cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation of 1,3-dichloropropene in topsoil with pseudo first-order kinetics

Abstract For fast-degraded chemicals such as 1,3-dichloropropane (1,3-D), their long persistent time in topsoils cannot be explained by the ordinary first-order kinetics of biodegradation that is commonly used in the simulation of chemical transport in soils. The Monod kinetics of biodegradation, which is usually defined as the mathematical relationship between the residual concentration of the growth-limiting substrate and the specific growth of degraders in laboratory reactors, was found to be responsible for the phenomenon of “decelerated biodegradation”. To take advantage of both the simplicity of first-order kinetics in transport modeling and the realistic description of Monod kinetics for a physical situation, a simplified method was used to represent Monod kinetics with the corresponding pseudo first-order kinetics. Pseudo first-order constants fitted with Monod kinetics were later substituted into the transport model. A satisfactory agreement between field measurement and simulated results using these constants was achieved.
μ‐Oxo‐bis­[(protoporphyrin IX di­methyl ester)­iron(III)]

In the title compound, [Fe2(C36H36N4O4)2O], the Fe—O—Fe bond angle is 170.5 (2)° and the two porphyrin rings are twisted by 27.2 (4)° with respect to each other.
Evaluation of the Texas Instruments' TC215-31 CCD for astronomical imaging

The characterization and low light level performance of the TC215-31 CCD is presented. This device has 12 by 12 micron pixels in a 1024 x 1024 format, with an active image area of 1000 x 1018 pixels. The device is evaluated in terms of its linearity, dark current, charge transfer efficiency, and spectral response. The spectral response of this device in the range of 300 nm to 1000 nm is discussed. The structure of the virtual phase pixel is such that half of the area is covered by a clocking electrode, with the uncovered half remaining sensitive to UV light. Thus this device can be useful in the UV provided that special consideration of the sampling is taken into account. Noise characteristics of this device were measured as a function of clock levels, amplifier bias, readout speed, and temperature. The output of this device is unique in that there are two output amplifiers, one for every other pixel. The mean noise of the two output amplifiers is about 20 electrons, with a dark current of 0.016 electrons/sec at -130 C. This device was used as an astronomical imager at the prime focus of a small Schmidt telescope.
Sociocultural Comparison of Bilingual Education Policies and Programmes in Three Andean Countries and the United States.

This paper presents a model of the sociocultural circumstances surrounding the development of language policies and planning, and of bilingual education programmes in the United States and three Andean countries: Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. These countries developed their language policies and established bilingual education programmes approximately contemporaneously. But as they emerge from radically different sociocultural‐political circumstances, they make an interesting comparison. The model presents the legal frameworks of the Andean and American language policies, the historical processes of their establishment and their implementation. Finally, the model considers implications for long‐term results in terms of: (1) the final linguistic state of the societies, whether they are to be bilingual or monolingual, and (2) the degree of mutual versus unidirectional influence of the languages involved.
Psychological Aspects of Self-Care and Home Dialysis

Self-care and home dialysis encourages the patient's active participation in his treatment which may enhance coping and adaptation to his illness. The psychological issues of dependence-independence, activity-passivity, and control and mastery are frequently referred to in the literature as being important in understanding the chronic stress of illness and treatment. The measure of successful coping should be determined by adaptive or maladaptive value of behavior rather than traditional concepts of normality or abnormality. Treatment planning and patient selection should be tailored to the psychological needs of the patient, the family and the staff. Several clinical vignettes are presented to illustrate that initial impressions of patient suitability for self-care and home dialysis may be deceiving. The medical staff plays an important role in influencing the patient's adaptation and coping.
The effect of neonatal exposure to DES and o,p'-DDT on pituitary responsiveness to GnRH in adult castrated rats.

Abstract While exposure of vertebrates to estrogens during early development has been shown to alter adult reproductive behavior, neuroanatomy, and neurophysiology, effects on gonadotropin secretion have not been studied. We conducted the present studies to assess the effects of neonatal exposure to xenobiotic estrogens on luteinizing hormone secretion in castrated adult rats. Rat pups were injected with either corn oil, 1 μg diethylstilbestrol (DES), or 0.5 mg o , p ′-DDT on postnatal days 1 to 10, and castrated was performed on day 21. On day 42 of life, GnRH (50 ng/kg) was administered via right heart catheters, and blood was sampled for LH at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 30 min. Neonatal exposure to DES in both males and females significantly decreased basal and GnRH-induced LH secretion throughout the sampling period in castrated adults. o , p ′-DDT significantly suppressed initial LH levels and blunted GnRH-induced release in males at the 5 min interval, while in females it had no effect. These data show that early exposure to environmental estrogens alters adult pituitary response to GnRH. Our results suggest that sexually distinct effects of environmental estrogens occur and can be readily demonstrated in this experimental model.
EFFECT OF COFFEE ON GLUCOSE TOLERANCE AND CIRCULATING INSULIN IN MEN WITH MATURITY-ONSET DIABETES

