cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parenting influences from the pulpit: Religious affiliation as a determinant of parental corporal punishment

This study examined religious affiliation as a source of differences in beliefs about and reported use of corporal punishment by 132 mothers and fathers of 3-year-old children. Conservative Protestants reported using corporal punishment more than parents of other religious groups, but no religious differences were found in parents' reported use of 8 other disciplinary techniques. Conservative Protestants' belief in the instrumental benefits of corporal punishment was associated with their frequency of corporal punishment use. More than parents of other religious affiliations, Conservative Protestants intended to use corporal punishment for children's moral, social, prudential, and escalated misbehaviors and expected it to prevent future transgressions. Religious affiliation, particularly a Conservative Protestant one, appears to have a strong and consistent effect on child rearing.
High-speed Lateral Photodetectors On Semi-Insulating InGaAs and InP

A new type of high-performance, planar PIN photodetector operating in the 1.0-1.6 μm wavelength region has been fabricated on semi-insulating InP and InGaAs entirely by formation of alloyed contacts. Their planar geometry and simple fabrication process, that does not require a separate step to form the junction, together with their high speed under reverse bias (FWHM . 50 ps) and sensitivity (n ≈ 40% at λ = 1.24μm, without anti-reflection coating) make these devices attractive for integration with FETs and for photodetector arrays.
Fuel Distributions from Pressure-Swirl Atomizers

Measurements are made of the radial fuel distributions obtained with various types of pressure-swir l (simplex) atomizers, using a "patternator" which comprises 29 sampling tubes placed 4.5 deg apart on an arc of 10 cm. The patternator is mounted in a pressure vessel 10 cm below the fuel nozzle with the nozzle axis located at the center of curvature. The volume of fuel collected in each tube is proportional to the fuel flow at the sampling point. The results of tests performed over wide ranges of fuel injection pressure and ambient pressure show that spray angles diminish with increases in ambient gas pressure up to around 0.69 MPa (100 psia), above which they remain sensibly constant. Changes in the fuel injection pressure have differing effects on spray-cone angle depending on the ambient pressure. At normal atmospheric pressure an increase in fuel injection pressure causes the spray angle to first widen and then contract. At ambient pressures above around 2 atm the spray contracts continuously with increase in fuel injection pressure. Measurements of circumferenti al fuel distribution show that some nozzle designs possess a high degree of uniformity, while others exhibit significant deviations from the mean value.
Petroleum in the deep sea environment: Potential for damage to biota

Abstract Information on the fate, persistence and biological impact of petroleum hydrocarbons in shallow marine environments, coupled with recent data on hydrocarbonsin offshore sediments and the biology of deep sea organisms, have provided new perspectives on the potential impact of oil on the deep sea environment. A review of literature on petroleum hydrocarbons in deep sea sediments, mechanisms for transport of petroleum to the deep sea floor, interaction of petroleum hydrocarbons and particulate matter, and the physiology and metabolism of deep sea fish and crustaceans has resulted in the following conclusions: 1. 1. Hydrocarbons of apparent anthropogenic origin are accumulating in bottom sediments of coastal margins and in deeper offshore waters at unknown rates. 2. 2. Several mechanisms exist for the rapid transport of petroleum hydrocarbons to the deep sea floor. 3. 3. Petroleum hydrocarbons are intimately associated with particulate matter in the sea, behaving much the same as natural biogenic material and having the potential to modify or interrupt natural processes. 4. 4. The unique physiology of deep water life forms increases the potential for adverse impact of petroleum hydrocarbons on the deep sea environment. 5. 5. There is a need to determine trends of temporal and spatial deposition of hydrocarbons in deep sea sediments and evaluate the biological impact of this introduction of xenobiotic compounds on the largest environment on earth.
Chronic fluoxetine upregulates arachidonic acid incorporation into the brain of unanesthetized rats

Abstract Serotonergic 5-HT 2A / 2C receptors can be coupled to phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) activation to release the second messenger, arachidonic acid (AA), from membrane phospholipids. We wished to see if this signaling process in rat brain would be altered by chronic administration followed by 3 days of washout of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine. We injected [ 3 H]AA intravenously in unanesthetized rats and used quantitative autoradiography to determine the incorporation coefficient k ⁎ for AA (regional brain radioactivity/integrated plasma radioactivity), a marker of PLA 2 activation, in each of 86 brain regions. k ⁎ was measured following acute i.p. saline or (±)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl-2-aminopropane (DOI, 1.0 mg/kg i.p.), a 5-HT 2A / 2C receptor agonist, in rats injected for 21 days with 10 mg/kg i.p. fluoxetine or saline daily, followed by 3 days without injection. Acute DOI produced statistically significant increments in k ⁎ in brain regions with high densities of 5-HT 2A / 2C receptors, but the increments did not differ significantly between the chronic fluoxetine- and saline-treated rats. Additionally, chronic fluoxetine compared with saline widely and significantly increased baseline values of k ⁎ . These results suggest that 5-HT 2A / 2C receptor-initiated AA signaling is unaffected by chronic fluoxetine plus 3 days of washout in the rat, but that baseline AA signaling is nevertheless upregulated. This upregulation likely occurs independently of significant active drug in brain, considering the short brain half-lives of it and its norfluoxetine metabolite. Such upregulation may contribute to fluoxetine's efficacy against human depression.
Unilateral and bilateral renal agenesis in monoamniotic twins

