cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Myasthenia gravis patients, but not healthy subjects, recognize epitopes that are unique to the ɛ-subunit of the acetylcholine receptor

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by deficits in neuromuscular transmission due to antibody-mediated damage of the acetylcholine receptor (AChR). We examined the in vitro immune response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from MG patients (n=38) and healthy nonmyasthenic subjects (n=31) to epitopes on the alpha-, epsilon-, and gamma-chains of the AChR. The epsilon- and gamma-epitopes tested represent regions with little sequence homology to the alpha-chain, and little sequence homology between the epsilon- and gamma-chains. No differences were observed in the immune response of MG patients and healthy subjects to any of the alpha-chain epitopes tested. Serial studies of the immune response to the alpha-peptides suggest that epitope spread does occur over time. Cells from MG patients were stimulated by the epsilon- and gamma-chain peptides, although the response was weaker than that to the alpha-peptides. Cells from healthy subjects showed reactivity to gamma-chain peptides only; none of the healthy subjects responded to the epsilon-chain peptides tested. Differences between the epsilon- and gamma-chains may be important in the development of MG, because only MG patients respond to epitopes that are unique to the epsilon-subunit.
Concurrent projection to latent structures for output-relevant and input-relevant fault monitoring

When process faults occur, the process condition changes which is reflected in process variables. If these ab-normal variations are not properly annihilated in the process, poor product quality occurs as a consequence. This paper proposes a new concurrent projection to latent structures for the monitoring of output-relevant faults that affect the quality and input-relevant process faults that should be alarmed as well. The input and output data spaces are concurrently projected to five subspaces, a joint input-output subspace that captures covariations between input and output, an output-principal subspace, an output-residual subspace, an input-principal subspace, and an input-residual subspace. Process fault detection indices are developed based on the partition of subspaces for various types of fault detection alarms. The proposed monitoring method offers complete monitoring of faults that happen in the predictable output subspace and the unpredictable output residual subspace, as well as faults that affect the input spaces and could be incipient for the output. Numerical simulation examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
The common morality in communitarian thought: reflective consensus in public policy

I explore the possible meanings that the notion of the common morality can have in a contemporary communitarian approach to ethics and public policy. The common morality can be defined as the conditions for shared pursuit of the good or as the values, deliberations, traditions, and common construction of the narrative of a people. The former sense sees the common morality as the universal and invariant structures of morality while the second sense is much more contingent in nature. Nevertheless, the communitarian sees both aspects as integral in devising solutions to public policy problems. I outline how both meanings follow from communitarian philosophical anthropology and illustrate how they work together when addressing a question such as that of providing universal health insurance in the United States. The common morality forms the basis of building an implicit consensus that is available to and reaffirmed by the shared reflections of the citizenry.
Regional Tyrosine Levels in Rat Brain After Tyrosine Administration

Endogenous tyrosine concentrations varied two-fold among various rat brain regions, tending to be highest in brain stem structures. Administration of L-tyrosine (100 mg/kg) increased tyrosine concentrations in all brain areas; high relative increases were observed in areas with low initial tyrosine concentrations and vice versa, resulting in a more uniform distribution of tyrosine in the brain. Largest relative increases were observed in cortex and hippocampus. Tyrosine concentrations in all areas reached maximal levels 1 hour after tyrosine was given and declined gradually over the next 3 hours. The results suggest that tyrosine's effects on catecholamine synthesis and release might be amplified in cortex and hippocampus, where highest relative increases in tyrosine concentrations were observed.
Intramolecular acyl migrations in taxanes from Taxus brevifolia

Abstract Two new taxane epoxides were isolated from the bark of Taxus brevifolia and their structures were established as 1β,9α-dihydroxy-4β,20-epoxy-2α,5α,7β,10β,13α-pentaacetoxy-tax-11-ene and 1β,7β-dihydroxy-4β,20-epoxy-2α,5α,9α,10β,13α-pentaacetoxy-tax-11-ene. These two compounds were found to readily isomerize via acyl migration upon standing in CDCl 3 solution and represent the first example of intramolecular transesterification in this large family of taxane metabolites.
Hamilton Cycle Rich 2-factorizations of Complete Multipartite Graphs

For any two 2-regular spanning subgraphs G and H of the complete multipartite graph K, necessary and sufficient conditions are found for the existence of a 2-factorization of K in which 1. the first and second 2-factors are isomorphic to G and H respectively, and 2. each other 2-factor is a hamilton cycle in the case where K has an odd number of vertices.
On learning how to predict

To meet performance guarantees, we should consider building computer systems more like queueing models we do understand, rather than trying to build complex queueing models of systems we do not understand. This approach is already familiar to software engineers, who use models to constrain software development so that the results are more reliable and understandable. Four real examples illustrate how a performance model can guide a system's design. The need for experimentation with models is emphasized.
Electric Quadrupole Shift Cancellation in Single-Ion Optical Frequency Standards

The electric quadrupole shift is presently the most significant source of uncertainty on the systematic shifts for several single-ion optical frequency standards. We present a simple method for canceling this shift based on measurements of the Zeeman spectrum of the clock transition. This method is easy to implement and yields very high cancellation levels. A fractional uncertainty of $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ for the canceled quadrupole shift is estimated for a measurement of the absolute frequency of the $5s\text{ }^{2}S_{1/2}--4d\text{ }^{2}D_{5/2}$ clock transition of $^{88}\mathrm{Sr}^{+}$.
Increased lead uptake by spinal cord during experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in rats.

