cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exciton diffusion length of tris (dibenzoylmethane) mono (phenanthroline) europium (III) measured by photocurrent and absorption as a function of wavelength

Abstract Ideally, the exciton diffusion length in an organic photovoltaic is comparable to the optical penetration depth, i.e., the inverse of the absorption coefficient. In most organic materials, the exciton diffusion length is up to several orders of magnitude smaller than the absorption penetration depth – resulting in lower energy conversion efficiencies. In metal-organic materials, the exciton lifetime has been predicted to be large due to strong spin orbit coupling. This increased lifetime may lead to increased exciton diffusion. One particular metal-organic material, tris (dibenzoylmethane) mono (phenanthroline) europium (III) or Eu-DM, is especially interesting for photovoltaic applications as it is soluble in toluene and therefore can be spun-on and processed inexpensively. Using photocurrent and optical absorption as a function of wavelength, the exciton diffusion length of spun-on Eu-DM was measured to be 250 ± 8 A, for optical excitation wavelengths in the range 350 nm
Monitoring Accounts Payables

In creating shareholder value, one objective of management is to increase the speed of cash inflows and reduce the speed of cash outflows. To accomplish this task, management must understand the relationships that cause accounts receivable and accounts payable to change. The paper expands a receivable monitoring model by Gentry and De La Garza to incorporate the causes of changes in payables. Several examples are developed to show the operation of the model. The three primary contributions of the paper are (a) developing algorithms that measure the causes of changes in payables, plus an interpretation for each set of conditions; (b) showing that a present value approach to monitoring payables is superior to a recommended accounting approach based on variance analysis; (c) finally, presenting an approach for ranking the performance of payable and receivable strategies.
Time of origin of substance P-positive neurons in chick dorsal root ganglia

The birthdates of substance P-positive neurons in chick dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) were determined by a combined immunohistochemical-autoradiographic method. Both substance P-positive and -negative neurons in lumbosacral DRGs were born between days E3 and E6 in ovo. Substance P-positive neurons were born relatively late in comparison to other neurons in the DRG, but did not have unique birthdays.
Microalbuminuria in Type 2 Diabetics: An Important, Overlooked Cardiovascular Risk Factor

The presence of microalbumin in the urine of persons with type 2 diabetes is perhaps the most important early signal heralding the onset of systemic vasculopathy and associated target organ damage to the brain, the heart, and the kidneys. It is easily measured and, unfortunately, frequently overlooked as a screening tool in clinical medicine. If present, it identifies patients at risk for early cardiovascular death and progressive renal disease. Microalbuminuria also identifies patients who need more rigorous cardiovascular risk management, especially more intensive blood pressure control, preferably below 130/80 mm Hg, and strict attention to glycemic control and lipid levels. Therapeutic strategies to facilitate better blood pressure control and reduce microalbuminuria likely will prove to be the most effective way to retard not only the progression of renal disease but also cardiovascular disease. Consequently, the identification and normalization of urine microalbumin excretion should be an important consideration in patients with diabetes.
Leadership as Advocacy: The Impact of a Title IV-E Supported MSW Education on a Public Child Welfare Agency

University/child welfare collaborations funded by Title IV-E have flourished since the 1990s. This article explores a case study of one such collaboration with success in moving master's in social work (MSW) graduates into leadership positions in the public child welfare agency, allowing them the opportunity to advocate for changes within the system. Qualitative data was collected from key informants to provide a history and context for the collaboration. Focus group data collected from the student-employees was analyzed to gain information about their contributions as administrators. Transformational leadership theory was determined to be a contributing factor in understanding the potential impact that MSW graduates may have in internally advocating for positive change in the public child welfare system.
Abstract 4198: Transcriptional regulation of breast cancer microRNAs by GATA3 and TFAP2A

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Metastasis remains a major obstacle in the successful treatment of breast cancer because it is responsible for an estimated ninety percent of breast cancer related deaths. An emerging field in the understanding of breast cancer metastasis is the study of microRNAs (miRNAs) which are short nucleotide sequences shown to be involved in the regulation of cell self-renewal, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer progression [1]. Our previous data suggested that miR-200 and other miRNAs regulate EMT and breast cancer metastasis [2]. Given the significant roles of miRNAs and their modulated levels in cancer, it is important to understand their regulatory mechanisms. We hypothesize that miRNAs are transcriptionally regulated in breast cancer. Our preliminary data with clinical breast cancer specimens suggests correlative relationships between transcription factors TFAP2A and GATA3 with mir-200a and other miRNAs. The goal of this project is to determine whether TFAP2A and GATA3 regulate these miRNA levels in breast cancer cells. Using quantitative real-time PCR, the miRNA levels were measured in MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells with modulated expression of GATA3 or TFAP2A. The results show that overexpression of GATA3 in MDA-MB 231 cancer cells significantly increased the expression of miRNAs aberrantly downregulated in ER- breast tumors, such as miR-138. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation and reporter luciferase assays will be used to determine whether the regulation of miRNAs by GATA3 and TFAP2A is a direct transcriptional regulation. 1. Mani, S.A. et al., 2008. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition generates cells with properties of stem cells. Cell 133, 70415. 2. Park, S.M. et al., 2008. The miR-200 family determines the epithelial phenotype of cancer cells by targeting the E-cadherin repressors ZEB1 and ZEB2. Genes Dev 22, 894-907. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4198. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4198
A Theoretical Right Atrial Pressure Feedback Heart Rate Control System to Restore Physiologic Control to the Rate‐limited Heart

