cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
First principles investigation into the phase stability and enhanced hardness of TiN-ScN and TiN-YN alloys

Abstract We study the phase stability, mechanical properties, and electronic structure of two quasi-binary ceramic systems, Ti1-xScxN and Ti1-xYxN (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), using first principles methods based on density functional theory, cluster expansion formalism, and Monte Carlo techniques. Owing to the similarity in ionic radii and electronegativities of their respective transition metals, strong exothermic mixing of TiN and ScN is predicted, with four ordered intermetallic phases lying on the convex hull: TiScN2, TiSc8N9, TiSc9N10, and Ti3Sc2N5. These structures form layered rocksalt-type configurations to minimize strain energy while maximizing occupation of bonding states. The fully-detailed phase diagram including these predicted ground states and known end members is constructed, revealing an upper consolute temperature of 660 K. In contrast to Ti1-xScxN, the mismatched properties of TiN and YN lead to large structural distortions and positive strain energies. As a result, endothermic mixing with significant upward bowing in the formation energy is observed at intermediate concentrations, with the consolute temperature of 7225 K being predicted from the phase diagram of Ti1-xYxN. TiN, ScN, and YN are found to display hardness values of 23.4, 25.1, and 20.6 GPa respectively, in good agreement with experimental data. The intermetallic phase Ti3Sc2N5 is predicted to exhibit an exceptionally high hardness of 27.3 GPa. From analysis of projected electronic density of states and Crystal Orbital Hamiltonian Populations, we attribute enhanced hardness to strong nitrogen p and metal d hybridization, being related to 3d eg occupation, and decreased tendency towards shearing, being related to minimal 3d t2g occupation. These features extend to the case of random solutions, which we model using special quasirandom structures, showing a maximum hardness at a valence electron concentration of 8.4. Based on these findings, we suggest Ti1-xScxN alloys for implementation in hard coating applications.
Band sowing with hoeing in organic grains: II. Evidence of improved weed management in spring wheat, oats, field peas, and flax

The long-term success of weed management programs requires that all crops in a rotation receive satisfactory weed control. Band sowing with inter-band hoeing has been proposed as an innovative weed management strategy for grain crops. In the band-sowing system, crops are sown in a broadcast pattern within a band of some chosen width (here we selected 12.7 cm); weeds between bands are controlled with inter-band hoeing, with or without so-called “blind cultivation,” for example, tine harrowing. Alteration of the crop spatial arrangement from typical single-line rows to a more evenly distributed pattern aims to enhance interspecific competition while reducing intraspecific competition. Field experiments, conducted in Maine in 2016 and 2017, compared band sowing with inter-band hoeing to the region's standard practice of planting in 16.5-cm rows and tine harrowing in four test crops: spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ‘Glenn'), oat (Avena sativa L. ‘Colt'), field pea (Pisum sativum L. ‘Jetset'), and flax (Linum usitatissimum L. ‘Prairie Thunder'). Band sowing improved weed control relative to the standard practice, especially in crops with greater competitive ability (wheat and oat). Despite improved weed control, in most cases, yields were unaffected by treatment. While band sowing with hoeing provided improved weed control in multiple crops, further study is warranted to optimize seeding rate, band width, and inter-band width to improve crop yields.
Cryptococcus neoformans automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (aicd) endocarditis: A challenging case of a rare fungal endocarditis

Fungal endocarditis is a rare form of endocarditis accounting for less than 2% of all cases. Common offending pathogens include: Candida and Aspergillus. Cryptococcal endocarditis is extremely rare with only ten prior cases reported. To our knowledge, only one prior case of AICD-associated
Evaluation of city-scale built environment policies in New York City with an emerging-mobility-accessible synthetic population

Abstract With the rise of smart cities, a number of new mobility services have emerged to drive changes in built environment policies. Up-to-date demand models are needed to capture the impact of these policies on emerging mobility-enabled travel patterns. The study explores modeling requirements to assess the impact of such built environment policies. A synthetic population of New York City with a tour-based nested logit mode choice model was developed with accessibility to bikesharing and ride hail services via smartphone ownership. The model results suggest Manhattanites have a value of time of $29/h, consistent with the literature. Smartphone ownership is positively influenced by income and negatively influenced by age, and in turn negatively impacts Citi Bike ridership relative to other modes available. The synthetic population is also applied to analyze two city-scale built environment scenarios: a hypothetical Amazon headquarter deployment and a Citi Bike service expansion. If Amazon succeeded in Long Island City, it would have increased the number of trips to/from that neighborhood by 239%, of which FHVs would grow by over 441% and transit by 294%. It would have led to an increase of peak morning trips from 5000 up to at least 8000. Citi Bike’s expansion plan would grow ridership by 92%, and if they were able to expand efficiently throughout NYC this would grow further to 210% over the baseline.
Assessing combinatorial effects of HIV infection and former cocaine dependence on cognitive control processes: A high-density electrical mapping study of response inhibition

