cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Extracytoplasmic Stress Factor, σE, Is Required to Maintain Cell Envelope Integrity in Escherichia coli

Extracytoplasmic function or ECF sigma factors are the most abundant class of alternative sigma factors in bacteria. Members of the rpoE subclass of ECF sigma factors are implicated in sensing stress in the cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria and are required for virulence in many pathogens. The best-studied member of this family is rpoE from Escherichia coli, encoding the σE protein. σE has been well studied for its role in combating extracytoplasmic stress, and the members of its regulon have been largely defined. σE is required for viability of E. coli, yet none of the studies to date explain why σE is essential in seemingly unstressed cells. In this work we investigate the essential role of σE in E. coli by analyzing the phenotypes associated with loss of σE activity and isolating suppressors that allow cells to live in the absence of σE. We demonstrate that when σE is inhibited, cell envelope stress increases and envelope integrity is lost. Many cells lyse and some develop blebs containing cytoplasmic material along their sides. To better understand the connection between transcription by σE and cell envelope integrity, we identified two multicopy suppressors of the essentiality of σE, ptsN and yhbW. yhbW is a gene of unknown function, while ptsN is a member of the σE regulon. Overexpression of ptsN lowers the basal level of multiple envelope stress responses, but not that of a cytoplasmic stress response. Our results are consistent with a model in which overexpression of ptsN reduces stress in the cell envelope, thereby promoting survival in the absence of σE.
Allergic Inflammation—Innately Homeostatic

Allergic inflammation is associated closely with parasite infection but also asthma and other common allergic diseases. Despite the engagement of similar immunologic pathways, parasitized individuals often show no outward manifestations of allergic disease. In this perspective, we present the thesis that allergic inflammatory responses play a primary role in regulating circadian and environmental inputs involved with tissue homeostasis and metabolic needs. Parasites feed into these pathways and thus engage allergic inflammation to sustain aspects of the parasitic life cycle. In response to parasite infection, an adaptive and regulated immune response is layered on the host effector response, but in the setting of allergy, the effector response remains unregulated, thus leading to the cardinal features of disease. Further understanding of the homeostatic pressures driving allergic inflammation holds promise to further our understanding of human health and the treatment of these common afflictions.
General Surgery And Otolaryngology Resident Perspectives On Obtaining Competency In Thyroid Surgery

RESULTS: A convenience sample of 526 residents responded 246/280 GS/OTO). The mean clinical year of training was .3 (3.1/3.5). Most residents (50%/41%) performed between 1 nd 10 thyroid operations. Residents believed 13 and 25 (GS/ TO) thyroidectomies were required by their respective oards. Both groups felt that 30 (27/33) thyroid operations ere necessary to obtain competence (p 0.01). The most mportant feature was operative volume with graduated reponsibility, followed by guidance under an expert mentor. nalysis of residents PGY4 and greater showed no significant ifferences.
Ultrastructural and cytochemical aspects of spermiogenesis in Hydra hymanae, with reference to factors involved in sperm head shaping.

Abstract During early stages of spermiogenesis in Hydra hymanae , the chromatin is filamentous. The fine filaments condense, forming 250-A fibers. At the anterior and posterior ends of the nucleus, the fibers abut upon the inner aspect of the nuclear membrane. These points of chromatin attachment increase in size and form dense plaques at the poles. The chromatin fibers within the nucleus further thicken to about 500 A, and they appear to be oriented in the long axis of the nucleus, attached at the two poles, and looped or loosely coiled between the attachment areas. Condensation continues until the fibers are closely associated with each other and form the homogeneous, bluntly cylindrical, mature sperm head. The shape of the anterior and posterior ends of the mature sperm are reminiscent of the chromatin plaques which form during early spermiogenesis, and the remaining cylindrical portion is similar in shape to the mass of chromatin between the two plaques. Results from nuclear protein cytochemistry suggest the presence of an arginine-rich histone during all stages of spermiogenesis. Results from further cytochemical procedures indicate the absence of proacrosomal or acrosomal elements in the spermatozoa of Hydra hymanae . It is proposed that the shape of the head is the result of chromatin condensation which forms plaques appressed to the nuclear envelope at the anterior and posterior ends, and the chromatin fibers between these plaques condense by super-coiling or folding, resulting in the cylinder-shaped sperm head.
Alkaloids, limonoids and furocoumarins from three Mexican Esenbeckia species

Abstract The chemical constituents of three Mexican Esenbeckia species have been determined. Rutaevin was the main limonoid present in the seeds of all three species, E. litoralis, E. flava and E. berlandieri . The husks, leaves, wood and bark contained a wide array of known furocoumarins and furoquinoline alkaloids. In addition, 1-hydroxy-3-methoxy- N -methylacridone was obtained from E. litoralis bark and a new natural 2-quinolone alkaloid, formulated as 3,3-diisopropyl- N -methyl-2,4-quinoldione, was obtained from E. flava wood. The structure was assigned from spectroscopic considerations and conversion to N -methylhaplofoline.
Parallel operation of aircraft A-C generators

