cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of cooperative extension small farm programs in the southern United States.

During the past decade, new cooperative extension service programs have been developed for the purpose of aiding small and limited resource farmers. Programs have been implemented primarily in the South, a region in which the 1890 land grant institutions focus attention on disadvantaged minorities and in which small farms remain relatively concentrated. Long-term program goals are to expand educational assistance to individuals not reached by other extension programs, to raise small farm productivity, to increase farm sales revenues, and to improve family living standards. Farmers generally participate for a period of two to four years. Early pilot programs in Texas (1968) and Missouri (1971) involved the experimental use of paraprofessional field staff, themselves selected small farm operators, who worked with their peers on a one-to-one or "neighbor-to-neighbor" basis (Strickland and Soliman; Wiggins). In 1968, the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service directed its professional agricultural agents to allocate part of their time to similar small farm activities (Maddox, Jones, McDaniel). The success of these efforts reinforced the concepts of developing some extension programs specifically for small farm operators, and of employing paraprofessionals to perform such work. Additional federal funds became available in
Surface Functionalization of Electrodes with Molecular Reagents

The use of molecular reagents to manipulate the properties of electrode surfaces has broad application in areas such as electrochemical synthesis, energy conversion and storage, displays, sensors, and new kinds of microelectronic devices. Surface modification of electrodes has contributed to a revival of interest in basic and applied research in electrochemistry and electrochemical devices. This article is focused on specific examples of systems modified electrodes where basic developments provide promising opportunities for applications stemming from the properties of molecules attached to an electrode surface.
The problem of solubilization and precipitation and the calcium and phosphorus cycle in cavern formation

Die Reaktionsmechanismen des Kalziumphossphat-Kreislaufs bei der Auflosung, Wanderung und Wiederabscheidung in Stalaktiten werden erortert und eine Modifikation der kolorimetrischen Molybdanblaureaktion fur kleine Mengen P in Gegenwart von Si beschrieben.
The measurement of acoustic impedance with the aid of the telephone receiver

IT IS proposed to describe a method of measuring the acoustic impedance 1 of solids or gases in the form of discs, or cylinders, to the passage of plane waves of sound. The method is based upin the reaction of the acoustic conductor upon the vibrations of a telephone receiver diaphragm which is used as the source of plane waves in a tube (Figs. 2 and 8). This reaction in the receiver is measured electrically, by connecting its coils in the fourth arm of a Rayleigh bridge (Fig. 3). The method also depends upon certain analogies between uniform electric-line conductors carrying alternatin, v currents, and acoustic-tube conductors carrying sound. Only a few measurements of acoustic impedance measured by this method are at present available, and the theory may have to undergo modification, as numerical data are accumulated, but the method itself is definite, and should give interesting results’ in comparison with other methods of acoustic measurement. 1t may first be advantageous to outline the analogies between an electric-line conductor and an acoustic-tube conductor. The experimental facts concerning the electric line are well established. The corresponding experimental facts concerning the acoustic tube are still only imperfectly known, and the acoustic results can therefore only be depended upon, at present, to a first approximation.
Why the cuprate superconductors are unusual: an ionic approach

A new mobile charge carrier in hole-doped high Tc cuprates is proposed. The configuration is based upon electrostatic considerations which show that a doped hole binds to an exciton and forms a linear, charge one singlet. In an ionic representation this exciton- hole (eh) particle is represented as O-1Cu+1O-1. The eh particle lives mostly in one dimension, being confined to either [10] rows and [01] columns of Cu-O ions in the CuO2 layer. This model provides a simple qualitative understanding of the transport behavior reported in the literature for (La,Sr)2CuO4 and a natural explanation for the two relaxation rates suggested by the Hall data. It further offers a model for why coherence in two dimensions requires d-wave symmetry. However additional pairing interactions in the intervening layers between the CuO2 layers are required to explain why the Tcs found in some cuprates are enhanced beyond what is expected by comparison with other cuprates. It is postulated that these interactions are based on eh partictles which occur in double chains of the 248 cuprates, and in negative U center ions in the charge reservoir layers of all the other cuprates with enhanced Tc > 100 K. We are lead to speculate that all cuprates with Tc > 100 K have pairing interactions off as well as on the CuO2 layers. The model suggests a much more enhanced Tc would be achieved with proper doping if the CuO2 layers could be modified by the addition of Cu to form Cu2O2 layers.
Preliminary studies on the isolation and characterization of predominant prostatic proteins.

