cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A gelatin film procedure for the localization of proteolytic activity in Leucochloridiomorpha constantiae (Trematoda) adults.

Abstract A gelatin film procedure was used to localize proteolytic activity in the lumen of the intestinal ceca of Leucochloridiomorpha constantiae (Trematoda) adults. Slides were coated with a 7·5% gelatin solution and then fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF). Cryostat sections of isolated worms or those attached to the bursa of Fabricius of the domestic chick were affixed to the gelatin film. Experimental and control slides were incubated in a humid chamber for 30 min at 37·5 and 4°C, respectively. Slides were again fixed in NBF, and then stained for protein with mercuric bromphenol blue (MBB). In experimental slides, the lumen of the intestinal ceca was lysed and did not stain, whereas worm and host tissue and the gelatin were protein-positive. Control sections stained uniformly positive for protein. In this procedure tissue is retained on the slide and proteolytic activity can be correlated with a tissue site on the same slide.
Normal Coordinate Treatment of Liquid Water and Calculation of Vapor Pressure Isotope Effects

A vibrational analysis of liquid water is reported, assuming a completely hydrogen-bonded network with continuously varying strengths of the hydrogen bonds. Frequency distribution calculations are made for intramolecular stretching and bending modes and for the intermolecular frequency region. The calculated distributions are compared with the experimental spectroscopic ones. As another test vapor pressure isotope effects are calculated from the theoretical distributions for some isotopic water molecules. Results are compared with ones of other authors obtained from a mixture model.
Extracellular complementation of a developmental mutation implicates a small sporulation protein in aerial mycelium formation by S. coelicolor

The filamentous bacterium S. coelicolor differentiates by forming aerial hyphae, which protrude into the air and metamorphose into chains of spores. Aerial hyphae formation is associated with the production of a small, abundant protein, SapB, which is present in a zone around colonies of differentiating bacteria. Production of SapB is impaired in bld mutants, which are blocked in aerial hyphae formation, but not in whi mutants in which spore formation is prevented. We report that aerial hyphae formation by a newly identified bld mutant is restored by juxtaposition of the mutant near colonies of SapB-producing bacteria or by the application of the purified protein near mutant colonies. These observations implicate SapB in aerial mycelium formation and suggest that SapB is a morphogenetic protein that enables hyphae on the surface of colonies to grow into the air.
Selenium-sulfur analogs 2. Synthesis and characterization of 4-aralkyl-1,2,3-selenadiazoles and -1,2,3-thiadiazoles

1 The3-diketones 5 and 8 were alkylated with methyl iodide to give the nonenolizable diketones 6 and 9 which condensed with semicarbazide hydrochloride yielding the monosemicarbazones 7 and 10. Cyclization with selenous acid or with thionyl chloride led to the corresponding 1,2,3-selenadiazoles 3a, 4a, and 1,2,3-thiadiazoles 3b, 4b.
Approximation algorithms for computing minimum exposure paths in a sensor field

The exposure of a path p in a sensor field is a measure of the likelihood that an object traveling along p is detected by at least one sensor from a network of sensors, and is formally defined as an integral over all points x of p of the sensibility (the strength of the signal coming from x) times the element of path length. The minimum exposure path (MEP) problem is, given a pair of points x and y inside a sensor field, to find a path between x and y of minimum exposure. In this article we introduce the first rigorous treatment of the problem, designing an approximation algorithm for the MEP problem with guaranteed performance characteristics. Given a convex polygon P of size n with O(n) sensors inside it and any real number ϵ>0, our algorithm finds a path in P whose exposure is within an 1+ϵ factor of the exposure of the MEP, in time O(n/ϵ2 ψlog n), where ψ is a geometric characteristic of the field. We also describe a framework for a faster implementation of our algorithm, which reduces the time by a factor of approximately θ(1/ϵ), while keeping the same approximation ratio.
Speak now and forever record your piece: Information use in technical trouble tickets

Based on a bimodal approach combining elements of the ethnography of communication and organizational genre analysis, this study examines the text of a large corpus of trouble ticket discourse. Key findings involve the fragmentary nature of trouble ticket text, the role the system plays in the use of information, the duality of writers' intention for the use of information, and the collaboratively concatenative generation of trouble tickets. Directions for future study include the evolution of the trouble ticket genre over time, the affect of gender on communicative style, readers' reactions to trouble tickets, and the role of trouble tickets play in organizational memory.
Delivery of Optical Frequency References through Atmosphere Using a Frequency Comb

Optical frequency references are transferred in the atmosphere over a 60-m round-trip propagation distance. Fractional instability ~10−14–10−13 at 1s is observed and large phase modulation caused by air fluctuation leads to sizeable linewidth broadening.
Hydrodynamic and Sensory Factors Governing Response of Copepods to Simulated Predation by Balaenid Whales

