cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Further studies on sexuality in azygosporic strains of Mucor hiemalis

A study of azygosporic strains of Mucor hiemalis suggested that the strains were heterozygous for mating-type. The length of uninucleate sporangiospores from most azygosporic strains was 1·3–1·6 times the length of spores from tester strains. Sporangiospores from azygosporic strains were predominantly uninucleate but more than 35 % of the spores of the tester strains were multinucleate. It is possible, however, to find strains derived from azygosporic cultures which are normal in appearance and which have predominantly long uninucleate spores, as well as azygosporic strains which have relatively short uninucleate spores and a relatively high percentage of multinucleate spores. Azygosporic strains have been resynthesized by germinating zygospores derived from a cross of two normal strains of opposite mating-type, both of which were obtained as single vegetative spore isolates of a single azygosporic strain.
Surface modification of ultrafiltration membranes by low temperature plasma. I. Treatment of polyacrylonitrile

Excitation with low temperature helium or helium/water plasma and subsequent exposure to air of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) ultrafiltration membranes was used to hydrophilize the surface of these materials. We analyzed the effectiveness of this approach as a function of' plasma operating variables including gas phase composition, plasma power, treatment time, and system pressure. Following the changes in physical and chemical composition of the PAN surface resulting from these modifications was a major aspect of this work. Techniques such as the captive bubble contact angle method, ellipsometry, ESCA, and FTIR-ATR were all used. In addition, the formation and lifetime of peroxides during these processes were determined. At low powers (≤25 W) and short treatment periods (≤30 s), the main chemical conversion of PAN surfaces was simultaneous hydrophilization and stabilization via PAN cyclization. Relatively small water permeability changes were observed as a result of such treatment
Longitudinal Association of HIV Conspiracy Beliefs with Sexual Risk Among Black Males Living with HIV

Research is needed to identify culturally relevant factors that may contribute to sexual risk among African Americans. We investigated HIV-specific medical mistrust as one such cultural factor, often exhibited as conspiracy beliefs about HIV (e.g., “AIDS was produced in a government laboratory”), which may be indicative of general suspicion of HIV treatment and prevention messages. Over a 6-month time-period, we measured endorsement of HIV conspiracy beliefs three times and frequency of condom use monthly among 181 HIV-positive African American males. A hierarchical multivariate repeated-measures logistic random effects model indicated that greater belief in HIV conspiracies was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting unprotected intercourse across all time-points. An average of 54% of participants who endorsed conspiracies reported unprotected intercourse, versus 39% who did not endorse conspiracies. Secondary prevention interventions may need to address medical mistrust as a contributor to sexual risk among African Americans living with HIV.
Targets of nitric oxide in a mouse model of liver inflammation by Corynebacterium parvum.

Abstract Treatment of mice with Corynebacterium parvum induces chronic inflammation. This treatment followed by an injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produces hepatic necrosis and death. We examined liver tissue by using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and found that, in addition to the previously reported nonheme nitrosyl complexes, heme nitrosyl complexes were also formed. Hemoglobin nitrosyl complexes measured in the whole blood of mice treated with C. parvum were not increased after additional LPS treatment. However, this treatment significantly increased the heme nitrosyl complexes in the liver, whereas the nonheme nitrosyl complex concentration was unaffected. EPR signals from whole blood and liver tissues from mice treated with C. parvum and C. parvum + LPS were inhibited by prolonged treatment with N G -monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMA). Nitric oxide ( . NO) is known to bind to cytochrome P450 heme, and we consistently found a suppression of EPR signals attributable to ferric low-spin cytochrome P450/P420 peaks in the livers of mice treated with C. parvum and C. parvum + LPS. By performing analyses of EPR spectra obtained from hepatocytes exposed to . NO, we were able to unambiguously identify EPR signals attributable to cytochrome P420 and nonheme nitrosyl complexes in the livers of both treatments. Deconvolution of the composite in vivo EPR spectra indicated that hemoglobin nitrosyl complexes contributed weakly in the C. parvum livers, but threefold more in the C. parvum + LPS livers, suggesting that hemorrhage may have occurred. Experiments with L-NMA treatment revealed that this additional . NO production did not correlate with hepatic necrosis and onset of death. Immunoprecipitation of liver cytosols from C. parvum - and ( C. parvum + LPS)-treated mice using an antibody against mouse inducible nitric oxide synthase showed that this enzyme was indeed present in the cytosolic fractions and was absent in those from control livers. Our novel detection of cytochrome P420 nitrosyl complex in vivo may be linked to any role of hepatic P450′s functions during liver inflammation.
T.H. Morgan, neither an epistemological empiricist nor a “Methodological” empiricist

