cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Astronomical metronome of geological consequence.

In PNAS, Kent et al. (1) describe a remarkable geochronologic correlation arising between the continental Triassic–Jurassic Newark Basin strata of eastern North America and the time-equivalent Chinle Formation of western North America that has far-reaching consequences for geology and astronomy, as follows. In geology, a reliable “metronome” in the geologic record with a sufficiently short repeat time would greatly enhance the resolving power of the geologic timescale. Astronomers recognized the potential importance of a dominant 405-ky cycle in Earth’s orbital eccentricity variation for supplying such a metronome (2, 3), leading geologists to turn to the stratigraphic record of astronomically forced paleoclimate change to search for this cycle. In fact, one of the first geological studies to describe 405-ky scale stratigraphic cycling was on the Triassic–Jurassic Newark Basin lacustrine strata (4, 5) recovered in the National Science Foundation-funded Newark Basin Coring Project, in which each of the prominent 60-m-thick McLaughlin cycles in the cored sequence was assigned a 412.885-ky periodicity based on a now-legacy analytical astronomical solution, BRE74/BER78 (6, 7). Since the 1990s, there have been dozens of reports for strong 405-ky scale cycles in stratigraphic sequences from around the world that appear to bear out this astronomical calculation (8). However, not one of these reports has presented incontrovertible support from independent geochronology that links specific 405-ky cycles, identified by their order of appearance relative to the present day, to those in the astronomical solution. Until now, this has included the Newark Basin, which, besides the flood basalts at the top of the core series, suffers from a lack of datable materials—for example, volcanic ashes—that could help establish a numerical timescale for the core series. In astronomy, the 405-ky cycle in Earth’s orbital eccentricity variation is due to a periodic interaction between the orbital motions of Venus (planet … [↵][1]1Email: lhinnov{at}gmu.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Frozen Sections for Margins During Partial Nephrectomy Do Not Influence Recurrence Rates

Abstract Introduction: Frozen sections (FS) are routinely employed to assess margin status during partial nephrectomy (PN) for clinically localized renal cell carcinoma (CLRCC); however, their onco...
Detecting malicious java code using virtual machine auditing

The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is evolving as an infrastructure for the efficient execution of large-scale, network-based applications. To enable secure execution in this environment, industrial and academic efforts have implemented extensive support for verification of type-safety, authentication, and access control. However, JVMs continue to lack intrinsic support for intrusion detection. Existing operating system auditing facilities and host-based intrusion detection systems operate at the process level, with the assumption that one application is mapped onto one process. However, in many cases, multiple Java applications are executed concurrently as threads within a single JVM process. As such, it is difficult to analyze the behavior of Java applications using the corresponding OS-level audit trail. In addition, the malicious actions of a single Java application may trigger a response that disables an entire execution environment. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a thread-level auditing facility for the Java Virtual Machine and an intrusion detection tool that uses audit data generated by this facility to detect attacks by malicious Java code. This paper describes the JVM auditing mechanisms, the intrusion detection tool, and the quantitative evaluation of their performance.
Scientific Objectivity and the Evaluation of Hypotheses

The natural sciences are often cited as paradigms of objective disciplines, and scientific method is widely believed to provide an objective way of acquiring knowledge of the world. The social sciences have been far less widely taken to be objective, but most philosophers of science who think they should be considered sciences regard them as objective in principle, typically on the ground that their subject matter is amenable to study using scientific method. Some philosophers and some scientists, however, have raised doubts about whether the scientific evaluation of hypotheses can be objective, even in principle. Perhaps the most common reason for this doubt is the idea that “value judgments” are unavoidable in scientific assessment. There have been other grounds for the doubt, of course, particularly in relation to the social sciences, and some of these grounds will also concern me in this paper.
Real and Imaginary Excitons: Making Sense of Resonance Wave Functions by Using Reduced State and Transition Density Matrices

Within non-Hermitian quantum mechanics, metastable electronic states can be represented by isolated L2-integrable complex-valued wave functions with complex energies. An analysis scheme of the real and imaginary parts of resonance wave functions by using reduced transition density matrices and natural transition orbitals is presented. While the real parts of excitons describe changes in the electron density corresponding to the bound part of the resonance, the imaginary excitons can be interpreted as virtual states facilitating one-electron decay into the continuum. The different nature of real and imaginary excitons is revealed by exciton descriptors, in particular hole-particle separation and their correlation. Singular values and respective participation ratios quantify the extent of collectivity of the excitation and a number of distinct decay channels. The utility of the new tool is illustrated by the analysis of bound and metastable excited states of cyanopolyyne anions.
Effect of Integrated Physical Activities with Mathematics on Objectively Assessed Physical Activity

