cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrodeposited polyaniline/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites for solar cell applications

Abstract Polyaniline (PANI)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) composite films were fabricated by an electrochemical polymerization of aniline with airbrushed MWNTs on ITO substrates. Structural, optical, and electrical properties of the films were studied by Raman, FTIR, optical absorption, and resistivity measurements. The incorporation of MWNTs in PANI was found to effectively increase the film conductivity with a percolation threshold of 5% of nanotubes in the composite. Organic–inorganic hybrid solar cells based on the composite films of different MWNT concentrations and TiO2 nanocrystals were investigated. It was found that the solar cell performance strongly depends on the conductivity of the composite films, which can be tuned by adjusting nanotube concentration. A higher conductivity resulted in a better cell performance, resulting from an efficient charge collection. This study indicates that PANI/MWNT composite films with optimized conductivity are potentially useful for low-cost hybrid solar cell applications.
Interaction of the solar wind with the outer planets

The hypersonic analog for the interaction of the solar wind with Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto is used to provide estimates of shock shapes and locations, as well as average magnetosheath and/or ionosheath properties for these planets. Several representative spacecraft flyby trajectories (designed for outer-planet 'Grand Tour' simulations) are superimposed upon a series of figures in order to provide estimates of potential plasma and field parameters which may be encountered. Consideration is given first to the possibility that several of these planets have intrinsic magnetic fields and, secondly, to the interaction of the solar wind directly on the ionosphere should there actually be no intrinsic field. Saturn and Pluto are chosen as examples of this latter case.
Isolation and characterization of a mutant of Neurospora crassa deficient in general amino acid permease activity.

A mutant of Neurospora crassa (pm-nbg27) was isolated on the basis of its resistance to p-fluoro-phenylalamine on ammonium-deficient Vogel's medium. This mutant was found to be devoid of both conidial and post-conidial (after 180 min of preincubation) transport acitvity of all amino acids. Genetic analysis exhibiting of pm-nbg27 by crossing it to wild-type (74A) resulted in the predicted segregants exhibiting transport characteristics of pm-n, pm-b, pm-g, pm-nb, pm-ng, pm-bg and parental types. The above observations confirm the postulated general amino acids permease system as well as a single genetic locus control of that activity.
Early Positive Predictors of Later Reading Comprehension for African American Students: A Preliminary Investigation.

Purpose: This investigation examined the performance of 50 African American children on a reading comprehension test. Method: Longitudinal data were compared for two groups of students who were preschoolers or kindergartners at Time 1 and elementary-grade students at Time 2. Outcomes were examined for positive predictive relationships based on their oral language and cognitive skills as preschoolers and kindergartners at Time 1. The Time 1 preschoolers were all from low-income homes, whereas the Time 1 kindergartners were all from middle-income homes. All students were urban dwellers and speakers of African American English. Results: Two measures predicted later reading comprehension levels for the Time 1 preschoolers: use of complex syntax and shape matching. The Time 1 preschoolers and kindergartners showed no significant differences in reading comprehension at the end of first grade, but the preschoolers were significantly ahead of the kindergartners in reading by third grade. Clinical Implications: Th...
Quench propagation in a cable-in-conduit force-cooled superconductor-preliminary results

A preliminary test was performed to measure quench propagation in a cable-in-conduit superconductor. Although the data are not extensive, the behavior of the sample was similar to that reported by T. Ando et al. (1989) for tests performed at the same current densities (though at 7-T field). The propagation increased with time, a phenomenon that can only be explained by thermal hydraulics of the coolant. The maximum propagation velocity was about 5 m/s at a current density of 100 A/mm/sup 2/. The propagation velocity (tens of meters per second) predicted by others was not observed. Based on the measured initial normal zone hot helium expansion velocity, the condition for use of the finish time formula of L. Dresner was not met in either the present experiment or in Ando's experiment. It is not clear whether the observed slightly higher power dependence of normal zone velocity on elapsed time is due to changes in helium expansion velocity or is a result of THQ (thermal hydraulic quenchback). Further studies, both analytical and experimental, are needed before the existence of THQ can be verified.
Inhibition of morphological transformation induced with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in cultures of hamster embryo cells by 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-photolysis.