Abstract To determine whether experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) appreciably alters the uptake of lead (Pb) by the nervous system, three groups of Lewis rats were given either lead acetate alone, lead acetate plus EAE treatment, or EAE treatment alone. Twenty-three days after the induction of EAE, all rats were killed. Pb uptake was almost doubled in the spinal cord of rats having EAE while no significant changes occurred in blood or brain Pb levels. Histopathological effects produced by concurrent Pb administration and EAE were no different from those observed in rats having EAE alone.
Temporary migration and HIV risk behaviors in China.

The link between migration and HIV/AIDS is well documented. Theoretical work to understand the behavioral mechanisms underlying migrants' HIV risk behaviors is limited. In most studies migration is viewed as a virus carrier and population mixer. In this paper I present a framework conceptualizing the link between temporary migration and migrants' heightened HIV risk behaviors. Data from a large and population-based survey conducted in 2003 in southwestern China are used to empirically test the proposed framework. Results suggest that temporary migrants are more likely to use drugs than nonmigrants; they are also more likely to have had unprotected casual sex and a greater number of casual-sex partners than comparable nonmigrants. Postmigration economic marginalization, social isolation, and lax social control contribute to migrants' elevated risk behaviors, so do migration selectivity and social influences from family and peers. Temporary migrants are at risk of HIV; intervention needs to target migrants'...
Histologic grade and lymph node metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

One hundred fifty-nine patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix who underwent laparotomy were evaluated with regard to histologic grade, clinical stage, and surgical stage. Pelvic and/or paraaortic node metastases were also studied. Patients with poorly differentiated tumors, regardless of clinical stage, demonstrated pelvic and/or paraaortic nodal metastases more frequently than patients with better differentiated tumors. In patients with poorly differentiated tumors, staging discrepancies were more common. These findings suggest that histologic grading should be taken into consideration in the treatment planning of patients with cervical carcinoma.
Introduction: Complicating race: Articulating race across multiple social dimensions

This introduction to the special issue, ‘Complicating Race: Articulating Race Across Multiple Social Dimensions’, situates the collection of articles with respect to the wider body of sociolinguist...
Modification of liposomes for liver targeting

HE PATHOGENESIS of liver injury and fibrosis involves complicated interactions among different cell populations in the liver, soluble factors, such as cytokines, and the extracellular matrix. Hepatocytes are injured in a number of pathologic processes (chemical, biological and immunological) and the damage initiates fibrogenesis. Kupffer cells probably are primarily responsible for mediating the second phase of hepatocellular necrosis, induced by reactive oxygen intermediates (1,2), and for activating Ito cells, the major cell type responsible for enhanced extracellular matrix production during the fibrogenic process (3). A number of cytokines and other soluble factors, such as tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin 2 and 6 (IL-2 and IL-6), and nuclear factor-KB (NF-KB) (4) participate in the damage of hepatocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells; whereas, transforming growth factor-p (TGF-P) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) have been considered to be fibrogenic cytokines and contribute to the activation of Ito cells (5,6).
Finding my place.

On the first day of my internship, at about 8:00 in the morning, I was paged to the CCU. There a patient who was assigned to my service was undergoing resuscitation after cardiac arrest. Running after my resident, we arrived at the bedside of an 89-year-old man with end-stage congestive heart failure. The bed was surrounded by cardiology fellows, nurses, residents, a ventilator, crash cart, and ECG machinery, and the floor and bed were strewn with paper, ECG strips, discarded tubing. I watched as we shocked the patient repeatedly; tried four times to get a central line in; injected pressors directly into his heart; stuck the femoral artery for blood gases; and carried on chest compressions for over an hour. Finally the cardiology fellow called the code. Leaving the patient naked and covered with tubes, paper, and bloodstained sheets, we left his bedside. The patient’s wife was seated outside the unit. We all walked past her, to get back to the work of the first day. I do not know if anyone spoke with her to explain what happened. Certainly no one explained it to me. This patient’s death was the first I witnessed. My colleagues were committed to trying to save his life and we applied every technology at our disposal to achieve this end. There was no sense of uncertainty or ambivalence about what we were doing. Our motives were simple and clear: prolong life. The primary emotion after the code was one of both discouragement and determination—we had failed to save this life, but next time we would know more, do better, and have more knowledge to help us—next time we will get it right. My own emotions were a confused tangle of feelings of complete inadequacy and guilt—I should have learned to put in central lines as a medical student, I should have known how to conduct CPR, I should have arrived earlier in the morning, I should have come in the day before to get to know my patients. The principle of respect for life, that all life—no matter how diminished by disease or illness—is precious, and that the medical profession’s only raison d’etre was to use all tools available to prolong it—was such a fundamentally held assumption that it was not (at least consciously) questioned throughout all my 9 years of training. This patient died 31 years ago in July 1977. I have been carrying him with me ever since. Three months later, my grandfather, Frank Meier, died suddenly. I adored my grandpa and learned to love ice cream and gardening and to understand that all people were one, from him. He was a socialist in his youth and instilled firmly held values about service to others in his two sons and three granddaughters. He came to visit me in September of my internship, and during his visit, asked me what it meant that
Disassembly liaison graphs inspired by word clouds

