, or molecular features of these lesions. We suggest readopting the term "acinar cystic transformation" until the non-neoplastic versus neoplastic origin of these lesions can be resolved.
EARLY ADOLESCENTS EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE: Hope and Vulnerability to Victimization

Eighty-nine early adolescents were measured for perceptions of hope, exposure to violence, and perceived vulnerability to victimization. Results showed the presence of high hope, together with a high degree of exposure to violence. The adolescents were about equally divided regarding the nature of their own death, while most predicted a violent death for the "average American." The highest levels of hope were reported by those who had witnessed violence but not experienced it personally; those with the greatest exposure to violence predicted their own death would be violent. Language: en
Therapeutic role of niacin in the prevention and regression of hepatic steatosis in rat model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a leading cause of liver damage, comprises a spectrum of liver abnormalities including the early fat deposition in the liver (hepatic steatosis) and advanced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Niacin decreases plasma triglycerides, but its effect on hepatic steatosis is elusive. To examine the effect of niacin on steatosis, rats were fed either a rodent normal chow, chow containing high fat (HF), or HF containing 0.5% or 1.0% niacin in the diet for 4 wk. For regression studies, rats were first fed the HF diet for 6 wk to induce hepatic steatosis and were then treated with niacin (0.5% in the diet) while on the HF diet for 6 wk. The findings indicated that inclusion of niacin at 0.5% and 1.0% doses in the HF diet significantly decreased liver fat content, liver weight, hepatic oxidative products, and prevented hepatic steatosis. Niacin treatment to rats with preexisting hepatic steatosis induced by the HF diet significantly regressed steatosis. Niacin had no effect on the mRNA expression of fatty acid synthesis or oxidation genes (including sterol-regulatory element-binding protein 1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, fatty acid synthase, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1) but significantly inhibited mRNA levels, protein expression, and activity of diacylglycerol acyltrasferase 2, a key enzyme in triglyceride synthesis. These novel findings suggest that niacin effectively prevents and causes the regression of experimental hepatic steatosis. Approved niacin formulation(s) for other indications or niacin analogs may offer a very cost-effective opportunity for the clinical development of niacin for treating NAFLD and fatty liver disease.
Commercial Banks Getting Underwriting Business: Tying or Relationship Building?

This paper investigates how commercial banks can use lending to attract underwriting business from loan clients. The empirical evidence in this paper indicates that rather than using less credit and higher spreads to punish firms that do not give them underwriting business (i.e., coercive tying), banks use more credit and lower spreads as incentives for firms to give them future underwriting business. Further, banks that continue business relations by lending again to firms are rewarded with a higher probability of getting future underwriting business of the firm. The evidence found in this paper does not support recent concerns of “tying” behavior by banks. Rather, the evidence suggests that banks use discounted lending to attract underwriting business. The empirical evidence in this paper indicates that the ability to lend may have an impact on how investments banks compete for underwriting business.
Tectonic stress in the plates

In the present paper, the basic set of global intraplate stress orientation data is plotted and tabulated. Although the global intraplate stress field is complicated, several large-scale patterns can be seen. Much of stable North America is characterized by an E-W to NE-SW trend for the maximum compressive stress. South American lithosphere beneath the Andes, and perhaps farther east in the stable interior, has horizontal compressive stresses trending E-W to NW-SE. Western Europe north of the Alps is characterized by a NW-SE trending maximum horizontal compression, while Asia has the maximum horizontal compressive stress trending more nearly N-S, especially near the Himalayan front.
Foaming and Emulsifying Properties of Whey Protein Concentrates As Affected by Lipid Composition

