cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Summary of the International Multicenter Prospective Angioedema C1-inhibitor Trials 1 and 2 (IMPACT1 and 2)

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by deficiency of C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) that commonly presents with recurrent swelling affecting different parts of the body. Supplementation with C1-INH is successfully used to treat HAE in selected countries, mostly in Europe. Berinert® P (CSL Behring, Marburg, Germany), a human plasma-derived C1-INH, was studied in the International Multicenter Prospective Angioedema C1-inhibitor Trial 1 (IMPACT1) that was completed in 2007. It was the first safety and dose-finding study of C1-INH in patients with acute abdominal and facial angioedema. IMPACT2 was the extension of the first trial to study C1-INH efficacy and safety in multiple treatments of acute HAE attacks in various areas of the body. Berinert P has excellent potential to become a first-line therapy for treating patients with acute HAE attacks in the USA and other countries involved in the IMPACT trials. While final data from the IMPACT2 trial are not yet released, this articl...
Schottky Barriers without Midgap States

It is found that modification of the surface reconstruction on clean silicon surfaces could automatically bring the Fermi energy at the surface to midgap. The mechanism does not depend upon the existence of surface states in the gap. The corresponding effect is not expected on polar semiconductor surfaces.
Chemotherapy of advanced prostatic cancer with adriamycin, BCNU, and cyclophosphamide

A phase II trial of Adriamycin, BCNU, and cyclophosphamide was performed in 29 patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma (Southeastern Cancer Study Group protocol SEG 76 PR 0102P). Therapy consisted of BCNU 100 mg/m2, plus cyclophosphamide, 300 mg/m2 i.v., on day 1, followed by Adriamycin, 30 mg/m2 i.v., on day 2. Therapy was repeated every four weeks. In 27 evaluable patients refractory to prior estrogen therapy, one patient had a complete response, six patients had partial responses, and two patients had objective improvement (complete plus partial response rate 26%, and overall response rate 33%). Responders had a median time to progression of disease of 5.5 months, compared with a median time to progression of 4.0 months for those patients with stable disease. The median survival of responders was 9.3 months, compared with 6.7 months for stable disease and 3.9 months for patients with progression. Patients with higher pretreatment performance status did not have higher response rates. No life-threatening toxicity was observed. Only five patients had nadir platelet counts below 50,000/mm3, and only six patients had nadir granulocyte counts below 750/mm3. This regimen palliates the effects of hormone-resistant metastatic prostatic carcinoma.
A strategic cost analysis tool for manufacturing competitiveness within NAFTA

Abstract A decision support system that assists in performing an analysis of cost competitiveness, make/buy alternatives and export opportunities is presented. This tool is specially applicable to companies that seek strategic opportunities during periods of rapid change such as those brought by NAFTA. It also represents a significant contribution from industrial engineers to bridge the real needs of the organization with the analytic tools that address them.
Recording of short-latency vestibular evoked potentials induced by acceleration impulses in experimental animals: current status of the method and its applications.

Abstract The short-latency vestibular evoked potential (VsEP) induced by angular acceleration impulses (maximal amplitude 30,000 deg/sec2, rise time 2–3 msec) was recorded by skin electrodes in intact cats after various surgical and pharmacological procedures. The normal VsEP consists of 5–8 waves, several microvolts in amplitude, during the first 10 msec. The latency of the first wave (P1) is about 2 msec with respect to the start of head acceleration. The first and the second waves (P1 and P2) were shown to originate from the vestibular nerve and nucleus, respectively. The VsEP disappears permanently after bilateral labyrinthectomy, excision of the 8th nerves, or administration of large doses of gentamicin. Temporary disappearance is caused by anoxia induced for a brief period of time or injection of lidocaine (4%) into the vestibular nerve or into the inner ear after contralateral labyrinthectomy. The VsEPs in the intact cat are similar whether clockwise or counterclockwise stimuli are used and are not affected by changing the position of the head. Unilaterally labyrinthectomized animals, however, show asymmetric response whereby excitatory stimulation of any of the intact semicircular canals evokes prominent P1 and P2 waves which are absent with inhibitory stimulation. The rate and input-output intensity functions of the VsEP are described. The threshold of the VsEP was found to be 1000–1500 deg/sec2. In addition to the neurogenic waves, 2 other potentials appear occasionally in the response: (1) large-amplitude and longer-duration waves with latencies of 8–20 msec, which are of myogenic origin, and (2) smaller waves with shorter latency which probably represent vestibular microphonics and generator potentials. Extracellular recordings of the responses of single second-order neurons in the vestibular nuclei to the same acceleration impulses confirmed that the kinetic vestibular neurons can respond to these stimuli with a latency as short as 3.5 msec. This method for inducing and recording VsEPs has proved to be a powerful tool for the evaluation of vestibular function in experimental animal models.
Avoiding energy wastage in parallel applications