Abstract Liaison or connection graphs depict physical mates between components in a graphical representation but do not incorporate any precedence relations or order of assembly or disassembly of components. For the context of disassembly, we developed a method to graphically show not only the physical mates between components but also the disassembly precedence relations amongst all the components. The transformation of a liaison graph into a weighted liaison graph (WLG) is inspired by the generation of word clouds from the visual design domain where component nodes are weighted and colored to depict disassembly precedence relations. A WLG allows users to quickly comprehend the order of disassembly and component embeddedness.
TU-E-BRC-05: ``Step and Shoot MRI:'' a Simple Acquisition Method to Reduce Gradient Nonlinearity-Induced Geometric Distortions for Radiation Treatment Planning

Purpose: Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) offers great promise in improving target delineation during radiation treatment planning. However, it is well known that MRimages may be hampered by geometric distortion. One potentially large source of geometric distortion arises from gradient nonlinearities, which can result in anatomical compression along the superior‐inferior direction, anatomical dilation in the anterior‐posterior and right‐left directions, and aliasing (arising from spins at different spatial locations being mapped to the same frequency). The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of moving table acquisitions in diminishing gradient nonlinearity‐induced geometric distortion. Methods: A custom 20×30×50 cm grid phantom was imaged on a Siemens 3T Verio scanner. Conventional 3D FLASH images were collected in the sagittal plane and reconstructed without and with vendor‐provided 2D and 3D distortion correction. The prescribed volume was then broken into four segments and, immediately prior to acquisition of each segment, the scanner table was moved such that the center of each segment aligned with the scanner isocenter. Following acquisition, images from each segment were combined into a single series. Results: Gradient nonlinearities produced geometric distortion in all three dimensions. The magnitude of the distortion exceeded 2 cm at the periphery of the field of view in the uncorrected images. Although the vendor‐provided 3D correction algorithm was effective at reducing distortion, residual distortion at the periphery of the field of view remained. The images acquired using the proposed step and shoot approach exhibited minimal distortion along the entire length of the field of view. Conclusions: The proposed step and shoot MRI approach is a simple and effective method to diminish gradient nonlinearity‐induced geometric distortion. By breaking up the imaging volume into smaller segments, images in each segment can be acquired in the region of highest gradient linearity. Research supported by Siemens Healthcare and the MCW Cancer Center Fotsch Foundation.
Putative rat sperm lipid‐binding protein: Isolation and partial characterization

Previous work has identified a prominent 22–24-kD protein that is present in rat male reproductive tissues, including epididymis and testis (Brooks, 1985; Jones and Brown, 1987; Moore et al., 1987). Using a monoclonal antibody (designated mAb-B109) against this 24-kD antigen (referred to as B109), we have isolated the protein using a combination of chromatofocusing and electroelution from SDS–PAGE gels, and reverse phase HPLC. B109 (pl = 4.8) is amino-terminal blocked. To obtain internal amino acid sequences, the isolated protein was cleaved either with cyanogen bromide in 70% formic acid or with TLCK-treated chymotrypsin. With cyanogen bromide treatment, two peptides, 17.8 kD and 11.9 kD, were isolated and partial amino acid sequences obtained. Chymotryptic peptides were isolated by reverse-phase HPLC and two were chosen for sequence analysis A computer search for sequence homology through the protein identification resource (PIR) matched B109 to a basic 21-kD cytosolic protein (pl = 7.4) found in bovine brain (> 80% homology). When peptide sequence differences obtained in the present study were substituted into the 21-kD cytosolic protein sequence obtained from the PIR using IntelligeneticsTM software, the calculated pl dropped from 7.4 to 5.8, suggesting that pl differences between the bovine and rat molecules are the result of amino acid substitutions in the testis protein and not tissue-specific posttranslational processing. It has been postulated that the 21-kD bovine brain protein is associated with phospholipid transport, although the function of B109 is unknown. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Influence of Iodine-131 Dose on the Outcome of Hyperthyroidism in Children

Objectives. Iodine-131 is an effective treatment for Graves’ hyperthyroidism in children and adults. Yet the responses to treatment as related to iodine-131 dose in children are not well-defined. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the dose of iodine-131 in children with hyperthyroidism and thyroid status 1 year after treatment. Methods. We examined the outcome of iodine-131 treatment in children and adolescents with Graves’ disease, as related to dose. Three iodine-131 doses were compared: 72 to 108 Gy (80–120 μCi/g), 180 to 225 Gy (200–250 μCi/g), and 270 to 364 Gy (300–405 μCi/g) in 31 patients ranging in age from 7 to 18 years old. Thyroid status was assessed >1 year after therapy. Results. We found that doses of 100 Gy (110 μCi/g), 200 Gy (220 μCi/g), and 300 Gy (330 μCi/g) resulted in hypothyroidism in 50%, 70%, and 95% of treated individuals, respectively. These data show that to insure ablation of thyroid tissue doses, >270 Gy (300 μCi/g) is needed, especially when the thyroid is large.
HLA-Cw*0102-restricted HIV-1 p24 epitope variants can modulate the binding of the inhibitory KIR2DL2 receptor and primary NK cell function