Physiologic control of heart rate may be limited by sinus node injury or congenital conduction defects. Control theory may be applied to restore physiologic rate control. Mean right atrial pressure is a likely candidate for incorporation into an artificial control system because of its: (1) stability at rest; (2) tendency to increase during exertion in the rate-limited heart; (3) ability to decrease with increasing heart rate in the rate-limited heart; and (4) accessibility for measurement via the transvenous route. A theoretical right atrial pressure feedback heart rate control system is presented; applications to physiologic pacing of patients with sick sinus syndrome, rate control of the transplanted heart, and pump frequency control of the total artificial heart are discussed.
Glycosidase digestion, electrophoresis and chromatographic analysis of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor glycoforms produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Abstract Recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells is glycosylated. The carbohydrate compositional analysis indicated that G-CSF molecule contains sialic acid, galactose and galactosamine. By isolation and characterization of the purified glycopeptides obtained from cleavages by Staphylococcal aureus V-8 protease and cyanogen bromide, the O-linked glycosylation site was confirmed to be a Thr residue at position 133. Neuraminidase and O-glycanase digestion followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide and isoelectric focusing gel electrophoreses distinguished two possible carbohydrate structures attached at Thr-133: structure A, NeuNAc-Gal-β(1,3)-GalNAc-O-Thr; and structure B, NeuNAc-Gal-β(1,3)-[NeuNAc]-GalNAc-O-Thr. Different glycoforms, undigested or after glycosidase digestion, can also be separated by ion-exchange or reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The approach described in this report provides a simple and valuable procedure to characterize glycoprotein structures containing simple carbohydrate moieties.
Binding of Reverse Triiodothyronine to Serum Immunoglobulins in Man and the Rabbit

In a boy with lymphocytic thyroiditis, paper electrophoresis of serum showed not only specific antibodies for T4 and T3 but also demonstrated pronounced antibody activity to rT3, as noted by the binding of exogenously added [125I]rT3 by γ-globulins. The antibody binding of [125I]rT3 could be inhibited by prior equilibration of the patient’s serum with an excess of nonradioactive T4 but not with T3. To further define the nature of rT3 antibody activity, T4, T3, and rT3 specific antibodies were also produced experimentally in rabbits by active immunization with iodothyronine-albumin conjugates. Antibody binding of rT3 similar to that noted in the patient’s serum was also observed in rabbit T4 antiserum; furthermore, rT3 antibody-binding activity could be inhibited by prior equilibration with nonradioactive T4 but not T3. The similarity of the rT3-antibody interaction in unsaturated serum and in T3- or T4-loaded serum from the patient and a T4-immunized rabbit as well as other paper electrophoretic studies w...
The pollution solution : A critique of Dore's response to the argument from evil

Dans son ouvrage Theism, Clement Dore developpe une solution au probleme du mal. En lui-meme, le mal ne joue aucun role qui servirait une fin valable. La solution de la pollution proposee par Dore semble difficilement defendable. Elle ne se preoccupe notamment pas du mal qui resulte d'une volonte deliberee. Le choix moral et par consequent le mal moral n'est pas engendre par des lois causales naturelles; le theiste, lorsqu'il affirme l'existence d'un Dieu moral, des anges et d'autres creatures desincarnees reconnait que c'est le cas. La reflexion de l'A. conduit a l'abandon de la solution de Dore
Core formation during early accretion of the Earth

Recent studies are leading to a better understanding of the formation of the earth's metal core. This new information includes: better knowledge of the physics of metal segregation, improved geochemical data on the abundance of siderophile and chalcophile elements in the silicate part of the earth, and experimental data on the partitioning behavior of siderophile and chalcophile elements. Extensive melting of the earth as a result of giant impacts, accretion, or the presence of a dense blanketing atmosphere is thought to have led to the formation of the core. Collision between a planet-sized body and the earth may have also produced the moon. Near the end of accretion, core formation evidently ceased as upper mantle conditions became oxidizing. The accumulation of the oceans is a consequence of the change to oxidizing conditions.
Isolation and partial characterization of secreted mouse pituitary prolactin.