Predator/prey interactions between copepods and balaenid (bowhead and right) whales were studied with controlled lab experiments using moving baleen in still water and motionless baleen in flowing water to simulate zooplankton passage toward, into, and through the balaenid oral cavity. Copepods showed a lesser escape response to baleen and to a model head simulating balaenid oral hydrodynamics than to other objects. Copepod escape response increased as water flow and body size increased and was greatest at distances ≥10 cm from baleen and at copepod density = 10,000 m−3. Data from light/dark experiments suggest that escape is based on mechanoreception, not vision. The model head captured 88% of copepods. Results support previous research showing hydrodynamic effects within a whale’s oral cavity create slight suction pressures to draw in prey or at least preclude formation of an anterior compressive bow wave that could scatter or alert prey to the presence of the approaching whale.
A unique low molecular weight antigen fragment associated with oligoribonucleopeptide in lymph nodes and spleen

Abstract The molecular forms of retained foreign antigen in lymph nodes and spleens of rabbits after the intravenous injection of the antigen, sulfanilate- 35 S bovine serum albumin, have been investigated. At 5 hr, these tissues contained antigen material in a variety of forms; namely, unchanged, partially degraded, and a highly degraded component that was conjugated to oligoribonucleopeptide. A fourth component was a complex material with a molecular weight much higher than the native antigen, but which failed to react with specific antiserum. The unique antigen fragment-oligoribonucleopeptides peptides which have been isolated from both spleens and lymph nodes are dialysable and have molecular weights of less than 5000. The antigen components associated with the oligoribonucleopeptide were shown to have the antigenic determinants of the native molecule. Base analysis of the oligoribonucleotides revealed a qualitative difference of the RNA components. Evidence was also obtained which indicated that the antigen determinants were associated with an oligoribonucleotide and a basic peptide, rather than with a simple oligoribonucleotide alone. This fraction from both spleens and lymph nodes had identical spectrum. Both showed a maximum at 265 mμ and a minimum in the range of 235–241 mμ. Studies made so far indicate that the nucleotide, peptide and antigen fragment are rather firmly bound together.
Strategic Planning and Financial Performance in the Food Processing Sector

Research on the impact of formal strategic planning on firm performance has yielded mixed results. In this study, approximately 200 executives in five food processing industries were surveyed to examine the relationship between formal strategic planning and financial performance. A multiple indicator measure of strategic planning was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Results of the strategic planning-performance model indicate that use of strategic planning tools has a positive impact on financial performance as measured by the 3-year average pretax return on assets.
Random Extraction from Compressed Data - A Practical Study

Modern primary storage systems support or intend to add support for real time compression usually based on some flavor of the LZ77 and/or Huffman algorithm. There is a fundamental tradeoff in adding real time (adaptive) compression to such a system: to get good compression the amount of compressed data (the independently compressed block) should be large, to be able to read quickly from random places the blocks should be small. One idea is to let the independently compressed blocks be large but to be able to start decompressing the needed part of the block from a random location inside the compressed block. We explore this idea and compare it with a few alternatives, experimenting with the \zlib\ code base.
Impairment of Voice and Face Recognition in Patients with Hemispheric Damage

Voice and face recognition were tested in 21 left- and 9 right-hemisphere-damaged patients. Test materials were photographs and recordings of famous political and entertainment personalities. Pathological face recognition (prosopagnosia) and voice recognition (phonagnosia) were both significantly more prevalent in the right-hemisphere group. Only one instance of prosopagnosia and one of phonagnosia were observed in the left-hemisphere group, all of whom were aphasic. Of the right-hemisphere cases, there were four instances of each agnosia, with three patients showing a dual impairment. These findings are discussed in relation to differential modes of processing by the two cerebral hemispheres.
6β-Hydroxy-4-stigmasten-3-one and 6β-hydroxy-4-campesten-3-one

Abstract The first naturally occurring 6-hydroxylated Δ 4 -3-oxo steroids with intact sterol side chains have been isolated as a molecular complex from the bark extracts of Melia azedarach L. The complex has been characterized by UV, IR, NMR and MS analyses to consist of 6β-hydroxy-4-stigmasten-3-one and 6β-hydroxy-4-campesten-3-one, and these structures confirmed by partial synthesis.
Curb parking pricing for local residents: An exploration in New York City based on willingness to pay

Abstract This paper investigates the feasibility of charging residents for on-street parking in dense urban neighborhoods as a way to clear parking supply and demand. We elicited residents' willingness to pay (WTP) for a hypothetical parking permit program in New York City using a payment card approach, and estimate the key determinants through a Double Hurdle model. A little more than half of respondents (52.5%) are willing to pay for an average $408 per year, even though the revenue is not specified to be return back to the neighborhoods. Pricing becomes more acceptable in neighborhoods where the major parking problem is shortage and crowding caused mainly by local residents instead of parking intrusion by non-residents. The WTP value varies by resident car ownership and home parking types. The results suggest that curb parking pricing for local residents might be both economically and politically feasible in certain dense urban neighborhoods.
Selective cytotoxicity of monoclonal antibodies against fibroblasts: application in growth of human corneal epithelial cells in culture