One of monoamniotic, monochorionic twins was born with absence of kidneys but had none of the extrarenal manifestations of Potter's syndrome other than low-set ears. His twin had a single kidney with anomalies but was capable of producing a normal amount of urine, and a normal quantity of amniotic fluid was present. These unique observations support the hypothesis that the facial, limb, pulmonary, and skin abnormalities of Potter's syndrome are due to oligohydramnios secondary to absence of intrauterine urine production.
Synthesis and Electrocatalysis of Carbon Nanofiber-Supported Platinum by 1-AP Functionalization and Polyol Processing Technique

Pt/carbon composite nanofibers were prepared by depositing Pt nanoparticles directly onto electrospun carbon nanofibers using a polyol processing technique. The morphology and size of Pt nanoparticles were controlled by 1-aminopyrene functionalization. The noncovalent functionalization of carbon nanofibers by 1-aminopyrene is simple and can be carried out at ambient temperature without damaging the integrity and electronic structure of the carbon nanofibers. The resulting Pt/carbon composite nanofibers were characterized by running cyclic voltammograms in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 0.125 M CH3OH + 0.2 M H2SO4 solutions. Results show that Pt/carbon composite nanofibers with 1-aminopyrene functionalization have Pt nanoparticles with a smaller size and better distribution compared with those treated with conventional acids. Moreover, Pt/1-aminopyrene-functionalized carbon nanofibers possess the properties of high active surface area, improved performance toward the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol, and relatively...
Leachate Flow Rate Behavior through Geotextile and Soil Filters and Possible Remediation Methods

Abstract This paper presents flow rate data in the form of system permeability values using various filtration schemes involving both geotextiles and natural soil filters. The tests were conducted over a 20-month period using six different types of leachate. In total, 96 different combinations were evaluated. In all cases, permeabilities decreased over time due to a combination of sediment clogging and/or biological clogging. When a steady state permeability value appeared to be reached, after approximately 6 months, the first of four remediation schemes were attempted. It was seen that water backflush is the most effective in reinstituting high flow rates, followed by backflushing with leachate and nitrogen gas. The least effective remediation scheme was vacuum extraction. Biocide treated geosynthetics were also evaluated, but results were inconclusive. This was due to the long times required and/or the remnants of the micro-organisms which could not pass through the various filtering systems. The long-term minimum permeability values were not identified, nor were the design required permeabilities for the various landfills, in question. These important items are currently being investigated.
Fundamentals of concern manipulation

This talks describes a number of principles and key concepts underlying concern manipulation, the use of concerns to aid in a variety of software development tasks. Concern modeling and exploration, query and composition are considered. The principles and concepts guided work on the Concern Manipulation Environment (CME), which provides both prototype tools supporting aspect-oriented software development, and flexible components for use in building such tools.
Life assessment activities of fossil fuel power plant in the Republic of China

Abstract A service-life evaluation program on the electricity generation units of Taipower Company (TPC) has been inaugurated since 1985. Based on a survey of five different types of boiler units generated by fossil fuel, a generic procedure for the component evaluation and service-life assessment was established. The major degradation mechanisms of each of the key components/systems of the fossil fuel power units are discussed. The elements of the database software are described which are relevant in carrying out life assessment work. The limitations of applying these methods are addressed based on the experiences in performing the life assessment work for the fossil power plants of Taipower Company in the ROC.
Sound pressure in ear canals modified by surgery.

This two-part study measured sound pressure using a probe tube microphone in normal and surgically altered ear canals. In the first study sound was generated by a TDH-39 earphone in 24 normal ears ...
Nonrandomized studies of rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury: can they determine effectiveness?