THE ELECTRIC POWER requirements for aircraft have shown an increased demand for a-c power. Repeatedly, weight studies made by airframe manufacturers have shown a saving through the generation and distribution of a-c power directly rather than the generation of d-c power and the ultimate conversion to meet the a-c power requirements. In addition, the over-all efficiency of the a-c system is higher than that of a d-c system with conversion to a-c power. For the most part, the a-c power requirements have been met through the use of single-generator systems or combinations of single-generator systems using split bus arrangements. However, the need for higher reliability systems having greater reserve capacity and making better utilization of generator capacity through the diversification of load equipment leads to the conclusion that parallel systems should be used in future aircraft. Reliable parallel operation of a-c machines requires the proper integration of many components.
Chaotic ionization of a stationary electron state via a phase space turnstile

The ionization of a highly excited Rydberg atom subjected to a periodic sequence of electric field impulses, or ``kicks,'' is chaotic. We focus on the dynamics of a single kicking period in order to isolate the ionization mechanism. Potassium Rydberg atoms, prepared in a quasi-one-dimensional state, are exposed to a sequence of ionization kicks, and the total fraction of ionized atoms is then measured. These experimental data are compared to a one-dimensional classical model. The classical analysis reveals that the ionization process is governed by a phase space turnstile---a geometric structure associated with chaotic transport in diverse systems. The turnstile geometry is reflected in the experimental data. Previous work explored the dependence of the turnstile geometry on the kicking period. The present work explores the dependence on the kicking strength. In particular, increasing the kicking strength allows us to observe the stretching of the turnstile lobe as it penetrates the region of phase space occupied by the electronic state, leading to a sharp rise in the total ionization fraction. This work thus highlights the importance of phase space geometry in organizing chaotic transport in atomic systems.
Glial Activation and Pathological Pain

Pain is a sensation we have all experienced. For most of us, the pain has been temporary. However, for patients with pathological pain, the pain experience is unending, with little hope for therapeutic relief. Pathological pain is characterized by an amplified response to normally innocuous stimuli, and an amplified response to acute pain. Pathological pain has long been described as the result of dysfunctional neuronal activity. While neuronal functioning is indeed altered, there is significant evidence showing that exaggerated pain is regulated by the activation of astrocytes and microglia. In exaggerated pain, astrocytes, and microglia are activated by neuronal signals including substance P, glutamate, and fractalkine. Activation of glia by these substances leads to the release of mediators that then act on other glia and neurons. These include a family of proteins called "proinflammatory cytokines" released from microglia and astrocytes. These cytokines have been shown to be critical mediators of exaggerated pain. Some patients with pathological pain also report "extra-territorial" and/or "mirror" image pain. That is, exaggerated pain is experienced not only in the area of trauma. In extra-territorial pain, pain is also perceived as arising from neighboring healthy tissues outside of the site of trauma. In the rare cases of mirror-image pain, such pain is perceived as arising from the healthy, corresponding body part on the opposite side of the body. New data suggest that activation of astrocyte communication via gap junctions may mediate such spread of pain. While traditional therapies for pathological pain have focused on neuronal targets, the following review describes glia as newly recognized mediators of exaggerated pain, and as new therapeutic targets. Moreover, the glial-neuronal interactions discussed here are likely not exclusive to pain, but rather are likely to play significant roles in other behavioral phenomena.
Analytical and Finite Element Modal Analysis of a Hyperelastic Membrane for Micro Air Vehicle Wings

Analytical and finite element models are developed for investigating the modal characteristics of a hyperelastic rubber latex membrane for micro air vehicle wings applications. A radially prestretched membrane specimen is attached to a thin, rigid circular ring and vibrated in vacuum and in air at atmospheric pressure. The natural frequencies of the membrane computed by analytical and finite element models are correlated well. The natural frequencies increase with mode and prestretch level of the membrane but decrease in air from those in vacuum due to the effect of added mass of air. The damping is low and has a very minimal effect on the frequencies but helps to reduce the amplitude of vibration. Aerodynamic pressure at different angles of attack and a freestream velocity is computed from the wind tunnel test data, and a finite element model is developed for investigating the effect of the aerodynamic pressure on the modal characteristics of the membrane. It is found that the effect of aerodynamic pressure on the natural frequencies of the membrane is not significant.
Polyomavirus-Associated nephropathy in simultaneous Kidney-Pancreas transplant recipients: a Single-Center experience