Several monoclonal antibodies were developed to cell-surface antigens of human corneal fibroblasts grown in culture. Indirect immunohistochemical analysis showed that the antigens recognized by these monoclonal antibodies were also present on the skin fibroblasts. However, these antigens were not detectable on corneal epithelial cells and, therefore, were specific with respect to cell-type. When screened for complement dependent cytotoxicity by dye-exclusion test and 51Cr-release assay, two of the antibodies, designated 5F2-2 (IgM type) and 7E2-1 (IgG type) were found to be cytotoxic to human embryonic lung and skin fibroblasts but not to corneal epithelial cells grown in culture. These two antibodies were utilized to selectively eliminate corneal fibroblasts in the presence of rabbit complement to establish corneal epithelial cells in culture free of corneal fibroblasts.
Expression of messenger ribonucleic acids encoding for basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and alternatively spliced FGF receptor in human fetal ovary and uterus

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an angiogenic and mitogenic peptide that may have modulatory effects in the adult ovary and uterus. The FGF receptor is a tyrosine kinase and has similar affinity for both acidic FGF and bFGF. The ligand-binding portion of the receptor has three immunoglobulin-like domains. bFGF and the FGF receptor have been localized in the fetal rat ovary and Mullerian duct. bFGF is a proliferative agent recently shown to be vital for long term cultures of mouse fetal primordial germ cells. Expression of bFGF and FGF receptor mRNA have not heretofore been reported in human fetal ovary and uterus. We prepared RNA from whole human fetal ovaries and uteri at 10, 15, 19, and 22 weeks gestation. After reverse transcription of the RNA into cDNA, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers directed to specific portions of bFGF and the FGF receptor and performed PCR amplification using the fetal cDNA. We found mRNA expression of bFGF and two forms of FGF receptor in all fetal ovaries and uteri at these developmental stages. One of the PCR products for the FGF receptor was the sequence that contained three immunoglobulin-like domains, whereas a second PCR-amplified fragment was consistent with a FGF receptor mRNA that has a 267-basepair deletion in the first immunoglobulin-like loop. We conclude that bFGF and two forms of the FGF receptor mRNA are expressed in human fetal ovary and uterus. The finding that both bFGF and the FGF receptor are concurrently expressed suggests that bFGF may serve as an autocrine or paracrine modulator during early development of the human reproductive tract.
Steroidal and Photoperiodic Regulation of Opiate Binding in Male Golden Hamsters

This study was designed to investigate interactions between daylength and testosterone (T) in the regulation of 3H-naloxone binding which may contribute to seasonal changes in the negative feedback and behavioral effects of androgens in the golden hamster. Photoperiod influenced opiate binding in hamsters with intact gonads only in the medial amygdala. Castration elevated specific 3H-naloxone binding in the medial amygdala, medial preoptic nucleus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and in the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus of hamsters exposed to either long (14L:10D) or short (5L:19D) days. Exposure to SD renders hamsters less sensitive to T maintenance in reversing these effects. Delay of T replacement until 5 weeks after castration eliminated the ability of this androgen to reverse the influence of castration upon opiate receptors in the medial amygdala. Pinealectomy markedly increased 3H-naloxone binding in short days in several brain areas. The data demonstrate that androgens and photoperiod interact to regulate 3H-naloxone binding, particularly in the medial amygdala. These effects may play a functionally relevant role in seasonal changes in the expression of sexual behavior and/or gonadotropin secretion.
Further characterization of the polynucleotide phosphorylase of Micrococcus luteus

The purification of polynucleotide phosphorylase from Micrococcus luteus by chromatography on phosphocellulose colums is described. This procedure offers several advantages over previous procedures. Previously determined molecular weights for Form-I enzyme and Form-T enzyme derived from Form-I by limited tryptic hydrolysis were confirmed as 2.7 and 2.3 times 10-5, respectively. Form-I appears homogeneous in the ultracentrifuge, but multiple active protein species are separable by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The multiple species are probably the result of proteolysis. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, Form-T yielded a single size of subunit of 71,000 daltons, and Form-I yielded several bands of different molecular sizes. These results differ from earlier determinations. The amino acid compositions of Form-I and Form-T are reported. Form-I contains only between 8 and 10 cysteine residues per molecule and Form-T half that many.
UV Spectrophotometry of autoxidized lipid monolayers while on silica gel

Autoxidation reactions of linoleic acid and tocopherol and of mixtures of the two have been monitored in the dry monolayer state while adsorbed on silica gel, by means of silica slurry spectrophotometry and oxygen uptake measurements. The UV absorbance of the products of linoleic acid alone is similar to that of previously characterized compounds, but that from tocopherol is not referable to any oxidation products known to the authors, regardless of whether the determination is made while adsorbed on silica or on the extracted products. Two compounds, designated A and B, having absorbance in ethanol at 2610–2670 and 3000 A, respectively, are the major products of tocopherol oxidation detectable by UV above 2200 A. They are a tocopheryl quinone without a hydroxyl group and an adduct of linoleic acid and oxidized tocopherol. The product distribution suggests that tocopherol may have a restricted migration in this system.
An optimal gas-fired heating system