Freeze-dried WPC, containing 35 and 75% protein were manufactured by pretreating whey with calcium chloride and heat. These and commercial WPC were subjected to proximate analysis and lipid classes, phospholipid classes, free fatty acids (FFA), and monoacylglycerols (MAG) composition were determined. Solubility, thermal, foaming, and emulsifying properties of the WPC were studied. Pretreatment increased calcium and phosphorus contents and decreased the contents of all other minerals. The pretreatment had no effect on solubility, denaturation enthalpy, and onset temperature of denaturation of WPC. These values were comparable to those of commercial WPC. Foaming capacity and emulsion stability were unaffected, but foam stability increased and emulsifying capacity decreased due to pretreatment. Overall, total lipids and lipid class contents of experimental WPC were too low to affect surface properties of WPC.
Exponential number of inequivalent difference sets in ℤ 22s + 1

Kantor [5] proved an exponential lower bound on the number of pairwise inequivalent difference sets in the elementary abelian group of order 22s+2. Dillon [3] generalized a technique of McFarland [6] to provide a framework for determining the number of inequivalent difference sets in 2-groups with a large elementary abelian direct factor. In this paper, we consider the opposite end of the spectrum, the rank 2 group ℤ, and compute an exponential lower bound on the number of pairwise inequivalent difference sets in this group. In the process, we demonstrate that Dillon difference sets in groups ℤ can be constructed via the recursive construction from [2] and we show that there are exponentially many pairwise inequivalent difference sets that are inequivalent to any Dillon difference set. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 11: 249–259, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jcd.10046
Molecular Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Autophagy/Mitophagy in the Heart

Mitochondrial quality is a crucial determinant of cell viability, and mitochondrial autophagy plays a central role in this control mechanism. Based on studies in yeast, numerous investigations of this process have been conducted, and the framework of mammalian mitochondrial autophagy is progressively appearing. However, many enigmas about the molecular mechanisms involved remain unsolved. Furthermore, the pathological significance of mitochondrial autophagy in the heart remains largely unclear. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of mitochondrial autophagy in mammals with reference to that in yeast. Regarding the process in yeast, some points of uncertainty have arisen. We also summarize recent advances in the research of autophagy and mitochondrial autophagy in the heart. This article is a part of a review series on Autophagy in Health and Disease.
Outcomes and complications of osseointegrated hearing AIDS in irradiated temporal bones

Objectives/Hypothesis To compare the complication rate for osseointegrated hearing aids (OIHA) in patients with or without irradiation. Study Design Retrospective case review. Methods We studied patients with OIHAs implanted between January 1, 2005, and July 15, 2013 in a tertiary university center with a referral otology and neurotology practice. Demographics, history of oncologic surgery, follow-up length after OIHA implantation, radiation history and dosage, postoperative complications, and chronologic relationship between oncologic resection, OIHA implantation, and irradiation were reviewed to collect information. Soft tissue complications were graded according to a modified Holgers classification. Results The study included 48 patients. Twenty-nine patients (32 implants) did not undergo radiotherapy and 19 patients (19 implants) did. In the radiotherapy group, six patients had OIHAs implanted before radiotherapy, and 13 had OIHAs implanted in irradiated bone. Of these 13 patients, one had OIHA implanted during primary oncologic surgery; 11 had OIHA implanted during secondary surgery; and one patient did not have oncologic surgery. Patients with both OIHA implantation and radiotherapy had more complications than patients without radiotherapy (31.6% vs. 24.1%, P > 0.05) and more major complications than patients without radiotherapy (26.3% vs. 3.4%, P > 0.05). Patients with OIHAs implanted before radiotherapy did not have any complications. There were significantly fewer and less severe complications in patients with OIHAs implanted during primary oncologic resection than in patients with OIHAs implanted secondarily (0/8 vs. 8/11, P < 0.05). Conclusions The rate and severity of complications of OIHAs can be minimized by implanting the device before irradiation, ideally at the time of primary oncologic surgery. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2015
The meaning of translational research and why it matters.

