cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can the argon plasma “Grafting-From” approach be used for the modification of nanoparticle systems?

Abstract Many groups have utilized argon plasma and the “Grafting-From” approach as a means for the modification of surfaces at the macro-scale. However, very few have utilized this technique for the modification of surfaces at the nano-scale, due to the idea that plasmas destroy the chemical integrity of materials at the nano-scale. In this study, argon plasma grafting technology was used as an initiator for the surface modification of carbon and titanium oxide nanoparticles. When constructed using optimized experimental conditions, grafted nanoparticles containing polyacrylic acid possessed significantly different chemical and physical properties in comparison to plasma treated and polyacrylic acid coated nanoparticles. It is reported that the grafted nanoparticles, when compared to coated nanoparticles, were extremely stable, resulting in negligible amounts of polymer degradation after exposure to a wide range of experimental conditions including solutions of different pH ranging from 3 to 11, simulated body fluid, 2% fetal bovine serum, and phosphate buffered saline solutions with temperatures ranging from 20 to 100 °C. The results discussed in this work provide evidence for the potential application of the plasma-assisted modification technique as a possible means to solve many of the concerns regarding drug and gene delivery systems.
Pervasive cis effects of variation in copy number of large tandem repeats on local DNA methylation and gene expression.

Summary Variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) are composed of large tandemly repeated motifs, many of which are highly polymorphic in copy number. However, because of their large size and repetitive nature, they remain poorly studied. To investigate the regulatory potential of VNTRs, we used read-depth data from Illumina whole-genome sequencing to perform association analysis between copy number of ∼70,000 VNTRs (motif size ≥ 10 bp) with both gene expression (404 samples in 48 tissues) and DNA methylation (235 samples in peripheral blood), identifying thousands of VNTRs that are associated with local gene expression (eVNTRs) and DNA methylation levels (mVNTRs). Using an independent cohort, we validated 73%–80% of signals observed in the two discovery cohorts, while allelic analysis of VNTR length and CpG methylation in 30 Oxford Nanopore genomes gave additional support for mVNTR loci, thus providing robust evidence to support that these represent genuine associations. Further, conditional analysis indicated that many eVNTRs and mVNTRs act as QTLs independently of other local variation. We also observed strong enrichments of eVNTRs and mVNTRs for regulatory features such as enhancers and promoters. Using the Human Genome Diversity Panel, we define sets of VNTRs that show highly divergent copy numbers among human populations and show that these are enriched for regulatory effects and preferentially associate with genes that have been linked with human phenotypes through GWASs. Our study provides strong evidence supporting functional variation at thousands of VNTRs and defines candidate sets of VNTRs, copy number variation of which potentially plays a role in numerous human phenotypes.
How is Time Frequency Space Modulation Related to Short Time Fourier Signaling

We investigate the relationship between Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS) modulation and Orthogonal Short Time Fourier (OSTF) signaling. OTFS was recently proposed as a new scheme for high Doppler scenarios and builds on OSTF. We first show that the two schemes are unitarily equivalent in the digital domain. However, OSTF defines the analog-digital interface with the waveform domain. We then develop a critically sampled matrix-vector model for the two systems and consider linear minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) filtering at the receiver to suppress inter-symbol interference. Initial comparison of capacity and (uncoded) probability of error reveals a surprising observation: OTFS under-performs OSTF in capacity but over-performs in probability of error. This result can be attributed to characteristics of the channel matrices induced by the two systems. In particular, the diagonal entries of OTFS matrix exhibit nearly identical magnitude, whereas those of the OSTF matrix exhibit wild fluctuations induced by multipath randomness. It is observed that by simply replacing the unitary matrix, relating OTFS to OSTF, by an arbitrary unitary matrix results in performance nearly identical to OTFS. We then extend our analysis to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and also consider a more extreme scenario of relatively large delay and Doppler spreads. Our results demonstrate the significance of using OSTF basis waveforms rather than sinusoidal ones in OFDM in highly dynamic environments, and also highlight the impact of the level of channel state information used at the receiver.
The Comic Worlds of Peter Arno, William Steig, Charles Addams and Saul Steinberg by Iain Topliss Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005. 334 pp

(2005). The Comic Worlds of Peter Arno, William Steig, Charles Addams and Saul Steinberg by Iain Topliss Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005. 334 pp. American Journalism: Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 119-120.
Identification of human biliary α1-acid glycoprotein as a cholesterol crystallization promoter