The present study was performed in order to determine whether type III transformed foci induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine originate from the small subpopulation of cells stimulated by the carcinogen to enter DNA synthesis. During the last 30 min of variable treatment periods using different doses of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, administered alone or in association with the thymidine analogue, 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (0.98 x 10(-5)M), the density-inhibited monolayers of hamster embryo cells were exposed to fluorescent light and then assayed for abnormal growth patterns by the focus formation method. Mock-irradiated cultures as well as monolayers whose medium lacked N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitro-soguanidine, 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine, or both, served as controls. The cytotoxicity of 5'-bromo-2'- deoxyuridine + N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine + photolysis (BMP) protocol on confluent as well as logarithmically growing hamster embryo cells was estimated in single-cell survival experiments. Plating efficiency determinations have demonstrated that, unlike their actively growing counterparts, confluent hamster embryo cell monolayers are extremely resistant to the cytotoxic effects of the BMP protocol. The quantitative transformation assays indicated that: (1) in non-illuminated cultures addition of 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine to carcinogen-containing medium does affect transformation frequency of hamster embryo cells in the sense that the incidence of type III foci did not subside at later intervals during the post-carcinogen administration period as it did in the absence of the analogue; (2) irradiation of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and halogenated pyrimidine analogue-treated cultures with fluorescent light practically suppressed transformation; (3) analogue-added and analogue-removed experiments pointed out that the event(s) on which 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine fluorescent light sensitization of morphological transformation largely depends, takes place between 5 and 15 h after N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine administration, i.e., during the period of maximal carcinogen-stimulated DNA synthesis; and (4) neither fluorescent light nor 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine, singly or in combination, were able to transform cultures of hamster embryo cells. These findings are strong indirect arguments for the concept that carcinogen-induced DNA synthesis and the initiation of transformed clones are causally related.
Effects of ozone and sulfur dioxide on four epiphytic bromeliads

Abstract Plants of Tillandsia balbisiana, T. paucifolia, T. recurvata and T. utriculata exposed to 0.15, 0.30 or 0.45 ppm O 3 or to 0.30, 0.60 or 1.20 ppm SO 2 for 6 hr or sequentially to 0.30 ppm O 3 (2 hr), 0.30 ppm O 3 plus 0.60 ppm SO 2 (2 hr) and 0.60 ppm SO 2 (2 hr) did not exhibit visible injury. Fumigations also had no effect on foliar conductance or on ΔH + associated with Crassulacean acid metabolism. Characteristics responsible for plant tolerance to short exposures to these two gases probably included low stomatal conductance, the insulating indumentum of absorbing foliar hairs and inherently slow metabolism. Reasons for postulating that Tillandsia is a better indicator for technological metals and certain other pollutants than for brief exposures to O 3 and SO 2 are discussed. We also conclude that epiphytic Tillandsia spp. offer advantages over lichens for air quality assessments under appropriate conditions. As vascular plants they exhibit sensitive, easily measured responses to stress and can be transplanted with ease to areas where neither they nor lichens occur naturally.
20-J nanosecond-pulse CO 2 laser system based on an injection-mode-locked oscillator

Recent advances in injection mode locking and high-power 10 μm pulse selection have been incorporated into a high-power CO2 laser system built around a single 5 l TEA CO2 gain module. A pulse selected from a line-tuned [to P(20)] injection-mode-locked oscillator was amplified to produce a 20 J, 3 ns pulse with a main-pulse-to-prepulse contrast ratio of >107:1.
Sequence comparison of the N genes of five strains of the coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus suggests a three domain structure for the nucleocapsid protein.

Abstract To obtain information about the structure and evolution of the nucleocapsid (N) protein of the coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), we determined the entire nucleotide sequences of the N genes of MHV-A59, MHV-3, MHV-S, and MHV-1 from cDNA clones. At the nucleotide level, the N gene sequences of these viral strains, and that of MHV-JHM, were more than 92% conserved overall. Even higher nucleotide sequence identity was found in the 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of the five strains, which may reflect the role of the 3′ UTR in negative-strand RNA synthesis. All five N genes were found to encode markedly basic proteins of 454 or 455 residues having at least 94% sequence identity in pairwise comparisons. However, amino acid sequence divergences were found to be clustered in two short segments of N, putative spacer regions that, together, constituted only 11% of the molecule. Thus, the data suggest that the MHV N protein is composed of three highly conserved structural domains connected to each other by regions that have much less constraint on their amino acid sequences. The first two conserved domains contain most of the excess of basic amino acid residues; by contrast, the carboxy-terminal domain is acidic. Finally, we noted that four of the five N genes contain an internal open reading frame that potentially encodes a protein of 207 amino acids having a large proportion of basic and hydrophobic residues.
Specificity for the Exchange of Phospholipids Through Polymyxin B Mediated Intermembrane Molecular Contacts

