cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rainfall Index Over Oceans Derived from SSM/I Data

Accurate measurements of global precipitation are vital to the advancement of our knowledge of the dynamics of the atmosphere and oceans. The rapidly varying spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation makes it difficult to obtain adequate data for analysis. Conventional precipitation measurements generally are not considered adequate for quantitative understanding of these global processes. In some areas, there are ground radar systems which could extend the gauge measurements. Satellite-borne sensor systems which can cover a large area in a short time period are ideal for the study of precipitation. The SSM/I (Special Sensor, Microwave Imager) on board the DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) satellite was launched in June, 1987. This sensor measures microwave radiation at four frequencies (19.35, 22.235, 37.0 and 85.5 GHz) with a swath width of 1400 km. It provides an opportunity to study global precipitation distributions.
Impact and Evolution of Technology in College Unions.

This chapter examines how college union professionals can keep up with changes in technology and address student expectations regarding information technology.
Sonar image recognition using synthetic discriminant functions implemented with the Karhunen Loeve transform

This paper discusses modified synthetic discriminant functions (SDF) using a Karhunen Loeve transform (KLT) used for improved sonar image recognition. The SDF filter synthesis involves using the whole image which in turn creates redundancies in the distinguishing features. A number of different schemes have been used to try to reduce the data in SDF filters in order to make them more practical, efficient, and reliable. The KLT is one method to reduce the redundancies in a set of training images to create a new data matrix. This data matrix has a new coordinate system in which the axes of the system are in the direction of the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix of the training set. With the realigned data found in the data matrix, the principle component images can be extracted. Principle component images are comprised of the variations of the original training images. This minimizes the training data to the necessary information that is needed for image recognition. The principle component images then become the training set to be used in the SDF filter. Because the KLT allows for the reduction in redundancies by examining only the variations of this new training set, it will increase the correlation found in this implementation of the SDF filter.
Nuclear proteins. I. Electrophoretic comparison of mouse nucleoli, heterochromatin, euchromatin and contractile proteins.

Summary A number of observations suggest there are some non-histone protein unique to constitutive heterochromatin which are responsible for some of its properties such as interphase condensation, C-banding, frequent decreased quinacrine fluorescence, ectopic pairing, and ability to cause position effect. To investigate this, mouse nuclei were disrupted by sonication and separated by differential centrifugation into heterochromatin+nucleoli, heterochromatin, intermediate, euchromatin pellet and euchromatin supernatant fractions. The non-histone proteins of these fractions were examined by SDS slab gel electrophoresis and compared with the proteins of the cytoplasm, nucleoplasm, cytoplasmic ribosomes, nuclear membrane, and to tubulin, actin, myosin and other muscle proteins. There were a number of non-histone proteins that were unique to or present in greater quantity in the hterochromatin+nucleoli fraction than in the euchromatin. Some of the chromatin non-histone proteins co-migrated with muscle proteins by SDS gel electrophoresis.
Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs for heavy bleeding or pain associated with intrauterine‐device use

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To review all randomized controlled trials that have evaluated an NSAID for treatment or prevention of heavy uterine bleeding or pain associated with IUD use. Abnormal uterine bleeding and pain are the most common medical reasons for premature discontinuation of the intrauterine device (IUD). The IUD is the most commonly used method of reversible contraception worldwide; in 2003 about 14% of couples using contraception relied on an IUD. Hence premature IUD discontinuation affects large numbers of women. From 5% to 15% of women discontinue IUD use within one year because of these bleeding or pain. In a large trial sponsored by the World Health Organization the cumulative net probability of removal of a Copper T380A IUD for pain or bleeding over 12 years of use was 36 per 100 women. The corresponding figure with the Copper TCu220C was 34 per 100 women. (excerpt)
A tale of two California droughts: Lessons amidst record warmth and dryness in a region of complex physical and human geography

The state of California has experienced the worst drought in its historical record during 2012–2015. Adverse effects of this multiyear event have been far from uniformly distributed across the region, ranging from remarkably mild in most of California's densely populated coastal cities to very severe in more rural, agricultural, and wildfire-prone regions. This duality of impacts has created a tale of two very different California droughts—highlighting enhanced susceptibility to climate stresses at the environmental and socioeconomic margins of California. From a geophysical perspective, the persistence of related atmospheric anomalies has raised a number of questions regarding the drought's origins—including the role of anthropogenic climate change. Recent investigations underscore the importance of understanding the underlying physical causes of extremes in the climate system, and the present California drought represents an excellent case study for such endeavors. Meanwhile, a powerful El Nino event in the Pacific Ocean offers the simultaneous prospect of partial drought relief but also an increased risk of flooding during the 2015–2016 winter—a situation illustrative of the complex hydroclimatic risks California and other regions are likely to face in a warming world.
99mTc-Mebrofenin Scintigraphy for Evaluating Liver Disease in a Rat Model of Wilson’s Disease