T. H. Morgan (1866–1945), the founder of the Drosophila research group in genetics that established the chromosome theory of Mendelian inheritance, has been described as a radical empiricist in the historical literature. His empiricism, furthermore, is supposed to have prejudiced him against certain scientific conclusions. This paper aims to show two things: first, that the sense in which the term “empiricism” has been used by scholars is too weak to be illuminating. It is necessary to distinguish between empiricism as an epistemological position and the so-called “methodological” empiricism. I will argue that the way the latter has been presented cannot distinguish an empiricist methodology from a non-empiricist one. Second, I will show that T. H. Morgan was not an epistemological empiricist as this term is usually defined in philosophy. The reason is that he believed in the existence of genes as material entities when they were unobservable entities when they were unobservable entities introduced to account for the phenotypic ratios found in breeding experiments. These two points, of course, are interrelated. If we were to water down the meaning of empiricis, perhaps we could call Morgan an empiricist. But then we would also fail to distinguish empiricism from realism.
An Almost Regular Fault Tolerant Network with Arbitrary Number of Nodes

A new family of almost regular interconnection topology is proposed that can be defined for an arbitrary number of nodes. The proposed network can be very efficiently used to design communication architecture for distributed systems with an arbitrary number of computing nodes. The design involves a novel generalization of the concept of group based star graphs. The proposed topology is shown to be incrementally extensible in steps of 1 and optimally fault tolerant, and its diameter is sublogarithmic in the number of nodes. We have also developed a simple routing algorithm for any source destination pair of nodes.
Encouraging Men to Enter the Field of Child Care: What Can Be Done?

Child care has traditionally been viewed by society as “women's work”. However, men who work in child care programs help challenge stereotypes and allow children to view males from a different perspective. The question then becomes one of how to encourage men to enter the field of child care. This article examines a few of the obstacles that prevent men from working in child care centers and provides one man's story about how he came to work in a child care facility. This is followed by suggestions of ways men could be encouraged to enter and stay in the field of early childhood education.
The heart of Chicano history: Reies López Tijerina as a memory entrepreneur

The essay re‐examines the role of Reies Lopez Tijerina, a New Mexican land‐grant leader and founder of the Alianza Federal de Mercedes, whose members are best known for their armed takeover of the Rio Arriba Courthouse in 1967. This essay argues, however, that Tijerina’s greatest significance was as a “memory entrepreneur,” that is, someone who popularizes a long‐suppressed version of the past, in this case, the history of land loss among Spanish‐speaking New Mexicans. Aliancistas put their version of the past on display in 1966 when they occupied the Carson National Forest’s Echo Amphitheater campground on the basis of long‐forgotten land claims.
Mixing of spherical and spheroidal modes in perturbed Kerr black holes

The angular dependence of the gravitational radiation emitted in compact binary mergers and gravitational collapse is usually separated using spin-weighted spherical harmonics ${_{s}Y}_{\ensuremath{\ell}m}$ of spin weight $s$, that reduce to the ordinary spherical harmonics ${Y}_{\ensuremath{\ell}m}$ when $s=0$. Teukolsky first showed that the perturbations of the Kerr black hole that may be produced as a result of these events are separable in terms of a different set of angular functions: the spin-weighted spheroidal harmonics ${_{s}S}_{\ensuremath{\ell}mn}$, where $n$ denotes the ``overtone index'' of the corresponding Kerr quasinormal mode frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\ensuremath{\ell}mn}$. In this paper we compute the complex-valued scalar products of the ${_{s}S}_{\ensuremath{\ell}mn}$'s with the ${_{s}Y}_{\ensuremath{\ell}m}$'s (``spherical-spheroidal mixing coefficients'') and with themselves (``spheroidal-spheroidal mixing coefficients'') as functions of the dimensionless Kerr parameter $j$. Tables of these coefficients and analytical fits of their dependence on $j$ are available online for use in gravitational-wave source modeling and in other applications of black-hole perturbation theory.
Laparoscopic adrenal surgery.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) was performed in 6 patients (4 right and 2 left). A transperitoneal approach in a lateral position was used. Pheochromocystoma was present in two patients and Conn's syndrome, with a solitary functioning adenoma, was the diagnosis in four. Early vascular control was obtained in the two patients with pheochromocytoma, resulting in very stable intraoperative blood pressure. Operative time for LA was 152±26 min and was associated with a short length of stay (2.0±0.6 days) and minimal intraoperative blood loss (82±30 ml). There were no conversions to laparotomy and one complication was noted. LA is a safe and effective operation for patients requiring adrenalectomy for hormone-secreting tumors.
Combined resection and recession of a single rectus muscle for the treatment of incomitant strabismus.

Background: The treatment of incomitant strabismus is challenging. Traditional approaches include the use of asymmetric bilateral surgery and the fadenoperation (posterior fixation suture). We report our experience with a different approach: combined resection and recession of a single rectus muscle. Methods: The charts of 12 patients who underwent resection of a single rectus muscle with an equal or greater amount of recession of the same muscle were identified. In 5 patients, the procedure was performed using the adjustable suture technique, and the adjustment was performed later the same day (Group 1). In the remaining 7 patients, permanent sutures were placed at the time of surgery (Group 2). The procedure was performed for horizontal and vertical gaze incomitance, dissociated horizontal deviation, and distance-near disparity. Results: Four of the 5 patients in Group 1 showed stable, long-term correction of their incomitance, both in primary gaze and in gaze in the direction of the muscle operated on. The results for patients in Group 2 showed stable, long-term correction of incomitance in 3 patients; however, these patients also had slight overcorrections in the direction of gaze opposite to the muscle operated on. An additional patient in Group 2 had a shift of her distance-near disparity, shifting from relatively exotropic to relatively esotropic disparity postoperatively. All patients in Group 2 showed at least some decrease in the amount of measured incomitance. We did not encounter complications such as muscle slippage or loss, scleral perforation, or late overcorrection in the field of gaze of the operated muscle. Conclusions: The technique of combined resection and recession of a single rectus muscle shows promise in the treatment of incomitant strabismus. It offers the advantages of posterior fixation combined with the greater technical ease of a standard hangback recession. The muscle may also be placed on an adjustable suture, allowing for postoperative adjustment in selected patients. (J AAPOS 1999;3:263-8)
Hybrid thermoelectric solar collector design and analysis