We propose a methodology to analyze algorithms in order to reduce energy waste in executing applications. Our methodology is based on three observations. First, the relation between power and frequency of a single core is approximately cubic. Thus it may be possible to run an application slower on a core in order to save energy. In the case of a parallel architecture, one has to also factor the effect (on performance and energy consumption) of the interaction between cores. Second, multicore architectures which aggressively manage power consumption by allowing cores to be operated at reduced frequencies are being developed. This means that parallel applications on a multicore architecture can be executed using a variable number of cores running at different frequencies-affecting both the performance of the application and the energy required to execute it. Lastly, there is a certain benefit (positive utility) in running an application faster and a cost (negative utility) in terms of the energy consumed. Expending energy that does not contribute to the overall utility wastes the energy. The precise trade-off between performance and energy consumption depends on the structure of a parallel algorithm and the associated utilities. We describe a methodology to do this trade-off and illustrate it with several parallel algorithms.
Fluorescence enhancement using silver-gold nanocomposite substrates

Metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) is a newly emerging phenomenon in which the near-field interactions of fluorophores with the plasmons in metallic nanostructures can lead to substantial fluorescence enhancements. In the present study, we have investigated the use of silver-gold nanocomposite (Ag-Au-NC) structures, prepared by the galvanic replacement reaction of silver with gold, as plasmonic substrates for MEF. We have observed significant enhancement in the fluorescence intensities and decrease in the fluorescence lifetimes of two commonly used dyes, ATTO655 and Cy5, using the fabricated Ag-Au-NC substrates. Interestingly, the fluorescence enhancement depends on the amount of residual silver present in the substrates after the galvanic replacement reaction. Our results show that the galvanic replacement reaction is a very facile and powerful route to prepare Ag-Au-NC substrates that can be suitable for various MEF based applications.
The Food of Elders, the “Ration” of Women: Brewing, Gender, and Domestic Processes among the Samburu of Northern Kenya

In recent years, many Samburu women have begun to brew beer and liquor for sale to elders—including their own husbands. Drawing on “cooperative conflict” approaches to domestic processes, the essay examines brewing in reference to the economic and cultural position of men and women within Samburu households and society at large. Focusing in particular on the issues posed to each gender by the differential control of key resources by the other—food by women and cash by men—the essay views brewing as a negotiated structure through which men and women address the particular gender-based problems they encounter in daily life. [gender, family, brewing, Africa]
NADPH Oxidase in Bone Marrow–Derived Cells Mediates Pulmonary Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury after lung transplantation. We hypothesized that NADPH oxidase derived from bone marrow (BM) cells contributes importantly to lung IR injury. An in vivo mouse model of lung IR injury was employed. Wild-type C57BL/6 (WT) mice, p47(phox) knockout (p47(phox)-/-) mice, or chimeras created by BM transplantation between WT and p47(phox)-/- mice were assigned to either Sham (left thoracotomy) or six study groups that underwent IR (1 h left hilar occlusion and 2 h reperfusion). After reperfusion, pulmonary function was assessed using an isolated, buffer-perfused lung system. Lung injury was assessed by measuring vascular permeability (via Evans blue dye), edema, neutrophil infiltration (via myeloperoxidase [MPO]), lipid peroxidation (via malondialdyhyde [MDA]), and expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Lung IR resulted in significantly increased MDA in WT mice, indicative of oxidative stress. WT mice treated with apocynin (an NADPH oxidase inhibitor) and p47(phox)-/- mice displayed significantly reduced pulmonary dysfunction and injury (vascular permeability, edema, MPO, and MDA). In BM chimeras, significantly reduced pulmonary dysfunction and injury occurred after IR in p47(phox)-/--->WT chimeras (donor-->recipient) but not WT-->p47(phox)-/- chimeras. Induction of TNF-alpha, IL-17, IL-6, RANTES (CCL5), KC (CXCL1), MIP-2 (CXCL2), and MCP-1 (CCL2) was significantly reduced after IR in NADPH oxidase-deficient mice and p47(phox)-/--->WT chimeras but not WT-->p47(phox)-/- chimeras. These results indicate that NADPH oxidase-generated ROS specifically from BM-derived cells contributes importantly to lung IR injury. NADPH oxidase may represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of IR injury after lung transplantation.
Abstract LB-168: A hexane fraction of American ginseng suppresses colon cancer associated with colitis