The purpose of this study was to establish whether 99mTc-mebrofenin could noninvasively assess liver function in Wilson’s disease. Methods: Long–Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats, which reproduce Wilson’s disease with copper toxicosis, and their normal counterparts, Long–Evans Agouti (LEA) rats, were studied. Scintigraphic findings were correlated with biliary mebrofenin excretion and residual organ counts and with hepatic copper content, histology, copper excretion capacity, and liver test results. Results: Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were elevated in some LEC rats, whereas serum bilirubin levels were normal. Liver histology was normal in LEA rats, whereas LEC rats showed multiple abnormalities. Mebrofenin was incorporated rapidly in LEA rats, with a mean time to peak liver activity of 80 ± 30 s, followed by prompt biliary excretion of the tracer. In LEC rats, the mean time to peak activity, 283 ± 190 s, was significantly longer (P = 0.001). The time to half of peak activity, indicating tracer clearance, was significantly greater in LEC rats than in LEA rats (1,825 ± 1,642 s vs. 524 ± 82 s, P = 0.002). Hepatic mebrofenin handling correlated with hepatic copper content, histologic grade, copper excretion capacity, and serum ALT. Conclusion: Correlation of 99mTc-mebrofenin handling with liver morphology, function, and copper accumulation in LEC rats suggests that mebrofenin scintigraphy can be useful for noninvasively monitoring disease progression and therapeutic response in Wilson’s disease. Although the data were obtained in an animal model of Wilson’ disease, these biochemical parameters likely reflect liver damage in general, suggesting that there may be a role for mebrofenin scintigraphy in other chronic liver diseases as well.
Highly Efficient Near-infrared Electroluminescence Devices Based On PbS Nanocrystals

We report on the structural and optoelectronic properties of low-cost near infrared light-emitting diodes using dip-coated lead-sulfide nanocrystal films as the active layer. We achieved efficient room-temperature electroluminescence using this facile fabrication scheme.
Infectivity and teratogenicity of Beauveria bassiana in Menidia beryllina embryos.

Developing embryos of the inland silverside fish, Menidia beryllina, were exposed to conidiospores of the insect pathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, that possessed activity against the migratory grasshopper, Melanoplus sanguinipes. Various adverse effects were observed in Menidia beryllina embryos and larvae. They included rupture of the chorion, embryo death, developmental defects (vertebral abnormalities) in the embryo or hatched larvae, and fungal infections on the mandibles of larvae. Although there was little evidence of a definitive dose-response trend based on densities of viable conidiospores, statistically significant (p≤0.01) responses were observed in tests in which conidiospore densities were as low as 7.1×103/ml and as high as 1.3×106/ml. Viable spores were required for adverse effects to occur; heat-killed spores failed to cause significant adverse effects.
Structure and Mutational Analysis of the Archaeal GTP:AdoCbi-P Guanylyltransferase (CobY) from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii: Insights into GTP Binding and Dimerization

In archaea and bacteria, the late steps in adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl) biosynthesis are collectively known as the nucleotide loop assembly (NLA) pathway. In the archaeal and bacterial NLA pathways, two different guanylyltransferases catalyze the activation of the corrinoid. Structural and functional studies of the bifunctional bacterial guanylyltransferase that catalyze both ATP-dependent corrinoid phosphorylation and GTP-dependent guanylylation are available, but similar studies of the monofunctional archaeal enzyme that catalyzes only GTP-dependent guanylylation are not. Herein, the three-dimensional crystal structure of the guanylyltransferase (CobY) enzyme from the archaeon Methanocaldococcus jannaschii (MjCobY) in complex with GTP is reported. The model identifies the location of the active site. An extensive mutational analysis was performed, and the functionality of the variant proteins was assessed in vivo and in vitro. Substitutions of residues Gly8, Gly153, or Asn177 resulted in {ge}94% loss of catalytic activity; thus, variant proteins failed to support AdoCbl synthesis in vivo. Results from isothermal titration calorimetry experiments showed that MjCobY{sup G153D} had 10-fold higher affinity for GTP than MjCobY{sup WT} but failed to bind the corrinoid substrate. Results from Western blot analyses suggested that the above-mentioned substitutions render the protein unstable and prone to degradation; possible explanations for the observed instability of the variantsmore » are discussed within the framework of the three-dimensional crystal structure of MjCobY{sup G153D} in complex with GTP. The fold of MjCobY is strikingly similar to that of the N-terminal domain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis GlmU (MtbGlmU), a bifunctional acetyltransferase/uridyltransferase that catalyzes the formation of uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc).« less
Utilization of community mental health services in a Texas-Mexico border city.