BACKGROUND. The increasing incidence of prostate cancer demands that we give our full attention not only to the etiology and prevention of this common type of cancer, but also to the diagnosis and prognostic course of this disease. In an effort to develop new prostatic tumor markers that could be useful to the physician at the current state of our knowledge in the diagnosis and prognosis of this disease, our laboratories have undertaken an effort to isolate and characterize the nature of the major proteins in the normal prostate and in prostatic neoplasia. METHODS. In this preliminary study, tissue was obtained from open prostatic surgery in patients with a pre- and postoperative diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The initial fractionation and separation of the proteins was achieved through the use of ultrafiltration of homogenates followed by SDS-PAGE. Initial analysis of four prominent protein bands was accomplished by amino acid sequencing, and identified by a search in GeneBank data base. RESULTS. Two proteins previously identified in prostatic tissue were prostate specific antigen (M r 26,496) with 240 amino acid residues and β-inhibin (M r 10,704) with 94-amino acid residues. A third protein was identified as human cysteine rich protein (hCRP). This protein functions as a DNA binding protein and has previously been postulated to contain four putative zinc fingers and to play a fundamental role in cellular function. Ubiquitin, the fourth major protein identified was a 76-amino acid polypeptide whose function is to target other proteins for destruction. CONCLUSIONS. hCRP and ubiquitin are reported as being found in high levels in prostatic tissue for the first time.
Solution Structure of a Substrate for the Archaeal Pre-tRNA Splicing Endonucleases: The Bulge-Helix-Bulge Motif

The structure of the bulge-helix-bulge motif that constitutes the intron/exon splice site in H. volcanii pre-tRNATrp has been determined by NMR spectroscopy. The conformations of the two 3 nt bulges, where the pre-tRNA is cleaved, are stabilized by stacking interactions between bulge nucleotides and bases in the adjacent Watson-Crick helices and by a network of backbone hydrogen bonds. Both bulges are presented on the same minor groove face of the central 4 bp helix, and the overall structure has approximate two-fold symmetry, which makes it well-suited for attack by archaeal splicing endonucleases, which are symmetric dimers.
Implementing Interchangeable Virtual Instrumentation (IVI) - a user's Perspective

Rockwell Collins, Inc (RCI) developed a proprietary test executive known as ADATE to support Rockwell Collins Factory and Field testing of the products Rockwell Collins sells to commercial airborne customers. This test executive has been in service for approximately 18 years, during which, the software has witnessed continual evolution as more products are applied to the common test platforms. ADATE is a script interpreter type of test executive. Rockwell Collins defined a simple and easy to read script syntax. The syntax is loosely based on Atlas, Pascal, and Ada. Each TPS is written in this script syntax and never compiled. ADATE interprets each statement, converts the English readable commands into the appropriate low-level commands which are sent down the communication bus to the device(s). ADATE does have an abstraction layer between the test application script code, but the functionality exposed to the script code is tightly coupled to the specific device interface as ADATE performs device control at the message I SCPI level of communication. Rockwell Collins currently has five base ATE types which run ADATE, more than 200 ATE instances deployed, over 450 different TPS test applications, each of which test multiple statuses of the same product. This legacy infrastructure requires support in the typical range of 20-40 years. When device obsolescence occurs, the financial risk is very large as it has the potential to ripple through all TPS test applications due to the likely change of device functionality and performance characteristics. We believe IVI has a partial answer to this financial risk. IVI has great value in defining the common software interface to the device class. The benefits we see are: i) the ADATE source code managing the device doesn't require a change when an obsolete device is replaced and this reduces test executive maintenance costs ii) exposing common script functionality across "like" devices reduces the risk of change to each test application already deployed iii) the ability to leverage device vendor's drivers rather than developing our own This presentation will review Rockwell Collins experiences in implementing the IVI Scope Class drivers and bring to light what we found, both good and bad, as well as some techniques we believe others can use to leverage IVI drivers in situations where they may not be otherwise considered.
Thrombin generation: phenotypic quantitation.

Summary. An individual's ability to generate thrombin following tissue factor stimulus was evaluated in 13 healthy male donors in a 6-month study. Thrombin generation in whole blood collected by phlebotomy, contact pathway suppressed by the presence of 100 µg mL−1 corn trypsin inhibitor, was initiated by the addition of 5 pm tissue factor/10 nm phospholipid. Reactions were quenched at 20 min by the addition of an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), benzamidine, FPRck cocktail. Thrombin generation was determined by an ELISA for thrombin–antithrombin III (TAT) complex formation. Results showed that the levels of TAT observed varied from 245 to 775 nm. Thrombin production was consistent within each individual, CVi = 11.6%, but varied significantly within the group, CVg = 25.2%, and correlated inversely with an individual's clotting time (r = − 0.54, P = 0.07). No correlations were individually observed between TAT and C-reactive protein, antithrombin III, factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX and X, fibrinogen and prothrombin time. However, computer simulations, which integrated each individual's coagulation factor levels using the Speed Rx method (Hockin et al., J Biol Chem 2002; 277: 18322), predicted maximum active thrombin levels (ranging from calculated values of 220–500 nm) consistent with the empirically determined values. Overall, these data suggest that thrombin generated in whole blood exclusively by tissue factor stimulation can be used as an integrative phenotypic marker to determine an individual's response to a tissue factor challenge.
A review of high-risk prostate cancer and the role of neo-adjuvant and adjuvant therapies.

