cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seismic structure and seismicity of the cooling lava lake of Kilauea Iki, Hawaii

Abstract The use of multiple methods is indispensable for the determination of the seismic properties of a complex body such as a partially solidified lava lake. The combined results from various active and passive experiments conducted on Kilauea Iki in March 1976 suggest a rather thin (less than 10 m) zone of residual melt, the lateral extent of which is delineated by a sharp drop in the activity of seismic events occurring within the crust of the lake. The heavily fractured crust is characterized by P velocities ranging from 0.8 to 2.2 km/s and the P velocity could be even lower in the melt possibly because of the presence of gas bubbles. The present seismicity of the lake is compatible with the formation of tensile cracks caused by contraction due to cooling.
Further trials of a strain hardening index of fatigue damage

Abstract Previous cyclic-strain, smooth-specimen fatigue tests of α–β titanium alloys displayed an anomolous endurance enhancement for some of the alloy conditions. This could be explained by associating resistance to fatigue damage directly with the stress-normalized plastic strain hardening rate at the point of maximum cyclic tensile stress. Since this rate also controls the extent of stress-relaxation-induced tensile creep strain in each cycle, it was thought that fatigue damage might be associated with it. To test this hypothesis, data with varied load hold time, and over a full range of cyclic life, is reported here for some of the previously reported alloys of Ti-6A1-4V, as well as for an A36 steel plate. Notch fatigue tests of the A36, combined with those of Yoder et al. for the titanium alloys, are compared to the smooth specimen data. Results tend to support the damage-inhibiting role of the plastic strain hardening rate, but not of the creep strain portion of each cycle. Notch fatigue data agrees with smooth specimen trends if Neuber's rule is used to characterize the stress concentration factor, particularly with the A36 steel. As with Yoder's notch fatigue results, smooth specimen LCF life, though quite different in the range less than 103 cycles, tends to converge near the endurance limit, thus mitigating adverse effects of alloy conditions which favor resistance to fatigue crack propagation in α-β titanium alloys.
Methylation of chromosomal DNA by two alkylating agents differing in carcinogenic potential

Abstract The affinity of 2 methylating agents, N -methyl- N -nitrosourea (MNU), a potent carcinogen, and dimethyl sulfate (DMS), a very weak or non-carcinogen, for specific structural or functional regions of DNA has been studied in an in vitro system using rat liver nuclei. The release of alkylated nucleotides from nuclei following limited nuclease digestion was measured. Under restrictive conditions, pancreatic DNase I preferentially digests DNA sequences active in RNA transcription while micrococcal nuclease digests spacer DNA between nucleosome cores. Nucleotides methylated by methyl-nitrosourea were preferentially released early during the digestions, suggesting a localization in both actively transcribing regions and spacer DNA. DMS alkylation, on the other hand, showed a random distribution in chromosomal DNA as measured by micrococcal nuclease and only limited accumulation in transcribing DNA.
Plateletpheresis residues: a source of large quantities of human blood lymphocytes.

The residue from single-donor plateletpheresis contains a large number of human mononuclear cells. We have been able to harvest more than 1 x 10/sup 9/ viable lymphocytes for laboratory study from the leukocyte-rich sediment that previously had been discarded. Prior to removal by adherence 5 x 10/sup 8/ monocytes were also available for further purification, if desired. The physical properties and response to phytohemagglutinin were very similar when lymphocytes isolated from plateletpheresis residues were compared with those obtained directly from venous blood.
Expression of Cell Surface Markers during Differentiation of CD34+, CD38-/lo Fetal and Adult Bone Marrow Cells

Even though there has been considerable progress in the phenotypic characterization of CD34+ bone marrow cells, there is still limited knowledge about the cell phenotypes corresponding to functional terms such as colony-forming cells, burst-forming cells, long-term culture-initiating cells, and high-proliferative potential cells. In this study, we performed a detailed analysis of phenotypic characteristics of subsets of CD34+ cells. We compared cells from adult and fetal bone marrow to investigate whether reported functional differences are reflected in the cellular phenotypes. CD34+, CD38-/lo, HLA-DR+ cells, which have been shown to contain the most immature hematopoietic progenitor cells, stained as a homogeneous population with most monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The antigens sLex, CD32, and CD7 were, however, heterogeneously expressed in the CD38-/lo population. Phenotypic differences in the CD34+, CD38-/lo population was found when comparing adult and fetal bone marrow cells. Adult bone marrow CD34+, CD38-/lo cells stained more brightly with CD4, Thy-1, and CD49b and more dimly with CD32 than the same population in fetal bone marrow. Certain antigens that have previously been regarded as lineage-specific were found on the CD34+, CD38-/lo, HLA-DR+ cells in both fetal and adult bone marrow. These included CD52, CD13, and CD33. The markers that were found to be most useful in discriminating between subsets of lineage-committed cells within the CD34+, CD38+ population included the B cell marker CD19 and the granulomonocytic marker CD64. The phenotypic analysis presented here should provide a basis for establishing a better link between functional and phenotypic characteristics of hematopoietic progenitor cells.
Petroleum Possibilities of Red Basin of Szechuan Province, China