Abstract Prolactin secreted by mouse anterior pituitaries was purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. Electrophoretic homogeneity of the purified hormone was demonstrated in several gel systems, and electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate indicated an apparent molecular weight of 21 000 ± 2000. Mouse and ovine prolactin displayed parallel dose vs. response curves in radioreceptor binding studies, indicating that these two hormones compete for identical receptor sites on rabbit mammary membranes. Comparative peptide mapping studies carried out on tryptic digests of mouse and ovine prolactin suggested only partial homology between the two hormones. Internally labeled monomeric mouse prolactin was observed to undergo aggregation following storage at −20°C for 2 months.
Use of gauze-based negative pressure wound therapy in a pediatric burn patient

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is described as it is used in the treatment of an infant burn victim. This case highlights the ability and techniques used to maintain an airtight dressing seal in the perirectal region. Use of this dressing type post-skin grafting allowed for 100% graft adhesion and no bacterial contamination despite close proximity to the rectum. Favorable experience and outcome with this patient are strong indicators that NPWT should be considered as a viable treatment in pediatric populations and that situations where body contour or fluids may make NPWT difficult to administer should not be a deterrent to therapy.
Effects of mianserin and ketanserin on lordosis behavior after systemic treatment or infusion into the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus.

Abstract The effects of the 5-HT 2A/2C antagonists, mianserin and ketanserin, were investigated in proestrous rats and in ovariectomized rats hormonally primed with estradiol benzoate and progesterone. Drugs were administered systemically or by infusion into the vicinity of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN). By both routes of administration, inhibition of lordosis behavior was seen following treatment with the 5-HT 2A/2C antagonists, but the magnitude of the decline was smaller in proestrous than in hormone-primed, ovariectomized rats. The results of these studies are discussed in terms of the dual role of serotonin in the control of female sexual behavior.
Synthesis and structural characterization of 3,5-dinitro-1,2,4-triazolates

Salts of 3,5-dinitro-1H-1,2,4-triazole, a building block for energetic materials, have been prepared and fully characterized. Most of the studied salts exhibit high thermal stability and very low shock and friction sensitivities. 3,5-Dinitro-1,2,4-triazolates with the nitrogen-rich ammonium, guanidinium, aminoguanidinium, and aminotetrazolium cations are energetic and have potential for energetic material applications. Salts containing alkali, alkali earth metal, and silver cations exhibit coloured emissions upon combustion while salts with large organic cations such as PPh4+ and (Ph3P)2N+ are highly insensitive and can be easily crystallized.
The Role of Innovation Characteristics and Perceived Voluntariness in the Acceptance of Information Technologies

The often paradoxical relationship between investment in information technology and gains in productivity has recently been attributed to a lack of user acceptance of information technology innovations. Diverse streams of research have attempted to explain and predict user acceptance of new information technologies. A common theme underlying these various research streams is the inclusion of the perceived characteristics of an innovation as key independent variables. Furthermore, prior research has utilized different outcomes to represent user acceptance behavior. In this paper we focus on individual's perceptions about the characteristics of the target technology as explanatory and predictive variables for acceptance behavior, and present an empirical study examining the effects of these perceptions on two frequently used outcomes in the context of the innovation represented by the World Wide Web. The two outcomes examined are initial use of an innovation and intentions to continue such use in the future, that is, to routinize technology use. Two research questions motivated and guided the study. First, are the perceptions that predict initial use the same as those that predict future use intentions? Our results confirm, as hypothesized by prior research, that innovation characteristics do explain acceptance behavior. The results further reveal that the specific characteristics that are relevant for each acceptance outcome are different. The second research question asks if perceived voluntariness plays a role in technology acceptance. Results show that external pressure has an impact on adopters' acceptance behavior. Theoretical and practical implications that follow are presented.
Vernal behaviour of the yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris)

Abstract Reproductive and agonistic behaviour were studied in the first 5 weeks post-hibernation. A single male, 5 adult females and one yearling female formed the colony during the first 2 weeks when reproductive behaviour occurred. Three adult females and a second yearling female joined the colony in the third and fourth weeks. The male evidenced a decline in reproductive behaviour throughout the 5 weeks. All adults were agonistic to yearlings. The yearlings did not evidence reproductive behaviour. The rate of agonistic behaviour per female per hour was highest during the fourth week when parturition probably occurred. There was a significant positive correlation between activity of adult females and rate of agonistic behaviour and between activity of all females and per cent, of submissive responses. Older animals had a power percentage of submissive responses than younger animals. Agonistic behaviour occurred between nearest neighbours. During the vernal period, females moved from being concentrated in the centre of the colony to being more widely dispersed. The dispersal was associated with changes in home ranges and with the avoidance of dominant animals by subordinate animals. Subordinate animals failed to raise litters.
Nizatidine, an H2-receptor antagonist: disposition and safety in the elderly