High-risk, localized prostate cancer represents a complex and diverse disease with many available treatment modalities. Patients are often deemed high risk because they are at increased risk for biochemical failure after primary intervention. However, these “high-risk” men may not be at significant risk of dying from their cancer. In this review, an attempt will be made to better define high-risk patients and help identify men at increased risk for mortality, not simply biochemical failure, after a diagnosis of localized prostate cancer. A review of available monotherapies as well as previously successful multimodality treatments will also be presented. Finally, this review will provide a glimpse into the future direction of high-risk prostate cancer multimodal therapy by providing a synopsis several current randomized clinical trials using effective systemic adjuvant therapies following local treatment.
Chondracanthid copepods (Poecilostomatoida) parasitic on Japanese deep-sea fishes, with a key to the genera of the Chondracanthidae

Four species of chondracanthid copepods are reported from grenadier fishes (Macrouridae) taken in the deep waters off Japan. They are Chondracanthus neali Leigh-Sharpe, 1930 from the oral cavity floor of Malacocephalus nippoensis Gilbert et Hubbs; Chondracanthodes deflexus Wilson, 1932 from the gill cover of Coryphaenoides armatus (Hector); Jusheyhoea ryukyuensis sp. nov. from the oral cavity wall of Coelorhynchus anatirostris Jordan et Gilbert, C. gilberti Jordan et Hubbs and C. productus Gilbert et Hubbs; and Chelonichondria okamurai gen. et sp. nov. from the gill cover of Coryphaenoides nasutus Gunther. A key to the 42 genera of the Chondracanthidae is provided.
A mallophaga, Trinoton anserinum, as a cyclodevelopmental vector for a heartworm parasite of waterfowl

The biting louse Trinoton anserinum serves as the intermediate host in the life cycle of the filarial heartworm, Sarconema eurycerca. Microfilariae, second-, and third-stage larvae were dissected from 39 of 89 lice infesting whistling swans, Cygnus columbianus columbianus, in North America and mute swans, Cygnus olor, in the Black Sea, U.S.S.R. Infective third-stage larvae obtained from lice collected from heartworm-parasitized whistling swans were injected subcutaneously into each of two hand-reared, nonparasitized mute swan cygnets. Both of these birds developed heartworm infections, one becoming microfilaremic at 14 weeks. The results of this study provide conclusive evidence that a mallophagan serves as a natural cyclodevelopmental vector of a filarial parasite.
Connecting Cortex to Machines: Recent Advances in Brain Interfaces

Recent technological and scientific advances have generated wide interest in the possibility of creating a brain-machine interface (BMI), particularly as a means to aid paralyzed humans in communication. Advances have been made in detecting neural signals and translating them into command signals that can control devices. We now have systems that use externally derived neural signals as a command source, and faster and potentially more flexible systems that directly use intracortical recording are being tested. Studies in behaving monkeys show that neural output from the motor cortex can be used to control computer cursors almost as effectively as a natural hand would carry out the task. Additional research findings explore the possibility of using computers to return behaviorally useful feedback information to the cortex. Although significant scientific and technological challenges remain, progress in creating useful human BMIs is accelerating.
A class of supersymmetric radiation zeros

We present a proof of a radiation interference theorem for processes involving the emission of a massless gauge fermion (photino) from interactions between members of chiral superfields, and derive the conditions for radiation zeros to exist.
Laser beam modeling in optical storage systems

A computer model has been developed that simulates light propagating through an optical data storage system. A model of a laser beam that originates at a laser diode, propagates through an optical system, interacts with a optical disk, reflects back from the optical disk into the system, and propagates to data and servo detectors is discussed.
ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR SIDEWALL AIR INLET PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION OF FOUR COMMERCIAL INLETS ON THIS CRITERIA

Four commercially available sidewall air inlets and one sharp-edged rectangular opening were tested in a full-scale building section under similar isothermal conditions. Large differences were found between inlets for airjet spread, axial velocity decay, airjet throw, and entrainment ratio. A criterion was derived for evaluating inlets utilizing airjet throw, airjet spread, entrainment ratio, and animal-level velocity. The criterion developed highlighted some deficiencies of the commercially available inlets at a recommended building operating pressure of 12.4 Pa.
Mass spectral characteristics of p‐toluenesulfonic acid

The mass spectral characteristics of p-toluenesulfonic acid have been determined and correlated with those of related sulfoxides, sulfones and sulfonates. The relative amount of the molecular ion (m/e 172) observed varies with the temperature and time involved in sample volatilization. Evidence of migration of the aryl group from S to O is seen in a metastable transition from m/e 172 to 107 [C7H7O]+.
Evangelical educational policy in Britain and India, 1857–60