The Red basin of Szechuan province contains a thick series of Mesozoic and possibly Tertiary redbeds which overlies Triassic marine limestone and a largely unknown succession of Paleozoic formations. Many anticlinal folds are known, and oil is present in small amounts at several seepages and in numerous wells drilled for brine. Prospects for production from the redbeds do not appear to be good. The Triassic limestone does not contain oil in commercial quantities on one well formed anticline, but it has been tested at only one other locality. Possibilities of the underlying Paleozoic beds, particularly the Permian which probably occurs throughout the basin, are worthy of careful consideration.
beta(1)-Adrenergic receptor vs adenylyl cyclase 6 expression in cardiac myocytes: differences in transgene localization and intracellular signaling.

Abstract Adenylyl cyclase type 6 (AC6) and the β1 adrenergic receptor (β1AR) are pivotal proteins in transmembrane βAR-signaling in cardiac myocytes. Increased expression of AC6 has beneficial effects on the heart, but increased β1AR expression has marked deleterious effects. Why do these two elements of the βAR pathway have such different effects? Using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of the two transgenes in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes, we assessed cellular distribution and performed selected biochemical assays. β1AR was found predominantly in the plasma membrane. In contrast, AC6 was found in the plasma membrane but also was associated with the nuclear envelope, sarcoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and cytoplasm. Increased β1AR, but not AC6, increased follistatin expression, p38 phosphorylation, phosphatidylserine translocation to the PM, and apoptosis. In contrast, increased AC6, but not β1AR, inhibited PHLPP2 activity, activated PI3K and Akt, and increased p70S6 kinase phosphorylation and Bcl-2 expression; apoptosis was unchanged. The distribution of AC6 to multiple cellular compartments appears to enable interactions with other proteins (e.g., PHLPP2) and activates cardioprotective signaling (PI3K/Akt). In contrast, β1AR, confined to the plasma membrane, increased phosphatidylserine translocation and apoptosis. These data provide a potential underlying mechanism for the beneficial vs deleterious effects of these two related βAR-signaling elements.
LET'S ALL BEWARE THE LATIN SQUARE

[This abstract is based on the author's abstract.] Great caution must be used when applying the three-level Latin square (L9 orthogonal array) experimental design for more than two factors. Statistical two-factor interactions seriously bias the ave..
Relative acceptability: A proposed strategy for the bargaining game

In bargaining situations an actor faces a bifocal problem: He wants the best deal possible for himself, but unless his choice is coordinated with the antagonist's he is likely to wind up with nothing (or worse). How should he choose among his alternatives? Contextual and psychological factors can often help to handle this problem in practice, but thus far, formal theory has been of little assistance. This paper suggests a decision rule to solve this problem, a rule that can be incorporated within formal models of the bargaining situation. It is then applied to results from experimental gaming with Prisoner's Dilemma, and it is found to compare favorably with other predictive measures.
An implementation of a parallel primal-dual interior point method for block-structured linear programs

An implementation of the primal-dual predictor-corrector interior point method is specialized to solve block-structured linear programs with side constraints. The block structure of the constraint matrix is exploited via parallel computation. The side constraints require the Cholesky factorization of a dense matrix, where a method that exploits parallelism for the dense Cholesky factorization is used. For testing, multicommodity flow problems were used. The resulting implementation is 65%–90% efficient, depending on the problem instance. For a problem with K commodities, an approximate speedup for the interior point method of 0.8K is realized.
Paleopedology of the Chadron Formation of Northwestern Nebraska: implications for paleoclimatic change in the North American midcontinent across the Eocene–Oligocene boundary

Abstract The Big Cottonwood Creek Member is a newly recognized lithostratigraphic unit of the Chadron Formation of northwestern Nebraska. I measured 23 superimposed paleosol profiles within 29 m of strata exposed 0.4 km (0.25 mile) east of the type section of the Big Cottonwood Creek Member at Toadstool Park in northwestern Nebraska and recognized four main types of paleosols. The paleosols are all well drained, moderately alkaline to alkaline, oxidized, and range from weakly developed azonal Ustifluvents, to moderately and well-developed Paleustalfs and Argiustolls with argillic and petrocalcic horizons. Based on changes in soil structure, horizons, root traces, and geochemical trends, these paleosols record a gradual change from humid, forested conditions of the late Eocene to more seasonal, semi arid, open range conditions leading up to the global climatic deterioration event of the early Oligocene at 33.2 Ma. This interpretation is supported by associated changes in sedimentology, fluvial architecture, floras, and faunas over this period of time. The section at Toadstool Park is significant in that it establishes a link between the Big Badlands of South Dakota and correlative deposits of Wyoming. The contact of the Chadron and Brule Formations in the Big Badlands of South Dakota is marked by an unconformity that is in part correlative to the earliest Oligocene sediments that elsewhere record the global climatic deterioration event at 33.2 Ma. The paleosols of the Big Cottonwood Creek Member of northwestern Nebraska fill in a significant part of this gap and record paleoclimatic conditions of the late Eocene leading up to the global climatic deterioration event of the early Oligocene. Using the latest lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic, magnetostratigraphic, and tephrostratigraphic data for the White River Group, this change to more arid conditions in the midcontinent appears to have progressed from west to east over time.
Below the Belt: Doctors, Debate, and the Ongoing American Discussion of Routine Neonatal Male Circumcision

