cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Boundary Element Methods in Solid Mechanics - a Tribute to Frank Rizzo

Frank Rizzo proposed the first Boundary Integral Equation (BIE) formulation for linear elasticity in a seminal paper in 1967. I have had the very good fortune to call Frank a friend of mine for many years. The present paper describes some of my experiences with the BIE over nearly thirty years, some of it in the context of FrankA¢â‚¬â„¢s pioneering contributions to the subject and my interactions with him.
Preparing for the Bar Exam: A Comprehensive Guide to Plans, Programs, Content, Conditions, and Skills

This book helps law students and law school graduates prepare to take and pass a state bar exam for licensure to practice law. The authors, an award-winning law school professor and an expert instructional designer, offer a comprehensive guide to the resources, programs, and practices necessary to improve bar-taking skills and increase probability of passing what has become in many jurisdictions a very demanding test.
Androgen induced norepinephrine release from postganglionic neurons mediates accessory sex organ smooth muscle proliferation

Purpose: Guinea pig seminal vesicle smooth muscle displays an initial androgen dependent, proliferative response during early puberty, followed by progression to an androgen resistant, amitotic state in adults. We determined the role of norepinephrine in androgen dependent pubertal proliferation and in the subsequent terminal differentiation of adult seminal vesicle smooth muscle.Materials and Methods: Guinea pig seminal vesicle provided a suitable model since its unique anatomy allowed clean harvest of smooth muscle without epithelium. Norepinephrine release from postganglionic adrenergic nerve terminals in seminal vesicle smooth muscle was measured using several techniques. Prazosin sensitive electrical field stimulation of contractile responses qualitatively assessed norepinephrine release. Norepinephrine release was quantified directly in vitro from incubated seminal vesicle smooth muscle minces and indirectly ex vivo from intact tissue using the endogenous seminal vesicle smooth muscle concentration ...
Infrared detectors and applications

A large variety of methods for the detection of infrared radiation have been developed primarily over the last ten to twenty years. These include thermal detection using bolometers, thermocouples and pyroelectric detectors, photon detection by extrinsic and intrinsic semiconductor photoconductors, photodiodes and photoemitters, and infrared imaging using these devices. These methods also include the use of devices with internal gain such as avalanche photodiodes and infrared photomultipliers as well as various unconventional detector schemes. General considerations of infrared imaging and high speed detection are discussed and many of these methods are reviewed and compared, with particular attention given to their applications and limitations.
Stress relaxation in AlCu thin films

Abstract The activation energy residual stress relaxation in Al2wt.%Cu thin films on silicon was determined to be 0.87 eV by measuring the stress as a function of time in the temperature range 373–523 K. This value is approximately that for grain boundary diffusion. The stress in the films at the relaxation temperatures is shown to be compressive and in excess of the yield strength for the highest relaxation temperatures. Dislocation processes are therefore thought to contribute to the relaxation above 448 K.
On the origin of thermal anomalies in amorphous systems

Abstract We examine the possibility that the origin of tunnelling modes in amorphous systems can be traced to certain structural properties following from the observed correlation between amorphous state formation and the occurrence of polymorphism. The physical consequences of this proposition are found to be consistent with many measured properties associated specifically with the amorphous state. The model offers, in particular, a possible explanation for the long standing low temperature specific heat anomalies in b.c.c. 3He.
Simulation of parachute FSI using the front tracking method

Abstract We use the front tracking method on a spring system to model the dynamic evolution of parachute canopy and risers. The canopy surface and the riser string chord of a parachute are represented by a triangulated surface mesh with preset equilibrium length on each side of the simplices. The stretching and wrinkling of the canopy and its supporting string chords (risers) are modeled by the spring system. The spring constants of the canopy and the risers are chosen based on the analysis of Young's surface modulus for the canopy fabric and Young's string modulus of the string chord. Damping is added to dissipate the excessive spring internal energy. The current model does not have radial reinforcement cables and has not taken into account the canopy porosity. This mechanical structure is coupled with the incompressible Navier–Stokes solver through the “Impulse Method”. We analyzed the numerical stability of the spring system and used this computational module to simulate the flow pattern around a static parachute canopy and the dynamic evolution during the parachute inflation process. The numerical solutions have been compared with the available experimental data and there are good agreements in the terminal descent velocity and breathing frequency of the parachute.
Open architecture synthesis for intelligent systems (OASIS)

The concepts and preliminary results for the OASIS testbed which will permit an evolutionary growth with minimum impact to the existing software and hardware environment are presented. Space Station Freedom's data management system is utilized as the application focus for the evaluation of the OASIS concepts. It is concluded that guidelines for the validation and definition of standards for open architectures must be aggressively pursued with attention paid to the integration of these standards with the hardware platforms, graphics interface, and operating system software infrastructure.
Aggressive communication and informational reception apprehension: The influence of listening anxiety and intellectual inflexibility on trait argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness

Recent training efforts designed to strengthen student argumentation skills and decrease verbally aggressive tendencies have yielded mixed results (Rancer et al., 1997, 2000). Inherent in these efforts is the belief that an individual's use of verbal aggression is implicitly related to law argumentative behavior and a weak system for generating arguments (Infante, 1988). As an extension of this research, we examined the relationships among trait‐like argumentativeness (Infante & Rancer, 1982), trait‐like verbal aggressiveness (Infante & Wigley, 1986) (VA), and Wheeless, Preiss, and Gayle's (1997) construct of informational reception apprehension (IRA). Results indicated that two IRA factors, listening anxiety and intellectual inflexibility, were significant predictors of both aggressive communication traits. Further, both IRA factors accounted for greater variance in trait‐like argumentativeness than in trait‐like VA. Implications of these findings as they relate to Infante's (1987) “argumentative skill d...
Improving the Teaching of Evidence-Based Practice: Challenges and Priorities.

This article explores some of the main challenges of improving the teaching of evidence-based practice in schools of social work. The priority challenges are the needs for a general professional cultural shift, for adequate curricula, to overcome the controversy of scientific methodology, to better understand the state of the art of the professional knowledge base, to create a professional consensus on what is a reasonable evidence level on which to rely and in what circumstances, and to create genuine and instrumental teaching integrated into the places in which social work is practiced. Furthermore, it is suggested that when affected by exogenous sources of change, schools of social work and social work agencies will have to adopt evidence-based practice to increase their legitimacy and survival capability.
qPCR assay for detecting and quantifying a virulence plasmid in acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) due to pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Abstract A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed, based on a TaqMan probe, to detect and quantify a virulence plasmid harbored by the bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus which can cause acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND). The assay uses a pair of PCR primers, which amplify a 135-bp DNA fragment, and a TaqMan probe selected from the plasmid pir A-like gene. This qPCR assay reacted with AHPND-pathogenic isolates of V. parahaemolyticus collected from Vietnam and Mexico, but not with non-pathogenic strains of Vibrio spp. For quantification, a plasmid (pVpPirA-1) containing the target pir A-like gene was constructed, purified and serially diluted to be used as a standard. With this standard, the qPCR assay was then used to quantify the virulence plasmid in shrimp samples collected from different farms. Up to 5.8 × 10 5 copy per mg tissue were detected in AHPND-affected shrimp collected from Vietnam. Lower quantities, up to 1.5 × 10 4 copies per mg of tissues were detected in affected shrimp collected from a Chinese farm. In the laboratory bioassays, similar plasmid quantities, 1.8 × 10 3 to 4.7 × 10 6 copies of plasmid per mg of tissues were found in the moribund/dead shrimp, 3.5 × 10 2 to 2.2 × 10 6 copies of plasmid per mL were detected in the water samples. This assay is specific with high sensitivity (10 copies of virulence plasmid) and can be used to detect AHPND-pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus in shrimp and water samples.
Bosonic technicolor in strings

Abstract It is shown that strings provide a natural theoretical setting for bosonic technicolor. In particular, bosonic technicolor structure arises in a class of strings formulated in four dimensions. An example of a model with three generations and multi-Higgs structure is presented.
Fungal Entomopathogen Effect on Numbers and Spatial Patterns of the Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on Preferred and Nonpreferred Host Plants

Effects of plant-host type, either wheat, Triticum aestivum L., or oat, Avena sativa L., and the fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, on numerical and spatial distributions of Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia Kurdyumov, populations were investigated. Untreated adult aphids or aphids inoculated with conidial suspensions of the pathogen were released onto the center seedlings of an Bl-seedling grid in a cage. After 17 d, the numbers of live adults, live nymphs, and sporulating cadavers were recorded for each plant, along with plant height and dry weight. Aphid populations were consistently lower on oat than on wheat, and lower in B. bassiana treatments. Spatial statistics (geostatistics) were used to compare patterns of aphid distribution on plants. On wheat without the pathogen present, adult aphid populations were highest in approximately concentric rings near the outermost plants in grids. Addition of B. bassiana to the system reduced the amount of variation caused by spatial orientation, thereby changing the spatial distribution of aphid populations. On oat, aphid populations generally were highest near the center of the grid, but addition of the pathogen changed the spatial structure of the aphid population. Results suggest that aphid movement behavior, which is intimately linked to host-plant quality, is an important determinant of epizootic proliferation. Elucidation of these relationships may eventually lead to a synergistic use of microbial control agents and host-plant resistance in pest management strategies.
Effects of modification of membrane lipid composition on Bacillus subtilis sporulation and spore properties

