cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultra-fast optical time division multiplexing

Recent progress in ultrahigh speed optical transmission using time-domain signal processing is reviewed including optical short pulse generation, time-domain multiplexing/demultiplexing and timing extraction. A 120 Gbit/s system prototype is described.
Multiple hyperbaric exposures during pregnancy in sheep

Abstract Eleven sheep were subjected to hyperbaric pressures comparable to 165 feet of sea water 31 times between the one hundred twelfth and one hundred thirty-seventh days of pergnancy. During 13 dives the maternal and fetal circulations were monitored for bubble formation during decompression. Bubbles were detected by external Doppler probes in eight of 12 ewes, but in none of the fetuses. Nine ewes were delivered of normal lambs at term. In one, twin fetuses died during an abnormal labor. The pregnancy of another was terminated by cesarean section after decompression to look for bubbles in the fetal circulation.
E-Verify Can Stop Refund Fraud

Two issues in the current Washington debates need to be linked. E-Verify, the Internet-based database that allows employers to verify an employee’s work eligibility that is at the center of the immigration debate, is the ideal tool for stopping tax refund fraud. All that is needed is a digital signature of the E-Verify result, and the mandatory inscription of this signature on tax documents to make them self-authenticating. The central features of this proposal have been made before. The technology it requires is tried and proven. The processes and procedure it advocates are in place and effectively deployed in foreign jurisdictions, notably in VAT jurisdictions enforcing against VAT fraud. The heart of this linkage (the E-Verify/refund fraud linkage) is numerical. At least $5.2 billion in annual revenues are being lost through refund fraud – the cost for businesses to implement a fully mandated E-Verify system is $2.7 billion. If E-Verify solves refund fraud, there are funds available for a business credit with a considerable amount of money left over. The $5.2 billion figure comes from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) who found that in Processing Year 2011, identity theft cost the US taxpayer in excess of $5.2 billion in undetected fraudulent tax refunds, and estimated $21 billion in losses over five years. The $2.7 billion figure comes from a Bloomberg Report for the same time period indicating that a fully mandated E-Verify system for all employers would cost $2.7 billion (almost all of it in training expenses related to system implementation and worker appeals).
Radiation effects in ZrF4 based glasses: I. Electron spin resonance

Abstract Binary ZrF4BaF2, HfF4BaF2, and multicomponent ZrF4 based glasses have been studied by electron spin resonance spectroscopy after liquid-nitrogen-temperature X-irradiations and room-temperature γ-ray irradiations. Polycrystalline BaF2, ZrF4 and HfF4 were investigated in the same manner for comparison purposes. Isochronal anneal experiments have distinguished several resonances in the glasses which are characterized as due to F2− molecular ions, F0 interstitial atoms and Zr3+ and Hf3+ ions. Two more signals are tentatively assigned as due to a hole trapped on several fluorine ions and a hole trapped on an oxygen impurity. In lead-containing glasses the formation of Zr3+ is strongly inhibited, presumably due to the competitive formation of Pb+ ions. However, the radiation production of Pb3+ ions was independently observed, thus suggesting that the Pb2+ ions may serve as traps for charge carriers of either sign. No defects were detected which could be explicitly associated with other cationic constituents, such as La3+, Al3+, or Li+.
An alternative to the proportionate mortality ratio

The conditions that are generally considered to justify the use of the proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) to compare exposed and nonexposed populations also permit the computation of the ratio of mortality odds between the cause (of death) of interest and the "other" causes considered. This mortality odds ratio (MOR) comparing the exposed with the nonexposed equals the exposure odds ratio comparing deaths from the cause of interest with those from the auxiliary ("other") causes, and, in contrast to the PMR, it can be interpreted as the observed-to-expected ratio or the standardized mortality ratio on the assumption that the mortality rate for the auxiliary causes is unrelated to the exposure. Related to this, the MOR is free of the arbitrary element in the PMR, which is dependent on the size of the auxiliary-causes domain. These properties make the proposed measure superior to the PMR statistic. Consideration of the proposed statistic for "PMR data" also underscores the need to view "PMR studies" as case-referent studies, and this has important implications for the choice of the auxiliary causes (reference series).
Application of radial and elliptical surface current measurements to better resolve coastal features