Abstract Previous research has documented substantial, underrepresentation of Mexican American clients in mental health facilities. Three major hypotheses have been proposed in the literature to account for their underutilization: (1) Mexican Americans have less need for services; (2) Mexican Americans use alternative treatment modes; and (3) there exists barriers to the utilization of these services by Mexican .Americans. The present study examines the utilization of a community mental health center in a predominantly Mexican American city where the effects of the identified barriers (language, social class. and cultural differences between client and therapist as well as economic barriers) are diminished. Findings of the present study indicate that under these conditions, Mexican Americans did achieve their expected utilization. An analysis of the marital status, employment status, income, age, and educational level of the clients is reported by ethnicity and sex. Major differences between Mexican American and Anglo American clients were socioeconomic in nature.
Molecular Orientation in Poly(4-oxybenzoate-co-1,4-phenylene isophthalate) by Slow-Magic-Angle-Spinning DECODER NMR

Slow-magic-angle-spinning DECODER NMR based on the anisotropy of chemical shift tensors is used to determine molecular-level orientation in three samples of poly(4-oxybenzoate-co-1,4-phenylene isophthalate) of comparable composition but different process histories. The two-dimensional NMR line shapes are sufficiently resolved to show quantitative differences in the degree of orientation for powder, melt-extruded monofilament, and high-speed melt-spun fiber of the wholly aromatic liquid crystal polymer produced from an approximately equimolar mixture of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroquinone, and isophthalic acid. By direct comparison of calculated and experimental NMR line shapes, the full orientation distribution functions for all repeat units were determined and found to be consistent with a combination of isotropic and anisotropic components. Multiple reorientation angles are used to confirm the proposed molecular orientation distributions. The results indicate a high degree of orientation in the melt-spu...
Serum titanium level for diagnosis of a failed, metal-backed patellar component

A case is presented in which an elevated serum titanium level was used to make the diagnosis of a failed metal-backed patellar component. The preoperative serum titanium level was 536.8 ppb, which was 98 times higher than the patient's previous level (taken 1 year earlier, when he was asymptomatic) and 2 orders of magnitude higher than the expected level with a well-functioning implant of this type. Revision surgery confirmed that the polyethylene portion of the patellar component had worn through, leaving the titanium portion of the patellar implant to articulate with the femoral component. Wear-through was not evident on preoperative radiographs or clinical examination. As knowledge about the expected ranges for serum metal ion levels after total joint arthroplasty continues to increase, the diagnostic utility of serum metal ion testing in the evaluation of joint arthroplasty function will continue to improve.
Antipsychotic Drugs: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Use

No specific treatment of the schizophrenias and other psychoses was available until Laborit’s discovery of chlorpromazine as the first antipsychotic agent. Since then the introduction of widespread use of antipsychotic drugs has led to a marked reduction in the number of hospitalised shizophrenic patients. Hundreds of controlled studies have demonstrated the superiority of antipsychotic drugs over placebo in the treatment of schizophrenia. Different classes of antipsychotic drugs are equally effective in the treatment of psychoses when administered in adequate doses, but they differ in range and severity of side-effects. For the average schizophrenic patient, mega doses of antipsychotic drugs do not produce greater improvement than conventional doses. The same dose of antipsychotic drugs leads to widely divergent drug blood levels in individual patients, due to differences in absorption, and rate of elimination of the drug. Maintenance treatment with antipsychotic drugs reduces the relapse rate in schizophrenic patients. Side-effects of antipsychotic drugs involve the autonomic nervous system and the cardiovascular system, as well as the CNS with the development of extrapyramidal symptoms; in addition skin and eye changes, as well as allergic and endocrine changes, occur. Late or tardive dyskinesia is an extrapyramidal syndrome which can occur after long-term antipsychotic treatment and may be reversible when recognised in the initial stages.
Nucleophilic Addition Reactions and Functionalization of (3-Methoxyestrone)- and (3,17-Dimethoxyestradiol)manganese Tricarbonyl Complexes

Nucleophilic addition of MeMgCl and PhMgBr to the A-ring aromatic steroid complex [(η6-3,17-dimethoxyestradiol)Mn(CO)3]+ gives stable η5-cyclohexadienyl complexes and occurs at the C-1 site meta to the -OMe group when the metal is on the “β” side of the steroid; addition to the “α” analogue is less regioselective due to steric interactions and occurs at C-1, C-2, and C-4. A manganese-mediated procedure is reported for the functionalization of estrone at the C-1 position to give 1-methylestrone in 42% yield.
Effect of cocaine on the coronary circulation and systemic hemodynamics in dogs.

Abstract This study investigated the effect of intravenous cocaine (0.5 to 2 mg/kg body weight) on the coronary circulation and systemic hemodynamics in closed chest sedated dogs. The role of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor stimulation in mediating these effects was also investigated. Cocaine produced dose-dependent increases in mean arterial pressure and rate-pressure product. Although the lower doses of cocaine had no significant effect on the coronary circulation, the 2 mg/kg dose produced a 55 ± 14% increase in coronary vascular resistance (p Cocaine-induced coronary vasoconstriction was abolished by pretreatment with the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine, but not by pretreatment with the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol. The findings that cocaine did not change systemic vascular resistance in dogs without adrenergic blockade, reduced systemic vascular resistance in dogs after alpha-blockade (p Thus, in this canine preparation with normal coronary arteries, cocaine produced vasoconstriction of both epicardial and coronary resistance vessels that was not associated with evidence of myocardial ischemia. The pharmacologic mechanism for the effect of cocaine on the coronary circulation is alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation, whereas systemic hemodynamic effects are mediated by combined alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor stimulation.
Genome-wide linkage analysis assessing parent-of-origin effects in the inheritance of birth weight