Abstract Stimulant drug use in HIV + patients is associated with poor personal and public health outcomes, including high-risk sexual behavior and faster progression from HIV to AIDS. Inhibitory control--the ability to withhold a thought, feeling, or action--is a central construct involved in the minimization of risk-taking behaviors. Recent neuroimaging and behavioral evidence indicate normalization of inhibitory control processes in former cocaine users as a function of the duration of drug abstinence, but it is unknown whether this recovery trajectory persists in former users with comorbid HIV. Here, we investigate the neural correlates of inhibitory control in 103 human subjects using high-density EEG recording as participants performed a Go/NoGo response inhibition task. Four groups of participants were recruited, varying on HIV and cocaine-dependence status. Electrophysiological responses to successful inhibitions and behavioral task performance were compared among groups. Results indicate persistent behavioral and neurophysiological impairment in HIV+ patients’ response inhibition despite current abstinence from cocaine. Analysis of task performance showed that HIV+ abstinent cocaine-dependent participants demonstrate the lowest performance of all groups across all metrics of task accuracy. Planned comparisons of electrophysiological components revealed a main effect of scalp site and an interaction between HIV-status and scalp site on N2 amplitudes during successful inhibitions. Analysis of the P3 time region showed a main effect of scalp site and an interaction between HIV-status and cocaine dependence. These results suggest synergistic alterations in the neurophysiology of response inhibition and indicate that abstinence-related recovery of inhibitory control may be attenuated in patients with HIV.
Cataloging to Support Information Literacy: The IFLA Library Reference Model’s User Tasks in the Context of the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education

Cataloging practices, as exemplified by the five user tasks of the IFLA Library Reference Model, can support information literacy practices. The six frames of the Framework for Information Literacy...
Beneficial effects of dietary restriction on cerebral cortical synaptic terminals: Preservation of glucose and glutamate transport and mitochondrial function after exposure to amyloid β-peptide, iron, and 3-nitropropionic acid

Recent studies have shown that rats and mice maintained on a dietary restriction (DR) regimen exhibit increased resistance of neurons to excitotoxic, oxidative, and metabolic insults in experimental models of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases and stroke. Because synaptic terminals are sites where the neurodegenerative process may begin in such neurodegenerative disorders, we determined the effects of DR on synaptic homeostasis and vulnerability to oxidative and metabolic insults. Basal levels of glucose uptake were similar in cerebral cortical synaptosomes from rats maintained on DR for 3 months compared with synaptosomes from rats fed ad libitum. Exposure of synaptosomes to oxidative insults (amyloid beta-peptide and Fe(2+)) and a metabolic insult (the mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid) resulted in decreased levels of glucose uptake. Impairment of glucose uptake following oxidative and metabolic insults was significantly attenuated in synaptosomes from rats maintained on DR. DR was also effective in protecting synaptosomes against oxidative and metabolic impairment of glutamate uptake. Loss of mitochondrial function caused by oxidative and metabolic insults, as indicated by increased levels of reactive oxygen species and decreased transmembrane potential, was significantly attenuated in synaptosomes from rats maintained on DR. Levels of the stress proteins HSP-70 and GRP-78 were increased in synaptosomes from DR rats, consistent with previous data suggesting that the neuroprotective mechanism of DR involves a "preconditioning" effect. Collectively, our data provide the first evidence that DR can alter synaptic homeostasis in a manner that enhances the ability of synapses to withstand adversity.
Reviewing Expedited Review

This paper examines the expedited review process used in law review submissions. It collects data from journals about their expedited review policies, and suggests some interpretations of the data. [NOTE: The data is currently a few years old. I will be updating it at some future date].
Design of 1.2 kV Power Switches With Low $R_{\mathrm{{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}}$ Using GaN-Based Vertical JFET

Two novel gallium nitride-based vertical junction FETs (VJFETs), one with a vertical channel and the other with a lateral channel, are proposed, designed, and modeled to achieve a 1.2 kV normally OFF power switch with very low ON resistance ( $R_{\mathrm{{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}}$ ). The 2-D drift diffusion model of the proposed devices was implemented using Silvaco ATLAS. A comprehensive design space was generated for the vertical channel VJFET (VC-VJFET). For a well-designed VC-VJFET, the breakdown voltage ( $V_{\textrm {BR}}$ ) obtained was 1260 V, which is defined in this study as the drain-to-source voltage at an OFF-state current of 1 $\mu \textrm {A}\,\cdot \,\textrm {cm}^{-2}$ and a peak electric field not exceeding 2.4 MV/cm. The corresponding $R_{\mathrm{{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}}$ was 5.2 $\text{m}\Omega \cdot \textrm {cm}^{2}$ . To further improve the switching device figure of merit, a merged lateral-vertical geometry was proposed and modeled in the form of a lateral channel VJFET (LC-VJFET). For the LC-VJFET, a breakdown voltage of 1310 V with a corresponding $R_{\mathrm{{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}}$ of 1.7 $\text{m}\Omega \,\cdot \,\textrm {cm}^{2}$ was achieved for similar thicknesses of the drift region. This paper studies the design space in detail and discusses the associated tradeoffs in the $R_{\mathrm{{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}}$ and $V_{\textrm {BR}}$ in conjunction with the threshold voltage ( $V_{T}$ ) desired for the normally OFF operation.
Exchange and dipolar interactions in solid organic radicals