Background: One of the promising strategies for increasing physical activity (PA) at school is to integrate it with academic learning. The purposes of this study were: (a) to examine differences in objectively measured PA levels between integrated PA with mathematics and traditional lessons, and (b) to evaluate the PA levels of different integrated PAs. Methods: Seventy-seven 4th grade students (41 males) were included in an intervention (Move for Thought program: M4T) group (n = 46) that utilized PA integrated with mathematics or a control group (n = 31). Accelerometer data from each student were collected during five complete school days. M4T and control classroom sessions were identified using teachers’ logs. Accelerometer data were extracted, processed separately, and aggregated into a single data set. Minutes and percent time at different PA intensities were obtained using accelerometer minute-by-minute predicted METs. Results: One-way ANOVAs on PA levels showed a significant group effect (F = 5.33, p < 0.05) on moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) in favor of the M4T group, but not on sedentary and light PA. The most active integrated PA provided 10.88 min of MVPA (SD = 11.87; 21.38 ± 24.38%) in a 50 min class period. Conclusion: Integrating PA with mathematics in the classroom can contribute to increasing MVPA levels in children.
Comparative in vitro effectiveness of a novel contact lens multipurpose solution on Acanthamoeba castellanii.

A multipurpose contact lens cleaning solution (MPS) containing novel active ingredients under development was compared to two commercially available MPS solutions for effectiveness against Acanthamoeba isolates. The Acanthamoeba isolate A. castellanii was propagated for trophozoite or cyst-containing cultures for the purpose of assessment of effectiveness of each MPS. An alamar blue-based cellular respiration assay was used to assess effectiveness against trophozoites; Trypan blue hemocytometer-based microscopic counts measured cysticidal effects. To assess the general antimicrobial potency of each solution as controls for the anti-amoebic assays, comparative bactericidal effectiveness using Serratia marcenses was also performed. Minimal effectiveness against either Acanthamoeba form was observed from either commercial MPS. In contrast, the novel MPS achieved complete kill within 1 h contact time for both Acanthamoeba trophozoite and cysts. Each commercial MPS required 6 h contact time to achieve a two to three log reduction in S. marcenses. In contrast, the experimental MPS achieved disinfection in 60 min contact time, and complete kill (< 1 CFU) at 90 min. Results suggest that the inclusion of a novel ingredient combination within the MPS under development clearly is required and is ideal for rapid and effective killing of Acanthamoeba species in the context of contact lens disinfection systems. The representative commercially available MPS used in this testing provided minimal effectiveness against the protozoa regardless of contact time. In addition, comparative results with the bacterial agent in the control study show distinct differences in the speed to disinfection with the novel MPS. Future MPS development should consider inclusion of novel chemical entities that are effective against Acanthamoeba species to speed disinfection and further reduce the exposure potential of users of contact lenses and cleaning systems.
Understanding the wearable fitness tracker revolution

The goal of this study was to examine why individuals purchase wearable fitness trackers and explore their usage patterns. Four focus groups were conducted with 31 participants who shared their thoughts on their purchase intentions, fitness behaviors, and how they used their various fitness trackers. Several themes emerged from their discussions which shed light on this emerging technology. Aspects of gamification and the diffusion of innovation were evident in how participants chose to purchase and use trackers because of the need to compete with friends and family and hold themselves accountable when it came to being psychically fit. The importance of esthetics and virtual rewards were also influences that impacted users’ opinions of their fitness trackers. The findings suggest the importance of social pressure, personal accountability, and gamification when it comes to purchasing and using a wearable fitness tracker during leisure time activity.
Network overlap and knowledge of a partner's HIV status among young men who have sex with men.

ABSTRACTFor individuals living with HIV, disclosure of HIV status to their partners can be a source of psychological and emotional stress. Minimal information about serostatus disclosure is availab...
3-Cyclobutenyl-1,2-dione-Substituted Porphyrins. A General and Efficient Entry to Porphyrin−Quinone and Quinone−Porphyrin−Quinone Architectures

A new and efficient synthesis of meso-linked porphyrin−quinone dyads and quinone−porphyrin−quinone triads has been developed via the intermediacy of porphyrins bearing 3-cyclobutenyl-1,2-dione and 3-(1-ethenyl)cyclobutenyl-1,2-dione substituents at one or two nonadjacent meso-positions. The free-base porphyrins 5-bromo-10,20-diphenylporphyrin and 5,15-dibromo-10,20-diphenylporphyrin undergo facile palladium-catalyzed Stille coupling with 3-isopropoxy-2-tri-n-butylstannylcyclobutene-1,2-dione to produce the corresponding mono- and bis(3-cyclobutenyl-1,2-dione)-substituted porphyrins in good yields. In contrast, the zinc bromoporphyrins reacted with the same tin reagent only slowly and with the formation of side products. The free-base bromoporphyrins also were coupled with tri-n-butylvinyltin to afford vinylporphyrins in very good yields. 5,15-Diphenyl-10-vinylporphyrin was converted into trans-bromovinylporphyrin, which underwent facile Stille coupling with 3-isopropoxy-2-tri-n-butylstannylcyclobutene-1,2...
Does my total evidence support that I’m a Boltzmann Brain?