Aims: To determine effects of inner membrane lipid composition on Bacillus subtilis sporulation and spore properties. Methods and Results: The absence of genes encoding lipid biosynthetic enzymes had no effect on B. subtilis sporulation, although the expected lipids were absent from spores’ inner membrane. The rate of spore germination with nutrients was decreased c. 50% with mutants that lacked the major cardiolipin (CL) synthase and another enzyme for synthesis of a major phospholipid. Spores lacking the minor CL synthase or an enzyme essential for glycolipid synthesis exhibited 50–150% increases in rates of dodecylamine germination, while spores lacking enzymes for phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS) and lysylphosphatidylglycerol (l-PG) synthesis exhibited a 30–50% decrease. Spore sensitivity to H2O2 and tert-butylhydroperoxide was increased 30–60% in the absence of the major CL synthase, but these spores’ sensitivity to NaOCl or Oxone™ was unaffected. Spores of lipid synthesis mutants were less resistant to wet heat, with spores lacking enzymes for PE, PS or l-PG synthesis exhibiting a two to threefold decrease and spores of other strains exhibiting a four to 10-fold decrease. The decrease in spore wet heat resistance correlated with an increase in core water content. Conclusions: Changing the lipid composition of the B. subtilis inner membrane did not affect sporulation, although modest effects on spore germination and wet heat and oxidizing agent sensitivity were observed, especially when multiple lipids were absent. The increases in rates of dodecylamine germination were likely due to increased ability of this compound to interact with the spore’s inner membrane in the absence of some CL and glycolipids. The effects on spore wet heat sensitivity are likely indirect, because they were correlated with changes in core water content. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results of this study provide insight into roles of inner membrane lipids in spore properties.
Low Z coatings for fusion reactor applications

Abstract A large number of potential coating and substrate materials for tokamak fusion reactor components have been evaluated as to their erosion rates under low energy (250–1000 eV) hydrogen ion bombardment. For further testing, promising candidate coating materials have been deposited by chemical vapor deposition (TiB 2 , TiC and B 4 C) and plasma spraying (Be, TiB 2 , TiC and VBe 12 ) onto metal and graphite substrates. The adherence of the coatings has been evaluated in pulsed electron beam heating experiments. A number of coating-substrate combinations have survived 30–50 one second pulses of heating at power densities of 2 kW/cm without apparent damage. Others fail by thermal stress induced spall, coating-substrate alloying reactions and/or substrate melt.
Cholinergic stimulation of rat acinar cells increases c-fos and c-jun expression via a mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent pathway.

Acetylcholine release from cholinergic neurons regulates pancreatic exocrine function through pathways that are still under investigation. Pancreatic AR42J acinar cells were studied to determine intracellular calcium ([Ca2+],) release, enzyme activation, and gene expression in response to the acetylcholine analog carbachol (CCh). CCh stimulated dose-dependent increases in [Ca2+]i that were inhibited by atropine and by specific inhibitors to the muscarinic receptor subtypes ml and m3. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed, which sequenced products corresponding to the ml and m3 receptor subtypes but not the m2 subtype. CCh also stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. CCh induced time- and dose-dependent increases in the c-fos and c-jun early-response genes, which were blocked by ml and m3 inhibition but not by m2 inhibition.
The effect of charge state and the localization of charge on the collision-induced dissociation of peptide ions.

The effect that charge state has on the collision-induced dissociation (CID) of peptide ions is examined in detail for several representative peptides under high-energy collision conditions. The CID spectra of singly and doubly charged precursor ions (generated by fast-atom bombardment and electrospray ionization, respectively) are compared for several peptides with similar primary structure. It is shown that for peptides that contain highly basic amino acids, the dissociation of doubly charged ions is strongly influenced by the position of these residues within the peptide and the general observations reported concerning the dissociation of singly charged ions can be extended to precursors with higher charge states. Based on the dissociation behavior of the doubly charged ions of these peptides, it is demonstrated that two charges can reside in close proximity in the precursor ions, overcoming possible repulsion effects, when favored by a high concentration of basic sites. In addition)’ this work illustrates that in the case of doubly charged ions..the charge state of some fragment ions can be determined directly from the mass-to-charge ratio assignments of the CID spectrum.
In vitro activity of dicationic compounds against a North American foxhound isolate of Leishmania infantum.

Abstract Canine leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum is enzootic in the North American foxhound population. Currently available chemotherapy for canine leishmaniasis is not completely effective and relapses are common in treated dogs. Pentamidine and related aromatic diamidines possess broad spectrum antiprotozoal activity. The in vitro antileishmanial activities of 35 aromatic cationic molecules were determined, using pentamidine as the reference drug. The compounds were examined for activity against promastigotes of L. infantum isolated from a foxhound from Virginia. The compounds most active against Leishmania parasites were reversed amidines. Compound 9, a reversed amidine, exhibited the highest activity against L. infantum, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.0042 μM compared with 14.2 μM for pentamidine. Antileishmanial activities of nine compounds were at least 1000-fold higher relative to the reference drug. Results from this study indicate that several pentamidine-related compounds warrant further investigation as possible new agents for the treatment of canine leishmaniasis.
Krypton Spectrum in the Wavelength Range 3450–3900 Å