Investigations of the E.S.R. linewidths of exchange narrowed lines from solid organic free radicals allow one to obtain information about both the exchange interaction and the electron-electron dipolar interaction in some instances. In cases in which the dipolar interaction is incompletely averaged by spin exchange one can use the frequency dependence of the E.S.R. linewidth to determine the magnitudes of the exchange frequency and the dipolar interaction. This paper reports results from a study of the frequency and temperature dependence of the linewidth of four solid organic radicals. The dipole-dipole interaction of the two nitroxide radicals included in this study was found to be temperature dependent, indicating changes in intermolecular spin separation with temperature. The exchange energy of these two radicals appeared to vary exponentially with the separation of the spins through most of the temperature interval which was investigated.
Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Dyssynchrony‐induced Dilated Cardiomyopathy in an Infant

The relationship between accessory pathway-mediated ventricular preexcitation and left ventricular dyssynchrony-induced dysfunction has been described in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome in the absence of sustained supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Supraventricular tachycardia in infants is usually successfully suppressed with antiarrhythmic medications, but catheter ablation has ultimately been required as definitive treatment in medically resistant cases. Catheter ablation has not been described in young infants for dyssynchrony-related dilated cardiomyopathy in the absence of SVT. We describe a case of an infant with WPW who did not have sustained supraventricular tachycardia, but who developed rapid progression of ventricular dysfunction after birth. Preexcitation could not be medically suppressed but was successfully ablated. This was followed by complete resolution of ventricular dysfunction within 2 months.
Bacterial Bioluminescence In Vivo: Control and Synthesis of Aldehyde Factor in Temperature-Conditional Luminescence Mutants

Bioluminescent marine bacteria possess luciferase, which catalyzes the oxidation of reduced flavin mononucleotide and long-chain aldehyde to produce light. Temperature-sensitive mutants of these bacteria can be obtained which require exogenous aldehyde for light production at higher temperatures. In Beneckea harveyi . two classes of such mutants were found which differed with regard to their response to temperature shifts. In one class, a shift from permissive to nonpermissive temperature in liquid cultures resulted in a rapid ( t ½ ≃ 3 min) loss of luminescence. In the other, there was no immediate decline in luminescence; it was the increase of luminescence that was blocked. Through studies of these and other effects of temperature shifts on the in vivo luminescence of these mutants, we conclude that at least two genes are specifically involved in the in vivo biosynthesis of aldehyde for the luminescence reaction and that both genes are coordinately controlled with that for luciferase.
Macroeconomic stabilization in developing economies: Are optimal policies procyclical?

Abstract Many empirical studies provide evidence that macroeconomic policies as well as capital flows exhibit procyclical characteristics in developing economies. In particular Kaminsky et al. [2004. When it rains, it pours: Procyclical capital flows and macroeconomic policies. NBER Macroeconomics Annual, MIT Press] demonstrate that a large group of middle-income countries run contractionary policies and experience capital flight during times of recession. This paper investigates the role of international financial markets in explaining these macroeconomic policy and capital flow characteristics. An optimal fiscal and monetary policy problem is formulated and solved for a small-open economy that faces a country-specific interest rate spread in international financial markets. It is found that, in the presence of the country spread, optimal fiscal and monetary policies as well as capital flows are procyclical under a reasonable parametrization. Optimal policies and capital flows turn countercyclical in the absence of the country spread. This pattern is robust to a range of alternative model specifications.
Reefs of an uninhabited Caribbean island: fishes, benthic habitat, and opportunities to discern reef fishery impact

Navassa Island is a tiny, (5 km2) uninhabited US protectorate located between Jamaica and Haiti. It is part of the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge, under the jurisdiction of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. We conducted a quantitative assessment of Navassa's coral reef fishes and benthic habitat, in order to assist with the development of conservation plan for the island. The shallow reefs of Navassa (<23m) have high live coral cover (range 20–26.1%), high degree of architectural complexity (rugosity index range 1.4–1.9), and moderate abundance of the keystone grazing urchin, Diadema antillarum, at all sites (mean 2.9±0.9 per 30 m2). Despite its remoteness, an unregulated, artisanal fishery (primarily using traps and hook and line) carried out by Haitians is the primary mode of human impact on Navassa reefs. Even so, reef fish communities exhibit high density (range 97–140 fish per 60 m2) and retain representation by large snapper, grouper and herbivores, which are mostly lacking in nearby Caribbean locations with high fishing pressure. Thus, Navassa reefs appear to be trophically intact with fish populations relatively “unexploited,” presenting a conservation challenge and a research opportunity. The regulation and conservation of the fishery will be difficult, due to the international nature of the situation. However, given the apparently small impact that artisanal fisheries have yet had on its reef communities, Navassa presents a possibly unique opportunity to study the ecological functioning of a relatively trophically intact Caribbean reef, and represents a strong imperative for conservation, monitoring, and research.
The Metabolizable Energy of Wheat By-Products