A Boltzmann Brain, haphazardly formed through the unlikely but still possible random assembly of physical particles, is a conscious brain having experiences just like an ordinary person. The skeptical possibility of being a Boltzmann Brain is an especially gripping one: scientific evidence suggests our actual universe’s full history may ultimately contain countless short-lived Boltzmann Brains with experiences just like yours or mine. I propose a solution to the skeptical challenge posed by these countless actual Boltzmann Brains. My key idea is roughly this: the skeptical argument that you’re one of the Boltzmann Brains requires you to make a statistical inference (most Fs are Gs, this is an F, so it’s probably a G), but the Principle of Total Evidence blocks us from making the inference (because I also know this F is an FH, and most FHs are not Gs). I discuss how my solution contrasts with a recent suggestion, made by Sean Carroll and David Chalmers, for how to address the skeptical challenge posed by Boltzmann Brains. And I discuss how my solution handles certain relevant concerns about what to do when we have higher-order evidence indicating that our first-order evidence is misleading.
Chapter 26 – Optimal Federalism: Sorting the Functions of Government within the Fiscal Hierarchy

Chapter 26 considers how to assign the various allocational and distributional functions of government to the different levels of government within the federalist hierarchy to avoid potential incompatibilities and destructive competition among the governments. It highlights George Stigler's prescription for assigning allocational functions to the lowest level of government consistent with efficiency, and argues that all levels of government have to participate in resolving the issue of the optimal distribution of income to maintain an unambiguous meaning of social welfare maximization under federalism.
Drag Reduction of Two-Dimensional Bodies by Addition of Boat Tails

Results of drag reduction studies based on direct numerical simulations of the separating flow aft of a rectangular forebody are reported. The study examines the two-dimensional wake flow forming in the presence of rectangular boat-tails (blocks or plates) attached to the base of a forebody, with special emphasis on modifying the base pressure component of the drag. An optimal aspect ratio for boat-tail notches at the separation point are identified, and the underlying mechanism leading to elevated base pressures in such configurations is revealed.
Experimental Demonstration of Topological Valley-Hall lasing at Telecommunication Wavelength

We report a single-mode valley-Hall laser at telecommunication wavelength. The degree of asymmetry in a honeycomb photonic crystal governs light confinement regimes in the valley-Hall cavity and enables efficient single-mode operation despite multiple resonances.
Subdermal Contraceptive Implant Insertion Trends and Retention in Adolescents.

Abstract Study Objective There is growing advocacy for use of long-acting reversible contraception among sexually active adolescents. Our primary aims were to evaluate the etonogestrel subdermal contraceptive implant (SCI) insertion trends among adolescents, as well as SCI retention at 1, 2, and 3 years, indications for removal, and to identify pregnancies that occurred during SCI use. Design, Setting, Participants, Interventions, and Main Outcome Measures A retrospective cohort study was conducted of adolescents aged 13-19 years with SCI insertions in 2008-2014 within a large integrated health care system. Demographic and clinical characteristics included age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, gravidity, parity, insertions, reinsertions, indications for removal, and pregnancy. Electronic medical record review was conducted on a randomized sample of 540 adolescents with insertions during 2008-2011 for the retention objective to validate electronically extracted variables. Analyses included descriptive statistics, survival analysis with Kaplan-Meier estimates for implant retention and Cochran-Armitage trend test for insertions according to year during 2008-2014. Results Most adolescent SCI users were non-Hispanic white (43%), or Hispanic (34.2%) and 16 years or older (84.2%) at the time of insertion. Overall, 1-, 2-, and 3-year retention rates were 78.6%, 59.4%, and 26.2%, respectively, with retention at 44.3% at 2 years 9 months (indicative of removal of method for near expiration of 3-year device). The insertion rate trend showed statistically significant increases annually, from 0.14% in 2008 to 0.91% in 2014; P Conclusion SCI insertions increased annually among adolescents, with more than a sixfold increase over the 6-year study period, and more than half of the SCIs were retained through 2 years of use. The most common indication of SCI removal was completion of Food and Drug Administration-approved duration.
The ICO Rating Game: Biased Ratings of Crypto Experts in Initial Coin Offerings

The initial coin offering (ICO) market relies on the “wisdom of crowds”, ratings given by the collective opinion of crypto experts, to overcome asymmetric information problems in the fundraising process. We investigate the biases of crypto experts in providing ratings in ICOs. We conjecture that experts are incentivized to provide optimistic ratings to promote ICO fundraising success due to their future opportunities as advisors in subsequent ICOs. We examine our conjectures using ICO ratings on ICOBench.com during the period of 2016 to 2019. Consistent with our conjectures, we find that expert ratings in ICOs exhibit systematic optimism relative to the algorithm-generated objective ratings, and experts who give optimistic ratings to a greater number of fundraising successful ICOs are more likely to be hired as advisors in subsequent ICOs. Further, we find that ICOs with more optimistic expert ratings and ICOs hiring experts as advisors are associated with greater likelihood of fundraising success but not that of exchange listing and one-year survival. We interpret our findings to suggest that the incentive of crypto experts to be hired as ICO advisors and the associated optimism in their ratings help ICO startups raise funds but do not help crypto investors in achieving competitive outcome.
Accuracy improving of pre-trained neural networks by fine tuning