Using a high-efficiency, high-resolution transmission grating spectrometer, we measured krypton spectra over the wavelength range 3450–3900 A in the low-energy electron beam ion trap EBIT-II at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. In total, we analyzed 78 line features, of which only about 20 lines are listed in standard databases. Their wavelengths were determined with accuracy of 0.2–0.5 A. Different widths of lines from near-neutral and highly-ionized krypton atoms are attributed to ion motion and to the radial extent of the trapped-ion cloud.
Catalytic carboxylation of fats. Carboxy acids and esters from monounsaturates

A highly selective catalytic, one-step synthesis converts oleic acid into 9(10)-carboxystearic acid in high yields (85–99%). Hydrocarboxylation with water and carbon monoxide under pressure (3000–4000 psi) is catalyzed with a mixture of palladium chloride and triphenylphosphine at 120–150 C with or without acetone or acetic acid solvents. Palladium supported on carbon is also an effective hydrocarboxylation catalyst in the presence of triphenylphosphine and HCl. Methyl 9(10)-carbomethoxystearate was prepared by catalytic carbomethoxylation of methyl oleate with methanol and carbon monoxide but in lower yields. The carboxystearic acids and esters consisted of the 9 and 10 isomers (87–94%) in approximately equal proportions. This catalytic carboxylation procedure is a more efficient route to carboxystearic acid and ester than the two-step hydroformylation-oxidation process reported previously. Carboxylated acids, methyl esters and triglycerides of potential industrial importance have been prepared.
Mediation of the Killing of Rough, Mucoid Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis by the Alternative Pathway of Complement

The mechanism of killing of 12 serum-sensitive strains of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis was investigated. A quantitative assay indicated that more than 90% of cells were killed in 50°7o normal human serum (NHS). All strains failed to grow in NHS concentrations of >10070. Killing was unaffected by adsorption of NHS with the mucoid bacteria or chelation with MgCl2-ethyleneglycol bis(j3-aminoethyl ether)N,N'-tetraacetate (MgC12-EGTA) but was abolished in serum heated to 50 C for 20 min. Incubation of NHS with mucoid P aeruginosa reduced the hemolytic capability of MgCl2-EGTA-chelated NHS against rabbit red blood cells by 56%-99070. Killing of the serum-sensitive mucoid strains was also seen in hypogammaglobulinemic serum. These data suggest that killing of such strains by NHS can occur via antibody-independent activation of the alternative pathway of complement. The importance of this finding lies in the implication that complement levels in the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis who are colonized by these organisms are inadequate to deal with this chronic, progressive infection. The inability of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) to deal effectively with chronic colonization by mucoid exopolysaccharide-producing strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa suggests a potential im
Time-dependent damage in carbon fibre-reinforced polymer composites

Abstract Time-dependent damage (matrix cracks) evolution in AS4/3501-6 cross-ply laminates was studied using constant strain rate and constant stress tests. First ply failure stress and strain as well as the matrix crack density at a given stress level were found to be strongly dependent on strain rate. Matrix crack density increased with creep time at a constant stress level. The compliance and creep rate of the laminate increased in the presence of these cracks. These results emphasize the importance of the knowledge of time-dependent damage evolution in a lamina/laminate of a polymer composite for reliable prediction of creep and creep rupture.
Post-socialist Property Rights for Akha in China: What is at Stake?

This article describes resource access conflicts in south-western China as a social­ist regime was legislated away in favour of a 'socialist market economy'. The dis­cussion is framed around two contradictions and one inconsistency. The first con­tradiction is between a state vision of exclusive, delimited property rights leading to simplified agricultural production and the Akha practice of a complex, mutable landscape. The second contradiction is between two strands within the state devel­opment mission, one emphasising poverty alleviation and the other fostering market competition. The inconsistency is between agriculture and forestry departments in the degree of emphasis on clear property rights. The local conflicts explore how the two contradictions intersect, pitting villagers at times against state property rights, and at other times with 'the state' and against a corrupt administrative village head. These result in 'fuzzy' property in Verdery's definitions. New sources of fuzziness reside in agricultural ecologies based on regeneration processes, and tensions in the 'socialist market economy'. State and local actors lean towards either the socialist or market side. What is at stake here are two related issues: the extent to which Akha can practise flexible access and land uses, and the state of the state.
Using hyperdocuments to manage scientific knowledge: the prototype Encyclopedia of Southern Appalachian Forest Ecosystems

