cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nutrient exports from watersheds with varying septic system densities in the North Carolina Piedmont.

Abstract Septic systems (SSs) have been shown to be a significant source of nitrogen and phosphorus to nutrient-sensitive coastal surface and groundwaters. However, few published studies have quantified the effects of SSs on nutrient inputs to water supply watersheds in the Piedmont region of the USA. This region consists of rolling hills at the surface underlain by clayey soils. There are nearly 1 million SSs in this region, which accounts for approximately 50% of all SSs in North Carolina. The goal of this study was to determine if significant differences in nutrient concentrations and exports exist between Piedmont watersheds with different densities of SSs. Water quality was assessed in watersheds with SSs (n = 11) and a sewer and a forested watershed, which were designated as controls. Stream flow and environmental readings were recorded and water samples were collected from the watersheds from January 2015–December 2016. Additional samples were collected from sand filter watersheds in April 2015–March 2016 to compare to septic and control watersheds. Samples were analyzed for total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and orthophosphate (PO 4 -P). Results indicated that watersheds served by a high-density (HD) of SSs (4.9 kg-N yr −1 ha −1 ; 0.2 kg-P yr −1 ha −1 ) exported more than double the median masses of TDN and PO 4 -P, respectively, relative to low-density (1.0 kg-N yr −1 ha −1 ; −1 ha −1 ) and control watersheds (1.4 kg-N yr −1 ha −1 ; −1 ha −1 ) during baseflow. Isotopic analysis indicated that wastewater was the most likely source of nitrate-N in HD watersheds. In all other watersheds, isotopic results suggested non-wastewater sources as the dominant nitrate-N provider. These findings indicated that SS density was a significant factor in the delivery of septic-derived nutrients to these nutrient-sensitive, water supply watersheds of the North Carolina Piedmont.
Characterizing the temporal evolution of the hepatitis C virus epidemic in Pakistan.

Pakistan has the second largest number of HCV infections in the world. We assessed past, present and future levels and trends of the HCV epidemic in Pakistan. An age-structured mathematical model was developed and analysed to describe transmission dynamics over 1980-2050. The model was fitted to a nationally representative survey and a comprehensive database of systematically gathered HCV Ab prevalence data. HCV Ab and chronic infection prevalences peaked at 5.3% and 3.9% in 2000 but were projected to decline to 4.3% and 3.2% by 2017, 3.4% and 2.6% by 2030 and 2.6% and 1.9% by 2050, respectively. The number of chronically infected individuals was estimated at 6 663 906 in 2017 and was projected to peak at 6 665 900 in 2018 and decline to 6 372 100 in 2030 and 5 131 500 in 2050. Annual number of new infections peaked at 346 740 in 1992 but was projected to decline to 198 320 in 2017, 151 090 in 2030 and 98 120 in 2050. Incidence rate per 100 000 person-year peaked at 343 in 1988 but was projected to decline to 99 in 2017, 62 in 2030 and 36 in 2050. Prevalence and incidence varied by age, and the majority of new infections occurred in the 20-39 age group. Prevalence and incidence of HCV in Pakistan have been slowly declining for two decades-Pakistan is enduring a large epidemic that will persist for decades if not controlled. Nearly, 10% of global infections are in Pakistan, with about 200 000 additional infections every year. Rapid and mass scale-up of prevention and treatment programmes are critically needed.
Lower Extremity Biomechanics During a Drop-Vertical Jump in Participants With or Without Chronic Ankle Instability

Context: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a condition characterized by range-of-motion, neuromuscular, and postural-control deficits and subjective disability, reinjury, and posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Differences have been reported in kinematics, kinetics, surface electromyography (EMG), and ground reaction forces during functional tasks performed by those with CAI. These measures are often collected independently, and the research on collecting measures simultaneously during a movement task is limited. Objective: To assess the kinematics and kinetics of the lower extremity, vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), and EMG of 4 shank muscles during a drop–vertical-jump (DVJ) task. Design: Controlled laboratory study. Setting: Motion-capture laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Forty-seven young, active adults in either the CAI (n = 24) or control (n = 23) group. Intervention(s): Three-dimensional motion capture was performed using an electromagnetic motion-capture system. Lower extremity k...
Factors that Predict Failure to Meet Merit-Based Incentive Payment System Quality Measures for Asymptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy

Background The Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services financially penalizes providers who fail to meet expected quality of care measures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the factors that predict failure to meet PQRS measures for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods PQRS measure 260 (discharge by postoperative day 2 following CEA in asymptomatic patients) and 346 (rate of postoperative stroke or death following CEA in asymptomatic patients) were evaluated using hospital records from the state of Florida from 2008 to 2012. The impact of demographics, comorbidities, hospital factors, admission variables, and individual practitioner data upon timely discharge, and postoperative stroke and death. Odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and significance (P Results A total of 34,235 patient records and 701 providers were identified over the 5-year period. Significant negative predictors for PQRS measure 260 included weekend admission (odds ratio [OR], 2.9), Medicaid (OR, 2.4), surgeon historical postoperative stroke rate >2.0% (OR, 1.7), African-American race (OR, 2.0), and female gender (OR, 1.3). The presence of any of these factors was associated with a 13.5% rate of failure. The most significant negative predictor for PQRS measure 346 was surgeon postoperative stroke rate >2.0% (OR, 6.2 for stroke and OR, 29.0 for death). Surgeons in this underperforming group had worse outcomes compared to their peers despite having patients with fewer risk factors for poor outcomes. Surgeon specialty, board certification, and case volume do not impact either PQRS measures. Conclusions Selected groups of patients and surgeons with a disproportionately high rate of postoperative stroke are at risk of failing to meet PQRS pay for performance quality measures. Awareness of these risk factors may help mitigate and minimize the risk of adversely impacting the value stream. Further evaluation of the causative factors that lead to surgeon underperformance could help to improve the quality of care.
Hyperhidrosis: Medical and Surgical Treatment

Objective: The treatment of hyperhidrosis, generalized or focal is a challenge for both physicians and surgeons. Focal hyperhidrosis—axillary, palmar, plantar, craniofacial—is the most common. Generalized hyperhidrosis is usually secondary to a systemic disorder or may be simply drug induced. Focal hyperhidrosis has its onset in childhood or adolescence and has a dramatic effect on one's quality of life. Medical, surgical, and electrical therapies can be employed to relieve hyperhidrosis in most patients. Methods: A review of the medical and surgical literature was performed to identify the usual causes and remedies for hyperhidrosis. Results: Specific treatments, medical and surgical are recommended for all affected individuals. Conclusion: Patients with hyperhidrosis need not suffer in silence. Etiologies can be identified for most. Safe and effective therapeutic options are available.
An Ultrasonic System

This book is about developing quantitative models of ultrasonic systems—models that can describe the physics of an ultrasonic measurement process. Specifically, the focus is on the types of ultrasonic systems used for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) applications. However, many of the models derived are applicable to other uses of ultrasound and to other areas involving wave propagation, such as acoustics or seismology.
Lateral Patella Dislocations: History, Physical Exam, and Imaging

Acute lateral patellar dislocations occur primarily in the second decade of life, affecting young active individuals. Concomitant injuries to the knee, including medial patellofemoral ligament injuries, are common, occurring in up to 90 % of patients. Recurrent instability episodes may occur in up to 44 % of patients and are dependent on the patient’s anatomy, particularly patellar position and trochlear morphology. A careful history and physical exam will help establish the diagnosis, with specific imaging studies often used to confirm the diagnosis and define the spectrum of concomitant injuries. Advanced imaging studies are also used to define objective measurements, patellar position, and trochlear shape, in order to determine recurrent instability risk and help guide surgical treatment.
Characterization of Ag/γ-Al2O3 catalysts and their lean-NOx properties

Ag supported on a nonporous γ-alumina was shown to have an optimal metal loading of about 2 wt% Ag for NOx conversion of simulated lean-NOx, automotive exhaust. Ag was primarily in an oxidized state during reaction. O2 adsorption and H2O2 titration were measured at 170°C after catalyst reduction at 250°C to determine metal dispersion. The results indicate an unusual increase in apparent metal dispersion with increased metal loading below 3 wt% Ag. Above 3 wt%, the apparent dispersion decreased with Ag loading. The observed trend for apparent dispersion was attributed to a metal-support interaction. No XRD pattern could be detected for the proposed phase which would suggest a surface rather than bulk phenomenon. Comparison of the adsorption data to a simple model for dispersed metal particles also indicated the likelihood for a metal-support interaction. The model also suggests that apparent dispersions may be significantly different from true metal dispersions even for fairly large particles. O2 TPD and lean-NOx reaction results indicate that the proposed metal-support interaction is relatively stable under inert and net-oxidizing conditions. Extended reduction at mild temperature (170°C) diminished the extent of the metal-support interaction. A 2 wt%Ag/γ-Al2O3 catalyst prepared by multiple impregnation was more active for lean-NOx reaction than one prepared using a single impregnation step. This would suggest that Ag alumination results in more active catalysts for lean-NOx applications.
Gene Expression Data and Survival Analysis

Finding associations between expression profiles and simple phenotypic data such as class labels has been studied extensively, including prediction algorithms for new samples based on these relationships. However, much work is needed to link expression profiles to more complex response variables, most notably survival data with censoring. Reducing the survival data to a short-term versus long-term survival indicator or using survival curves merely to demonstrate the difference between clusters of samples is not an efficient use of the data. We review some of the progress and challenges in this area. We discuss the need for more consistent results among studies done on different microarray platforms, for development of sample-specific predictive scoring schemes, and for a more comprehensive analysis that incorporates other prognostic factors and clearly demonstrates the added value of expression profiling over current protocols.
SDA Target Amplification