The ephemeral nature of sea breeze makes it a challenging phenomenon to study. The sea breeze is an important wind resource that could potentially be harnessed to enhance coastal wind energy development. It is also an important force in coastal ocean dynamics and warrants further study. It would be convenient and inexpensive to study the sea breeze with HF radar, over broad spatial and temporal scales, if it can only be adequately differentiated from other stronger signals and noise. We seek to isolate the sea breeze signals in ocean surface currents using bistatic HF radar. Bistatic measurements can help increase the spatial resolution of sampling and help resolve features like the effects of sea breeze on the sea surface. The elliptical and radial data were consistently in statistical agreement with each other. This is the case across all analyses performed. This indicates that the elliptical data produced by the bistatic systems validates the radial data, which had been previously validated by drifter data. In turn, elliptical data has been shown to be a reliable measure of surface current velocity. Elliptical data continues to be valuable for increasing surface current velocity measurement density. More sophisticated statistical tests may reveal differences between radial and elliptical measurements. An important next step would be determining the finest spatial and temporal resolution available with combined elliptical and radial data, and then changing the spatial and temporal averaging radii in the SeaSonde software. This could potentially reveal finer features that are currently lost in averaging.
Evaluation of acibenzolar-S-methyl-induced resistance against iris yellow spot tospovirus

Acibenzolar-S-Methyl (ASM) is a functional analog of salicylic acid (SA) that activates local and systemic acquired resistance (SAR) responses in plants against a wide variety of pathogens. Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) is an economically important tospovirus of onion that causes severe economic losses to both bulb and seed crops. IYSV resistant onion cultivars are not available to date and there are limited control options. To explore the possibility of utilizing SAR as a control option, we first used two different hosts of IYSV, Datura stramonium and Nicotiana benthamiana, to study the ability of ASM in triggering SAR against IYSV infection. Quantitative descriptors based on both symptom expression and relative levels of IYSV nucleoprotein and viral small RNA were developed and used to determine the SAR in ASM- and buffer-treated plants. A significant reduction in virus levels in ASM-treated plants was noticed by ELISA and PCR. The level of SAR response was also assessed by measuring the IYSV lesion size and number on the inoculated leaves of ASM-treated plants. ASM-treated plants showed reduced symptoms compared to buffer-treated plants. This study could be useful in potentially developing novel SAR-based options for virus management.
Service failure and recovery: The impact of relationship factors on customer satisfaction

This research investigated how customers' relationships with a service organization affect their reactions to service failure and recovery. Our conceptual model proposed that customer-organizational relationships help to shape customers' attributions and expectations when service failures occur. The empirical results showed that customers with higher expectations of relationship continuity had lower service recovery expectations after a service failure and also attributed that failure to a less stable cause. Both the lower recovery expectations and the lower stability attributions were associated with greater satisfaction with the service performance after the recovery. These effects appeared to be key processes by which relationships buffer service organizations when service failures occur.
The risk of gastrointestinal carcinoma in familial juvenile polyposis.

Background: Familial juvenile polyposis (JP) is an autosomal dominant condition in which affected individuals develop upper or lower gastrointestinal (GI) juvenile polyps, or both, and have a predisposition to cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. The risk of GI cancer has not been well defined because of the small number of these families and the lack of follow-up. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and age at diagnosis of GI polyposis and cancer in a large JP kindred. Methods: Medical records were reviewed, patients were interviewed, and histories were taken. Pathology reports and slides were reviewed by our pathologists. A database was created for analysis of clinical and pathologic factors. Results: This kindred contains 117 members, 29 of whom have had upper or lower GI polyps or cancer, or both. All those affected have had colonic juvenile polyps or cancer, except for two who died of advanced gastric cancer and never had colonic evaluation. Nine individuals have had both upper and lower GI polyps or cancer. Sixteen of 29 (55%) affected patients have developed gastrointestinal cancer. Eleven (38%) have had colon cancer, and six (21%) have had upper GI cancers. Conclusions: The risk of gastrointestinal malignancy in affected members of this JP kindred exceeds 50%. The high risk of GI cancer warrants frequent endoscopic screening of both affected and at-risk family members. Screening will soon be facilitated by presymptomatic genetic testing for the identification of gene carriers.
Improving Information Quality Through it Alignment Planning: A Case Study

Abstract This article describes how a medium-sized, Midwestern power company implemented an IT alignment planning process. the IT alignment planning process was a successful four-year activity that involved, first, a pilot implementation and then a companywide implementation of the IT alignment planning process. Designed to be flexible and to dovetail with corporate strategic planning processes, IT alignment planning achieved acknowledgment and approval in all divisions of the company. the IT alignment planning process improved and facilitated communication on IT and IT projects throughout the company, from the executive level to the operational level, and brought the IT and client units closer together.
Comparing pregnant women's nutritional knowledge to their actual dietary intake.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to describe differences between low-and middle-income pregnant women's general nutritional knowledge, usual dietary intake and weight gain. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A descriptive design employing a questionnaire with a convenience sample of women (N = 109) from both childbirth education classes and a free prenatal clinic. RESULTS Women with a low prepregnant body mass index (BMI) gained less weight, and women with high BMI tended to gain more weight than recommended. Most women had inadequate general nutritional knowledge, and their dietary intake did not meet all the nutritional requirements of pregnancy. Women attending the free prenatal clinic had more accurate knowledge of the recommended number of servings for some food groups (fruits and vegetables, meats and dairy) than women in childbirth education classes. No differences were noted between the groups in total weight gain. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Further research is needed to evaluate pregnant women's nutritional knowledge and actual dietary practices, to develop effective strategies designed to promote adequate nutritional intake in pregnant women, and to help women remain within the Institute of Medicine (IOM) weight gain recommendations. Consistent individualized nutritional assessment and counseling during pregnancy could provide a foundation for continued healthy eating habits during the postpartum period and possibly throughout the woman's life.
Isozyme and allozyme patterns in embryonic Drosophila cell culture lines.