Despite the overwhelming body of research available on the ecology and management of Southern Appalachian forests, a gap exists between what scientists know and what the management community is able to apply on the ground. Most research knowledge still resides in highly technical, narrowly focused research publications housed in libraries. The internet, combined with increasingly sophisticated hyperdocument authoring systems, makes web-based hyperdocuments a practical and affordable way to manage this scientific knowledge. The USDA Forest Service developed the Encyclopedia of Southern Appalachian Forest Ecosystems (ESAFE; http://www.forestencyclopedia.net), a hyperdocument-based encyclopedia system available on the internet, to address this need for more accessible, understandable, condensed, and synthesized research knowledge. This project aims to synthesize what we know scientifically about the management and ecology of Southern Appalachian forest ecosystems, organize it logically, and make it universally available at no cost to users. ESAFE is composed of original summaries of hundreds of topic areas compiled from over 5000 literature sources by over 15 authors specifically for this purpose. Presently, ESAFE has over 1100 pages of content that includes over 150 tables, 150 figures, 3000 internal hyperlinks, and 1800 external hyperlinks. Unlike most internet-based hyperdocuments, quality control of the encyclopedia is ensured through a complete peer-review process similar to traditional scientific journals. The encyclopedia is built upon a dynamic content management system (CMS), developed using Zope software, that provides a platform for authoring, editing, reviewing, publishing, and updating content directly through the internet. This CMS creates a mechanism for updating the site with peer-review content directly through the internet, so that the knowledge base can be continually updated, expanded, and improved. Using tools like ESAFE, busy forest managers can more easily find answers to questions from their own desks. It has been favorably evaluated by a diverse group of land managers, the general public, and ecosystem scientists. It is also currently being used as a prototype for several other forestry-related hypertext encyclopedias.
Effect of variability in hepatic clearance on the bioequivalence parameters of a drug and its metabolite: simulations using a pharmacostatistical model

A semi-physiological pharmacostatistical model was developed and used to study the manner in which intra-individual variability in hepatic clearance is transmitted to the area-under the plasma concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC) of a drug and its metabolite. In order to clarify the effects, the model contained no other sources of variability. As the drug's hepatic extraction ratio increased, the coefficient of variation (CV) of the AUC of the drug increased, whereas that of the metabolite decreased. The AUC of the metabolite increased as the drug's non-hepatic clearance increased. In contrast, at low extraction ratios, the CV of the AUC of the drug decreased as the drug's non-hepatic clearance increased. At high extraction ratios, the CV of the AUC of the drug was insensitive to the contributions of other forms of clearance. The results suggest that under certain circumstances, smaller samples sizes could be used in bioequivalence studies for highly variable drugs if the test were based on the metabolite rather than the parent drug.
Abstract C134: Herceptin-targeted siRNA nanoparticles inhibit the growth Her2-positive breast cancer tumors in vivo.

We have recently demonstrated the feasibility of using targeted, polymer-based siRNA nanoparticles in the clinic1. This delivery system involved the use of the human protein transferrin (Tf) that is displayed on the surface of the nanoparticles to engage cancer cell surface, transferrin receptors (TfR). Here, we demonstrate the modular nature of this siRNA delivery system by tailoring both the targeting agent and siRNA component of the nanoparticle to Her2 positive breast cancers. Specifically, we show that the siRNA nanoparticle delivery system can be modified to include an antibody targeting agent (Herceptin) without any significant alteration to size, charge, and pharmacokinetic behavior. We also show that in vivo treatment of Her2 positive breast cancer tumor xenografts with Herceptin-targeted nanoparticles containing siRNA against Her2 results in a more robust anti-tumor response than either Herceptin alone or Herceptin-targeted nanoparticles containing control siRNA. These data demonstrate how nanoparticles containing the combination of antibodies and siRNA can be used to achieve enhanced therapeutic treatment against clinically validated cancer targets. References: 1. Davis, M.E. et al. Evidence of RNAi in humans from systemically administered siRNA via targeted nanoparticles. Nature 464, 1067–1070 (2010). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C134.
Intensity and collision half-width measurements using a laser source—II. Continuum and line absorption of Br2 at 6328 A

Abstract Absorption measurements have been performed on Br2 vapor at 15 798·00±0·07 cm-1 by using an He-Ne laser as light source. Systematic studies at pressures between about 0·25 and 1·75 atm, and at a temperature of 373±2°K, have yielded the following estimates: continuum absorption coefficient ⋍ 0·113 cm-1 -atm-1; integrated intensity ⋍ 4·6 x 10-3 cm-2-atm-1 for the R(44) line of Br81Br79 in the υ′ = 11 → υ′ = 5 band of the 1Σ+g → 3ΠOu+ band system of Br2; mean collision line half-width of Br2 lines near the laser frequency ⋍ 0·07 cm-1-atm-1. The error estimates are ± 10 per cent for the continuum absorption coefficient; the bounds on S1 are 3·5 x 10-3 ⩽ S1, cm-2 atm-1 (at 373°K) ⩽ 8·2 x 10-3 whereas those on b1 are 0·07 ⩽ b1, cm-1 atm-1 (at 373°K) ⩽ 0·11. The limit estimates for the line properties involve the assumption that the applicable overlap-integral ratios are all equal to unity.
Alluvial chronologies and archaeology of the Gila River drainage basin, Arizona