Translational research means different things to different people, but it seems important to almost everyone. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has made translational research a priority, forming centers of translational research at its institutes and launching the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program in 2006. With 24 CTSA-funded academic centers already established, other universities are transforming themselves to compete for upcoming CTSA grants. By 2012, the NIH expects to fund 60 such centers with a budget of $500 million per year.1 Besides academic centers, foundations, industry, disease-related organizations, and individual hospitals and health systems have also established translational research programs and at least 2 journals (Translational Medicine and the Journal of Translational Medicine) are devoted to the topic. By some accounts, translational research has become a centerpiece of the European Commission's 6 billion budget for health-related research, and the United Kingdom . . .
Perceptions and Attitudes About School Grading Practices Among Intellectually Gifted, Learning-Disabled, and Normal Elementary School Pupils

Fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students, representing three classifications—intellectually gifted, learning disabled, and normal-achieving—were compared for their conceptualizations, attributions, and attitudes about school grading practices. Significant differences were found among the three groups, particularly in ability to define grading systems and tendencies to perceive the causes for getting good grades as internal and controllable. Linear trends were found on these variables, with mean scores showing an increase from the learning-disabled, to the normal-achieving, to the gifted group. Results are discussed in terms of psychological theory and issues for educational practice.
COMPARING FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENTS OF WETLANDS TO MEASUREMENTS OF SOIL CHARACTERISTICS AND NITROGEN PROCESSING

One beneficial service of wetland ecosystems is the improvement of water quality through nitrogen (N) removal. However, one important N-removal process, denitrification, can produce the atmospheric pollutant nitrous oxide (N2O). Wetland biogeochemical functions, such as N processing, can be assessed by the hydrogeomorphic (HGM) approach using a suite of simple field observations made in a single visit to a wetland. HGM assessments score functions on a scale of 0–1 where 1 equals the functionality of an undisturbed reference standard wetland and 0 equals the functionality of a completely degraded wetland. We compared seasonal measurements of potential denitrification, N2O emissions, and related soil characteristics to HGM assessments of nine non-tidal riverine wetlands and seven flats wetlands in the Nanticoke River watershed in Delaware and Maryland, USA. Denitrification potential, measured as denitrification enzyme activity (DEA), was higher in riverine wetlands than in flats. DEA increased with increases in percent water-filled pore space, pH, ammonium concentration, and the percentages of N and organic carbon. DEA decreased with increases in oxidation-reduction potential (Eh) and water-table depth. The difference in DEA between riverine and flats wetlands was attributable to the differences in the correlated soil characteristics. N2O emission rates were higher on average in riverine wetlands than in flats, but the difference was not statistically significant. N2O emission rates were generally less predictable than DEA and showed only weak correlations with pH, water-table depth, and the percentage of water-filled pore space when data from riverine wetlands and flats were combined. HGM biogeochemistry function scores ranged from 0.18 to 1 for the riverine wetlands and from 0.24 to 0.98 for the flats. The scores did not correlate with N2O emission or DEA, except for summer DEA in flats, which increased with increasing score. Wetland alterations that increase soil moisture relative to reference standard conditions decrease biogeochemistry and hydrology function scores but increase DEA. Biogeochemistry function scores would more closely reflect denitrification potential if the scoring incorporated measurements of soil characteristics that correlate with DEA.
Systemic in vivo distribution of activatable cell penetrating peptides is superior to that of cell penetrating peptides.

Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been developed as vehicles for payload delivery into cells in culture and in animals. However several biologic features limit their usefulness in living animals. Activatable cell penetrating peptides (ACPPs) are polycationic CPPs whose adsorption and cellular uptake are minimized by a covalently attached polyanionic inhibitory domain. Cleavage of the linker connecting the polyanionic and polycationic domains by specific proteases (tumor associated matrix metalloproteases discussed herein) dissociates the polyanion and enables the cleaved ACPP to enter cells. In contrast to their CPP counterpart, ACPPs are relatively nonadherent and distributed uniformly to normal tissues. While nonaarginine (r9) CPP administered intravenously into mice initially bind to the local vasculature and redistribute to the liver, where >90% of the injected dose accumulates 30 min after injection. Regardless of the presence of the polyanionic inhibitory domain, confocal imaging of live tissues reveals that the majority of the ACPP and CPP remain in punctate organelles, presumably endosomes. Therefore further improvements in the efficiency of delivery to the cytosol and nucleus are necessary. In addition to improved target specificity, a major advantage of ACPPs over CPPs for potential clinical applications is reduced toxicity. Systemically administered r9 CPP causes acute toxicity in mice at a dose 4-fold lower than the MMP cleavable ACPP, a complication not observed with an uncleavable ACPP presumably because the polycationic charge remains masked systemically. These data suggest that ACPPs have greater potential than CPPs for systemic delivery of imaging and therapeutic agents.
Model estimates of optical emissions due to lightning-induced electron precipitation