Strand displacement amplification (SDA) is an isothermal method for targets (Spargo et al., 1996; Walker et al., 1995; 1996 a; b). This method employs a restriction endonuclease which is capable of nicking a hemiphosphorothioate form of its recognition site and a DNA exonuclease deficient poly-merase which is capable of initiating synthesis at a nick and displacing the downstream strand. This method consists of two parts: a target generation process (Figure lA) that makes copies of the target sequence flanked by nickable restriction sites, and the exponential amplification of these modified target sequences (Figure IB) by repeated nicking, strand displacement, and priming of displaced strands.
Epigenetic Alterations in Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a high-grade glioma that represents the most common malignant brain tumor in adults. GBM has been recognized to arise in two different settings: most commonly as a de novo tumor and a less common secondary form that progresses from a previously diagnosed lower grade glioma (secondary GBM, sGBM). The genetic pathways involved in de novo and sGBM and their associations with gene expression patterns have been well studied. Recently, the epigenetic alterations in GBM have been elucidated with emphasis on their relationship to previous genomic studies. Hyper-and hypomethylation of CpG sites within GBM have been observed. The most common de novo GBM is characterized by genome-wide DNA hypomethylation whereas sGBM are hypermethylated at many hundreds of gene loci. The discovery of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations in glioma has transformed our understanding of the pathogenesis of these principal GBM subtypes. IDH mutations are typical of sGBM and a small but significant fraction of de novo GBMs. A DNA hypermethylation phenotype and improved patient survival are associated with IDH mutation. The most recent mechanistic studies implicate the TET enzymes as being involved in an active DNA demethylation process, and these insights help to provide a possible link between IDH mutations and DNA hypermethylation in glioma. Clinical studies of therapies that target epigenetic targets are underway, although the nonspecific nature of such approaches is a major limitation. Many aspects of the GBM epigenome are uncharacterized, but advances in technology to assess epigenetic alterations hold great promise in making the epigenome a fruitful target for new therapeutic approaches for this devastating disease.
Proteomic analysis of a hypochlorous acid-tolerant Listeria monocytogenes cultural variant exhibiting enhanced biofilm production.

Following exposure of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A (SA) to hypochlorous acid, rough colony variants were identified that were tolerant of hypochlorous acid and produced increased amounts of biofilm. A derivative of one of these variants was smooth, produced even more biofilm, and exhibited greater biofilm chlorine resistance. The objective of this research was to compare the protein expression of a cultural variant to SA and to identify proteins that might be associated with biofilm production and chlorine tolerance. Suspension chlorine tolerance for several cultural variants (SAR, SAR5, and SBS) was determined by exposure to 60 to 120 ppm of hypochlorous acid for 5 min. Hypochlorous acid tolerance of biofilms was determined after growing biofilms on stainless steel and then exposing them to 200 ppm of hypochlorous acid for 5 min. All cultural variants were able to survive 120 ppm of hypochlorous acid in suspension. There was little difference in the hypochlorous acid tolerance of the cultural variant planktonic cells. The cultural variants produced greater amounts of biofilm than the common form of L. monocytogenes and were more tolerant of hypochlorous acid. The SBS variant was selected for proteomic comparison because it was the variant that produced the most biofilm and was the most tolerant of hypochlorous acid when grown as a biofilm. Protein expression of planktonic and biofilm cells of SBS was compared to SA by two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis. The 50s ribosomal protein, L10, was down-regulated in biofilm SBS. Other proteins down-regulated in planktonic SBS were the peroxide resistance protein (Dpr) and a sugar-binding protein (LM00181). This sugar-binding protein was also up-regulated in biofilm SBS. One protein spot down-regulated in planktonic SBS contained both 50s ribosomal protein L7/L12 and an unknown protein (LMO1888).
Chess on a hypercube

We report our progress on computer chess last described at the Second Conference on Hypercubes. Our program follows the strategy of currently successful sequential chess programs: searching of an alpha-beta pruned game tree, iterative deepening, transposition and history tables, specialized endgame evaluators, and so on. The search tree is decomposed onto the hypercube (an NCUBE) using a recursive version of the principal-variation-splitting algorithm. Roughly speaking, subtrees are searched by teams of processors in a self-scheduled manner.A crucial feature of the program is the global hashtable. Hashtables are important in the sequential case, but are even more central for a parallel chess algorithm. The table not only stores knowledge but also makes the decision at each node of the chess tree whether to stay sequential or to split up the work in parallel. In the language of Knuth and Moore, the transposition table decides whether each node of the chess tree is a type 2 or a type 3 node and acts accordingly. For this data structure the hypercube is used as a shared-memory machine. Multiple writes to the same location are resolved using a priority system which decides which entry is of more value to the program. The hashtable is implemented as “smart” shared memory.Search times for related subtrees vary widely (up to a factor of 100) so dynamic reconfiguration of processors is necessary to concentrate on such “hot spots” in the tree. A first version of the program with dynamic load balancing has recently been completed and out-performs the non-load-balancing program by a factor of three. The current speedup of the program is 101 out of a possible 256 processors.The program has played in several tournaments, facing both computers and people. Most recently it scored 2-2 in the ACM North American Computer Chess Championship.
Celecoxib versus ketorolac following robotic hysterectomy for the management of postoperative pain: An open-label randomized control trial.