Abstract In nine volunteers with maturity-onset diabetes blood-glucose levels (after intravenous glucose, 0·5 g. per kg. body-weight) were significantly higher following two cups of " instant " coffee than they were when water had been drunk. Circulating insulin levels were not affected. This finding warrants investigation on a larger scale.
Effects of mother-litter separation on later maternal responsiveness in the hamster

Abstract Primiparous hamsters were permitted either 1,24, or 48 hr of contact with their own litters beginning at parturition followed by varying periods of separation from pups. A different subgroup in each of these 3 conditions was tested for maternal behavior each day starting 24 hr after litter removal. Testing for the display of retrieving and the adoption of the nursing posture using 1–2 day old foster pups continued for each condition until 2 subgroups failed to behave maternally on 2 consecutive days. Nulliparous females were similarly exposed to foster pups and tested at selected intervals; regardless of initial exposure, only 4 of 24 nulliparous animals ultimately displayed maternal behavior. Different primiparous subgroups given 1 hr of exposure were maternal on Days 2–4 postpartum but not on Days 5 or 6 while females in the 24 hr group were maternal on Days 3–5 but not on Days 7 or 8. Groups permitted 48 hr of litter stimulation were maternal through Day 15 postpartum demonstrating that the initial 24–48 hr of pup contact is essential for the development of a long-term mother-young bond.
Agency selection in international advertising

Isolates the importance of economic level and cultural level and cultural perceptions in influencing agency selection overseas by major US companies. Recounts that many study findings, relating particularly to the use of local or US‐based advertising agencies, are examined. Particular concern is to whether or not such factors as the advertiser's attitudes towards cultural factor importance and market area economic development, are considerations in the placing of preparing and placing non‐domestic advertising. Looks at the role of culture and statements to prove advantages and disadvantages in these. Concludes that if a firm uses either US‐based agencies for overseas representation or foreign‐based agencies, its management is displaying some concern for the cultural and other differences forced between markets.
A canonical partition relation for finite subsets of ω

Abstract We prove a canonical partition relation for finite subsets of ω that generalizes Hindman's theorem in much the same way that the Erdos-Rado canonical partition relation generalizes Ramsey's theorem. As an application of this we establish a generalized pigeon-hole principle for infinite dimensional vector spaces over the two element field.
Opportunistic garbage collection

Opportunistic garbage collection is a non-incremental generation-based garbage collection system. It attempts to minimize the probability of disruptive pauses by careful scheduling of scavenges. Scavenge pauses are hidden in pauses created by the running program or by the user; they are also shortened by scheduling them at low points in the stack height, where live data tend to be at a minimum. These heuristics can be surprisingly simple and cheap to implement --- user input primitives provide an effective hook from which to invoke the scheduling routine, since they tend to correspond both to local stack minima and to computational pause boundaries.An additional mechanism is proposed to detect times when it is safe to scavenge an intermediate generation, based on the amount of data surviving from a new-generation scavenge. This mechanism can be used reliably in certain cases, or heuristically in a larger class of cases.
Photoelectron angular distributions from H2 and D2

Abstract The photoelectron asymmetry parameters of H 2 and D 2 have been measured using synchrotron radiation over the photon energy range 19–27 eV. The results are compared with previous measurements and several theoretical calculations. A few of the theoretical calculations are in good agreement with experiment, but most of them predict asymmetries which are too large. Essentially identical β values were measured for H 2 and D 2 . This result is discussed in terms of differences which could arise due to vibrational and rotational structure.
Timing of prenatal care initiation and risk of congenital malformations.

Background Although previous studies provide some evidence that timing of prenatal care initiation is associated with risks of congenital malformation, the issue has not previously been examined in depth. This study uses data from a large population-based registry to explore the association of timing of prenatal care initiation with risks of selected congenital malformation phenotypes. Methods Data on cases were grouped according to four-digit malformation codes of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9). A randomly selected group of 10,000 nonmalformed deliveries served as the comparison group. Information on month of initiation of prenatal care (categorized as during months 1–3 of gestation, months 4–7, or after month 7) and other maternal characteristics were derived from vital statistics data. Results Among the 176 four-digit ICD groupings, 67 had an adjusted odds ratio for at least one of the two prenatal care categories that was either ≤ 0.67 or ≥ 1.50. Later prenatal care initiation was associated with risk ≥ 1.50 for most groups. Later care was associated with risk ≤ 0.67 for only two groups, and the effects were imprecise. Statistical interaction between parity and prenatal care was indicated for 13 groups (P < 0.10). Risks among women with no previous pregnancy tended to increase with later prenatal care initiation; risks among parous women tended to be somewhat weaker. In general, associations applied to a wide range of malformation groups. Conclusions This is the first large-scale study of the association of timing of prenatal care initiation and congenital malformation risks. Further defining the phenomena that surround prenatal care as a marker may help clarify the etiologies of a variety of malformations. Teratology 66:326–330, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Carbon monoxide induced ordering of benzene on Pt(111) and Rh(111) crystal surfaces