Background/Aims: We have recently outlined the biochemical features of a human 42-kilodalton biliary glycoprotein that shows concentration-dependent cholesterol crystallization-promoting activity. The goal in this work was to establish its identity and to examine some aspects of its biochemical properties relative to its activity. Methods: Internal amino acid sequencing following tryptic digestion was performed. Based upon this result, immunoreactivity against the 42-kilodalton glycoprotein was examined using a relevant antibody. With the same antibody, the 42-kilodalton glycoprotein was isolated from bile and assayed for activity. Sequential enzymatic deglycosylation of successive terminal glycans of the purified glycoprotein was performed, and the effects on both reductions in molecular radius (M r ) and on comparative promoter activities were examined. Results: Both amino acid sequence and immunochemical data identify the 42-kilodalton glycoprotein as a biliary form of α 1 -acid glycoprotein. When purified by immunoaffinity chromatography, potent promoting activity shown was proportionately reduced by successive removal of terminal glycans that also reduced the M r s. Conclusions: The 42-kilodalton cholesterol crystallization-promoting glycoprotein is now identified as a biliary form of α 1 -acid glycoprotein. Further, some aspects of the important role of glycans in this extensively glycosylated protein have been explored.
Empirical Studies of Law and Social Change: What is the Field? What are the Questions?

The question of whether and how law plays a role in producing social change has received renewed scholarly attention, powered by research on the role of social movements in law making and the relation between court decisions and backlash. Reflecting the broader turn to empiricism within legal scholarship, this research either directly engages in or builds upon the empirical study of law in ways that chart exciting new scholarly directions — but also raise important conceptual and methodological questions. This essay explores these questions in an effort to frame what is at stake and guide future research. It makes three contributions.First, it offers a map of the law and social change field, suggesting how researchers across disciplines have asked a set of questions that can be understood as part of a coherent model in which law is viewed as both an “input” and “output” of social change campaigns. Within this model, debate centers on what factors cause lawyers and activists to turn to law as a tool of reform in the first instance (input analysis) and whether legal mobilization ultimately advances movement goals (output analysis). Focusing on the input side, the Essay next outlines how existing research presents a more nuanced story of legal mobilization than posited by the conventional view of rights claiming in court to advance underrepresented interests. In contrast to the traditional account of lawyers deploying litigation as a substitute for traditional politics, the input literature offers a more complex and dynamic account of the relationship of legal mobilization to political power; of lawyers to clients and constituencies; and of litigation to other legal and nonlegal social change strategies.Finally, the Essay turns to the output side to consider the multiple — and often contested — ways in which law may effect change. Here, it highlights an important challenge that empiricism poses to law and social change researchers: the challenge of evaluation. In particular, much of the debate about law and social change has centered on whether legal mobilization makes positive or negative contributions to reform efforts. As these debates become more informed by interdisciplinary research, it is useful to think about how the questions asked may shape the answers produced — and what this means for our understanding of law as a tool of transformative politics. Toward this end, the Essay identifies four key evaluative challenges — how to account for background conditions, select baselines, understand burdens of proof, and weigh counterfactuals — and offers some thoughts on how they might be addressed.
Scale issues in agroecological research chains

Translating information about soil characteristics and qualities across different spatial and temporal scales has emerged as a major theme in soil science. The interest in scale has developed as our understanding of processes operating at scales larger (e.g. landscape, regional) or smaller (molecular, aggregate) than the field plot has increased. As next steps are considered in this area, an examination of the ecological literature presents some valuable philosophical and practical concepts pertaining to the translation of information across scales. The concepts of hierarchy and the holon are particularly relevant to the study of soil as a component of an ecosystem. The experience of the ecologists over the last 30 years suggests both opportunities and constraints for the study of soil systems at different spatial and temporal scales. As an example, our ability to predict soil processes at the small scale given large scale information (“down” scaling) is much worse than our ability to scale “up”. Moreover, while there have been several successful efforts to scale up certain types of information, we have been unable to predict large-scale phenomena given small scale information in several important instances. Ecological studies provide relevant insight. Different approaches to scale translation, and the successes and failures of these different approaches, have important implications for soil characterization and identification of land qualities as we address contemporary environmental problems at different scales. It is suggested that current scale translation efforts of all types fail for one of two main reasons; (1) either a key controlling process or characteristic has been overlooked, or (2) when multiple factors interact to create unique phenomena.
Boundary Issues and Transformation Possibilities in the HBSE Curriculum.

Abstract Frequently, boundary issues involving content selection decisions are met with the “add and stir” approach to curriculum revision, which can result in HBSE content that is contradictory, fragmented and even contrary to the intent of the 1982 Curriculum Policy Statement guidelines. Transformative, rather than merely additive approaches to curriculum development and reconstruction are advocated. Curriculum transformation experiences described in the feminist literature are explored for applicability to social work. Examples from the contemporary HBSE literature and a brief course plan are presented as indications that transforming ways of conceptualizing a knowledge base for social work practice are emerging.
Field emission from carbon nanotube FEAs in hydrogen

Field emission in hydrogen at pressures near 10/sup -4/ torr increases the current produced by carbon nanotube field emitter arrays. In this paper, a more detailed current and energy analysis including the effects of cracking the hydrogen using a hot filament, long-term exposure, and the production of ions is reported. The carbon nanotubes are grown using PECVD. With the gate voltage held at 24 V, the anode current increased from 0.4 /spl mu/A before exposure to H, to 4 /spl mu/A after half an hour under atomic hydrogen. Fowler-Nordheim analysis suggests a reduced work function or emitter radius and reduced emission area or reduced density of states.
Robust Stability of Interval Plants and Quantitative Feedback Theory