Abstract Objective Compare postoperative pain scores following hysterectomy in patients receiving perioperative celecoxib versus postoperative ketorolac as part of a multimodal pain regimen. Methods Patients undergoing hysterectomy were randomized to receive scheduled intravenous ketorolac in the immediate postoperative period or oral celecoxib prior to surgery and continued for a total seven days. All patients received a common multimodal pain protocol consisting of scheduled acetaminophen, gabapentin, and opioids as needed. Inpatient pain scores and postoperative opioid use were analyzed. A questionnaire regarding outpatient opioid use and return to normal activities of daily living (ADLs) was returned two weeks postoperatively. Results 192 patients were assessed for eligibility and 170 patients were randomized. Enrollment of patients undergoing open hysterectomy was closed prematurely for poor accruement (n = 32). 138 patients undergoing robotic hysterectomy were included were analyzed. There were no differences for inpatient pain scores (2.7 ± 1.9 v. 2.4 ± 1.6, p = 0.21). Average length of stay was similar between the two arms (11.6 ± 8.1 h v. 11.9 ± 7.6 h, p = 0.41). Patients in the celecoxib arm used less prescription opioids (6.0 ± 3.6 v. 8.1 ± 4.0, p = 0.001) and stopped using oral opioids earlier (3.8 ± 2.6 days v. 5.7 ± 2.8 days, p Conclusions There was no difference in inpatient pain scores between patients who received celecoxib or ketorolac as part of multimodal pain control following robotic hysterectomy. Patients who received scheduled celecoxib for seven days after surgery used less prescription narcotics.
Critical Issues in Teacher Leadership: A National Look at Teachers’ Perception

The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify (1) teacher-leaders’ descriptions of their roles and activities, (2) perceptions of characteristics, knowledge, and skills of successful teache...
Decision Support in Transfusion Medicine and Blood Banking

Clinical decision support (CDS) can greatly enhance patient blood management through optimizing ordering and providing patient-specific information. At present, modeling and prediction have small roles in inventory management; they will likely have increasing applications to help guide donor center collections based on real-time demand to meet more dispersed needs. Transfusion side-effects management for both donor and recipients is an area ripe for intervention by CDS to enable proactive actions. Last, CDS and broader prediction will 1 day function alongside and seamlessly along many of our major processes to create a human-computer symbiosis.
Conversations at G2: The New Goodman Building Interviews with Tenants at the 18th Street Complex

From a series of interviews with both former tenants of the Goodman Building and new residents of the G2 project we find a history of continuity from the old tenants’ life as well as the artists’ vision, but also a new reality of those (in the new G2 project) who have little context to understand what it was and what importance it has for the future.
Visual hallucinations, thalamocortical physiology and Lewy body disease: A review

One of the core diagnostic criteria for Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) is the presence of visual hallucinations. The presence of hallucinations, along with fluctuations in the level of arousal and sleep disturbance, point to potential pathological mechanisms at the level of the thalamus. However, the potential role of thalamic dysfunction in DLB, particularly as it relates to the presence of formed visual hallucinations is not known. Here, we review the literature on the pathophysiology of DLB with respect to modern theories of thalamocortical function and attempt to derive an understanding of how such hallucinations arise. Based on the available literature, we propose that combined thalamic-thalamic reticular nucleus and thalamocortical pathology may explain the phenomenology of visual hallucinations in DLB. In particular, diminished α7 cholinergic activity in the thalamic reticular nucleus may critically disinhibit thalamocortical activity. Further, concentrated pathological changes within the posterior regions of the thalamus may explain the predilection for the hallucinations to be visual in nature.
Effect of Char Loading on Reduction Kinetics of Cu-Based Oxygen Carriers in a Drop-Tube Fluidized-Bed Reactor at Temperatures from 850 to 1100 °C: Experiment and CFD Modeling

Chemical-looping combustion with oxygen uncoupling (CLOU) is a process using gaseous or solid hydrocarbon fuels and is a promising carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. In CLOU, combustion o...
Introduction to MCA symposium on Halliday & Vygotsky

This issue of MCA presents a set of articles developing a theoretical dialogue between the work of linguist Michael Halliday and psychologist Lev Vygotsky. The Introduction provides background on H...
Operator Isomorphisms on Hilbert Space Tensor Products

This article presents an isomorphism between two operator algebras $L_1$ and $L_2$ where $L_1$ is the set of operators on a space of Hilbert-Schmidt operators and $L_2$ is the set of operators on a tensor product space. We next compare our isomorphism to a well-known result called Choi's isomorphism theorem. The advantage of Choi's isomorphism is that it takes completely positive maps to positive operators. One advantage of our isomorphism is that it applies to infinite dimensional Hilbert spaces, while Choi's isomorphism only holds for finite dimensions. Also, our isomorphism preserves operator products while Choi's does not. We close with a brief discussion on some uses of our isomorphism.
Clinician Beliefs and Practices Related to Cannabis