Family studies suggest that genetic variation may influence birth weight. We have assessed linkage of birth weight in a genome-wide scan in 269 Pima Indian siblings (334 sibling pairs, 92 families). As imprinting (expression of only a single copy of a gene depending on parent-of-origin), is commonly found in genes that affect fetal growth, we used a recently described modification of standard multipoint variance-component methods of linkage analysis of quantitative traits. This technique allows for comparison of linkage models that incorporate imprinting effects (in which the strength of linkage is expressed as LODIMP) and models where parent-of-origin effects are not included (LODEQ). Where significant evidence of linkage was present, separate contributions of alleles derived from father (LODFA) or mother (LODMO) to the imprinting model were estimated. Significant evidence of linkage was found on chromosome 11 (at map position 88 cM, LODIMP=3.4) with evidence for imprinting (imprinting model superior, P<0.001). In this region, birth weight was linked predominantly to paternally derived alleles (LODFA=4.1, LODMO=0.0). An imprinted gene on chromosome 11 may influence birth weight in the Pima population. This chromosome contains one of the two major known clusters of imprinted genes in the human genome, lending biological plausibility to our findings.
Middle cerebral artery endarterectomy: Experience with two cases

BACKGROUND Atherosclerotic stenosis of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is uncommon and long-term prognosis is not well defined. Methods of treating stenosis of the MCA range from the administration of anticoagulants to endarterectomy. METHODS We present two cases of patients with focal symptomatic stenosis of the MCA with evidence of focally decreased cerebral blood flow and compromise of cerebral blood flow reserves on xenon-enhanced computed tomography (Xe CT) scanning. Endarterectomies were performed after unsuccessful anticoagulation therapy. RESULTS Both patients underwent successful endarterectomies of the MCA. Improvement in cerebral blood flow postoperatively was documented for both patients. At last follow-up neither patient had demonstrated any additional ischemic episodes. CONCLUSIONS Atherosclerotic stenosis of the MCA may be responsible for distal emboli and compromised hemodynamics, and endarterectomy of this vessel may provide definitive therapy.
Phase locking counterrotating modes of a broadband ring dye laser.

We present the results of an experimental study of phase locking counterrotating modes in a Rhodamine-6G continuous-wave broadband ring dye laser. Results for the measured mutual coherence of the counterrotating fields are presented for three different coupling geometries: namely, coupling by using an intracavity retroreflector, a single extracavity retroreflector placed in one of the output beams, and extracavity retroreflectors placed in each of the two output beams. We find that the highest degree of locking is obtained for the case of the intracavity retroreflector and leads to counterrotating outputs with a measured mutual coherence of unity.
Attitudes Toward Individuals in Same-Sex and Cross-Sex Encounters: Implications for Bisexuality

This research utilizes an experimental design to investigate how participants view individuals engaging in same-sex and cross-sex casual sexual encounters, in terms of promiscuity and appropriateness. The study included 348 participants, all between ages 18 and 25 years, who were randomly assigned to one of four vignettes. Consistent with the double standard for sexual behavior, results indicated significant differences in appropriateness ratings for gender, where men's cross-sex casual sexual encounters were rated as more appropriate than those of women. In contrast, no gender differences emerged for same-sex sexual behaviors for appropriateness and promiscuity. Discussion focuses on the implications of these findings for bisexual individuals.
Genome-wide regulatory analysis using en masse nuclear run-ons emRUNs and ribonomic profiling with autoimmune sera

Coordinated gene expression is influenced by transcriptional and posttranscriptional events and is necessary for efficient cell growth and differentiation. Genomic array technologies have afforded great advances in identifying global changes of gene expression in response to a variety of environmental stimuli. However, it has been a challenge to assess whether a concomitant effect on protein expression reflects the coordinated regulation of distinct subsets of mRNAs detected by cDNA arrays [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 98 (2001) 7018]. We have expanded the utility of cDNA arrays by using them to assist in elucidating combinatorial posttranscriptional eukaryotic operons [Mol. Cell 9 (2002) 1161]. In this study, we have used two mRNA partitioning methods in which: (1) subsets of mRNAs are isolated as endogenous mRNP complexes using autoimmune patient sera, and (2) transcriptional contributions to gene expression are assessed using cDNA array analysis of an en masse nuclear run-on assay (emRUN). The combination of these methods can provide an additional 'systems biology' discovery approach to gene expression analysis based upon the physical partitioning of mRNA subsets, as well as a functional partitioning of transcriptional and posttranscriptional processes. We demonstrate how these approaches can reduce transcriptomic complexity by partitioning mRNAs into biologically relevant subsets in order to derive information about the expression of multiple, but functionally linked, genes.
Human Resource Management High-Performance Work Practices and Contextual Setting: Does Industry Matter? A Comparison of the U.S. Restaurant Sector to the Manufacturing Industry

This article uses an exploratory qualitative methodology to propose salient human resource management high-performance work practices in the casual restaurant industry. The differences between industries are discussed along with why some work practices used in manufacturing research are not relevant to a restaurant service industry; then the work practices that are applicable are posited. A contingency paradigm is used to discuss the importance of industry context in the development of a high-performance management system for restaurant managers.
EXPRESSION OF SONIC HEDGEHOG, PATCHED, AND GLI1 IN DEVELOPING TASTE PAPILLAE OF THE MOUSE