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) have a high risk of colon cancer. We have recently shown American Ginseng (AG) suppresses colitis, and prevents colon cancer in mice. In the present study we isolated a Hexane Fraction of AG and found this to have particularly potent anti-oxidant and pro-apoptotic properties. The Hexane Fraction of AG was effective in inducing apoptosis of human epithelial colon cancer cell, HCT-116 and inflammatory cells. As well, this fraction was shown to suppress azoxymethane (AOM)/DSS-induced colon cancer. We performed two studies with mice: a short term (Day 35) and long term (Day 50) cancer prevention study. Mice fed the Hexane fraction of AG had significantly less inflammatory and ulcerative lesions, as well as cancerous lesions compared with the vehicle-treated group in both the short and long-term cancer prevention studies. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that the Hexane fraction of AG has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, and prevents the progression of colon cancer in AOM/DSS mouse model. Interestingly, at Day 35, following isolation of CD45- epithelial cells from colons of mice treated with either AOM+DSS+Vehicle or AOM+DSS+Hexane fraction of AG, there was a 24% increase in the putatative tumor suppressor miRNA-16 with treatment with the Hexane fraction of AG. When looking at putative miRNAs with oncogenic properties (miRNA-21 and -155), levels were decreased in epithelial cells by 25% and 12% respectively in the Hexane fraction of AG-treated mice. This study provides additional pre-clincal data, and mechanistic studies that support the possible use of this complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of colitis, and the prevention of colon cancer associated with colitis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-168. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-168
Verification of virtual Compton-scattering sum rules in quantum electrodynamics

Two new sum rules for virtual-photon forward Compton scattering derived by Schwinger are shown to be satisfied in the case of quantum electrodynamics by explicit calculation of the lowest-order contributions.
Right Bundle-Branch Block Associated with Left Superior or Inferior Intraventricular Block: Clinical Setting, Prognosis, and Relation to Complete Heart Block

In an 11-year period 209 cases of partial bilateral bundle-branch block were seen. These included patients with right bundle-branch block and either left superior or left inferior intraventricular block. The majority of patients had evidence of coronary artery disease or hypertension, though a significant number had no clinical evidence of heart disease. The majority of patients had follow-up ECG tracings, with an average follow-up for the whole group of about 2 years. The incidence of complete heart block was 14.4% (30 of 209). Complete heart block developed more than 10 years after the discovery of bilateral bundle-branch block in several patients. It is anticipated that with more complete and longer follow-up the incidence of complete heart block will be even higher.
Analysis of a population model with efficient resource utilization

Abstract In this paper we study a population model that incorporates the efficiency of resource utilization. We carry out a phase plane analysis of themodel and look at the solution behavior when the model is posed as an initial boundary value problem. The study involves using MATLAB and doing numerical simulations employing a finite difference scheme. The results are contrasted to the logistic population model.
State-resolved master equation analysis of thermochemical nonequilibrium of nitrogen

Abstract Using a NASA database of state-to-state transition rates for N + N 2 , master equation studies are performed for various nonequilibrium heat bath conditions. In these master equation studies, relaxation of the rotational and vibrational modes, time variation of chemical composition, reaction rate coefficients, and average rotational and vibrational energy losses due to dissociation are each considered in strong and weak nonequilibrium conditions. A system of master equations is coupled with one-dimensional flow equations to analyze the relaxation of N 2 in post-normal shock flows. From the results of master equations and the post-normal shock calculations, it is recommended that the rotational nonequilibrium of N 2 should be treated as a nonequilibrium mode in hypersonic re-entry calculations.
Properties of Two Human Atrial Cell Models in Tissue: Restitution, Memory, Propagation, and Reentry