Introduction: Medical cannabis (marijuana) use is legal in 33 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Clinicians can play an important role in helping patients access and weigh potential benefits...
Engineering design in dual language: how teachers leveraged biliteracy practices to add engineering disciplinary literacy practices

In this two-year ethnographic study, we explored engineering teaching and learning in fourth-grade, dual language (DL) classrooms. We discuss the biliterate disciplinary practices in these classroo...
High Order Autocorrelation in Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) was originally developed as a technique in which the temporal fluctuations in the fluorescence arising from a small volume containing fluorescent molecules are autocorrelated to obtain information about the processes that give rise to the fluorescence fluctuations. After its initial introduction [21.1-21.6], FCS was used primarily to measure translational diffusion coefficients [21.7-21.10]. It was also shown that FCS could provide information about other processes such as rotational diffusion [21.11-21.14], flow [21.15], and biochemical kinetics [21.16,21.17]. These initial applications were comprehensively reviewed a number of years ago [21.18- 21.21]. FCS has become increasingly mature as a technique during the last decade, both in terms of application and development. Recent applications include characterization of receptor oligomerization on intact cells [21.22]; aggregates of prion proteins [21.23] and amyloid /3-proteins [21.24]; DNA polymerization [21.25], conformational fluctuations [21.26], and interaction with transcription factors [21.27]; and phospholipid micelles [21.28]. Some of the more innovative technological advances have included the use of two-photon excitation [21.29,21.30]; cross-correlation in double-label experiments [21.31- 21.35]; the combination of resonance energy transfer with FCS [21.26,21.36]; the combination of capillary electrophoresis with FCS [21.37]; and the use of evanescent illumination for examining processes at surfaces [21.38-21.42].
Crowdseeding: A Novel Approach for Designing Bioinspired Machines

Crowdsourcing is a popular technique for distributing tasks to a group of anonymous workers over the web. Similarly, crowdseeding is any mechanism that extracts knowledge from the crowd, and then uses that knowledge to guide an automated process. Here we demonstrate a method that automatically distills features from a set of robot body plans designed by the crowd, and then uses those features to guide the automated design of robot body plans and controllers. This approach outperforms past work in which one feature was detected and distilled manually. This provides evidence that the crowd collectively possesses intuitions about the biomechanical advantages of certain body plans; we hypothesize that these intuitions derive from their experiences with biological organisms.
Induction of polycystic ovarian disease in rats by continuous light. I. The reproductive cycle, organ weights, and histology of the ovaries

Abstract Changes in the estrous cycle, organ weights, and histology of the ovaries were investigated in a group of adult albino rats exposed to constant light. By the end of 6 weeks of constant light exposure, 56 of 60 rats (93.3 per cent) showed persistent vaginal estrus—as defined by the presence of at least 10 consecutive days of vaginal cornification. Although there was a progressive atrophy (decrease in weight) of the ovaries, the adrenals were initially hypertrophied (increase in weight), but they eventually became atrophied as the duration of constant light was advanced. The most consistent finding of the polycystic ovaries in the constant-light-treated rats was the presence of markedly distended and cystic tertiary follicles. On changing the light schedule from constant light to light-dark, not only the estrous cycles reappeared, but also the ovaries became normal in gross as well as microscopic appearance. On the basis of the present study and other studies, it is concluded that polycystic ovaries due to constant light exposure in rats represent a progressive multiglandular endocrinopathy.
Hydrolytic enzyme activities, migratory activity, and in vivo growth and metastatic potential of recent tumor isolates.

Abstract We isolated from an uncloned population of mouse fibrosarcoma cells a subpopulation of cells by repeated passage of the cells in medium with human serum in place of fetal calf serum. The human serum-adapted cells had an altered pattern of hydrolytic enzyme activities, migrated less actively than did the uncloned cells, and were much less malignant than were the parent cells. Both the uncloned cells and the human serum adapted cells were used to establish tumors in syngeneic mice. A number of isolates from primary tumors or metastatic tumors were obtained from these mice and grown in culture. The enzyme and migratory activities of the isolates were compared, and the degree of cancer was examined. It was found that, relative to their respective parent cells, the recent tumor isolates all showed increased chymotrypsin-like esterase activity, increased glycosidase activity, and increased β-glucuronidase activity. Of the three, glycosidase activity was increased the most. Migratory activity of the isolates obtained from the uncloned parent cells was also increased. Relative to the primary tumor isolates derived from the uncloned parent fibrosarcoma cells, the metastatic isolates had higher levels of enzyme activities and greater migratory activity. Although all recent isolates had certain common features ( i.e. , tendency toward higher levels of enzyme activities), the basic pattern of characteristics of each isolate reflected the characteristics of its respective parent. The isolates derived from the human serumadapted cells, like the human serum-adapted cells, showed increased esterase activity but decreased glycosidase and glucuronidase activities and decreased migratory activity relative to the uncloned parent cells. Likewise, the degree of cancer of the isolates was still much lower than the degree of cancer of the uncloned parent cells or of the isolates derived from the uncloned parent cells. Thus, a single passage of the human serum-adapted cells through syngeneic mice did not result in a reversion of the phenotype to that of the uncloned cells.
Legal Pluralism: Its Promises and Pitfalls for Ethiopia