Model calculations are conducted to estimate the optical emission brightness caused by lightning-induced electron precipitation (LEP). Pitch-angle scattering of energetic radiation-belt electrons by whistler-mode waves results in precipitation in the upper atmosphere. We calculate the secondary ionization production and optical emissions in a number of lines and bands. We find that the N 2 1P and O(1S) emissions may reach ∼10 R for a 100 kA peak current, with distinct spatial and temporal signatures. A simple SNR calculation shows that the emissions should be detectable with modern photometric instruments. We further investigate the dependence of these emissions on lightning source latitude.
Halogen-containing tetrametallic aluminium alkoxides†‡

New halogen-containing tetrametallic aluminium alkoxides of formula [Al{(µ-OEt)2AlMeCl}3] (2-cis; 2-trans), and [Al{(µ-OEt)2AlBr2}3] (4), have been synthesized by combining Al(OEt)3 and Me2AlCl (for 2) or EtAlBr2 (for 4). They were fully characterized by (1H, 27Al) NMR, IR, mp, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. The chloride analogue of 4, [Al{(µ-OEt)2AlCl2}3] (3), prepared previously using a different route, was also prepared here by combining Al(OEt)3 and EtAlCl2.
Somatic Ca2+ transients do not contribute to inspiratory drive in preBötzinger Complex neurons.

PreBotzinger Complex (preBotC) neurons are postulated to underlie respiratory rhythm generation. The inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle in vitro results from preBotC neurons firing synchronous bursts of action potentials (APs) on top of 10–20 mV, 0.3–0.8 s inspiratory drive potentials. Is the inspiratory drive in individual neurons simply the result of the passive integration of inspiratory-modulated synaptic currents or do active processes modulate these currents? As somatic Ca2+ is known to increase during inspiration, we hypothesized that it affects inspiratory drive. We combined whole cell recording in an in vitro slice preparation with Ca2+ microfluorometry to detect single inspiratory neuron somatic Ca2+ transients with high temporal resolution (∼μs). In neurons loaded with either Fluo-4 or Oregon Green BAPTA 5 N, we observed Ca2+ transients associated with each AP. During inspiration, significant somatic Ca2+ influx was a direct consequence of activation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels by APs. However, when we isolated the inspiratory drive potential in active preBotC neurons (by blocking APs with intracellular QX-314 or by hyperpolarization), we did not detect somatic Ca2+ transients; yet, the parameters of inspiratory drive were the same with or without APs. We conclude that, in the absence of APs, somatic Ca2+ transients do not shape the somatic inspiratory drive potential. This suggests that in preBotC neurons, substantial and widespread somatic Ca2+ influx is a consequence of APs during the inspiratory phase and does not contribute substantively to the inspiratory drive potential. Given evidence that the Ca2+ buffer BAPTA can significantly reduce inspiratory drive, we hypothesize that dendritic Ca2+ transients amplify inspiratory-modulated synaptic currents.
Kinetics of accumulation and processing of simian virus 40 RNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with simian virus 40 DNA.