(1994). Evangelical educational policy in Britain and India, 1857–60. The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History: Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 432-461.
Very high frequency channel-select MEMS filters based on self-coupled piezoelectric AlN contour-mode resonators

Abstract This paper reports experimental results on single-chip multi-frequency channel-select filters based on self-coupled piezoelectric aluminum nitride (AlN) contour-mode microelectromechanical (MEMS) resonators. Two-port AlN contour-mode resonators are connected in series and electrically coupled using their intrinsic capacitance to realize multi-frequency (94–271 MHz), narrow bandwidth (∼0.2%), low insertion loss (∼2.3 dB), high off-band rejection (∼60 dB) and high linearity (IIP3 ∼100 dBmV) channel-select filters on the same chip. This technology enables multi-frequency, high-performance and small-form-factor filter arrays and makes a single-chip multi-band reconfigurable radio frequency (RF) solution possible in the near future.
Maimonides: Physician and Nephrologist

Maimonides (Moses ben Maimon) was born in 1135 in Cordoba, the son of a Jewish rabbi. After a seminomadic upbringing in Spain and North Africa during the rule of the Almohades, Maimonides settled in F
Sexual Practices and HIV Risk Behaviors Among African American Female Partners of Sex-Trading Men Who Have Sex With Men and Women: A Descriptive Analysis

African American women continue to be disproportionately burdened by HIV and AIDS. An important determinant of the risk of transmission lies in the characteristics of sexual partnerships. The current study explores the sexual risk behaviors of a vulnerable population subgroup of African American women who engage in sexual partnerships with men who are sex traders and have sex with both men and women. The sample was 106 adult African American women. Data regarding sociodemographics, drug-using behavior, sexual practices, HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and health-seeking behaviors were analyzed. Nearly 90% of participants reported unprotected vaginal sex and using crack cocaine in the previous 3 months. The recent use of heroin was significantly associated with diminished condom use. A clear majority of the participants did not know their HIV status. This study is the first to examine and document shared structural and behavioral risk profiles of this population.
Comparative studies on extracellular protease secretion and glucoamylase production by free and immobilized Aspergillus niger cultures.

The effects of cell immobilization on the secretion of extracellular proteases and glucoamylase production by Aspergillus niger were investigated under a variety of immobilization techniques and culture conditions. Immobilization was achieved by means of cell attachment on metal surfaces or spore entrapment and subsequent growth on porous Celite beads. Free-suspension cultures were compared with immobilized mycelium under culture conditions that included growth in shake flasks and an airlift bioreactor. Cell attachment on metal surfaces minimized the secretion of proteases while enhancing glucoamylase production by the fungus. Growth on Celite beads in shake-flask cultures reduced the specific activity of the secreted proteases from 128 to 61 U g−1, while glucoamylase specific activity increased from 205 to 350 U g−1. The effect was more pronounced in bioreactor cultures. A reduction of six orders of magnitude in protease specific activities was observed when the fungus grew immobilized on a rolled metal screen, which served as the draft tube of an airlift bioreactor.
In vivo evaluation of the surface of posterior resin composite restorations: a pilot study.

Abstract Statement of Problem. Several methods have been used to determine the surface characteristics of resin composites in vivo and compare composite wear rates with enamel wear rates. Purpose. This pilot study describes the surface characteristics of resin composites and the wear of resin composites and enamel during 1 year of in vivo service. Material and Methods. A single Class II posterior resin composite restoration (Z100) was placed in 10 patients. Restored teeth and unrestored adjacent control teeth were measured for wear 4 times within the first year. A null point contact stylus profiler and fitting software were used to measure epoxy casts. Maximum depth of wear, average depth of wear, and characteristics of the restoration margin were determined. Paired t tests were used to compare the control and restored teeth, and ANOVA was used to assess the progression of wear over time ( P Results. After 1 year, maximum depth of wear over the entire preparation region was on average 204.8 μm (± 129.8), significantly greater than the 36.8 μm (± 10.1) average maximum depth of wear of enamel at occlusal contact areas on control teeth ( P =.009). Maximum depth of wear progressed over time ( P =.009). Fracture of excess composite, commonly called flash fracture, occurred in 50% of the restored teeth extending over the preparation margin. Conclusion. Composite restorations wore significantly faster than enamel contact areas on control teeth. Also of concern were the marginal flash fractures that could facilitate secondary caries. (J Prosthet Dent 2000;84:353-9.)
Gas jet disruption mitigation studies on Alcator C-Mod and DIII-D