This article aims at analyzing the functioning and implementation of legal pluralism in the multinational federal set-up of Ethiopia. The first section explores the prevalent condition of legal pluralism in Ethiopia today. Through the study of the constitutional decentralization of legislative and adjudicatory authority that has been taking place in the country, elements of legal pluralism are identified and explained. The focus is on structural pluralism, particularly state constitutionalism. In the second section, another aspect of legal pluralism is analyzed, formal legal pluralism. Finally, arguments are marshaled, on the basis of the empirical case selected for analysis, the abbo-gerreb of Wejerat and Raya-Azebo, in support of the proposal to redraw the current frontiers of formal legal pluralism in order to create enough public space where the dominant non-state actors carry out their traditional functions of legislation and adjudication with respect to criminal matters. It is important to note that the thrust of the article’s argument rests upon two premises: one is that the Ethiopian formal legal system fails to penetrate the country’s indigenous legal cultures; another is that such loss in the legitimacy has its roots in the country’s codification project of the 1960’s, which was marked by high influx of Western transplants.
Physical properties of Saturn's rings

Spaceborne astronomy data on Saturn's rings is summarized. The main rings are composed primarily of ice, possibly of low density and including small amounts of reddish material; particle radii are primarily centimeter-to-several meters, but significant amounts of micron-sized dust exists in certain regions including regions of resonance-induced collisions. The particle surface albedo and size distribution varies globally and locally. Evidence suggests several embedded moonlets of 10 km radius within Encke's division. The cause of the abrupt regional boundaries and associated differences in particle properties, especially the cause of the very abrupt and qualitatively similar inner A and B ring boundaries; the gap-ringlet structure and broad plateau features observed in the C and Cassini regions; the F and G rings (assuming that Enceladus is responsible for the E ring); and the cause of spokes and the SED are not understood.
The Portrayal of Men vs. Women in TV Advertising

This paper reports the results of a content analytical study of 644 prime-time TV ads to determine the present role of women vs. men, and to see if the roles of women have changed. Results indicate a greater awareness of working women in diversified occupational roles and more women are used as product representatives yet the stereotyped housewife role is still predominant.
Multiplex PCR for Enterotoxigenic, Attaching and Effacing, and Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Strains from Calves

A multiplex PCR was developed to identify enterotoxigenic, attaching and effacing, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains by amplifying genes encoding K99 and F41 fimbriae, heat-stable enterotoxin a, intimin, and Shiga toxins 1 and 2. This multiplex PCR was specific and sensitive. It will be useful for identification of E. coli strains which cause diarrhea in calves.
Using component-level measurements to determine system-level radiated emissions

In this presentation, new EMC test procedures employing hybrid TEM cells, high-impedance voltage and low-impedance current measurements, and true radiated emissions measurements will quantify the important parameters of interest providing component-level information that can be used to predict system-level performance.
The efficiency and eco-efficiency of manufacturing

In this paper, we review the efficiency of both manufacturing processes and systems over recent decades and compare nano-materials technologies in this context. To a first approximation, nano-materials processes appear to be about as efficient as semi-conductor processes. That is, their second law efficiencies are of the order 10−5, while conventional processes are of order 10−2. However, many of these processes are early in their development and some opportunities do exist for improvement. At the same time, many aspects of these processes (the need for high purity materials, low yields, and operating conditions far from equilibrium) may make these materials vulnerable to high energy prices.
Fluorescent nitric oxide detection by copper complexes bearing anthracenyl and dansyl fluorophore ligands.

Anthrancenyl and dansyl fluorophore ligands [AnCH2pipCS2K (1), Ds-Hen (2), Ds-HAMP (3), Ds-HAQ (4), and Ds-HAPP (5)] were prepared for coordination to CuII. Five Cu complexes, [Cu(AnCH2pipCS2)2] (6), [Cu(Ds-en)2] (7), [Cu(Ds-AMP)2] (8), [Cu(Ds-AQ)2] (9), and [Cu(Ds-APP)(OTf)] (10), were synthesized as candidates for detecting nitric oxide (NO) by fluorescence and characterized by X-ray crystallography. A decrease in fluorescence compared to that of the free ligands (1−5) was measured following the formation of the corresponding five CuII complexes 6−10. Fluorescence was restored in the presence of NO in CH3OH/CH2Cl2 solutions of the compounds. Complexes 7, 8, and 10 exhibited a fluorescence response to NO in pH 7.0 or 9.0 buffered aqueous solutions. Spectroscopic studies revealed that NO-induced fluorescence enhancement in these CuII complexes occurs by reduction to CuI. The present studies demonstrate that CuII complexes are effective as fluorescent probes for detecting NO in both organic and aqueous env...
Volume regulation in cochlear outer hair cells