This paper addresses the problem of judging how well a fixed compensator robustly stabilizes an interval plant. Design techniques such as the Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) confront the issue of deriving compensators which satisfy performance and stability robustness specifications for plants with known uncertainty. However, these procedures do not guarantee that stability robustness exists over the entire range of uncertainty. This is due to the fact that in QFT one chooses a series of arbitrary plants, and designs the controller solely from these points. This work presents a method of determining if a controller robustly stabilizes a plant with numerator and denominator uncertainty, and shows how to apply this technique in synthesis with the QFT compensator design procedure.
Lightest supersymmetric particle stability and new Higgs signals at the LHC

The fate of R-parity in the context of the minimal supersymmetric standard model is a central issue which has profound implications for particle physics and cosmology. In this article, we discuss the possibility of testing the mechanism responsible for the stability of the lightest supersymmetric particle at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The simplest theoretical framework where R-parity conservation can be explained dynamically allows for two types of B-L models. In the first scenario the new Higgses decay mainly into two right-handed neutrinos, giving rise to exotic lepton number violating signals together with displaced vertices. In the second model, one could have peculiar channels with multileptons and/or multiphotons in the final state. In both cases, the local B-L gauge symmetry is broken at the TeV scale and the discovery of the new Higgs bosons may be possible at the LHC. We investigate in detail the production mechanisms for the Higgs bosons relevant for the LHC and the key decays which would shed light on how R-parity is conserved. These results may help to understand the link between the cold dark matter of the universe and the missing energy that could be observed at the LHC if supersymmetry is realized inmore » nature.« less
Building Rhizomatic Social Movements? Movement-Building Relays during the Current Epoch of Contention

This article investigates the movement building dynamics of contemporary social movement milieus (such as particular protests, social forums or occupations). It develops the concept of the “relay” to introduce four ideal-type movement building relays understood as distinct movement milieus: clustering relay, networking relay, organizing relay, and transforming relay. Each ideal-type captures different points on a continuum of increasing movement building and thus for generating commonalities, shared understandings and identities, mobilizations and strategies. Focusing on what I call the current “rhizomatic movement epoch,” which ranges from roughly the Zapatistas to the recent occupy-type protests, the relay framework can provide a larger conceptual umbrella or schemata for movement-to-movement transmissions. Moreover, focussing on “the situated” element of movements, the relay seeks to highlight the milieu of cooperation attempts, the physical, social and psychological space, the political-economic and socio-cultural setting, in which actors and groups interact. It focuses on those elements that are between the outside of the broader political economy and political opportunity structures (which arguably pre-structure the particular relay) and the “inside” of intra-group or movement behaviour (which in turn feeds back on the particular relay dynamics). While drawing on selected empirical examples from protests, social forums and networking attempts, this article has a conceptual focus, exploring possibilities by adoption of such a relay lens to further our understanding of movement building dynamics and the temporality of social movements, the current movement milieu and social movement theory more generally. As such, my hope is to raise questions and open further research avenues of interest to social movement organizers and scholars.
Expression of Escherichia coli virulence usher protein attenuates wild-type Salmonella

Generation of a live attenuated vaccine for bacterial pathogens often requires prior knowledge of the pathogen’s virulence factors. We hypothesized an alternative approach of heterologous gene expression would make a wild-type (wt) pathogen more susceptible to host cell killing, thus, resulting in immunization. As proof of concept, the heterologous expression of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I) was tested to attenuate Salmonella. The overexpression of CFA/I resulted in significant attenuation of wt Salmonella. In-depth studies revealed the attenuation depended on the co-expression of chaperone (CfaA) and usher (CfaC) proteins. Remarkably, the CfaAC-attenuated Salmonella conferred protection against wt Salmonella challenge. Mechanistic study indicated CfaAC made Salmonella outer membranes permeable, causing Salmonella to be vulnerable to host destruction. Thus, enhancing bacterial permeability via CfaAC represents an alternative method to attenuate pathogens despite the ...
Bayes Weighted Availability for a Digital Radio Transmission System

Gamma priors, which are rich in shapes and conjugate to the exponential distributions, are assigned in this study to the parameters of exponentially distributed component up and down times. A closed-form availability estimator is used by applying Bayes theorem. Unlike classical estimation techniques, the Bayes approach applies when information on performance is limited or nonexistent. Parameters of the prior distributions for the Bayes approach represent similar systems in the telecommunication network for which historical data exist. The Bayes availability estimator is applied to a digital ratio transmission system. The digital radio example includes random processes for both equipment failure and signal propagation anomalies. In contrast to traditional availability definitions, a weighted availability estimator is employed to account for situations where the system is partially available. The k-out-of-n:G system is shown to be a special case of weighted availability.
Identification of endogenous phosphorylation sites of bovine medium and low molecular weight neurofilament proteins by tandem mass spectrometry.