Abstract The composotion of wheat milling by-products varies markedly in different geographic regions among suppliers. In this study, the determined true metabolizable energy (TMEn) of 15 samples of wheat by-products, along with proximate composition and NDF, were investigated to develop prediction equations for estimating energy values. Both crude fiber and NDF were found to be useful indicatorsof of the TMEn of wheat by-products.
The correlation between calcium absorption and electrophysiological recovery in crushed rat peripheral nerves

The correlation between calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration and electrophysiological recovery in crushed peripheral nerves has not been studied. Observing and quantifying the Ca2+ intensity in live normal and crushed peripheral nerves was performed using a novel microfine tearing technique and Calcium Green-1 Acetoxymethyl ester stain, a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator. Ca2+ was shown to be homogeneously distributed in the myelinated sheaths. After a crush injury, there was significant stasis in the injured zone and the portion distal to the injury. The Ca2+ has been almost completely absorbed after 24 weeks in the injured nerve to be similar to the controls. The process of the calcium absorption was correlated with the Compound Muscle Action Potential recovery process of the injured nerves. This correlation was statistically significant (r = −0.81, P < 0.05). The better understanding of this process will help us to improve nerve regeneration after peripheral nerve injury. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.
A Theoretical Study of the Excited States of Chlorophyll a and Pheophytin a

The first six excited states of pheophytin a and chlorophyll a with the phytyl chain replaced by a hydrogen atom have been calculated using a combination of density functional theory and the multireference configuration interaction method (DFT/MRCI). The calculations accurately reproduce experimental absorption energies and intensities. Four and three excited states are calculated in the visible region of pheophytin a and chlorophyll a, respectively. We thus predict the existence of more than the two Qx and Qy electronic states in this energy range. These additional states are of significant double-excitation character and cannot be explained within the four frontier orbital model. Two strongly allowed states are calculated in the Soret region at 2.9 eV.
Interactions of cooling rate, warming rate, glycerol concentration, and dilution procedure on the viability of frozen-thawed human granulocytes

Abstract Difficulties in the successful freezing of human granulocytes could lie at two levels. One is that critical cryobiological variables have not yet been identified, the other is that the inconsistent results may be due to unusual biological aspects of the cell. This paper is concerned with the former. A prerequisite for the successful freezing of mammalian cells is the ability of the cell to tolerate cryoprotective levels of additive. The additive studied here was glycerol. Based on fluorescent staining with fluorescein diacetate, we found that 1 and 2 M concentrations are in fact chemically toxic at 22 °C. Superimposed on this toxicity is some osmotic sensitivity to the removal of the additive by other than slow dilution. The dilution procedure was selected on the basis of computer modeling of the osmotic response of the cells. The model requires a value for the permeability coefficient for glycerol. The value (4 × 10 −5 cm/min) was obtained by measuring the rate of increase of the volume of cells in hyperosmotic glycerol. The response of human granulocytes to freezing to − 196 °C and thawing in 1 or 2 M glycerol was not unusual. The optimum cooling rate was 1–3 °C/min, and cooling at 10 °C/min or faster was especially deleterious if warming was slow (1 °C/min) rather than rapid (188 °C/min). The FDA assay showed that some 75% of the cells survived freezing and thawing at optimum rates in 1 or 2 M glycerol; and some 50–60% remained viable after the glycerol had been removed, provided that the cells remained at 0 °C. However, granulocytes normally function at 37 °C. Because chemotaxis is considered a good assay of normal function, we developed a modified procedure capable of discriminating among random migration, enhanced random migration (chemokinesis), and directed cell migration (true chemotaxis). When frozen-thawed-diluted cells were incubated for 60 min at 37 °C, their survival, based both on the FDA assay and on the chemotaxis assay, was zero. In fact, a prior exposure of the cells to 2 M glycerol at 0 °C, even in the absence of freezing, resulted in a rapid loss in FDA viability when the cells were subsequently held at 37 °C for up to 60 min. Survivals based on FDA are usually reported to be considerably higher than survivals based on functional assays such as chemotaxis or phagocytosis. Our results suggest that the incorporation of a prior incubation at 37 °C into the procedure may make the FDA assay a more accurate predictor of functional recovery.
Symptomatic hyperprolactinemia from an ectopic pituitary adenoma located in the clivus.

Objective: To report a case of an ectopic pituitary adenoma in the clivus.Methods: The clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings of the case are reviewed, and the embryogenesis of the pituitary gl...
Mercury sequestration in forests and peatlands: a review.