Utilizing a prescribed system configuration, this paper discusses the mathematical models of the system components used and formulates a method for controlling a domestic heating system in accordance to a prescribed criterion. The optimal problem treated is one of reducing the room temperature deviation from a prescribed reference value to zero, while at the same time minimizing the value of some predetermined performance or cost functional J. The development proceeds in essentially five steps. 1.(a) The development of the mathematical models for each of the elements of the heating system; 2.(b) Combining the mathematical models into a form which is suitable for the application of optimization techniques; 3.(c) Defining an optimization criterion which incorporates the main objective for minimizing room temperature variations with respect to a prescribed reference temperature; 4.(d) Choosing the optimization technique best suited for the problem; 5.(e) Constructing an optimal control system employing the optimization technique developed. A numerical example compares the performance of the optimal system with a system of the conventional type which can be found in many American homes.
Incidence, imaging analysis, and early and late outcomes of stroke after cardiac valve operation.

The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, topography, and mechanisms of stroke, independent predictors, and late outcome after cardiac valve operations. We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data from 2,808 patients (mean age 63 +/- 15 years, n = 1,610, 55% men) who underwent valve surgery with or without concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting from January 1998 to December 2006. Stroke was defined as any new permanent focal neurologic deficit. Overall incidence of stroke was 2.2% (n = 63) and decreased during the study period from 3.3% (1998 to 2002) to 1.3% (2003 to 2006; p = 0.001). The highest stroke rate was observed after double aortic/mitral valve replacement (5.4%) and valve/coronary artery bypass grafting procedures (3.6%). Brain imaging was positive in 74% (n = 43 of 58) and showed ischemic stroke in all patients and hemorrhagic conversion in 28%. Distribution of acute stroke was large territory embolic artery (n = 33, 77%), watershed (n = 7, 16%), and mixed pattern (n = 3, 7%). Multivariate analysis revealed calcified ascending aorta (odds ratio [OR] 2.7), female gender (OR 2.6), ejection fraction 70 years (OR 2.0), and cardiopulmonary bypass time >120 minutes (OR 3.7) as predictors of stroke. Hospital mortality was 24% and 4.6% in patients with and without stroke, respectively. Survival of stroke patients was 78% and 54% at 1 year and 5 years, respectively, and was significantly decreased compared with patients without stroke. Valve pathology including endocarditis did not influence the incidence of stroke. Intraoperative epiaortic scanning may contribute in decreasing the incidence of this complication and may be warranted in all patients undergoing valvular surgery. In conclusion, stroke after valvular surgery is associated with an increased hospital mortality and morbidity and decreased long-term survival.
Liberty and Equality: In Defense of Same-Sex Marriage

Marriage equality has gained international attention in public discourse. Laws that prohibit same-sex marriage may be categorized as both paternalistic and moralistic. This article addresses ethical and legal considerations surrounding the right of same-sex couples to marry. Three subject areas are analyzed: equality, individual liberty, and morality. The implications of the analysis reveal that prohibition of same-sex marriage is not justified based upon the criteria necessary for paternalistic and moralistic policies.
Materials challenges and opportunities for enhancing the sustainability of automobiles

Materials play a major role in defining the sustainability performance of automobiles throughout their materials-production, manufacturing, use, and end-of-life stages. Materials production and manufacturing raise many sustainability issues, including resource scarcity and materials sourcing, energy and carbon intensity, and materials efficiency in parts fabrication. In the use stage, materials properties such as density and strength directly affect materials-mass requirements, which influence two dominant sustainability parameters for vehicles: fuel economy and service life. For conventional vehicles, the operation segment of the use stage accounts for about 85% of the total life-cycle energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions. Consequently, powertrain technologies and efficiencies as well as fuel-cycle processes control these impacts. Future trends in vehicle electrification will shift the magnitude and distribution of life-cycle impacts and the effectiveness of materials strategies for improving sustainability, such as lightweighting. In many cases, the materials-production stage could become a greater determinant in life-cycle impacts. With current vehicle end-of-life management infrastructure, 85% of materials are recyclable, but recovery of plastics and segregation of metal alloys represent opportunities for improvement. Life-cycle assessment and cost analysis provide the most comprehensive methods for evaluating the sustainability of materials strategies. Using a life-cycle framework, this article highlights the current and future materials challenges and opportunities driving vehicle sustainability performance.
Bilateral adrenal cortical adenomas in primary hyperaldosteronism

Bilateral adrenal cortical adenomas in the presence of primary hyperaldosteronism is an extremely rare condition. We present a case of primary hyperaldosteronism in which a unilateral hypersecreting aldosterone-producing adenoma coexisted with a large, contralateral adrenal mass ultimately found to be consistent with cortical adenoma. Management consisted of total adrenalectomy and enucleation of adenoma from the opposite adrenal. The patient is normotensive 3 years after surgery. Enucleation as a successful approach to hyperfunctioning cortical adenomas is proposed.
Influence of dosage and volume on the circulation time.