To date, two detailed ionic models of human atrial cell electrophysiology have been developed, the Nygren et al. model (NM) and the Courtemanche et al. model (CM). Although both models draw from similar experimental data, they have vastly different properties. This paper provides the first systematic analysis and comparison of the dynamics of these models in spatially extended systems including one-dimensional cables and rings, two-dimensional sheets, and a realistic three-dimensional human atrial geometry. We observe that, as in single cells, the CM adapts to rate changes primarily by changes in action potential duration (APD) and morphology, while for the NM rate changes affect resting membrane potential (RMP) more than APD. The models also exhibit different memory properties as assessed through S1–S2 APD and conduction velocity (CV) restitution curves with different S1 cycle lengths. Reentrant wave dynamics also differ, with the NM exhibiting stable, non-breaking spirals and the CM exhibiting frequent transient wave breaks. The realistic atrial geometry modifies dynamics in some cases through drift, transient pinning, and breakup. Previously proposed modifications to represent atrial fibrillation-remodeled electrophysiology produce altered dynamics, including reduced rate adaptation and memory for both models and conversion to stable reentry for the CM. Furthermore, proposed variations to the NM to reproduce action potentials more closely resembling those of the CM do not substantially alter the underlying dynamics of the model, so that tissue simulations using these modifications still behave more like the unmodified NM. Finally, interchanging the transmembrane current formulations of the two models suggests that currents contribute more strongly to RMP and CV, intracellular calcium dynamics primarily determine reentrant wave dynamics, and both are important in APD restitution and memory in these models. This finding implies that the formulation of intracellular calcium processes is as important to producing realistic models as transmembrane currents.
Multi‐channel shopping: understanding what drives channel choice

Observes that traditional retail, catalog, and online‐only businesses face a critical decision – to accept a new, yet unrefined business model that includes multiple channels or to retain their single channel model and risk becoming obsolete and left behind by new, multi‐channel competitors. The decision process and implementation of a multi‐channel strategy could be simplified if businesses understood what drives consumers to a single channel, multiple channels, and which channels are preferred. Outlines the key issues facing multi‐channel marketers, and encourages multi‐channel businesses to take a customer‐centric view rather than a channel focused view to work through the challenges unique to the multi‐channel marketer. A model of multi‐channel buyer behavior is proposed to help the multi‐channel marketer develop a customer‐centric view. Presents a series of propositions which serve to encourage and direct future research in this area.
The effect of milk and casein proteins on the adherence of Streptococcus mutans to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite

Abstract Experiments sought to determine the nature of the binding of milk proteins to hydroxyapatite (HA) and to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (sHA), and to determine the effect of milk and casein on the adherence of Streptococcus mutans GS-5 to sHA. The binding of radiolabelled α-casein to HA was reduced when incubated simultaneously with parotid saliva, and enhanced in the presence of milk. The binding of β- and κ-casein to HA was unaffected by the presence of parotid saliva and enhanced by the presence of milk. The in vitro bacterial adherence of Strep. mutans GS-5 to sHA beads was reduced when beads were coated with milk instead of buffer, or when bacteria were added to sHA in the presence of milk instead of buffer. Casein proteins (α, β, κ) added to sHA simultaneously with bacteria inhibited the adherence of Strep. mutans GS-5 to sHA. κ-Casein, when bound to sHA, inhibited streptococcal adherence to sHA; α- and β-casein, when bound to sHA, had no effect on streptococcal adherence. Fractionation of κ-casein by anion-exchange chromatography revealed the anti-adherence activity of κ-casein was mediated primarily by a 40,000 mol. wt. glycoprotein-containing fraction. These data show that milk, particularly κ-casein fractions, can modulate the adherence of Strep. mutans GS-5 to SHA surfaces in vitro .
Further observations of SCC in alpha-beta brass: Considerations regarding the appearance of crack arrest markings during SCC