Methods of accuracy improving of pre-trained networks are discussed. Images of ships are input data for the networks. Networks are built and trained using Keras and TensorFlow machine learning libraries. Fine tuning of previously trained convoluted artificial neural networks for pattern recognition tasks is described. Fine tuning of VGG16 and VGG19 networks is done by using Keras Applications. The accuracy of VGG16 network with fine tuning of the last convolution unit increased from 94.38% to 95.21%. An increase is only 0.83%. The accuracy of VGG19 network with fine tuning of the last convolution unit increased from 92.97% to 96.39%, which is a 3.42% increase.
The relationship between farmers’ quality of life and their leadership competencies

This quantitative study sought to explore Pennsylvania farmers’ perceptions of their quality of life during their busiest farm season and its relationship with farmers’ self-leadership and ability to lead others’ competencies. The convenience, unrestricted, self-selecting, and chain-referral sampling approaches were used to collect online data. The final data set included responses from 59 farmers. The overall mean score for self-leadership competencies was 3.93 (SD = .48), ability to lead others’ competencies was 3.96 (SD = .50), and farmers’ quality of life was 3.49 (SD = .69). A significant positive association found between farmers’ quality of life and self-leadership competencies (r = .64 p = .001), and ability to lead others’ competencies (r = .24 p = .013). Approximately 43 % of the variance in overall farmers’ quality of life was explained by farmers’ self-leadership and ability to lead others’ competencies. Extension practitioners should develop a leadership program for farmers that will address the following areas: farmers’ work-life balance during busy season and difficult conversations with farm employees.
Human Curiosity Then and Now: The Anthropology, Archaeology, and Psychology of Patent Protections

Recent anthropological, archaeological, and psychological findings support the view that humans have long been driven by a deep sense of curiosity that needs little if any special external material reward. Apart from being inherently interesting, these findings also turn out to have some wide-ranging consequences for central debates in other social sciences—such as economics. In particular, it is still often thought that, without extensive patent protections, economic actors lack the incentive to engage in innovative activity. However, as this chapter makes clear, the recent anthropological, archaeological, and psychological findings concerning human curiosity provide compelling reasons for thinking that this material interest-based view of innovative activity is unconvincing. In this manner, the chapter has two key upshots: first and most importantly, it shows how and why paying attention to anthropological, archaeological, and psychological findings can have wide-ranging implications throughout the social sciences. Second, it develops reasons for being skeptical about the need for the kinds of extensive patent regimes seen in many countries.
Genetic Dissection of Grain Yield Component Traits Under High Nighttime Temperature Stress in a Rice Diversity Panel.

To dissect the genetic complexity of rice grain yield and quality in response to heat stress at the reproductive stage, a diverse panel of 190 rice accessions of the USDA rice mini-core (URMC) were treated with high nighttime (HNT) stress at the reproductive stage of panicle initiation, and the quantifiable yield component response traits measured. The traits panicle length (PL) and number of spikelets per panicle (NSP) were evaluated in sub-sets of the panel comprising the rice sub-species O. sativa s.sp indica and s.sp. japonica. Under HNT stress the japonica s.sp. exhibited lower reduction in PL and NSP and showed higher level of genetic variation compared to the other sub-populations. Whole genome sequencing identified 6.5 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were used for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of the PL and NSP traits. The GWAS analysis in the combined, indica, and japonica populations under HNT stress identified 83, 60, and 803 highly significant SNPs associated with PL, compared to 30, 30, and 11 highly significant SNPs associated with NSP. Among these trait-associated SNPs, 140 were coincident with genomic regions previously reported for major grain yield component QTLs under heat stress. Network analysis of the genes linked to significant SNPs associated with PL and NSP identified modules involved in primary and secondary metabolism pathways. The findings in this study could be useful to understand the pathways/mechanisms involved in rice grain yield and its components under HNT stress, for acceleration of rice-breeding programs and further functional analysis by molecular geneticists. Using extents of linkage disequilibrium in the rice populations, Venn diagram analysis showed that the highest number of putative candidate genes were identified in the japonica population, and 20 putative candidate genes were common in the combined, indica and japonica populations. Network analysis of the genes linked to significant SNPs associated with PL and NSP identified modules involved in primary and secondary metabolism. The findings in this study could be useful to understand the pathways/mechanisms involved in rice grain yield and its components under HNT stress, for rice breeders to accelerate breeding programs and molecular geneticists for further functional analysis.
A System for Managing Alternate Models in Model-Based Mediation