Structural specificity for the direct vesicle−vesicle exchange of phospholipids through stable molecular contacts formed by the antibiotic polymyxin B (PxB) is characterized by kinetic and spectroscopic methods. As shown elsewhere [Cajal, Y., Rogers, J., Berg, O. G., & Jain, M. K. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 299−308], intermembrane molecular contacts between anionic vesicles are formed by a small number of PxB molecules, which suggests that a stoichiometric complex may be responsible for the exchange of phospholipids. Larger clusters containing several vesicles are formed where each vesicle can make multiple contacts if sterically allowed. In this paper we show that the overall process can be dissected into three functional steps: binding of PxB to vesicles, formation of stable vesicle−vesicle contacts, and exchange of phospholipids. Polycationic PxB binds to anionic vesicles. Formation of molecular contacts and exchange of monoanionic phospholipids through PxB contacts does not depend on the chain length of the phospholipid. Only monoanionic phospholipids (with methanol, serine, glycol, butanol, or phosphatidylglycerol as the second phosphodiester substituent in the head group) exchange through these contacts, whereas dianionic phosphatidic acid does not. Selectivity for the exchange was also determined with covesicles of phosphatidylmethanol and other phospholipids. PxB does not bind to vesicles of zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine, and its exchange in covesicles is not mediated by PxB. Vesicles of dianionic phospholipids, like phosphatidic acid, bind PxB; however, this phospholipid does not exchange. The structural features of the contacts are characterized by the spectroscopic and chemical properties of PxB at the interface. PxB in intermembrane contacts is readily accessible from the aqueous phase to quenchers and reagents that modify amino groups. Results show that PxB at the interface can exist in two forms depending on the lipid/PxB ratio. Additional studies show that stable PxB-mediated vesicle−vesicle contacts may be structurally and functionally distinct from “stalks”, the putative transient intermediate for membrane fusion. The phenomenon of selective exchange of phospholipids through peptide-mediated contacts could serve as a prototype for intermembrane targeting and sorting of phospholipids during their biosynthesis and trafficking in different compartments of a cell. The protocols and results described here also extend the syllogistic foundations of interfacial equilibria and catalysis.
Stool Virus Recovery in Subclinical Poliomyelitis During Incubation, Febrile, and Convalescent Periods

Received for publication October 11, 1949. Aided by grants from the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, Inc. and its Cook County Chapter. has been isolated from the stools of subclinical cases for periods up to 19 days before onset of the disease8'9 and one to two months after an attack10 and from a healthy individual exposed to a clinical case one and two months before stools were collected.11
Dynamic light scattering from polymer solutions under non-hydrodynamic conditions

Abstract The various characteristic spatial and temporal scales that are involved in dynamic light scattering from polymer solutions under non-hydrodynamic conditions are reviewed and analyzed. The contributions to non-exponential decay of the decay function determined in dynamic light scattering are discussed, with comparison to experimental behavior, including solutions of both the Flory theta temperature and in good solvents. Differing effects that dominate the double-exponential decay under these two conditions are considered.
Structure of the QCD vacuum and hadrons

Abstract Recent studies have provided strong arguments in favor of the idea that most hadrons (including the nucleon) are actually bound not because of confining forces, but mainly due to the instanton-induced forces. Quite different effective interactions in various mesonic and baryonic channels can be explained in this way. Moreover, many hadronic parameters and even the point-to-point correlation functions are quantitatively reproduced by the simplest possible ensemble of instantons, the so-called “Random Instanton Liquid Model” (RILM). Recent lattice works have confirmed it, essentially deriving the “instanton vacuum” from lattice configuration by their “cooling”. At non-zero temperatures the (quark-induced) interaction between instantons becomes much stronger, and at the critical temperature T = T c the chiral symmetry becomes restored, due to “pairing” of the instantons and the anti-instantons into a kind of “ / II molecules”.
Intrauterine oxygen tension during the oestrous cycle in the hamster: patterns of change.

Abstract Oxygen tension (pO2) within the uterine lumen of the hamster during the oestrous cycle was measured in vivo with a polarographic oxygen sensor. Mean oxygen tension underwent cyclic variation; maximum pO2occurred during dioestrus (35.2 ± 1.9 mmHg). Minute-to-minute alterations in pO2 also occurred; the frequency of change in pO2 was maximal during early dioestrus (94.4 ± 8.9 peaks/hr) and minimal during pro-oestrus (31.2 ± 5.6 peaks/hr). The amplitude of change in pO2 was maximal during late dioestrus (40.7 ± 3.6 mmHg) and minimal during pro-oestrus (5.1 ± 1.2 mmHg). Thus, intrauterine pO2 increases during periods of progesterone dominance and decreases under oestrogenic stimulation. Arterial and venous pO2 were 89.9 ± 4.8 and 38.9 ± 1.8 mmHg, respectively. Thus, mean intrauterine pO2 was consistently less than venous blood levels and varied as much as 30 mmHg during the oestrous cycle. The level of pO2 prevailing during the interval of the cycle in which insemination is permitted is intermediate to the maximum and minimum levels occurring during the oestrous cycle and is clearly sufficient to meet the metabolic requirements of spermatozoa during their passage through the uterus.
Should men over the age of 65 years receive PSA screening? Argument against.