Abstract Powell JM, Temkin NR, Machamer JE, Dikmen SS. Nonrandomized studies of rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury: can they determine effectiveness? Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2002;83:1235-44. Objective: To examine the feasibility of investigating rehabilitation effectiveness for traumatic brain injury (TBI) with a nonrandomized design. Design: Observational cohort with confounder control by regression methodology. Setting: Level I trauma center. Participants: Consecutive series of 365 individuals with TBI discharged to inpatient rehabilitation or home (78% follow-up). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), Burden Inventory, and Perceived Quality of Life (PQOL). The predictors of interest: discharge to comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation or home and inpatient rehabilitation length of stay (LOS). Results: Discharge to rehabilitation was associated with poorer functioning on the GOS (P=.03) and SIP (P=.57), an increase on the Burden Inventory (P=.14), and improved PQOL (P=.20). Similar results were found for longer lengths of inpatient rehabilitation. Conclusions: The results appear to be because of a confounding effect rather than rehabilitation. The study design could not control for confounding that resulted from unmeasured or difficult to measure aspects of the clinical decisions for discharge placement and rehabilitation LOS. Furthermore, typical severity indices were inadequate to control for injury severity and recovery. Matching designs that investigate TBI rehabilitation are also at risk for inadequate confounder control. © 2002 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Batch injection stripping voltammetry of trace metals

Abstract The performance and advantage of batch injection anodic stripping voltammetry of trace metals are described. Such non-flow stripping operation involves injections of 100-μl nondeaerated samples towards a nearby mercury film electrode (immersed in a large-volume blank solution), and allows simultaneous measurements of several trace metals in the parts-per-billion (μg l −1 ) concentration level, at a rate of 48 samples per hour. Repetitive measurements yield a relative standard deviation of 1.9%. Detailed experiments demonstrate the absence of carry-over effects, good tolerance to the “buildup” of analyte in cell solution, and the effect of various procedure variables. Applicability to assays of drinking water is illustrated. The batch injection stripping operation holds a great promise for rapid automated measurements of trace metals.
Hypothermia-induced platelet aggregation in human blood in an in vitro model: The dominant role of blood-material interactions

Hypothermia-induced platelet aggregation (HIPA) with or without neutrophil involvement may cause neurologic dysfunction during hypothermic surgery. We report the use of a previously developed model to study the contributions of several surfaces, surface area, shear rate, and blood–material exposure time to HIPA. Heparinized (1.5 u/mL) human blood was quenched to 24°C and passed (0.5 mL/min) through a 75-cm long 1/32” ID tubing of polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PU), Teflon-FEP, or heparin (Duraflo)-coated PVC. The number of aggregates was measured by a light-scattering method, and the concentration of occlusive aggregates was assessed using constant-pressure filtration (50 mmHg). No differences were seen among PVC, PE, PU, or Teflon-FEP. The heparin-coated PVC tubing produced fewer occlusive aggregates, and heparin leaching from the coating was not the cause of the decrease in occlusive aggregates. Increasing surface area increased the number of aggregates, and increasing shear rates decreased the occlusiveness of those aggregates. ©2001 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 59: 528–534, 2002
CALCULATED ELECTROSTATIC GRADIENTS IN RECOMBINANT HUMAN H-CHAIN FERRITIN

Calculations to determine the electrostatic potential of the iron storage protein ferritin, using the human H-chain homopolymer (HuHF), reveal novel aspects of the protein. Some of the charge density correlates well with regions previously identified as active sites in the protein. The three-fold channels, the putative ferroxidase sites, and the nucleation sites all show expectedly negative values of the electrostatic potential. However, the outer entrance to the three-fold channels are surrounded by regions of positive potential, creating an electrostatic field directed toward the interior cavity. This electrostatic gradient provides a guidance mechanism for cations entering the protein cavity, indicating the three-fold channel as the major entrance to the protein. Pathways from the three-fold channels, indicated by electrostatic gradients on the inner surface, lead to the ferroxidase center, the nucleation center and to the interior entrance to the four-fold channel. Six glutamic acid residues at the nucleation site give rise to a region of very negative potential, surrounding a small positively charged center due to the presence of two conserved arginine residues, R63, in close proximity (4.9 A), suggesting that electrostatic fields could also play a role in the nucleation process. A large gradient in the electrostatic potential at the 4-fold channel gives rise to a field directed outward from the internal cavity, indicating the possibility that this channel functions to expel cations from inside the protein. The 4-fold channel could therefore provide an exit pathway for protons during mineralization, or iron leaving the protein cavity during de-mineralization.
Thermal neutron detection using alkali halide scintillators with 6 Li and pulse shape discrimination

An ideal 3He detector replacement for the nearto medium-term future will use materials that are easy to produce and well understood, while maintaining thermal neutron detection efficiency and gamma rejection close to the 3He standard. Toward this end, we are investigating the use of standard alkali halide scintillators interfaced with 6Li and read out with photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). Thermal neutrons are captured on 6Li with high efficiency, emitting high-energy α and triton (3H) reaction products. These particles deposit energy in the scintillator, providing a thermal neutron signal; discrimination against gamma interactions is possible via pulse shape discrimination (PSD), since heavy particles produce faster pulses in inorganic scintillating crystals. We constructed and tested two classes of detectors based on this concept. In one case 6Li is used as a dopant in polycrystalline NaI; in the other case a thin Li foil is used as a conversion layer. We present results from these investigations, including measurements of the neutron efficiency and gamma rejection for the two detector types.
On the proposed triggering of Jovian radio emissions