High-pressure noble gas jet injection is a mitigation technique which potentially satisfies the requirements of fast response time and reliability, without degrading subsequent discharges. Previously reported gas jet experiments on DIII-D showed good success at reducing deleterious disruption effects. In this paper, results of recent gas jet disruption mitigation experiments on Alcator C-Mod and DIII-D are reported. Jointly, these experiments have greatly improved the understanding of gas jet dynamics and the processes involved in mitigating disruption effects. In both machines, the sequence of events following gas injection is observed to be quite similar: the jet neutrals stop near the plasma edge, the edge temperature collapses and large MHD modes are quickly destabilized, mixing the hot plasma core with the edge impurity ions and radiating away the plasma thermal energy. High radiated power fractions are achieved, thus reducing the conducted heat loads to the chamber walls and divertor. A significant (2 × or more) reduction in halo current is also observed. Runaway electron generation is small or absent. These similar results in two quite different tokamaks are encouraging for the applicability of this disruption mitigation technique to ITER.
An Analysis of the TOPEX/Poseidon Operational Orbit: Observed Variations and

Following launch on Aug. 10, 1992, TOPEX/Poseidon began a very successful global study of the Earth’s ocean circulation usinga combinationof dual-frequencyradar altimetry and precision orbit determination.The 1336-km nearly circular frozen orbit and 10-day repeat ground track havebeen closely monitored and accurately controlled using precise mean orbital elements. A new osculating-to-meanconversion technique designed speci cally to meet the stringent TOPEX/Poseidon orbit control requirements removes all shortand long-periodic geopotential and third-body gravity perturbations acting over 10 days. The most important orbital parameter, mean semimajor axis, demonstrates stability and consistency to 13 cm rms using a 20 £ 20 geopotential  eld. The mean semimajor axis exhibits unique behavior with intervals of either orbital boost or deboost induced by along-track forces of body- xed origin that change magnitude and direction depending on the satellite yaw-control mode and solar array articulation strategy. Nine orbit maintenancemaneuvers, recently augmented by selective use of solar array articulation, have maintained the semimajor axis within § 5 m of the reference value, thereby keeping the ground track within the § 1-kmequatorial longitudecontrol band.Other orbital parameters remainwithin required limits without dedicated maneuvers.
UNC-85, a C. elegans homolog of the histone chaperone Asf1, functions in post-embryonic neuroblast replication

Abstract Normal animal development requires accurate cell divisions, not only in the early stages of rapid embryonic cleavages, but also in later developmental stages. The Caenorhabditis elegans unc-85 gene is implicated only in cell divisions that occur post-embryonically, primarily in terminal neuronal lineages. Variable post-embryonic cell division failures in ventral cord motoneuron precursors result in uncoordinated locomotion of unc-85 mutant larvae by the second larval stage. These neuroblast cell division failures often result in unequally sized daughter nuclei, and sometimes in nuclear fusions. Using a combination of conventional mapping techniques and microarray analysis, we cloned the unc-85 gene, and find that it encodes one of two C. elegans homologs of the yeast Anti-silencing function 1 (Asf1) histone chaperone. The unc-85 gene is expressed in replicating cells throughout development, and the protein is localized in nuclei. Examination of null mutants confirms that embryonic neuroblast cell divisions occur normally, but post-embryonic neuroblast cell divisions fail. Analysis of the DNA content of the mutant neurons indicates that defective replication in post-embryonic neuroblasts gives rise to ventral cord neurons with an average DNA content of approximately 2.5 n. We conclude that UNC-85 functions in post-embryonic DNA replication in ventral cord motor neuron precursors.
Setting Aside Criminal Convictions in Canada: A Successful Approach to Offender Reintegration

Expunging a criminal conviction in the United States is a rare event and often limited to persons who committed offenses as juveniles or adult misdemeanants. Criminal convictions in Canada, however, are routinely set aside through pardons after offenders have demonstrated a period of crime-free behavior. Sealing an offender’s criminal record, the practice in Canada, is a significant step in his or her reentry into society and official acknowledgment of society’s forgiveness. This exploratory study of pardons in Canada has two clear findings: First, despite the relatively easy process, few individuals with criminal records make application for pardons. Second, of those who do apply, few applications are ever denied, and a very small percentage of successful applicants reoffend. Although setting aside criminal convictions seems inconsistent with the increasing use of collateral consequences for U.S. offenders, taking this approach might contribute to increased public safety in the long term by easing offend...
Microstructural Changes during Isothermal Forging of a Co-Cr-Mo Alloy

Interest has evolved recently in thermomechanical processing of the cast Co-Cr-Mo surgical implant alloys such as Vitallium and Vinertia. Work has shown that the wrought forms of these alloys exhibit much improved properties over their as-cast counterparts. In this paper, the response of as-cast Vinertia to isothermal forging is examined by means of isothermal and isostrain-rate compression testing. The effects of temperature, strain rate, and strain on the breakdown of the as-cast micro-structure are examined in detail. The effects of prior heat treatment on plastic flow and microstructure achieved are also considered. It is shown that the interaction between the carbide phase and the recrystallization induced during hot working governs the degree of homogeneity that can be achieved in the forged product. Control of carbide volume fraction, size, and distribution by appropriate prior processing can lead to a fine grain equiaxed structure with uniformly distributed carbides. The potential offered by isothermal forging for control of the microstructure in this type of alloy is discussed, as well as the limits imposed on the process by the starting material and by the strain gradients expected during the forging of implants.
Aggregation of dissociated cells from Drosophila embryos.