Nizatidine is an orally active H2-receptor blocker. Its disposition and safety in eight young and 12 elderly volunteers were investigated. Single oral doses of nizatidine were administered: from 100 mg to 300 mg in the elderly, and from 100 mg to 350 mg in the young. The nizatidine AUC was directly proportional to dose for both groups. Calculated pharmacokinetic variables in the elderly vs. the young were t1/2 = 1.9 vs. 1.6 hr; CLp/f = 32 vs. 40 L/hr, and Vd beta/f = 1.2 vs. 1.3 L/kg. The impaired renal function of some elderly volunteers prolonged nizatidine elimination and lowered its clearance. Renal impairment rather than advanced age per se was the predominant factor in decreasing the nizatidine elimination rate. Because Clcr correlated directly with nizatidine renal clearance, Clcr values may be used to estimate nizatidine dosage reductions in renal insufficiency. During the trial, no serious adverse effects occurred.
Stability of bounded rapid shear flows of a granular material

This paper presents a linear stability analysis of a rapidly sheared layer of granular material confined between two parallel solid plates. The form of the steady base-state solution depends on the nature of the interaction between the material and the bounding plates and three cases are considered, in which the boundaries act as sources or sinks of pseudo-thermal energy, or merely confine the material while leaving the velocity profile linear, as in unbounded shear. The stability analysis is conventional, though complicated, and the results are similar in all cases. For given physical properties of the particles and the bounding plates it is found that the condition of marginal stability depends only on the separation between the plates and the mean bulk density of the particulate material contained between them. The system is stable when the thickness of the layer is sufficiently small, but if the thickness is increased it becomes unstable, and initially the fastest growing mode is analogous to modes of the corresponding unbounded problem. However, with a further increase in thickness a new mode becomes dominant and this is of an unusual type, with no analogue in the case of unbounded shear. The growth rate of this mode passes through a maximum at a certain value of the thickness of the sheared layer, at which point it grows much faster than any mode that could be shared with the unbounded problem. The growth rate of the dominant mode also depends on the bulk density of the material, and is greatest when this is neither very large nor very small.
Single-molecule FRET with diffusion and conformational dynamics.

Under relatively mild conditions, we show how one can extract information about conformational dynamics from Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments on diffusing molecules without modeling diffusion. Starting from a rigorous theory that does treat diffusion, we first examine when the single-molecule FRET efficiency distribution can be decomposed into the measured distribution of the total number of photons and the efficiency distribution of an immobilized molecule in the absence of shot noise. If the conformation does not change during the time the molecule spends in the laser spot, this is possible when (I) the efficiency is independent of the location in the laser spot and (II) the total number of photons does not depend on conformation. This decomposition is approximate when the conformation changes during the diffusion time. However, it does provide a simple framework for analyzing data. This is illustrated for a two-state system where the FRET efficiency distribution can be found analytically for all values of the interconversion rates. If the arrival time of each donor and acceptor photon can be monitored, we introduce an alternative procedure that allows one to rigorously extract the rates of conformational changes when the above two conditions hold. In this case, the pattern of colors in the photon trajectory depends solely on conformational dynamics. This can be exploited in the framework of statistical inference because the likelihood function, which must be optimized with respect to the model rate parameters, depends only on how the conformation changes during the interval between photons with specified colors.
Automatic algebraic coordinate generation

A computer software system has been developed to automatically generate two-dimensional coordinates from algebraic transformations. For topologically complex regions, a smooth assembly of the transformations can be used to automatically produce a composite mesh where a general gridded format is retained. The algebraic mesh generation system consists of a collection of operator subroutines which are applied to an established data structure and which automatically perform the necessary parts of mesh construction from a sequence of multisurface transformations. The system operators are discussed, taking into account the data base, the order of application, direct surface generators, geometric surface operators, surface generators from existing surfaces, transverse operators, mesh operators, assembly operators, and data visualization operators. Attention is given to applications related to airfoils.
Pressure changes and magnetostriction in finite magnetic fields in 3He and other normal fermi liquids.