Calvert (1985) has proposed that a solar type III radio bursts can trigger the onset of certain Jovian hectometer wavelength emissions. It is shown, using the data obtained by the Voyager Planetary Radio Astronomy experiment, that this triggering hypothesis is not supported statistically. Furthermore, the causality of this proposed triggering is questioned because much of the Jovian hectometer emission is due to a quasi-continuous radio source rotating, in lighthouse fashion, with Jupiter. Thus, an observed 'onset' of emission is simply a function of the observer's position in local time around Jupiter.
Packet Scheduling in a Low-Latency Optical Interconnect With Electronic Buffers

Optical interconnect architectures with electronic buffers have been proposed as a promising candidate for future high speed interconnections. Out of these architectures, the OpCut switch achieves low latency and minimizes optical-electronic-optical (O/E/O) conversions by allowing packets to cut-through the switch whenever possible. In an OpCut switch, a packet is converted and sent to the recirculating electronic buffers only if it cannot be directly routed to the switch output. In this paper, we study packet scheduling in the OpCut switch, aiming to achieve overall low packet latency while maintaining packet order. We first decompose the scheduling problem into three modules and present a basic scheduler with satisfactory performance. To relax the time constraint on computing a schedule and improve system throughput, we further propose a mechanism to pipeline packet scheduling in the OpCut switch by distributing the scheduling task to multiple “sub-schedulers.” An adaptive pipelining scheme is also proposed to minimize the extra delay introduced by pipelining. Our simulation results show that the OpCut switch with the proposed scheduling algorithms achieve close performance to the ideal output-queued (OQ) switch in terms of packet latency, and that the pipelined mechanism is effective in reducing scheduler complexity and improving throughput.
Applying software product line concepts in service orientation

Today's competitive business environment commands innovation, increasingly shorter time-to-market and efficiency. Product line technology, pioneered in manufacturing, is increasingly finding its way to the software sector allowing companies to sustain growth and achieve market success. Regardless of the domain, however, information systems have been behind all facets of business operations. Here, the emerging service oriented architectures can help provide the answers to the need for agility, versatility and economies. This effort introduces the concepts of software product lines and service orientation and explores their parallels. Next, it attempts to show the applicability of software product line methods to service orientation. Finally, the work discusses the main obstacles on the road to realising the synergy between these cutting-edge technologies.
Policy changes on Canada's rivers: different but not isolated.

I address two questions in this article. First, how do policy changes in Canada differ from those in the United States? Second, are such changes isolated from American influence? I argue that Canadian policy changes will be more driven by subnational bureaucrats, more dependent upon fortuitous alignments of interests and institutions, and less quickly emulated by other jurisdictions than policy changes in the United States. I will also argue that policy changes in Canada are not completely isolated from those in the United States, not given the ability of ideas to cross international borders to change the framing of issues. I examine these arguments in the context of changing river management policies in British Columbia and Ontario.
Usefulness of Low-Dose Dobutamine Echocardiography to Predict Response and Outcome in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

A substantial proportion of patients who meet the current guidelines for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) fail to respond to this pacing modality. Although appropriate patient selection and left ventricular (LV) lead location have been ascribed as determinants of CRT response, the interaction among contractile reserve, dynamics of dyssynchrony, and lead location is not well understood. The present study prospectively evaluated the effect of contractile reserve and dobutamine-induced changes in LV synchrony, in relation to the LV lead location, as predictors of the response to CRT. In the present study, 31 patients were prospectively evaluated and underwent low-dose dobutamine echocardiography. The dobutamine-induced increase in ejection fraction (contractile reserve [CR]) was measured, and the most mechanically delayed segment was identified to classify patients into 2 groups. Group 1 had a CR of >20% and a LV lead position concordant with the mechanically delayed segment. Group 2 included the remaining patients (i.e., low CR, discordant LV lead position, or both). Patients in group 1 were significantly more likely to have an echocardiographic response at 6 months (80% of group 1 vs 29% of group 2, p = 0.018) and had an improved 2-year heart failure hospitalization-free survival rate (90% in group 1 vs 33% in group 2, p = 0.006). In conclusion, low-dose dobutamine echocardiography provides information that can help to predict responders to CRT. The response rates and heart failure hospitalization-free survival were improved in those patients with a CR >20% and an LV lead tip concordant with the most delayed mechanical segment.
PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR DIVORCED NONRESIDENT FATHERS

Divorced nonresident fathers are a promising target for preventive efforts to assist families after divorce. The research literature suggests that such programs should focus both on the frequency and the quality of the child's contact with the father, as well as the quality of postdivorce mother–father relations. Dads For Life (DFL) is the program for this target group with the most convincing evidence of preventive effects. This eight-week program centers on professionally made videos. It was tested in a randomized trial with 214 families. In comparison to control families, children in families in which the father participated in DFL had significantly lower internalizing problems. The preventive impact of DFL was strongest for the most troubled youngsters.
Relatio Vs. Oratio: Tacitus, Ann. 3.12 and the Senatus Consultum De Cn. Pisone Patre

