cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnetic field effects on the lifetime and luminescence spectrum of tetrakis(μ-diphosphito)diplatinate(II)

Abstract The effects of a magnetic field of 0–1.0 T on the luminescence lifetime and spectrum of microcrystalline K4[Pt2(H2P2O5)4] at 2 K are described. The decay lifetime decreases in the presence of a magnetic field, and the decay becomes non-exponential. The magnetic field also produces a blue-shift in the luminescence peak wavelength, which is accompanied by an increase in the peak intensity of the spectrum. The results are explained using the spin—orbit model previously proposed for this compound, with the addition of a vibrational level above the ground state. The analogy to the luminescence of Pt(CN4)2− is stressed.
Technology Gap Matters on Spillover

This paper develops an oligopoly model with endogenous technology spillovers through foreign direct investment (FDI). The foreign entrant brings a superior technology and therefore may spend resources to prevent spillovers of its technology to the home firm. The home firm has an incentive to spend resources to gain these spillovers. After firms strategically choose their expenditures to influence technology spillovers, they compete in a Cournot–Nash quantity game. This study provides theoretical insight on the positive and negative empirical spillover results of FDI on productivity of local firms. Up to a critical bound, the larger the initial technology gap between the foreign and home firms, the more the home firm spends to gain spillovers. Past that boundary, the home firm decreases spending. As a result, the home firm's profits from spillovers vary, but larger technology gaps engender greater net profit losses from FDI.
Open tubular liquid chromatography using a sol-gel derived stationary phase

An organically modified silica glass material containing octyl groups (C8) was fabricated by the sol-gel process and coated onto the inner walls of fused silica capillaries. The coating was used as the stationary phase for reversed-phase open tubular liquid chromatography (OTLC). The sol-gel process facilitated the fabrication of a porous silica glass layer with the stationary phase in one single step. The high surface area of the coating, characteristic of materials fabricated by the sol-gel process, resulted in capillary columns with a stronger retention than those prepared by a conventional procedure. The molar ratio of the precursors was used as a tunable parameter to adjust the retention and selectivity of the stationary phase. The column performance was evaluated using anthracene derivatives as model analytes which were monitored by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection. Separation efficiencies of 200,000 theoretical plates/meter were typical for the model compounds. Solute selectivity of the sol-gel derived stationary phase was found to be similar to the selectivity of HPLC monomeric-type phases.
The Great Recession's impact on children.

Since that first day of the millennium the United States has experienced two recessions. The first recession began in 2001 and lasted for10 months. The second, now referred to as the Great Recession, began in December of 2007, was approximately 18 months in duration and was followed by a weak and jobless recovery that has persisted into the second decade of this century. This commentary will examine how low-income children have fared in regard to economic security, food insecurity and housing instability as a result of the Great Recession and recent economic downturn. It concludes with a call to action for a renewed investment in our children through a Children’s Recovery and Stimulus Initiative.
Capital markets research and real world complexity: The emerging challenge of chaos theory

Abstract The theories of chaos and complexity are presented as a wide-ranging new vision of the relationship between order and disorder, a new vision that is challenging many of the fundamental presuppositions of the older Newtonian world view of science. The implications of the new vision are explored in terms of their challenges to the methodological views widely espoused by capital market researchers in accounting, most notably with respect to the assumptions of linearity and predictability. Mandelbrot's early studies of economics and financial time series data, which provided many of the insights for his conception of fractals, are reviewed in terms of their challenges to the conceptual framework of the traditonal capital markets research paradigm and its extension to financial reporting issues. Contemporary studies which are reviving Mandelbrot's challenges are also reviewed, with the conclusion that they are weakening the intellectual hold of the tradtional capital markets paradigm and making it more susceptible to overthrow by a competing paradigm. Finally, an emerging new research program associated with the Santa Fe Institute (SFI) is reviewed. SFI researchers are studying financial markets as complex adaptive systems. Their preliminary findings are incompatible with the widely presumed theoretical linkage between financial reporting systems and economic efficiency, and they tend to undermine the traditonal rationale relating earnings to stock prices.
Santa Barbara basin study extends global climate record

A fundamental goal of Earth science is to understand the remarkable instability of late Quaternary global climate prior to the beginning of the Holocene, about 11,000 years ago. This unusual climate behavior was characterized by millennial-scale climate oscillations on suborbital timescales, and a distinctive ‘sawtooth’ pattern of very abrupt glacial and stadial terminations (within decades) followed by more gradual global cooling [e.g., Dansgaard et al., 1993; Hendy and Kennett, 1999]. The fact that both major (glacial) and minor (stadial) cooling periods in Earth's climate were terminated by similar abrupt warming episodes suggests a common mechanism driving such rapid changes in global climate. Understanding the causes of this instability is crucial given developing concerns about global warming, yet knowledge about this climate behavior has been essentially confined to the last 150,000 years or so, owing to the absence of available sequences of sufficient age and chronological resolution. The high-resolution paleoclimate record from the Greenland ice cores is limited to about 110 thousand years ago (ka),and although Antarctic ice cores now extend back to more than 740 ka [European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica, 2004], these latter cores primarily provide information about high-latitude conditions at much lower resolution than is required to address abrupt climate change.
Sperm motility in the horseshoe crab. V: Zinc removal mediates chelator initiation of motility