Abstract Carbon monoxide induced ordering of an organic molecule, benzene, has been studied on the Pt(111) and Rh(111) crystal surfaces using low-energy electron diffraction, high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, and thermal desorption spectroscopy. We propose detailed geometries for all the ordered structures of coadsorbed CO and benzene. Ordering in the adsorbed overlayer is proposed to result from the interactions between adsorbed CO molecules in the presence of benzene.
Introduction: Al-Qushayrī and His Legacy

Abstract Abū l-Qāsim ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Qushayrī (d. 465/1072) is a pivotal figure in the development of the Sufi tradition. The articles that comprise the present issue of the Journal of Sufi Studies propose to shed new light on understudied areas in Qushayrī’s thought, corpus, and posthumous reception.
Effect of glucose and gluconeogenic substrates on fasting-induced suppression of acetaminophen glucuronidation in the rat.

Previous studies in rats have shown that an acute fast decreases the apparent rate constant for glucuronidation of hepatotoxic doses of acetaminophen which results in a prolongation of the mean residence time of the drug in the animals and, hence, increased acetaminophen reactive metabolite formation and liver injury. Since acetaminophen glucuronidation under these conditions is limited by UDPGA formation, we have attempted to reverse the potentiating effects of fasting by administering glucose or gluconeogenic substrates. Histological and pharmacokinetic studies revealed that glucose (2 g/kg, i.p.) given 0.25 and 1.5 hr after acetaminophen (700 mg/kg, i.p.) did not protect the rats from liver injury or enhance acetaminophen glucuronidation. The administered glucose did not increase hepatic levels of UDP-glucose or UDPGA either basally or following administration of a hepatotoxic dose of acetaminophen. Administration of the gluconeogenic substrates, lactate, alanine, fructose and galactose, raised blood glucose levels, but did not protect the rats from liver injury or enhance glucuronidation, suggesting that the glucose-6-phosphate formed from these compounds was not available for UDPGA production for acetaminophen glucuronidation. Collectively, these studies indicate that administration of glucose and these gluconeogenic substrates does not reverse the fasting-induced potentiation of acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, and that the rate-determining step for UDPGA synthesis for glucuronidation of hepatotoxic doses of acetaminophen is prior to UDP-glucose formation.
Accurate calculation of oscillator strengths for Cl II lines using non-orthogonal wavefunctions

Non-orthogonal orbitals technique in the multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock approach is used to calculate oscillator strengths and transition probabilities for allowed and intercombination lines in Cl II. The relativistic corrections are included through the Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian. The Cl II wave functions show strong term dependence. The non-orthogonal orbitals are used to describe the term dependence of radial functions. Large sets of spectroscopic and correlation functions are chosen to describe adequately strong interactions in the 3s(sup 2)3p(sup 3)nl (sup 3)Po, (sup 1)Po and (sup 3)Do Rydberg series and to properly account for the important correlation and relaxation effects. The length and velocity forms of oscillator strength show good agreement for most transitions. The calculated radiative lifetime for the 3s3p(sup 5) (sup 3)Po state is in good agreement with experiment.
The potentially stable tree sign patterns for dimensions less than five

The problem of characterizing potentially stable sign-pattern matrices remains unsolved, even for tree patterns. We present here in tabular form all (irreducible) n-by-n potentially stable sign patterns whose undirected graphs are trees, for n<5, in hopes that this may be useful to others in formulating and evaluating conjectures on the subject. Some background and a descriptio of methodology (which includes some new theoretical ideas) are also included.
Texture classification and segmentation using multiresolution simultaneous autoregressive models

Abstract We present a multiresolution simultaneous autoregressive (MR-SAR) model for texture classification and segmentation. First, a multivariate rotation-invariant SAR (RISAR) model is introduced which is based on the circular autoregressive (CAR) model. Experiments show that the multivariate RISAR model outperforms the CAR model in texture classification. Then, we demonstrate that integrating the information extracted from multiresolution SAR models gives much better performance than single resolution methods in both texture classification and texture segmentation. A quality measure to evaluate individual features for the purpose of segmentation is also presented. We employ the spatial coordinates of the pixels as two additional features to remove small speckles in the segmented image, and carefully examine the role that the spatial features play in texture segmentation. Two internal indices are introduced to evaluate the unsupervised segmentation and to find the “true” number of segments or clusters existing in the textured image.
Dose-dependent effects of estradiol benzoate on 5-HT1A receptor agonist action.