A flat-plate solar collector is conceived where energy cascades through thermoelectric power modules generating direct-current electricity. The intent of this work was to choose a collector configuration and to perform a steady-state thermal performance assessment. A set of energy balance equations were written and solved numerically for the purpose of optimizing collector thermal and electrical performance. The collector design involves finned columns of thermoelectric modules imbedded in the absorber plate (hot junction) over a parallel array of vertical tubes. The thermoelectric power output is limited by the small hot-junction/cold-junction temperature difference which can be maintained under steady-state conditions. The electric power per unit tube pass area is found to have a maximum as a function of a geometric parameter, while electric power is maximized with respect to an electric resistance ratio. Although the electric power efficiency is small, results indicate that there is sufficient electric power production to drive a coolant circulator, suggesting the potential for a stand-alone system.
Pseudopackaging of Adenovirus Type 5 Genomes into Capsids Containing the Hexon Proteins of Adenovirus Serotypes B, D, or E

Adenoviruses (Ad) show promise as a vector system for gene delivery in vivo. However, a major challenge in the development of Ad vectors is the circumvention of the host immune responses to Ad infection, including both the host cytotoxic T-cell response and the humoral response resulting in neutralizing antibodies. One method to circumvent the effect of neutralizing antibodies against an Ad vector is to use different Ad serotypes to deliver the transgene of interest. This approach has been demonstrated with Ad genomes of highly related members of subgroup C. However, it is not known whether an Ad5-based vector DNA molecule can be packaged into capsids of evolutionarily more divergent adenoviruses. The aim of these studies was to determine if capsids containing hexon proteins from other Ad subgroups could package the Ad5 genome. A genetic approach utilizing an Ad5 temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant with a mutation in the hexon protein was used. When grown at the nonpermissive temperature, Ad5 ts147 replicates normally, providing a source of Ad5 DNA for virus assembly, but does not produce virus particles due to the hexon protein mutation. Coinfection of Ad5 ts147 with a wild-type virus of other Ad serotypes (Ad3, Ad4, or Ad9), which supply functional hexon proteins, resulted in the pseudopackaging of the Ad5 DNA genome. Furthermore, the pseudopackaged Ad5 DNA virions obtained in the coinfections were infectious. Therefore, switching hexons did not impair the infectivity or uncoating process of the pseudopackaged virion. Since hexon protein is a major antigenic determinant of the Ad capsid, this approach may prove useful to reduce the antigenicity of therapeutic Ad vectors and allow repeated vector administration.
Self-Management Instruction for Middle School Students with LD and ED

Self-management instruction with a curriculum-based assessment (CBA) monitoring component was used with middle school students who had learning disabilities and emotional disturbance. Targeted behaviors included appropriate class participation and on-task performance. SPIN is described as a self-management design, instruction, and CBA monitoring process that teachers can use (a) with a variety of student behaviors in self-contained and inclusive settings, (b) to promote more independence and self-determination skills for students, and (c) with small and large groups of students.
Release of Genotype 1 Hepatitis E Virus from Cultured Hepatoma and Polarized Intestinal Cells Depends on Open Reading Frame 3 Protein and Requires an Intact PXXP Motif

Hepatitis E virus genotype 1 strain Sar55 replicated in subcloned Caco-2 intestinal cells and Huh7 hepatoma cells that had been transfected with in vitro transcribed viral genomes, and hepatitis E virions were released into the culture medium of both cell lines. Virus egress from cells depended on open reading frame 3 (ORF3) protein, and a proline-rich sequence in ORF3 was important for egress from cultured cells and for infection of macaques. Both intracellular ORF3 protein accumulation and virus release occurred at the apical membrane of polarized Caco-2 cells. ORF3 protein and lipids were intimately associated with virus particles produced in either cell line; ORF2 epitopes were masked in these particles and could not be immunoprecipitated with anti-ORF2.
Does Titan have an ocean? A review of current understanding of Titan's surface

An attempt is made to provide a balanced perspective regarding the knowledge of Titan's surface and how well current models address the various sets of data. Topics discussed include the Voyager data that led to the notion of a massive, global-scale hydrocarbon ocean; recent data sets including radar, radiometry, and NIR photometry that bear on the nature of the surface. Attention is also given to models of the surface that attempt to fit all of the constraints; and the Cassini investigations of Titan's surface. The surface and regolith of Titan are considered to be most likely a repository of liquid methane, other hydrocarbons, and dissolved nitrogen.
The history of “laundry lists” in North American zooarchaeology