Abstract Background With the introduction of more potent immunosuppressive agents, rejection rates have decreased markedly in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPK) recipients. However, with more intense immunosuppression, opportunistic infections such as polyoma virus have been more frequent. The purpose of this article is to outline the clinical course of SPK patients who developed documented polyoma infection in the transplanted kidney. Methods A retrospective review of 146 consecutive SPK recipients from 1996 to 2002 was performed. Induction and maintenance immunosuppression, surgical complications, rejection episodes, and opportunistic infections were reviewed. Patients who developed biopsy-proven polyoma virus infection in the renal allograft were identified. Results Nine patients (6%) were identified who developed polyoma. All had received induction therapy with either OKT3 (5 mg/d for 10.5 days) or thymoglobulin (5.7 mg/kg). Patients without polyoma had received similar induction. Maintenance immunosuppression included Prograf/MMF in six patients, CsA/MMF in two, and CsA/azathioprine in one. Time to diagnosis was an average of 359.3 days (range 136 to 836) after transplantation. Two patients had undergone treatment for kidney rejection prior to the diagnosis of polyoma. Immunosuppression was decreased in all patients when polyoma was identified, and more recently Cidofovir has been administered. Despite these interventions, five of the nine lost kidney function (creatinine > 5.0 or resumption of dialysis). However, none of the nine developed pancreatic abnormalities as demonstrated by normal blood glucose and amylase and no requirement for exogenous insulin. Two patients underwent LRRT more than 1 year after polyoma diagnosis; both have normal kidney function (Cr Conclusions Polyoma is a serious concern for SPK transplant recipients. The pancreas, however, is spared from clinical evidence of infection, and no rejection was noted when immunosuppression was decreased. These graft losses appear to be a penalty of more potent immunosuppression, and a better treatment strategy is needed to prevent renal graft loss when polyoma is diagnosed. Retransplantation can be considered based on our limited experience.
Origins of life science teachers' beliefs underlying curriculum reform in Texas

This study explores the beliefs about reform of life science teachers in central Texas who were retained to teach Coordinated Thematic Science I. In particular, we were interested in identifying the beliefs that serve as the foundation for the grade 7 life science teachers' intentions to introduce physical science activities in the life science classes they teach. To accomplish this purpose, we selected four teachers, using purposeful sampling procedures. We also adapted an empirical model for investigating rational decisionmaking, the Theory of Planned Behavior, for use in an interview format. Two additional data sources were used to triangulate our findings set out in seven assertions developed from the 52 pages of transcribed interviews. Our results call attention to the need for all three levels of education—state, district, and school—to cooperate in implementing science curriculum reform in Texas. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Extraperitoneal endarterectomy for iliofemoral occlusive disease

Abstract Sixty patients with iliofemoral occlusive disease were treated by autogenous anatomic reconstruction by endarterectomy. Endarterectomy was performed extraperitoneally by the eversion technique. The operative technique and its advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Six patients had postoperative complications of acute anastomotic hemorrhage (two patients), wound hematoma (two patients), and atelectasis (two patients). Sixty patients discharged with patent arterial reconstruction were followed up from 5 months to 17½ years, with a mean follow-up of 53 months. There were no other vascular complications. Seventy limbs were at risk during this period, with an accumulative patency rate of 80.4% at 5 years and 71.4% at 10 years. There were 11 occlusions of the external iliac artery and one stenosis of the common femoral artery. Failures occurred mainly in the external iliac artery, which appears to be the limiting factor in the continued patency of endarterectomy. There were 18 deaths (30%). Nine deaths were attributed to the complications of arteriosclerosis. (J VASC SURG 1990;12:409-15.)
Solvent Extraction of Cadmium from Alkaline Cyanide Solutions with Quaternary Amines

Quaternary amines are unique in their ability to extract metal cyanides from highly alkaline solutions. Cadmium cyanide extracts essentially quantitatively at both the subnanogram and macro levels. Regeneration of the amine solvent is achieved by stripping the cadmium with sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite, or alkaline or acidic formaldehyde solutions. Because they readily extract free cyanide as well as anionic metab cyano complexes, the high-molecular-weight quaternary amines show considerable promise for industrial pollution abatement applications.
Albeit Eating: Towards an ethics of cannibalism

(1997). Albeit Eating: Towards an ethics of cannibalism. Angelaki: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 63-80.
Electroconductive Blends of Poly(HEMA-co-PEGMA-co-HMMAco-SPMA) and Poly(Py- co-PyBA): In Vitro Biocompatibility

Electroconductive hydrogels (ECHs) were prepared as blends of ultraviolet cross-linked poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [poly(HEMA)]-based hydrogels and in situ electrochemically synthesized polypyrrole (PPy). ECH blends, with potential for neuronal prosthetic devices, implantable biosensors, and electro-stimulated release devices, were produced on surface functionalized microfabricated and planar gold electrodes. Hydrogels were synthesized from hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate (PEGMA), N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]-acrylamide (HMMA), and 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt (SPMA) to produce p(HEMA-co-PEGMA-co-HMMA-co-SPMA). The electroconductive polymer component was electropolymerized from pyrrole and 4-(3'-pyrrolyl)butyric acid to form P(Py-co-PyBA) within the electrode-supported hydrogel. The dynamic electrochemical properties of Au*|Gel-P(Py-co-PyBA) were investigated using multiple scan rate cyclic voltammetry and electrical/electrochemical impedance spec...
ANTI-COMMUTATORS AND THE RELATED TRACE FORMULAS