Lingual taste buds form within taste papillae, which are specialized structures that develop in a characteristic spatial and temporal pattern. To investigate the signaling events responsible for patterning and morphogenesis of taste papillae, the authors examined the time course and distribution of expression of several related developmental signaling genes as well as the time course of innervation of taste papillae in mouse embryos from embryonic day 12 (E12) to E18. Lingual expression of the signaling molecule Sonic hedgehog (Shh), its receptor Patched (Ptc), and the Shh-activated transcription factor Gli1 were assayed by using in situ hybridization. Shh is expressed broadly in the lingual epithelium at E12 but becomes progressively restricted to developing circumvallate and fungiform papillary epithelia. Shh is expressed specifically within the central cells of the papillary epithelium starting at E13.5 and persisting through E18. Ptc and Gli1 expression follow a pattern similar to that of Shh. Compared with Shh, Ptc is expressed in larger regions surrounding the central papillary cells and also in the mesenchyme underlying Shh-expressing epithelium. Innervation of taste papillae was examined by using the panneuronal antibody to ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase (protein gene product 9.5). Nerves reach the basal lamina of developing taste papillae at E14 to densely innervate the papillary epithelium by E16. Thus, the pattern of Shh expression within developing taste papillae is established prior to innervation, ruling out neuronal induction of papillae. The results suggest that the Shh signaling pathway may be involved in: 1) establishing papillary boundaries in taste papilla morphogenesis, 2) papillary epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, and/or 3) specifying the location or development of taste buds within taste papillae.
Coping styles and self-reported measures of state anxiety and self-confidence

Abstract Four stress coping styles in intercollegiate golfers (N = 112) were differentiated based on low and high combinations of repressive defensiveness (scores on the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale) and competitive trait anxiety (scores on the Sport Competition Anxiety Test). The results indicated biased responding on the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) occurs only for repressors (high Marlowe-Crowne, low competitive trait anxiety). Repressors reported higher self-confidence and similar state anxiety as that reported by truly low anxious subjects (low Marlowe-Crowne, low competitive trait anxiety). High social desirability responders who were considered defensive high-anxious (high Marlowe-Crowne, high competitive trait anxiety) did not deny disturbing pre-competition cognitions. When predicting tournament performance with the CSAI-2 subscales, over twice as much variance was accounted for with repressors (assumed to have distorted responses) deleted compared to when all golfer...
Studies on isolated mitochondria from muscles of normal and dystrophic chickens

Abstract Oxidative phosphorylation was studied in mitochondria from different fiber types in normal (line 412) and dystrophic (line 413) chickens in vitro. Three types of muscles, namely, superficial pectoralis (αW), lateral adductor (βR), and medial adductor (αR) were used. Mitochondria from adductor muscles of both normal and dystrophic chickens equally utilized a variety of substrates such as pyruvate-malate, succinate, β-hydroxybutyrate, and l -glutamate with the coupled phosphorylation of ADP. These organelles did not oxidize α-glycerophosphate with coupled ATP synthesis. However, the organelles from pectoralis muscles oxidized α-glycerophosphate and oxygen consumption in the presence of this substrate was repeatedly stimulated by the addition of limited quantities of ADP. The rate of oxidation of this substrate was significantly lower in dystrophic mitochondria as compared to normal organelles. Although, the organelles from dystrophic pectoralis muscles oxidized pyruvate-malate, succinate, and β-hydroxybutyrate with the same efficiency as normal muscle mitochondria, the rate of l -glutamate oxidation was lower than normal. All the isolated organelles oxidized NADH at a very slow rate and this oxidation was not coupled with the phosphorylation of ADP. Unlike results previously reported by many investigators, there was no difference in the yield of mitochondria from dystrophic muscle, but the cytochrome oxidase activity of dystrophic muscle homogenates was higher than that of normal muscle. These data strongly suggest the existence of an abnormality in the NADH “shuttle systems” of dystrophic pectoralis muscle mitochondria.
The Linear j -Differential Equation

The basic reciprocity of j -differential and LM -integral for bounded functions f(x) with simple discontinuities but continuous on the left at each point and for g(x) in the somewhat restricted class B of functions of bounded variation and also left-continuous, was established in ( 2 ) and ( 3 ); the dot here indicates the lower product of and ( jg , g + ( x +) dx ), with , and the integral indicated is the RJDS -integral, equivalent to ( LM ) .
The influence of oxide surface structure on adsorbate chemistry : desorption of water from the smooth, the microfaceted and the ion sputtered surfaces of TiO2(100)