Tiberius' speech at the outset of the trial of Cn. Calpurnius Piso, as Tacitus reports it at Annals 3.12, sheds light on two discrepancies between relatio and response in the recently published senatus consultum de Cn. Pisone patre (hereafter SCPP).
Dimension inference in spreadsheets

We present a reasoning system for inferring dimension information in spreadsheets. This system can be used to check the consistency of spreadsheet formulas and can be employed to detect errors in spreadsheets. We have prototypically implemented the system as an add-in to Excel. In an evaluation of this implementation we were able to detect dimension errors in almost 50% of the investigated spreadsheets, which shows (i) that the system works reliably in practice and (ii) that dimension information can be well exploited to uncover errors in spreadsheets.
Serum Immunoglobulins in the First Year of Life

Serum IgG, IgM, and IgA were measured in 316 infants younger than 12 months of age. Information including the child's race, sex, age, and past history of infections or atopy was collected. Birth records were also reviewed to ascertain the child's birthweight and gesta tional age.Serum IgG levels were higher in black infants than in white infants after the age of 4 months. Serum IgM levels were higher in black females than in black males for infants older than 1 month. For infants younger than 4 months of age, those weighing less than 2500 g at birth had lower IgG levels than those weighing more than 2500 g. Infants younger than 1 month whose gestational age had been less than 36 weeks had lower IgG levels than those greater than 36 weeks. Infants aged 1 to 4 months whose gestational age had been less than 36 weeks had lower IgG levels than did those 40 or more weeks. Infants with a positive history for atopy had lower IgG levels than similarly aged infants with a negative history.
Therapeutic gene regulation: targeting transcription.

In this issue of Circulation , Rajagopolan et al1 report the first clinical results of a gene therapy approach predicated on transcriptional activation of a patient’s own genes. This represents a second-generation gene therapy methodology for cardiovascular disease and is important for a number of reasons. We have witnessed in the past decade the primary sequencing of the human genome.2,3 One of the initial reactions to this milestone accomplishment was surprise at the relatively small number of definitive genes that are encoded by human DNA. Although the exact number is still uncertain, estimates as low as 23 299 have been made. In comparison, the genome of the worm Caenorhabditis elegans encodes approximately 19 000 genes, and the genome of the common fruit fly encodes approximately 18 000 genes, raising the question of how such significant differences in biological complexity and diversity are engendered by so few genes. A complete set of answers to this question is not currently in our grasp, but some crucial aspects are understood and are relevant to the clinical trial discussed here. Article p 1234 One manner in which the biological effect of a finite number of genes is amplified is by alternative splicing. This is the process whereby a single gene encodes a number of alternative proteins by simply including or excluding specific exons within the coding sequence of that gene during mRNA transcription and maturation. The number of alternative splice variants that exist as transcriptional products of the human genome is not known, but this process alone likely increases the number of unique proteins that can be encoded by the genome 2- to 3-fold, possibly more. Interestingly, there are known human cardiovascular diseases caused by inappropriate splicing, including a cardiomyopathy and sudden death syndrome in children caused by deficient …
Ulnar Nerve (Deep Motor Branch)

There are a number of variations in the syndromes affecting the distal portion or major portion of the ulnar nerve. These may be categorized as follows: A. Motor weakness affecting all the ulnar-innervated muscles B. Motor weakness affecting all ulnar-innervated muscles, except those of the hypothenar group C. Involvement giving rise to a pure sensory deficit D. A mixture of motor and sensory deficit E. A mixture of motor and sensory deficit sparing the hypothenar muscle group.
Regulatory T Cells in MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multifocal demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), caused by an autoimmune response to self-antigens in a genetically susceptible individual. It is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and by CNS lesions containing a high number of infiltrating autoreactive B and T cells. In healthy individuals, regulatory T (Treg) cells can control potentially pathogenic autoreactive T cells, while Treg cells in MS patients show insufficient regulatory abilities. The fact that autoreactive T cells can be found in the peripheral blood of healthy individuals without causing any autoimmune diseases underlies the importance of an efficient control of immune responses. Treg cells are key regulators of immune homeostasis and self-tolerance.
The development of clinical paractice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of depression

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) was established in December 1989 by Public Law 101-239. One of many charges to the Agency was to develop clinical practice guidelines especially for, but not limited to, primary care (PC) practitioners. Depression was one of the first seven problem areas selected for guideline development. It was selected as a topic for guideline development because 1) depressions are common in primary care; 2) most depressed patients seek care from PC physicians; 3) a range of treatments is available and commonly prescribed for these conditions; 4) a very large body of relevant scientific evidence is available upon which to base guidelines; 5) practice surveys indicate that improvements in practice procedures, especially improved detection/recognition and treatment tactics may be called for; and 6) the disability and mortality associated with depressions is high. These guidelines were developed to assist both patients and primary care practitioners in the diagnosis and treatment of depressive conditions. Panel membership was multidisciplinary and in-
Some Notes on the Historical Poems of George of Pisidia