Abstract Late Quaternary alluvial chronologies are established for five streams (Gila River, Salt River, Tonto Creek, Santa Cruz River, and San Pedro River) in the Gila basin of southern Arizona. Each streams has a complex history of deposition, erosion, and landscape stability that structured and fragmented the archaeological record over the last 15,000 years. The limitations that geologic processes imposed on the archaeological record of these alluvial environments must be recognized before meaningful interpretations of prehistory can be made. These stratigraphic sequences also provide the basis for reconstructing changes to the alluvial landscape of each valley over time. All five streams were intensively utilized during the Late Prehistoric period (A.D. 300–1450) by the Hohokam. The Hohokam were irrigation agriculturalists who were dependent upon these streams for survival. Thus, the regional stability and instability of the floodplain environments of southern Arizona influenced the expansion, contraction, reorganization, and collapse of the Hohokam.
Library of Congress heritage copy preservation

Abstract For several years, the idea of establishing a heritage copy preservation repository at the Library of Congress (LC) has been discussed. The repository envisioned would be unlike other proposed “last copy” depositories, in which a regional or other cooperative group of libraries collects and preserves the last copy of books held within that cooperative, thus ensuring continued access for all institutional members of the group. The LC repository would attempt to collect and preserve for future research use the entire book publishing output of the United States—or at least that portion which is submitted to the Library as copyright deposits. However, there are more questions than answers every time the topic is broached: • Should such a repository exist? Aside from it being a matter of national pride, what is to be gained from a heritage collection of United States publishing? • Why the Library of Congress? There are a number of factors that argue in favor of LC establishing, maintaining, and operating such a repository, including its mission “to sustain and preserve a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for future generations.” • Why not the Library of Congress? There are also number of factors that argue against LC establishing, maintaining and operating such a repository. The major factors are related to resources. • What would be the repository's purpose? The heart of the matter is: What is the purpose of the heritage copy repository? What services would be offered and to whom would they be offered? • What would be the scope of the collections held there? Will this repository collect and preserve one copy of every book printed in the United States or should some selection criteria be applied? Questions regarding preservation issues and other possible models for a repository are also covered.
Lithium-mediated protection against ethanol neurotoxicity.

Lithium has long been used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of manic-depressive (bipolar) disorder. Recent studies suggest that lithium has neuroprotective properties and may be useful in the treatment of acute brain injuries such as ischemia and chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. One of the most important neuroprotective properties of lithium is its anti-apoptotic action. Ethanol is a neuroteratogen and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are caused by maternal ethanol exposure during pregnancy. FASD is the leading cause of mental retardation. Ethanol exposure causes neuroapoptosis in the developing brain. Ethanol-induced loss of neurons in the central nervous system underlies many of the behavioral deficits observed in FASD. Excessive alcohol consumption is also associated with Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome and neurodegeneration in the adult brain. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that lithium is able to ameliorate ethanol-induced neuroapoptosis. Lithium is an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) which has recently been identified as a mediator of ethanol neurotoxicity. Lithium’s neuroprotection may be mediated by its inhibition of GSK3. In addition, lithium also affects many other signaling proteins and pathways that regulate neuronal survival and differentiation. This review discusses the recent evidence of lithium-mediated protection against ethanol neurotoxicity and potential underlying mechanisms.
Neutralizing in the workplace: An empirical analysis of property theft and production deviance

Using Sykes and Matza's (1957) “techniques of neutralization” paradigm, an adult sample of 9,175 retail, hospital, and manufacturing employees were examined to assess the empirical relationship of the concept with both self‐reported property theft and counterproductive deviant behavior in the workplace. Although the direction of causal order cannot be determined conclusively, above‐average employee rule breakers are significantly more likely than their less deviant peers to invoke guilt‐neutralizing techniques. The presence of age/ “denial of injury” and age/"denial of victim” interactions, however, suggests that the workplace deviance of younger employees does not depend nearly as heavily on neutralizing techniques as does that of their older co‐workers. This newly discovered age interaction may explain why earlier researchers prematurely (and erroneously) declared invalid the “techniques of neutralization” paradigm.
Dimensional scaling treatment of stability of simple diatomic molecules induced by superintense, high-frequency laser fields.

We present results obtained using dimensional scaling with high-frequency Floquet theory to evaluate the stability of gas phase simple diatomic molecules in superintense laser fields. The large-D limit provides a simple model that captures the main physics of the problem, which imposes electron localization along the polarization direction of the laser field. This localization markedly reduces the ionization probability and can enhance chemical bonding when the laser strength becomes sufficiently strong. We find that energy and structure calculations at the large-dimensional limit (D→∞) for stabilities of H2+, H2, and He2 in superintense laser fields are much simpler than at D=3, yet yield similar results to those found from demanding ab initio calculations. We also use the large-D model to predict the stability of H2− and the field strength needed to bind the “extra” electron to the H2 molecule.
On-line learning migration

Social presence is one of the most significant factors to examine in distance education. The impact of social presence on learning must be examined because of the prevalence of CMC (computer-mediated communication) in education. Many of the studies dealing with social presence on CMC have been done in standard educational settings and organizational settings. None of them have redefined social presence for CMC. This theory must be operationally understood and clearly defined before knowledgeable studies occur. The relationship between social presence and the social learning theory is also examined in this paper. Social interaction is fundamental to the explanation of this relationship. Social learning requires cognitive and environmental determinants. Social presence is required to enhance and foster on-line social interaction, which is the major vehicle of social learning.
Canine and human visual cortex intact and responsive despite early retinal blindness from RPE65 mutation.