Limulus spermatozoa are nonmotile after dilution into sea water, and motility is initiated in situ by a sperm motility-initiating peptide (SMI) that emanates from Limulus eggs. In the absence of SMI, several structurally different chelators (EDTA, EGTA, phenanthroline, dipyridyl, cysteine, and dithiothreitol; 1 mM each) initiated sperm motility; and in the presence of SMI, EDTA prolonged the duration of motility initiated by SMI. Of the elements determined to be present in Limulus sperm, Zn+2 (0.1 μM free Zn+2) was both the most effective at preventing EDTA initiation of motility and the only ion to prevent EDTA prolongation of SMI-initiated motility. 65Zn was concentrated from sea water by Limulus sperm and was rapidly removed by EDTA. These results indicate that removal of the Zn+2 normally associated with Limulus spermatozoa can initiate or enhance motility. However, SMI does not act as a Zn+2 chelator, since SMI removed little 65Zn from the sperm while at the same time initiating motility of greater percentage and duration than did EDTA. The mechanism by which Zn+2 removal enhances sperm motility is not yet known but could involve a Zn+2-dependent or Zn+2-regulated step in the pathway of SMI action.
Tobacco rattle virus detection in potato tubers from northeast Florida by PCR and tissue blotting

Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) was detected in potato tubers by reverse transcription of RNA followed by amplification of the cDNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Primer A complementary to residues 6555 to 6575 and primer B identical to residues 6113 to 6132 of TRV-SYM RNA-1 were used. After amplification, the 463-bp fragment was cloned, sequenced, and compared to sequences of TRV isolates from Europe and Canada. Nucleotide sequence homology of the 16 kDa ORF between the FLA TRV-isolate and the CAN, TCM, PLB, PSG, and SYM TRV-isolates were 94%, 94%, 93%, 90%, and 90%, respectively. A nonradioactive biotin-labeled probe detected TRV by tuber tissue blotting. Nematode-transmitted TRV was also detected in bait plants ofNicotiana tabacum cv Samsum,N. clevelandii, andPetunia hybrida by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Fabrication and characterization of vertically aligned carbon nanofiber electrodes for biosensing applications

Abstract We describe recent experiments aimed at using carbon nanofibers for biosensing applications. Vertically aligned carbon nanofibers are grown on molybdenum electrodes to provide electrical contact to the nanofibers. Upon exposure to electrolyte solutions, we find that short nanofibers of
Coplanar waveguide fed coplanar strip dipole antenna

A novel coplanar waveguide fed coplanar strip dipole antenna is presented. Return loss data as well as antenna patterns are shown. The antenna is matched with the use of a novel, wideband balun.
Careful neglect of small two-electron integrals applied to borazane and diazirine

Abstract A formulation is given to systematically neglect two-electron integrals in a gaussian lobe basis set smaller than a prescribed threshold. With a threshold of 10−4 au the energies are unchanged to seven significant figures and the dipole moments to four for borazane and diazirine. This technique offers a 15-20% saving in computation time for these integrals with a negligible loss of accuracy.
Fast response of magnetic amplifiers

THE BASIC self-saturating, bridge-connected magnetic amplifier is shown in Figure 1. There the voltages appearing in series with the control windings are labelled as e c , the control voltage, and e b , the other possible sources of voltage within the control circuit. e b arises most commonly from two sources; first, from the changes of voltage drop across control circuit resistance resulting from changes in the control current; and secondly, from voltage feedback connection with the output circuit.
Paleogeography as a climatic forcing factor

The cause of warm, equable ice free climates which dominate Phanerozoic earth history and the cause of the transition to glacial epochs are fundamental problems in paleoclimatology. Based on several criteria, paleogeography is one of the most likely mechanisms of climatic change on this time scale. Paleogeography modifies climate by inducing changes in atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns, and by modifying the global albedo because of the contrasts in the albedo of different surfaces (e. g. ocean, land and snow) and because incoming solar radiation is a strong function of latitude. Using both simple and state-of-the-art planetary albedo models, the importance of this second hypothesis is tested as a mechanism of climatic change. It is concluded that paleogeography, by directly altering the planetary albedo, operates in the correct sense to explain the Tertiary global cooling and close to the correct order of magnitude to explain the contrast between warm, equable Mesozoic climates and the present glacial climates.
Thermal conductivity of nineteen igneous rocks, I application of the needle probe method to the measurement of the thermal conductivity of rock☆