The authors examined the kinetics of accumulation and processing of simian virus 40 (SV40) RNA in stage 6 oocytes of Xenopus laevis microinjected intranuclearly with SV40 DNA. The rates of synthesis and degradation, cellular distribution, size, and sequence specificity of radiolabelled SV40-specific and endogeneous oocyte RNA were determined. The kinetics of accumulation of SV40 RNA were biphasic, with greater than 90% of the viral RNA turning over in the nucleus with a half-life of 20 to 40 min. Although most of the primary transcription products were mulitgenomic in length, some table polyadenylated SV40-specific RNA similar in size and sequence to late 19S mRNA accumulated in the cytoplasm with time. Differences in strand preference, efficiencies of transcription termination and polyadenylation, and the splice sites used in synthesis and processing of SV40 RNA in Xenopus oocytes and monkey cells were noted. However, these differences were quantitative, rather than qualitative, in nature. Consequently, they are probably due to regulatory rather than mechanistic differences between the two cell types. The authors therefore conclude that Xenopus oocytes may be a useful system for studying both mechanistic and cell type-specific regulatory aspects of mRNA biogenesis from cloned DNAs. However, since only a small percentage of themore » initially synthesized RNA ends up in stable mRNA, it will be important to determine whether mutants of cloned DNAs that produce abnormal amounts of stable mRNAs are altered in promotion and initiation of RNA synthesis, transcription termination, RNA processing, or the stability of the resultant mRNAs.« less
A multicell battery system design for electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

The performance of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEVs) strongly relies on their battery storage system, which consists of multiple battery cells connected in series and parallel. However, cell state variations are commonly present, which reduces the energy conversion efficiency of the battery system. Furthermore, in a large battery system the risk of catastrophic faults of cells increases because a large numbers of cells are used. To solve these problems, this paper proposes a novel power electronics-enabled, self-X, multicell battery system design. The proposed battery system can self-heal from failures or abnormal operations of single or multiple cells and self-balance from cell state variations. These features are achieved by a cell switching circuit and a high-performance battery management system (BMS). The proposed design is validated by simulation studies in MATLAB Simulink for a battery system containing five modules connected in series, where each module consists of 6×3 cylindrical lithium-ion cells. The proposed design is scalable to large battery systems for EV/PHEV applications.
Flippases and vesicle-mediated protein transport

The best-understood mechanisms for generating transport vesicles in the secretory and endocytic pathways involve the localized assembly of cytosolic coat proteins such as clathrin, coat protein complex (COP)I and COPII onto membranes. These coat proteins can deform membranes by themselves, but accessory proteins might help to generate the tight curvature needed to form a vesicle. Enzymes that pump phospholipid from one leaflet of the bilayer to the other (flippases) can deform membranes by creating an imbalance in the phospholipid number between the two leaflets. Recent studies describe a requirement for the yeast Drs2p family of P-type ATPases in both phospholipid translocation and protein transport in the secretory and endocytic pathways. This indicates that flippases work with coat proteins to form vesicles.
The starting frequencies of type III bursts

During the period 1960 to 1966 the monthly averages of the starting frequencies of type III bursts declined with the level of solar activity and reached a minimum near the minimum of the solar cycle in 1964. The electron densities corresponding to the observed starting frequencies are close to those expected at the base of the K corona. It is shown that sufficient free-free absorption may occur in the corona above the appropriate plasma levels to account for the observed behavior of the starting frequencies of the bursts. The daily variation in the starting frequencies is attributed to structural variation of the inner corona. Quiescent prominences may be responsible for establishing periods of anomalously low-starting frequencies.
A Climatology of the Extratropical Transition of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones.