Let A and B be self-adjoint operators with trace class anti-commutator AB+BA. In this paper we prove that tr(AkBl, AmBn]=0 where k,l,m,n are non-negative integers with kn+lm even and that AB is in the trace class if A≥0 or B≥0.
Rational methods of transporting refractories

The introduction into industry of the container method of transporting special shapes and of the pallet method for rectangular refractories will facilitate the mechanization of laborious loading-unloading jobs, increase the safety of the goods and may lead to big savings. With the aim of more rapidly introducing these progressive methods of carrying refractories, it is desirable to make a test batch of containers and to organize pallet and container trips in the near future.
The Data-Constrained Generalized Maximum Entropy Estimator of the GLM: Asymptotic Theory and Inference

Maximum entropy methods of parameter estimation are appealing because they impose no additional structure on the data, other than that explicitly assumed by the analyst. In this paper we prove that the data constrained GME estimator of the general linear model is consistent and asymptotically normal. The approach we take in establishing the asymptotic properties concomitantly identifies a new computationally efficient method for calculating GME estimates. Formulae are developed to compute asymptotic variances and to perform Wald, likelihood ratio, and Lagrangian multiplier statistical tests on model parameters. Monte Carlo simulations are provided to assess the performance of the GME estimator in both large and small sample situations. Furthermore, we extend our results to maximum cross-entropy estimators and indicate a variant of the GME estimator that is unbiased. Finally, we discuss the relationship of GME estimators to Bayesian estimators, pointing out the conditions under which an unbiased GME estimator would be efficient.
Homeomorphisms of triangulations with applications to computing fixed points

In the past decade various complementary pivoting algorithms have been developed to search for fixed points of certain functions and point to set maps. All these methods generate a sequence of simplexes which are ‘shrinking’ to a point. This paper proposes a new method for shrinking the simplexes. It is shown that under certain conditions, the function whose fixed point is sought may be used to control this shrinking process. A computational method for implementing these ideas is also suggested and several examples are solved using this approach.
Repeat Aortocoronary Bypass Grafting: Early and Late Results

Seventy-nine patients underwent repeat myocardial revascularization between March 1971 and January 1977. The initial procedure was performed at the St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles, in 70 (2.0 percent) of 3,526 patients undergoing surgery for coronary arterial disease and in nine more patients was performed at other hospitals; the second operation followed the first procedure at an interval of from three weeks to 78 months. Five deaths (6 percent) occurred while patients were hospitalized, and six deaths (8 percent) occurred later. Two of the six later deaths were from noncardiac causes. Complications were not different from those that occurred during primary procedures. Thirty-six (60 percent) of 60 patients undergoing repeat surgery since 1973 did not receive any transfusions of blood during or after surgery. Of 48 patients followed-up for periods ranging from 12 to 70 months after the second operation, angina was completely relieved in 18 patients (38 percent), improved in 16 patients (33 percent), unchanged in 11 patients (23 percent), and worse in three patients (6 percent).
New firm survival: Industry, strategy, and location

Abstract How important is the physical location of a new firm for its chances of survival? Location of a new firm, whether in urban, metro, or rural vicinities, can have important impacts on performance outcomes. Urban locations often contain a wealth of diverse resources but may also have a greater number of competitors. Rural locations may lack diversity but can enable the firm to exploit a niche with limited competition. We suggest that a simple examination of new firm location will not adequately predict survival chances. Rather the impact on location of the new firm will be influenced by the industry in which the new firm operates and by the strategy the new firm pursues. The industry of the new firm is examined by focusing on where the new firm is located in the value chain. We predict that a new firm upstream in the industry value chain will have better chances of survival than new firms downstream in the industry value chain. New firms with broadly focused strategies are hypothesized to have greater survival chances than new firms strategically positioned to exploit a narrow market focus. And we predict that new firms in urban locations will have greater chances for survival than new firms in rural locations.
Isolation and characterization of N-feruloyltyramine as the P-selectin expression suppressor from garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a medicinal and culinary plant reported to have several positive health effects on cardiovascular diseases, particularly via suppressing platelet activation. Therefore, active compounds inhibiting platelet activation were isolated from garlic extract using a P-selectin expression suppressing activity-guided fractionation technique. Garlic cloves were extracted with methanol, sequentially partitioned using ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. The ethyl acetate portion was fractionated using silica gel chromatography. The fraction with highest P-selectin expression suppressing activity was further purified using HPLC, and the compounds in the fraction were analyzed using MS, MS/MS, and NMR spectroscopic methods. Using NMR spectroscopy, the compound with highest suppressing activity was confirmed as N-feruloyltyramine. At the concentration of 0.05 microM, N-feruloyltyramine was able to suppress P-selectin expression on platelets by 31% (P < 0.016). Since COX enzymes are deeply involved in the regulation of P-selectin expression on platelets, potential effects of N-feruloyltyramine on COX enzymes were investigated. As expected at the concentration of 0.05 microM, N-feruloyltyramine was found to be a very potent compound able to inhibit COX-I and -II enzymes by 43% (P < 0.012) and 33% (P < 0.014), respectively. N-Feruloyltyramine is likely to inhibit COX enzymes, thereby suppressing P-selectin expression on platelets.
Laser excitation and resolved emission spectra of supersonically cooled aluminum dimer