Summary Primary suspensions of embryonic cells ofDrosophila melanogaster form aggregates when subjected to rotary shaking. The final size and characteristics of the aggregates are affected by the speed of rotation and by the presence of yolk or calf serum in the medium. Aggregate formation occurs at 5°C and 18°C, as well as at 30°C, and is not affected by pH changes in the range of 6.5–7.5. Centrifugation or ultraviolet irradiation of primary suspensions results in a subsequent reduction in the ability of cells to form aggregates proportional to the duration or intensity of treatment. Increase in the number of cells in primary suspensions tends to reduce the size and increase the number of aggregates formed. Cells that are maintained in stationary culture for 1 to 10 days prior to shaking progressively lose their ability to form aggregates. Actinomycin D and puromycin do not affect aggregate formation but have a profound effect on their maintenance. Aggregates formed in the presence of puromycin undergo dissociation immediately after reaching definitive size (3 hours), while those formed in the presence of actinomycin D dissociate abruptly after 10 hours. When aggregates are maintained in stationary culture after their formation on the shaker, they exhibit progressive histological changes that are suggestive of cell differentiation and regrouping.
How far is far

Recent comparisons of computed and measured backscattering cross sections of cylindrical bodies revealed unexpectedly large discrepancies which were apparently due to the finite range used in the measurements. This led to a reexamination of the farfield criterion for a variety of two-dimensional scatterers and one three-dimensional object. It was found that large errors can be incurred in measurements at the standard far-field distance, especially of bodies characterized by strong edge scattering. Errors as great as 6 dB can occur and it may be necessary to exceed the usual farfield distance by a factor of 5 or more in order to reduce the error to 1 dB.
GANGLIOSIDE COMPOSITION OF CHEMICALLY INDUCED RAT NEURAL TUMORS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HEMATOSIDE FROM NEURINOMAS

– Experimental rat neural tumors in offspring were induced transplacentally by a single injection of a chemical carcinogen, ethylnitrosourea, 20mg/kg body wt, in the tail vein of the mother. The ganglioside content and pattern in these tumors and the normal tissues from which the tumors originated are described. The ganglioside content in tumors was reduced, on wet tissue weight basis, compared to normal control. However, there was no significant difference of ganglioside content on dry weight or protein basis. Altered ganglioside composition was found in most of the neural tumors. In central nervous system tumors, there was some increase in GM3 and GT1b′ (nomenclature according to Svennerholm, 1963), a marked decrease in GM1 and some decrease in GD1a, but no apparent loss in GD1b. Extreme simplification of ganglioside pattern was seen in tumors originated from peripheral nervous system. Large accumulation of GM3 with concomitant loss of all the higher gangliosides was seen. GM3 from neurinomas as well as from normal gray matter was isolated and characterized. GM3 from neurinomas separated into two bands on thin layer chromatographic plates. Both these GM3 bands had identical sphingosine and carbohydrate composition but differed in their fatty acid composition. The fast moving band had 77% of the total fatty acids as C20:0 or longer chain while the slow moving band had only 22% of the long chain fatty acids. Normal gray matter GM3 had one major band containing 82% of and only 17% of the fatty acids as C20:0 or higher. It is suggested that in the tumor cells either the specificity of the enzyme cytidine monophosphate-N-acetyl neuraminic acid: ceramide dihexoside sialyltransferase for C18.0 fatty acid containing glycolipid was altered or that the compartmentation of precursor pools for the simpler glycolipids present in normal tissue did not exist in transformed cells.
Kinetic Model for Ca2+-induced Permeability Transition in Energized Liver Mitochondria Discriminates between Inhibitor Mechanisms

Cytotoxicity associated with pathophysiological Ca2+ overload (e.g. in stroke) appears mediated by an event termed the mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT). We built and solved a kinetic model of the mPT in populations of isolated rat liver mitochondria that quantitatively describes Ca2+-induced mPT as a two-step sequence of pre-swelling induction followed by Ca2+-driven, positive feedback, autocatalytic propagation. The model was formulated as two differential equations, each directly related to experimental parameters (Ca2+ flux/mitochondrial swelling). These parameters were simultaneously assessed using a spectroscopic approach to monitor multiple mitochondrial properties. The derived kinetic model correctly identifies a correlation between initial Ca2+ concentration and delay interval prior to mPT induction. Within the model's framework, Ru-360 (a ruthenium complex) and Mg2+ were shown to compete with the Ca2+-stimulated initiation phase of mPT induction, consistent with known inhibition at the phenomenological level of the Ca2+ uniporter. The model further reveals that Mg2+, but not Ru-360, inhibits Ca2+-induced effects on a downstream stage of mPT induction at a site distinct from the uniporter. The analytical approach was then applied to promethazine, an FDA-approved drug previously shown to inhibit both mPT and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Kinetic analysis revealed that promethazine delayed mPT induction in a manner qualitatively distinct from that of lower concentrations of Mg2+. In summary, we have developed a kinetic model to aid in the quantitative characterization of mPT induction. This model is consistent with/informative about the biochemistry of several mPT inhibitors, and its success suggests that this kinetic approach can aid in the classification of agents or targets that modulate mPT induction.
Efficiency of star-like graphs and the Atlanta subway network