Abstract Many cells placed in a hypotonie medium initially swell and then rapidly undergo a regulatory volume decrease (RVD) to return towards original volume. Re-exposure to the isotonic solution results in the cells shrinking followed by a regulatory volume increase (RVI). Previous studies have shown that isolated outer hair cells (OHCs) placed in a hypotonie medium swell and maintain this shape until returned to the original medium. We re-examined this apparent lack of cell volume regulation in OHCs. OHCs were isolated from guinea pig cochleae, mechanically dissociated and dispersed, and placed in a Hank's balanced salt solution (HBS). In the cells studied, switching the perfusate to a hypotonie HBS (290-280 mmol/kg) for 15 min resulted in an immediate shortening of the OHCs (i.e., volume increase). In 26% of the cells, this increase was followed by a return to original length during the time the cell was perfused with the hypotonie medium, a RVD. Twelve percent of the cells demonstrating a RVD also displayed a RVI. Omitting collagenase and increasing Ca2+ concentration did not increase the percentage of cells displaying a RVD, while gadolinium (Gd3+, 10 μM) decreased the percentage to zero. This is the first report of isolated OHCs undergoing cell volume regulation.
Redox theory of aging.

Metazoan genomes encode exposure memory systems to enhance survival and reproductive potential by providing mechanisms for an individual to adjust during lifespan to environmental resources and challenges. These systems are inherently redox networks, arising during evolution of complex systems with O2 as a major determinant of bioenergetics, metabolic and structural organization, defense, and reproduction. The network structure decreases flexibility from conception onward due to differentiation and cumulative responses to environment (exposome). The redox theory of aging is that aging is a decline in plasticity of genome–exposome interaction that occurs as a consequence of execution of differentiation and exposure memory systems. This includes compromised mitochondrial and bioenergetic flexibility, impaired food utilization and metabolic homeostasis, decreased barrier and defense capabilities and loss of reproductive fidelity and fecundity. This theory accounts for hallmarks of aging, including failure to maintain oxidative or xenobiotic defenses, mitochondrial integrity, proteostasis, barrier structures, DNA repair, telomeres, immune function, metabolic regulation and regenerative capacity.
Making the Invisible Visible: Race, Gender, and Teaching in Adult Education:

The purpose of this study was to understand how the societal position of African American women affects their experiences when teaching mathematics to adults in postsecondary institutions. A qualitative research design used in-depth interviews and classroom observations with 7 African American women teachers in technical schools and community colleges. The results were that the teachers' positionality affected their experiences by (a) producing a teaching philosophy based on a history of marginalization, (b) raising issues of credibility with students because of the teachers' race and gender, and (c) directly affecting their classroom interactions and teaching strategies. It was concluded that there are no generic teachers but, rather, teachers whose experiences are affected positively and negatively by their positionality in society.
Characterization and Overview of the Helcat (Helicon-Cathode) Dual Source Linear Plasma Device

Summary form only given. The HELCAT (helicon-cathode) device is a dual-source linear plasma device that has recently begun full operation at the University of New Mexico. HELCAT is 4 m long, 50 cm diameter, with axial magnetic field < 2.2 kG. An RF helicon source of tunable frequency 10 -30 MHz and P < 5 kW, resides at one end of the device, while a thermionic BaO-Ni cathode capable of discharge currents up to 2.5 kA is located at the other end. Nominal parameters are: Te ~ 5 -10 eV, ne ~ 1012 /cc (cathode), 1013 - 1014 /cc (helicon), plasma diameter 15-20 cm. An overview of the device characteristics and initial experimental results are presented.
Cosmological large scale structure

Abstract The interrelated cosmological problems of large scale structure and dark matter are reviewed. Contrary to Willy's initial hopes, it appears that the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis constraint requiring the baryon density to be sub-critical remains valid. This Big Bang Nucleosynthesis constraint on the baryon density is compared with the densities implied by visible matter, dark halos, dynamics of clusters, gravitational lenses, large scale velocity flows, and the Ω = 1 flatness/inflation argument. It is shown that (1) the majority of baryons are dark; and (2) non-baryonic dark matter is probably required on large scales. It is also noted that halo dark matter could be either baryonic or non-baryonic. Discrimination between “cold” and “hot” non-baryonic candidates is shown to depend on the assumed “seeds” that stimulate structure formation. Gaussian density fluctuations, such as those induced by quantum fluctuations, favor cold dark matter, whereas topological defects, such as strings, textures or domain walls, may work equally well or better with hot dark matter. A possible connection between cold dark matter, globular cluster ages and the Hubble constant is mentioned. Recent large scale structure measurements, coupled with microwave anisotropy limits, are shown to raise some questions for the previously favored density fluctuation picture.
Campus-Based Snack Food Vending Consumption