Two independently derived embryonic Drosophila cell culture lines were examined for 19 gene-enzyme systems. At two loci, α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase on chromosome 2, and isocitrate dehydrogenase on chromosome 3, allelic variation was detected. These can now serve as genetic markers to identify hybrid cell clones. Quantitative differences between cell lines were found for five enzymes.
Relationship between changes in coping and treatment outcome in patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

The present study utilized a sample of 198 individuals with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) to examine the association between treatment process variables (beliefs, coping strategies) and treatment outcomes (pain severity, activity level, emotional distress and life interference) related to a 4-week multidisciplinary fibromyalgia treatment program. Multiple regression analyses were utilized to evaluate these relationships pretreatment to posttreatment as well as from pretreatment to 3- and 6-month follow-ups. The results indicated that outcomes were most closely related to: (1) an increased sense of control over pain, (2) a belief that one is not necessarily disabled by FM, (3) a belief that pain is not necessarily a sign of damage, (4) decreased guarding, (5) increased use of exercise, (6) seeking support from others, (7) activity pacing and (8) use of coping self-statements. These findings are consistent with a cognitive-behavioural model of fibromyalgia, and suggest targets for therapeutic change.
Obstructive lung disease models: what is valid?

Use of disease simulation models has led to scrutiny of model methods and demand for evidence that models credibly simulate health outcomes. We sought to describe recent obstructive lung disease simulation models and their validation. Medline and EMBASE were used to identify obstructive lung disease simulation models published from January 2000 to June 2006. Publications were reviewed to assess model attributes and four types of validation: first-order (verification/debugging), second-order (comparison with studies used in model development), third-order (comparison with studies not used in model development), and predictive validity. Six asthma and seven chronic obstructive pulmonary disease models were identified. Seven (54%) models included second-order validation, typically by comparing observed outcomes to simulations of source study cohorts. Seven (54%) models included third-order validation, in which modeled outcomes were usually compared qualitatively for agreement with studies independent of the ...
Motion artifact cancellation to obtain heart sounds from a single chest-worn accelerometer

This paper presents a method of extracting primary heart sound signals from chest-worn accelerometer data in the presence of motion artifacts. The proposed method outperforms noise removal techniques such as wavelet denoising and adaptive filtering. Results from six subjects show a primary heart signal detection rate of 99.36% with a false positive rate of 1.3%.
An examination of constructivist and gibsonian approaches to environmental psychology

Much of the conceptual and empirical work in environmental psychology has been directly shaped byconstructivism — a metatheoretical framework which views perception as essentially a cognitive process. Two influential constructivist theories are information-processing and Piaget's genetic epistemology. As a consequence of adopting this framework, environmental psychologists have focused their investigations on cognitive processes rather than the environment. However, the role played by cognitive processes in perception is a function of the degree to which phenomenal characteristics of the environment are specified in the information available to the perceiver, and the present emphasis by environmental psychologists on cognitive processes may reflect an underestimate of the richness of this information. J. J. Gibson's ecological analysis of perception postulates that environmental layout and meaning are directly specified in ambient light, and, as a result, his account suggests that the environment is a direct and unmediated determinant of perception and action. Further, he offers a framework which allows for both an objective and psychologically meaningful description of the environment. For these reasons, his perspective has much to offer the environmental psychologist.
Modelling of information flow in continuous processing media

A mathematical description of information flow in continouous processing media is offered. A large set of interconnected processors (a network) is modeled as a continuous processing media with distributed storage, relay, and computing properties. With certain assumptions on criteria for information exchange between processors and for the system input-output, it is shown that the storage utilization rates satisfy a system of partial differential equations. Numerical solutions were used to investigate certain important problems such as propagation of ''big jobs,'' etc.
A new cap for kinetochore fibre minus ends

In mitotic spindles, each sister chromatid is directly attached to a spindle pole through microtubule bundles known as kinetochore fibres. Microspherule protein 1 (MCRS1) is now shown to support spindle assembly by localizing to the minus ends of kinetochore fibres and protecting them from depolymerization.
Electronic Structure of the Transition Metal Nitrides TiN, VN, and CrN