A series of constant displacement and constant extension rate stress corrosion cracking (SCC) tests was performed on an alpha-beta brass alloy in 1 N Na2SO4 solutions. The chosen mechanical and electrochemical conditions resulted in predominantly transgranular, cleavage-like failure at high (about 8 to 50 microns/s) average crack propagation rates. Crack arrest markings were observed on selected transgranular facets, which almost exclusively bordered regions of ductile overload failure. It is proposed that the observed crack velocities and the specific nature of the arrest mark appearance are most consistent with a cracking mechanism involving adsorption or some other interaction with a damaging environmental species.
Investigation of hydride formation and decomposition in palladium using the electrochemical permeation technique

Abstract In addition to providing hydrogen transport data, the electrochemical permeation technique can be used to determine the terminal solid solubility of hydrogen in palladium, and to assess in situ the dislocation density resulting from stresses associated with the formation and decomposition of palladium hydride. It is suggested that this method may prove useful in the evaluation of solid-state hydrogen storage materials.
Surface Wave Path Corrections and Source Inversions in Southern California

The cut-and-paste (CAP) method for retrieving earthquake source parameters has proven useful in many regions. Since CAP breaks three-component data into Pnl and surface wave segments and models them separately, imperfect 1D Green’s functions can be effectively used to model the records and determine source parameters. The resultant time shifts for different segments, for example, Pnl or surface waves, can provide valuable data for improving the velocity model or Green’s functions. Moreover, if these shifts can be known from empirical path calibrations or estimated from a tomographic map, we can recover both source mechanism and location with an extended procedure CAPloc (Tan et al., 2006). Here we present a complete workflow from path calibration to source inversion in southern California. In particular, we use the CAP results from about 160 events with known locations to derive the Rayleigh and Love wave group velocity maps. We take a tomographic approach to solve for lateral velocity variations in 10 km size cells in a uniformly 12 km thick seismogenic layer. Velocity variations of up to 15% are observed and the patterns correlate well with some geological features. Synthetic surface waves for 2D cuts throughout the model with a finite difference approach show significant improvement over 1D synthetics in fitting surface wave travel times, but little difference in waveforms, which suggests 1D synthetics are sufficient in modeling with simple time shifts. This simplification allows source inversion for both mechanism and location to be easily obtained with CAPloc. Finally, we test the effectiveness of CAPloc in determining source parameters, including both mechanisms and locations with such calibration maps in poorly monitored situations. In particular, we focus on two station inversions with two pioneer stations PAS and GSC, which have appropriate recordings since 1960. Considerable success is achieved when the events are bracketed.
Electron-transfer chemistry of Ru-linker-(heme)-modified myoglobin: rapid intraprotein reduction of a photogenerated porphyrin cation radical.

We report the synthesis and characterization of RuC7, a complex in which a heme is covalently attached to a [Ru(bpy)_3]^(2+) complex through a −(CH_2)_7− linker. Insertion of RuC7 into horse heart apomyoglobin gives RuC7Mb, a Ru(heme)−protein conjugate in which [Ru(bpy)_3]^(2+) emission is highly quenched. The rate of photoinduced electron transfer (ET) from the resting (Ru^(2+)/Fe^(3+)) to the transient (Ru^(3+)/Fe^(2+)) state of RuC7Mb is >10^8 s^(-1); the back ET rate (to regenerate Ru^(2+)/Fe^(3+)) is 1.4 × 10^7 s^(-1). Irreversible oxidative quenching by [Co(NH_3)_5Cl]^(2+) generates Ru^(3+)/Fe^(3+): the Ru^(3+) complex then oxidizes the porphyrin to a cation radical (P^(•+)); in a subsequent step, P^(•+) oxidizes both Fe^(3+) (to give Fe^(IV)═O) and an amino acid residue. The rate of intramolecular reduction of P^(•+) is 9.8 × 10^3 s^(-1); the rate of ferryl formation is 2.9 × 10^3 s^(-1). Strong EPR signals attributable to tyrosine and tryptophan radicals were recorded after RuC7MbM^(3+) (M = Fe, Mn) was flash-quenched/frozen.
T-odd quarks at the large hadron collider: 2010-2012