Abstract A comprehensive climatology of extratropically transitioning tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin is presented. Storm tracks and intensities over a period from 1899 to 1996 are examined. More detailed statistics are presented only for the most reliable period of record, beginning in 1950. Since 1950, 46% of Atlantic tropical cyclones transitioned to the extratropical phase. The coastal Atlantic areas most likely to be impacted by a transitioning tropical cyclone are the northeast United States and the Canadian Maritimes (1–2 storms per year), and western Europe (once every 1–2 yr). Extratropically transitioning tropical cyclones represent 50% of landfalling tropical cyclones on the east coasts of the United States and Canada, and the west coast of Europe, combined. The likelihood that a tropical cyclone will transition increases toward the second half of the tropical season, with October having the highest probability (50%) of transition. Atlantic transition occurs from 24° to 55°N, with a muc...
Navigating the fourth industrial revolution

Andrew D. Maynard considers the challenges of ensuring the responsible development and use of converging technologies.
The Theory of Scientific Inquiry

We live in a world in which social problems are at times created, constrained, and/or resolved by persons engaged in scientific inquiry. Such problems are commonly perceived as prevailing conditions that in some demonstrable sense require institutional remedies, i.e. changes in behavioral rules. “What is” is not “what ought to be.” Indeed the referential content of a “social problem” cannot be conceived except through recourse to some standard, some criterion, that distinguishes between “is” and “ought.” Certainly one of the revolutionary contributions of Foster, and therefore one of the main foci of this volume, is his demonstration that, in the social process, questions of “oughtness,” criteria of value, can be scientifically explored! A social science is both possible and essential. We need not, indeed must not be, dependent on cultural certitudes, utilitarian preferences, nationalistic icons, transcendentalistic axioms, or other non-evidential bases as the source of criteria of judgment if rational comprehension and enhancement of the human condition is to continue and accelerate. The central function of economics as a social science is, in Foster’s view, to explain causal relationships and make policy recommendations concerning “the provision of the means of human life and experience.” He explains,
Depression: The Shroud of Heterogeneity

Over the past several decades, depression has emerged as a major public health problem. Yet depression has not always represented such a prominent psychiatric condition, and the term depression has harbored different meanings over time. One widely agreed upon way of explaining such variation in what depression implies has been to describe depression as being heterogeneous. In the present article, depression is examined in relation to different types of heterogeneity, particularly with regard to the concept of a syndrome. The consequences of various meanings of heterogeneity for understanding the nature of depression are then explored. Finally, we speculate on the implications for the future of depression research and practice.
THE MANAGEMENT OF CERVICAL INCOMPETENCE BY PURSE-STRING SUTURE.

Abstract 1. Twenty-five patients presumed to represent the cervical incompetence syndrome were treated by purse-string suture of the cervix during pregnancy. 2. The manner of selection of these cases for cervical suture is reviewed. 3. The surgical technique is described in detail, as are the preoperative and postoperative treatment. 4. Thirteen patients were delivered of infants who survived. 5. Retrospective analysis of the cases suggests that poor selection criteria contributed significantly to the unsuccessful group. 6. Twelve cases in this series were seemingly well selected, and ten were successful. 7. It would seem advisable to adopt strict criteria for, and to devise adequate tests for, the diagnosis of cervical incompetence. Such criteria are suggested. 8. The likelihood of success with pursestring suture would apparently be enhanced by a more or less rigid definition of this entity.
Configurations in a Plane of Order Ten

Publisher Summary This chapter describes some of these configurations involving only a small number of points. The weight w(v) = n of a vector v over GF(2) is the number of ones in v and will correspond to a set of n points, and so in turn to a configuration M n . A configuration M 12 is an oval and is a set of 12 points such that no line contains as many as three of them. A configuration M 16 has eight lines of four points each, each point being on two of these eight lines, and also 72 further lines with exactly two points.
Decisions about Wastewater Technology: 1850-1932

This paper focuses upon key turning points in the evolution of methods of collecting and treating domestic wastes, 1850-1932, and suggests that there are many analogs between today’s water quality movement and the past. The 1850-1932 time span can be divided into three periods: 1850-1880, 1880-1900, and 1900-1932. Each of these periods was dominated by a critical decision in terms of dealing with domestic wastes. The three decisions examined are the adoption of system of sewers using water for transport of wastes, the decision to build combined rather than separate sewers, and the decision to treat raw water supplies rather than treat waste before disposal to waterways. These decisions led to unanticipated results — results that necessitated new technologies and that led to an expansion of governmental regulation in the area of water quality.
Phosphaturic effect of parathyroid hormone in the spontaneously hypertensive rat