The electronic and geometric structures of the ground and low-lying excited states of TiN, VN, and CrN have been studied by ab initio MCSCF and multireference configuration interaction (CI) techniques. The ground states have the symmetries 2Σ+, 3Δ, and 4Σ-, respectively, and are characterized by a triple bond with no 4s character. We report dissociation energies, vibrational frequencies, dipole moments, bond lengths, and charge distributions for a variety of electronic states and compare with experiment, where possible.
Reviews: current topicsrole of nuclear receptors in the regulation of gene expression by dietary fatty acids (review)

Abstract Long chain fatty acids, derived either from endogenous metabolism or by nutritional sources play significant roles in important biological processes of membrane structure, production of biologically active compounds, and participation in cellular signaling processes. Recently, the structure of dietary fatty acids has become an important issue in human health because ingestion of saturated fats (containing triglycerides composed of saturated fatty acids) is considered harmful, while unsaturated fats are viewed as beneficial. It is important to note that the molecular reason for this dichotomy still remains elusive. Since fatty acids are important players in development of pathology of cardiovascular and endocrine system, understanding the key molecular targets of fatty acids, in particular those that discriminate between saturated and unsaturated fats, is much needed. Recently, insights have been gained on several fatty acid-activated nuclear receptors involved in gene expression. In other words, we can now envision long chain fatty acids as regulators of signal transduction processes and gene regulation, which in turn will dictate their roles in health and disease. In this review, we will discuss fatty acid-mediated regulation of nuclear receptors. We will focus on peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPARs), liver X receptors (LXR), retinoid X receptors (RXRs), and Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor alpha (HNF-4α), all of which play pivotal roles in dietary fatty acid-mediated effects. Also, the regulation of gene expression by Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLA), a family of dienoic fatty acids with a variety of beneficial effects, will be discussed. Keywords : Fatty acid; Nuclear receptor; Gene; Transcription
Astrocytes Prevent Ethanol Induced Apoptosis of Nrf2 Depleted Neurons by Maintaining GSH Homeostasis

Glutathione (GSH), a major cellular antioxidant protects cells against oxidative stress injury. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2/Nrf2) is a redox sensitive master regulator of battery of antioxidant enzymes including those involved in GSH antioxidant machinery. Earlier we reported that ethanol (ETOH) elicits apoptotic death of pri-mary cortical neurons (PCNs) which in partly due to depletion of intracellular GSH levels. Further a recent report from our laboratory illustrated that ETOH exacerbated the dysregulation of GSH and caspase mediated cell death of pure cortical neurons that are compromised in Nrf2 machinery (Narasimhan et al., 2011). In various experimental models of neurodegeneration, neuronal antioxidant defenses mainly GSH has been shown to be supported by astrocytes. We therefore sought to determine whether astrocytes can render protection to neurons against ETOH toxicity, particularly when the function of Nrf2 is compromised in neurons. The experimental model consisted of co-culturing PCAs with Nrf2 downregulated PCNs that were exposed with and without 4 mg/mL ETOH for 24 h. Monochlorobimane (MCB) staining followed by FACS analysis showed that astrocytes blocked ETOH induced GSH decrement in Nrf2-silenced neurons as opposed to exaggerated GSH depletion in Nrf2 downregulated PCNs alone. Similarly, the heightened activa-tion of caspase 3/7 observed in Nrf2-compromised neurons was attenuated when co-cultured with astrocytes as meas-ured by luminescence based caspase Glo assay. Furthermore, annexin-V-FITC staining followed by FACS analysis re-vealed that Nrf2 depleted neurons showed resistance to ETOH induced neuronal apoptosis when co-cultured with as-trocytes. Thus, the current study identifies ETOH induced dysregulation of GSH and associated apoptotic events ob-served in Nrf2-depleted neurons can be blocked by astrocytes. Further our results suggest that this neuroprotective ef-fect of astrocyte despite dysfunctional Nrf2 system in neurons could be compensated by astrocytic GSH supply.
Studies on, the Biotransformation of 203Hg-labeled Methyl Mercury Chloride in Rats

Biotransformation of organic mercury in the rat was followed by specific determination of inorganic mercury after exposure" Inorganic mercury was detected in plasma, brain, and tissues involved in excretion. Inorganic mercury released from the organomercurial redistributes in the body to conform to the pattern of organ distribution of injected mercuric salts" Biotransformation is important in the excretion of mercury after exposure to methyl mercury salts. Inorganic mercury was preferentially excreted in the feces. The delay in the appearance of central nervous system disturbances following exposure to methyl mercury compounds could not be explained by accumulation of inorganic mercury in the tissue. That the unique toxic effects of exposure to methyl mercury salts are caused by the intact mercurial is supported.
Field Testing the Utility of Procalcitonin and the Acute Infantile Observation Score in Febrile Infants 6 to 36 Months Old Presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department With No Obvious Focus of Infection