Accumulating evidence suggests an important role for Natural Killer (NK) cells in the control of HIV-1 infection. Recently, it was shown that NK cell-mediated immune pressure can result in the selection of HIV-1 escape mutations. A potential mechanism for this NK cell escape is the selection of HLA class I-presented HIV-1 epitopes that allow for the engagement of inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), notably KIR2DL2. We therefore investigated the consequences of sequence variations within HLA-Cw*0102-restricted epitopes on the interaction of HLA-Cw*0102 with KIR2DL2 using a large panel of overlapping HIV-1 p24 Gag peptides. 217 decameric peptides spanning the HIV-1 p24 Gag consensus sequence were screened for HLA-Cw*0102 stabilization by co-incubation with Cw*0102(+)/TAP-deficient T2 cells using a flow cytometry-based assay. KIR2DL2 binding was assessed using a KIR2DL2-IgG fusion construct. Function of KIR2DL2(+) NK cells was flow cytometrically analyzed by measuring degranulation of primary NK cells after co-incubation with peptide-pulsed T2 cells. We identified 11 peptides stabilizing HLA-Cw*0102 on the surface of T2 cells. However, only one peptide (p24 Gag209–218 AAEWDRLHPV) allowed for binding of KIR2DL2. Notably, functional analysis showed a significant inhibition of KIR2DL2(+) NK cells in the presence of p24 Gag209–218-pulsed T2 cells, while degranulation of KIR2DL2(−) NK cells was not affected. Moreover, we demonstrated that sequence variations in position 7 of this epitope observed frequently in naturally occurring HIV-1 sequences can modulate binding to KIR2DL2. Our results show that the majority of HIV-1 p24 Gag peptides stabilizing HLA-Cw*0102 do not allow for binding of KIR2DL2, but identified one HLA-Cw*0102-presented peptide (p24 Gag209–218) that was recognized by the inhibitory NK cell receptor KIR2DL2 leading to functional inhibition of KIR2DL2-expressing NK cells. Engagement of KIR2DL2 might protect virus-infected cells from NK cell-mediated lysis and selections of sequence polymorphisms that increase avidity to KIR2DL2 might provide a mechanism for HIV-1 to escape NK cell-mediated immune pressure.
Intercalation of the (1S,2R,3S,4R)-N6-[1-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2,3, 4-trihydroxybenz[a]anthracenyl)]-2'-deoxyadenosyl adduct in an oligodeoxynucleotide containing the human N-ras codon 61 sequence.

The (1S,2R,3S,4R)-N(6)-[1-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2,3, 4-trihydroxybenz[a]anthracenyl)]-2'-deoxyadenosyl adduct at X6 of 5'-d(CGGACXAGAAG)-3'.5'-d(CTTCTTGTCCG)-3', incorporating codons 60, 61 (underlined), and 62 of the human N-ras protooncogene, results from trans opening of (1R,2S,3S,4R)-1,2-epoxy-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydrobenz[a]anthracenyl-3,4-diol by the exocyclic N6 of adenine. Two conformations of this adduct exist, in slow exchange on the NMR time scale. A structure for the major conformation, which represents approximately 80% of the population, is presented. In this conformation, an anti glycosidic torsion angle is observed for all nucleotides, including S,R,S,RA6. The refined structure is a right-handed duplex, with the benz[a]anthracene moiety intercalated on the 3'-face of the modified base pair, from the major groove. It is located between S,R,S,RA6.T17 and A7.T16. Intercalation is on the opposite face of the modified S,R,S,RA6.T17 base pair as compared to the (1R,2S,3R,4S)-N6-[1-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2, 3,4-trihydroxybenz[a]anthracenyl)]-2'-deoxyadenosyl adduct, which intercalated 5' to the modified R,S,R,SA6.T17 base pair [Li, Z. , Mao, H., Kim, H.-Y., Tamura, P. J., Harris, C. M., Harris, T. M., and Stone, M. P. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 2969-2981]. The spectroscopic data do not allow refinement of the minor conformation, but suggest that the adenyl moiety in the modified nucleoti111S,R, S,RA6 adopts a syn glycosidic torsion angle. Thus, the minor conformation may create greater distortion of the DNA duplex. The results are discussed in the context of site-specific mutagenesis studies which reveal that the S,R,S,RA6 lesion is less mutagenic than the R,S,R,SA6 lesion.
Anaerobic digestion of cellulose—Dairy cattle manure mixtures