Summary1. By the use of various dosages of thiamine, magnesium sulphate, decholin and aminophylline, it was shown that lower doses are either ineffective or produce prolonged circulation times. 2. Logarithmic curves express this relationship of circulation time to dosage. These vary from person to person. 3. Beyond a certain dose, varying in different individuals, further increase in dosage causes no appreciable decrease in circulation time. This may be called the optimal or asymptotic dose, and the time the shortest or “true” circulation time. 4. Increasing the volumes containing the same doses of thiamine to 5 cc or more, shorten the circulation times markedly enough to affect clinical measurements.
Rapid mechanical deformation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers at temperatures above the glass transition

The mechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers at temperatures above the glass transition are investigated by means of a specially constructed device. Measurements of the deformation rate and of the “dynamic” stress-strain curves of the fibers are performed in nearly isothermal regime (after initial rapid heating) in a temperature interval 100–200°C. The results reported in the present work demonstrate that the high-temperature mechanical characteristics of rapidly crystallizing polymers can be deduced to a satisfactory precision, while keeping the crystallinity development at low level. Our investigations indicate that if the high-temperature deformation is sufficiently fast, the polymer behavior is similar to the deformation at sub-Tg temperatures. Based on this similarity, a qualitative model of the deformation in the high-temperature region is proposed. The proposed model is fundamentally equivalent to the models describing mechanical deformation of glassy polymers at temperatures below the glass transition. ©1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Glass-bonded composites containing superconducting YBa2Cu3O9−y for levitation and magnetic shielding applications

Abstract The discovery of ceramic superconductors with T c above 77 K has opened up a wide variety of applications for superconductivity. Unfortunately, the use of these ceramics is limited by their inherent brittleness and chemical instability. To circumvent these limitations, a composite approach is being investigated. Glass-bonded 0–3 composites have been formed using YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 as a filler. Although these composites do not show zero resistivity, the diamagnetic characteristics of the superconducting filler is preserved. These composites show large diamagnetic susceptibilities and the ability to levitate by repelling magnetic flux.
Gallbladder visualization during technetium-99m RBC blood pool imaging. Case report and literature review.

Gallbladder visualization occurred after a Tc-99m red blood cell (RBC) cardiac gated blood pool scan. To date, seven cases of gallbladder visualization after the intravenous injection of Tc-99m RBCs have been reported. In the previous six patients the gallbladder was visualized incidentally during a search for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. All of the patients were anemic, six of seven had chronic renal failure, and five of seven had received multiple blood transfusions. When interpreting GI bleeding scans in patients with anemia and renal failure, awareness of the possibility of gallbladder visualization in the delayed images is important to avoid false-positive results. 3 references.
“Oh, ppbbt!”: Differences between the oral and written persuasive strategies of school‐aged children

The purpose of this study was to describe differences in intermediate‐grade children's oral and written persuasive skill. Twenty‐eight 4th‐graders, members of a self‐contained, heterogeneous class, each wrote two persuasive written products. Six of the students, 4 boys and 2 girls, were selected to participate in each of two dyadic, persuasive role‐playing sessions. Both the written samples and the transcripts of the audiotaped role plays were analyzed to identify (a) the children's oral persuasive strategies; (b) the written persuasive strategies; and (c) the relationship between the two (Which strategies were exclusively oral or written? Which overlapped?). Findings yielded conclusions regarding the children's dependency in oral persuasion on the cooperative nature of dialogue and on nonverbal vocalizations, and their dependence in written persuasion on those persuasive strategies that are found in speech but can be transferred to writing and, concomitantly, their relatively infrequent use of persuasive...
The origin and development of the earth and other terrestrial planets