Abstract A new method for the measurement of thermal conductivity of rock is presented. By this method, a rock specimen is pulverized into fine powder, mixed with distilled water, and the conductivity of the mixture is measured by the needle-probe technique. The conductivity of the mixture is then converted to the conductivity of the rock by an empirical relationship. A comparison of this method with the modified divided-bar technique which is considered to be standard, shows that the new method is particularly suitable for rocks which are macroscopically isotropic and homogeneous. An empirical formula is presented for the effect of porosity on the thermal conductivity of macroscopically isotropic and homogeneous rocks.
Auburn Dam: a Case Study of Water Policy and Economics

: This paper provides a critical analysis of the Bureau of Reclamation's Auburn-Folsom South project in California. While this massive $1.5 billion project is temporarily halted for redesign for earthquake hazard, it is timely to examine its justification on economic grounds. The key finding is that several major benefit categories, irrigation and recreation, have been grossly overstated. In addition, the Bureau failed entirely to estimate the cost of use on the free-flowing American River, or a probability-weighted estimate of catastrophic loss. Revised estimates indicate that the project is not economically justified. In addition, the project has unattractive distributive effects. The implications of this case study for current revisions in U.S. water policy are explored. The Auburn study basically provides support for the U.S. Water Resource Council's draft manual of procedures for evaluating federal water resource projects.
Membrane purification of anaerobic digester gas

Abstract Twelve membrane materials with different composition were tested for their permeability to CH 4 , CO 2 and H 2 S. Two of the most promising membranes for selective permeability were tested over a range of temperature and pressure. Cellulose acetate gave the best ideal separation factor for all the conditions of temperature and pressure studied. Best results were obtained at low temperatures and high differential pressures. This membrane was further tested for its ability to selectively remove CO 2 and H 2 S from a mixture of CH 4 , CO 2 and H 2 S approximating biogas. For the temperatures, pressures, and stage cuts tested, the best separation occurred at 25°C, 550 kPa, and a stage cut of 0·45.
The Sociolinguistics of Ethnicity in Pittsburgh

Recently, there has been a growing interest in regional variation within African American English. This study reviews a work done on local speech in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, discussing trends for both African American and White ethnic groups. Just as scholars have found in other geographic regions, in Pittsburgh, African Americans and Whites share a number of feature characteristics of the local dialect, but remain distinct in a number of other ways. Research in Pittsburgh, as elsewhere, highlights the complexity, rather than the homogeneity, of African American speech across the country, as speakers exhibit alignment to both regional and supraregional ethnic linguistic norms.
MEASURING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE: KEY TO ESTABLISHING OPERATIONS AS A CORE AGENCY MISSION

Monitoring transportation system performance, especially the operations of the system, has become an important task for transportation agencies. The importance of monitoring system performance as a strategy for enhancing the operations function of transportation agencies is examined. The reasons for system monitoring are described, with special focus on the importance of system information for customer satisfaction. Examples are provided of state department of transportation and metropolitan planning organization use of performance measures to guide decisions on operations-oriented strategies. It is concluded that by collecting data on system operations and reporting them to decision makers, the importance of system performance compared with other concerns could be increased significantly. Simply defining such measures will not ensure that the institutional willingness exists to emphasize system management and operations as solution strategies. However, the measures can provide important ammunition for those supporting these concepts, and because of public interest in improving traffic flow conditions, as indicated by surveys, they could act as catalysts for developing a supportive public constituency.
What We Can and Cannot Learn about Earthquake Sources from the Spectra of Seismic Waves

Earthquake sources are commonly viewed as shear dislocations. This imposes distinct limitations on what source parameters can be realistically determined from radiated shear-wave spectra. First, the slip velocity on the fault is the real parameter that controls the strength of the high-frequency radiation; it can be directly determined from acceleration spectra by fitting their high-frequency level. Second, the relationship between corner frequency of the spectrum and the radius of the source is fundamentally unclear. As a result, the source dimensions cannot be accurately determined from the spectra; such an estimate would be as accurate as any other informed guess. Third, the stress drop only serves as a proxy for the source radius in the relationship between the radius and the corner frequency; it thus cannot be reliably determined from the spectra. The quantity usually obtained from the spectra and referred to as the stress drop is a poorly defined parameter that may bear little relevance to the actual stresses acting on faults. This parameter has little meaning unless converted to the maximum slip velocity, which is the only quantity that can be accurately determined from the spectra. The typical value of stress drop of 100 bars, established from the spectra of California events, may imply that the typical slip velocities have been on the order of 0.5 m/sec, although it is more accurate to determine slip velocities directly from the spectra.
Evidence for Absence of Diurnal Variation of Chlorophyll Content in Mature Leaves of Soybean