Abstract Manure—cellulose mixtures containing 0–59% of the Volatile Solids as added cellulose were digested in laboratory scale fermentors at 37°C and on semi-continuous (once daily) feeding. Methane yields, Volatile Acid content and pH were determined for fermentors operated at 16-, 8- and 4-day retention times (RT). Methane yield and per cent conversion of Volatile Solids indicated that manure-cellulose mixtures comprised of ca. 40% Volatile Solids as added cellulose provided the optimum mixture. Volatile Acid and pH profiles from 4-day RT experiments indicated that these fermentors did not attain steady state even after nine retention times. Statistical analysis of methane yields from fermentors receiving 59% Volatile Solids as added cellulose on 16-day RT indicated that these digestions had not reached a true steady state after three retention times. These observations suggest that fermentors receiving high energy loads may not attain a deterministic steady state when operated on a once-daily feed regime.
Emotional reactions of children and adolescents to renal transplantation

Coping defenses of children undergoing renal transplantation were taxed as the child progressed through the crucial phases of surgical procedures. Four of 12 children displayed serious disruption of defense mechanisms at some point during hospitalization with recovery of equilibrium when the stress was removed. Hemodialysis evoked a forceful emotional reaction. The most vulnerable period appeared to be immediately postoperative when ego resources could be depleted if surgical complications occurred. Profound depression or regression could be seen in a previously functional child.
Cardiorespiratory fitness in older adult women: relationships with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Previous studies suggest that circulating 25(OH)D may favorably influence cardiorespiratory fitness and fat oxidation. However, these relationships have not been examined in older adult women of different ethnic groups. The objectives of this study were to determine whether serum 25(OH)D is related to cardiovascular fitness (VO2max) in sedentary women ages ≥60 years and to determine whether these associations differ between African Americans (AA) and European Americans (EA). A secondary aim was to determine whether serum 25(OH)D is correlated with respiratory quotient (RQ) during submaximal exercise. This cross-sectional analysis included 67 AA and EA women ages 60–74 years. VO2max was measured by a modified Bruce graded treadmill protocol, and measurements were adjusted for percent fat and lean body mass assessed by air displacement plethysmography. Indirect calorimetry was used to measure RQ at rest and during four submaximal exercise tests. Fasting blood samples were obtained to quantify serum 25(OH)D. Serum 25(OH)D was associated with VO2max (ml/kg LBM/min) independent of percent body fat (r = 0.316, p = 0.010). However, subgroup analysis revealed that this relationship was specific to AA (r = 0.727, p = 0.005 for AA; r = 0.064, p = 0.643 for EA). In all subjects combined, 25(OH)D was inversely correlated (p < 0.01) with all measures of submaximal RQ. Higher serum 25(OH)D was associated with greater cardiorespiratory fitness in older adult AA women. Among both AA and EA, inverse associations between serum 25(OH)D and RQ suggest that women with higher levels of circulating vitamin D also demonstrated greater fat oxidation during submaximal exercise.
Preparation of highly photoconductive amorphous silicon by rf sputtering

Abstract The photoconductivity of hydrogenated rf sputtered amorphous Si has been determined as a function of the partial pressure of hydrogen in the sputtering gas and of deposition temperatures up to 450°C. The data can be used to choose conditions for preparing material with large photoresponse and small defect state density.
Metal-ion spin-on glasses: Novel materials for active waveguides

Invited PaperMetal-ionspin-on glasses: novel materials for active waveguidesCarol I.H. Ashby, Charles T. Sullivan, G. Allen Vawter, John P. Hohimer, G. Ronald Hadley,and Daniel R. NealSandia National LaboratoriesAlbuquerque, New Mexico 87185-0603ABSTRACTMonolithic integration of a rare-earth-ion-based active waveguide on the same wafer as its diode pump laser would permitcompact packaging of the technology demonstrated in fiber lasers and amplifiers. This new monolithic technology would offerthe potential for developing compact infrared and visible (up-conversion) lasers, amplifiers, and other photomc integratedcircuit components. One approach that we are investigating for such monolithic integration uses a high concentration of one ormore rare-earth ions incorporated into polysiloxane spin-on glasses that are solvent-cast onto 111-V semiconductor wafers. This"fiber on a chip" technology substitutes a relatively high-ion-concentration, short-length metal-ion spin-on glass (IVIISOG)waveguide for the low-ion-concentration, long-length fiber. Progress to date on developing MISOG waveguide materials andtechnology is discussed.1. INTRODUCTIONWith the success in developing rare-earth-doped fiber lasers and amplifiers, considerable effort is now being directed toward thedevelopment of a rare-earth-doped planar waveguide technology. Such an integrated technology will allow a reduction in thesize of devices, making it possible to fabricate multiple devices on a substrate; and it will allow the development of activeintegrated optical circuits with gain.
Electrochemical evaluation of the performance of corrosion-inhibiting systems in concrete bridges

Abstract Corrosion of steel reinforcement is the most significant factor in the deterioration of reinforced concrete structures. Applying corrosion inhibitors to the concrete to reduce the rate of corrosion of the steel has been shown to be effective. Generally, the inhibitor is adsorbed on the surface of the metal and modifies the composition and structure of the double layer or induces passivity. Many types of inorganic- and organic-inhibiting systems are available, including concrete admixtures, rebar coatings and migrating compounds. Conclusions from previous studies on the effectiveness and field performance of these inhibiting systems on corrosion of reinforcing steel are controversial. In this paper, eight commercial corrosion-inhibiting systems for reinforcing steel in concrete have been evaluated from a newly reconstructed barrier wall of a highway bridge. Results from a 5-year field survey and laboratory electrochemical study are presented. The methods and procedures of testing these systems are also discussed.
Testing mechanisms of the dilution effect: deer mice encounter rates, Sin Nombre virus prevalence and species diversity.