Abstract The lordosis-inhibiting effects of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, (±)8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), were examined in ovariectomized rats, hormone primed with 2.5, 7.5, or 25 μg estradiol benzoate plus 500 μg progesterone. 8-OH-DPAT (50, 100 or 200 ng per bilateral site) infused into the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN), inhibited lordosis behavior in all hormone-treated conditions. However, animals primed with 2.5 μg estradiol benzoate were significantly more affected by the infusion than rats primed with 7.5 or 25 μg of the hormone. These findings strengthen prior speculations that 5-HT1A receptor function is modulated by estrogen.
Preservation of Cerebral Vascular Reactivity by Sodium Channel Inhibition in Acute Prolonged Asphyxic Brain Injury (ABI) in Piglets

Preservation of Cerebral Vascular Reactivity by Sodium Channel Inhibition in Acute Prolonged Asphyxic Brain Injury (ABI) in Piglets
String melting of the floating phase in antiferromagnetic clock models

In two-dimensional antiferromagnetic q-state clock models with odd values of q=5,7,9,. . . on a square lattice, the low-temperature phase is a floating solid, with impurities and logarithmically bound vortices. Both are composite objects. Inside their cores they contain vertices of vorticity 0 and \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}q bound together by linear interactions induced by strings. The meander entropy of these strings competes with the positional entropy of the composite vortices. Kosterlitz-Thouless melting is preempted by a string-melting transition, where the cores of the vortices and impurities diverge.
Characterization of new members of the pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein family.

Three cDNAs encoding members of the pregnancy-specific β1-glycoprotein (PSG) family were isolated from human term placental cDNA library. All three cDNAs encode proteins with similar domain structure. There is a leader sequence of 34 amino acids followed by an N-domain of 109 amino acids. Immediately after the N-domain are one or two copies of a repeating A-domain of 93 amino acids, a B-domain of 85 amino acids and a C-domain of variable size. The proteins are highly hydrophilic. However, one of them has an 81-amino acid C-domain which is very hydrophobic and could potentially serve as a membrane attachment site. The putative cell-cell recognition tripeptide, Arg-Gly-Asp, is present in the N-domain of two of the proteins. Partial sequence of one of the cDNAs has been found in HeLa cells while cDNAs highly homologous to two of the cDNAs have been found in the fetal liver. Functional roles of the PSG proteins basing on their structure are proposed.
Nostalgia and giving to charity: a conceptual framework for discussion and research

Academic work involving nostalgia has shown it to evoke a basket of emotions. This paper proposes a conceptual model that links nostalgia to charitable giving. We argue that the nostalgia evoked by certain NPOs (not-for-profit organizations) is likely to have a bearing on both emotional and familial utility derived by the donor. This in turn is likely to drive the donor commitment to the NPO. Thus by evoking nostalgia, certain NPOs are likely to emotionally engage their current and potential donors, which could facilitate the creation of long-term intimate relationships between them and their donors. However, the extent to which the NPO can evoke nostalgia is likely to depend upon the nostalgia proneness of the donor, the emotional importance of the past experiences evoked by the NPO, and the characteristics of the NPO such as the extent to which the NPO can alleviate the feelings of alienation, discontinuity, and the need for authenticity experienced by the donor. The paper provides a series of research propositions and proposes a research agenda. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endophyte-host associations in forage grasses. XII. A fungal endophyte of Trichachne insularis belonging to Pseudocercosporella

A fungal endophyte frequently encountered in the grass Trichachne insularis (L.) Nees and isolated in pure culture has been determined to belong to the genus Pseudocercosporella and to represent a hitherto unknown species, for which the name P. trichachnicola is proposed. The fungus, which occurs in symptomless grass, is not known to sporulate in vivo. Its morphological characteristics are described in vitro. A mutualistic association may have evolved, probably from a previously pathogenic condition, between the fungus and its host. The endophyte has been found to be widespread in distribution and to occur with high frequency in temperate to subtropical climates. It occupies a predominantly inter? cellular position within host tissue although some intracellular hyphae are occasionally found. The fungus occurs in leaf sheaths, culms and seeds and is seed-transmitted.
Sexism, Heterosexism, and Attributions About Undesirable Behavior in Children of Gay, Lesbian, and Heterosexual Parents

SUMMARY Existing research on heterosexuals' attitudes toward gay and lesbian parenting typically focuses on heterosexuals' views about whether or not gay men and lesbians should be parents. Although a significant literature describes positive outcomes for actual gay and lesbian parenting, research has not specifically examined the effect of these attitudes on heterosexuals' evaluations of parenting skills, competency in parenting situations, or attributions about behavior in children of lesbian and gay parents. Two hundred twenty participants responded to a series of vignettes describing a restaurant scene in which two parents respond to their child's public tantrum. Sexual orientation and gender of the active parent in the heterosexual condition were varied. Heterosexism, evaluation of parenting skills, and attributions for child's behavior were assessed. Unexpectedly, gay male parenting skills were rated most positively, and heterosexual parenting skills (where a woman was the active parent) most negati...
A Stratified Flow Fine Structure near a Horizontally Moving Strip

Flow field pattern produced by a strip of arbitrary width moving with constant velocity along a horizontal plane in exponentially stratified fluid is calculated analytically in linear approximation. Constructed solution describes upstream transient and attached waves, and a boundary layer. Numerically visualized flow pattern is consistent with Schlieren observations. Drag on the strip is calculated and compared with well-known results following from conventional boundary layer theory. Due to action of edges singularities an inducing torque lift force is formed.
Cooperative Metal−Boron Interactions in the Reaction of nido-1,2-(Cp*RuH)2B3H7, Cp* = η5-C5Me5, with HC⋮CPh