Nearly all Hg in vegetation is derived directly from the atmosphere. Mass of Hg in forest vegetation (roughly 0.1 mg m -2 ) is about an order of magnitude smaller than that in the forest floor (1 mg m -2 ) and two orders of magnitude smaller than that in the mineral soil (10 mg m -2 ). Mass of Hg in peat (20 mg m -2 ) is greater than the sum of that in mineral soil and the forest floor; wetlands usually sequester more Hg than associated uplands. The strong relationship of Hg to organic matter, associated with binding by reduced S groups, is fundamental to understanding Hg distribution and behavior in terrestrial systems. The stoichiometry of the Hg-C relationship varies; Hg-S relationships, though less variable, are not constant. Because of the Hg-organic matter link, landscape conditions that lead to differential soil organic matter accumulation are likely to lead to differential Hg accumulation. The ratio of methylmercury (MeHg) to total Hg is generally low in both vegetation (near 1.5%) and soil (<1%), but areas of poorly drained soils and wetlands are sites of MeHg production. The annual emission of anthropic Hg from the 48 contiguous states of the USA (144 Mg) is two orders of magnitude less than the pool of Hg in forests of those states (30 300 Mg). Peatlands, less than 2% of total land area, sequester more than 20 times annual emissions (2930 Mg). If global climate change affects C storage it will indirectly affect Hg storage, having a major effect on the balance between emissions and sequestration and on the global Hg cycle.
Error-Detection-Based Quantum Fault-Tolerance Threshold

A major hurdle in building a quantum computer is overcoming noise, since quantum superpositions are fragile. Developed over the last couple of years, schemes for achieving fault tolerance based on error detection, rather than error correction, appear to tolerate as much as 3–6% noise per gate—an order of magnitude higher than previous procedures. However, proof techniques could not show that these promising fault-tolerance schemes tolerated any noise at all; the distribution of errors in the quantum state has correlations that conceivably could grow out of control. With an analysis based on decomposing complicated probability distributions into mixtures of simpler ones, we rigorously prove the existence of constant tolerable noise rates (“noise thresholds”) for error-detection-based schemes. Numerical calculations indicate that the actual noise threshold this method yields is lower-bounded by 0.1% noise per gate.
Catalysts or contributors? Tracking bacterial mediation of early diagenesis in the marine water column

A series of oxic and anoxic incubations examined the changes in bacterial biomass and diagnostic fatty acids during degradation of two marine phytoplankton, the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii and the coccoid cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. Flow-through systems were used to simulate sedimentation, while macrozooplankton grazers were excluded. Bacterial abundance was strongly coupled to the decay sequence for algal carbon under both oxic and anoxic conditions, with loss of particular organic carbon (POC) accompanied by a rapid increase in bacterial biomass. Bacterial carbon increased over 3.7-fold during the period when maximal loss of diatom derived POC was observed. In the oxic cyanobacterial decay experiment bacterial biomass showed a different pattern, with a rapid increase prior to the time period of particulate carbon loss and decrease thereafter. The total concentration of “bacterial” fatty acids for all incubations increased from time zero, with highest concentrations (164 μg l−1) in oxic incubations and coinciding with periods of highest bacterial carbon. Bacterial carbon accounted for up to 32.6% of total POC during the early stages of anoxic diatom decay, with lower maximum amounts (21.4%) in parallel incubations under oxic conditions. Carbon isotopic signatures of individual fatty acids representing algal, bacterial and mixed sources were determined during oxic diatom decay, and showed a small enrichment (average of +1.6‰) in 13C after the period of major POC loss. A comparison of total fatty acids attributed to bacteria and bacterial carbon calculated from measured bacterial cells showed no strong relationship, suggesting that fatty acids considered diagnostic of bacteria remain a qualitative tool for the estimation of bacterial contributions to sediments.
Exposure of Neonatal Rats to Alcohol by Vapor Inhalation Demonstrates Specificity of Microcephaly and Purkinje Cell Loss But Not Astrogliosis

The artificial rearing model (AR) of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) has been shown to induce several major pathologies in the early postnatal rat brain development: microcephaly, selective neuronal cell loss, and activation of astroglia in the neocortex. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these pathologies were specific to the action of alcohol or, in contrast, could result from confounds attributed to this model of FAS. For this purpose, the pathological effects of AR were compared with those of a vapor inhalation (VI) model of FAS. Our studies showed that the microcephaly that developed after exposure to periodic blood alcohol levels (BALs) of 300-350 mg% during postnatal days 4-9 could be achieved by both AR and IV models of FAS, and thus is independent of the method of alcohol administration. In contrast, the gliosis measured by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mRNA levels in cortex, as well as by immunohistochemical staining for GFAP, was found only in the AR-FAS model, but not in the VI model. However, the lack of gliosis in VI was apparently not due to a less intrusive intervention of alcohol, because VI exposure resulted in a reduction in Purkinje cell number comparable with that found after AR or intragastric intubation of alcohol. Based on these observations, we conclude that the activation of gliosis observed after AR is not a specific effect of alcohol, but rather is caused by an interaction of alcohol with as yet unidentified factors present in AR.
Localization of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase in the endocrine pancreas

Abstract Immunoelectron microscopy and cellular fractionation on sucrose density gradients have been used to examine the intracellular distribution of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the canine and rat endocrine pancreas. Using rabbit anti-canine copper-zinc SOD as the primary antiserum, immunostaining in canine β and non-β islet cells was significantly greater than that in serial sections of the same islet incubated with preimmune serum from the same rabbit. Within the cells, immunostaining was associated with spherical and crystalloid granules as well as with the cytoplasm. Radioimmune assays of cellular fractions or rat islet-cell preparations showed that the granule-rich fraction containing large amounts of insulin was also rich in SOD. This interesting observation of association of SOD with hormone-containing granjles suggests that SOD may play a role in protecting these oxidation-sensitive proteins.
Specification Tests for Nested Logit Models