The moon's surface was formed by the collision of planetesimals up to approximately 100 km in radius. The time required for the addition of the last few kilometers was about 105 years. The earth's surface was formed at temperatures below the melting point of lavas. Iron-nickel objects a few kilometers in radius were embedded in the largest planetesimals that fell on the moon. It is shown that the earth may have accumulated much more rapidly than the moon and yet have not been molten. The densities of the planets calculated at zero pressure are not the same, and the chemical composition of Mars is nearly uniform throughout though it contains about 30% of iron-nickel alloy. The elements oxygen in water, nitrogen as ammonium salts or nitrides, and sulfur as iron sulfide were accumulated in condensed form at low temperatures, while carbon was retained at high temperatures as graphite or iron carbide. A two-stage process of accumulation into planetesimals is postulated, the first at low temperatures and the second at high temperatures, both followed by a period during which planetesimals accumulated to form the terrestrial planets. During the high temperature stage a chemical process for the volatilization of silicate while iron remains liquid is possible and it is proposed that these processes account for the varying densities of the planets. The primitive atmosphere of the earth contained water, ammonia, and methane as well as large quantities of hydrogen which escaped. The newly formed moon was much as it is now. The earth had nearly uniform chemical composition. At present the earth has an iron-nickel core and it is postulated that the mantle below the 20° discontinuity has about 25% by weight of iron-nickel alloy. The heat balance of the moon indicates that the interior was formed at low temperatures, < 300°C, if the equatorial bulge of Jeffreys is real. The heat balance of the earth is attempted but the results are not decisive. The gravitational energy due to the formation of the core during geological time makes it difficult but not impossible to account for a solid earth, if it is added to the radioactive energy. The constants for calculation are uncertain. A changing moment of inertia for the earth due to the continuous formation of the core explains discrepancies between the observed secular accelerations and those required by tidal theory. The mass of the inner core relative to the outer core suggests that solid nickel accumulates at the inner core. Such an accumulation could supply sufficient energy for the maintenance of the earth's magnetic field. Convection currents have been postulated by others as the mechanism for the formation of mountains. It is proposed that an important and probably decisive contribution to the energy arises from the gravitational energy liberated as the core is formed. The moon has no folded mountains and no core has formed. Mars appears to have no mountains, in the opinion of some students at least, and it apparently has no high density core.
Aerobic metabolic requirements of simulated cross-country skiing.

Abstract This study evaluated the aerobic metabolic requirements of simulated crosscountry skiing. Five male subjects exercised on a cross-country skiing machine at 12 different arm and leg resistances and movement frequencies. Oxygen consumption (V˙O2) ranged from 21.6 to 44.4 ml kg−1min−1. The V˙O2increased significantly (p< 0.05) as the frequency of limb movement was increased. These data suggest that simulated cross-country skiing places a significant demand on the aerobic metabolic system and as such is a viable alternative to conventional cardiovascular exercise modalities.
Postmortem echocardiography and tomographic anatomy of hypoplastic left heart syndrome after palliative surgery.

Abstract A study was undertaken to improve the understanding of the 3-dimensional (3-D) topology of a complex surgical reconstruction. The pathologic anatomy was investigated by first fixing postmortem heart specimens in such a way as to preserve the 3-D relations. Next, a technique for postmortem 2-D echocardiography was developed to aid in selection of tomographic planes for sectioning the specimens. Subsequent adjustment of planes of section was made to better show particular facets of the anatomy. The material for this investigation was drawn from cases of hypoplastic left heart syndrome after surgical palliation by the Norwood procedure. Three potential hemodynamic sequelae—restrictive inter atrial communication, aortic obstruction at any level and distortion of the pulmonary artery confluence—served as the anatomic focus for this study. Careful preservation of 3-D topology and postmortem 2-D echocardiographic imaging coupled with tomographic sectioning of specimens led to development of new, clinically relevant echocardiographic views for imaging specific atrial septal and aortic arch anomalies. These techniques offer insight into the spectrum of anatomic sequelae of this type of surgery and may be applied to echocardiographic imaging of patients and refinement of surgical technique for other forms of complex congenital heart disease.
Spectral irradiance standard for the ultraviolet: The deuterium lamp

A set of deuterium lamps is calibrated as spectral irradiance standards in the 200-350-nm spectral region utilizing both a high accuracy tungsten spectral irradiance standard and a newly developed argon mini-arc spectral radiance standard. The method which enables a transfer from a spectral radiance to a spectral irradiance standard is described. The following characteristics of the deuterium lamp irradiance standard are determined: sensitivity to alignment; dependence on input power and solid angle; reproducibility; and stability. The absolute spectral radiance is also measured in the 167-330-nm region. Based upon these measurements, values of the spectral irradiance below 200 nm are obtained through extrapolation.
Relationships among resonant frequency changes on a coated quartz crystal microbalance, thickness changes, and resistance responses of polymer-carbon black composite chemiresistors

The relationships among frequency changes on a film-coated quartz crystal microbalance, thickness changes, and dc resistance changes have been investigated for carbon black−insulating polymer composite vapor detectors. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements and ellipsometry measurements have been performed simultaneously on polymer films that do not contain carbon black filler to relate the QCM frequency change and the ellipsometrically determined thickness change to the analyte concentration in the vapor phase. In addition, quartz crystal microbalance measurements and dc resistance measurements on carbon black composites of these same polymers have been performed simultaneously to relate the QCM frequency change and dc electrical resistance response to the analyte concentration in the vapor phase. The data indicate that the dc resistance change is directly relatable to the thickness change of the polymers and that a variety of analytes that produce a given thickness change produce a constant resistance change for each member of the test set of polymers investigated in this work.
Stability of the gauge hierarchy in SU(5) × SU(5)