In [1,3], we have described the problem of model-based mediation (MBM) as an extension of the global-as-view paradigm of information integration. The need for this extension arises in many application domains where the information sources to be integrated not only differ in their export formats, data models, and query capabilities, but have widely different schema with very little overlap in attributes. In scientific applications, the information sources come from different subdisciplines, and despite their poorly overlapping schema, can be integrated because they capture different aspects of the same scientific objects or phenomena, and can be conceptually integrated due to scientific reasons. In the MBM paradigm, a “mediation engineer” consults with domain experts to explicitly model the “glue knowledge” using a set of facts and rules at the mediator. Integrated views are defined in MBM on top of the exported schemas from the information sources together with the glue knowledge source that ties them together. We have successfully applied the MBM technique to develop the KIND mediator or Neuroscience information sources [1]-[4]. To accomplish this, sources in the MBM framework export their conceptual models (CMs), consisting of the logical schema, domain constraints, and object contexts, i.e., formulas that relate their conceptual schema with the global domain knowledge maintained at the mediator. Thus model-based mediation has a hybrid approach to information integration - on the one hand at the mediator integrated views are defined over source CMs and the Knowledge Map using a global-as-view approach; on the other hand, object-contexts of the source are defined as local-as-view.
Managing financial risk in the planning of heat exchanger cleaning

Abstract In this paper we extend a recently presented mixed integer linear model for the planning of heat exchanger cleaning in chemical plants to an uncertain model. We compare the stochastic solutions to the deterministic and heuristic solutions and discuss financial risk management options.
Development of Dynamic Thermal Performance Metrics for Eco-roof Systems

i Acknowledgements iii List of Tables . v List of Figures .. vi List of Photos ix
Optimal Discrete Time Tracking

This paper investigates the use of the Generalized Sampled-Data Hold Functions (GSHF) control in the tracking problem, which consists of causing the output of a system to asymptotically track a desired reference input at the sampling times. The reference signal is itself assumed to be the output of a linear time invariant system. A necessary and sufficient condition for suppressing the dynamics of the reference model from the output error signal is derived.
"American" as a Proxy for "Whiteness": Racial Color-Blindness in Everyday Life

This article discusses racial color-blindness as it relates to a modern strategy used by both Whites and People of Color (POC) to mask their discussions of race and privilege. People who endorse racial color-blindness tend to believe that race should not matter and currently does not matter in understanding individuals’ lived experiences. Therefore, racially color-blind individuals use strategies to justify their racial privilege and racist beliefs and attitudes. One such strategy is to use the term “American” as a proxy for “White” in describing instances of White privilege as norms and to hide discussions of race more generally. Study 1 findings show that there are many different socially constructed definitions for the term American. Study 2 findings reveal differences in definitions for American depending on an individual’s race and generational status.
Exploiting performance characterization of BLAST in the grid

Sequence analysis has become essential to the study of genomes and biological research in general. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) leads the way as the most accepted method for performing necessary query searches and analysis of discovered genes. Combating growing data sizes, with the goal of speeding up job runtimes, scientist are resorting to grid computing technologies. However, grid environments are characterized by dynamic, heterogeneous, and transient state of available resources causing major hindrance to users when trying to realize user-desired levels of service. This paper analyzes performance characteristics of NCBI BLAST on several resources and captures influence of resource characteristics and job parameters on BLAST job runtime across those resources. Obtained results are summarized as a set of principles characterizing performance of NCBI BLAST across homogeneous and heterogeneous environments. These principles are then applied and verified through creation of a grid-enabled BLAST wrapper application called Dynamic BLAST. Results show runtime savings up to 50% and resource utilization improvement of approximately 40%.
Effect of Oxygen Removal Technique on Flavor Stability of Low-Heat Foam Spray Dried Whole Milk

Abstract Oxygen-removal techniques, before gas packing, have been examined with the view of stabilizing the flavor of low-heat foam spray dried whole milk during storage. Holding 18 hr under a pressure of 1mm, then packing in nitrogen (O 2 2 + H 2 mixture was sufficient to effectively pack both types of foam dried material. Difficulties encountered in producing low oxygen content packs apparently relate to milk powder particle structure.
Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of O-(chloroacetyl-carbamoyl) fumagillol (TNP-470, AGM-1470) in rhesus monkeys

The metabolic disposition and pharmacokinetics of TNP-470 were investigated in rhesus monkeys following intravenous administration of 5 mg/kg of [3H]-TNP-470. Rapid and extensive metabolism of parent drug to six metabolites occurred as demonstrated by the absence of unchanged drug in plasma and urine at time points as early as 6 min after administration. Substantial, yet variable, plasma levels of M-IV were detected in all three monkeys with a mean Cmax value of 3.54μM. Five other metabolites, labeled M-I, M-II, M-III, M-V and M-VI, were also detected in biological fluids of monkeys. M-II, M-V and M-VI exhibited similar kinetic profiles with apparent plasma elimination half-life values of 0.91 ±0.37, 2.42 ±0.13 and 1.19 ±0.29 h respectively. In contrast, M-I, M-III and M-IV exhibited much shorter apparent plasma half-life values of 30 min or less. Urinary recovery within 36 h represented only 19.90±6.09% of the total administered dose. No radioactivity was detected beyond 36 h and during a 15-day sample collection period, suggesting that nonrenal (biliary) elimination of TNP-470 metabolites is a predominant excretion route in nonhuman primates. This study provides the first detailed in vivo analysis of TNP-470 metabolism and disposition using an animal model highly predictive of humans, consistent with the detection of the same TNP-470 metabolites in human tissues. A detailed understanding of TNP-470 metabolism and disposition is critical to fully elucidate the pharmacodynamic properties of this new anticancer drug as clinical investigations proceed.
Resolution and reconstitution of Rhodospirillum rubrum pyridine dinucleotide transhydrogenase: localization of substrate binding sites.