There has been considerable controversy surrounding the routine circumcision of male infants in the United States. This is of particular concern, since the medical establishments of all the other countries of the developed world have abandoned this procedure as having dubious benefits. This article examines the medical pros and cons of neonatal male circumcision in a historical perspective and suggests that the circumstances that led to its establishment as a routine practice are largely absent today. Reasons for its continued use and ethical and moral issues associated with its practice are then examined closely, especially in light of the current debate surrounding female circumcision. The article concludes that the medical and ethical issues surrounding this practice should be more broadly debated until there is some consensus as to its benefits. Prudence dictates that until such a consensus emerges, the practice should be suspended. This article will discuss the routine circumcision of male newborns, infants, and children in the hospitals of the United States. Currently, somewhere between 60% and 70% of males born in the United States are circumcised, typically during the first few days after birth. 1 Because its medical benefits are uncertain and the procedure is not without risks (although they are low), this practice is exceptionally controversial. Also controversial is the fact that the routine, nonritual circumcision of baby boys is a uniquely American practice. In Gentile America, male circumcision is not a recognized mark of group membership or rite of passage as it is for many cultures on every continent. The American practice, when not necessitated by cultural traditions, manifests as an indicated medical procedure that is beneficial for the patient. It must be so, for surgeons should not remove healthy organs from minors without cause; doing so challenges a guiding principle in Western medicine: primum non nocere (first, do no harm). I do not intend to lead an assault against the Ameri
Surface resistivity temperature dependence measures of commercial, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), or silver nano-particle doped polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films

The detection of infrared radiation (IR) with pure and doped Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) films has been well documented using the mechanism of pyroelectricity. Alternatively, the electrical properties of films made from Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) have received considerable attention in recent years. The investigation of surface resistivities of both such films, to this point, has received far less consideration in comparison to pyroelectric effects. In this research, we report temperature dependent surface resistivity measurements of commercial, and of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), or Ag-nanoparticle doped PVA films. Without any variation in the temperature range from 22°C to 40°C with controlled humidity, we found that the surface resistivity decreases initially, reaches a minimum, but rises steadily as the temperature continues to increase. This research was conducted with the combined instrumentation of the Keithley Model 6517 Electrometer and Keithley Model 8009 resistivity test fixture using both commercial and in-house produced organic thin films. With the objective to quantify the suitability of PVDF and PVA films as IR detector materials, when using the surface resistivity phenomenon, instead of or in addition to the pyroelectricity, surface resistivity measurements are reported when considering bolometry. We find the surface resistivity of PVDF films to be in the range, which extends beyond the upper limit of our Keithley electrometer, but our measurements on PVA films were readily implemented.
Quantum motion and level quantization of a skyrmion in a pinning potential in chiral magnets

A topological excitation called skyrmion has been observed experimentally in chiral magnets without spatial inversion symmetry. The dynamics of a skyrmion is equivalent to an electron moving in a strong magnetic field. As a skyrmion involves large number of spins, it is not clear whether there exist observable quantum effects. In this work, we study the quantum dynamics of a skyrmion in a pinning potential. Without a pinning potential, the skyrmion performs cyclotron motion due to the strong emergent magnetic field originating from the Berry phase of spins, and all skyrmions occupy the lowest Landau level. Their wave functions are strongly localized in a region with radius less than $1\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\AA{}$ when no driving force is applied. Thus in most circumstances, the quantum effects of a skyrmion are weak. In the presence of a pinning potential, the lowest Landau level for skyrmions is split into quantized levels, characterized by the orbital moments. The transition between quantized levels can be observed experimentally by microwave absorption measurements in low temperature region. The quantum effects are more prominent for a skyrmion with a small size, which can be realized in magnets with a large Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction.
Alloying effects on the fracture toughness of Nb-based silicides and Laves phases

Abstract Nb-based in situ composites are characterized by a large volume fraction of silicides and Laves phase particles in an Nb solid solution matrix. The intermetallic hard particles can adversely affect the fracture resistance of the composites. Recent work has shown that certain alloy additions can improve the fracture resistance of Nb-based silicides, Laves phases and the Nb solid solution. In this paper, the effects of alloy additions on the fracture toughness of Nb-based silicides and Laves phases are summarized. Theoretical calculations have been performed to determine the influence of alloy additions on the bond order, unstable stacking energy, and the Peierls–Nabarro energy for selected slip systems in the intermetallics. The theoretical results will be used in conjunction with experimental data to elucidate the possible roles of alloy additions in the slip process and the fracture resistance in Nb-based silicides and Laves phases and to compare the observed behaviors against those in Ti-based silicides and Laves phases.
Diets, dietary supplements, and nutritional therapies in rheumatic diseases.