Abstract The relationship between oxide surface structure and oxide surface chemistry was examined by studying the desorption of water from three structurally unique surfaces of the (100) face of TiO 2 (rutile): the smooth (1 × 1) surface, the microfaceted (1 × 3) surface and the ion sputtered surface. The (1 × 1) surface structure reflects bulk termination along the (100) plane. This surface possesses one type of surface Ti site. The (1 × 3) surface has {110} microfacets and possesses three distinctly different surface Ti sites. On each surface, water adsorbed at 130 K with unity sticking probability and was the only detectable desorption product between 130 and 800 K. Water exposures below 2.2 × 10 14 molecules cm 2 (0.30 ML) desorbed from the (1 × 1) and (1 × 3) surfaces in similar TPD peaks at 350 K. The zero coverage desorption energies from both surfaces were estimated to be 18 kcal mol . TPD spectra from higher water exposures were very different for the (1 × 1) and (1 × 3) surfaces. A single desorption feature was observed from the (1 × 3) surface which shifted from 350 K at low exposure to 238 K as the monolayer saturated. Two distinct TPD features were observed for submonolayer exposures on the (1 × 1) surface. The first feature saturated with an exposure of 2.2 × 10 14 molecules cm 2 at 350 K and the second grew in at 250 K with higher exposures. Assignment of these two peaks to dissociative and molecular states of water, respectively, was chosen over assignment to two different adsorption sites or phases of molecular water. Direct comparison of TPD data from the two surfaces indicates that the (1 × 1) surface binds more water above room temperature than does the (1 × 3) surface. There were subtle differences between water interactions with two-coordinate bridging O 2− sites (second layer water) on the two surfaces which suggested the bridging O 2− atoms on the (1 × 3) surface were more basic. In general, water was more weakly bound to the sputtered surface than to either the (1 × 1) or (1 × 3) surfaces, although some irreversible water decomposition ( 1.3 × 10 14 molecules cm 2 ) occurred.
Feminist and sympathetic feminist consciousness

Data from the 1976 American National Election Study were used to assess the effects of one outgroup characteristic, belief similarity—dissimilarity, on the enhancement of women's feminist consciousness. Women were focused on as the ingroup and men as the outgroup. The sample consisted of 677 women who believed that women should have an equal role with men. Outgroup belief similarity referred to women's perception that most men supported an equal role for women and outgroup dissimilarity to the perception that men did not support an equal role. Results indicated that outgroup belief similarity significantly enhanced women's feminist consciousness. Women who supported an equal role and perceived outgroup belief dissimilarity scored higher on cognitive and behavioural measures of feminist consciousness than those who supported an equal role but did not perceive outgroup dissimilarity. Secondary analyses were undertaken assessing the effect of ingroup belief similarity dissimilarity on the enhancement of sympathetic feminist consciousness among men.
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin Alters Retinoic Acid Receptor Function in Human Keratinocytes

Actions of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on all-trans-retinoic acid (trans-RA) binding to retinoic acid receptors (RARs) in cultured human keratinocytes (SCC-12F) was investigated. TCDD andtrans-RA elicited opposing actions on the production of biologically active TGF-β. TCDD exposure caused concentration- and time-dependent decreases intrans-RA binding to SCC-12F RARs. The apparent half-maximal effective TCDD concentration = 1 nM. TCDD exerts its actionviathe aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). TCDBF, a partialAhRagonist, reducedtrans-RA binding, indicating AhR involvement (control = 0.33; TCDBF = 0.22; TCDD = 0.142 pmoltrans-RA bound/mg nuclear protein). The dissociation constant (Kd) calculated from Eadie-Hofstee analysis of equilibrium binding fortrans-RA was 0.13 nM in both TCDD-exposed and control cultures. Approximately half of thetrans-RA binding sites were lost in TCDD-exposed cells (control = 0.195; TCDD = 0.108 pmoltrans-RA bound/mg protein). The data suggest TCDD may exert its toxic action in human keratinocytes by directly modulating RAR action.
Characterizing Distant Worlds with Asterodensity Profiling

Eclipsing systems, such as transiting exoplanets, allow one to measure the mean stellar density of the host star under various idealized assumptions. Asterodensity Profiling (AP) compares this density to an independently determined value in order to check the validity of the assumptions and ultimately derive useful parameters. Several physical effects can cause said assumptions to become invalid, with the most well-known example being the so-called photo-eccentric effect. In this work, we provide analytic expressions for five other effects which induce AP deviations: the photo-blend, -spot, -timing, -duration and -mass effects. We find that these effects can easily reproduce large AP deviations and so we caution that extracting the eccentricity distribution is only viable with careful consideration of the prior distributions for these other effects. We also re-investigate the photo-eccentric effect and derive a single-domain minimum eccentricity expression and the parameter range for which analytic formulae are valid. This latter result shows that the assumptions underlying the analytic model for the photo-eccentric effect break down for close-in, highly-eccentric planets, meaning that extreme care must be taken in this regime. Finally, we demonstrate that contaminated light fraction can be solved for, indicating that AP could be a potent tool for planet validation.
Synergistic Action of Purified α-Fetoprotein and Growth Factors on the Proliferation of Porcine Granulosa Cells in Monolayer Culture