In this second Viewpoint on PSA testing in men over 65 years of age, Albertsen argues that, from a public health perspective, PSA screening should not be performed in these men. The author discusses the health problem of prostate cancer in this patient population, the accuracy of the PSA test, patient outcomes, and the harm associated with PSA testing.
Real-time detection of DNA during gel electrophoresis using a Zeeman refractive index detector

We have developed a new method for detecting unstained, untagged, unlabeled DNA bands in real-time during gel electrophoresis. This technique is based on the use of a Zeeman refractive index detector with lambda/12,000 resolution and outstanding stability. Current sensitivity in a polyacrylamide gel is 0.2 ng of DNA in the probe beam. We believe this can be significantly improved. We don't understand why the DNA initially decreases, then dramatically increases, the local refractive index as it passes through the gel, although we propose three possible mechanisms.
Propellantless Stationkeeping at Enceladus via the Electromagnetic Lorentz Force

An introduction to the dynamics of an electrostatically charged spacecraft in two- and three-body regimes is presented, with particular attention to a promising application at Enceladus. Equilibrium solutions to the equations of motion are found, and the stability of the orbits assessed. The perturbative Lorentz force, produced by interaction of the spacecraft with a planetary magnetic field, creates trajectories that are not possible with Newtonian gravity alone. A heuristic, analytical control law with single-variable scalar feedback allows a charged spacecraft to remain near the collinear Lagrange points on either side of Enceladus. The mission feasibility depends on the charge requirement, which is primarily affected by the navigational accuracy. For example, an insertion error into the cis-Enceladus Lagrange point of 10 km in position and 1 m/s in velocity requires a specific charge of approximately 0.05 C/kg. Other significant gravitating bodies in the Saturnian system do not have a substantive effect on the charge requirements or on the stability. Given a sufficiently accurate insertion, a charged spacecraft could maintain station near Enceladus without propellant.
Susceptibility and Synergy Studies of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis is an important cause of cerebrospinal fluid shunt infections and prosthetic valve endocarditis. Agar dilution minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined for 100 strains of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis which were isolated from clinical specimens. Vancomycin inhibited all 100 strains at ≤3.12 μg/ml, whereas clindamycin inhibited only 46 strains at ≤12.5 μg/ml. Methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis strains were resistant to achievable levels of erythromycin, with 90 strains having a minimum inhibitory concentration of ≥3.12 μg/ml. Of the five cephalosporins and one cephamycin tested, cefamandole was the most active in vitro, inhibiting 97 strains at ≤25 μg/ml. Antibiotic synergism was examined by a quantitative bacterial time-kill method. Synergism (≥102 kill by the combination over the most effective single antibiotic at 24 h) was demonstrated with vancomycin (1.56 μg/ml) plus cefamandole (6.25 μg/ml) in 14 of 14 strains, vancomycin plus cephalothin (6.25 μg/ml) in 14 of 14 strains, vancomycin plus rifampin (0.008 to 0.012 μg/ml) in 6 of 12 strains, rifampin plus cefamandole in 9 of 12 strains, and rifampin plus cephalothin in 10 of 12 strains. The emergence of populations of bacteria resistant to 0.2 μg of rifampin per ml developed in three of five methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis strains tested. The addition of either vancomycin, cephalothin, or cefamandole to the rifampin prevented the emergence of resistance in these three strains. Clinical trials of synergistic antibiotic combination therapy for serious methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis infections are indicated.
Trade: With whom? for what? a citizens's guide to the trade debate

The only real trade policy choices involve how to manage trade. The four important choices to make in formulating trade agreements are whether they are: (1) rule-oriented or outcome-oriented; (2) uniform across the economy or sectoral; (3) aggressive or passive in enforcement; and (4) bilateral or multilateral. Preferences for various combinations of these variables depend on resolving conflicting goals. Important goal conflicts include whether to seek balanced trade versus a higher standard of living, gains of the zero-sum type or only those of the positive-sum type, relative wealth or absolute wealth, and profits for American corporations versus good jobs for Americans.
Cyclic autocorrelation based spectrum sensing in colored Gaussian noise

Detection of cyclostationary primary user (PU) signals in colored Gaussian noise for cognitive radio systems is considered based on looking for a cycle frequency at a particular time lag in the cyclic autocorrelation function (CAF) of the noisy PU signal. We explicitly exploit the knowledge that under the null hypothesis of PU signal absent, the measurements originate from colored Gaussian noise with possibly unknown correlation function. We consider both single and multiple antenna receivers. A performance analysis of the proposed detector is carried out. Supporting simulation examples are provided using an OFDM PU signal and they show that our proposed approaches are computationally much cheaper than the Dandawate-Giannakis and related approaches while having quite similar detection performance for a given false alarm rate.
Linear cyclic codes of wordlength v over GF(q s ) which are also linear cyclic codes of wordlength sv over GF(q)

Any nonsingular linear transformation φ: GF(qs) → GF(qs) can be used to treat a linear cyclic code ρ of wordlength v over GF(qs) as a linear code φ(ρ) of Wordlength sv over GF(q). This paper determines those linear cyclic codes ρ and transformations φ for which the resulting linear code φ(ρ) is also cyclic.
Writing Ourselves at Risk: Using Self-narrative in Working for Social Justice