Abstract North American zooarchaeologists regularly state that prior to about 1970, most zooarchaeological reports were made up of lists of the animal taxa identified, sometimes with taxonomic abundance data. These reports are typically labeled laundry lists or species lists , terms meant to be pejorative. Some reports that appeared between 1900 and 1979 are guides to taxonomic identification, others discuss analytical techniques, and some represent thoughtful analyses. A sample of 286 titles authored by zooarchaeologists that appeared between 1900 and 1979 shows that laundry lists made up 55 percent of the titles published between 1900 and 1959; 20 percent of the titles that appeared between 1960 and 1979 are laundry lists. Adding titles authored by zoologists increases the relative frequency of laundry lists to 68 percent between 1900 and 1959, and to 24 percent between 1960 and 1979. Ironically, the originator of the term laundry list and its derogatory implications (Stanley J. Olsen) produced only laundry lists after he introduced the concept. Laundry lists are part of the legacy of North American zooarchaeology, but previous characterizations of disciplinary history have not been based on empirical data and have been inaccurate. The data in laundry lists is today analytically valuable.
Morphology of strain-induced crystallization of natural rubber. Part II. X-Ray studies on cross-linked vulcanizates

Abstract The results of wide- and small-angle X-ray studies on bulk vulcanizates of natural rubber are described. At room temperature no discrete X-ray peaks occur at small angles, even for highly strained (700%) specimens for which a significant degree of crystallinity is present at room temperature. Below the isotropic melting point of the network, discrete small-angle X-ray scattering develops for both unstrained and strained specimens. The Bragg periodicity corresponds closely to the longitudinal lamellar spacing from electron micrographs of thin films under corresponding conditions. The X-ray long period exhibits significant thermal reversibility. Upon heating, following initial crystallization at −25°C, the long period continuously increases from about 140 A at −25°C to about 250 A at 17°C. After heating, progressive cooling from room temperature results in continuous decreases in long period and at least 80% of the initial increase on heating is recovered. These results in conjunction with electron...
Prognostic implications of a bone marrow histopathologic classification system in mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome

Background. The authors devised a histopathologic classification system for interpreting bone marrow biopsy materials in patients with mycosis fungoides and the Sezary syndrome and correlated histopathologic findings with clinical stage and outcome. Methods. Bone marrow specimens from 90 consecutively staged patients were examined for lymphoid infiltrates, benign or cytologically atypical lymphoid aggregates, and large or cytologically transformed cells. Results. Thirty-seven (41%) marrows were involved, two with diffuse lymphomatous infiltrates and 35 with lymphoid aggregates. Twelve of the 35 had lymphoid aggregates consisting of cytologically normal-appearing lymphocytes, and 23 had aggregates composed of cytologically atypical lymphocytes. Eleven patients had greater than 5% large cytologically transformed cells. Patients with infiltrative disease or cytologically atypical aggregates had an inferior survival compared with those with cytologically normal lymphocytes (P2 = 0.0042), and patients with aggregates consisting of cytologically normal lymphocytes had a survival comparable with that of patients with uninvolved marrows (P2 = 0.33). Whereas most patients with cytologically atypical marrows had advanced skin and lymph node involvement, 28% had early skin stage. Bone marrow eosinophilia was noticed in 38% of patients and was not consistently associated with peripheral blood eosinophilia or clinical stage. Conclusions. These results suggest that patients with cytologically atypical lymphoid aggregates or diffuse lymphomatous infiltration of the marrow have an inferior survival regardless of clinical stage, whereas those with lymphoid aggregates consisting of cytologically normal-appearing lymphocytes have a survival indistinguishable from that of patients without lymphoid aggregates.
Porosity evaluation and pore size distribution of a novel directly placed ceramic restorative material.

Summary Objectives The aim of this in vitro study was to compare porosity, i.e. voids or pores due to placement, of a new directly placed ceramic restorative material (DoxaDent, Doxa Certex AB, Uppsala, Sweden) to a glass ionomer (Fuji IX, GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), a hybrid composite control (Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE St Paul, MN, USA) and an amalgam control (Tytin, Kerr Orange, CA, USA). Pore distribution and size were determined for each material tested. Methods Standardized MOD preparations (one operator) on 20 extracted human molars had gingival margins located above and below the CEJ. Restored teeth (5 teeth/material) were sectioned in mesio-distal directions (two sections/tooth; n=10/group). Sections were polished through 1 μm Al2O3 abrasive. Porosity levels and size distributions were measured using SEM. Effects of different gingival extensions of inter-proximal boxes on porosity levels and distributions were investigated (mesial, occlusal, and distal regions). Results No MOD region was free of pores. Porosity in mesial, occlusal and distal boxes, respectively, for each restorative material were (vol%): Tytin: 1.3(0.9), 2.9(2.1), and 2.9(1.4); Filtek Z250: 2.6(1.0), 2.9(1.0), and 2.6(0.8); Fuji IX: 8.8(1.9), 7.9(1.7), and 7.7(1.8); Doxadent: 13.0(1.8), 12.4(1.7), and 11.5(1.4). Overall porosity ranged from 2.4(0.9)% for Kerr Tytin, 2.7(0.7)% for Filtek Z250, 8.0(1.1)% for GC Fuji IX, and 12.3(1.1)% for Doxadent. There was no difference between Z250 composite and Tytin amalgam, but differences existed between them with Fuji IX and Doxadent. No statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in porosity occurred among different restoration regions (mesial, distal and occlusal box) for any material. Total porosity levels for different measurement methods (point counting versus direct counting) were remarkable consistent (p>0.05). Significance Based on results of this limited study, the new directly placed ceramic restorative material (Doxadent) contains significantly (p
Effect of implantation of dexamethasone adjacent to the paraventricular nucleus on messenger ribonucleic acid for corticotropin-releasing hormone and proopiomelanocortin during late gestation in fetal sheep