(i.) Even after the masterly studies of Leo Sternbach following on the paper by Hilberg1 there are still some small points to be noted on the historical poems of George of Pisidia. In what follows I have, of course, presupposed a knowledge of Sternbach's work which has happily rendered superfluous the new text which he was to have edited for Methuen's Series of Byzantine Texts.
A not-so-modest proposal that a "modest" increase in aldosterone causes hypertension and more.

Whether primary aldosteronism is as widespread as some believe, a topic debated recently in this journal by Calhoun1 and Kaplan,2 may not be as relevant as whether the commonly observed prevailing level of aldosterone is too high for the amount of sodium that we consume. I would like to make the case here (with help from a Nobel Laureate) that the usual level of aldosterone contributes to the development of hypertension in many people, indeed, possibly many more than even the most generous estimate for the prevalence of primary aldosteronism. Not long after the angiotensinogen gene/hypertension association was described in 1992,3 Oliver Smithies’ laboratory showed in a transgenic mouse that levels of angiotensinogen and blood pressure were proportional to the number of copies of the angiotensinogen gene.4 It provided proof of principal that blood pressure was under the influence of the endogenous load of angiotensinogen. In the present issue of Hypertension ,5 this same laboratory now provides similar complimentary proof to the earlier report by Vasan et al6 that higher but normal levels of aldosterone are predictive …
TRANSPORT IN MICROPOROUS SOLIDS Part II: Measurement of Micropore Diffusivities

The experimental methods that have been developed for measuring diffusion in microporous adsorbents are reviewed with emphasis on macroscopic and single crystal techniques. Comparative diffusion data for selected systems are discussed and the role of crystal defects is considered as a possible explanation for the apparent correlation of macro diffusivities with the scale of the measurement. A wide range of different experimental techniques have been used for studying diffusion in microporous solids; a chronological summary is given in figure 1. In Table 1 these techniques are classified according to the scale of the measurement, the nature of the diffusion process and whether the measurement is carried out under transient or steady state conditions. A full bibliography is included. The largest category (transient, macroscopic measurements) comprises techniques that measure rates of adsorption/desorption, either directly or indirectly, in assemblages of microporous crystals or dual-porosity particles. The macroscopic steady state category includes catalyst effectiveness and membrane permeation measurements. In their simplest form all these techniques yield the transport diffusivity, but variants involving the use of isotopically tagged tracers can be devised to measure the self-diffusivity.
Longitudinal changes in corneal curvature and its relationship to axial length in the Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial (COMET) cohort.

Purpose To describe longitudinal changes in corneal curvature (CC) and axial length (AL) over 14 years, and to explore the relationship between AL and CC, and the axial length/corneal radius (AL/CR) ratio.
Mechanism of Cooperativity and Nonlinear Release Kinetics in Multivalent Dendrimer-Atropine Complexes.

Despite extensive studies on drug delivery using multivalent complexation systems, the biophysical basis for release kinetics remains poorly defined. The present study addresses this aspect involved in the complexation of a fifth generation poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer with atropine, an essential antidote used for treating organophosphate poisoning. First, we designed 1H NMR titration studies for determining the molecular basis of the drug complexation with a glutarate-modified anionic dendrimer. These provide evidence pointing to a combination of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions as the driving forces for dendrimer complexation with the alkaloid drug molecule. Second, using LC–MS/MS spectrometry, we determined the dissociation constants (KD) at steady state and also measured the drug release kinetics of atropine complexes with four negatively charged dendrimer types. Each of these dendrimers has a high payload capacity for up to ∼100 atropine molecules. However, the affinity of the atropin...
Antagonism of notch signaling activity by members of a novel protein family encoded by the bearded and enhancer of split gene complexes.

Cell-cell signaling through the Notch receptor is a principal mechanism underlying cell fate specification in a variety of developmental processes in metazoans, such as neurogenesis. In this report we describe our investigation of seven members of a novel gene family in Drosophila with important connections to Notch signaling. These genes all encode small proteins containing predicted basic amphipathic (α)-helical domains in their amino-terminal regions, as described originally for Bearded; accordingly, we refer to them as Bearded family genes. Five members of the Bearded family are located in a newly discovered gene complex, the Bearded Complex; two others reside in the previously identified Enhancer of split Complex. All members of this family contain, in their proximal upstream regions, at least one high-affinity binding site for the Notch-activated transcription factor Suppressor of Hairless, suggesting that all are directly regulated by the Notch pathway. Consistent with this, we show that Bearded family genes are expressed in a variety of territories in imaginal tissue that correspond to sites of active Notch signaling. We demonstrate that overexpression of any family member antagonizes the activity of the Notch pathway in multiple cell fate decisions during adult sensory organ development. These results suggest that Bearded family genes encode a novel class of effectors or modulators of Notch signaling.
The effects of Porapak™ trap temperature on δ18O, δ13C, and Δ47 values in preparing samples for clumped isotope analysis