I have recently been thinking of how to be “virtuous” as I engage in doing qualitative research for social justice. In this essay, I explore the complexities and risks involved in representing the researcher-self amidst competing (and perhaps false) dichotomies of the personal/professional life and the scholar/activist. To do so, I deconstruct places in my scholarship where I was willing (consciously and unconsciously) to take risks, where I took risks but was socialized to conform, where I am still unwilling to take the risk and where I am currently writing the risky. The goal is to create a dialogue about the perplexities that surround representing the “researcher self” with goals for social justice.
Fallopian tube cancer: The role of radiation therapy

Summary Thirty-four patients with fallopian tube cancer were evaluated at the Mayo Clinic between 1964 and 1985and received radiation therapy postoperatively. Employing a system analogous to FIGO ovarian cancer staging, there were 9 patients with stage I disease, 13 with stage II, and 12 with stage III/IV. Residual disease was present in 15 patients and absent in 19. Nodal metastases were documented in 12 patients or 35% (10 at presentation, two at relapse), with para-aortic nodes most commonly involved (67%) and 7 of the 12 having disease otherwise limited to the pelvis at presentation. Fifteen of 34 (44%) patients survived disease-free until intercurrent death or to a median follow-up of 70 months. Seven patients were treated with palliative intent for massive disease, and 27 patients were treated with curative intent (21 radiation alone, six radiation plus chemotherapy). Of those treated with curative intent, 15 patients received pelvic irradiation (with or without para-aortic nodal irradiation), 10 received whole abdominal irradiation, and 2 received intraperitoneal radiophosphorus. In the potentially curative group, seven of nine (78%) patients with stage I disease, five of 12 (42%) with stage II, and 2 of 6 (33%) with stage III have remained disease-free. Among the 21 patients with stage I or II disease, only four of the 11 (36%) patients who received pelvic irradiation alone were disease-free, but four patients had an isolated upper abdominal failure. In contrast, eight of 10 (80%) patients receiving treatment to the entire abdomen (including two patients who received 32 P) were disease-free. In potentially curative cases, 83% (29/35) of irradiated sites were controlled. Among 19 patients with persistent or recurrent disease, 15 (79%) had disease restricted to the abdomen/pelvis. Fallopian tube and epithelial ovarian cancers have similar natural histories, including abdominal failures in early disease, and whole abdominal irradiation appears to be an effective treatment modality.
Asymptotic analysis of dielectric coaxial fibers

Using an asymptotic analysis, we analytically calculate the dispersion and the field distribution of guided modes in an all-dielectric coaxial fiber. We compare the analytical results with those obtained from numerical calculations and find excellent agreement between them. We demonstrate that both the Bragg reflection and the total internal reflection play important roles in providing confinement and determining the dispersion characteristics of the coaxial fiber modes.
Patterns of jail use

Abstract Jails continue to be the most neglected component of the criminal justice system. One consequence of this neglect has been that important conceptual issues regarding jails remain unresolved. This study developed a method for describing the patterns of jail use in counties. Using data from Illinois, rates of jail use and the diversity of use patterns were described. The influence of crime rate and county population size on jail use were explored, and jail crowding was examined by focusing on different patterns of jail use. Implications for jail research and policy are discussed.
Why not donate sperm? A study of potential donors.

Abstract In a between-group study, men were much more likely to profess willingness to donate sperm if it would be used solely for research purposes (67% yes) than if it would be used for reproduction through the process of donor insemination (24%). Offered several reasons why one might be willing to be a sperm donor, men nominated "money" and "helping out a couple in need" most often and "the chance to produce children" least often, whereas "the knowledge that it might produce children that I may never meet" was the most popular of several proposed rationales for not donating. These results are discussed in light of the specificity of male sexual psychologies and the possible costs associated with sperm donation, within the more general framework of identifying the circumstances in which men report the willingness to donate sperm.
Femoral Component Rotation in Total Knee Arthroplasty: An MRI-Based Evaluation of our Options

Abstract Proper femoral component rotation is crucial in successful total knee arthroplasty. Rotation using anatomic landmarks has traditionally referenced the transepicondylar axis (TEA), Whiteside’s Line (WSL), or posterior condylar axis (PCA). TEA is thought to best approximate the flexion-axis of the knee, however WSL or PCA are common surrogates in the operating room. This study evaluated 560 knees using MRI-based planning software to assess the relationship of WSL and PCA to the TEA and determine if the relationships were influenced by pre-operative coronal deformity. Results showed the WSL–TEA relationship has more variability than PCA–TEA and that the PCA is more internally rotated in females and valgus knees. Axis options and historical assumptions about axis relationships may need to be reassessed as imaging technology advances.
Theory of partial agonist activity of steroid hormones