Glucocorticoids act upon the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and anterior pituitary in a classic negative feedback loop to regulate ACTH biosynthesis and secretion. Evidence exists to indicate that glucocorticoid feedback may be attenuated during late gestation in the sheep fetus to allow the preterm rise in fetal plasma cortisol necessary for parturition in this species. The present studies were undertaken to determine the effect of glucocorticoids placed adjacent to the fetal PVN on messenger RNA (mRNA) for CRH in the PVN and mRNA for POMC in the anterior pituitary during late gestation. We performed our studies at two critical stages during late gestation to determine if gestational age related changes occur in the efficacy of negative feedback regulation of expression of CRH and subsequently POMC. Dexamethasone (DEX) implants were placed bilaterally 2 mm lateral to the fetal PVN at 105 to 107 days gestational age (dGA; group I, n = 4) and 121-123 dGA (group II; n = 4). Gestational-age match...
Processing of Lightweight Metal Matrix Composites via In Situ Gas/Liquid Reaction

Aluminum nitride (AlN) possesses superior thermal and electrical properties and is an ideal candidate for high-temperature, as well as for packaging and optoelectronic applications. Aluminum based composites reinforced with AlN have been manufactured via an in situ gas-assisted process, where a nitrogen-bearing gas is injected in the molten aluminum at 1273-1323 K. The process is carried out in an inert atmosphere in order to avoid oxygen contamination. Addition of Mg lowered the oxygen content in the melt by forming MgO and thus favoring the nitridation reaction. Particle size formed in the matrix varied from 1- 3 μm to sub-micron scale depending on the gas injection time. Longer bubbling times give rise to improved reinforcement dispersion. Addition of Si is detrimental for the synthesis of AlN; Mg2Si phase precipitates, replacing the formation of MgO and hindering the nitridation reaction. The challenges of controlling the kinetics are discussed.
Regeneration in Crustacean Motoneurons: Evidence for Axonal Fusion

Crayfish motor axons remain excitable for over 100 days after severance from their central cell bodies, and continue to store and release normal amounts of transmitter substance. Evidence indicates that regeneration occurs by fusion of the central process with its surviving peripheral segment.
Vocal production in different social contexts relates to variation in immediate early gene immunoreactivity within and outside of the song control system

In songbirds, a major function of song during the breeding season is mate attraction, and song in this context can be highly sexually motivated. Vocal learning, perception, and production are regulated by the song control system, but there is no evidence that this system participates in the motivation to sing. Instead, brain regions involved in sexual motivation and arousal, including the medial preoptic nucleus (POM), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), nucleus taeniae (Tn), and area ventralis of Tsai (AVT) might regulate the motivation to sing, at least in a sexual context. The role of these nuclei and song control nuclei (area X and HVC) in vocal production within a breeding context, and other courtship behaviors, was investigated using immunocytochemistry for protein products of immediate early genes (IEGs), ZENK and c-fos (Fos), in flocks of male house sparrows (Passer domesticus) presented with females. Compared to vocalizations from other perches, vocal behavior from a nest box is more likely directed toward females, and sexually motivated. The numbers of ZENK and Fos labeled cells within rostral, but not caudal POM related positively only to vocalizations produced from a nest box. In contrast, the number of ZENK-labeled cells within area X related negatively to vocalizations from a nest box. Additionally, numbers of IEG-labeled cells within rPOM, Tn and AVT related positively to mount attempts. The results support the hypothesis that the POM interacts with the song control system to regulate sexually motivated vocal expression, and are consistent with work indicating that (a) rostral and caudal POM play distinct roles in sexual behavior, and (b) involvement of area X in song is context specific.
Photochemistry of ketones in solution LVIII: Mechanism of photoreduction of benzophenone by benzhydrol

Abstract New studies of the mechanism of photoreduction of benzophenone by benzhydrol are reported. They demonstrate conclusively that the primary photochemical act involves hydrogen abstraction from benzhydrol by the n,π* uncomplexed triplet state of benzophenone to give a triplet radical pair which does not couple to a measurable extent within the solvent cage. Escape of the radicals from the cage is followed by a series of hydrogen transfer reactions with ground state ketone, leading to scrambling of label when either the ketone or the hydrol is labeled initially. The competition between coupling and disproportionation of Ph2ĊOH and (CH3)2ĊOH is contrasted and rationalized, as is the virtual absence of in-cage reaction in the benzophenone—benzhydrol system and the moderately efficient in-cage reactions in the benzophenone—isopropyl alcohol system. Thus, textbook descriptions of this prototype photoreduction should reflect the fact that the initially produced pair of radicals do not couple directly, but undergo a series of hydrogen transfers prior to coupling outside the initial solvent cage.
A powerful test for comparing multiple regression functions