The nested or sequential logit model is the only computationally tractable randomutility model that permits correlation among the random components of the utility functions of different alternative...
A nonlinear adaptive estimation recursive algorithm

A nonlinear, adaptive and recursive algorithm is derived for estimating an unknown probability density given a sequence of independent samples from the unknown density. An expansion of the unknown density in terms of a known and finite set of orthogonal functions is utilized and a Bayesian recursive learning procedure is derived for learning the coefficients of the expansion. The algorithm eliminates the need for quantization of the unknown parameter space. Adaptive estimators of population moments are also derived as known linear combinations of the recursively obtained expansion coefficients.
First report of albinism in the white‐spotted bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium plagiosum (Orectolobiformes: Hemiscyllidae), with a review of reported color aberrations in elasmobranchs

Three albinistic, white-spotted bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) (two males and one female) were hatched at SeaWorld parks. Due to their lack of integumentary and retinal pigments, all three animals were considered true albinos. The term “leucism,” more prominently used within the herpetological discipline, is suggested as a more apt description for previously reported color aberrations in elasmobranchs. Reports of color aberrations in other species of elasmobranchs, and a clarification of the terms used to describe these irregularities in pigmentation, are also presented. Zoo Biol 21:519–524, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A model for teaching research ethics

A model is described for implementing a program in research ethics education in the face of federal and institutional mandates and current resource, disciplinary, and infrastructure limitations. Also discussed are the historical background, content and evaluation process of the workshop at the heart of the program, which reaches a diverse group of over 250 students per year—from first-year graduate students in basic research labs to clinical fellows. The workshop addresses central issues in both everyday laboratory ethics and in larger societal questions. Goals include improving overall awareness of ethics guidelines and philosophy and enhancing skills in identifying and then analyzing the ethical components of situations. Pedagogies used and their effectiveness and that of the overall workshop and extended program are addressed. Programs like these have initiated a shift in the culture of basic research, which is a critical need given the current atmosphere.
Risk assessment for heart disease and workplace ETS exposure among nonsmokers.

In 1994 the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) published a study of risk assessment for heart disease and lung cancer resulting from workplace exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) among nonsmokers. This assessment is currently being revised. The present article considers different possible approaches to a risk assessment for heart disease among nonsmokers resulting from workplace ETS exposure, reviews the approach taken by OSHA in 1994, and suggests some modifications to that approach. Since 1994 the literature supporting an association between ETS exposure and heart disease among never smokers (sometimes including long-term former smokers) has been strengthened by new studies, including some studies that have specifically considered workplace exposure. A number of these studies are appropriate for inclusion in a meta-analysis, whereas a few may not be due to methodological problems or problems in exposure definition. A meta-analysis of eight relative risks (either rate ratios or odds ratios) for heart disease resulting from workplace ETS exposure, based on one reasonable selection of appropriate studies, yields a combined relative risk of 1.21 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.41). This relative risk, which is similar to that used by OSHA in 1994, yields an excess risk of death from heart disease by age 70 of 7 per 1000 (95% CI 0.001-0.013) resulting from ETS exposure in the workplace. This excess risk exceeds OSHA's usual threshold for regulation of 1 per 1000. Approximately 1,710 excess ischemic heart disease deaths per year would be expected among nonsmoking U.S. workers 35-69 years of age exposed to workplace ETS.
An evaluation of mechanical property and microstructural development in HAP‐Ca polycarboxylate biocomposites prepared by hot pressing

A hot-pressing technique was used to prepare composites anticipated to be biocompatible. Ca 4 (PO 4 ) 2 O (TetCP) was reacted with an acrylic-itaconic copolymer (CoP) in the absence of a solvent to form composites comprised of Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 . (hydroxyapatite, or HAp) and the Ca polyalkenoate salt. The effect of temperature, pressure, and hot-pressing time on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the composites were studied. Results showed that both tensile strength and elastic modulus increased when temperature and time were increased. When the compaction pressure was increased, these properties initially increased but decreased at high pressures. These variations in the mechanical properties were correlated with the microstructure of these composites. The mechanism of the reaction was also studied. Reaction starts when the copolymer is heated to above its T g permitting it to flow and react with the TetCP grains. The COOH groups on the polymer are neutralized by Ca 2+ ions liberated from the TetCP. At the end of reaction, a network of the Ca polyalkenoate salt is formed in which HAp crystals are embedded.
Viral infection and the evolution of caspase 8-regulated apoptotic and necrotic death pathways