Neurofilament proteins (NFP) are intermediate filaments found in the neuronal cytoskeleton. They are highly phosphorylated, a condition that is believed to be responsible for the assembly and stability of the filaments. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) shows molecular masses for bovine NFP subunits of 63, 105, and 125 kDa for NFL, NFM, and NFH. Mass spectrometric de novo sequencing was used to determine the N-terminal sequence of bovine NFM (115 amino acids), which was previously unknown. Molecular mass information shows that there is one-half equivalent phosphate group on NFL and 24 on NFM. For the first time, it is shown that bovine NFL has three phosphorylation sites (Ser55, Ser66, and Ser472) and NFM has 22 (Ser512, Ser546, Ser554, Ser560, Thr627, Ser629, Ser634, Ser639, Thr646, Ser649, Ser654, Ser664, Ser669, Thr676, Ser679, Ser684, Ser694, Ser726, Ser750, Ser756, Ser770, and Ser846) and two tentative sites (Ser659/Thr661 and Thr840). Ser...
Pigmentary rhythms as indicators of neurosecretion.

The state of contraction of crustacean chromatophores is known to be dependent on a variety of hormones secreted by various parts of the nervous system. For the fiddler crab the state of the chromatophores varies with the time of day and is little affected by changes in light intensity or background. An additional factor influencing chromatophores is a lunar-tidal rhythm. The effects of naturally-changing photoperiods and of a constant artificial photoperiod on the condition of the chromatophores of Uca pugnax are described. The lunar-tidal rhythm is seen to affect the chromatophores at hours transitional between the day and night phase for at least 2½ months after the animals are removed from tidal conditions. The time of entrance into the night phase of the diurnal rhythm varies widely as a function of phase of the moon when the animals are exposed to long photoperiods. Short photoperiods restrict the range of this variation but appear to have little effect on the minimum duration of the day phase in any 15-day period. Consideration of both diurnal and tidal rhythms may permit selection of times of maximum differences in chromatophores which might also reflect maximum differences in neurosecretory activity.
Antibody to the phosphomannosyl receptor inhibits recycling of receptor in fibroblasts.

The 215-kd phosphomannosyl receptor is involved in the transport of newly synthesized acid hydrolases to lysosomes and also mediates the pinocytosis of lysosomal enzymes by fibroblasts in culture. Recycling of receptors to the sorting sites is an integral part of both these processes. In this report, we describe the inhibition in human fibroblasts of both functions of the phosphomannosyl receptor by a rabbit. Antiserum to the bovine liver receptor. This inhibition cannot be completely accounted for by inhibition of ligand-receptor interaction. Rather the antibody appears to cross-link receptors and cause a removal of receptors from the sorting sites (plasma membrane and Golgi apparatus) and their accumulation in a compartment from which they do not recycle. Removal of receptors from the recycling pool by antibody is irreversible, and return of receptors requires synthesis of new protein. Degradation of “trapped receptors” is enhanced (t½ = 7.5 hr), but much more gradual than their removal from the functional receptor pool (t:½ = 30min).
Monolithically integrated programmable photonic microwave filter with tunable inter-ring coupling

The design and operation of a coupled-ring programmable photonic microwave filter architecture are described. RF measurements of flat-topped bandpass filters with bandwidths of 3GHz–7.4GHz are presented. A stop-band extinction of 40dB is obtained.
Gene- and stem cell-based therapeutics for cartilage regeneration and repair

Cell-based regeneration of damaged or diseased articular cartilage still faces significant clinical challenge due to inadequate environmental regulation of stem cell proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation. The role of insulin-like growth factor in critical steps of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis has potential in optimizing the therapeutic use of mesenchymal stem cells in cartilage disorders. In addition to the previously described benefits of recombinant adeno-associated viral vector for in vivo gene therapy, demonstrated by Frisch and colleagues, such vector is also a safe and efficient delivery system for the genetic modification of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells via ex vivo insulin-like growth factor 1 gene transfer, so that implanted mesenchymal stem cells continuously release a therapeutic level of insulin-like growth factor 1 to achieve sustained mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis for cartilage regeneration.
The Wear of the Noble Metals

Using a pin-on-disk apparatus, experiments were carried out to determine the wear coefficients of the nine elemental metals which form little or no oxide in air (ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum, gold) when sliding against each other. The tests mere unlubricated in air at room temperature. It was found that the lowest wear coefficients involved hexagonal metals and incompatible metal pairs. For pairs of metals differing in hardness, the ratio of wear volumes of the two metals was the inverse of the ratio of penetration hardness. In general, the scatter of wear volumes was far lower than that observed in previous tests using oxide-forming metals, in which cases the oxide layers were perturbing factors. The test results suggest that the current practice of using alloys based on gold, platinum and palladium in sliding electric contacts is not optimum, and that combinations involving rhodium and ruthenium deserve consideration. Presented as an American Society of Lubri...
Human societies in interplanetary space: toward a fructification of the utopian tradition