In this article, we address the important problem of comparison of two or more population regression functions. Recently, Pardo-Fernandez, Van Keilegom and Gonzalez-Manteiga [2007, ‘Testing for Equality of k Regression Curves’, Statistica Sinica, 17, 1115–1137] developed test statistics for simple nonparametric regression models: Y ij =θ j (Z ij )+σ j (Z ij )e ij , based on empirical distributions of the errors in each population j=1, …, J. In this article, we propose a test for equality of the θ j (·) based on the concept of generalised likelihood ratio type statistics. We also generalise our test for other nonparametric regression set-ups, for example, nonparametric logistic regression, where the log-likelihood for population j is any general smooth function ℒ{Y j , θ j (Z j )}. We describe a resampling procedure to obtain the critical values of the test. In addition, we present a simulation study to evaluate the performance of the proposed test and compare our results to those in Pardo-Fernandez et al....
Accessory optic system of rhesus monkey.

Abstract The accessory optic system of the rhesus monkey ( Macaca mulatta ) was investigated using the silver method of de Olmos-Ingram to determine the course and distribution of its degenerating fibers following retinal evisceration. Serial Niss 1 sections were used to relate the axonal degeneration to the brain stem cytoarchitecture. It is found that this system consists of a dorsal and a lateral terminal nucleus together with a superior fasciculus (posterior fibers). The retinal fibers within this superior fasciculus originate primarily from the contralateral and some from ipsilateral retina. These fibers leave the superior quadrigeminal brachium to course ventrally and anteriorly over the caudolateral aspects of the medial geniculate, the inferior brachium, and the dorsolateral portion of the cerebral peduncle to terminate within the dorsal and lateral terminal nuclei.
Cybercrimes v. Cyberliberties

Cyberspace is an inherently global medium. Cybercrime and terrorism are worldwide concerns. Preserving human rights in cyberspace is also an international concern.
Magnetic and structural characteristics of TiCr2, ZrCr2, HfCr2 and the TiCo2ZrCo2 and YFe2YCo2 alloy systems☆

Abstract The hexagonal modifications of the Laves phases TiCr2, ZrCr2 and HfCr2 all exhibit Pauli paramagnetism with nearly the same susceptibility values (≈4 × 10≈4 e.m.u./mole). Measurements on the cubic modification of TiCr2 yield a slightly higher Pauli paramagnetic susceptibility (5 × 10−4 e.m.u./mole). The compounds TiCo2 and ZrCo2 form a single phase pseudo-binary system having the cubic Laves phase structure. The compounds exhibit Pauli paramagnetism with virtually constant susceptibility (1.44 to 1.53 × 10−3 e.m.u./mole) over the entire composition range. The YFe2YCo2 system is also single phase with the cubic Laves structure. These alloys are ferromagnetic over the entire composition range. As Co is substituted for Fe in YFe2 the saturation moment increases, passing through a maximum at the composition YFe1.4Co0.6. The striking similarity to the behavior of alloys of elemental Co and Fe is pointed out.
Fifteen node tetrahedral elements for explicit methods in nonlinear solid dynamics

Abstract Despite the ease in meshing and benefits for modeling flexure, curved shapes, etc., second-order tetrahedral elements are not contained in typical explicit solid dynamic programs. This is primarily due to the lack of both a satisfactory consistent nodal loading distribution and mass lumping technique. Row summation lumping, for instance, produces negative vertex node masses for the popular ten node “serendipity” tetrahedron, which also has zero vertex node loads resulting from a constant pressure on an element face. This has led to piecewise composites of four node tetrahedrons to represent a ten node one in explicit codes. In this paper, truly second-order fifteen node formulations for compressible and for nearly incompressible materials are presented and evaluated. In addition to producing all positive nodal loads from a uniform traction, row summation mass lumping for the fifteen node element is shown to produce all positive nodal masses. Performance is assessed in standard benchmark problems and practical applications using various elastic and elastic–plastic material models and involving very large strains/deformations, severe distortions, and contact-impact. Comparisons are also made with several first-order elements and second-order hexahedral formulations. The offered elements performed satisfactorily in all examples. As recently found for second-order hexahedral elements, it is shown that the inclusion of face and centroidal nodes is vital for robust performance with row summation lumping, and high-order quadrature rules are crucial with explicit methods. These second-order elements are shown to be viable for practical applications, especially using today’s parallel computers. Whereas the reliable performance is generally attained at significant computational expense compared with first-order and brick types, these elements can be more computationally competitive in flexure and have the desirable trait that they are amenable to automatic tetrahedral meshing software.
Depending on Context: Counterintuitive Uses of Focus Groups in Mixed-Method Ethnographic Research