The different amounts of residual partial agonist activity (PAA) of antisteroids under assorted conditions have long been useful in clinical applications but remain largely unexplained. Not only does a given antagonist often afford unequal induction for multiple genes in the same cell but also the activity of the same antisteroid with the same gene changes with variations in concentration of numerous cofactors. Using glucocorticoid receptors as a model system, we have recently succeeded in constructing from first principles a theory that accurately describes how cofactors can modulate the ability of agonist steroids to regulate both gene induction and gene repression. We now extend this framework to the actions of antisteroids in gene induction. The theory shows why changes in PAA cannot be explained simply by differences in ligand affinity for receptor and requires action at a second step or site in the overall sequence of reactions. The theory also provides a method for locating the position of this second site, relative to a concentration limited step (CLS), which is a previously identified step in glucocorticoid-regulated transactivation that always occurs at the same position in the overall sequence of events of gene induction. Finally, the theory predicts that classes of antagonist ligands may be grouped on the basis of their maximal PAA with excess added cofactor and that the members of each class differ by how they act at the same step in the overall gene induction process. Thus, this theory now makes it possible to predict how different cofactors modulate antisteroid PAA, which should be invaluable in developing more selective antagonists.
Chemotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer with the combination adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II): Preliminary assessment of a one-day vs. three-day drug regimen

Fourteen patients with advanced head and neck carcinomas received a monthly intravenous regimen of Adriamycin, 40 mg/m2, day 1; cyclophosphamide, 400 mg/m2, day 3; and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, 20 mg/m2/1 hour, days 1-3 (CAP-3). A regression rate of only 7% (0/12 squamous cell carcinomas; 1/2 adenocarcinomas) and a median survival of five months for all patients was accompanied by considerable gastrointestinal toxicity. These results strikingly diverge from a prior study that achieved a 64% (16/25) regression rate using comparable doses of each agent but was administered by rapid infusion on one day each month (CAP-1). Admittedly, the relatively impaired performance scores of the CAP-3 participants may have had some impact on these discouraging results. On the other hand, the maximum therapeutic efficacy of the combination Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and cis-platinum may well depend upon subtle interactions of cell cycle kinetics and dosage and schedule of each agent.
Context and the human microbiome

Human microbiome reference datasets provide epidemiological context for researchers, enabling them to uncover new insights into their own data through meta-analyses. In addition, large and comprehensive reference sets offer a means to develop or test hypotheses and can pave the way for addressing practical study design considerations such as sample size decisions. We discuss the importance of reference sets in human microbiome research, limitations of existing resources, technical challenges to employing reference sets, examples of their usage, and contributions of the American Gut Project to the development of a comprehensive reference set. Through engaging the general public, the American Gut Project aims to address many of the issues present in existing reference resources, characterizing health and disease, lifestyle, and dietary choices of the participants while extending its efforts globally through international collaborations.
Cardiometabolic Risk in the Latino/Hispanic Population

The Latino/Hispanic population constitutes the largest minority group in the country, accounting for 16 % of the total U.S. population. It is a heterogeneous group with several racial, biological, social, and cultural backgrounds. In general, the prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity is quite elevated and imposes a tremendous challenge to the health care system. According to the recently reported baseline characteristics of Latinos/Hispanics participating in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 52 % in men and 37 % in women. The prevalence of hypertension was 27 % in men and 25 % in women; the prevalence of diabetes was 16.7 % in men and 17.2 % in women; the prevalence of obesity was 36.5 % in men and 42.6 % in women and the prevalence of smoking was 26 % in men and 15 % in women. Studies performed by the Latino Diabetes Initiative at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston have identified significant endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation in overweight young Hispanic adults with a mean of 29 years of age and parental history of type 2 diabetes as well as in normoglycemic, normotensive, non-dyslipidemic overweight Hispanic children and adolescents with a mean of 13 years of age. Thus, the Hispanic/Latino population exhibits a high cardiovascular risk and therefore, effective preventive strategies are needed to tackle the burden of frequent and significant metabolic and vascular abnormalities in this population.
Harp, A Short Pulse, High Current Electron Beam Accelerator

A 3 MV, 800 kA, 24 ns electron beam accelerator is described and the results of initial switching experiments are discussed. The generator will provide a source for studying the physics of processes leading to electron beam driven, inertially confined fusion. The major components of the accelerator are two diodes with a common anode, twelve oildielectric Blumleins with low jitter (< 2 ns) multichannel switches, three intermediate storage capacitors, a trigger pulse generator and two Marx generators.
Incubation Period for Void Swelling and Its Dependence on Temperature, Dose Rate, and Dislocation Structure Evolution