Abstract The distance d ( i , j ) between any two vertices i and j in a graph is the number of edges in a shortest path between i and j . If there is no path connecting i and j , then d ( i , j ) = ∞ . In 2001, Latora and Marchiori introduced the measure of efficiency between vertices in a graph (Latora and Marchiori, 2001) [1] . The efficiency between two vertices i and j is defined to be ∈ i , j = j . In this paper, we investigate the efficiency of star-like networks, and show that networks of this type have a high level of efficiency. We apply these ideas to an analysis of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Subway system, and show this network is 82% as efficient as a network where there is a direct line between every pair of stations.
Effects of Additives on Thermomechanical Properties of Composites Formed from Thermoset Polymers

Automotive and heavy-duty friction materials are complex multimaterial composites that contain, besides polymers and fibers, a number of constituents whose exact role is not well delineated. Since the performance of these composites requires not only uniform frictional properties but also complex shapes, advanced formation techniques are required. However, before these techniques can be harnessed, we attempted to understand how nitrile rubber-modified phenolic polymer’s structural and thermal behaviors were modified by the incorporation of materials such as BaSO4, graphite, coal tar pitch, slag fibers, alumina, and silicon carbide, typical friction composite ingredients. The formed composites were examined by FTIR, DSC, and DMA techniques at 300 K < T < 600 K. Our results suggested that the incorporation of ingredients, singly and additively, strongly affected the thermomechanical properties of the formed
Urinary biomarkers of kidney injury are associated with all-cause mortality in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS).

Objectives Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in HIV-infected individuals, and is associated with mortality in both the HIV-infected and general populations. Urinary markers of tubular injury have been associated with future kidney disease risk, but associations with mortality are unknown. Methods We evaluated the associations of urinary interleukin-18 (IL-18), liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) with 10-year, all-cause death in 908 HIV-infected women. Serum cystatin C was used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcys). Results There were 201 deaths during 9269 person-years of follow-up. After demographic adjustment, compared with the lowest tertile, the highest tertiles of IL-18 [hazard ratio (HR) 2.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75–3.68], KIM-1 (HR 2.04; 95% CI 1.44–2.89), NGAL (HR 1.50; 95% CI 1.05–2.14) and ACR (HR 1.63; 95% CI 1.13–2.36) were associated with higher mortality. After multivariable adjustment including adjustment for eGFRcys, only the highest tertiles of IL-18 (HR 1.88; 95% CI 1.29–2.74) and ACR (HR 1.46; 95% CI 1.01–2.12) remained independently associated with mortality. Findings for KIM-1 were borderline (HR 1.41; 95% CI 0.99–2.02). We found a J-shaped association between L-FABP and mortality. Compared with persons in the lowest tertile, the HR for the middle tertile of L-FABP was 0.67 (95% CI 0.46–0.98) after adjustment. Associations were stronger when IL-18, ACR and L-FABP were simultaneously included in models. Conclusions Among HIV-infected women, some urinary markers of tubular injury are associated with mortality risk, independently of eGFRcys and ACR. These markers represent potential tools with which to identify early kidney injury in persons with HIV infection.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of 10 Serogroup O6 Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Strains

Entertotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major cause of global diarrhea, resulting in approximately 200 million occurrences and 300,000 to 400,000 deaths annually, primarily in children under the age of five. Here, we announce the release of the draft genomes of 10 ETEC isolates belonging to serogroup O6.
Postdischarge Medication Use of Elderly Cardiac Patients From Urban and Rural Locations

Background. After discharge from an acute care setting, elderly cardiac patients take a variety of medications in the home setting. Their pharmacologic regimens are often quite complex, and may involve drugs from several therapeutic categories. Patterns of medication use can be one measure of patient status after discharge because they can indicate whether medical conditions are stabilized. A problem related to medications during the postdischarge period is residence of the patient. For persons discharged to rural settings, access to health care resources and follow-up monitoring of medications may be problematic.Methods. This longitudinal study followed postdischarge medication use over a 5-month period. Thirty-two elderly persons admitted to a large tertiary care center for treatment of cardiac conditions were recruited. Baseline information was collected on demographics and health status, and subjects were then interviewed by telephone at 2, 4, 12, and 20 weeks postdischarge. Analysis of functional health complaints assessed by the Medical Outcomes Short Form (SF-36) and cardiac symptom scores were correlated with new and standing prescriptions over time and across geographic locations. Potential confounders such as age, gender, and severity of illness were controlled for.Results. Statistical analyses on continuity of medication use and changes in the category of medication prescribed revealed that urban subjects were prescribed more drugs and experienced significantly more alterations in their drug regimens.Conclusions. Contrary to expectations, urban subjects appeared to do worse over the postdischarge period with greater drug utilization that directly predicted the number of hospital readmissions and number of emergency room visits, even though their severity of illness was no different from their rural counterparts at the time of discharge.
Masticatory dysfunction is associated with worse functional ability: a population‐based study