Abstract The laser induced fluorescence excitation spectra of the E 3 Σ g -X 3 Π u , F 3 Σ g -X 3 Π u , and G 3 Π g -X 3 Π u transitions of Al 2 have been recorded. Rotationally resolved spectra have been obtained for the F 3 Σ g -X 3 Π u , and G 3 Π g -X 3 Π u transitions. In the latter case, a detailed rotational analysis allows the determination of the rotational and spin-orbit coupling constants of both states. Some additional observations concerning both the radiative and non-radiative decay pathways for these excited states are reported.
Iterative learning control: A survey and new results

Learning control is an iterative approach to the problem of improving transient behavior for processes that are repetitive in nature. Some results on iterative learning control are presented. A complete review of the literature is given first. Then, a general formulation of the problem is given. Next, a complete analysis of the learning control problem for the case of linear, time-invariant plants and controllers is presented. This analysis offers: insight into the nature of the solution of the learning control problem by deriving sufficient convergence conditions; an approach to learning control for linear systems based on parameter estimation; and an analysis that shows that for finite-horizon problems it is possible to design a learning control algorithm that converges, with memory, in one step. Finally, a time-varying learning controller is given for controlling the trajectory of a nonlinear robot manipulator. A brief simulation example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of this scheme. 56 refs.
On the necessity of an archetypal concept in morphology: With special reference to the concepts of “structure” and “homology”

Morphological elements, or structures, are sorted into four categories depending on their level of anatomical isolation and the presence or absence of intrinsically identifying characteristics. These four categories are used to highlight the difficulties with the concept of structure and our ability to identify or define structures. The analysis is extended to the concept of homology through a discussion of the methodological and philosophical problems of the current concept of homology. It is argued that homology is fundamentally a similarity based concept rather than a phylogenetic concept, and a proposal is put forth to return to a comparative context for homology. It is shown that for both the concepts of structure and homology ana priori assumption of stable underlying patterns (i.e. archetypes) is essential.
Intrinsic noise in cultured hippocampal neurons: experiment and modeling.

Ion channels open and close stochastically. The fluctuation of these channels represents an intrinsic source of noise that affects the input-output properties of the neuron. We combined whole-cell measurements with biophysical modeling to characterize the intrinsic stochastic and electrical properties of single neurons as observed at the soma. We measured current and voltage noise in 18 d postembryonic cultured neurons from the rat hippocampus, at various subthreshold and near-threshold holding potentials in the presence of synaptic blockers. The observed current noise increased with depolarization, as ion channels were activated, and its spectrum demonstrated generalized 1/fbehavior. Exposure to TTX removed a significant contribution from Na^+ channels to the noise spectrum, particularly at depolarized potentials, and the resulting spectrum was now dominated by a single Lorentzian (1/f^2) component. By replacing the intracellular K^+ with Cs^+, we demonstrated that a major portion of the observed noise was attributable to K^+ channels. We compared the measured power spectral densities to a 1-D cable model of channel fluctuations based on Markov kinetics. We found that a somatic compartment, in combination with a single equivalent cylinder, described the effective geometry from the viewpoint of the soma. Four distinct channel populations were distributed in the membrane and modeled as Lorentzian current noise sources. Using the NEURON simulation program, we summed up the contributions from the spatially distributed current noise sources and calculated the total voltage and current noise. Our quantitative model reproduces important voltage- and frequency-dependent features of the data, accounting for the 1/f behavior, as well as the effects of various blockers.
Effect of Exothermic Interfacial Mixing on Interfacial Activity of a Block Copolymer

Variation in the enthalpic interaction of a block copolymer (bcp) at the phase boundary between immiscible homopolymers is demonstrated to strongly modulate the critical micelle concentration, the interfacial activity, and the emulsifying power, by tracing morphological transformations using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, the theory of micellization by Leibler et al. is modified to account for such interaction. Specifically, it is demonstrated that, while incompatibility between a bcp segment and a homopolymer drives the bcp to the interface (increases interfacial activity), exothermic mixing reduces interfacial activity. However, when the bcp is interfacially active, exothermic mixing can enhance interfacial wetting (emulsifying power). In addition, we show that too strong a swelling of an interfacially-active bcp block by the major blend component can cause a reduction in emulsifying power. Solution-cast blends of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN) with polystyrene (PS) as a minor c...
Traveling waves Initiated by Switching