The fluctuation of the amount of chlorophyll about a mean daily value, i.e. diurnal variation of the chlorophyll content, in the leaves of higher plants has been studied by many investigators. However, it has become a matter of doubt because of recognition that the evidence is based on inadequate techniques. For example, Seybold and Falk (11) observed no diurnal change in chlorophyll content in mature leaves and suggested that the changes reported by other workers were reflections of the inherent variability in the methods of analysis employed. By applying analytical techniques similar to those of Seybold and Falk, Bauer (2) concluded that there was no daily change in the chlorophyll content of mature leaves of several species of plants, but that some variation, in addition to overall increase in chlorophyll content, occurred in young leaves. However, he restricted his sampling to a single leaf-or at most three or four leaves-in each experiment. Presumably aware of these arguments, other investigators (3, 8) have more recently asserted that diurnal variations in chlorophyll content do exist. We have confined our investigations to analyses of the chlorophyll contents in nonexpanding leaves of a relatively large population of soybean plants. The chlorophylls of leaf samples taken at 2-hour intervals were analyzed spectrophotometrically as their pheophytins in the extract solution, thus avoiding the analytical error introduced by transfer of the pigments into ether, a procedure which is utilized in methods employed by recent investigators (2, 11). Two preliminary experiments, involving six observations at each sampling time, indicated that there may indeed be a diurnal variation of the chlorophyll content in such leaves. However, the combined sampling and analytical error were of nearly the same magnitude as the apparent variation. Therefore, an experiment was designed whereby the number of observations was increased sixfold to decrease the level of the error arising from inherent variability in the plant material. Methods & Materials
Characterization of cytokine production in murine Trypanosoma cruzi infection by in situ immunocytochemistry: Lack of association between susceptibility and type 2 cytokine production

Cytokine production in the spleens of mice infected with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi was analyzed in three models which differ in the outcome of the infection. Using immunocytochemical techniques to detect cytokine-producing cells, the production of type 1 [interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon (IFN)-gamma], type 2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10), inflammatory [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-1 alpha, IL-6] and regulatory (transforming growth factor-beta) cytokines were examined. With the exception of IL-4 and IL-5, cells producing all of the cytokines assayed were detected in both the resistant and susceptible models of T. cruzi infection. Cells producing IL-4 and IL-5 were not detected until later in infection in the resistant mice (> 34 days), at about the time animals of the susceptible strain succumb to the infection. Mice of the susceptible model showed a slight delay in the appearance of cells producing the type 1 cytokines IL-2 and IFN-gamma and an earlier appearance of TNF-producing cells, in comparison to resistant mice. Cells producing IL-2 or IL-10 were transient in their appearance in the spleen while cells producing IL-1, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IFN-gamma, TNF, or TGF-beta were first detectable in either the acute or post-acute stage of the infection and persisted up to 700 days post infection in two different resistant models of the infection. Cells producing IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta were particularly numerous even very late in the infection. Double-staining techniques were used to show that the vast majority of the IFN-gamma-producing cells in the spleen were CD4-, CD8- alpha/beta TCR+T cells. This study confirms the transience of IL-2 production in the acute stage of T. cruzi infection and the persistent and simultaneous production of type 1 and type 2 cytokines during the late-acute and chronic stages of the infection. Susceptibility or resistance to T. cruzi infection does not associate with a Th2 pattern of cytokine production in the three models examined in this study. The overlapping pattern of type 1 and type 2 cytokine-producing cells in both the acute and chronic stages of T. cruzi infection demonstrates that longterm infections do not necessarily lead to a dominance of either type 1 or type 2 cytokine production.
Dialysis and kidney transplantation among patients living in rural areas of the United States

Although one-fifth of the United States population is rural, little is known about the characteristics and outcomes of rural dialysis patients. We measured the association of rural residence with patient characteristics, survival, and time to transplant among 552 279 patients who initiated dialysis between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2002 and survived more than 90 days. We also examined the characteristics of 4363 Medicare-certified dialysis facilities by degree of rurality. Compared with urban patients, rural dialysis patients were older, less racially diverse with a higher prevalence of most co-morbid conditions. Hemodialysis was the dominant modality in both urban and rural areas, although the use of peritoneal dialysis was more frequent in rural areas. Survival and time to transplant differed by racial–ethnic group. Most notably, despite slightly better survival associated with rural vs urban residence among black popultions, black populations living in rural areas were less likely to be transplanted than their urban counterparts (and than any other group examined). Compared with urban facilities, rural facilities are smaller, less likely to be for profit or owned by a large chain. Nonetheless, rural facilities perform at least as well as urban facilities based on standard performance measures. Despite more frequent use of peritoneal dialysis among rural patients, rural facilities were markedly less likely to offer peritoneal dialysis or home hemodialysis training than urban facilities. Rural black patients (most of whom live in the south) should be targeted in policies to reduce racial disparities in access to transplant. Further studies are needed to determine whether rural dialysis patients have adequate access to home-based therapies.
Mechanical Properties of the Esophagus in Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Background & Aims This study aimed to analyze the mechanical properties of the esophagus in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) using the functional luminal imaging probe (EndoFLIP; Crospon Medical Devices, Galway, Ireland). Methods Thirty-three EoE patients (22 male; age range, 23–67 years) and 15 controls (6 male; age range, 21–68 years) were included. Subjects were evaluated during endoscopy with the EndoFLIP probe, comprised of a compliant cylindrical bag (maximal diameter 25 mm) with 16 impedance planimetry segments. Stepwise bag distensions from 2 to 40 mL were conducted and the associated intrabag pressure and intraluminal geometry were analyzed. Results The EndoFLIP clearly displayed the tubular esophageal geometry and detected esophageal narrowing and localized strictures. Stepwise distension progressively opened the esophageal lumen until a distension plateau was reached such that the narrowest cross-sectional area (CSA) of the esophagus maximized despite further increases in intra-bag pressure. The esophageal distensibility (CSA vs pressure) was reduced in EoE patients ( P = .02) with the distension plateau of EoE patients substantially lower than that of controls (median: CSA 267 mm 2 vs 438 mm 2 ; P P ≥ 0.20). Conclusions Esophageal distensibility, defined by the change in the narrowest measurable CSA within the distal esophagus vs intraluminal pressure was significantly reduced in EoE patients compared with controls. Measuring esophageal distensibility may be an important adjunct to the management of EoE, as it is capable of providing an objective means to measure the outcomes of medical or dilation therapy.
Anhydro-osazones: mass spectra, and direct formation from glycosuloses and hydrazines