It has been shown that the Dimopoulos-Wilczek (or missing VEV) mechanism for doublet-triplet splitting can be implemented in SU(5){times}SU(5) models, which require no adjoint Higgs fields. This is an advantage from the point of view of string theory construction. Here the stability of the gauge hierarchy is examined in detail, and it is shown that it can be guaranteed much more simply than in SO(10). In fact a Z{sub 2} symmetry ensures the stability of the DW form of the expectation values to all orders in GUT-scale VEV{close_quote}s. It is also shown that models based on SO(10){times}SU(5) have the advantages of SU(5){times}SU(5) while permitting complete quark-lepton unification as in SO(10). {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Long-term analysis of the use of transanal rectal advancement flaps for complicated anorectal/vaginal fistulas

Transanal rectal advancement flap (TRAF) is a surgical option in the management of rectovaginal and other complicated fistulas involving the anorectum. Most reported series have a short follow-up. PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine the long-term success, safely, applicability, and factors affecting recurrence in patients managed with TRAF, including patients with Crohn's disease. METHODS/MATERIALS: Retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing endorectal advancement flaps at a single institution between 1988 and 1993 was performed. One hundred one patients were identified (70 percent female; 30 percent male). Included were 52 patients with rectovaginal, 46 with anal perineal, and 3 with rectourethral fistulas. Causes were obstetric injury in 13 patients, Crohn's disease in 47, cryptoglandular in 19, mucosal ulcerative colitis in 7, and surgical trauma or undefined causes in 15 patients. RESULTS: No mortality occurred. Median follow-up was 31 (range, 1–79 months). Immediate failure (within one week of the repair) was seen in 6 percent of patients. Statistically (tP <0.001) higher recurrence rates were observed in patients who had undergone previous repairs. Mean hospital stay was four days. Overall recurrence was seen in 29 patients (29 percent). Seventy-five percent of all recurrences occurred within the first 15 months; however, recurrence was noted for up to 55 months after repair. Etiology of fistula, use of constipating medications, antibiotic use, and most importantly associated Crohn's disease did not statistically affect recurrence rates. Failure rate was only influenced by previous number of repairs. CONCLUSION: TRAF is a safe technique for managing complicated anorectal and rectovaginal fistulas, including patients with Crohn's disease. Long-term follow-up is essential to accurately report recurrence rates.
Changes in depression and quality of life in obese individuals with binge eating disorder: bariatric surgery versus lifestyle modification

Abstract Background Obese individuals with binge eating disorder frequently experience impairments in mood and quality of life, which improve with surgical or behavioral weight loss interventions. It is unclear whether these improvements are due to weight loss itself or to additional aspects of treatment, such as group support, or acquisition of cognitive-behavioral skills provided in behavioral interventions. The objective of the study was to compare changes in weight, symptoms of depression, and quality of life in extremely obese individuals with binge eating disorder undergoing bariatric surgery or a lifestyle modification intervention. The study setting was University Hospital. Methods Symptoms of depression and quality of life were assessed at baseline and 2, 6, and 12 months in participants undergoing bariatric surgery but no lifestyle intervention (n = 36) and in nonsurgery participants receiving a comprehensive program of lifestyle modification (n = 49). Results Surgery participants lost significantly more weight than lifestyle participants at 2, 6, and 12 months (P Conclusions We conclude that similar improvements in mood and quality of life can be expected from either bariatric surgery or lifestyle modification treatments for periods up to 1 year.
Chronic Malnutrition Breastfeeding, and Ready to Use Supplementary Food in a Guatemalan Maya Town

Ready To Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and Ready To Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) have proliferated in recent years to treat acute and chronic malnutrition. Biomedical research has established the efficacy of these products, yet little is known about their actual effectiveness in real world settings. This article reports on an ethnographic study of the acceptance and use of RUSF within households in a rural Maya community in Guatemala (a country with the world's third highest rate of chronic malnutrition). We find a number of surprising obstacles to RUSF effectiveness. There is a strong commitment to breastfeeding (supported by public health messages of local NGOs as well as culturally perceived benefits) that leads to sub-optimal complementary feeding after six months. We also found instances of off-label sharing and confusion over relative nutritional values. We present a framework for maximizing RUSF effectiveness that involves nutritional education, positive peer support, and the framing of the product ...
Glacial changes of five southwest British Columbia icefields, Canada, mid-1980s to 1999

This study adjusts and compares digital elevation models (DEMs) created from photogrammetric and interferometric synthetic aperture radar techniques to determine volume and surface elevation changes of five icefields in a remote region of southwest British Columbia, Canada, between the mid-1980s and 1999. Preliminary differences between the DEMs in ice-free and vegetation- free areas indicated variable elevation offsets with increasing altitude (11 m km -1 ) and with increasing slope (2.7 m (108) -1 ). Results indicate a surface elevation change of -6.0 � 2.7 m (-0.5 � 0.2 m a -1 ) and a total volume loss of -19.4 � 8.8 km 3 (-1.5 � 0.7 km 3 a -1 ), which represents a potential sea-level rise contribution of 0.004 � 0.002 mm a -1 . Temperature and snowfall data from four nearby meteorological stations indicate that increased temperatures and decreased snowfall throughout the late 1980s and 1990s are a likely cause of the thinning. Glacier terminus positions were compared between a historical map (1927) and satellite images (1974, 1990/91 and 2000/01). All observed glaciers were in retreat between 1927 and 1974, as well as between 1990/91 and 2000/01, but many glaciers advanced or significantly slowed in their retreat between 1974 and 1990/91.
A Religious Experience? Personal, Parental, and Peer Religiosity and the Academic Success of Sexual-Minority Youth Using Nationally Representative Samples