The utilization rates of alternative therapies among rheumatology outpatients with rheumatologic disorders and musculoskeletal complaints have been reported. 39,40,78,108,204,205 Routine dietary interventions and over-the-counter preparations, including dietary supplements and vitamin and mineral therapies, comprise a significant proportion of alternative therapy use. Is there a role for dietary modification in the routine therapy of patients with rheumatic diseases? As recent as 10 to 15 years ago, most rheumatologists would have responded with a resounding "no." Emerging evidence may qualify this response, however. The authors aim to present the known scientific-based evidence for the use, safety, and efficacy of diets and dietary-related practices subscribed to by patients with rheumatic diseases.
Isospin Invariance and the Pairing-Force Problem

The isoscalar pairing-force Hamiltonian is studied first in the BCS-like approximation, including neutron-neutron, proton-proton, and neutron-proton interactions. Constraining $〈\stackrel{^}{N}〉$ and $〈{\stackrel{^}{T}}^{2}〉$, we find a class of BCS-like wave functions which give the same minimum energy; they differ in the expectation value of ${\stackrel{^}{T}}_{z}$, $\ensuremath{-}Tl~〈{\stackrel{^}{T}}_{z}〉l~T$. For the limit $〈{\stackrel{^}{T}}_{z}〉=T$, the minimum occurs at zero neutron-proton interaction. The residual interactions, those neglected by the BCS approximation, are treated by the quasiboson approximation. The spurious effects of number and isospin dispersion are identified. A procedure for explicitly displaying the number and isospin dependence of the energy is given, together with one for obtaining excited states with all possible isospins. Finally, as an example, the degenerate case is worked out, and agreement with the exact solution, including ground-state neutron-proton correlations, to the order considered, is demonstrated.
NATURAL CONVECTION BOUNDARY LAYER FLOW OVER HORIZONTAL AND SLIGHTLY INCLINED SURFACES

Abstract Laminar natural convection boundary-layer flow above horizontal and slightly inclined surfaces is considered. The effect of a small surface inclination on flow and transport is studied as a perturbation of flow over a horizontal surface. Solutions of the higher approximations have been numerically determined for the velocity, pressure and temperature fields for a Prandtl number of 0.7. These distributions are also given for the perfectly horizontal surface, for a wide range of Prandtl number. Both the surface conditions of uniform temperature and heat flux are considered. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer was used to study the nature of the laminar boundary-layer. The temperature distributions and heat transfer parameters were measured for the first time in such a flow, in air at atmospheric pressure. Present results may have a direct application to micro-meteorological and technological problems, and should clarify many aspects of natural convection flows which arise above horizontal and inclined planes through the initial impetus of unstably stratified fluid layers near the surface.
Quantitative trait loci for acute behavioral sensitivity to paraoxon.

Genetic mechanisms responsible for organophosphate (OP)-induced behavioral changes remain obscure. In the present study, provisional quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with acute sensitivity or insensitivity to hypolocomotion produced by the OP paraoxon were identified. Naive adult male and female mice of the BXD/Ty series (22 different BXD strains plus C57BL/6J and DBA/2J progenitor strains) received 0 or 0.25 mg/kg paraoxon (IP), immediately before placement in an activity chamber for a 30-min test. As expected, based on dose–response and time course studies with Swiss–Webster, C57BL/6, and DBA/2 mice, paraoxon treatment reduced locomotor activity in most, but not all BXD strains. Heritability (proportion of phenotypic variability attributed to genetic differences) was 0.58 for the paraoxon treatment effect. Difference scores (strain mean for vehicle activity minus strain mean for paraoxon activity), and percent change in activity of paraoxon-treated mice compared to vehicle-treated mice were calculated for each BXD strain. QTL analyses using activity difference scores and percentage change in activity were conducted using a database with over 1300 unique genetic markers. Several provisional QTL found on different chromosomes were associated with the activity phenotype. Of these, several markers attained p<0.01 or greater. These were as follows: Chr 1: Ly9, p<0.006; Chr 6: D6Ncvs44, p<0.0005; Chr 9: D9Mit15, p<0.003; Chr 11: D11Ncvs76, p<0.002; Chr 15: Tstap198, p<0.008. In addition, several markers on chromosome 3 approached p<0.01. Identified genes found near these regions include two plasma carboxylesterase alleles on chromosomes 6 and 9, a glutamate receptor subtype on chromosome 11 and a glycine receptor subunit on chromosome 11, raising the possibility that these genes could be the basis for these provisional QTLs.
Timing Analysis of Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS)

The Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) protocol, developed at NASA, aims to increase air transportation access for smaller communities and improve the transportation of people, services, and goods by a more effective use of over 5,000 small public airports in the United States. By using model checking and I/O automata, a number of different groups have verified many of the operational properties of SATS. However, none of the published work considers the timing constraints of the protocol, delegating instead to the pilot the responsibility for providing appropriate delays and separation assurance among events. In this paper, we formally specify the delays and the deadlines for the landing component of the protocol for simultaneous approaches of several small aircraft. This helps increase pilot safety for landing in these small airports. Linear Real-Time Logic (LRTL), a subclass of Real-Time Logic, and its associated toolset are utilized to analyze and formally verify the timing constraints of the landing component of SATS. In addition, an algorithm for debugging a subset of LRTL models is proposed.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, detection and identification of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Alicyclobacillus strains in apple juice.

Abstract Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy (4000–400 cm − 1 ) combined with multivariate statistical methods were used to identify and detect Escherichia coli O157:H7 from Alicyclobacillus spp. recovered from apple juice. Four treatments and a control in triplicate experiments ( N = 3) were studied; the first three treatments of pasteurized apple juice were inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 ATCC 35150, Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris 1016 and Alicyclobacillus spp. C-Fugi-6 respectively. The fourth treatment was a 1:1 (v:v) mixed culture of both A . acidoterrestris 1016 and Alicyclobacillus spp. C-Fugi-6. The control was uninoculated pasteurized apple juice. The second derivative transformation and loadings plot over the range of 1800–900 cm −1 highlighted the most distinctive variations among bacterial spectra. Loadings 1 and 2 were distinctively representative of the bacterial spectral data and accounted for 73% of the total variability. Treatments were noticeably segregated with distinct clustering by principal component analysis (PCA). Using soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) analysis, 88.3% of ( E . coli O157:H7 ATCC 35150) spectra, 75.0% of ( A. acidoterrestris 1016) spectra, 88.3% of ( Alicyclobacillus spp. C-Fuji-6) spectra, and 80.0% of the mixed culture of both Alicyclobacillus strains spectra were correctly classified. Using the spectral features of bacterial cellular constituents such as nucleic acids, proteins, phospholipids, peptidoglycan, and lipopolysaccharides from examined bacterial cells, pure and mixed cultures of Alicyclobacillus spp. cells, and the pathogenic E. coli cells could be detected in apple juice.
Briging it all back home: some implications of recent science and technology studies for the classroom science teacher

In this paper, we support the validity of drawing from science studies to reshape science education. While true educational reform must involve alternative curricular structures, we stress that we do not propose here either a comprehensive curricular framework or a report on a pilot classroom project, as our research perspective comes from science studies rather than from education. Instead this paper is intended to encourage educators to draw from methodologies used in science studies to further their goals in education research and in classroom teaching. First, we examine theoretical connections and divergences between science studies and theories of education. Secondly, we discuss the benefits of teaching science as a social process and offer some suggestions that can be introduced by classroom teachers into pre-existing science curricula.
HAVE PRESIDENTS INFLUENCED MONETARY POLICY: NEW EVIDENCE FROM AN ARTIFICIAL NEUTRAL NETWORK

This paper combines an experimental design and an artifical neural network to investigate the behavior of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. The evidence suggests that FOMC decision making has been influenced by the presidential administration, with particularly strong evidence that influence from the Kennedy‐Johnson administrations led to easier policy.
Miniature end-plate currents in voltage-clamped muscle fibre.

THE acetylcholine which is released from presynaptic terminals after an action potential causes an increase in the conductance of the subsynaptic membrane of frog skeletal muscle, and the current which flows across this shunt depolarizes the membrane to give the characteristic end-plate potential (e.p.p.). The time course of this end-plate current (e.p.c.) in the frog has been determined in voltage clamp conditions by Takeuchi and Takeuchi1. It is now recognized that acetylcholine (ACh) is released from presynaptic terminals in the form of unit packages or quanta2. These quanta are released at a low rate from the “resting” terminal and each quantum causes a miniature end-plate potential (m.e.p.p.). After an action potential in the presynaptic terminals, the rate of release of quanta is increased for several milliseconds3. The time course of the end-plate current therefore reflects not only the time course of the conductance change caused by each quantum of ACh but also the time course of the release of the quanta. The time course of the former alone has been measured in the present experiments by recording the miniature end-plate currents (m.e.p.c.s) which normally produce m.e.p.p.s.
Energy security and climate change: How oil endowment influences alternative vehicle innovation