α-Fetoprotein (AFP) is present in high levels in fetal fluids, certain neoplasias, and regenerating liver. Although AFP's physiological role remains an enigma, we have recently demonstrated mitogenic activity for AFP. Using a primary monolayer culture system, we have further investigated the proliferative activity of purified AFP. Porcine granulosa cells from small ovarian follicles were attached for 2 days in Ham's F-12-Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (1:1) and 5% fetal calf serum, followed by 6 days of culture in medium containing 0.25% plasma-derived serum plus 25 μg/ml low density lipoprotein with or without growth factors and/or purified human AFP. In this system AFP alone does not stimulate proliferation. However, when combined with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I; 10 ng/ml each), AFP (5 μg/ml) significantly (P < 0.01) enhanced growth factor-mediated proliferation 4.5-fold over that of medium controls. Equivalent doses of purified human serum albumin or trans...
A model for fetal surgery through intrauterine endoscopy

Video-endoscopic technology may offer new hope for the future of fetal surgery. Ten time-dated pregnant ewes (95 to 105 days; term, 145 days) were used to develop a model of fetal surgery through intrauterine endoscopy. Special 5-mm ports were designed with short, flexible, balloon-tipped shafts. The cannulas were inserted through purse-stringed hysterostomies. Amnioinfusion of warmed physiological fluid (Hartmann) was used as the work medium. Fetal heart rate and oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry), temperature, and amniotic pressure were monitored continuously through endoscopically placed sensors. Surgical procedures included subcutaneous dissection of the abdominal wall and ligation of the urethra in the male fetus (n = 7), ligation of the urachus within the umbilical cord (n = 8), and endoscopy of the fetal esophagus and trachea (n = 6). Bloodless surgery was achieved with a novel coagulation device that allows bipolar cutting and coagulation in an electrolyte-rich fluid medium. The mean fetal operative time was 147 minutes (range, 130 to 195). The intraamniotic temperature was maintained between 38.0 +/- 0.9 degrees C and 41.7 +/- 1.7 degrees C throughout the procedure. Oxygen saturation ranged from 51 +/- 20% to 72 +/- 14%, and fetal heart rate from 120 to 140 beats per minute. In conclusion, intrauterine endoscopy in a fluid medium allows fully monitored surgical procedures, lasting more than 2 hours, to be performed on the fetal lamb.
Can an Education Program Be a Substitute for a Regulatory Program That Bans Pesticides? Evidence from a Panel Selection Model

Governments, nonprofit organizations, and grower groups have expended considerable resources on agricultural extension and education programs, even though the evidence regarding the impact of these programs on farmers’ technology choices and productivity is mixed. Many of the studies finding substantial effects have methodological problems. We control for these methodological problems by using a panel selection model to examine the effect of the Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems program on California almond growers’ replacement of organophosphate pesticides with alternatives considered less environmentally harmful. We find that the program significantly decreased organophosphate use, suggesting that grower education programs can be an effective policy tool.
A comparison of the trace and delay classical conditioning performance of normal children

Abstract Forty-eight preschool children (CA 48–72 months) of average intelligence and middle-class socioeconomic backgrounds were conditioned to pure tone CSs under trace and delay conditions for 250 single-cue eyelid-conditioning trials. The ISI was 800 msec, with the trace CS having a duration of 50 msec and the CS terminating with the UCS offset. The S ms showed conditioning with both trace and delay CSs but delay S s were at a significantly higher level of performance. Comparisons were made to previous research with retardates, who showed a similar trace deficit, and to college students who did not. The data indicate that the developmental level of an individual is a significant factor in trace conditioning performance.
Radioprotection of oral cavity structures by WR-2721.

Abstract The finding of a high concentration of 35 S WR-2721 in mouse salivary glands led to studies of possible radioprotection of these glands from ionizing radiation. Oral effects of radiation in the presence of WR-2721 were studied in mice and dogs. The dose required to induce the oral radiation death syndrome (LD50/8–10) was increased by a factor of 2.1 in BALB/c mice when WR-2721 was given 30 minutes before irradiation of the head. Salivary flow in mongrel dogs following doses of 1000–3000 rad showed similar depression with and without the use of WR-2721. Therefore, the salivary gland may be an organ for metabolism or secretion of WR-2721 accounting for its high drug concentration. The skin and oral mucosa were protected by a factor of 1.7 (2500 rad with WR-2721 = 1500 rad without WR-2721) at moderate radiation reactions. This protection decreased to 1.2 at the level of radionecrosis (3000 rad with WR-2721 = 2500 rad without WR-2721). At clinically acceptable radiation reactions, WR-2721 offers the possibility of significant protection of normal epithelial structures of the head and neck.
The function of consciousness: Reply