Species diversity has been shown to decrease prevalence of disease in a variety of host-pathogen systems, in a phenomenon termed the Dilution Effect. Several mechanisms have been proposed by which diversity may decrease prevalence, though few have been tested in natural host-pathogen systems. We inves- tigated the mechanisms by which diversity influenced the prevalence of Sin Nombre virus (SNV), a directly transmitted virus in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). We monitored both intra and interspecific encounters of deer mice using foraging arenas at five sites in the Great Basin Desert with disparate levels of species diversity to examine two potential mechanisms which may contribute to the dilution of SNV preva- lence: (1) reduced frequency of encounters between deer mice, or (2) reduced duration of contacts between deer mice. We also investigated the relationship between deer mouse density and these mechanisms, as density is often predicted to influence both inter and intraspecific encounters. Results of our study indicate that frequency of intraspecific interactions between deer mice was reduced with increased diversity. Species diversity did not impact average duration of encounters. Density was correlated with absolute, but not relative rates of encounters between deer mice, suggesting that encounters may be influenced by factors other than density. Our study indicates that species diversity influences the dynamics of SNV by reducing encounters between deer mice in a trade-off between intra and interspecific interactions.
Transmission electron microscopy study of the reaction of Sn4- 9 zintl ions with single crystal Au films

Abstract The solid reaction products resulting from the interaction of solutions of Sn 4 − 9 Zintl ions with [001] oriented 20 nm thick single crystal Au foils have been analyzed by various transmission electron microscopy techniques. It is found that hexagonal AuSn and free β-tin are the principal reaction products, with evidence of trace amounts of other crystalline phases tentatively identified as AuSn2, AuSn4 and K2Sn3O7, in heavily exposed samples. A significant amount of unreacted Au remains even after long exposure to saturated solutions, suggesting that the initial reaction products tend to inhibit further reaction with the Au foil. With exposure to increasing Sn 4 − 9 concentration the AuSn, however, does not appear to cover the Au as a uniform passivating layer but instead, in some areas, grows as fibers that can penetrate the Au foil. There is a preferred growth orientation such that the AuSn [0001] axis always lies within the plane defined by the Au [001] and [110] axes, and such that the AuSn [1210] direction remains parallel to the Au [110] direction, within the plane of the foil. This gives rise to selected area diffraction patterns which are a mixture of sharp spots and rings, characteristic of strong textured-fiber epitaxial growth.
Convergence of cutaneous and pelvic visceral nociceptive inputs onto primate spinothalamic neurons.

Abstract The responses of 66 primate spinothalamic neurons to natural stimulation of the urinary bladder and testicle were studied with extracellular recording techniques in order to elucidate the neural basis for referral of visceral pain. Thirty-eight out of 53 cells located at the thoraco-lumbar junction or in sacral segments responded to noxious cutaneous stimuli, and 84% of these also exhibited phasic and/or tonic excitatory responses to distension of the urinary bladder. Seventeen out of 20 of these units, all located at the thoraco-lumbar junction, were excited by compression of the ipsilateral testicle. The response was graded with the compressive force. Excitatory responses to noxious heat and an irritant chemical (KCl) applied to the exposed testicular surface were also observed. Twelve sacral units having inputs from deep receptors of the tail exhibited mixed excitatory and inhibitory responses to bladder distension. A further 2 cells located at the thoracolumbar junction responded only to cutaneous tactile stimuli, and 13 cells located at the lumbosacral enlargement were tonically inhibited by bladder distension. It is concluded that spinothalamic neurons that convey nociceptive input from the skin may also respond to noxious visceral stimuli. Such viscerosomatic convergence provides a neural substrate for the phenomenon of cutaneous referral of visceral pain.
Enantioselectivity of the Addition of Singlet and Triplet and the Chiral Rhodium-Complex-Catalyzed Addition of (Methoxycarbonyl)phenylcarbene to 1,3-Dimethylallene

The reactions of enantioenriched 1,3-dimethylallene with singlet and triplet (methoxycarbonyl)phenylcarbene, and with racemic 1,3-dimethylallene in the presence of a chiral rhodium catalyst, have b...
Relationship between the activity of the succinoxidase system and the rate of oxygen consumption during the embryonic development of the mealworm, Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus.