Fast growing global energy needs raise concerns on energy supply security and climate change. Although policies addressing the two issues sometimes benefit one at the expense of the other, technology innovation, especially in alternative energy, provides a win–win solution to tackle both issues. This paper examines the effect of oil endowment on the patterns of technology innovation in the transportation sector, attempting to identify drivers of technology innovation in alternative energy. The analysis employs panel data constructed from patent data on five different types of automobile-related technologies from 1990 to 2002: oil extraction, petroleum refining, fuel cells, electric and hybrid vehicles (EHV) and vehicle energy efficiency. I find that countries with larger oil endowments perform less innovation on refining and alternative technologies. Conversely, higher gasoline prices positively impact the patent counts of alternative technologies and energy efficiency technology. The findings highlight the challenges and importance of policy designs in international climate change agreements.
Identification of molecular determinants that modulate trafficking of ΔF508 CFTR, the mutant ABC transporter associated with cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a life-shortening inherited disorder associated primarily with a three-base in frame deletion that eliminates Phe508 in the ABC transporter, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Mutant CFTR, designated deltaF508 CFTR, is misprocessed and retained intracellularly. It is unclear what causes the trafficking impairment despite extensive investigative effort and the disease's prevalence. We hypothesize that the trafficking impairment is mediated by “receptors” of the cellular trafficking machinery that at three sequential “trafficking checkpoints” govern (1) exit from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), (2) Golgi to the ER retrieval, and (3) targeting from post-Golgi compartments to lysosomes. We propose that, because of the Phe508 deletion and polypeptide misfolding: (1) a forward-directing signal recognized by the sec24 component of the COPII complex that mediates ER exit is eliminated; (2) a basic amino acid signal recognized by the COPI machinery involved in Golgi to ER retrieval becomes activated; and (3) a tyrosine-based sorting signal that targets to the lysosomes likewise becomes activated. We employed recently reported crystal structures of CFTR nucleotide binding domain 1 and sec24 in computational docking models to identify the most plausible CFTR-sec24 recognition domain. Site-directed mutagenesis and heterologous expression were also used to identify amino acid sequences that operate in Golgi to ER and post-Golgi to lysosome targeting. The importance of considering a multiple checkpoint model for trafficking is that rationale design of pharmaceutical interventions would require abrogation of all major checkpoints to deliver deltaF508 CFTR to the cell surface.
The Structure of the Specialized Impulse-Conducting System of the Steer Heart

The specialized impulse-originating and -conducting system of the steer heart has been analyzed with the light, phase contrast, and electron microscopes after careful dissection of its gross anatomic parts. The specific tissue is composed of cells with distinct cell boundaries. No syncytium exists. The cells of the sino-atrial (S-A) and atrioventricular (A-V) nodes closely resemble those of the common myocardium. They connect end to end via intercalated disks, most of which represent the starting point and termination of numerous myofibrils. The cells of the bundle of His and its distal branches are large and spindleshaped and joined in a staggered fashion. They display a fair number of myofibrils. The cell contact is established by numerous desmosomes that only rarely connect with myofibrils. It is believed that the multiple desmosome type of connection, present in most parts of the specific tissue of the steer heart, indicates that this tissue has maintained its embryologic appearance, to a large extent...
Bilateral corneal ring-opacity observed in long-term contact lens wearer

Abstract This case presentation describes the appearance of unexplained bilateral stromal ring-shaped opacities in a 73-year-old female. A world-wide literature search has revealed only seven other reported cases of similar stromal ring-opacities. At this time, the etiology and composition of the rings remains unclear. However, due to the location, symmetry, bilaterality and non-inflammatory nature of the rings, they may represent a rare form of corneal dystrophy.
Association of symptomatology and cognitive deficits to functional capacity in schizophrenia.

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the association of positive and negative symptoms, as well as of neurocognition to functional status in patients with schizophrenia. Participants were 309 veterans with DSM-IV-diagnosed schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who were enrolled in a 12-month double-blind clinical trial and randomized to receive either 5 to 20 mg/d of oral olanzapine or haloperidol. Patients were assessed at study entry and at 3, 6 and 12-months on the PANSS and measures of verbal memory, verbal fluency, fine motor coordination, visual sequencing/set shifting, and conceptual reasoning. Functional status was evaluated by the Heinrichs–Carpenter Quality of Life Scale (QLS) and by days of employment in the past 30. Hierarchical regression models examined the association of functional status with symptomatology and three neurocognitive factors (motor skills, memory and card sorting), controlling for demographics and visit number. A mixed effects model was used to adjust for repeated observations from the same subjects. Results The PANSS explained 16% additional variance in QLS total score after accounting for demographics and visit number (p Conclusions These findings suggest that symptoms may pose an equal or greater impediment to functional capacity independent of neurocognition, at least in younger non-institutionalized people with schizophrenia.
Generic revision of the staphylinid beetle tribe Hoplandriini (Insecta: Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