Abstract Butanedione in the presence of borate buffer reversibly inhibits Rhodospirillum rubrum chromatophore transhydrogenase complex and the separated membrane-bound and soluble factor components of the complex. NADP + completely protected against inactivation of the membrane-bound component, whereas NAD + was without effect. Soluble factor was maximally protected only partially by either NAD + or NADP + , but a mixture of the substrates afforded complete protection. NADP + -dependent association of soluble factor with factor-depleted membranes was markedly decreased after incubation of membranes with butanedione in the absence, but not in the presence, of NADP + . Soluble factor was bound to agarose-NAD and was eluted by NAD + , but not by NADP + . These results demonstrate the presence of at least three nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide binding sites on R. rubrum transhydrogenase complex, including separate NADP and NAD binding sites on soluble factor and a NADP binding site on the membrane-bound component.
Potentiation of cytotoxic therapies by TNP-470 and minocycline in mice bearing EMT-6 mammary carcinoma

The ability of the antiangiogenic agents TNP-470 and minocycline, singly or in combination, to potentiate the antitumor effects of several cytotoxic therapies was assessed in the murine EMT-6 mammary carcinoma as well as in two drug resistant sublines of that tumor designated EMT-6/CTX and EMT-6/CDDP. The antiangiogenic agents alone or in combination did not alter the growth of the tumors. However, their administration along with cyclophosphamide, CDDP, or thiotepa substantially increased the tumor growth delay produced by these cytotoxic therapies in tumors responsive to the drugs--the increase was about 2-fold for TNP-470 and minocycline together. In drug resistant tumors, treatment with the antiangiogenic agents did not reverse drug resistance but did increase the effect of the cytotoxic drugs. Treatment with TNP-470/minocycline also increased the oxygenation of each of the three tumors. Thus, TNP-470/minocycline administration increased the efficacy of fractionated radiation therapy, especially when used along with a perflubron emulsion oxygen delivery agent/carbogen. These results indicate that treatment regimens including therapies directed toward the proliferating normal cells within a tumor mass as well as therapies directed toward the malignant cells can produce improved outcomes.
Level Crossings in Indo Bending Potentials for CO2

Abstract Recently, Combs and Holloman have reported anomalous energy minima in approximate SCF calculations on bending modes in several small molecules.1′2 The methods employed (CNDO/2 and INDO)3 are currently in wide use and it would be helpful to have a clear view of the origin(s) of these anomalies. [As has been demonstrated,2 reparameterization to remove these features creates more serious problems than that for which the remedy was derived.] We were particularly concerned as recent studies have shown that INDO wavefunctions, when properly handled, provide a qualitatively correct description of the electronic charge distribution in selected diatomic molecules.4 Further, these methods are extensively used for studies of molecular deformations.5
Ouabain-induced tachyarrhythmias and cell damage in isolated perfused guinea-pig hearts: I. Protection by propranolol.

Abstract An arrhythmogenic concentration of ouabain (1.37 × 10 −6 m) was added to the media perfusing guinea-pig Langendorff hearts after a 60 min period for establishment of a steady-state. Within 15 min following the addition of ouabain, a significant though transient increase in ventricular cyclic-AMP occurred. The first appearance of electrocardiographic abnormalities occurred at a mean time of +22.6 (±5.1) min following ouabain, a fall in ATP, coronary flow and myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO 2 ) at +28 min, tachycardia at +33.9 (±6.7) min, and asystole (due to fibrillation) at 42.2 (±2.6) min. When ATP levels, coronary flow and MVO 2 declined, they remained depressed for the duration of the experiments. While these changes were occurring following ouabain, creatine kinase (CK) activity in the coronary effluent began a progressive increase at +45 min, as did lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) at +60 min, indicative of cellular damage. Electron microscopic analysis of tissues exposed to ouabain for 1 h revealed changes in the mitochondria (e.g. swelling, fragmentation or loss of cristae and loss of calcium granules) similar to those seen in anoxia and ischemia. The prior administration of propranolol (3.38 × 10 −6 m) attenuated the rise in creatine kinase activity, and abolished all other effects elicited by ouabain. Neither increasing coronary flow, alpha-adrenergic blockade with phentolamine (1 × 10 −6 m) nor “washing” preparations with drug-free media for 1 h affected the results observed with ouabain. On the basis of these results, we conclude that arrhythmogenic doses of ouabain activate the formation of cyclic-AMP, lending support to the hypothesis that increased levels of the nucleotide may act as a triggering event for the subsequent development of arrhythmias. The sequence of events obtained suggests that arrhythmogenic doses of ouabain produce an oxygen deficit similar to that observed in ischemia, as evidenced by the fall in coronary flow, MVO 2 and ATP, the rise in released LDH and CK, and changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure. This deficit, at least in part, appears to be responsible for the development and maintenance of arrhythmias induced by the concentration of ouabain used in this model.
Central serous chorioretinopathy as a complication of postcardiac transplant corticosteroid therapy.