Rationale The clumped isotope paleothermometer, a new proxy widely applicable in studies of paleoclimate, tectonics, and paleontology, relates the abundance of doubly substituted isotopologues of carbonate-derived CO2 to the temperature of formation of the carbonate phase. As this technique becomes more widely used, more is discovered about the effects of everyday laboratory procedures on the clumped isotopic composition of CO2 gas. Methods Preparation of CO2 for clumped isotope analysis requires the removal of isobaric contaminants prior to measurement, achieved dynamically by passing the CO2 through a gas chromatography column using a helium carrier gas or cryogenically pumping CO2 through a static trap filled with Porapak™ Q (PPQ) material. The stable and clumped isotopic compositions of carbonate standards prepared at PPQ trap temperatures between −40°C and −10°C were measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry to evaluate potential artifacts introduced by the static PPQ trap method. Results The stable isotopic composition of carbonates run at temperatures below −20°C was fractionated, despite achieving >99% retrieval of gas at temperatures as cold as −30°C. The δ13C and δ18O values decreased by ~0.01 and ~0.03 ‰/(°C below −20°C). The raw Δ47 values decreased by 0.003–0.005 ‰/(°C below −20°C), but the final reference-frame-corrected values (Δ47-RFAC) were unaffected as long as the carbonate samples and standard gases were prepared identically. Conclusions Preparing carbonate samples for clumped isotope analysis using a PPQ trap that is too cold can result in erroneous stable isotopic compositions. New and existing labs using the static PPQ trap cleaning procedure should determine the ideal PPQ trap temperature for their particular system through monitoring not only yield through the PPQ trap, but also stable isotopic composition at various PPQ trap temperatures. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cloning and Overexpression of a Tagged CMP-N-Acetylneuraminic Acid Synthetase from E. coli Using a Lambda Phage System and Application of the Enzyme to the Synthesis of CMP-N-Acetylneuraminic Acid

The gene coding from CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid (CMP-NeuAc) synthetase (Ec 2.7.7.43) was amplified from total DNA of E. coli strain K-235 through a primer-directed polymerase chain reaction. The gene was fused with a modified ribosome binding site of the original CMP-NeuAc synthetase gene and a decapeptide tag sequence which served as a marker for screening of expressed proteins. The gene was cloned into lambda ZAP vector at EcoRI and XbaI sites and overexpressed in E. coli Sure at a level approximately 1000 times that of the wild type. The decapeptide-containing enzyme retained almost the same specificity as indicated by the Vmax and Km values using CTP and NeuAc as substrates. A preparative synthesis of CMP-NeuAc based on the recombinant enzyme was demonstrated.
Preliminary evaluation of new candidate materials as toxicants, repellents, and attractants against stored-product insects

Preliminaly evaluation of new promising chemicals for toxicity and repellancy were conducted at the Stored-Product Insects Research and Development Laboratory, Savannah, Ga. Six compounds were tested against adult confused flour beetles, Tribolium confusum Jacqulin duVal, and black carpet beetle larvae, Attagenus megatoma (F.). Of the six compounds tested four showed promise as direct-contact toxicants against both species. These four were Bay 75546 (ENT-27607), Bay 79845 (ENT-27608), Bay 88991 (ENT-27626), and Penick SBP1382 (ENT-27474). All of the compounds, except Bay 88991, when tested as residuals, were generally less toxic to the insects than was the malathion standard. Two compounds, Bay 88991 and Penick SBP1382, showed promise as repellents against confused flour beetles.
Host response and vaccine development to Helicobacter pylori infection.

Infection of humans by Helicobacter pylori can have various outcomes (Fig. 1). In virtually all cases a state of chronic/active gastritis results from an infection by H. pylori, but whether this gastritis progresses to more severe disease states such as duodenal or gastric ulcers or serves as a precursor to gastric cancer appears to be Influenced by both the host response and bacterial virulence determinants. Bacterial virulence factors have been reviewed elsewhere in this volume (“Mechanisms of Helicobacter pylori Infection: Bacterial Factors”); this chapter focuses on the host response to Helicobacter infections in the context of these virulence factors.
Toyin Falola's Contribution to the Historiography of the Legacy of the Atlantic Slave Trade