Calculations of the change in pressure and magnetostriction which are exact to second order in the polarization are presented. From these effects it is possible to extract a combination of the linear field dependence of the Landau parameters and effective masses from a thermodynamic measurement in the normal phase of a Fermi Liquid.
Free edge thermal stress singularities in finite concentric cylinders

Abstract The thermal stresses at the free edge of finite cylinders made of dissimilar materials are analyzed using the finite element method. The results of the analysis show that the radial stress and the hoop stress exhibit a logarithmic singularity. The region of influence of the singularity is determined to be a small one.
A study of casing treatment stall margin improvement phenomena

The results of a program of experimental and analytical research in casing treatments over axial compressor rotor blade tips are presented. Circumferential groove, axial-skewed slot, and blade angle slot treatments were tested. These yielded, for reduction in stalling flow and loss in peak efficiency, 5.8% and 0 points, 15.3% and 2.0 points, and 15.0% and 1.2 points, respectively. These values are consistent with other experience. The favorable stalling flow situations correlated well with observations of higher-then-normal surface pressures on the rotor blade pressure surfaces in the tip region, and with increased maximum diffusions on the suction surfaces. Annular wall pressure gradients, especially in the 50-75% chord region, are also increased and blade surface pressure loadings are shifted toward the trailing edge for treated configurations. Rotor blade wakes may be somewhat thinner in the presence of good treatments, particularly under operating conditions close to the baseline stall.
Lack of preparedness: experiences of first-time mothers.

Purpose To examine the experiences of first-time mothers following discharge from the hospital after vaginal delivery. Study design and method Qualitative, grounded theory. In-depth interviews were conducted with participants guided by open-ended semistructured questions. All interviews took place in the participants' homes within 4 weeks of delivery and were tape-recorded. Data collection and analysis occurred simultaneously. Open coding and selective coding were utilized to identify and refine concepts. Participants were primiparous, drawn from an urban location in the northeastern United States, English-speaking, and 18 to 35 years of age. Results Following the dramatic changes of pregnancy and delivery, the women in this study returned home feeling unprepared to care for themselves and their babies. Because of their lack of preparedness at a time of increased responsibility and vulnerability, they were overwhelmed. Exhausted, feeling unwell and isolated, they struggled to adapt to new role expectations. Propelled into information seeking by their lack of knowledge, they were further hampered by conflicting and fragmented advice. Family and friends were the primary sources for information for the majority of these new mothers, not healthcare professionals or services. Clinical implications Insight into the experiences of first-time mothers provides a framework for additional research and the development of programs and resources that will address their unique needs.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide kinase from Azotobacter vinelandii cells. A possible mechanism for the enzyme reaction

Abstract Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide kinase (ATP:NAD 2′-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.23) from Azotobacter vinelandii cells catalyzes an exchange reaction between ADP and ATP. This exchange reaction is inhibited by NAD+. The nature of the relationship between the exchange reaction and the biosynthesis of NADP+ suggests a common enzyme bound intermediate for both reactions. The most reasonable possibility for this intermediate is a phosphorylated enzyme. Steady state kinetic studies on the enzyme yield complex results which may be related to the regulation of the enzyme.
The Evolution toward Lifelong Learning as a Critical Transition Outcome for the 21st Century.

Forces including legislation, policy, standards-based educational reforms, and changing economic and social conditions have dramatically altered the conversation and practices around postsecondary transition. This article traces the development of postsecondary transition as it is reflected in the professional literature and federal legislation since 1975. Over time, increasing expectations, access, and outcomes for students with disabilities are moving the goals for transition toward postsecondary education and lifelong learning to help graduates achieve continuing success in employment and adult life.
Trust-based Ant Recommender (T-BAR)

Recommender Systems suggest to users items that may be of interest to them. Collaborative filtering recommender systems suggest the items based on the item ratings provided by similar users in the network. Trust-based recommender systems utilize an explicitly issued trust between users to increase the accuracy of the recommendations. In this paper, we propose a bio-inspired algorithm, called Trust-based Ant Recommender (T-BAR), to further increase the accuracy and the coverage of the recommendations in trust-based networks. T-BAR uses the Ant Colony System computational model to imitate the behavior of ants during their search for a good food source. T-BAR's advantage over other known algorithms is that it considers all the target item ratings along the paths rather than just using the ratings found at the end of each path. The Epinions.com dataset was used for the empirical evaluation of Trust-based Ant Recommender and proved its success by drastically improving the coverage of the recommendations while maintaining a reasonable level of accuracy of the results. T-BAR outperforms the basic CF algorithm that uses the Pearson Similarity and Massa's MoleTrust (MT) by achieving a balanced trade-off between accuracy and coverage.
A Fast Cluster-Finder for the Fermilab Collider Detector Jet Trigger

A general circuit has been designed for finding clusters in arrays of arbitrary dimension and regularity. A cluster is defined to be a contiguous group of elements of an array each containing logical "true" signals, surrounded by elements of the array containing logical "false" signals. This circuit has been adapted to the particular geometry of the Collider Detector Facility (CDF) to find clusters of energy in a two-dimensional rectangular array of calorimetry. The performance of the circuit has been studied in this application using monte carlo simulation.
Direct biochemical evidence for the utilization of UDP-bacillosamine by PglC, an essential glycosyl-1-phosphate transferase in the Campylobacter jejuni N-linked glycosylation pathway.