Void swelling in structural materials used for nuclear reactors is characterized by an incubation period whose duration largely determines the usefulness of the material for core components. Significant evolution of the dislocation and void microstructures that control radiation-induced swelling can occur during this period. Thus, a theory of incubation must treat time-dependent void nucleation in combination with dislocation evolution, in which the sink strengths of voids and dislocations change in concert. We present theoretical results for void nucleation and growth including the time-dependent, self-consistent coupling of point defect concentrations to the evolution of both void populations and dislocation density. Simulations show that the incubation radiation dose is a strong function of the starting dislocation density and of the dislocation bias factors for vacancy and interstitial absorption. Irradiation dose rate and temperature also affect the duration of incubation. The results are in general agreement with experiment for high purity metals.
Epitaxial niobate thin films and their nonlinear optical properties

Ferroelectric oxide thin films show considerable potential as electro-optic and non-linear optical materials. Of particular interest are the niobates such as strontium barium niobate and potassium niobate. The growth of these epitaxial oxide films by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) has been investigated. This technique has yielded epitaxial thin films with excellent non-linear optical properties. Issues concerning the epitaxy of these thin films and its relationship to their optical and nonlinear optical properties are discussed.
In Appreciation of Dr. Larry D. Satter—How a Career-Long Effort in Nutrition Research Will Serve Livestock Production in the Future☆

Abstract Dr. Satter's main research accomplishments rest in the central role that he played in developing the current understanding of nitrogen utilization by ruminant animals, especially dairy cattle. Dr. Satter's willingness to constantly reassess strongly held dogmas has led to a series of breakthroughs. This article highlights 6 areas of his research program that have become classics or benchmarks in the field of protein nutrition of ruminants, as well as his latest effort in revisiting phosphorus requirements in dairy cattle. Dr. Satter's work has contributed substantially to more accurate dietary recommendations for nitrogen and phosphorus, with invaluable economic and environmental benefits to the U.S. dairy industry. Serendipity does not explain the success and impact of his research. Dr. Satter is also a "relevant generalist" who is committed to communicating research results to a broad audience. Because he broadened the definition of "proper" nutrition to include nutrient excretion in manure, his work has contributed to reduction in environmental risks associated with manure management on farms and has propelled nutrition research into the area of nutrient management of animal feeding operations.
Palio dubia (Nudibranchia: Doridina) from the north-west Atlantic Ocean: is its morphology at hatching consistent with settlement one day later?

Hamel et al. (2008) reported that veliger larvae of the nudibranch gastropod Palio dubia settled 1 to 3 days after hatching and that metamorphosis commenced shortly thereafter. This is an anomalously short larval period for a nudibranch described as having planktotrophic development. I examined the embryonic development and hatching larvae of P. dubia collected intertidally from Maine, USA. Veliger larvae with shells 120 μm long and lacking eyespots and propodia developed in 7 days at 20°C from eggs averaging 6 9 μm in diameter. Their size and morphology were typical of planktotrophic nudibranchs known to have minimum larval periods of weeks to months, and the available evidence does not suggest any other mode of development exists in P. dubia. The larval period of P. dubia is likely an order of magnitude longer than reported by Hamel et al. (2008).
Euthanasia and Mental Suffering. An Ethical Advice for Catholic Mental Health Services

The present ethical advice tackles the question as to how caregivers in a Catholic mental health service can take care of psychiatric patients requesting euthanasia because of their unbearable mental suffering. The question arises because the Belgian act on euthanasia allows euthanasia under certain conditions, while the Roman Catholic Church forbids euthanasia in all circumstances. The ethical advice is based on the assessment of fundamental values: the inviolability of life, the patient’s autonomy, and the care relationship between caregivers and patient. To integrate these values, caregivers should in a timely fashion make clear that life is inviolable, attentively respect the patient’s autonomy, and provide the best possible care relationship, including counseling for existential questions. If the request for euthanasia persists, the only sensible option is to refer the patient to another physician, guaranteeing the continuity of the care relationship. In the tension between the inviolability of life and the patient’s autonomy, the care relationship is the binding value.
Vascular transit times in calcarine cortex: kinetic analysis of R2* changes observed using localized 1H spectroscopy

A kinetic analysis of water signal intensity changes measured in human visual cortex by PRESS localized 1H spectroscopy at 500 ms resolution with light-emitting diode (LED) goggle stimulation was used to determine vascular transit times for transitions between rest and activation. Monoexponential curve fitting was used to determine both R2* values for each free induction decay and the time constants for R2* changes with activation and deactivation. Measured transit time values were in general agreement with the literature, and were significantly shorter for "Off-->On" than for "On-->Off" transitions, consistent with known alterations in blood flow with activation and deactivation. The differences in transit times between "Off-->On" and "On-->Off" also varied with stimulus frequency in accordance with known physiology. This type of analysis may provide a useful means of analyzing functional activation data and for quantitatively comparing functional activation results from differing subjects and imaging sessions.
Recombination or Mutational Hot Spots in Human mtDNA