Laudisio A, Marzetti E, Pagano F, Bernabei R, Zuccala G. Masticatory dysfunction is associated with worse functional ability: a population-based study. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 113–119. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2009.01518.x. Abstract Aim: Because of the ageing of populations, disability has become an emergent problem from the clinical, social, and economic perspectives. Nevertheless, the determinants of disability in older subjects are still unclear. We assessed the association between self-assessed masticatory dysfunction (MD) and functional ability in older subjects. Materials and Methods: We analysed data of all 350 subjects aged 75+ living in Tuscania (Italy). Functional ability was estimated using the Katz' activities of daily living (ADLs), and the Lawton and Brody instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) scales. Results: MD was reported by 145 (41%) participants. Disability in the ADLs and IADLs was found in 37 (25%) and 53 (37%) of participants with MD, respectively, but only in 11 (5%) and 30 (15%) of the other participants (p<0.001). MD was associated with disability in the ADLs [odds ratio (OR)=2.40, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.05–5.51], and IADLs (OR=2.77, 95% CI=1.07–7.16) in logistic regression, after adjusting. The association of MD with disability was stronger among subjects aged 80+. Conclusions: MD is independently associated with disability in community-dwelling elderly. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of early detection and correction of MD on the preservation of functional status in older populations.
Earnings Management, Corporate Governance, and True Financial Performance

This paper addresses two questions. First, do corporate governance mechanisms that have been shown to affect firm behavior in other contexts also affect the degree to which firms advantageously manage their reported financial performance? Second, does past research investigating the impact of governance structure and option-based compensation on firm performance stand up when measured performance is adjusted for the impact of earnings management? We demonstrate that corporate governance mechanisms effectively constrain discretion in earnings management and that the estimated impact of governance variables on corporate performance is far stronger when discretionary accruals are removed from reported earnings. Institutional ownership of shares, institutional investor representation on the board of directors, and the presence of independent outside directors on the board all reduce the use of discretionary accruals in earnings management. These factors largely offset the impact of options compensation, which we find strongly encourages earnings management. Earnings management strongly affects patterns of reported corporate performance. While conventional profitability measures suggest a strong relationship between option compensation and firm performance, profitability measures that are adjusted for the impact of discretionary accruals show no relationship with option compensation. In contrast, the estimated impact of corporate governance variables on firm performance more than doubles when discretionary accruals are eliminated from measured profitability.
Do holes in the T-cell repertoire have a center-surround regulatory structure? A rationale for the bifurcation of the Thl and Th2 pathways of differentiation

Regulatory strategies controlling the balance of Th1 versus Th2 T-helper cell responses have been a long-standing mystery with important consequences for immunological disease. A novel model is presented to explain the comparative differentiation of Th1 and Th2 T cells as part of a mechanism to ensure self-tolerance. This model is based on the assumption that thymic interactions of T cell antigen receptors with self major histocompatibility complex ligands may vary in efficacy. By this model, fully agonistic major histocompatibility complex ligands elicit apoptosis during thymic selection to generate 'holes' in the repertoire. Conversely, major histocompatibility complex ligands having some degree of partial efficacy (i.e. a mixed agonist/antagonist) may promote Th2 differentiation whereas fully antagonistic major histocompatibility complex ligands elicit Th0 differentiation. Differentiation of Th2 T cells may continue in the extrathymic tissues upon continued interactions with self major histocompatibility complex ligands having mixed agonist/ antagonist properties. By this mechanism, each 'hole' in the repertoire will develop an inhibitory surround comprised to Th2 T cell clones having partial reactivities to a particular self major histocompatibility complex ligand. During immune responses to self-mimicking foreign antigens, the more numerous Th2 T cells of the inhibitory surround would prevent clonal expansion and Th1 differentiation of any fully autoreactive T cell.
Stability of plane-wave solutions of a dissipative generalization of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation

Abstract The modulational instability of perturbed plane-wave solutions of the cubic nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation is examined in the presence of three forms of dissipation. We present two families of decreasing-in-magnitude plane-wave solutions to this dissipative NLS equation. We establish that all such solutions that have no spatial dependence are linearly stable, though some perturbations may grow a finite amount. Further, we establish that all such solutions that have spatial dependence are linearly unstable if a certain form of dissipation is present.