Pathogens specifically target both the caspase 8-dependent apoptotic cell death pathway and the necrotic cell death pathway that is dependent on receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1; also known as RIPK1) and RIP3 (also known as RIPK3). The fundamental co-regulation of these two cell death pathways emerged when the midgestational death of mice deficient in FAS-associated death domain protein (FADD) or caspase 8 was reversed by elimination of RIP1 or RIP3, indicating a far more entwined relationship than previously appreciated. Thus, mammals require caspase 8 activity during embryogenesis to suppress the kinases RIP1 and RIP3 as part of the dialogue between two distinct cell death processes that together fulfil reinforcing roles in the host defence against intracellular pathogens such as herpesviruses.
Evidence for Primordial Superheavy Elements

Microscopic crystalline monazite inclusions showing giant halo formation in biotite mica have been analyzed by the method of proton-induced x-ray emission. The observed x-ray energy spectra are best explained by the presence of a number of superheavy elements. (AIP)
Residential energy savings through modified control of space-conditioning equipment

Abstract Energy requirements for heating and cooling homes depend strongly on how the space conditioning equipment is operated. Using detailed computer simulations for a typical house, the energy savings for decreasing winter thermostat settings and for further reductions during the night are given as a function of climate. Similarly, the energy savings for increased thermostat settings during the air-conditioning season are given for the coterminous states. Air-conditioning requirements can also be reduced by allowing natural ventilation to cool homes under certain outdoor conditions. A comparison between air-conditioning only and a combination of air-conditioning and opening windows is given for the coterminous states. Energy savings for all of these options are highly dependent upon local climates. Total savings from adoption of these behavioral changes are equivalent to one-fourth of U.S. imported petroleum.
Non-pancreatic proteases of the chymotrypsin family. I. A chymotrypsin-like protease from rat mast cells

Abstract A protease has been purified from the isolated granules of mast cells from the peritoneal cavity of the rat. It resembles pancreatic chymotrypsin in most functional aspects, and has (by gel filtration measurement) the same molecular weight. It is active on tyrosine esters, but not arginine esters, and has a pH optimum and Michaelis constant in the hydrolysis of benzoyl- l -tyrosine ethyl ester (BTEE) that are very similar to those for bovine α-chymotrypsin. It exhibits the active-center-directed reactivities that are associated with the serine and with the histidine residues in chymotrypsin. There is evidence to suggest that it exists in the mast cell not as a zymogen, but as the active enzyme, bound to heparin. This enzyme exhibits an exceptional affinity for Sephadex or Bio-Gel gels, and is strongly retarded in filtration on these in neutral 0.1 M salt solutions. This leads to large errors in molecular weight estimation, which are removed when the filtration is conducted in 1.4 M KCl solution. The origin of such anomalies on the gel columns is discussed.
Alteration of Adult Erythrocyte Lipids during In Vivo Fetal Circulation

Extract: The effects on membrane lipid composition of chronic in vivo exposure of adult cells to a fetal plasma environment were studied in eight infants who received repeated intrauterine transfusions for erythroblastosis fctalis. Comparison is made between the lipid composition of the transfused adult cells obtained at delivery and the lipid composition of cells from normal newborn infants, from nontransfused newborn infants with erythroblastosis (EB), and from adult donor cells. Transfused cells which had circulated in the fetus for a minimum of 5–16 days showed a significant increase in membrane cholesterol (transfused cell cholesterol 1.53 mg/cell X 10-10; donor cell cholesterol: 1.26 mg/cell X 10-10). One patient in whom donor cells circulated a minimum of 30 days showed increased levels of total lipid (6.73 mg/cell X 10-10) and lipid phosphorus (1.35) mg/cell X 10-11) as well as cholesterol (1.74 mg/cell X 10-10). These increases in membrane lipid content were not accompanied by increased cell volume.
P.9.11 Transgenic zebrafish expressing mutant skeletal muscle actin, acta1a, model human nemaline myopathy

The nemaline myopathies (NMs) are a heterogeneous group of congenital myopathies defined by moderate to severe muscle weakness and accumulation of rod-like structures (nemaline bodies) in myofibers. Heterozygous dominant mutations of the skeletal muscle α-actin gene (ACTA1) account for ∼25% of all NM cases. Despite our current understanding of normal actin function, the mechanisms underlying muscle pathology remain unclear and there are no curative therapies available for patients. In order to elucidate the molecular defects behind ACTA1-related NM, we are generating a panel of transgenic zebrafish lines that express a series of disease-linked dominant mutations on the zebrafish acta1a transcript, the predominant actin expressed in fast myofibers. We initially tested whether three of these variants, acta1a H42Y, M134V and V165M would lead to a muscle phenotype by injecting the mutant mRNA into zebrafish embryos. The fish overexpressing mutant actins displayed myopathic phenotypes characterized by delayed hatching from the chorion and curved bodies to variable degrees that corresponded with the severity of disease in patients with these mutations. We next generated an acta1a V165M transgenic line that stably expresses mutant actin in all fast myofibers and characterized its neuromuscular phenotypes by morphological and histological analysis at different time points. The acta1a V165M fish display muscle weakness as evidenced by their thin bodies and curved tails at 2 days-post-fertilization (dpf) and reduced motility in touch-evoked escape response assay at 5 dpf. Whole-mount phalloidin staining at 2 dpf revealed actin aggregates in the affected fish muscle, while electron microscopy demonstrated Z-line thickening and severe myofibrillar disorganization. These results provide proof of concept that zebrafish models of actin mutations recapitulate the human disease and have robust myopathic phenotypes that may be amenable for high-throughput chemical screening.
Small-beam calibration by 0.6- and 0.2-cm3 ionization chambers.