The genera and subgenera of the staphylinid aleocharine tribe Hoplandriini are revised based on a recent phylogenetic analysis of the group. Generic redescriptions, identifications keys, nomenclatural history, known distribution, detailed illustrations, and commentary for each genus-group taxon are provided. Over 5000 specimens were examined with morphological descriptions concentrating on recently discovered or new characters, especially from the mouthparts. Ten genera, Ditropandria, Heliconandria, Hoplandria, Leptandria, Ligulata, Microlia, Omoplandria, Paroplandria, Platandria and Pseudoplandria, are recognized as valid. The largest of these, Hoplandria, houses five subgenera, Arrhenandria, Genosema, Hoplandria s. s., Lophomucter, Platonica. Six genera with seven species are treated as incertae sedis, Acantoxyura, Aleochandria, Alloplandria, Bessoglossa, Brachidamorpha, Palaeochara, due to the type series composed of single specimens and/or being housed in personal collections and not available for examination. Tetrallus Bernhauer, Tinotoma Cameron, and Troposandria Cameron are placed in synonymy with Platandria Casey, Microlia Casey, and Pseudoplandria Fenyes, respectively. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 138, 83–140.
Automated method for fundus image registration and analysis

Automated detection of subtle changes in sequential images requires development of procedures that ensure true subtraction of two images by proper registration and normalization of illumination. The difference image can then be further processed to analyze the spectral components and the gray level variations. An innovative and generalized approach to accurate image subtraction incorporating illumination normalization and correction for translation, rotation, and scale difference in two sequential images is considered. The entire procedure yielding true image subtraction has been implemented in a PC-based image processing system and can be executed by menu-driven operations. The effectiveness of this approach is illustrated through subtraction of registered sequential fundus images and analysis of the spectral and gray-level variations of the difference images.
Inhibitors of aldosterone secretion

Aldosterone secretion may be inhibited by potassium depletion, inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system, dopamine and atrial natriuretic factor. The latter appears to be an important physiological regulator of aldosterone secretion. ANF inhibits basal, ACTH, Angiotensin II and potassium-stimulated aldosterone production in vitro by a direct action on the adrenal gland. In vivo data also support a direct inhibitions of aldosterone. The stimulation of aldosterone secretion by infusions of Angiotensin II and potassium is inhibited by simultaneous infusions of ANF. Infusions of ANF lower the basal aldosterone secretion in man. The mechanism by which ANF inhibits aldosterone is not known. No unifying first step has been identified to explain ANF's ability to inhibit all stimuli. In vivo, part of the lowering of aldosterone levels may be due to inhibition of renin secretion. This effect of ANF upon renin is inconsistent and appears to depend upon the experimental conditions.
On thinking of God as serendipitous creativity

L'A. propose une elaboration approfondie et nuancee du concept - presente dans un livre anterieur - de «creativite par la decouverte inattendue» comme metaphore sur Dieu plus appropriee que les images et concepts traditionnels. Il montre qu'il n'est plus possible de relier les interpretations cosmologiques et evolutionistes scientifiques d'aujourd'hui sur l'origine de l'univers et l'emergence de la vie, avec une conception de Dieu construite en termes anthropomorphiques traditionnels. Il explore la notion de creativite en lien avec le mystere de decouverte profondement inattendue qui y est implique. La conclusion souligne ce a quoi la vie humaine et la foi ressembleraient si elles etaient conjointes a un Dieu concu comme «serendipitous creativity».
A new lower bound on the cost of optimal regulators

A new lower bound on the quadratic cost of linear regulators is derived using some recently established results on norm bounds for the algebraic matrix Riccati and Lyapunov equations. The bound thus obtained is very attractive computationally and is independent of the initial conditions.
Exfoliated poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene nanocomposites occur when the clay cation contains a vinyl monomer

The bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene in the presence of an organically modified clay containing a vinyl group that can be involved in the polymerization produces exfoliated nanocomposites. These nanocomposites have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, mechanical properties, and cone calorimetry. The onset temperature of thermal degradation increases with the mechanical properties. The peak heat release rate is significantly reduced for nanocomposites containing 3 or 5% clay. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1124–1135, 2003
Moment matching priors

There are various proposals for the selection of the so-called “objective” or “default” priors in Bayesian analysis. The paper introduces a new criterion, the moment matching criterion, which requires the matching of the posterior mean with the maximum likelihood estimator up to a high order of approximation.
Post-stress rumination predicts HPA axis responses to repeated acute stress