Campylobacter jejuni has a general N-linked glycosylation pathway, encoded by the pgl gene cluster. In C. jejuni, a heptasaccharide is transferred from an undecaprenyl pyrophosphate donor [GalNAc-α1,4-GalNAc-α1,4-(Glcβ1,3)-GalNAc-α1,4-GalNAc-α1,4-GalNAc-α1,3-Bac-α1-PP-undecaprenyl, where Bac is bacillosamine (2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxyglucose)] to the asparagine side chain of target proteins at the Asn-X-Ser/Thr motif. In this study, we have cloned, overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and purified PglC, the glycosyl-1-phosphate transferase responsible for the first step in the biosynthesis of the undecaprenyl-linked heptasaccharide donor. In addition, we report the first synthetic route to uridine 5‘-diphosphobacillosamine. Using the uridine 5‘-diphosphobacillosamine and undecaprenyl phosphate, we demonstrate the ability of PglC to produce undecaprenyl pyrophosphate bacillosamine using radiolabeled HPLC and mass spectral analysis. In addition, we revealed that PglC does not accept uridine 5‘-diphospho-...
Perceptions of bribery and business ethics across Afghanistan: a reflection on reality and crises management

An ethical climate is crucial for the creation of peace, prosperity and a strong government with a competitive business environment. This paper discusses bribery, perceptions of corruption and presents the results of a business ethics survey with 313 local and expatriate Afghans. This is a primary study in assessing and determining the tolerance levels of Afghans in bribery dilemmas and ethical challenges in business. The findings suggest that education, management experience, culture and industry background are statistically significant factors in the ethical maturity levels. In a cross-cultural comparison of the data with 161 Americans and 518 Iranians, it appears that cultural background is a significant factor since respondents from Iran demonstrated less tolerance for unethical business decisions in this research. These findings are important for managers, expatriates, government officials and ethics educators who are creating, expecting, promoting and/or trying to sustain a socially responsible business climate in Afghanistan.
Strain, birefringence, and volume relaxation and recovery in polymer glasses

Abstract Stress and volume relaxation, creep, strain recovery and thermally activated strain recovery measurements have been made on bisphenol-A polycarbonate, a polyetherimide, and poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) as functions of thermal history, room temperature aging, strain, hold time and temperature. It was observed that as the temperature was increased, the amount of persistent strain not only increased, but also affected the stress relaxation behavior, and was observed to be partially recoverable at the test temperature. These data are interpreted in terms of a network model wherein it is proposed that the motion of defects between and past entanglements, their loss at chain ends, and the disentanglement of chain ends from other segments serve as the primary mechanisms of relaxation in the glassy state.
A method for measuring cascade-free mean lives

Abstract We are using photon coincidence to observe cascade-free beam-foil spectra. This allows us to verify the decay schemes responsible for certain observed lines. It should enable us to measure mean lives of selected levels without the necessity of correcting for cascades into these levels, and should be applicable to gas excitation. The method requires observation of pulses due to photons arising from a cascade transition, using a small monochromator and fast photomultiplier. These pulses are used to start a time-to-pulse-height analyzer. Stop pulses for the analyzer are provided by photons originating from the subsequent decay of interest, isolated with an interference filter and detected by a fast photomultiplier. A peak in the distribution of analyzer “on” times indicates those photons whose observation has been triggered by observation of a cascade photon. The normalized number of counts in such a peak depends (among other things) on the distance between the two optical collection regions; hence if the upstream detector is fixed, a measurement of peak height vs the position of the downstream detector yields a cascade-free decay curve. We discuss the important parameters in this experiment and show some experimental results.
Social learning and collective choice

To be pertinent to democratic practice, collective choice functions need not apply to all possible constellations of individual preference, but only to those that are “humanly possible” in an appropriate sense. The present paper develops a theory of humanly possible preference within the context of the mathematical theory of learning. The theory of preference is then exploited in an attempt to resolve Arrow's voting paradox through restriction of the domain of majoritarian choice functions.
Transformative Baptist Religious Education, Civic Participation, and Solidarity with the Poor

Abstract This article presents a progressive and prophetic Baptist religious education that engages the social crisis of poverty in the United States, a theological view that is grounded in the polity of the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC), USA, constituted by progressive Baptist clergy between 1960 and 1961. In order for contemporary Baptist religious educators to address the challenges of poverty and democracy, they should adopt a progressive and prophetic paradigm of religious education.
Female Athlete Triad and Stress Fractures