Background. Serious bacterial illness (SBI) presents a diagnostic challenge in febrile infants. History, clinical signs, and laboratory information combined with experiential knowledge affects decisions to admit and treat. Aim. To assess the utility of serum procalcitonin and the Acute Infantile Observation Score (AIOS) performed at emergency department presentation in predicting (a) confirmed serious bacterial illness and (b) illness severity. Methods. Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios were calculated for C-reactive protein, white cell count, serum procalcitonin, and AIOS. Results. Forty-six infants were recruited. Seven had a diagnosis of SBI, 28 were moderately ill with length of stay >24 hours, and 12 were severely ill with length of stay >96 hours. The positive likelihood ratios for confirmed SBI were C-reactive protein = 5.3, procalcitonin = 0.43, white cell count = 1.9, and AIOS = 1.5. Conclusion. Procalcitonin and the AIOS do not modify the diagnostic uncertainty of the ED physician ...
Examining the initial stages of shear localization in amorphous metals

Abstract A mesoscale simulation by shear transformation zone (STZ) dynamics is used to analyze the initial stages of shear localization in amorphous metals, of which many details remain unresolved due to the difficulty in accessing the appropriate time- and length-scales. Examination of a constant strain-rate tensile test of a model amorphous metal reveals four different stages in the microscopic processes that lead to formation of a shear band. These stages are identified as: (i) STZ clustering, where potential nucleation sites form as STZ activations cluster in space; (ii) growth following nucleation, where a nascent shear band exhibits a propagating front that defines the shear band path; (iii) relaxation thickening, where the shear band thickens and relaxes the system down to the flow stress; and (iv) flow thickening, where the shear band exhibits prolonged thickening at the flow stress. The results are consistent with the literature but suggest that a shear band is defined by a front that propagates very quickly with negligible accumulated strain. This propagating front likely occurs below the resolution of current methods that only observe simultaneous slip in a shear band where significant strain can be accumulated at much slower rates. Analysis of a thermodynamic model also suggests a specific critical stress that is required to nucleate a shear band, after which the shear band is allowed to grow unconstrained.
The effects of dihydroxyfumarate on isolated rabbit papillary muscle function: evidence for an iron dependent non-hydroxyl radical mechanism.

To delineate the active free radical species mediating the toxic effects of autoxidizing dihydroxyfumarate (DHF), isolated rabbit right ventricular papillary muscles were exposed to 4.5 mM DHF in the presence of FeCl3, ADP and bovine albumin. In the absence of free radical scavengers a 47.3 ± 11.5 % (mean ± standard deviation) depression in contractile force was noted over 60 minutes. Neither the combination of superoxide dismutase (SOD) 3 200 u/cc and catalase (CAT) 2 950 u/cc nor mannitol 0.1 M provided statistically significant protection. Deferoxamine mesylate (DFX) 10 mg/cc (15 mM) did provide significant protection of muscle function both in the presence and absence of SOD and CAT (p < 0.01). The degree of protection conferred by DFX alone was statistically similar to that of DFX with SOD and CAT. This data suggests the involvement of an iron-oxygen complex not dependent on superoxide or hydrogen peroxide for its formation and not readily scavenged by mannitol. The perferryl ion may be representative of such a species. Alternatively, a reactive complex similiar to the ‘Crypto-OH’ radical proposed by Youngman may be formed by the reaction of DHF with iron and oxygen.
Comparison of reaction time and accuracy measures of laterality for stutterers and normal speakers

Abstract This study compared reaction time and accuracy scores of normal speakers and stutterers on a dichotic listening syllable recognition task. A mean right ear advantage for both measures was observed for the two groups. While no group difference in ear difference score (EDS) was observed for the accuracy measure, the stutterers exhibited almost half the EDS of the normal speakers for reaction time. Analysis of group distributions revealed that stutterers are more heterogeneous than the normal speakers for all measures. Factors that influence analysis and interpretation of “laterality” data are discussed for both stutterers and nonstutterers using dichotic listening accuracy and reaction time measures.
The Challenge of Strengthening Nonprofits and Civil Society

The Winter Commission Report was centrally concerned with improving the performance of state and local governments. Since the issuance of the commission’s report in 1993, the delivery of services by state and local government has been substantially changed by the growing role of nonprofit organizations in providing public services and representing citizen interests. As a result, state and local governments and nonprofit agencies are faced with complex governance challenges. The central argument of this paper is that despite the dramatic changes in the relationship between government and nonprofit organizations in recent years, the key tenets of the Winter Commission report—the need for improved training and education, greater transparency and accountability, more emphasis on performance, and improved citizen engagement—remain deeply relevant in improving the governance of the public services in an increasingly complex policy process and service delivery system at the state and local levels.
Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide.