1. Readings were made on the rates of oxygen consumption and on the activities of the succinoxidase system of eggs of the mealworm for each day of embryonic development at 30°C. 2. The rate of oxygen consumption, expressed as microliters/50 eggs/hour, was low (4.89) in newly laid eggs. It rose to 7.41 during the next 24 hours, remained at this level for the next 2 days, and then increased during the remainder of the embryonic period reaching a high value of 14.79 at the time of hatching. 3. The activity of cytochrome oxidase in eggs from newly emerged beetles, expressed as Δ log [Cy Fe++]/minute, remained at a value of 0.042 during the first half of the embryonic period, increasing to 0.233 during the latter half of this period. 4. The activity of succinic dehydrogenase showed the same series of changes except at much lower values. Expressed as Δ log [Cy Fe+++]/minute, they ranged from 0.010 in the newly laid egg to 0.034 at the end of the embryonic period. 5. The activity of cytochrome oxidase of the egg was found to decrease with parental age. Eggs from newly emerged beetles had activity values considerably higher than those of beetles 6 or 8 weeks after emergence. However, no comparable changes were noted in the activity of succinic dehydrogenase or in the rate of oxygen consumption. These observations suggest that cytochrome oxidase is not a rate-limiting enzyme in the respiratory metabolism of the mealworm egg.
Siblings of children with autism: Predictors of adjustment

Abstract As the prevalence of autism increases, so does the need to examine the effects of autism on family members of children with autism. The current study evaluated possible predictors of adjustment in siblings of children with autism. Aspects of the parents’ functioning as caregivers for a child with autism were examined to determine whether they predicted the adjustment of the child's sibling. Two hundred caregivers of 4–10-year-old children with autism who had at least one sibling without autism participated by filling out questionnaires online. Parental satisfaction with the role of caregiver for the child with autism was negatively correlated with difficulties in sibling adjustment, and it was the only significant predictor of sibling adjustment in a hierarchical regression analysis. Parental stress and parental self-efficacy were not unique contributors to sibling adjustment when other parental variables were considered. No significant relationship was found between parental therapy involvement and sibling adjustment, or between parental educational involvement and sibling adjustment. The lack of parental involvement as a predictor of sibling adjustment adds new findings to the current literature, which had found such a relationship in a previous study with a smaller sample.
Empirical Bayesian elastic net for multiple quantitative trait locus mapping

In multiple quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, a high-dimensional sparse regression model is usually employed to account for possible multiple linked QTLs. The QTL model may include closely linked and thus highly correlated genetic markers, especially when high-density marker maps are used in QTL mapping because of the advancement in sequencing technology. Although existing algorithms, such as Lasso, empirical Bayesian Lasso (EBlasso) and elastic net (EN) are available to infer such QTL models, more powerful methods are highly desirable to detect more QTLs in the presence of correlated QTLs. We developed a novel empirical Bayesian EN (EBEN) algorithm for multiple QTL mapping that inherits the efficiency of our previously developed EBlasso algorithm. Simulation results demonstrated that EBEN provided higher power of detection and almost the same false discovery rate compared with EN and EBlasso. Particularly, EBEN can identify correlated QTLs that the other two algorithms may fail to identify. When analyzing a real dataset, EBEN detected more effects than EN and EBlasso. EBEN provides a useful tool for inferring high-dimensional sparse model in multiple QTL mapping and other applications. An R software package 'EBEN' implementing the EBEN algorithm is available on the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN).
α1-Proteinase inhibitor in gingival crevicular fluid of humans with adult periodontitis: Serpinolytic inhibition by doxycycline

The serum protein, alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI), defends the host against serine proteinases, e.g. PMN elastase. Using a rabbit anti-serum against human alpha 1-PI, this protein in GCF was quantified from a standard curve constructed from dot-blot analysis and characterized by Western blot. GCF was collected on filter paper strips from healthy (H), gingivitis (G) and adult periodontitis (AP) patients, then extracted with Tris/NaCl/CaCl2 buffer, pH 7.6. alpha 1-PI concentration increased with G and was highest in AP subjects. H sites only showed intact alpha 1-PI (52 kDa); no degradation fragments (48 kDa) were detected. In G and AP subjects, alpha 1-PI degradation fragments were seen in 17% and 71% of GCF samples, respectively. Both collagenase and alpha 1-PI-degrading activities in GCF increased with severity of inflammation (GCF flow). Moreover, the alpha 1-PI degrading (or serpinolytic) activity was characterized as a matrix metalloproteinase, probably collagenase, based on its in vitro response to a panel of different proteinase inhibitors including doxycycline. We propose: (1) that collagenase promotes periodontal breakdown not only by degrading collagen, but also by depleting alpha 1-PI regulation of elastase and other serine-proteinases, thereby favoring a broader attack on extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents, and (2) based on a recent longitudinal double-blind study using the techniques described above for alpha 1-PI analysis, that low-dose doxycycline administration to humans with adult periodontitis can inhibit this broad cascade of ECM degradation.
Development of novel tissue engineering scaffolds via electrospinning.