Central serous chorioretinopathy as a complication of postcardiac transplant corticosteroid therapy
Why Students Drop: A First‐Hand Report

The author, a language department chairman concerned about statistics showing that 50% of initially enrolled students do not finish the first year of language courses in his department gained insight into the reasons for this high drop rate when he himself enrolled in and eventually dropped a course in Chinese. A catalogue of his different reactions to the classroom experience produces several suggestions immediately applicable to his own teaching. In the final analysis, however, his abandonment of the course was not a direct result of the classroom experience but rather of his own lack of incentive. Relating his own experience to that of the students, the author concludes optimistically that growing recognition across the nation of the importance of language learning will lead to the creation of academic and economic incentives which will help to solve the problem of high drop rates.
The Nature of Salicylate Inhibition of Sugar Transport in Yeast

Abstract A study was made in yeast of the cellular site associated with inhibition of sugar transport by salicylate. Time-course and stereospecificity studies were done on the uptake of salicylic acid (sal), meta-hydroxybenzoic acid (m-OH), D-glucose (gluc) and 3-0-methyl-D-glucose (3-OMG) at 20 and 30°C. Sal added simultaneously with 3-OMG had little effect on initial uptake rates of the latter. Inhibition of 3-OMG transport occurred only after appreciable uptake of sal. Rates of glucose utilization in cells preincubated with sal increased with time despite increased drug in the medium as sal decreased in the cells. Benzoic acid also inhibited 3-OMG transport. m-OH or para-hydroxybenzoic acid entered cells but neither substance inhibited 3-OMG transport nor affected the inhibition by sal of 3-OMG transport. Benzyl and salicyl alcohols had no effect on 3-OMG transport. The results indicate a stereospecific binding site or sites for sal located in the cell interior and associated with inhibition of sugar transport. The known inhibition of sugar transport by sal in susceptible mammalian cells, including human cells, may also occur through binding of sal to intracellular, stereospecific sites.
The Casket of Magic: Home and Identity from Salvaged Objects

ABSTRACTFrequent contact with objects and retelling of stories associated with them serve to construct and maintain travelers' identities and connections with the world. In this article I examine the role of collections of salvaged-object souvenirs in identity construction and home-making using the work of a little-known travel writer, journalist, and geographer, (George) Bassett Digby (1888–1962). Firstly I explore a section of his text with a view to demonstrating what this text about possessions tells us about Digby and his connections with people, objects, and places. This examination will illustrate how the role of objects in this one individual's life is linked to practices and objects in other cultures including Maori meeting-houses, Indian masks of the Pacific Northwest, autobiographical use of objects by the Kodi tribe in Indonesia, North American quilters, and stories of objects and home by other writers. Secondly, I show that objects are used to conjure to their owner both a familiar, nurturing...
Identification of 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptor proteins in bovine frontal cortex

5-Hydroxytryptamine1A (5-HT1A) receptor proteins were identified by a novel approach in which photoaffinity labeling technique was used in conjunction with affinity column chromatography. 5-HT1A receptors were solubilized from bovine frontal cortical membranes with 0.3% digitonin and 0.1% Nonidet P-40, and bound effectively to 1-[2-(4-aminophenyl)ethyl]-4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (PAPP)-coupled Affi-Gel 10 in a time-dependent manner. PAPP was shown previously to be a selective ligand for the 5-HT1A receptor. Two protein bands with molecular masses of approximately 55,000 and 38,000 daltons revealed on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were eluted from the affinity column with either 1 mM 5-HT or 1 microM [3H]1-[2-(4-azidophenyl)ethyl]-4-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)piperazine ([3H]p-azido-PAPP). [3H]p-Azido-PAPP is a selective photoaffinity labeling probe for the 5-HT1A receptor. The intensity of these two protein bands and the incorporation of [3H]p-azido-PAPP into these two proteins decreased significantly when the solubilized fraction was preincubated with excess 5-HT or PAPP (saturating all 5-HT1A receptors) prior to affinity column chromatography. These results suggest strongly that these two proteins are related to the 5-HT1A receptor protein. The isoelectric points of the photolabeled 5-HT1A receptor proteins were 6.0 and 6.5.
Protein S in the first year of life.