Small beams are often applied in radiotherapy, e.g., in shrinking field and high-dose techniques with curative intent. For a given beam, measured field size factors (FSF) may vary with responses of different detectors to nonuniform radiation fluence. Dose rates of small photon and electron beams with diverse profiles were measured in polystyrene with 0.6- and 0.2-cm/sup 3/ Farmer ionization chambers. FSF of /sup 60/Co, 4-, 8-, and 16-MV photon beams, and of 6-, 12-, and 20-MeV electron beams, were determined as ratios of dose rates of beams with differing field dimensions to dose rates of 10 x 10 cm beams. /sup 60/Co and 4-MV photon beam FSF were also determined in air using acrylic buildup caps. FSF obtained via 0.6- and 0.2-cm/sup 3/ chambers are compared as functions of beam flatness and quality. It is shown that notable discrepancies can exist between FSF for the same field obtained with different detectors, even when chamber volumes are well within nominal beam dimensions. Possible dose delivery errors arising from use of the 0.6-cm/sup 3/ chamber were found to be from 0% to 2% for 4 x 4 to 5 x 5 cm photon beams, and from -1% to 5% for electron beamsmore » 4 cm in diameter. Possible errors >5% were noted for most beams <3.5 x 3.5 cm. Consequently, it is recommended that detectors smaller than the Farmer 0.6-cm/sup 3/ chamber be employed in determining FSF of beams < or =5 x 5 cm. For facilities where smaller detectors are unavailable, beam profile averaging and extrapolation of rectangular FSF are examined as corrective techniques for calibration of small beams by a relatively large detector.« less
Core polarization in inelastic scattering and effective charges

A perturbation theory treatment is made of core-polarization effects in electromagnetic and inelastic scattering transitions due to high-lying collective excitations. Formulas are presented which make the connection between core-polarization parameters in inelastic scattering and effective charges from electromagnetic transitions. These relationships show that there is a natural disparity in neutron and proton polarizations, which arises from the departure (due to the neutron excess) of these high-lying collective excitations from pure isoscalar or isovector character. The resulting isospin-polarization matrix is calculated both from a schematic model and by making a connection with Bohr-Mottelson parametrization of isoscalar and isovector effective charges. The effects of spreading of the isoscalar giant resonance are taken into account in an approximate way which results in a formulation with one parameter free to be determined from empirical electromagnetic effective charges. Numerical results which show the effects of core polarization in electromagnetic transitions, ($\ensuremath{\alpha}, {\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$), ($p, {p}^{\ensuremath{'}}$), and ($n, {n}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) are presented for $^{118}\mathrm{Sn}$ and $^{207}\mathrm{Pb}$.NUCLEAR REACTIONS Inelastic scattering of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$, $p$, $n$ on $^{207}\mathrm{Pb}$, $^{118}\mathrm{Sn}$, core polarization effect calculated from electromagnetic effective charges as examples of method developed.
Cell-mediated immune functions, interleukin 2 and interferon production by high leukemia incidence mutant (hr/hr) mice of the HRS/J strain

Abstract Homozygous hr/hr mice of the HRS/J strain have a high incidence of lymphoma not seen in congenic hr/+ littermates. The suggestion has been made that a helper T cell defect in the immune system of the homozygotes may account for this. To further examine the immune status of these mice, we compared the ability of spleen cells of mice of both types to stimulate, as well as to generate, allogeneic cell-mediated cytolytic responses and to produce a soluble mediator of such responses. In addition, both types of mice were tested for their ability to produce interferon (IFN) or to have their splenic natural killer cell (NK) levels augmented by polyriboinosinic-poly-ribocytidylic acid (poly rI-rC). We found that the spleen cells of young or aging mice of either type were able to stimulate the generation of alloreactive cytotoxic cells, but they did not inappropriately stimulate the generation of syngeneic cytotoxic cells. Similarly, spleen cells of both types of mice produced a T helper cell-derived growth factor (interleukin 2) involved in the proliferation of cytolytic cells and generated a classical cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) response to alloantigen-bearing cells. Finally, spontaneous NK cell levels, as well as poly rI-rC augmented IFN and NK cell levels, were similar in both types of mice. Thus, it appears that if defects in the immune system are solely responsible for the high incidence of lymphoma in hr/hr mice, the defects involve components or regulatory aspects of that system that have yet to be defined.
Development and Evaluation of the Adherence Attitude Inventory

The Adherence Attitude Inventory is a 28-item Likert-type scaled rapid assessment instrument that consists of four distinct constructs (cognitive functioning, patient-provider communication, self-efficacy, and commitment to adherence) that are related to adherence to medication. Although the Adherence Attitude Inventory is not HIV specific, the authors created it in response to a call by the HIV community for instrument development. The focus of this article is on instrument development and pilot testing of psychometric properties.