Abstract Employing the Warburg manometric method of assay, the effect of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide on acetylcholinesterase activity was studied. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide was found to possess anticholinesterase properties; kinetic analysis together with the results from dialysis experiments show that the inhibition is mixed, there being both reversible and irreversible aspects of the total inhibition; the extent of the irreversible inhibition increases with increasing time of incubation of the enzyme with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. It is concluded that it is unlikely that the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide underlies the previously observed in vivo blockade of impulse conduction in whole nerve.
Where There Is No Movement: Local Resistance and the Potential for Solidarity

In Burma, any attempt to form independent agrarian movements is violently suppressed, yet rural Karen villagers have developed and practise complex forms of resistance involving inter-community action and solidarity across wide regions. These have been successful in weakening state control over land and livelihoods largely because their lack of formal organization makes them difficult to target. Though Karen village resistance has characteristics that resemble ‘movements’ as broadly defined and make it comparable to some existing agrarian movements, transnational movement coalitions have yet to actively engage with it. This contribution argues that transnational agrarian movements and local struggles could both benefit from active engagement, and explores the possibility and potential for such engagement in the Karen case.
Occurrence and nature of O-alkyl and O-alk-1-enyl moieties of glycerol in lipids of morris transplanted hepatomas and normal rat liver

Abstract 1. 1. The lipid class composition and nature of the O-alkyl, O-alk-1-enyl, and acyl chains of major lipid classes were investigated in normal rat liver and 7794A and 7777 Morris hepatomas. Although both hepatomas contained less phospholipid than the normal liver, the relative distribution of the classes within the phospholipid fraction was similar in the three tissues. Almost half the phosphoglycerides consisted of phosphatidyl choline and the remainder was mostly phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl serine-phosphatidyl inositol. The phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine fractions of normal rat liver did not contain any significant quantities of ether-containing lipids, but both the 7794A and the 7777 hepatomas contained up to 7% O-alk-1-enyl acyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine. The phosphatidyl choline fraction isolated from the 7777 hepatoma contained more alkyl ethers than the phosphatidyl choline in the 7794A hepatoma or normal rat liver. 2. 2. The neutral lipids in all three tissues were mainly sterol esters, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and cholesterol. The 7777 hepatoma also contained significant quantities of glyceryl ether diesters, and accumulated sterol esters and cholesterol at the expense of triglycerides and phosphoglycerides compared to normal rat liver or the 7794A hepatoma. The 7794A hepatoma did not contain any glyceryl ether diesters, but compared to normal rat liver this tumor also contained increased quantities of sterol esters, free fatty acids, and cholesterol. 3. 3. In the 7777 hepatoma, the O-alkyl moieties in the glyceryl ether diesters and phosphatidyl choline and the O-alk-1-enyl moieties in the phosphatidyl ethanolamine were similar and consisted mainly of 16:0, 18:0, and 18:1 hydrocarbon chains. The proportion of 18:0 to 18:1 side chain was higher in the alk-1-enyl ethers of the phosphatidyl ethanolamines than in those of the alkyl ethers of the phosphatidyl chorines. 4. 4. In all tissues studied, the fatty acid side chains differed completely from the alkyl and alk-1-enyl ether-linked side chains. Both tumors contained about twice as much 18:1 fatty acids in the sterol esters as did normal rat liver, primarily at the expense of 16:0 fatty acids. In contrast, the phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl choline fractions from the hepatomas contained higher quantities of linoleic acid and lower quantities of arachidonic acid than these fractions from normal liver. 5. 5. Our data demonstrate that glyceryl ether diesters and alkyl-acyl cholinecontaining lipids tend to accumulate in hepatoma 7777 which is a relatively fastgrowing tumor. In addition, the relative proportion of 18:2 and 20:4 fatty acids in the phosphoglycerides indicates that essential fatty acids are poorly utilized by hepatomas.
Proctosigmoidoscopy and rectal biopsy in infants and children.

The medical records of all patients ages 0 to 21 years who underwent proctosigmoidoscopy and/or rectal biopsy over a 27-month period of time were reviewed to determine the efficacy and safety of these procedures in pediatric patients. One hundred twenty-one patients underwent proctosigmoidoscopy; 91 of these also had rectal biopsies. Median age was two years; 21% were less than six months and 8% less than one month of age. Depth of examination was 10 to 15 cm in most patients >10 years of age. Induced friability was the most frequently observed mucosal abnormality. Abnormal findings were almost always present in patients with bloody diarrhea and were quite common in those with rectal bleeding, but less common in those with chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain. Colitis of various causes was the most common cause of blood in the stool; anal fissures were found in only four of 23 patients with rectal bleeding. Both proctosigmoidoscopy and rectal biopsy were needed to exclude the presence of colitis. Morbidity was 0% with proctosigmoidoscopy and 0.34% with rectal suction biopsy.
In vivo deformation of the human abdominal aorta and common iliac arteries with hip and knee flexion: implications for the design of stent-grafts.