Stress fractures are a common occurrence in athletes, and the incidence of stress fractures in female Division 1 collegiate athletes is double that of men. Hormonal influences on bone and bone morphology may influence the risk for fracture. A high level of suspicion and special imaging procedures allow for accurate diagnosis of these fractures. In stress fractures that are associated with the female athlete triad, addressing the three aspects of the triad--eating disorders, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis--are critical for successful treatment. Preparticipation screening for the presence of signs of the female athlete triad by monitoring weight, energy level, menstrual cycles, and bone mineral density may help to prevent the occurrence of stress fractures in this population.
Information and strategic behavior

Abstract Does encouraging trader participation enhance market competitiveness? This paper shows that, when trader preferences are interdependent, trader market power does not necessarily decrease with greater participation, and traders need not become price takers in large markets. Thus, larger markets can be less liquid and associated with lower ex ante welfare. In the linear-normal model, the necessary and sufficient condition on the information structure is provided under which price impact is monotone in market size. A condition is given when the rational expectations equilibrium, which is typically not fully revealing within the considered class of preference interdependencies, is obtained in large markets.
Human tissue characterization and cancer margin assessment toward real-time THz imaging for clinical applications

THz waves are extremely sensitive to the degree of hydration, which is strongly correlated with electric properties and malignancies of various tissues due to their composition and morphological differences. As such, imaging in the THz band can provide a detailed picture of the malignant tumor with accurate assessment of tissue morphology and margins. Thus, here, we develop a database of the THz response of several human organ tissue groups using broadband time domain THz spectroscopy. We also investigate the use of real-time THz camera imaging to differentiate between benign and malignant tissues for the surgical margin identification in a clinical setting. For this purpose, we are developing a comprehensive study of THz spectroscopic characteristics and cancer margin assessment for human organ tissues.
Calcium, dairy products, and bone health in children and young adults

To the Editor .— For reasons that are not quite clear, some vegetarian health professionals presenting at public meetings on beneficial diets for children have focused more on the supposed evils (this word used with intention) of dairy-product consumption as they do on the benefits of a plant-based diet. The commentary in the March 2005 issue of Pediatrics by Lanou and colleagues from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine follows this pattern.1 A quick look at their …
Bmi1 enhances tumorigenicity and cancer stem cell function in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background Bmi1 is an integral component of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) and is involved in the pathogenesis of multiple cancers. It also plays a key role in the functioning of endogenous stem cells and cancer stem cells. Previous work implicated a role for cancer stem cells in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. We hypothesized that Bmi1 plays an integral role in enhancing pancreatic tumorigenicity and the function of cancer stem cells in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
An improved programmable delay line

A programmable delay line has been developed that makes use of microstrip transmission line and temperature compensated ECL gates. This instrument delays standard NIM pulses and has settings of 0–64.5 ns. The output risetime is ⋍ 1 ns, independent of the delay setting. The delay stability at maximum delay is ⋍ 130 ppm/ °C, which is better than for RG-55 B/U coaxial cable. The minimum pulse width is less than 3 ns, and the difference in pulse width between the output and the input is less than 150 ps. Design tradeoffs and performance measurements are described.
Boll Weevil Parasite Surveys in the Northern Texas Rolling Plains

Between 1975 and 1979, unsprayed, dryland cotton fields were surveyed to determine the species composition and relative abundance of the parasite complex of Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman in the northern Texas rolling plains. A survey of spring plants also was made during 1978 and 1979 to identify alternate hosts of known boll weevil parasites. Three hymenopterous parasites, Bracon mellitor Say, Eurytoma herrerae Ashmead, and Catolaccus hunteri Crawford, were reared from the boll weevil. B. mellitor was the most prevalent species. The relative abundance of the total parasite population was greater than that reported from other areas of the cotton belt. Two spnng hosts were found that were utilized by B. mellitor before boll weevil establishment in cotton. Because minimal amounts of insecticides are applied to dryland cotton in the northern Texas rolling plains, manipulation of these native parasites for use in existing boll weevil pest management programs may be feasible.
An optimistic implementation of the stack-heap

A stack-heap has been shown to be an efficient storage management scheme for programs containing both recursive and retentive control structures. The stack-heap uses a compile-time marking algorithm that determines those program modules that may need retention at run-time. Thus, instances of marked modules are allocated space in the heap during execution. All others are stored in a stack. In this paper, we present an optimistic implementation of the stack-heap in which each module instance is kept in the stack until it suspends. Upon suspension, the instance is copied into the heap where it remains for the lifetime of the instance. Some of the restrictions imposed on the programming language by the original stack-heap scheme are eliminated under this optimistic implementation. It is shown that when the original stack-heap cannot be used and both recursive and coroutine programs are likely, the optimistic implementation of the stack-heap is more efficient on the average than the heap.
Heterogeneity Shapes Invasion: Host Size And Environment Influence Susceptibility To A Nonnative Pathogen