This paper examines Toyin Falola’s contribution to the historiography of the legacy of the Atlantic slave trade. The Atlantic slave trade witnessed the largest forced migration of people in world history, as approximately ten million Africans were shipped to various New World destinations from the mid 1500s to the 1880s. The African slaves in the New World not only facilitated the emergence of the plantation complex, but also contributed significantly to the rise of new forms of cultural expression. Although the historiography of the legacy of the Atlantic slave trade is still relatively inchoate, Falola’s contribution to its development has been wide-ranging. Falola’s work in this field encompasses several key themes, including but not limited to, African cultural survivals in the New World, the emergence of Diasporic communities, the consequences of the Atlantic slave trade for African societies, and the more recent immigration of a new class of African professionals into the New World. Using Falola’s publications in the field of the legacy of the Atlantic slave trade, this paper will do an in-depth analysis of these themes, and highlight their main arguments and interpretations. In addition, this paper will suggest potential areas for further research. Finally, this paper will evaluate Falola’s place in the historiography of the legacy of the Atlantic slave trade.
East Georgia Construction Company (B)

A construction company serving a 20-county area of eastern Georgia has as its main source of revenue the manufacture and placement of asphaltic concrete used in road construction. In response to the demands of a new, multiyear, state-funded highway program, the company needs to expand its manufacturing capacity. Now, in addition to the new portable drum-mix plant (whose price has been reduced), described in the A case (UVA-QA-0664), there is a used nonportable batch plant available at a very attractive price. At issue is which of the two solutions to pursue.
Tertiarybutyldimethylantimony for GaSb growth

Antimony-containing alloys have the lowest energy bandgaps of the conventional III-V semiconductors. Organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) has proven to be an effective and convenient technique for the production of the antimony alloys, normally using trimethylantimony (TMSb) as the antimony source. However, TMSb has several problems: (a) it decomposes at relatively high temperatures due to the strong CH3-Sb bond, and (b) its use results in carbon contamination from the active methyl radicals, especially for the growth of aluminum-containing alloys. Recently, tertiarybutyldimethylantimony (TBDMSb) has been successfully used to grow high quality InSb epitaxial layers at temperatures as low as 325°C with low V:III ratios. This paper reports the use of TBDMSb to grow GaSb layers at temperatures from 500° to 650°C. Group V:III ratios close to unity are required for good surface morphologies. The optimum V:III ratio decreases slightly as the growth temperature is lowered due to the incomplete decomposition of trimethylgallium (TMGa). The growth efficiency is about 1 × 104 μm/mole, indicating that there are no significant parasitic reactions between TMGa and TBDMSb. The as-grown layers are p-type. The background carrier concentration is nearly independent of growth temperature. Low temperature (10K) photoluminescence (PL) intensities are also nearly independent of temperature in this range. The PL spectra consist of two peaks, a bound exciton peak at about 792 meV and a native acceptor complex (VGa, GaSb) peak at about 775 meV. At every growth temperature, the ratio of the PL intensity of the bound exiton peak to the native acceptor peak is always higher for samples grown using optimum conditions. The results show that TBDMSb can be used for the OMVPE growth of antimony-containing materials over a wide range of growth temperature.
Adaptive Disturbance Cancellation for Indirect Drive Robots Using Joint Sensing Information

Harmonic drives are widely used in robotics and precision positioning systems because of their unique properties such as near-zero backlash, and high speed reduction ratio. However, they possess a periodic positioning error known as the transmission error and it causes vibrations on the output shaft of the gear. In this paper, an adaptive compensation scheme for the transmission error in indirect drive robots is proposed. To enhance the performance and to avoid deteriorating the transient response, two modifications are introduced to the basic compensation structure. The load side acceleration information is adopted in real-time control to measure and to reject the load side oscillations. Also, it is used in the adaptation laws to generate the compensation signal that cancels the vibrations on the load side. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed schemes and the improvement in load side performance.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Quantum-Mechanical Modeling of Mutations, Aging, Evolution, Tumor, and Cancer Development

In this chapter, we will describe the quantum-mechanical models to accurately describe the process of creation of spontaneous, induced, and adaptive mutations. These models will be used to describe the processes of evolution and aging. The various theories of quantum evolution and epievolution will be studied as well. We then describe the Markovian chain-like classical and quantum-mechanical modeling of mutations and aging. In the same section, the hybrid quantum-classical biological channel model with memory is described as well. After that, various classical, semiclassical, and quantum models of cancer development are studied. The final section concludes the chapter.
Review on Plating Technology of Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy

The aluminum and its alloy are widely used in the field of metal surface protection and surface decoration for their excellent corrosion resistance ability and fine appearance.The current research and development are reviewed in this paper,meanwhile the related literature are summarized into the following parts:the electrodeposition substrate, the content of electrodeposites,the reaction systems and the addictives.New techniques introduced into this area are mentioned and the molten salt system was emphasized especially.With the notion and experience aquired from years of study on molten salts,we proposed the analysis on the research techniques and achievements,in aim to impulse the progress in the aluminum electrodeposition area.