Background RPE65 is an essential molecule in the retinoid-visual cycle, and RPE65 gene mutations cause the congenital human blindness known as Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Somatic gene therapy delivered to the retina of blind dogs with an RPE65 mutation dramatically restores retinal physiology and has sparked international interest in human treatment trials for this incurable disease. An unanswered question is how the visual cortex responds after prolonged sensory deprivation from retinal dysfunction. We therefore studied the cortex of RPE65-mutant dogs before and after retinal gene therapy. Then, we inquired whether there is visual pathway integrity and responsivity in adult humans with LCA due to RPE65 mutations (RPE65-LCA). Methods and Findings RPE65-mutant dogs were studied with fMRI. Prior to therapy, retinal and subcortical responses to light were markedly diminished, and there were minimal cortical responses within the primary visual areas of the lateral gyrus (activation amplitude mean ± standard deviation [SD] = 0.07% ± 0.06% and volume = 1.3 ± 0.6 cm3). Following therapy, retinal and subcortical response restoration was accompanied by increased amplitude (0.18% ± 0.06%) and volume (8.2 ± 0.8 cm3) of activation within the lateral gyrus (p < 0.005 for both). Cortical recovery occurred rapidly (within a month of treatment) and was persistent (as long as 2.5 y after treatment). Recovery was present even when treatment was provided as late as 1–4 y of age. Human RPE65-LCA patients (ages 18–23 y) were studied with structural magnetic resonance imaging. Optic nerve diameter (3.2 ± 0.5 mm) was within the normal range (3.2 ± 0.3 mm), and occipital cortical white matter density as judged by voxel-based morphometry was slightly but significantly altered (1.3 SD below control average, p = 0.005). Functional magnetic resonance imaging in human RPE65-LCA patients revealed cortical responses with a markedly diminished activation volume (8.8 ± 1.2 cm3) compared to controls (29.7 ± 8.3 cm3, p < 0.001) when stimulated with lower intensity light. Unexpectedly, cortical response volume (41.2 ± 11.1 cm3) was comparable to normal (48.8 ± 3.1 cm3, p = 0.2) with higher intensity light stimulation. Conclusions Visual cortical responses dramatically improve after retinal gene therapy in the canine model of RPE65-LCA. Human RPE65-LCA patients have preserved visual pathway anatomy and detectable cortical activation despite limited visual experience. Taken together, the results support the potential for human visual benefit from retinal therapies currently being aimed at restoring vision to the congenitally blind with genetic retinal disease.
Hierarchically Partitioned Finite-Element Analysis of Rotating Electrical Machinery

A new method of hierarchically partitioning the numerical calculations associated with the finite-element analysis of rotating electrical machinery is set forth. In this method, the device is partitioned geometrically and hierarchically into its constituent subsystems. Each Newton-Raphson iteration in a magnetically nonlinear device involves the hierarchical solution of relatively compact linear algebraic equations. This is contrasted with conventional approaches involving the formation or updating and solution of a single but large-dimensional sparse equation. In addition to an improvement in the computational efficiency, this approach facilitates efficient management of rotation. The proposed approach is demonstrated to require less than one-fourth the computation time, while producing identical results to those of a conventional formulation when solving for cogging torque and back electromotive force (back-EMF) of a permanent-magnet synchronous machine. The numerical results are also shown to be in agreement with the measured data.
Effects of divalent cations and metabolic poisons on the circadian rhythm from the Aplysia eye