Abstract Utopias have been recognized as being of two kinds: classical, in which a perfect world is presented to which the real world can be compared; and modern, in which an evolving world is presented as an alternative to the real world. The prospect of the development of a myriad of human societies in interplanetary space is shown to lead to a third kind of utopia, a postmodern utopia, a condition of society in which the high frequency with which new states are formed leads to a science of beginnings and a heterogenization that is utopian in the positive sense of the term.
Assay of Spent Fuel by a Simple Reactivity Method

A new method for the assay of spent-fuel assemblies has been developed that eliminates the need for external isotopic neutron sources, yet retains the advantages of an active interrogation system. The assay is accomplished by changing the reactivity of the system and correlating the measurements to burnup.
On non-random distribution of initial phonemes in cheremis verse

Abstract This is a study of certain rhythmic tendencies in Cheremis verse, determined by the extent to which the initial phonemes in a sample are not distributed at random. Five psycholinguistic hypotheses are tested, whereby it is shown that, in this body of folk poetry, alliteration - and the special case of repetitions which remain after morpheme recurrences are eliminated - are statistically significant.
Computer vision: an overview

The vision research being performed under the Strategic Computing Initiative sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the US Department of Defense is discussed. The goal is to develop knowledge-based technology that will allow the construction of complete, robust, high-performance image-understanding systems. The projects address four critical areas: visual modeling and recognition, dynamic scene and motion analysis, vision-based obstacle avoidance and path planning, and implementation issues for parallel-computing architectures. The structure of the projects and the relationships among them are explained. This overview serves as an introduction to a series of articles on the DARPA projects. >
Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol: Effect of Concentration, Molecular Weight, and Molecular Weight Distribution on Properties of MDI/BDO-Based Polyurethanes

Abstract Hardness, modulus, and tear strength of PTMEG-based polyurethanes are mainly affected by the hard-segment (MDI/BDO) concentration. On the other hand, PTMEG molecular weight mainly influences low-temperature and dynamic properties. Resilience and hydrolytic stability are affected by both soft-segment concentration and chain length. PTMEG of narrow molecular weight distribution yields softer polyurethanes with considerably longer elongation at break. Broad molecular weight distribution is advantageous only at the lower molecular weight range (650 and 1000), giving rise to improved resilience and low-temperature performance. Polyurethanes made from PTMEG of low molecular weight (Mn≤1000) have inherent drawbacks due to poor phase separation (high Tg) and limits in soft segment concentration (∼63% maximum for PTMEG 1000). The only advantage they offer is easier processability (lower viscosity and melting temperature). On the other hand, PTMEG above 2100 offers little property advantages and is more di...
Polarization-independent tunable optical filters based on bilayer polarization gratings

We report enhanced polarization-independent tunable optical filters based on liquid crystal (LC) and reactive mesogen (RM) polarization gratings (PGs). This new design achieves tunable passbands with significantly smaller bandwidth and allows for potential applications in spectroscopy and beyond. Analogous to Lyot and Solc filters, our filter is constructed of multiple bilayer polarization gratings (BPGs) of varying thicknesses, with the potential for highly compact implementation. BPGs are a hybrid of a switchable/tunable liquid crystal (LC) PG and a reactive mesogen (RM) PG. By adding the RM layer, the BPG provides a significant advantage over LCPGs for the filter application in that it allows very thick gratings to be created with thin active LC layers. As such, the difficulty in fabricating LCPGs with arbirtrarily large thicknesses is much less of a concern. BPGs exhibit the unique properties of PGs, including polarization independent zero-order transmittance, as well as diffraction at visible and infrared wavelengths. Our unique design enables a high peak transmittance (~ 90%) as well as a significantly improved full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM). Here, we present preliminary data, discuss the unique capabilities and compelling advantages of our filter. We analyze performance in terms of finesse, 3dB bandwidth (FWHM), and free-spectral-range by comparison to theoretical simulation.
Fusion Activities Of Human (h3n2) And Avian (h5n2) Influenza Viruses With Lipid Vesicles Containing Different Gangliosides

We have studied the fusion of human (H3N2) and avian (H5N2) influenza viruses with lipid vesicles containing various gangliosides using spectroscopic fusion assay. The lipid vesicles used in these experiments were of DOPC and DOPE (2:1 molar ratio) containing 10% molar ratio of total lipids of three different types of gangliosides , GD1a, GD1b, GM3. Fluorescence fusion assay used involved the NBD/Rhodamine fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The fusion as a result of the interaction of virus and the ganglidside was measured as an increase in NBD signals. The experiments were carried out at temperatures ranging from 37 to 20 °C and fusion activity measured at different concentrations of the target membranes. Using the same amount virus based on the hemagglutinin activity, the fusion activity of the human influenza virus was significantly higher (50% higher) than that of the avian influenza virus with all three types of gangliosides in all temperature ranges tested.To further characterize the interaction between these viruses (human and avian) and its receptors, experiments are in progress to determine the role of membrane proteins and various gangliosides.
Infrared and far-i.r. spectra of Cu-1:3:5:7-tetramethyl porphin and Cu-1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8-octamethyl porphin