Few anthropologists or other ethnographers discuss incorporating focus groups into long-term fieldwork. This article demonstrates how they can be a surprisingly enriching addition by attending to their strategic use as supplements to participant observation, surveys and interviews in long-term, mixed method research on gender-based violence and changing codes of masculinity in Northeast Brazil. The author argues two principal points: 1) that shortcomings of focus groups can be offset by using them in conjunction with other research techniques, and 2) that when so employed, focus groups can potentially improve the depth, validity, and collaborative aspects of interpretivist ethnographic work in counter-intuitive ways.
Viscous hydrodynamics with bulk viscosity – uncertainties from relaxation time and initial conditions

Abstract Bulk viscosity suppresses elliptic flow ν 2 , as does shear viscosity. It can thus not be neglected when extracting the shear viscosity from elliptic flow data. We here explore uncertainties in the bulk viscous contribution to viscous ν 2 suppression that arise from presently uncontrolled uncertainties in the initial value of the bulk viscous pressure and its microscopic relaxation time.
Translocation channel gating kinetics balances protein translocation efficiency with signal sequence recognition fidelity

The transition between the closed and open conformations of the Sec61 com- plex permits nascent protein insertion into the translocation channel. A critical event in this structural transition is the opening of the lateral translocon gate that is formed by four trans - membrane (TM) spans (TM2, TM3, TM7, and TM8 in Sec61p) to expose the signal sequence- binding site. To gain mechanistic insight into lateral gate opening, mutations were introduced into a lumenal loop (L7) that connects TM7 and TM8. The sec61 L7 mutants were found to have defects in both the posttranslational and cotranslational translocation pathways due to a kinetic delay in channel gating. The translocation defect caused by L7 mutations could be suppressed by the prl class of sec61 alleles, which reduce the fidelity of signal sequence rec- ognition. The prl mutants are proposed to act by destabilizing the closed conformation of the translocation channel. Our results indicate that the equilibrium between the open and closed conformations of the protein translocation channel maintains a balance between transloca- tion activity and signal sequence recognition fidelity.
Aromatic stacking as a determinant of the thermal stability of CYP119 from Sulfolobus solfataricus.

Abstract Two notable features of the thermophilic CYP119, an Arg154–Glu212 salt bridge between the F–G loop and the I helix and an extended aromatic cluster, were studied to determine their contributions to the thermal stability of the enzyme. Site-specific mutants of the salt bridge (Arg154, Glu212) and aromatic cluster (Tyr2, Trp4, Trp231, Tyr250, Trp281) were expressed and purified. The substrate-binding and kinetic constants for lauric acid hydroxylation are little affected in most mutants, but the E212D mutant is inactive and the R154Q mutant has higher K s , K m , and k cat values. The salt bridge mutants, like wild-type CYP119, melt at 91±1°C, whereas mutation of individual residues in the extended aromatic cluster lowers the T m by 10–15 °C even though no change is observed on mutation of an unrelated aromatic residue. The extended aromatic cluster, but not the Arg154–Glu212 salt bridge, contributes to the thermal stability of CYP119.
Auditor conservatism following audit failures

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of audit failure on Big 4 audit firm monitoring activities. The paper analyzes changes in discretionary accruals (DAs) among clients of firms implicated in audit failure events and examines whether these DAs decline in the period following the event.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses archival data and regression analyses to test whether DAs for clients of implicated audit firms decline in the period following the audit failure as compared to clients of other Big 4 firms. Audit failures are identified during the years 1996‐2004 based on significant lawsuit settlements. The paper focuses on an office‐level analysis to control for audit quality differences which may vary across firm geographic locations as suggested by recent research.Findings – Empirical results indicate that auditor response to audit failure has changed over time. Auditors implicated in audit failure events occurring in the post‐Enron and Sarbanes‐Oxley period enforce ...
Darwin’s Worms and the Skin of the Earth: An Introduction to Charles Darwin’s The Formation of Vegetable Mould, Through the Action of Worms, With Observations on Their Habits (Selections)

Charles Darwin's discovery of the theory of evolution by natural selection is unquestionably one of the most profound scientific achievements in history. Darwin was heavily influenced by the great geologist Charles Lyell, who developed uniformitarianism, the methodological and substantive doctrine that sought to explain all geological formations as the result of the accumulation of small events happening continually over long periods of time. In The Formation of Vegetable Mould, Through the Action of Worms, with Observations on Their Habits, Darwin-inspired by Lyell's grand conception-focused on how worms transform the surface of the earth through their constant, everyday activities.They contribute to the formation of soil, turning it over and over, which enhances the circulation of nutrients within ecosystems.All studies of nature are indebted to Darwin for his devotion to illustrating the power of the materialist approach and for illuminating how the world works through its natural processes, including the invisible labor of worms.
Bayesian Procrustes analysis with applications to hydrology

In this paper, we introduce Procrustes analysis in a Bayesian framework, by treating the classic Procrustes regression equation from a Bayesian perspective, while modeling shapes in two dimensions. The Bayesian approach allows us to compute point estimates and credible sets for the full Procrustes fit parameters. The methods are illustrated through an application to radar data from short-term weather forecasts (nowcasts), a very important problem in hydrology and meteorology.
Toxicity of nano- and micro-sized ZnO particles in human lung epithelial cells