Abstract Objective To evaluate the purchases of university vending machine clientele and to understand what consumers purchase, purchase motivations, and purchase frequency after implementation of a vending policy designed to promote access to healthier snack options. Methods Cross-sectional data collection from consumers at 8 campus vending machines purposefully selected from a list of highest-grossing machines. Vending machines were stocked with 28.5% green (choose most often), 43% yellow (occasionally), and 28.5% red (least often) food items. Results Consumers were predominately students (86%) and persons aged 18–24 years (71%). Red vending choices were overwhelmingly selected over healthier vending options (59%). Vended snack food selections were most influenced by hunger (42%) and convenience (41%). Most consumers (51%) frequented vending machines at least 1 time per week. Conclusions and Implications Despite decreased access to less healthful red snack food choices, consumers chose these snacks more frequently than healthier options in campus vending machines.
Reactivity of Hydroxyl Radicals on Hydroxylated Quartz Surface. 1. Cluster Model Calculations

The interaction of a hydroxyl radical with cluster models of a hydroxylated α-quartz surface was studied by means of density functional calculations. Two molecular models representing isolated (⋮SiOH) and geminal (Si(OH)2) silanol-terminated quartz surfaces were used. Two reactive sites of the silanol models were investigated: the hydrogen of the silanol group and the surface-approximating silicon atom. The •OH binds weakly to the silanol hydrogen atoms in both models, with a reaction energy of about −7 kcal/mol. The silicon atom in the isolated silanol cluster is not reactive toward the •OH. In contrast, the •OH adsorbs on the Si in the geminal silanol cluster with a reaction energy of −4 kcal/mol. The Si−OSi bond in the resulting pentacoordinated silicon complex is weakened upon the •OH adsorption and can be dissociated. The energy barrier to the dissociation is 4 kcal/mol, and the overall reaction energy is −4 kcal/mol. The dissociation of the SiOSiH3 bond which mimics the SiO subsurface bonding in th...
Flavor independence and the dual superconducting model of QCD

Baker, Ball, and Zachariasen (BBZ) have developed an elegant formulation of the dual superconducting model of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), which allows one to use the field equations to eliminate the gluon and Higgs degrees of freedom and thus to express the interaction between quarks as an effective potential. Carrying out an expansion in inverse powers of the constituent quark masses, these authors succeeded in identifying the central part, the spin-dependent part, and the leading relativistic corrections to the central potential. The potential offers a good account of the energies and splittings of charmonium and the upsilon system. Since all of the flavor dependence of the interaction is presumed to enter through the constituent masses, it is possible to test the potential in other systems. Logical candidates are the heavy B-flavor charmed system and the heavy-light systems, which should be more sensitive to the relativistic corrections. Lattice gauge calculations furnish an additional point of contact for the components of the BBZ potential. Some preliminary calculations of the energies of B and D mesons are presented and the challenge of agreement with experiment is discussed. The spinless Salpeter equation is used to account for the effects of relativistic kinematics. {copyright} {ital 1997}more » {ital The American Physical Society}« less
Evaluation of variable line-shape models and prior information in automated 1H spectroscopic imaging analysis.

Analysis of in vivo short TE 1H spectra is complicated by broad baseline signal contributions and resonance line-shape distortions. Although the assumptions of ideal metabolite resonance line-shapes and slowly varying baseline signals can be used to separate these signals, the presence of broad or asymmetric line-shapes can invalidate this model. More complex line-shape models are computationally expensive or difficult to constrain, particularly for the low signal-to-noise commonly found for in vivo MR spectroscopic imaging applications. In this study, two time-domain models for fitting variable spectral line-shapes are examined, one using B-splines and another using summed sinusoids. The methods were verified using both phantom and human data, and Monte Carlo simulations were used to evaluate variations in calculated metabolite amplitudes due to interactions between the baseline and line-shape estimations. Additional studies investigated the use of prior line-shape information, obtained from either a water MRSI measurement or calculations from B0 maps, to determine parameter starting values or optimization constraints. Both line-shape models showed the ability to fit the variety of line-shapes present in both the phantom and human MRSI data, with similar or improved accuracy over a Gaussian line-shape model; however, this improvement resulted in only minor improvement for the high-SNR phantom data and moderate improvements in regions with asymmetry for the fitted in vivo metabolite images. The use of prior line-shape information was of most benefit when applied toward setting optimization constraints but was of limited benefit when used to define initial starting values. Magn Reson Med 52:1246–1254, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Timing of Mating by Postpartum Estrous Rats

and Summary In Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) postpartum copulation began later, and was more rapid than mating during a cycling estrus. Faster postpartum mating was a result of shorter intervals between intromissions, rather than fewer intromissions. In addition, postpartum pairs showed a trend towards fewer ejaculatory series. Postpartum female sexual initiation and her attractiveness to the male produced rapid postpartum mating. Preliminary evidence indicates that pups' presence does not determine faster postpartum mating, yet postpartum females did exhibit time-sharing relationships between their mating and maternal demands. We hypothesize that the rapid pace of postpartum mating is produced by intrinsic neuroendocrine changes characteristic of postpartum estrus and possibly by sexual experience.