Products of the reaction of nido-1,2-(Cp*RuH)2B3H7, 1, and phenylacetylene demonstrate the ways in which cluster metal and main group fragments can combine with an alkyne. Observed at 22 °C are (a)...
Functional microbial diversity explains groundwater chemistry in a pristine aquifer

The diverse microbial populations that inhabit pristine aquifers are known to catalyze critical in situ biogeochemical reactions, yet little is known about how the structure and diversity of this subsurface community correlates with and impacts upon groundwater chemistry. Herein we examine 8,786 bacterial and 8,166 archaeal 16S rRNA gene sequences from an array of monitoring wells in the Mahomet aquifer of east-central Illinois. Using multivariate statistical analyses we provide a comparative analysis of the relationship between groundwater chemistry and the microbial communities attached to aquifer sediment along with those suspended in groundwater. Statistical analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed a clear distinction between attached and suspended communities; with iron-reducing bacteria far more abundant in attached samples than suspended, while archaeal clones related to groups associated with anaerobic methane oxidation and deep subsurface gold mines (ANME-2D and SAGMEG-1, respectively) distinguished the suspended community from the attached. Within the attached bacterial community, cloned sequences most closely related to the sulfate-reducing Desulfobacter and Desulfobulbus genera represented 20% of the bacterial community in wells where the concentration of sulfate in groundwater was high (> 0.2 mM), compared to only 3% in wells with less sulfate. Sequences related to the genus Geobacter, a genus containing ferric-iron reducers, were of nearly equal abundance (15%) to the sulfate reducers under high sulfate conditions, however their relative abundance increased to 34% when sulfate concentrations were 0.2 mM sulfate. In the suspended fraction of wells where the concentration of sulfate was between 0.03 and 0.2 mM, the archaeal community was dominated by sequences most closely related to the ANME-2D, a group of archaea known for anaerobically oxidizing methane. Based on available energy (∆GA) estimations, results varied little for both sulfate reduction and methanogenesis throughout all wells studied, but could favor anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in wells containing minimal sulfate and dihydrogen, suggesting AOM coupled with H2-oxidizing organisms such as sulfate or iron reducers could be an important pathway occurring in the Mahomet aquifer. Overall, the results show several distinct factors control the composition of microbial communities in the Mahomet aquifer. Bacteria that respire insoluble substrates such as iron oxides, i.e. Geobacter, comprise a greater abundance of the attached community than the suspended regardless of groundwater chemistry. Differences in community structure driven by the concentration of sulfate point to a clear link between the availability of substrate and the abundance of certain functional groups, particularly iron reducers, sulfate reducers, methanogens, and methanotrophs. Integrating both geochemical and microbiological observations suggest that the relationships between these functional groups could be driven in part by mutualism, especially between ferric-iron and sulfate reducers.
Why Didn’t Freud Reject Pfister? A Response to Isabelle Noth and Christoph Morgenthaler

The Freud-Pfister correspondence is in some sense an Urtext for the most friendly debate imaginable between the self-identified “godless Jew” who founded psychoanalysis, and the liberal Swiss pastor who was drawn to psychoanalysis while retaining his belief in God. Why didn’t Freud reject Pfister? This article will probe this question using the tools of psychoanalysis itself. After reviewing Freud’s associations to childhood religion, the Bible, and his father (citing Rizzuto), I am proposing that Pfister functioned unconsciously for Freud not only as an admiring son and disciple, but also a father substitute—much like Freud’s beloved antiquities—who represented both a God and a father who would admire and love him, and carry Freud’s name forward in the Book of Life.
Stereochemical Requirements for β-Hairpin Formation: Model Studies with Four-Residue Peptides and Depsipeptides

Spectroscopic and crystallographic data are presented for a series of tetrapeptides and analogous depsipeptides that can form a minimal β-hairpin (two intramolecular hydrogen bonds). These model compounds have been used to test the hypothesis that “mirror image” β-turns promote β-hairpin formation. This hypothesis was inspired by a statistical survey of β-hairpins in globular proteins (Sibanda, B. L.; Thornton, J. M. Nature 1985, 316, 170), which showed that mirror image β-turns (type I‘ and type II‘), although rare in general, are very commonly associated with β-hairpins containing a two-residue loop between the strand segments. Each of our four-residue molecules contains proline at the second position, to promote a central β-turn. The β-turn is induced to be either “common” or “mirror-image”, relative to the outer residues, by choice of residue configuration (l vs d). In methylene chloride, end-capped tetrapeptide Ac−l-Val-d-Pro-d-Ala-l-Leu-NMe2 folds largely into the β-hairpin conformation, while the d...
The effects of short-range and long-range order on the energy gaps of (GaAs)1−xGe2x and (GaSb)1−xGe2x