Abstract The mass spectra of Diels 3,6-monoanhydro-osazones, Percival dianhydro-osazones, and our own type of dianhydro-osazones show markedly different fragmentation patterns. This behavior was used to identify 3,6-anhydro- D -arabino-hexosulose 1-(phenylhydrazone) 2-(methylhydrazone) (2) in the reaction products of D -arabino-hexosulose 1-(phenylhydrazone) with methylhydrazine, and a dianhydro-osazone (4) of the Percival type among the products of reaction of D -arabino-hexosulose with 2-hydrazinopyridine. The anhydro-osazones were separated from the nondehydrated osazones by chromatography. N.m.r-spectral and c.d. studies revealed that, owing to the small size of the methyl group, compound 2 retained the D -arabino configuration during cyclization, and is thus the first anhydro-osazone of the Diels type that has the two bulky, hydrazone residues and the 4-hydroxyl group on the same side of the anhydro ring.
Raising the Archival Consciousness: How Women's Archives Challenge Traditional Approaches to Collecting and Use, Or, What's in a Name?

This article examines archival collecting, taking as case studies two women’s archives. Drawing on their experiences building the collections of the Archives of Women in Science and Engineering (Iowa State University) and the Iowa Women’s Archives (University of Iowa), the authors explore how such efforts challenge traditional approaches to collecting. Proactive collecting, such as oral history projects focused on Latinas or women scientists, helps fill gaps in the historical record by encouraging people who have not traditionally been donors to participate in building and using diverse archival collections.
Models for evaluating compounds for activity against Pneumocystis carinii.

Cultures and animal models have been developed to provide reproducible and uniform systems for evaluation of compounds for effects onPneumocystis carinii. The culture model allows rapid low-cost screening of drugs for activity against trophozoite forms. The animal models allow testing of efficacy for prophylaxis and therapy ofPneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
Early child health in Lahore Pakistan.

Studies of child health in 4 communities with unique ecological settings in Lahore Pakistan have examined specific disease entities and their relationship with changing living situations. The researchers considered the importance of local cultural and environmental conditions in determining child health and incorporated this ecological perspective into the research design. Positive aspects of these studies include: careful organization and supervision of study teams standardization of data collection techniques good management of information large sample size high rates of participation and low rates of attrition. Important observations from these studies include: almost universal breast feeding of newborns; duration of breast feeding varies by community; diarrhea peaks earlier in the urban middle class group; and supplementation with non-nutritive liquids and/or nonhuman milks during first weeks of life. Diarrhea and respiratory infections were common causes of child death. Case fatality rates increased with duration of diarrheal episode. Most child deaths occurred during the first month of life. Almost 50% of these occurred during the first week. Children in the periurban slum were more likely to be stunted than those in the village (63% vs. 54%) yet the economic levels were similar. Greatest growth faltering occurred between 8 and 11 months. By 12 months velocities for weight and head circumference had returned to normal. Length velocity did not catch up until 18 months however. Motor and fine motor development was better in the village than the slum. These studies were part of a collaborative training relationship between an academic center in Pakistan and one in Sweden. Faculty and students were involved in the relationship. The studies tended to use bivariate analyses. Multivariate analyses will help us more fully understand the complex connections between children and their environments.
On univalent functions with integral coefficients

Many years ago Friedman [3] determined those functions in S which have integral coefficients. Later authors extended this result to the case of functions with coefficients in an imaginary quadratic extension of the rationals [2, 4, 6]. In this paper these results are obtained in a significantly simpler manner and in addition there are found all functions in ∑ whose coefficients are half-integers in an imaginary quadratic extension of the rationals and with constant term zero in their Laurent expansions.
Leydig cell gene expression: effects of age and caloric restriction