Using nationally representative transcript data, this study is the first to include a discussion of religiosity in the context of sexual-minority students’ academic achievement. This study examines the issue in three capacities: first, by comparing school success of sexual-minority youth to a non-sexual-minority reference group; second, by examining multiple facets of religiosity—including personal, parental, and peer factors—and their associations with the schooling success of sexual-minority youth and their heterosexual counterparts; and third, by exploring these issues across the three definitions of sexual-minority youth for both genders. The results indicate that whereas non-sexual-minority females with higher personal, parental, and peer religiosity tend to have higher grade-point averages (GPAs), sexual-minority males’ school success is unrelated to the religiosity of their environments.
Production reengineering and risk

This paper examines random production yields and rigid demand orders. Several production runs may be required to satisfy the demand and no penalties are allowed. Studies usually examine objective functions that are associated with the minimization of expected costs. Nevertheless, in some instances the manufacturer may consider other production policies that deviate from the optimal cost-minimizing process. If risk is an important factor, then this deviation can dramatically reduce costs. This scenario rises in a utility theory context. We present a technique that calculates the cost's variance for general production processes when considering a single stage production.
Treatment of autoimmune anterior uveitis with recombinant TCR ligands.

PURPOSE To determine protective properties of recombinant TCR ligands (RTLs) as a new treatment for experimental autoimmune anterior uveitis (AU). RTLs comprise the rat RT1.B beta1alpha1 domains, linked either to the guinea pig MBP69-89 peptide (RTL201), to the corresponding rat MBP69-89 peptide (RTL200), or to the cardiac myosin peptide CM-2 (RTL203). METHODS AU associated with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was actively induced in Lewis rats by injection of myelin basic protein emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or passively by the transfer of pathogenic T cells. Rats received five daily doses each of 300 microg RTL201 in saline, intravenously. Control rats received the same dose of RTL203 or an "empty" beta1alpha1 protein (no peptide). The rats were evaluated for the suppression of clinical and histologic signs of AU. RESULTS RTL201 prevented active and passive AU and reduced the clinical symptoms of established AU. RTL201 completely prevented clinical and histologic AU in the treated rats, compared with disease progression in the untreated rats or those treated with an "empty" construct. The suppression of clinical AU correlated with a significant reduction in inflammatory cells infiltrating the eyes of the RTL201-treated rats. Furthermore, RTL201 inhibited T cell proliferation, DTH responses, and cytokine mRNA expression in the eye, in contrast to the untreated rats. In comparison with RTL201, RTL200 was less effective in protecting the eye from AU. RTL203 also significantly inhibited clinical AU, but not EAE. CONCLUSIONS RTL constructs suppressed clinical and histologic AU by inhibiting the systemic activation of specific T cells and preventing the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the eye. These findings suggest a possible clinical application of this novel class of peptide/MHC class II constructs in patients with AU that is mediated by T-cell responses to known antigenic peptides.
Spatial-based iterative learning control for motion control applications

For many motion control applications spatial constraints are often more important than temporal constraints. In recent work, we have developed a spatial control strategy called the e-controller for mobile robot applications. The control strategy is based solely on static path geometry with position (in space) feedback. Motivated by this idea, in this paper, we consider the notion of spatial-based iterative learning control (ILC). Specifically, we consider repetitive operation problems where corrections are made to the control signal from trial to trial. Unlike traditional ILC, however, which updates control signals based on the time elapsed along a trajectory, we instead make updates based on path errors and progress along the path. The idea is demonstrated via simulation for a system with bang–bang velocity control. Experimental results using a high-precision, two-axis gimbal mechanism are presented to show the effectiveness of the strategy.
Hydrogen Generation from Chemical Hydrides

Complex chemical hydrides can be used to store and deliver hydrogen gas to fuel cells, and thus are one of several candidate materials to be used in storage systems for the hydrogen economy. These hydrides have high native hydrogen content, and hydrogen can be released via several chemical pathways. This review summarizes the extensive literature on the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of the various reactions of chemical hydrides, with an emphasis on hydrolysis. These properties are significant because they affect all aspects of system design, as well as the recovery and recycle of the byproducts. Hydrolysis of chemical hydrides takes place at relatively low temperatures and gives promising theoretical hydrogen storage efficiencies. Complications include metastable kinetic pathways as well as inefficient utilization of water in the byproducts.