Abstract The effects of both short-range and long-range order on the energy gap of (Ga X ) 1− x Ge 2 x , X = As or Sb, have been calculated by applying the Haydock recursion method to a variety of structural models for these materials. We find that realistic models for 〈100〉-grown and 〈111〉-grown alloys with different long-range order, but the same short-range order, have almost identical composition dependences of the energy gap. In contrast, hypothetical alloy structures with the same long-range order, but different short-range order, exhibit marked differences in energy gap.
STAKEHOLDER‐AGENCY THEORY

Taking agency theory and stakeholder theory as points of departure, this article proposes a paradigm that helps explain the following: (1) certain aspects of a firm's strategic behaviour; (2) the structure of management-stakeholder contracts; (3) the form taken by the institutional structures that monitor and enforce contracts between managers and other stakeholders; and (4) the evolutionary process that shapes both management-stakeholder contracts and the institutional structures that police those contracts.
Geographic patterns of oral cancer in the United States: Etiologic implications

Abstract A survey of buccal cavity and pharynx cancer mortality in United States counties. 1950–1969, revealed elevated rates among males in urban areas throughout the country and among females in the rural South. Indirect evidence suggests that the urban gradient in males results largely from alcoholic beverage consumption and tobacco smoking, while the Southern excess in females is related primarily to oral snuff use. Mortality was elevated also in counties with leather, paper, and chemical manufacturing industries (in males), and apparel and textile industries (in females). The industrial correlations in both sexes remained after control for urbanization and other demographic factors, but snuff use by Southern women in the textile and apparel industries may have influenced this association for females.
Analysis of endocrine disrupting compounds, pharmaceuticals and personal care products in sewage sludge by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have been acknowledged as emerging pollutants due to widespread contamination in environment. A rapid and reliable analytical method, based on ultrasonic extraction, clean up on Envi-carb cartridge, derivatized with N-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA), and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), was developed for determination of 4 EDCs (bisphenol A, estrone, nonylphenol and octylphenol) and 10 PPCPs (acetylsalicylic acid, carbamazepine, clofibric acid, diclofenac, gemfibrozil, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, paracetamol and triclosan) in sewage sludge. Mean recoveries of the target analytes, at different spike levels (40, 300 and 2000 ng/g), ranged from 57.9% to 103.1%. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) were in the range of 1.3-9.5% at different spiked levels. The limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 4.7 to 39 ng/g. The method was applied to sewage sludge samples from sewage treatment plants (STPs) in southern California. High concentrations of PPCPs and EDCs were found in sewage sludge, ranging from 1502 to 5327 ng/g dry weight. Appropriate disposal of sewage sludge was required to avoid secondary contamination.
The effects of acetaldehyde and disulfiram on albumin synthesis in the isolated perfused rabbit liver

Acetaldehyde infusions inhibit albumin synthesis in the liver from fed donors but not in the livers from fasted donors. The inhibition of acetaldehyde metabolism with 4-MP and disulfiram reverses this finding, suggesting that acetaldehyde per se is not the toxic agent. Disulfiram stimulates albumin synthesis in livers from fasted donors, and the presence of acetaldehyde does not prevent this process. The effects of ethanol infusions cannot be explained as due to the presence of acetaldehyde; some intermediate metabolic step may be the basis of the inhibition of albumin production and polysome disaggregation in the presence of ethanol.
A micro blood sampling system for catheterized neonates and pediatrics in intensive care unit

A new micro blood sampling system has been designed, fabricated, and characterized to reduce iatrogenic blood loss from the catheterized neonates and pediatrics in intensive care unit by providing micro-volume of blood to analytical biomedical microdevices which can do point-of-care testing for their critical care. The system can not only save enormous iatrogenic blood loss through 1 to 10 μL of blood sampling and re-infusion of 1 to 5 mL of discard blood but also reduce the infection risk through the closed structure while satisfying the key criteria of the blood sampler. The sampled blood preserved its quality without rupturing of red blood cells verified by blood potassium concentrations of 3.86 ± 0.07 mM on the sampled blood which is similar to 3.81 ± 0.04 mM measured from the blood which did not go through the system. The sampling volume among the sampling channels showed consistency with the relative standard deviation of 1.41 %. In addition to the micro blood sampling capability, the sampling system showed negligible sample cross-contamination. The analyte-free samples collected after aspirating 7,500 times higher signal sample showed the same output signal as blank. The system was also demonstrated not to cause air-embolism by having no bubble generation during flushing procedure and the system was verified as leak-free since there was no fluid leakage under 30 times higher pressure than central venous pressure for 24 h.
Intermolecular V-V energy transfer in the photodissociation of weakly bound complexes: A new experimental approach.