Purpose: To quantify in vivo deformations of the abdominal aorta and common iliac arteries (CIAs) caused by musculoskeletal motion. Methods: Seven healthy subjects (age 34±11 years, range 24–50) were imaged in the supine and fetal positions (hip flexion angle 134.0°±9.7°) using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography. Longitudinal strain, twisting, and curvature change of the infrarenal aorta and CIAs were computed. The angle between the left and right CIAs and translation of the arteries were also computed. Results: Maximal hip flexion induced shortening (5.2%±4.6%), twisting (0.45±0.27 °/mm), and curvature changes (0.015±0.007 mm−1) of the CIAs. The angle between the CIAs increased by 17.6°±8.6°. The iliac arteries moved predominantly in the superior direction relative to the aortic bifurcation, which would induce compression and bending, thus increasing curvature and angle between the CIAs. The abdominal aorta also exhibited shortening (2.9%±2.1%) and twisting (0.07±0.05 °/mm) deformation associated with the hip flexion. Conclusion: Although this study was limited to a few healthy young adults, musculoskeletal motion, specifically hip flexion, caused significant in vivo morphological changes (shortening, twisting, and bending) of the arteries. Predominant superior translation of the CIAs was observed, which suggests that preclinical testing of cyclic superior-inferior translational motion may aid in predicting stent-graft fractures. In turn, stent-graft design could be improved, decreasing overall stent-graft–related complications.
Dynamic electron screening in nuclear and mesonic atom E1 transitions

Abstract Atomic electrons can influence the electromagnetic transition rates of nuclei and mesonic atoms. We examine this dynamic electron screening effect for E1 transitions. The screening factor is expressed in terms of the forward Rayleigh scattering amplitude, and, for easy computation, the photoelectric cross section. We find that the effect can be large for low-energy transitions, but such transitions are rare for nuclei. The effect on mesonic atom cascades is usually small, but can be quite significant for high-precision experiments and those which look at transitions from high initial n.
The synthesis of 4-methylumbelliferyl phenylphosphonate and its use in an improved method for the zymogram analysis of phosphodiesterase I

The 4-methylumbelliferyl analog of p -nitrophenyl phenylphosphonate was prepared and its cleavage by different phosphohydrolases was studied. The new compound, 4-methylumbelliferyl phenylphosphonate, is hydrolyzed by purified phosphodiesterase I (EC 3.1.4.1) from snake venom or bovine intestinal mucosa. This fact has been exploited to develop a zymogram method which allows the detection of these phosphohydrolases on gels, even when the enzymes are present in small amounts in crude extracts. This method is superior to chromogenic methods evolving p -nitrophenol in that it is far more sensitive and is superior to the 4-methylumbelliferyl thymidine 5′-phosphate method in that the substrate is easier to prepare and can be isolated in large quantity.
Rate-constrained bandwidth smoothing for delivery of stored video

Bandwidth smoothing techniques for the delivery of compressed prerecorded video have been shown effective in removing the burstiness required for the continuous playback of stored video. Given a fixed client-side buffer, several bandwidth smoothing algorithms have been introduced that are provably optimal under certain constraints. These algorithms, however, may be too aggressive in the amount of data that they prefetch, making it more difficult to support VCR functions that are required for interactive video-on- demand systems. In this paper, we introduce a rate- constrained bandwidth smoothing algorithm for the delivery of stored video that, given a fixed maximum bandwidth rate minimizes both the smoothing buffer requirements as well as the buffer residency requirements. By minimizing the buffer residency times, the clients and servers can remain more tightly coupled making VCR functions easier to support. A comparison between the rate-constrained bandwidth smoothing algorithm and other bandwidth smoothing algorithms is presented using a compressed full-length movie.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On two conjectures concerning the partial sums of the harmonic series

Let S,, denote the nth partial sum of the harmonic series. For a given positive integer k > 1, there exists a unique integer nk such that Snk-l < k < Snk. It has been conjectured that nk is equal to the integer nearest ek -, where y is Euler's constant. We provide an estimate on nk which suggests that this conjecture may have to be modified. We also propose a conjecture concerning the amount by which Snk and SPA differ from k. 1. The first conjecture. Let
Applied physiology: understanding shock

Abstract The primary function of the cardiovascular system is to maintain an adequate delivery of oxygen to the tissues to ensure the continued production of ATP via oxidative phosphorylation. Oxygen delivery is primarily dependent on cardiac function and is therefore sensitive to changes in myocardial contractility, preload and afterload. Matching oxygen delivery to metabolic activity requires, however, circulatory adjustments and normal transfer kinetics. This article will discuss the regulation and defence of cardiac output and oxygen delivery in health and in shock.
Selection of an Adaptive Test Statistic for Use with Multiple Comparison Analyses of Neuroimaging Data

Statistical analysis of neuroimages is commonly approached with intergroup comparisons made by repeated application of univariate or multivariate tests performed on the set of the regions of interest sampled in the acquired images. The use of such large numbers of tests requires application of techniques for correction for multiple comparisons. Standard multiple comparison adjustments (such as the Bonferroni) may be overly conservative when data are correlated and/or not normally distributed. Resampling-based step-down procedures that successfully account for unknown correlation structures in the data have recently been introduced. We combined resampling step-down procedures with the Minimum Variance Adaptive method, which allows selection of an optimal test statistic from a predefined class of statistics for the data under analysis. As shown in simulation studies and analysis of autoradiographic data, the combined technique exhibits a significant increase in statistical power, even for small sample sizes (n = 8, 9, 10).
Flush of carbon dioxide following rewetting of dried soil relates to active organic pools.