Abstract In mammals, the concentration of testosterone in blood serum typically becomes reduced with aging. We have shown that, in rats, this results from reduced testosterone production by individual Leydig cells. To gain an understanding of the mechanisms by which Leydig cell steroidogenic function changes with aging, we compared the gene expression profiles in Leydig cells isolated from young and old Brown Norway rats, focusing on possible changes in genes involved in, or associated with, steroidogenesis. We also explored the effects of caloric restriction, an intervention shown to delay or inhibit age-associated pathologic and biologic changes in a number of systems and organisms, on the expression of these genes. Of the total of 1176 genes arrayed on each of the five membranes per group that we used, about 500 (45%) were detectable in Leydig cells isolated from young and old rat testes, with the same genes detectable in cells from both ages. An ANOVA model was applied to statistically analyze the 500 detectable genes in the four treatment groups. The primary criterion by which interesting genes were selected was a P value of ≤0.05. With aging, a large number of genes were seen with fold changes of >1.5. However, when P ≤0.05 was used as the selection criterion, only 45 genes were seen to change significantly with age. Most, but not all, of these genes also had fold changes of >1.5. Among the 500 genes, 17 were found to decrease in expression with aging, the most prominent among which were genes involved in steroidogenesis and stress response/free radical scavenging. Long-term caloric restriction had little effect on the 45 genes altered by age. In contrast to the effects of caloric restriction as seen in many other cell types and systems, the vast majority (44/45) of the Leydig cell genes that changed with age were not ‘rescued’ by this intervention.
Antenna integration with laser diodes and photodetectors for a miniaturized dual-mode wireless transceiver

In this paper, a dual split director quasi-yagi antenna is introduced for RF/FSO integration. Bare die laser diodes and photodetectors are assembled on the antenna directors on the duroid substrate. Coupling between RF and optical dual mode wireless communication system is analyzed.
Hyper-reactivity of Rabbits Sensitized with Bartonella bacilliformis

MITCHELL, PAULD.(WestVirginia University Medical Center, Morgantown), ANDJOHNM.SLACK. Hyper-reactivity ofrabbits sensitized withBartonella bacilliformis. J.Bacteriol. 92:769-779. 1966.-Sensitization withviable cells ofBartonella bacilliformis increased thesusceptibility ofrabbits tothelethality ofsubsequently administered Bartonella metabolites. Inanimals sensitized with3weekly doses ofthe organism, this susceptible state ofhyper-reactivity wasmaximal between 4and14 days postsensitization (primary hyper-reactive state) andpersisted foratleast 4weeks, after which theanimals werenonreactive (tolerant state). However, onthe84thday, thesusceptible state could onceagain bedemonstrated (secondary hyper-reactive state). Animals sensitized withonly1or2weekly doses oftheorganism wererendered nearly assusceptible, butthetimeinterval between theprimary andsecondary states ofhyper-reactivity wasmuchshorter, indicating that thehyper-reactive states weredependent uponthedegree ofsensitization. Symptoms displayed bysuchanimalsdemonstrated anassociation withendotoxic shock andananaphylactic orimmediate hypersensitive response, thereaction frequently being severe enough tolead tothedeath oftheanimal within 24hr.Thehistological findings werethose ofthe generalized Shwartzman phenomenon withindications ofshock. Suchhyper-reactive animals produced anearly-occurring, precipitating antibody specific forthesomatic, endotoxic component ofvarious gram-positive microorganisms. Injection ofsera fromthehyper-reactive animals into normal, nonsensitized animals resulted inapassive, hyper-reactive state inthelatter animals. A distinct relationship between the levels ofspecific antibody andthedegree ofdemonstrable hyper-reactivity wasobserved. Thisrelationship isdiscussed relative tothehistological findings ofthehyperreactive animals.
Resident‐to‐Resident Aggression in Long‐Term Care Facilities: Insights from Focus Groups of Nursing Home Residents and Staff

OBJECTIVES: To more fully characterize the spectrum of resident-to-resident aggression (RRA). DESIGN: A focus group study of nursing home staff members and residents who could reliably self-report. SETTING: A large, urban, long-term care facility. PARTICIPANTS: Seven residents and 96 staff members from multiple clinical and nonclinical occupational groups. MEASUREMENTS: Sixteen focus groups were conducted. Content was analyzed using nVivo 7 software for qualitative data. RESULTS: Thirty-five different types of physical, verbal, and sexual RRA were described, with screaming or yelling being the most common. Calling out and making noise were the most frequent of 29 antecedents identified as instigating episodes of RRA. RRA was most frequent in dining and residents' rooms, and in the afternoon, although it occurred regularly throughout the facility at all times. Although no proven strategies exist to manage RRA, staff described 25 self-initiated techniques to address the problem. CONCLUSION: RRA is a ubiquitous phenomenon in nursing home settings, with important consequences for affected individuals and facilities. Further epidemiological research is necessary to more fully describe the phenomenon and identify risk factors and preventative strategies. Language: en
Testing for No Effect by Cosine Series Methods