Theoretical study of invasion dynamics has suggested that spatial heterogeneity should strongly influence the rate and extent of spreading organisms. However, empirical support for this prediction is scant, and the importance of understanding heterogeneity for real-world systems has remained ambiguous. This study quantified the influence of host and environmental heterogeneity on the dynamics of a 19-year disease invasion by the exotic and fatal pathogen, Phytophthora lateralis, within a stream population of its host tree, Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana). Using dendrochronology, we reconstructed the invasion history along a 1350-m length of infected stream, which serves as the only route of pathogen dispersal. Contrary to theoretical predictions, the temporal progression of the disease invasion was not related to a host's downstream spatial position, but instead was determined by two sources of heterogeneity: host size and proximity to the stream channel. These sources of heterogeneity influenced both the epidemic and endemic dynamics of this pathogen invasion. This analysis provides empirical support for the influence of heterogeneity on the invasion dynamics of a commercially important forest pathogen and highlights the need to incorporate such natural variability into both invasion theory and methods aimed at controlling future spread.
Social work, postmodernism and higher education:

In the 1980s, the empirical research paradigm began to be questioned. The postmodernist debate in social work has legitimized the valuing of differences, admitting of many realities. Minority voices have become more articulate; local metaphors are replacing universal ones. Higher education reports on scholarship now advise universities to broaden their paradigms to encompass different ways of building knowledge.
Dedicated linear accelerator radiosurgery for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Object. In this study the authors evaluate the efficacy of and complications associated with dedicated linear accelerator (LINAC) radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods. Between August 1995 and February 2001, 60 patients whose median age was 66.1 years (range 45–88 years) were treated with dedicated LINAC radiosurgery for TN. Forty-one patients (68.3%) had essential TN, 12 (20%) had secondary facial pain, and seven (11.7%) had atypical features. Twenty-nine patients (48.3%) had undergone previous surgical procedures. Radiation doses varied between 70 and 90 Gy (mean 83.3 Gy) at the isocenter, with the last 35 patients (58.3%) treated with a 90-Gy dose. A 5-mm collimator was used in 45 patients (75%) and a 7.5-mm collimator in 15 patients (25%). Treatment was focused at the nerve root entry zone. At last follow up (mean follow-up period 23 months, range 2–70 months), 36 (87.8%) of the 41 patients with essential TN had sustained significant pain relief (good plus excellent results). Twenty-thre...
Stress and obesity/metabolic syndrome in childhood and adolescence

AbstractChronic distress contributes to the development of obesity and comorbid states. Stress is the disturbance of the complex dynamic equilibrium that all organisms must maintain, and is associated with activation of the Stress system comprising of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the arousal/sympathetic nervous systems. The stress system functions in a baseline circadian fashion and interacts with other systems of the organism to regulate a variety of behavioral, endocrine, metabolic, immune and cardiovascular functions. The experience of perceived or real uncontrollable intense and/or chronic stress (distress) may lead to several psychopathologic conditions, including anxiety, depressive and psychosomatic disorders, substance abuse, obesity and the metabolic syndrome, and osteoporosis, as well as impaired reproductive and immune functions. Developing children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the effects of chronic stress. Both behavioral and biological pathways are involved i...
Random processes as a cause of the lunar asymmetry

The offset of the center of mass of the moon from its center of figure together with moment of inertia differences are explainable by a lunar crust of randomly varying thickness. The necessity of postulating a method of preferential material transport into a particular lunar hemisphere to explain the lunar asymmetry is eliminated.
Carbon dioxide versus xenon as a mobile phase for flow cell packed column SFC/FT-IR

Xenon is compared to carbon dioxide as a mobile phase for super critical fluid chromatography/Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The study showed xenon to be comparable to carbon dioxide in terms of resulting chromatography for non-polar analytes. Xenon was confirmed to be a very poor mobile phase, however, for polar analytes. It was determined that small wavenumber shifts in the infrared spectra of probe analytes occurred as either the density or temperature of the mobile phase was increased. The degree of these shifts was often similar for xenon and carbon dioxide. Analyte spectra for five different compounds were produced in both super critical xenon and carbon dioxide and compared to condensed phase and vapor phase library spectra. In all cases, carbon dioxide spectra were readily matched to their corresponding vapor phase spectra, despite having blanked portions of the spectrum due to carbon dioxide infrared absorption. Xenon produced technically superior spectra without such blanked regions, but at a much higher economical cost than carbon dioxide and with no real improvement in terms of library matching.