Summary. Total protein S, free protein S and C4b binding protein were measured in healthy term infants in order to establish the normal levels of these proteins during the first year of life. Total protein S rose from 36·5% of the adult mean level on day 1 of life to 90% between 6 and 12 months of age. Free protein S was 54·2% of the adult mean on day 1 of life, all values were in the adult range by 2 months and the mean value was no different from the adult at 4 months. This relatively high level of free and presumably active protein S reflects low levels of C4bBP at birth (28·8% of the adult mean) and a slow postnatal rise.
Abstraction and intent through an autonomics framework

Autonomic control systems provide self-management capabilities to networks using closed-loop controllers. The Rainbow framework from Carnegie Mellon University is an example of such a capability that uses an ability to reason on and manipulate a formal model of the network architecture to decide what changes to make in response to the situation. Probes and gauges feed the reasoning capability. These probes and gauges can provide some situational awareness to both systems and human controllers, but at a low level of abstraction making it difficult to gain an understanding of the status of a large network of complex systems. We believe that a side effect of utilizing an autonomic framework is enhanced situational awareness at a higher level of abstraction. This paper describes work in progress to develop gauges for Rainbow that incorporate machine learning to allow for early recognition of situation changes. It also describes how the use of strategy selection not only allows the network to adapt, but also to inform situational awareness.
Field triage: Opportunities to save lives

TRI AGE (_tre-azh, treazh){Fr. “sorting”} 1. the sorting out andclassification of casualties of war or other disaster, to determine priority of need andproper place of treatment. 2. by extension, t...
e+e- Pair production from 10 GeV to 10 ZeV

Abstract At very high energies, pair production ( γ → e + e - ) exhibits many interesting features. The momentum transfer from the target is very small, so the reaction probes the macroscopic properties of the target, rather than individual nuclei. Interference between interactions with different atoms reduces the pair production cross section considerably below the Bethe-Heitler values. At very high energies, photonuclear interactions may outnumber pair production. In contrast, in crystals, the interaction amplitudes may add coherently, greatly increasing the cross sections. Pair production in matter-free magnetic fields is also possible. The highest energy pair production occurs at high-energy particle colliders. This article will compare pair production in these very different regimes.
Motherhood in African Literature and Culture

In her article "Motherhood in African Literature and Culture" Remi Akujobi analyzes the place and the role of women in African Religion and tradition and also interrogates the place of Motherhood in the production, circulation and consumption of items in African tradition. Akujobi examines Motherhood as a sacred as well as a powerful spiritual component of the woman's life. Emphasis is put on literary discourse where motherhood is a recurrent theme, where motherhood is also a lifelong commitment. The article particularly explores motherhood as a discourse in African women creative efforts. A key intention of the article is to explore their perceptions regarding themselves as mothers and the sense they make of their experiences of motherhood. The purpose is to interpret these from a feminist perspective and see whether or not the institution of "motherhood" can ultimately empower women to be visible in vital areas of human endeavours. The study appraises motherhood as both a concept and an institution. Remi Akujobi, "Motherhood in African Literature and Culture" page 2 of 7 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 13.1 (2011):
Structures and mechanisms of lipid phase transitions in nonaqueous media. Dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine in fused salt

The phase transitions for dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE) dispersed in water and in N-ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) were examined using differential scanning calorimetry and time-resolved x-ray diffraction. Subgel, pre-, and main-phase transitions were observed for DPPE in water, whereas only the pre- and main transitions were observed for DPPE in EAN. Hysteresis was observed for both dispersions upon cooling. In addition, the lamellar (L alpha) to hexagonal (H alpha) phase transition was observed for DPPE dispersed in EAN when using time-resolved x-ray diffraction but not when using calorimetry. This low enthalpy process occurred at 73–77 degrees C, which is significantly lower than that observed for DPPE in water. The presence of EAN stabilizes the existence of the H alpha phase in DPPE by its influence on the bilayer interfacial properties, primarily on the area per lipid head group.
Cu-bearing high-strength low-alloy steels: The influence of microstructure on the initiation and growth of small fatigue cracks

The fatigue characteristics of a Cu-bearing high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel were investigated in air, relative humidity ≈50 pct, as a function of microstructure, which was altered by heat treatments and welding. Small fatigue cracks (≈30-Μm long) were naturally initiated from smooth specimens and grown past the transition length (≈200 Μm), where they exhibited the characteristics of large fatigue cracks. The number of cycles to crack initiation depended on stress magnitude but not on microstructure, although the site of initiation was microstructurally dependent. Small cracks in all microstructures grew at δK values below the large crack threshold. The as-received (polygonal ferrite) microstructure and one of the lath microstructures that resulted from heat treatment exhibited the same growth rate correlation as large cracks in the linear (Paris) region, and could be considered as an extension of the large crack growth region down to the point of initiation. Small cracks grew at rates faster than expected through one of the heat-treated and the weld microstructures; therefore, the number of cycles required for growth from initiation to the transition to large crack growth decreased about threefold, which is a potentially important factor in predicting lifetimes of structures made from this steel.
A Case of Economic Pragmatism: Japanese Manufacturing in U.K.

This paper focuses on the comparative performance of Japanese and Western television manufacturing in the United Kingdom. It offers explanations of how differences in policies and practices lead to superior performance levels in the selected Japanese companies.