Awadalla, Eyre-Walker, and Maynard Smith (1999) recently argued that there might be recombination in human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Their claim was based on their observation of decaying linkage disequilibrium (LD) as a function of physical distance. Their study was much criticized, and follow-up studies have failed to find any evidence for recombination. We argue that the criticisms levied, even if correct, could not possibly explain the findings of Awadalla, Eyre-Walker, and Maynard Smith (1999). Nonetheless, the test proposed by Awadalla, Eyre-Walker, and Maynard Smith (1999 ) is not robust because recombination is not the only explanation for decay of LD. We show that such a pattern can be caused by mutational hot spots as well. However, a closer look at the data suggests that the pattern observed was not caused by mutational hot spots but rather by chance. Thus, there appears to be no evidence for recombination in the mtDNA polymorphism data. In conclusion, we discuss the possibility of detecting recombination in mtDNA and the implications of its existence.
Severe Transient Pharyngeal Paralysis Following C2 Fracture Repair

Objectives:We report a case of isolated pharyngeal plexus injury following posterior plating of a C2 fracture in an 84-year-old white male.Methods:Methods include a case report with literature revi...
The impact of the invasive alien grass Cortaderia jubata (Lemoine) Stapf on an endangered mediterranean‐type shrubland in California

Since its introduction in the late 1800s, the perennial tussock grass Cortaderia jubata (Lemoine) Stapf has become an increasingly fre- quent member of coastal plant communities in California and Oregon. In this study, the com- munity changes associated with C. jubata inva- sion into the mediterranean-type vegetation of Vandenberg Air Force Base, California were exam- ined. Pristine plots of maritime chaparral were compared with spatially and topographically matched plots dominated by C. jubata . Aerial photo- graphs indicated that the invaded plots had previ- ously been shrubland. C. jubata invasion created a structurally less complex perennial grassland that was markedly depauperate in native shrub species. The absence of native shrubs depressed native richness in jubata grassland, but the greater rich- ness of both native and alien herbaceous spe- cies made overall richness in jubata grassland indistinguishable from maritime chaparral. Vegeta- tional differences were associated with differences in arthropod and small mammal populations be- tween vegetation types. Arthropod abundance and order diversity were lower in plots dominated by C. jubata than in adjacent chaparral. Insect traps in C. jubata plots contained a significantly smaller proportion of Hymenoptera and Homoptera and a significantly greater proportion of Araneae than traps in maritime chaparral. Rodent activ- ity was significantly lower while rabbit activity was significantly greater in jubata grassland com- pared to maritime chaparral. This study indicates that the presence of C. jubata can dramatically alter the mediterranean-type landscape of central California. While it is likely that the initial establish- ment of C. jubata is associated with disturbances that are common in this ecosystem, the ability of C. jubata to expand from founding populations and to persist for long periods of time pose a seri- ous threat to the native diversity of these unique systems.
The crystal structure of NAD(P)H oxidase from Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis: insights into the conversion of O2 into two water molecules by the flavoenzyme.

The FAD-dependent NAD(P)H oxidase from Lactobacillus sanfrancisensis (L.san-Nox2) catalyzes the oxidation of 2 equivalents of either NADH or NADPH and reduces 1 equivalent of O2 to yield 2 equivalents of water. During steady-state turnover only 0.5% of the reducing equivalents are detected in solution as hydrogen peroxide, suggesting that it is not released from the enzyme after the oxidation of the first equivalent of NAD(P)H and reaction with O2. Here we report the crystal structure of L.san-Nox2 to 1.8 A resolution. The enzyme crystallizes as a dimer with each monomer consisting of a FAD binding domain (residues 1−120), a NAD(P)H binding domain (residues 150−250), and a dimerization domain (residues 325−451). The electron density for the redox-active Cys42 residue located adjacent to the si-face FAD is consistent with oxidation to the sulfenic acid (Cys-SOH) state. The side chain of Cys42 is also observed in two conformations; in one the sulfenic acid is hydrogen bonded to His10 and in the other it hyd...
The relationship between oral symptoms, insulin release, and glucose intolerance

Abstract Of 142 patients with various oral symptoms, an unusually large number demonstrated a glucose intolerance. A significant number appeared to have diabetes. This points out the importance of a differential diagnosis and dental responsibilities in health care.
Reading Strauss from the Start: On the Heideggerian Origins of ‘Political Philosophy’

It has often been noted that Leo Strauss developed his understanding of political philosophy through a critical engagement with Heidegger. Yet most analyses focus on Strauss’s American works while neglecting his earlier response during the crisis years of the Weimar Republic. The article seeks to overcome this limitation by ‘deconstructing’ Strauss’s American definitions of political philosophy in light of both his Weimar understanding of politische Wissenschaft and his 1922 discovery of Heidegger’s Aristotle. I argue that Strauss’s conception of political philosophy originated in Heidegger’s subversion of the traditional distinction between theory and praxis. I thus propose a way to read Strauss from the start following his own changing views of that distinction.