Abstract Infrared and far-i.r. spectra have been obtained for polycrystalline Cu-1:3:5:7-tetramethyl porphin and Cu-1:2:3:4:5:6:7:8-octamethyl porphin as solids dispersed in KBr and polyethylene matrices. A comparison of the i.r. and Raman data suggest that the two molecules have a center of symmetry in the solid state. The i.r. spectra are compared with the i.r. spectra of the corresponding non-metalloporphyrins in order to gain information about the i.r. active metal—nitrogen vibrations.
Order tensor elements and proton distance ratios for parasubstituted phenol anesthetics and polar mono-substituted benzenes obtained in a lyotropic potassium laurate mesophase

Abstract Proton distance ratios and elements of the order tensor are obtained in this study from the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of 6 para-substituted phenols and 4 monosubstituted benzenes partially oriented in a potassium laurate lyotropic mesophase. Comparison of the structural parameters of aniline and benzonitrile with complete microwave substitution structures shows that the distance ratios are in agreement within 0.7%. The effect of the substituent on ring proton geometry is small. The orientational probability functions are derived and discussed in terms of the orienting influence of the interface and the molecular order of the alkyl chains of the mesophase surfactant. The most probable orientation of the long-axis of the surfactant and the C 2 v axis coincide for the entire group of molecules. The effect of ionization of the phenolic group is a critical parameter influencing the order elements. Furthermore, those substituents with hydrogens capable of hydrogen bonding are more ordered.
Chronic effects of ammonia-stripped oil shale retort water on fishes, birds, and mammals

Commercial oil shale development of the Green River Formation in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming will probably take place within the next decade. Equal volumes of oil and retort water are expected to be produced using in situ oil shale processing. Research has been done on the acute toxicity of retort water to fish and mammals. The acute effect on fish is gill hyperplasia, primarily from the irritating effect of ammonia. Retort water did not appear toxic to dogs, rats, or guinea pigs under the acute test conditions imposed. No research has been done on the long-term chronic effect of retort water on any of these animals. A variety of schemes has been proposed for the treatment of retort water, most of which involve the removal of ammonia. This study was an attempt to find the effects of chronic low-level exposure of fish and wildlife to partially treated oil shale retort water.
INHIBITION OF PACIFIC WHITING SURIMI-ASSOCIATED PROTEASE BY WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE

Three whey protein concentrate (WPC) samples ranging in protein content from 34 to 95%, beef plasma protein (BPP) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were analyzed for their effect on the autoproteolytic activity of Pacific whiting surimi. Autoproteolysis activity was determined in control and supplemented surimi containing up to 4% additive by measuring the amount of TCA-soluble peptides produced under defined reaction conditions. The degradation of specific myofibrillar proteins was followed electrophoretically. The extent of inhibition by the WPCs showed a general correlation with their respective protein contents. Autoproteolysis was essentially undetectable in surimi samples supplemented at the 2 % level with either the 80% or 95% protein WPCs. Autoproteolysis was decreased by 57% relative to the nonsupplemented control in surimi containing 2% of 34% protein WPC. No proteolytic activity could be detected in surimi samples supplemented at the 1% level with BPP. Supplementation of surimi with up to 4% BSA had no demonstrable effect on autoproteolysis. The extent of proteolytic degradation of the myosin and tropomyosin fractions within surimi samples were in general agreement with the measured rates of autoproteolysis.
T3- and T4-induced rates of metamorphosis in immature and sexually mature larvae of Ambystoma tigrinum (Amphibia: Caudata).

Rates of T3- and T4-induced metamorphosis in sexually mature and immature tiger salamander larvae (Ambystoma tigrinum) from a single local population were proportional to daily injected doses (1.0, 10 1, 10 2, or 10 3 μg T3, or T4). Larvae were maintained at 16° C on 12L:12D photoperiod, and were fed beef liver daily. Metamorphic rates were compared as the mean number of days to achieve 50% resorption of the gills (GR50). Saline-injected and untreated control larvae exhibited no metamorphic tendencies during the experiments. Immature larvae were induced to metamorphose with as little as 0.05 ng T3 or T4/g body weight/day. Small, sexually mature larvae were less sensitive to a given dose of T4, especially at the lowest doses. Large sexually mature larvae did not differ from small larvae. It is presumed that the observed differences in sensitivity would not account solely for the observations of neoteny in this species. Metamorphosis was not influenced by sex. T3 and T4 are equipotent inducers of metamorphosis in immature larvae under conditions of this experiment except that some animals receiving the lowest dose of T3 did not undergo metamorphosis. Larvae receiving 10−1 μg T4/day did not metamorphose at 5° C, and gill resorption was slower for larvae at 10° C as compared to 16° C. GR50 for larvae maintained at 21° C was not different from 16° C.
Kostengünstige Nfz-Abgastechnik für künftige Emissionsstufen in China und Indien