Reported here is a newly developed cw-infrared pump-probe method for studying the vibrational predissociation or weakly bound complexes at the state-to-state level. This method is suitable for studying the wide range or dynamical processes possible in these systems. We discuss preliminary results for two systems, N 2 -HF and CO 2 -HF, which illustrate the versatility or the method and the richness or the accessible dynamics
Synthesis and Antitumor Testing of 3-Methenylthiochroman-4-one-1,1-dioxide

Treatment of thiochroman-4-one-1,1-dioxide (II) with paraformaldehyde and dimethylamine hydrochloride in isopropyl alcohol at reflux afforded directly in 89% yield the dimeric dihydropyran (IV), corresponding to the dimerization of the target compound 3-methenyl-thiochroman-4-one-1,1-dioxide (III). Neither the monomer III nor the expected Mannich base, 3-dimethylaminomethylthiochroman-4-one-1,1-dioxide, were isolated under conditions of the reaction. The monomer III could be prepared in 55% yield by sublimation of the dimer IV at 230-250°; however, redimerization slowly occurred at room temperature. The dimer IV was also prepared by the use of paraformaldehyde and N-methylanilinium trifluoroacetate. The monomer III was found to be marginally active at 10 mg/kg/day versus Ehrlich ascites tumor growth in mice.
Infrared Optics Hot Pressed From Fluoride Glass

Optical figured surfaces were formed directly by hot pressing a fluoride glass in a closed die of tungsten carbide. Microduplication of the surface finish was also obtained. A glass composed of the fluorides of barium, thorium and zirconium or hafnium, and transmitting into the infrared out to 8 microns was press formed into an optical flat above its softening temperature and below its crystallization temperature. Also, small vitreous pieces were consolidated into larger pieces under moderate heat and pressure, thus avoiding the crystallization which occurs in large batches cooled from the melt.
Artificial convolution neural network for medical image pattern recognition

Abstract We have developed several training methods in conjunction with a convolution neural network for general medical image pattern recognition. An unconventional method of using rotation and shift invariance is also proposed to enhance the neural net performance. The structure of the artificial neural network is a simplified network structure of the neocognitron. Two-dimensional local connection as a group is the fundamental architecture for the signal propagation in the convolution neural network. Weighting coefficients of convolution kernels are formed by the neural network through backpropagated training for this artificial neural net. In addition, radiologists' reading procedure was modelled in order to instruct the artificial neural network to recognize the predefined image patterns and those of interest to experts. Our training techniques involve (a) radiologists' rating for each suspected image area, (b) backpropagation of generalized distribution, (c) trainer imposed functions, (d) shift and rotation invariance of diagnosis interpretation, and (e) consistency of clinical input data using appropriate background reduction functions. We have tested these methods for detecting lung nodules on chest radiographs and microcalcications on mammograms. The performance studies have shown the potential use of this technique in a clinical environment. We also used a profile double-matching technique for initial nodule search and used a wavelet high pass filtering technique to enhance subtle clustered microcalcifications. We set searching parameters at a highly sensitive level to identify all potential disease areas. The artificial convolution neural network acts as a final detection classifier to determine whether a disease pattern is shown on the suspected image area.
Nerium oleander indirect leaf photosynthesis and light harvesting reductions after clipping injury or Spodoptera eridania herbivory: High sensitivity to injury

Variable indirect photosynthetic rate (P(n)) responses occur on injured leaves after insect herbivory. It is important to understand factors that influence indirect P(n) reductions after injury. The current study examines the relationship between gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters with injury intensity (% single leaf tissue removal) from clipping or Spodoptera eridania Stoll (Noctuidae) herbivory on Nerium oleander L. (Apocynaceae). Two experiments showed intercellular [CO(2)] increases but P(n) and stomatal conductance reductions with increasing injury intensity, suggesting non-stomatal P(n) limitation. Also, P(n) recovery was incomplete at 3d post-injury. This is the first report of a negative exponential P(n) impairment function with leaf injury intensity to suggest high N. oleander leaf sensitivity to indirect P(n) impairment. Negative linear functions occurred between most other gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters with injury intensity. The degree of light harvesting impairment increased with injury intensity via lower (1) photochemical efficiency indicated lower energy transfer efficiency from reaction centers to PSII, (2) photochemical quenching indicated reaction center closure, and (3) electron transport rates indicated less energy traveling through PSII. Future studies can examine additional mechanisms (mesophyll conductance, carbon fixation, and cardenolide induction) to cause N. oleander indirect leaf P(n) reductions after injury.
Is it emotion or is it stress ? Gender stereotypes and the perception of subjective experience

Two studies of college undergraduates (ns = 95 and 92, primarily non-Hispanic whites and Asian Americans) investigated gender stereotypes of stress and emotion, as well as variables that influence the perception of gender-related differences. Study 1 assessed how gender stereotypes differ from the self-reports of men and women. When asked to choose a label for the subjective experience of the average man and the average woman in a series of problematic hypothetical situations, participants generally tended to believe that the average female would feel ‘emotional,” but that the average male would feel “stressed.” By contrast, the label participants chose to describe their own subjective experience was not significantly affected by their gender. In addition, participants believed the average woman and man differed more in the intensity of their emotions than in the intensity of their stress, a belief contradicted by their own self-reports. Results of Study 2 indicated that gender-related differences in estimations of stress and emotion for the self were reduced or eliminated when specific information about experience-eliciting situations was provided.
Polymerization of fibrin: specificity, strength, and stability of knob-hole interactions studied at the single-molecule level.