The properties of three lack-of-fit tests that are related to non-parametric cosine regression analysis are examined in the context of testing for a constant mean function. Analytic power comparisons of these tests vs a most powerful test are made using intermediate asymptotic relative efficiency. In particular, a data-driven test is produced which is asymptotically as efficient as the most powerful test over a class of alternatives. A small scale simulation experiment is conducted to ascertain the extent that the large sample comparisons are applicable to finite samples.
Viscous film flow coating the interior of a vertical tube. Part 1. Gravity-driven flow

The gravity-driven flow of a viscous liquid film coating the inside of a tube is studied both theoretically and experimentally. As the film moves downward, small perturbations to the free surface grow due to surface tension effects and can form liquid plugs. A first-principles strongly nonlinear model based on long-wave asymptotics is developed to provide simplified governing equations for the motion of the film flow. Linear stability analysis on the basic solution of the model predicts the speed and wavelength of the most unstable mode, and whether the film is convectively or absolutely unstable. These results are found to be in remarkable agreement with the experiments. The model is also solved numerically to follow the time evolution of instabilities. For relatively thin films, these instabilities saturate as a series of small-amplitude travelling waves, while thicker films lead to solutions whose amplitude becomes large enough for the liquid surface to approach the centre of the tube in finite time, suggesting liquid plug formation. Next, the model’s periodic travelling wave solutions are determined by a continuation algorithm using the results from the time evolution code as initial seed. It is found that bifurcation branches for these solutions exist, and the critical turning points where branches merge determine film mean thicknesses beyond which no travelling wave solutions exist. These critical thickness values are in good agreement with those for liquid plug formations determined experimentally and numerically by the time-evolution code.
A Distributed Algorithm for Localization Error Detection-Correction, Use in In-Network Faulty Reading Detection: Applicability in Long-Thin Wireless Sensor Networks

In near future, wireless sensors networks (WSN) are expected to be deployed for a vast variety of applications. For many of these applications, sensed data individually have no meaning without proper knowledge of position where the data was sensed. Although there have been proposed algorithms for localization, many of them fall short with respect to complexity, cost, security and accuracy. Some issues that still hinder the efficiency of available localization techniques are multi-path propagation, security attack (internal and external attack by faulty or malicious nodes), and sometimes specific network topologies. For example, the Long-Thin (LT) topology of WSN is highly prone to localization error due to its special distribution pattern. In many real world WSN applications, the localization is also needed to be Global Positioning Systems (GPS) free. Apart from efficient localization, another important operation in WSN application is the need to have in-network detection of faulty sensor readings, without compromising detection of important events. Looking at these critically important operations of WSN, our first contribution is proposing a self-organized distributed GPS free localization error detection and correction algorithm. Our next contribution is utilizing reliability gained in the proposed localization to construct an improved algorithm for in-network detection of faulty readings. We have also proposed a fault tolerant structure for Long-Thin (LT) WSN topology, that can well utilize both of the proposed algorithms.
Barrier function regulates epidermal lipid and DNA synthesis

The stratum corneum, the permeability barrier between the internal milieu and the environment, is composed of fibrous protein-enriched corneocytes and a lipid-enriched intercellular matrix. The lipids are a mixture of sphingolipids, cholesterol and free fatty acids, which form intercellular membrane bilayers. Lipid synthesis occurs in the keratinocytes in all nucleated layers of the epidermis, and the newly synthesized lipids are delivered by lamellar bodies to the interstices of the stratum corneum during epidermal differentiation. Disruption of barrier function by topical acetone treatment results in an increase in the synthesis of free fatty acids, sphingolipids and cholesterol in the living layers of the epidermis, leading to barrier repair. Cholesterol and sphingolipid synthesis are regulated by the rate-limiting enzymes HMG CoA reductase and serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT), respectively. Acute barrier disruption leads to an increase in both enzymes, but with a different time curve: increase in HMG CoA reductase activity begins at 1.5 h, whereas the increase in SPT activity occurs 6 h after barrier impairment. Topical application of HMG CoA reductase or SPT inhibitors after acetone treatment delays barrier repair, providing further evidence for a role of cholesterol and sphingolipids in epidermal barrier function. Repeated application of lovastatin to untreated skin results in disturbed barrier function accompanied by increased DNA synthesis and epidermal hyperplasia. Therefore, we have examined the specific relationship between barrier function and epidermal DNA synthesis. After acute and chronic disturbances not only lipid, but also DNA synthesis, is stimulated. Thus, stimulation of DNA synthesis leading to epidermal hyperplasia may be a second mechanism by which the epidermis repairs defects in barrier function. The link between barrier function and both lipid and DNA synthesis is supported further by occlusion studies. Artificial barrier repair by latex occlusion prevents an increase in both lipid and DNA synthesis. In addition, increased epidermal lipid and DNA synthesis in essential fatty-acid deficiency can be reversed by topical applications of the n-6 unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic or columbinic acid. These studies may be of relevance in understanding the pathogenesis of hyperproliferative skin diseases, such as ichthyosis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and irritant contact dermatitis.
Considerations on the Use of Transgenic Crops for Insect Control