Derzeit bereiten viele aufstrebende Maerkte die Umsetzung von Emissionswerten aehnlich der Euro-IV-Standards fuer Nutzfahrzeuge vor. Dafuer sind jedoch auch Anpassungen der Kraftstoffqualitaet notwendig. Die Bereitstellung von Dieselkraftstoff in der erforderlichen Qualitaet verlaeuft vielerorts noch schleppend; allerdings machen besonders China und Indien erfreuliche Fortschritte. Eine Ausarbeitung von Delphi analysiert die kuenftige Marktsituation in China und Indien anhand des Segments der mittelschweren Nutzfahrzeuge. Unter anderem auf Basis der erwarteten Emissionsgesetzgebung, des Nutzerverhaltens, der Infrastruktur, der Kraftstoffqualitaeten sowie der wirtschaftlichen Situation werden die Anforderungen mit den technischen Moeglichkeiten abgeglichen und kosteneffektive Loesungen zur Emissionsreduzierung vorgestellt.
Sexual Orientation and Religion from the Perspective of the Code of Ethics

In the work setting, how do we address our employees about sexual orientation and religion from the perspective of the NASW Code of Ethics? Perhaps surprising to some, sexual orientation and religion receive equal attention in the Code (NASW, 2000). Each is mentioned four times in exactly the same places--in sections 1.05(c) under Cultural Competence and Social Diversity; 2.01(b) under Respect; 4.02 Discrimination; and, 6.04(d) under Social and Political Action. Sexual orientation and religion can coexist in the work environment and be fairly dealt with when orientating, training, and supervising employees. I make no attempt to support any one position, other than to affirm the inherent worth of each person regardless of his or her sexual orientation or religious beliefs. ATTITUDES OF THE PUBLIC AND SOCIAL WORKERS TOWARD HOMOSEXUALITY A 2003 study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that "roughly half of the public expresses an unfavorable opinion of gay men (50% unfavorable) and lesbians (48% unfavorable). Nearly one in three (29%) had a very unfavorable opinion of gay men, and 26% had a very unfavorable opinion of lesbians" (p. 4). The same study, which polled 1,515 adults through random-digit dialing telephone interviews, found that 55 percent of Americans believed that "it is a sin to engage in homosexual behavior, and that view is much more prevalent among those who have a high level of religious commitment (76%)" (Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, p. 2). Many similar studies that focus specifically on social work students or social workers have been conducted (Council on Social Work Education, 2005; Kohli & Faul, 2005; Sung Lim & Johnson, 2001; Tirosh Ben-Ari, 1998; Yuen & Pardeck, 1998). These show a population group considerably more accepting of homosexual behavior than the general public. AN APPARENT DILEMMA Employers are in an apparent minefield. If they advocate homosexuality, they appear to be intolerant of those with more traditional religious beliefs. On the other hand, if more traditional beliefs are espoused, they appear to be intolerant of those with more liberal beliefs. In truth, employers should not be advocating or espousing. In the Code, discrimination based on sexual orientation and discrimination based on religious beliefs are equally condemned, and respect is equally endorsed. Neither one is the "first among equals." Certain value positions are incompatible. Our job is not to choose between values; it is to provide a safe environment where individual employees, whatever their sexual orientation or religious beliefs, can engage in a meaningful dialogue. Bullying or harassing from either viewpoint should not be condoned. Neither should imperil the other. The First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This clause certainly embodies one of the most pronounced tensions in the American experience. …
Sustainable monetary policies

Abstract This paper uses a model with utility maximizing households, monopolistically competitive firms, and sticky goods prices to derive a version of Barro and Gordon's time consistency problem for monetary policy where the government's objectives are consistent with a representative household's preferences. The paper applies the methods of Chari and Kehoe to characterize the entire set of time consistent, or sustainable, outcomes. It goes on to find conditions under which the Friedman rule, the optimal policy under commitment, can be supported when the government lacks a commitment technology.
Commentary On "Prospective Payment for Outpatient Mental Health Services: Evaluation of Diagnosis Related Groups" by Wood and Beardmore