Useful biological metaphors often have functional implications. William Harvey's pump metaphor for the heart immediately suggested a new role for blood, lungs and kidneys. The theater metaphor of consciousness suggests a host of functions—after all, how many uses does a theater have[1xSee all References[1]? One use might be a publicity function, to distribute information from a source in the spotlight to many target tissues simultaneously. Executive functions of prefrontal cortex could use such a publicity medium for controlling voluntary actions. Another use might be co-ordination between different members of the unconscious `audience', as when we combine two separate unconscious habits or memories. A third might involve contextualization of conscious events, such as learning to use a word in an entirely new meaningful context. Pavlovian conditioning (novel stimulus association) apparently requires consciousness, as if two actors on stage must meet in the spotlight to establish a new relationship. Consciousness also supports a running narrative about current and long-term concerns, and about significant others. Thus, consciousness is apparently needed for novel kinds of access, co-ordination and control; theaters have similar functions (for more information see: http://www.wrightinst.edu/faculty/∼baars).Visceral organs are relatively unconscious with a few exceptions, notably pain, discomfort, and possibly intense momentary emotions. Many languages have expressions like `a surge of passion', `a pang of guilt', `a jolt of fear', or `my heart fell at the disappointing news'. Such momentary conscious emotions could be mediated by the vagus nerve, which innervates heart and stomach. It is conceivable that conscious emotions and visceral pain might help mobilize unconscious coping mechanisms. These points are hypothetical, but testable.If `creating novel access' is the single most important function of consciousness, biofeedback learning is surely the most dramatic example. Apparently, any neuron or population of neurons can come under rapid, pinpoint voluntary control when immediate conscious sensory feedback is provided[2xSee all References[2]. This pattern even extends to conditioned immune responses[3xAder, R. and Cohen, N. Science. 1982; 215: 1534–1536Crossref | PubMedSee all References[3]. In a brain with hundreds of billions of neurons it is a spectacular accomplishment. I know of no convincing general explanation other than a powerful neural `publicity organ' with a global reach.
Morphometric Assessment of Toxicant Induced Neuronal Degeneration in Full and Restricted Contact Co-cultures of Embryonic Cortical Rat Neurons and Astrocytes: Using m-Dinitrobezene as a Model Neurotoxicant

With m-Dinitrobenzene (m-DNB) as a selected model neurotoxicant, we demonstrate how to assess neurotoxicity, using morphology based measurement of neurite degeneration, in a conventional “full-contact” and a modern “restricted-contact” co-culture of rat cortical neurons and astrocytes. In the “full-contact” co-culture, neurons and astrocytes in complete physical contact are “globally” exposed to m-DNB. A newly emergent “restricted-contact” co-culture is attained with a microfluidic device that polarizes neuron somas and neurites into separate compartments, and the neurite compartment is “selectively” exposed to m-DNB. Morphometric analysis of the neuronal area revealed that m-DNB exposure produced no significant change in mean neuronal cell area in “full-contact” co-cultures, whereas a significant decrease was observed for neuron monocultures. Neurite elaboration into a neurite exclusive compartment in a compartmentalized microfluidic device, for both monocultures (no astrocytes) and “restricted” co-cultures (astrocytes touching neurites), decreased with exposure to increasing concentrations of m-DNB, but the average neurite area was higher in co-cultures. By using co-culture systems that more closely approach biological and architectural complexities, and the directionality of exposure found in the brain, this study provides a methodological foundation for unraveling the role of physical contact between astrocytes and neurons in mitigating the toxic effects of chemicals such as m-DNB.
Tectonic control of Late Pliocene molasse sedimentation in a portion of the Jhelum Re-Entrant, Pakistan

A Late Pliocene interval of the Neogene Siwalik (Himalayan) molasse exposed in the Jhelum Re-entrant, Pakistan, is examined for lateral variations in the environment and rate of fluvial sedimentation. A correlative pair of volcanic ash horizons within the Upper Siwalik section defines an isochronous interval of fluvial deposition. Stratigraphic sections measured through the interval at various localities in the Jhelum Re-entrant are analyzed in terms of fluvial stratigraphy and interval thickness, or net sedimentation rate. The stratigraphy indicates a fluvial system of laterally migrating streams leaving behind fining upward sedimentary cycles of lateral and vertical accretion deposits. Fully developed sedimentary cycles display point bar sands (lateral accretion deposits) of the stream channel environment topped by mudstones (vertical accretion deposits) of the overbank (floodplain) environment. The detailed sequence of vertical accretion deposits in these cycles indicates that the floodplain environment consisted of a stream-proximal, sedimentation-dominant zone and a stream-distal, pedogenesis-dominant zone. Broad lateral variations in the rate of molasse sedimentation appear to be related to the large-scale syntaxial tectonics of the northwestern Himalaya. Sedimentation rate increases toward the apex of the re-entrant, indicating that the syntaxial structure controlled the focus of molasse sedimentation during the examined interval of Late Pliocene time. In addition, sedimentation may have been influenced by mild flexures within the molasse basin.
Simplified preparation of REBa2Cu3O7−x via the acetate method

High-quality bulk REBa2Cu3O7−x (RE = Y,Eu,Gd,Nd,La) was synthesized by a solution method. Stoichiometric amounts of yttrium, barium, and copper acetates were dissolved in glacial acetic acid. The acid was boiled away leaving a glassy acetate precursor. This precursor has shown amorphous scattering in XRD, a phenomenon consistent with atomic level mixing of reactants. The glassy precursor was subsequently heat-treated with a 5 °C/min ramp to 900 °C and a 2 h soak at 900 °C in air. The final product was obtained after heat treatment under oxygen at 550 °C with slow cooling to room temperature. Final products were analyzed by XRD, SEM, and four probe de-resistivity measurements. The mechanism of both precursor and product formation was examined through substitution studies and XRD. It was found that a combination of a rare earth acetate, barium acetate, and acetic acid was necessary for the formation of an amorphous precursor.