THE dominating position of the lightning surge as the principal scourge of transmission lines has occupied so much attention in the technical literature that traveling waves developed from other causes have been relegated to a zone of comparative unimportance. But lately, a growing interest and curiosity concerning switching surges makes it imperative to investigate, theoretically, the possibility of initiating traveling waves from the steady state; for both the “energizing” and “de-energizing” transients associated with switching operations are calculable as traveling waves and their successive reflections. The object of this paper, therefore, is to lay the groundwork for a systematic treatment of switching surges by considering the general subject of the initiation of traveling waves from steady-state conditions. In general, such waves are started either by closing or opening a switch; and the corresponding transients may be called closing transients and opening transients, respectively. If a “dead” line is connected to a generator, the ensuing transient is called an energizing surge, while if a “live” line is disconnected from a generator the transient is called a de-energizing surge.
Dietary fructose in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in adults and children. A number of genetic and environmental factors are known to predispose individuals to NAFLD. Certain dietary sugars, particularly fructose, are suspected to contribute to the development of NAFLD and its progression. The increasing quantity of fructose in the diet comes from sugar additives (most commonly sucrose and high fructose corn syrup) in beverages and processed foods. Substantial links have been demonstrated between increased fructose consumption and obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. Growing evidence suggests that fructose contributes to the development and severity of NAFLD. In human studies, fructose is associated with increasing hepatic fat, inflammation, and possibly fibrosis. Whether fructose alone can cause NAFLD or if it serves only as a contributor when consumed excessively in the setting of insulin resistance, positive energy balance, and sedentary lifestyle is unknown. Sufficient evidence exists to support clinical recommendations that fructose intake be limited through decreasing foods and drinks high in added (fructose-containing) sugars.
Inhibition of endotrophic sporulation by antibiotics.

ENDOTROPHIC sporulation occurs when an organism, forms spores in a medium lacking substances necessary for growth. It was of interest to determine whether a group of growth-inhibitory substances also inhibited sporulation.
Reimaginando el “Hemisferio Sur”: reflexiones sobre la naturaleza del Estado-nación

espanolEn este articulo discuto cuatro disyunciones que son esenciales para la definicion del “Hemisferio Sur”; a saber, la “disyuncion espacial” de Fred Jameson, la “disyuncion etnica” de Javier Sanjines y Jose Rabasa, la “disyuncion de los nuevos movimientos sociales” de Arturo Escobar y la “disyuncion de lenguaje” de Claudia Llosa. Soy bien consciente de que las narrativas imperiales, coloniales y nacionalistas bien establecidas han obtenido un consenso al representar al “Hemisferio Sur” en narrativas de indigenidad, ruralidad, corrupcion, politica anti-democratica, rica en recursos naturales no aprovechados, criminalidad, trafico, migracion y otras. Mi punto de partida es la presuncion relativamente comun de que el concepto “Sur” salpica las reconfiguraciones politicas del espacio natural. “Sur” representa la nocion de “frontera”, la posibilidad de territorios mas anchos, amplios, flexibles, disponibles, retrazado pragmatico de fronteras, militar, politica, economica y electronicamente. Una lectura critica del “Hemisferio Sur” va mas alla del pensamiento determinista y tambien mas alla de las narrativas imperiales, coloniales y nacionalistas bien asentadas que han logrado consenso al representar a “el Sur” en terminos de pobreza unica –un concepto muy generativo, cuya contracara es el desarrollo. EnglishIn this paper, I discuss four disjunctions essential to the definition of the ‘Hemispheric South’, namely, Fred Jameson’s ‘spatial disjunction’, Javier Sanjines and Jose Rabasa’s ‘ethnic disjunction’, Arturo Escobar’s ‘new social movements´ disjunction’, and Claudia Llosa’s ‘language disjunction’. I am well-aware that well-established imperial, colonial, and nationalist narratives have obtained consensus in portraying the ‘Hemispheric South’ in narratives of indigeneity, rurality, corruption, anti democratic politics, untapped and rich natural resources, criminality, trafficking, migration and the like. My starting point is the relatively common assumption that the concept ‘South’ spills over into political reconfigurations of the natural space. ‘South’ stands for the notion of ‘frontier,’ the possibility of wider, ample, supple, available territories, pragmatic redrawing of borders militarily, politically, economically, and electronically. A critical reading of the ‘Hemispheric South’ goes beyond a deterministic thinking and also beyond the well-established imperial, colonial, and nationalist narratives that have obtained consensus in portraying ‘the South’ in terms of unique poverty –a very generative concept, the flip side of which is development.
Certification of Marketing Researchers: Survey Results and a Case Example