Electrospinning has recently been developed as an efficient technique to develop polymeric nanofibres. Various synthetic and natural biodegradable polymers have been electrospun into fibres with diameters in the nanometre range (< 1 μm). The fibre diameter, structure and physical properties of the nanofibre matrices can be effectively tuned by controlling various parameters that affect the electrospinning process. The dimension and structure of electrospun polymeric nanofibre mats resembles mostly the collagen phase of natural extracellular matrix. This, combined with excellent physical properties such as high surface area, high porosity, interconnective pores of the nanofibre matrices and appropriate mechanical properties, well-controlled degradation rates and biocompatibility of the base polymer, make biodegradable polymeric nanofibre matrices ideal candidates for developing scaffolds for tissue engineering. This article reviews the recent advances in the development of synthetic biodegradable nanofibre...
Stomatal response to certain environmental factors: a comparison of models for subalpine trees in the Rocky Mountains

Abstract Using the data of Kaufmann, we compared five mathematical models of stomatal response to photosynthetic photon flux density, leaf-to-air vapor pressure difference, relative humidity and temperature. Employing non-linear least squares techniques, each model was fitted to stomatal conductance data taken with a gas-exchange system for each of four Rocky Mountain subalpine trees (aspen, lodgepole pine, Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir). The resulting conductance models were then assessed on how well they reproduce measured rates of transpiration. The stomatal conductance models have the same general structure g 1 =g n +g x ƒ Q p ƒ D ƒ r where f represents a modifier that describes the stomatal response to a particular driving variable such that generally (but not always) 0⩽ f ⩽1. The Michaelis-Menten equation is used for the f Q p modifier, while the f T and f D modifiers vary with each of the five different models considered. The first of these five models is adapted from Jarvis. The second is from Lohammer et al. The third is Farquhar's feedforward model. The fourth is derived from Farquhar (personal communication, 1989) and the fifth is the model of Ball et al. The results show that: (1) regardless of the specific form of f D or f T , the photosynthetic photon flux density is of primary importance, the leaf-to-air vapor pressure difference and/or relative humidity is of moderate importance, and the temperature is of minimal importance; (2) all models fit each of the four data sets well, but some models perform better than others; (3) all five models appear to be slightly biased toward underpredicting transpiration rates; (4) stomatal conductance of shade-tolerant species may be more strongly coupled to the leaf-to-air vapor pressure difference and less strongly coupled to the radiation environment than that of shade-intolerant species.
Watersheds in perception and knowledge

(1999). Watersheds in perception and knowledge. Contemporary Security Policy: Vol. 20, Critical Reflections on Security and Change, pp. 166-197.
Time scales and variability of area-averaged tropical oceanic rainfall

A statistical analysis of time series of area-averaged rainfall over the oceans has been conducted around the diurnal time scale. The results of this analysis can be applied directly to the problem of establishing the magnitude of expected errors to be incurred in the estimation of monthly area-averaged rain rate from low orbiting satellites. Such statistics as the mean, standard deviation, integral time scale of background red noise, and spectral analyses were performed on time series of the GOES precipitation index taken at 3-hour intervals during the period spanning December 19, 1987 to March 31, 1988 over the central and eastern tropical Pacific. The analyses have been conducted on 2.5 x 2.5 deg and 5 x 5 deg grid boxes, separately. The study shows that rainfall measurements by a sun-synchronous satellite visiting a spot twice per day will include a bias due to the existence of the semidiurnal cycle in the SPCZ ranging from 5 to 10 percentage points. The bias in the ITCZ may be of the order of 5 percentage points.
Chronic stress and major depression.

• Six-month and lifetime rates of DSM-III major depressive disorder (MDD) and characteristics of the disorder were compared in mothers of children with disabilities (chronic stress sample, n= 310) and in a geographically based probability sample (controls, n = 357). The presence of DSM-III MDD was ascertained by the National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Although mothers in the chronic stress sample had significantly more depressive symptoms, rates of MDD were not significantly different in the two samples. The women with MDD in the chronic stress sample reported a lower age of onset and more episodes in lifetime than diagnostically comparable controls, but the two samples did not differ in symptomatology of worst episode. The data do not support an etiologic role for chronic stress in MDD, nor do they support the hypothesis that chronic stress is associated with a unique symptom profile or more severe episodes. They suggest a role for chronic stress in precipitating episodes, although the evidence on this point must be interpreted with caution.
Codling Moth: The Effect of Adult Diet on Longevity, Fecundity, Fertility, and Mating

Longevity of adult Cydia pomonella (L.) was increased 6–12 days when provided water, a carbohydrate, or a carbohydrate-protein solution. However, providing these foods or the increased longevity did not significantly increase mating, oviposition, or viability of eggs. Regardless of the availability of water or food, moths laid 90% of their eggs within the 1st 5 days of life.
Extraexperimental transfer in serial recall

Summary Four groups, of 9 S s each, learned the same 16 highly related words in 4 different serial arrangements. The arrangement of words was determined by two aspects of internal association: factor structure ( F ), derived from a factor analysis of overlap coefficients; and mean overlap ( O ), also derived from overlap coefficients. Both F and O were shown to be separate and significant predictors of the number of correctly recalled adjacent pairs of words. The overlap coefficient was also shown to be a weak but significant predictor of the order of words in free recall.