This is the first comprehensive study to evaluate the cytotoxicity, biochemical mechanisms of toxicity, and oxidative DNA damage caused by exposing human bronchoalveolar carcinoma-derived cells (A549) to 70 and 420 nm ZnO particles. Particles of either size significantly reduced cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner within a rather narrow dosage range. Particle mass-based dosimetry and particle-specific surface area-based dosimetry yielded two distinct patterns of cytotoxicity in both 70 and 420 nm ZnO particles. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulted in intracellular oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, cell membrane leakage, and oxidative DNA damage. The protective effect of N-acetylcysteine on ZnO-induced cytotoxicity further implicated oxidative stress in the cytotoxicity. Free Zn2+ and metal impurities were not major contributors of ROS induction as indicated by limited free Zn2+ cytotoxicity, extent of Zn2+ dissociation in the cell culture medium, and inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry metal analysis. We conclude that (1) exposure to both sizes of ZnO particles leads to dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity reflected in oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, cell membrane damage, and oxidative DNA damage, (2) ZnO particles exhibit a much steeper dose–response pattern unseen in other metal oxides, and (3) neither free Zn2+ nor metal impurity in the ZnO particle samples is the cause of cytotoxicity.
Fitness, sport et pression artérielle

Nach einem aeroben Training, aber auch nach einem Krafttraining senkt sich der Blutdruck fur einige Stunden ab, nach ersterem halt der Effekt langer an als nach letzterem. Regelmassiges Training ka...
Normalization of QCD effects in electroweak corrections

QCD corrections to electroweak processes are discussed. The appropriate coupling constant normalization point for the QCD corrections to electroweak processes is considered. Using the method of Bro...
Emotional Distress During Interferon-α-2B and Ribavirin Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C

The aim of the study was to describe the use of the Brief Symptom Inventory in characterizing the type and severity of emotional distress in 26 patients with chronic hepatitis C who were receiving interferon-α-2B and ribavirin. The 6-month actuarial incidence of neuropsychiatric toxicity, determined by physician interview, was 58%. Significant differences in mean depression, anxiety, and somatization Brief Symptom Inventory T scores were noted in the 15 patients with clinically apparent neuropsychiatric toxicity compared to the 11 patients without neuropsychiatric toxicity. Because of its brevity and simplicity, the Brief Symptom Inventory may prove to be a useful adjunct to clinician assessment in detecting and monitoring emotional distress during interferon-α treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
Preliminary Evaluation of Maternal Caregiver Stress in Pediatric Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders

Objective To characterize caregiver stress (CS) in parents of children with Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders (EGIDs) and understand relationships with psychological functioning and child behavior. Methods Caregivers with a child (0–17 years) with EGID completed questionnaires for demographics, EGID severity, treatments, CS, psychological distress, self-efficacy, and child behaviors. Results A total of 163 caregivers (98% mother, 94% Caucasian) participated. CS correlated with psychological distress, income, child behavioral problems, treatments, and disease severity. Children were rated higher than age-specific norms for emotional difficulties. Behavioral difficulties associated with gender, age, EGID severity, and duration. Parent psychological distress was most strongly associated with CS. Parental self-efficacy, dietary treatments, and child emotional difficulties were also related to stress. Conclusions Mothers reported stress and psychological distress from caring for a child with EGID. The relationship between these variables suggests these parents may benefit from supportive psychotherapy interventions. Evaluation of parental self-efficacy and child behavior is also warranted.
ExoS and ExoT ADP Ribosyltransferase Activities Mediate Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis by Promoting Neutrophil Apoptosis and Bacterial Survival

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of blinding corneal ulcers worldwide. To determine the role of type III secretion in the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa keratitis, corneas of C57BL/6 mice were infected with P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 or PAK, which expresses ExoS, ExoT, and ExoY, but not ExoU. PAO1- and PAK-infected corneas developed severe disease with pronounced opacification and rapid bacterial growth. In contrast, corneas infected with ΔpscD or ΔpscJ mutants that cannot assemble a type III secretion system, or with mutants lacking the translocator proteins, do not develop clinical disease, and bacteria are rapidly killed by infiltrating neutrophils. Furthermore, survival of PAO1 and PAK strains in the cornea and development of corneal disease was impaired in ΔexoS, ΔexoT, and ΔexoST mutants of both strains, but not in a ΔexoY mutant. ΔexoST mutants were also rapidly killed in neutrophils in vitro and were impaired in their ability to promote neutrophil apoptosis in vivo compared with PAO1. Point mutations in the ADP ribosyltransferase (ADPR) regions of ExoS or ExoT also impaired proapoptotic activity in infected neutrophils, and exoST(ADPR-) mutants replicated the ΔexoST phenotype in vitro and in vivo, whereas mutations in rho–GTPase-activating protein showed the same phenotype as PAO1. Together, these findings demonstrate that the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa keratitis in ExoS- and ExoT-producing strains is almost entirely due to their ADPR activities, which subvert the host response by targeting the antibacterial activity of infiltrating neutrophils.