Soil quality assessment could become more standardized with the development of a simple, rapid, and reliable method for quantifying potential soil biological activity. We evaluated the flush of CO 2 following rewetting of dried soil under standard laboratory conditions as a method to estimate an active organic matter fraction. The flush of CO 2 following rewetting of dried soil (3 d incubation at 50% water-filled pore space and 25°C) was assessed for 20 soil series containing a wide range of organic C (20 ± 13 g kg -1 ) from Alberta-British Columbia, Maine, Texas, and Georgia. This flush of CO 2 explained 97% of the variability in cumulative C mineralization during 24 d [y = 12 + 3.3(x); n = 471], 86% of the variability in soil microbial biomass C [y = 337 + 2.4(x); n 399], and 67% of the variability in net N mineralization during 24 d [y = 18 + 0.10(x) - 0.00002(x) 2 ; n = 327]. Accounting for geographical differences in mean annual temperature and precipitation, which could affect soil organic matter quality, further improved relationships between the flush of CO 2 and active, passive, and total C and N pools. Measuring the flush of CO 2 following rewetting of dried soil may have value for routine soil testing of biological soil quality because it (i) is an incubation procedure patterned after natural occurrences in most soils, (ii) exhibits strong overall relationships with active organic pools, (iii) shows relatively minor changes in relationships with active organic pools that may lie due to climatic variables, (iv) has a simple setup with minimal equipment requirements, and (v) has rapid analysis time.
Stereo digital image correlation for characterization of fresh biomaterials

In this study a whole field, non-contact optical method, Stereo Digital Image Correlation (SDIC), was used to determine the strain distribution and mechanical properties of fresh bone in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) solution. Knowing the whole-surface strain distribution of bone is useful for understanding the effects of normal physiological loading, disease, drugs and aging. In addition, knowing the mechanical properties of bone will aid in the design of new biomaterials. Although there currently are methods for measuring the mechanical properties of bone, these methods have some limitations. Many miss areas of strain concentration, especially because of the inhomogeneous nature of bone. SDIC overcomes these limitations by being able to precisely measure whole-surface 3D contour and strain of samples in solution over a wide range of deformations. In this study, SDIC was used to measure the axial strain of fresh chicken tibia. A setup which has the capability to apply force axially was designed. This paper describes the methodology of SDIC for measuring fresh bone in a PBS solution. The effect of drying time on strain distribution was investigated. The usefulness of the SDIC system is demonstrated by examples of deformation and strain measurements for different chicken tibia in PBS solution.
Nonlinear pulse propagation in elliptically birefringent optical fibers

Abstract In the framework of a variational approach, we analyze nonlinear pulse propagation in a two-component nonlinear Schrodinger model of an elliptically birefringent optical fiber with reference to soliton switching. Through our approach, we also discuss stability of solitons with different polarizations and obtain a threshold condition for the soliton amplitude as a function of birefringence to bypass instability corresponding to a phase mismatch in soliton positions.
Use of GIS in Urban Storm-Water Modeling

Use of Geographic Information Systems GIS in urban stormwater modeling is a growing technology designed for storing, manipulating, analyzing, and displaying data in a geographical context. It can be characterized as a software package that efficiently relates geographic information to attribute data stored in a database. While GIS has been around since the 1960s Tsihrintzis et al. 1996 , it is only with the emergence of personal computers in the 1970s that it has found widespread use. A full realization of the potential of GIS awaits standardized and more accessible databases. Urban nonpoint pollution produces stormwater that is polluted with, for example metals, pesticides, and nutrients due to land use
Hyperinsulinism in infants and children

Hyperinsulinism is undoubtedly the most important cause of hypoglycemia in early infancy. Transient hyperinsulinism is not only well recognized in infants of diabetic mothers but also has been implicated in the prolonged hypoglycemia seen in SGA or asphyxiated newborns. Persistent hypoglycemia occurs in a group of disorders of congenital hyperinsulinism that comprise the most common cause of hypoglycemia in early infancy beyond the immediate neonatal period. Recent advances have begun to unravel specific genetic defects in this important group of disorders. Patients affected with any of the various forms of hyperinsulinism are at high risk for seizures and permanent brain damage. Therefore, efficient diagnosis and treatment are essential. The purpose of this article is to provide a practical outline of the various forms of hyperinsulinism and a logical approach to diagnosis and treatment.