The development and implementation of the Medicare Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) system has spurred valuable health services research. The focus of this research is often an evaluation of DRGs or another per case type prospective payment system and its capacity to predict resource utilization as well as its potential impact on a wide range of facilities and on patient care. The Wood and Beardmore evaluation of a DRG system for outpatient mental health services provides an additional perspective which enhances the findings of similar studies of psychiatric inpatients. It demonstrates the lack of predictive power and the eventual basic unfairness of implementing a DRG system for psychiatric outpatients. Psychiatric units in general hospitals and psychiatric hospitals are exempt from DRGs. The substantial inaccuracy in psychiatric DRGs has been amply demonstrated and the impact of inappropriate discharge of patients and financial risk to hospitals which treat more severe cases has also been documented. Extending this finding to outpatients is indeed no surprise. The most critical need for research today is for a case mix classification system that accurately measures patient need and cost effective resource consumption. It is important that patients with mental disorders participate in the Medicare prospective payment system, but the DRG system is not an appropriate system. The authors point out that a most critical need is to develop incentives for cost effective use of resources in the continuum from inpatient to outpatient care. A prospective payment system can make a contribution if it can provide the flexibility for clinicians to develop a treatment plan including twenty-four hour hospital care, day treatment and outpatient services, and an adequate up
Assessing effects of long-term food restriction on myocardial energetics in the isolated heart preparation.

Abstract Food restriction (FR) may increase longevity by increasing the efficiency of energy utilization by some organs. We tested whether any effect of FR on the energy efficiency of isolated, isovolumically beating hearts could be observed, by studying four groups of rats: (1) AL fed (AL) 10–13-month-old rats, (2) age matched, FR at 60% of AL rats, (3) young AL, heart weight matched to FR rats and (4) 10–13-month-old AL rats, short-term FR for the last 3 weeks of life. The oxygen cost of tension development was not different among the groups. With contractility changed by calcium, the oxygen cost of contractility was higher in the young AL than in the adult rats either AL or short-term FR. With isoproterenol, it was higher in FR than in AL groups. The basal metabolic rate of hearts was higher in the adult AL than in the short-term, but not long-term, FR rats. In the long run, FR did not significantly change the pattern of cardiac energy utilization of isolated, isovolumically beating hearts. Our observations do not lend support to the hypothesis that the anti-aging action of FR is mediated by changes in cardiac efficiency.
Dangerous knowledge? The self‐subversion of social deviance theory 1

Some sociological theories yield self‐subverting or ‘dangerous’ knowledge. The functionalist theory of social deviance provides a case in point. The theory, first formulated by Durkheim, maintains that ostensibly anti‐social deviants perform a number of socially indispensable functions. But what would happen if everyone knew this? They would cease to regard deviants as malefactors and would indeed come to esteem them as public benefactors. In that case, however, deviants could no longer perform their proper function. If they are to play the part assigned to them by the theory, most people must remain unaware of their ‘true’ role in the drama of social life. This gives rise to the paradox of dangerous knowledge: The theory can be true only if its truths are not widely known; widespread ignorance is the precondition of its truth. But then, if its truths must not be publicly known, the theory is a piece of esoterica, not of science. I conclude by considering, and rejecting, several possible solutions to the ...
Passive stabilization of a synchronously mode-locked NaCl color-center laser by coherent photon seeding.

We use coherent photon seeding to passively stabilize a synchronously mode-locked NaCl color-center laser. This results in the generation of essentially transform-limited picosecond pulses with average power levels of as high as 1.3 W in the 1.5–1.7-μm range. In addition, the pulse energy fluctuations are reduced by as much as 1 order of magnitude.
Directional detection for parallel aircraft alternators

Aircraft electric system designers have several methods available for providing generator protection. These include overcurrent devices (thermal and magnetic), differential current devices (balanced current and zone type), and directional sensing devices (the familiar reverse current cutout).
Advanced integrated battery testing and simulation

The recent rapid expansion in the use of portable electronics, computers, personal data assistants, cellular phones, power tools, and even electric and hybrid vehicles creates a strong demand on fast deployment of battery technologies at an unprecedented rate. To facilitate such a development integrated battery testing and simulation (IBTS) using computer modeling is an effective tool to improve our capability of rapid prototyping battery technology and facilitating concurrent product development. In this paper, we will present a state-of-the-art approach to use IBTS for improvements in battery cell design, operation optimization, and even charge control for advanced batteries.
Indicated Truancy Interventions for Chronic Truant Students A Campbell Systematic Review

Objective: Examine the effects of indicated interventions on attendance with chronic truant students. Method: Systematic review and meta-analytic methods, following Campbell Collaboration guideline...
Factorial Validity of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: Drunk Drivers versus College Students

ABSTRACT Secondary analysis was undertaken on the data from two previous studies involving the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Test results for 257 multiple offender drunk drivers and 505 college drinkers were compared. Exploratory factor analysis were run to examine the factorial validity of the test's hypothesized constructs. Internal consistency reliability was 87 with drunk drivers and 76 with college drinkers. Factor analyses of the AUDIT failed to validate the existence of its three hypothesized constructs regardless of sample population; a review of Eigenvalues indicates that there is a two-factor structure to the test with these populations. These factors are labeled problem drinking and hazardous drinking. The test was generally reliable. It is suggested that when using rapid assessment instruments in social work practice settings like those in the original studies, that their conceptual structure be evaluated for context specific validity.