Using laser tweezers, we measured for the first time the forces of individual knob-into-hole interactions underlying fibrin polymerization. Exposure of A-knobs in desA-fibrin or its fragment from the central part of the molecule (N-terminal disulphide knot, NDSK) resulted in strong interactions with fibrinogen or fragment D (containing only a- and b-holes), producing a binding strength of approximately 125 to 130 pN. The interactions were not present in the absence of either knobs or holes and were abrogated by a specific inhibitor of fibrin polymerization, a peptide mimic of the A-knob (GPRPam). Exposure of both the A- and B-knobs in desAB-fibrin or desAB-NDSK did not change the rupture force spectra compared with the desA molecules, and their interactions with fibrinogen remained highly sensitive to GPRPam but not to GHRPam (B-knob), suggesting that neither A:b nor B:b nor B:a contacts contributed significantly to binding strength in addition to A:a contacts. The A:a interactions had a relatively small zero-force off-rate of approximately 10–4 s–1 and tight knob-to-hole contacts characterized by a transition state distance of approximately 0.3 nm. The results demonstrate that the knob-hole binding during thrombin-induced fibrin polymerization is driven by strong, stable, and highly specific A:a bonding, whereas A:b, B:b, or B:a interactions were not detected.
Democratic Accountability and Business Improvement Districts

Business improvement districts (BIDs) fuse a public taxing entity and a private nonprofit into something neither completely public nor completely private. Not subject to the controls typically exer...
Impact of power generation uncertainty on power system static performance

The rapid growth in renewable energy resources such as wind and solar generation introduces significant uncertainties on the generation side of power systems. We propose a method to assess whether static state variables, i.e., bus voltage magnitudes and angles, remain within acceptable ranges while the system is subject to uncontrolled disturbances caused by the uncertainty in local installations of renewable resources. The method uses ellipsoidal-shaped sets to bound uncertainty in power injections and the linearized power flow equations to compute approximate bounds on system static states. Numerical results for benchmark 4-bus and 34-bus systems are presented.
CONGENITAL PERINEAL HERNIA IN A FETUS WITH TRISOMY 18

Perineal hernias are very rare and mostly reported in adults, with only 7 cases reported in children. We report a female fetus, terminated at 18 weeks of gestation due to trisomy 18. In addition to multiple typical findings of trisomy 18, this fetus had perineal hernia with defect of the perineal skin and prolapse of multiple bowel loops. To our knowledge there are no reported cases of perineal hernia presenting antenatally nor are there reported cases of perineal hernia associated with trisomy 18.
Tracking an oil slick from multiple natural sources, Coal Oil Point, California

Oil slicks on the ocean surface emitted from natural marine hydrocarbon seeps offshore from Coal Oil Point in the Santa Barbara Channel, California were tracked and sampled over a 2-h period. The objectives were to characterize the seep oil and to track its composition over time using a new sampling device, a catamaran drum sampler (CATDRUMS). The sampler was designed and developed at UCSB. Chromatograms showed that oil originating from an informally named, very active seep area, Shane Seep, primarily evolved during the first hour due to mixing with oil originating from a convergence zone slick surrounding Shane Seep.
Testing Predictions of a Simple Two-State Model of Thin Filament Regulation: Inhibitors that can Activate Thin Filament Motility

Striated muscle is activated by calcium binding and further activated when myosin heads strongly bind the regulated thin filament (RTF). Several intermediate states of the myosin-RTF binding pathway continue to be debated, however for an accurate mesoscopic kinetic model it is imperative to define only stable chemical states without inclusion of transient intermediate structures. Our novel simplified model of thin filament regulation (SMoR) is a streamlined, two-state system with calcium- and myosin-dependent binding rates. This minimalist model is consistent with both the Hill and the McKilloop and Geeves models. It is easily incorporated into larger scale models of skeletal and cardiac mechanics and provides a simple analytical expression with powerful predictive value for accurate hypothesis testing. SMoR predicts amrinone, an inhibitor of ADP release, will increase calcium sensitivity; sucrose, an inhibitor of myosin attachment, will decrease calcium sensitivity as a result of modulations of attachment and detachment kinetics, respectively. Our experimental data shows pCa50 shifts from a standard value of 5.65 to 6.44 with 4mM amrinone; and to 5.14 with 180mM sucrose. Our model predicts that altering both attachment and detachment kinetics will have compensatory effects, allowing calcium sensitivity to be “rescued”. Complex modulations of myosin kinetics were tested experimentally with 4mM amrinone which was rescued with low myosin density and 120mM sucrose to restore the pCa50 to 5.64 and 5.66 respectively. SMoR predicts that decreasing the ADP release rate at low calcium can increase actin-sliding velocities. Consistent with the prediction, we show amrinone increase actin-sliding velocities at sub-activating calcium concentrations. The ability to make complex predictions from fundamental principles has yet to be shown by any other model. SMoR is an accessible and accurate alternative to more complex models of regulation.