The adoption of agricultural technologies, whether developed through biotechnology or other methods, depends on social, political, regulatory and biological parameters. This article first presents an example of a low-input, non-biotechnological method of pest control that, while seemingly reasonable to researchers and extension agents, was not adopted by farmers. It then analyses a method for insect management developed through biotechnology that is becoming widely adopted: transgenic plants expressing insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Globally increasing adoption of Bt plants, by small and large farmers in both low- and high- income countries requires explanation in terms of biological properties of cropping systems and insect populations, alternative control techniques and social policy considerations.
Mascot Matters: Race, History, and the University of North Dakota's “Fighting Sioux” Logo

This article critically examines an official document addressing the University of North Dakota's (UND's) “Fighting Sioux” logo. Prior to the civil rights movement of the 1960s, the UND campus was ...
Groundwater transport of crater-lake brine at Poa´s Volcano, Costa Rica

Abstract Poa´s Volcano is an active stratovolcano in Costa Rica that has a lake in its active crater. The crater lake has high temperatures (50–90 °C), high acidity (pH ≈ 0.0), and a high dissolved-solids content (100 g/kg). The volcano has numerous freshwater springs on its flanks, but a few on the northwestern flank are highly acidic (pH = 1.6–2.5) and have high dissolved-solids concentrations (2–22 g/kg). This study analyzes the regional groundwater system at Poa´s and demonstrates the likelihood that the water discharging from the acidic springs in the Rio Agrio watershed originates at the acidic crater lake. Both heat and solute transport are analyzed on a regional scale through numerical simulations using the HST3D finite-difference model, which solves the coupled equations for fluid flow, heat transport, and solute transport. The code allows fluid viscosity and density to be functions of both temperature and solute concentration. The simulations use estimates for recharge to the mountain and a range of values and various distributions of permeability and porosity. Several sensitivity analyses are performed to test how the uncertainty in many of the model parameters affects the simulation results. These uncertainties yield an estimated range of travel times from the crater lake to the Rio Agrio springs of 1–30 years, which is in close agreement with the results of tritium analyses of the springs. Calculated groundwater fluxes into and out of the crater lake are both about several hundred kg/s. These fluxes must be accounted for in water budgets of the crater lake.
Automatic segmentation of human brain sulci

The neocortical surface has a rich and complex structure comprised of folds (gyri) and fissures (sulci). Sulci are important macroscopic landmarks for orientation on the cortex. A precise segmentation and labeling of sulci is helpful in human brain mapping studies relating brain anatomy and function. Due to their structural complexity and inter-subject variability, this is considered as a non-trivial task. An automatic algorithm is proposed to accurately segment neocortical sulci: vertices of a white/gray matter interface mesh are classified under a Bayesian framework as belonging to gyral and sulcal compartments using information about their geodesic depth and local curvature. Then, vertices are collected into sulcal regions by a watershed-like growing method. Experimental results demonstrate that the method is accurate and robust.
THE COSBY SHOW The View From the Black Middle Class

Now that we have seen the final April 30, 1992, episode the television series The Cosby Show, "And So We Commence," we can examine the social and historical impact on its audiences. Commentators in the mass media have asserted that one of the show's greatest consequences was its help in improving race relations by projecting universal values that both Whites and Blacks could identify with, using the tried-and-true situation comedy format(Ehrenstein, 1988; Gray, 1989; Johnson, 1986; Norment, 1985; Stevens, 1987). Believing that television mirrors society and articulates its values, proponents of this perspective point to the overwhelming popularity of the show among White viewers as well as its almost entirely positive assessment by White analysts and the White media. For many seasons, the show was highly rated and has been credited, among other consequences, with reviving the genre of the sitcom and saving the ailing NBC network (Curry, 1986; Frank & Zweig, 1988; Poussaint, 1988; Taylor, 1989). However, a few recent researchers have suggested that, to the contrary, the show's popularity has set back race relations because its view of Black assimilation fails to take into account the context of the world outside of the four walls of the Huxtable household (Teachout, 1986) and because it allows Whites to excuse institutional discrimination and to become desensitized to racial inequality (Gates, 1992). They do this by asserting that if Black people fail, they only have themselves to blame because any White person can point out the successful, affluent Black family on The Cosby Show
The United States Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation against Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening—Counterpoint

As a prostate cancer expert, I am disturbed by the recent U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) draft recommendation against prostate cancer screening in asymptomatic men ([1][1]) and hope to clarify information from recent studies on this issue. Implementation of the USPSTF draft