The Okamoto spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) has been reported to have altered phosphate metabolism. Hypophosphaturia in the presence of increased serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels has been reported in the SHR. Therefore it has been postulated that the SHR may be hyporesponsive to the phosphaturic effect of endogenous PTH. In addition, the SHR exhibits enhanced renal sympathetic nerve activity. Recent studies demonstrated that stimulation of the renal adrenoreceptors decreases the phosphaturic response to PTH infusion. Thus a hyporesponsiveness to PTH in the SHR may be due in part to higher renal sympathetic tone. The present study determined the phosphaturic effect of a pharmacological dose of PTH (33 U/kg bolus and 1 U.kg-1.min-1 infusion) in the thyroparathyroidectomized SHR compared with its normotensive control, the Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat. Three groups of clearance experiments were performed on male 10- to 14-wk-old SHR and WKY rats. In the first group of rats, the fractional excretion of phosphate (FEPi) in response to PTH infusion was 35.4 +/- 4.2% in the SHR (n = 6) and 26.2 +/- 3.0% in the WKY rat (n = 6), NS. In the second group, all animals underwent acute unilateral renal denervation (DNX). The FEPi in response to PTH was 35.3 +/- 1.5% in the innervated (INN) kidney of the SHR (n = 10) compared with 27.9 +/- 2.5% in the INN kidney of the WKY rat (n = 11), and 39.1 +/- 1.9% in the DNX kidney of the SHR compared with 30.5 +/- 2.0% in the DNX kidney of the WKY rat.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Got milk? Understanding the farm milk effect in allergy and asthma prevention

Cow’s milk is a major component of most of our diets, but concerns about its ingestion have been in and out of public health dialogues for decades. Raw milk has long been associated with numerous foodborne illnesses and outbreaks due to enteric and opportunistic bacteria such as Brucella, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia, Campylobactor species, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli species.1,2 Mycobacterium bovis infection was transmitted to humans following drinking unpasteurized milk from infected cows, causing tuberculosis and scrofula.3 Pasteurization, in which milk is heated to 161°F for at least 15 seconds and then cooled, was intended to reduce or eliminate the microbial content, thus decreasing the risk for serious bacterial infections and prolonging the shelf life.4 Since the 1920s, universal pasteurization of milk and milk products has lessened significantly the incidence of these serious infections.3,5 At the start of the obesity epidemic in the United States in the 1980s, milk was drawn into the public spotlight when the fat in whole milk was considered partly responsible for weight gain and the associated metabolic and cardiovascular complications. When the 1995 US Department of Agriculture guidelines recommended switching from whole milk to reduced-fat milk,6 consumption of whole milk plummeted in favor of low-fat varieties.
A Master of Public Administration Degree with Chinese Characteristics

This article examines the newly launched Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs in the People's Republic of China. By tracing the history of the discipline of public administration in China and various administrative reform efforts during the past two decades, the authors describe the major factors that propelled the Chinese to adopt a Western-style professional MPA degree.The article also points out the implications the new degree will have for senior public officials in China and the challenges they will face as they implement the MPA degree throughout the country.
Infections of the Kidney in Cancer Patients

Abstract Patients with cancer are at risk for infections, even those with normally low virulence, due to alterations in the immune system and toxicities related to therapy. In this patient population kidney infections are responsible for significant morbidity and health care-related costs. Bacterial and fungal infections are common and often associated with urinary tract anatomic disruptions or functional impairments. Reactivation of latent viral disease, particularly BK nephropathy after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, remains a significant burden. Although risk factors vary for individual infections, most are directly related to the severity and longevity of immunosuppression. Multiple targeted therapies exist, but they often bring about other serious toxicities. Therefore, screening, prophylaxis and early intervention have been areas of focus, and this chapter reviews current data on infections of the kidney and subsequent complications in cancer patients.