ABSTRACT There is substantial controversy concerning the need for marketing researchers to be certified or credentialed. Although the debate on this topic has been going on for at least ten years, there is little empirical evidence regarding views in the profession. This article reports the results of a nationwide study of researchers' opinions on certification, on who should be certified and on how certification (if required) should be done. In addition to these results, a case study of certification and a suggested process are presented. Many issues regarding certification remain unresolved, but these results support the conclusions that certification may be desirable, feasible and necessary. Ethical concerns, the current practice of research and the results (53 percent had a positive attitude toward certification) all tend to support these conclusions. Because many practitioners expressed reservations about both the desirability and feasibility of implementing certification, more research is needed on ...
God as Matchmaker : a Rabbinic Legend Preserved in the Piyyut

Recent studies in the relationship between midrash (rabbinic legends and scripture exegesis) and piyyut (liturgical poetry of the synagogue) have shown the close connection existing between these two major branches of Jewish literature.' One aspect of this relationship indicates that legends (agadot) that no longer appear in the midrash or survive only in fragments are sometimes preserved in their entirety in the piyyut. An example of the former is the search of Jochebed and Miriam for the dead Moses. This legend was one of the many midrashim on the death of Moses which survived only in the piyyut.2 An example of the latter is the battle between the mythical animals, Behemot and Leviathan. Fragments of this legend survive in the midrash but the complete work is preserved only in a piyyut by Qalir, (5th/ 6th centuries) one of the leading synagogue poets of Byzantine Palestine.8 The legend of God as matchmaker to be described below belongs in the latter category.4 It is preserved in a number of Qedushtot (sing. Qedushta, a nine part liturgical work designed to embellish the benedictions of the standing devotion (amidah) which contains the trishagion (qedusha) after Isaiah 6:3) for the festival of Pentecost and is in the form of a dialogue between God and the Torah.5 Two of these Qedushtot were composed by the aforemen-
A procedure for analysing space frames with partial warping restraint

Stiffness matrices for three-dimensional beam elements that include the effect of warping restraint on elastic torsional response have been derived by various investigators. Using one of the available stiffness matrices and assuming that the warping boundary conditions can be specified on a member-by-member basis, an elastic ‘warping’ support is introduced to represent conditions of partial warping restraint at the member ends. The concept of a ‘warping indicator’ is then introduced to facilitate use of warping springs. Following this, static condensation is used to eliminate the restrained warping degrees-of-freedom. The condensed stiffness matrices for the elements can then be assembled to yield a global stiffness matrix. In the global matrix, continuous warping degrees-of-freedom, that is, those internal to a member represented by several elements, are expressed in local co-ordinates. The remainder are expressed in global co-ordinates. In the force recovery phase, it is shown that an ‘indirect’ method yields most accurate results for the bimoment and warping torsion when the twist function is represented by a cubic polynomial. Solutions to examples of linear elastic analysis are compared with well-known analytical solutions to demonstrate the application of the method.
Solvent-free synthesis of meso- tetraarylporphyrins in air: product diversity and yield optimization

The scope and optimization of a solvent-free method for the rapid preparation and facile purification of technologically important meso-substituted aryl porphyrins, such as 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin is presented. This one-step method involves heating the aromatic aldehyde to ~200°C in a vial fitted with a septum-lined cap, followed by addition of the pyrrole and maintaining the temperature for about 20 minutes. The dioxygen in air serves as the oxidant. Present results show that the addition of benzoic acid as a catalyst improves the yield of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin from 22% to 32% and of para halogenated phenylporphyrins from 10% to ~25%. Herein is also presented an examination of the many factors that influence the yield, the ease of purification, and the ability to scale up the reaction. Since the tarry by-products from this method are much less soluble than in most other synthetic strategies, much less solvent is required for purification; simple extraction is often sufficient. This meth...
High-throughput experimentation in multicomponent bulk mixed metal oxides: Mo-V-Sb-Nb-O system for selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid

Abstract The bulk mixed Mo-V-Sb-Nb oxides, which is a candidate catalytic system for the selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid, were prepared using an automated synthesis workstation. Two catalyst compositions, Mo 0.3 V 0.3 Sb 0.125 Nb 0.125 and Mo 1.0 V 0.3 Sb 0.125 Nb 0.125 , were characterized by XRD and Raman spectroscopy and shown to contain Mo 6 V 9 O 40 , Mo 0.61–0.77 V 0.31–0.19 Nb 0.08–0.04 O x (a niobium-stabilized defect phase of a vanadium-rich molybdate), Mo 3 Nb 2 O 11 , and MoO 3 as the major phases. The results of the structural characterization and kinetic screening demonstrated good reproducibility of the phase compositions and catalytic properties of the model Mo-V-Sb-Nb-O system and provided new insights into the transformation processes that occur in these mixed oxides with time on stream. These results suggest the promise of emerging high-throughput in situ characterization techniques for establishing fundamental structure–activity/selectivity relationships and developing novel multicomponent mixed metal oxides for selective oxidation of lower alkanes.
The polygraph, its use in cases of alleged sexual abuse: An exploratory study