Failure of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to habituate to repeated stress exposure is related with adverse health outcomes, but our knowledge of predictors of non-habituation is limited. Rumination, defined as repetitive and unwanted past-centered negative thinking, is related with exaggerated HPA axis stress responses and poor health outcomes. The aim of this study was to test whether post-stress rumination was related with non-habituation of cortisol to repeated stress exposure. Twenty-seven participants (n=13 females) were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) twice on consecutive afternoons. Post-stress rumination was measured after the first TSST, and HPA axis responses were assessed by measuring salivary cortisol 1 min before, and 1, 10, 20, 60, and 120 min after both TSSTs. Stress exposure induced HPA axis activation on both days, and this activation showed habituation indicated by lower responses to the second TSST (F=3.7, p=0.015). Post-stress rumination after the first TSST was associated with greater cortisol reactivity after the initial stress test (r=0.45, p<0.05) and with increased cortisol responses to the second TSST (r=0.51, p<0.01), indicating non-habituation, independently of age, sex, depressive symptoms, perceived life stress, and trait rumination. In summary, results showed that rumination after stress predicted non-habituation of HPA axis responses. This finding implicates rumination as one possible mechanism mediating maladaptive stress response patterns, and it might also offer a pathway through which rumination might lead to negative health outcomes.
Level parameters of the isospin-mixed 2+ doublet in 8Be

Abstract The pole positions and mixing parameters of the 2 + isospin-mixed doublet in 8 Be near 16.6 and 16.9 MeV excitation are obtained from an energy-dependent fit to the l = 2 phase shift for elastic α-α scattering. Lower energies are also studied and the pole position of the l = 2 state near 3 MeV excitation is also determined. No evidence for a broad level near 6–10 MeV is found.
Victoriano Lorenzo, the cholo guerrillero

Victoriano Lorenzo was the only Panamanian general executed for his role in Colombia’s Thousand Days War (1899–1902). Sometimes termed a “cholo guerrillero”, Lorenzo led Indigenous peoples into battle in alliance with the liberals against the conservatives who had taken power in Colombia. Lorenzo’s actions provide an example of the complicated relationships that Indigenous leaders sought to negotiate with liberals in Latin America at the turn of the twentieth century. Observers have long debated whether a political ideology motivated Lorenzo’s involvement with the liberals, and whether he can best be understood as a caudillo, nationalist, or socialist. An examination of his attitudes toward ethnic identities and women’s involvement in his struggle reveals that the actions of marginalized peoples were a primary factor that informed his political engagement.Victoriano Lorenzo est le seul general panamien a avoir ete execute en raison de son role dans la Guerre de Mille Jours (1889–1902) en Grande Colombie. ...
H2 Production in the Radiolysis of Water on CeO2 and ZrO2

The production of H2 in the radiolysis of water adsorbed on micron-sized particles of CeO2 and ZrO2 has been examined. Radiation chemical yields of H2 increase substantially with decreasing number of adsorbed water layers when the yield is determined with respect to the energy deposited directly by γ-rays to the water. These yields reached values of 20 and 150 molecules of H2 per 100 eV for one to two water layers on CeO2 and ZrO2, respectively, compared to 0.45 molecule/100 eV in bulk liquid water. The yields of H2 determined with respect to the total energy deposited in both the oxide and water were found to have a smaller, but observable, dependence on the amount of water adsorbed. Radiolysis of ZrO2 with γ-rays produced about 5 times more H2 than CeO2 for the equivalent amount of water adsorbed. The results suggest that the increase in H2 production is due to the transfer of energy, possibly by an exciton, from the oxide to the water. O2 production was at least an order of magnitude less than H2. The ...
The selection of judges for preference testing

A scheme for choosing a few individuals whose preferences for given objects are most representative of those of a larger group of individuals is proposed. The method involves (a) quantifying the preferences of each individual so as to discriminate optimally among objects, (b) testing statistically whether or not a common preference continuum may be assumed for the quantified preferences, (c) constructing a linear estimator of values for the objects on this continuum, if it may be assumed, and (d) selecting as judges the least number of individuals whose quantified preferences, when used with this estimator, determine values for the objects with acceptable accuracy. A numerical example based on food preferences is presented.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation: applications in basic neuroscience and neuropsychopharmacology

Introduced 15 years ago, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive means of stimulating the cortex that has proved to be a unique tool for probing brain‐behaviour relationships. While a therapeutic role for TMS in neuropsychiatry is uncertain, the utility of TMS in studying brain function has been demonstrated in diverse neuroscience applications. We review studies in animals on the mechanisms of action of TMS, and present a summary of the applications of TMS in basic neuroscience. TMS is still a relatively young technique, and unanswered questions remain regarding its acute and chronic impact on neural excitability and various aspects of brain function. Nonetheless, recent work with TMS has demonstrated its unique role in complementing other tools for studying brain function. As a brain intervention tool, TMS holds the promise of moving beyond correlative studies to help define the functional role of cortical regions in selected cognitive and a!ective processes. Received 19 March 2000; Reviewed 17 April 2000; Revised 26 May 2000; Accepted 28 May 2000