1. The isolated eyeof Aplysia has a circadian rhythm of compound optic nerve potentials. An attempt to inhibit entrainment of this rhythm by blocking synaptic transmission led to the discovery that one such inhibitor, manganese, produced phase shifts in the rhythm. Treatments of manganese (10 mM) of 6 h duration at different phases of the rhythm resulted in a phase response curve composed of only delay phase shifts (Fig. 1). 2. Many biological effects of Mn++ involve Ca++ dependent processes and this appears to be the case here since the phase shifting effect of Mn++ was antagonized by increasing external Ca++ concentrations (Fig. 3). 3. Mn++ does not appear to be producing phase shifts by disrupting the flux of Ca++ across the plasma membrane since changing such fluxes by either raising extracellular Ca++ (50 mM) or lowering extracellular Ca++ with EGTA (Ca++ <10−7 M) did not cause phase shifts in the rhythm. 4. A Ca++/Mg++ ionophore, A23187, was used to affect the fluxes of these ions across intracellular membranes. Treatments of A23187 (7.5×10−6 M) produced delay phase shifts in the rhythm whether or not a Ca++ or Mg++ concentration gradient existed across the plasma membrane (Figs. 4, 5). In addition, an all-delay response curve resulted when eyes were treated at different phases with A23187 plus EGTA (Fig. 6). 5. Our results, and the known effects of A23187, led to the hypothesis that phase shifting by A23187 resulted either from the transport of Ca++ and Mg++ out of mitochondria or from oxidative phosphorylation becoming uncoupled as a result of the reuptake of these ions. 6. DNP (0.2 mM) and NaCN (2 mM) which both inhibit oxidative phosphorylation and cause release of Ca++ and Mg++ from mitochondria, also produced phase response curves with only delays (Fig. 9). 7. Mn++, A23187, DNP, and NaCN have a common effect on oxidative phosphorylation and on the ability of mitochondria to regulate Ca++ and Mg++. The correlation between the similar phase response curves of these treatments (Fig. 10) and their common effects on mitochondria suggests that they are all affecting the rhythm by blocking energy production and/or causing the release of mitochondrial Ca++ and Mg++. The manner in which changes in energy production or in the concentrations of Ca++/Mg++ might affect the rhythm is discussed.
Dynamical mean-field theory study of Nagaoka ferromagnetism

We revisit Nagaoka ferromagnetism in the $U=\ensuremath{\infty}$ Hubbard model within the dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) using the recently developed continuous time quantum Monte Carlo method as the impurity solver. The stability of Nagaoka ferromagnetism is studied as a function of the temperature, the doping level, and the next-nearest-neighbor lattice hopping ${t}^{\ensuremath{'}}$. We found that the nature of the phase transition, as well as the stability of the ferromagnetic state, is very sensitive to the ${t}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ hopping. Negative ${t}^{\ensuremath{'}}=\ensuremath{-}0.1t$ stabilizes ferromagnetism up to higher doping levels. The paramagnetic state is reached through a first-order phase transition. Alternatively, a second-order phase transition is observed at ${t}^{\ensuremath{'}}=0$. Very near half-filling, the coherence temperature ${T}_{\mathit{coh}}$ of the paramagnetic metal becomes very low and ferromagnetism evolves out of an incoherent metal rather than conventional Fermi liquid. We use the DMFT results to benchmark slave-boson method which might be useful in more complicated geometries.
Vaccines in Pregnancy

Neonates and young infants are susceptible to significant morbidity and mortality caused by bacterial and viral pathogens. Maternal antibodies transmitted transplacentally before birth confer protection against viral and bacterial diseases that are often serious in the first months of life. 25,28,65,66 In general, active immunization has not been successful in this age group because of the immaturity of the immune response, the length of time required to develop protective immunity, and interference of maternally derived antibodies. Furthermore, the safety of administering vaccines in young infants remains a concern and requires careful evaluation. New technological advances in the development of safer and effective vaccines, along with information collected in recently conducted studies, make maternal immunization a plausible option for the prevention of life-threatening diseases in this vulnerable population. 21,53
Adenosine, a cytoprotective autocoid: effects of adenosine on neutrophil plasma membrane viscosity and chemoattractant receptor display.

At inflammatory sites neutrophils are stimulated to produce a variety of toxic agents, yet rarely harm the endothelium across which they migrate. We have recently found that endothelium releases adenosine which, acting via receptors on the surface of human neutrophils, inhibits generation of toxic metabolites by stimulated neutrophils but, paradoxically, promotes chemotaxis. Agents which diminish plasma membrane viscosity affect neutrophil function similarly, possibly by modulating chemoattractant receptor number or affinity. We therefore determined whether adenosine receptor agonists modulate neutrophil function by decreasing membrane viscosity and/or changing the affinity of chemoattractant (N-fMet-Leu-Phe, FMLP) receptors. Surprisingly, 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)adenosine (NECA, 10 microM), the most potent agonist at neutrophil adenosine receptors, increased plasma membrane viscosity, as measured by fluorescence anisotropy of the plasma membrane specific probe 1-(4-trimethylaminophenyl)-6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH), in unstimulated neutrophils from a mean microviscosity of 1.67 +/- 0.02 (S.E.) to 1.80 +/- 0.02 (p less than 0.001) while inosine (10 microM), a poor adenosine receptor agonist, had no effect (1.73 +/- 0.04, p = n.s. vs. control, p less than 0.01 vs. NECA). Adenosine receptor agonists increased plasma membrane viscosity in neutrophils with the same order of potency previously seen for inhibition of superoxide anion generation and enhancement of chemotaxis (NECA greater than adenosine = N6-phenylisopropyladenosine). The adenosine receptor antagonist 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline reversed the effect of NECA on plasma membrane viscosity. Unlike other agents which modulate plasma membrane viscosity, NECA (10 microM) did not significantly change the number or affinity of [3H]FMLP binding sites on neutrophils. In contrast to the hypothesis of Yuli et al. these results indicate that occupancy of adenosine receptors on neutrophils increases plasma membrane viscosity without affecting chemoattractant receptor display.