Abstract Objective: The study's objective was to examine the relationship of polygraph findings to other indices of likelihood of sexual abuse and to case decisions by prosecutors, child protection workers, and professional evaluators. Method: This is an exploratory study of 42 cases with sexual abuse allegations and polygraph results. Case record data were abstracted and coded, including polygraph results, child interviews, medical examinations, protective services records, police investigations, and professional evaluations. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multivariate analyses were employed. Results: Polygraph findings were unrelated to other evidence of likelihood of sexual abuse, that is to the child's statements or demonstrations of sexual abuse, medical evidence, psychological symptoms, or indicators of sexual abuse from sources other than the child. When alleged offenders passed polygraphs, criminal prosecution was not sought. However, failing polygraphs was not predictive of criminal prosecution. Decisions by child protective services to substantiate or not were weakly related to polygraph findings and consistently related to any indicators of possible sexual abuse. Decisions by professional evaluators about sexual abuse were best predicted by children's psychological symptoms. Conclusions: The findings reinforce already expressed reservations about the polygraph's utility in sexual abuse decision-making. Additional research is needed on decisions about the likelihood of sexual abuse.
Presidential Perceptions About Graduate-Preparation Programs for Community Colleges

ABSTRACT Community colleges are facing a growing need for well-trained leaders. These colleges have often looked to university-based preparation programs for their labor pools, yet few attempts at evaluating their effectiveness in leadership preparation have been undertaken. The current study was designed to explore both the current state of these university-based preparation programs in preparing community college leaders. It also tried to gain insights from current community college presidents about what should be included in graduate-preparation programs. Using a national sample of community college presidents, nearly 400 responses were obtained. Findings indicated that preparation programs, while well perceived, need to do a better job of interacting with the practitioner community and using real-world cases in their instruction.
Evaluation of product design in environmentally conscious manufacturing

This research presents an evaluation method to support design decision-making early in the design stage. The method is aimed at solid consumer products, and incorporates our previous work on Environmental Consciousness Criteria (ECC). A framework is defined as the foundation for the problem analysis, consisting of four mapping schemas connecting the product to the natural environment. We approach the problem of designing an environmentally conscious product as that of making decisions to incorporate the ECC as design progresses from the conceptual to the preliminary to the parametric design phases. A methodology is developed whose focus is on both the material properties and the geometric features of the product, and on how these impact the product's disposal stage. The method uses fuzzy methods and Multi Attribute Utility Analysis (MAUA). It is able to accommodate the varying degrees of uncertainty and availability of information, as well as other criteria such as cost. An analysis of cost implications from recovery is presented also. Application of this decision-making method will assist designers in maintaining environmental leadership in product development beyond the manufacturing stage.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Stem anatomy and internodal development in Phaseolus vulgaris

Internodal length in Phaseolus vulgaris decreases slightly from one through three, then sharply increases in four, and subsequently decreases toward the apex. Two internodes undergo rapid growth at a given time, although they do not mature concurrently. Early growth of the internode takes place throughout, with later growth limited to successively higher levels. Elongation results from both cell division and cell elongation, and the relative importance of these two phenomena is significant in determining final length. The difference in final length between internodes is brought about by rate rather than period of growth. The procambium is relatively homogeneous in structure, whereas the cambium consists of both fusiform and ray initials. During stem development the vascular meristem gradually acquires the characteristics of the cambium. By the time elongation ceases, the meristem has developed all the characteristics of the cambium.
Temperature-dependent time-resolved photoluminescence study of monocrystalline CdTe/MgCdTe double heterostructures with low defect density

Confocal photoluminescence scans of monocrystalline CdTe/MgCdTe double heterostructures epitaxially grown on lattice-matched InSb substrates reveal very low twin defect density, below 1 × 105 cm−2. Room-temperature Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) lifetimes of these samples are determined in the range of 35 ns to 86 ns using time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurements. Temperature-dependent TRPL measurements show that the carrier lifetime reaches a peak of 910 ns at 200 K. Excitation-dependent PL measurements reveal the radiative recombination coefficient of CdTe to be 4.3 × 10−9 cm3·s−1.
An exploratory study of three to five year olds’ responses on the Bader Reading and Language Inventory to determine developmental stages of emerging literacy

A range of literacy, language, and symbol concepts was explored with 74three-to five-year-old children to learn whether a developmental basis to literacy could be identified. Several tasks from the Bader Reading and Language Inventory were grouped under the following categories: concepts about books and print, alphabetic knowledge, left-to-right print orientation, precursors of encoding, syntactic/semantic processing, and reading behaviors. Children were divided into four age groups for the purpose of identifying developmental preliteracy stages. Findings indicated that these 3- to 5-year-old children handled books properly and exhibited adequate oral-language facility. Generally, the emergence of observable specific preliteracy behaviors did not occur until age four. Variation in literacy, language, and symbol concepts is to be expected among 5- and 6-year-old children, dependent on their experience and rate of development.
Dealing with Losses in Plasmonics and Metamaterials

The reasons for high loss that impedes practical applications of Plasmonics and metamaterials will be reviewed and possible means of mitigation of this loss will be considered.