Abstract We study the potential of the current Large Hadron Collider (LHC) 7 TeV run to search for heavy, colored vector-like fermions, which are assumed to carry a conserved Z 2 quantum number forcing them to be pair-produced. Each fermion is assumed to decay directly into a Standard Model quark and an invisible stable particle. T-odd quarks and the lightest T-odd particle (LTP) of the Littlest Higgs model with T-parity provide an example of this setup. We estimate the bounds based on the published CMS search for events with jets and missing transverse energy in the 35 pb − 1 data set collected in the 2010 run. We find that T-odd quark masses below about 450 GeV are ruled out for the LTP mass about 100 GeV. This bound is somewhat stronger than the published Tevatron constraint. We also estimate the reach with higher integrated luminosities expected in the 2011–2012 run. If no deviation from the SM is observed, we expect that a bound on the T-odd quark mass of about 650 GeV, for the LTP mass of 300 GeV and below, can be achieved with 1 fb − 1 of data. We comment on the possibility of using initial-state radiation jets to constrain the region with nearly-degenerate T-odd quark and LTP.
Mechanism of DNA methylation-directed histone methylation by KRYPTONITE

In Arabidopsis, CHG DNA methylation is controlled by the H3K9 methylation mark through a self-reinforcing loop between DNA methyltransferase CHROMOMETHYLASE3 (CMT3) and H3K9 histone methyltransferase KRYPTONITE/SUVH4 (KYP). We report on the structure of KYP in complex with methylated DNA, substrate H3 peptide, and cofactor SAH, thereby defining the spatial positioning of the SRA domain relative to the SET domain. The methylated DNA is bound by the SRA domain with the 5mC flipped out of the DNA, while the H3(1-15) peptide substrate binds between the SET and post-SET domains, with the e-ammonium of K9 positioned adjacent to bound SAH. These structural insights, complemented by functional data on key mutants of residues lining the 5mC and H3K9-binding pockets within KYP, establish how methylated DNA recruits KYP to the histone substrate. Together, the structures of KYP and previously reported CMT3 complexes provide insights into molecular mechanisms linking DNA and histone methylation.
National, supranational, international: New Belgrade and the symbolic construction of a socialist capital

The construction of New Belgrade as the new capital of socialist Yugoslavia was the most symbolic modernizing act initiated by the country's communist government. Yet, its precise meanings were suspended between the complicated and permanently transitory concepts of socialist Yugoslavia's federalism and its international aspirations. Focusing on three characteristic “snapshots” of the city's physical development, this paper analyzes how New Belgrade and its most important buildings represented the shifting concepts of socialist Yugoslavia as a multiethnic community and its even more changeable place in the world. The first snapshot deals with the years immediately following World War II, during which New Belgrade was conceived as the seat of a centralized Stalinist state in close alliance with the USSR. The second deals with the effects of Yugoslavia's break from the Soviet bloc in 1948, especially its rapprochement with the West and the start of the decentralization of the federal state. Finally, the thi...
Immunologic profiles of red blood cells using in vitro models of transfusion

Background Transfusion of packed red blood cells (RBCs) produces a myriad of immunologic derangements, from suppressive to stimulatory. Proliferation of human T cells is suppressed in vitro after exposure to processed red blood cells (PRBCs). We hypothesized that this effect would be mitigated by using fresh RBCs. We also hypothesized that this suppressive effect was a generalized effect on lymphocyte proliferation and would be observed in both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subpopulations as well as B cells.
The sacred in the scientific: ambiguous practices of science in Tibetan medicine.

During field research in 1998, a Tibetan medical doctor accompanied me to Lhasa's book market in order to help find some medical texts of which I had become aware. Working through my imperfect Tibetan and his equally strained English, we found some books at a street side stand along the way. One that caught my eye was published in the "new" book style, eight by ten inches, with a dark blue cover and gold printing, as opposed to the old pecha style Tibetan book made with thin strips of white paper from carved woodblock prints. The book was a modern reprint of a 17th-century medical treatise of explanatory commentaries on the gSo Wa Rig pa, the medical components of the Buddha's teachings. I told my companion that I thought I should buy this one and moved to get my wallet from my pack. Seeing this, my friend raised his eyebrows and with cautionary surprise asked quietly, in English, "That one? Will they let you take it out? At the airport, they will stop you?" I knew that it was customary in years past for foreigners to be searched during their airport departures from Tibet, but usually this was for materials that incriminated the government (videos or photos of human rights testimony or sensitive political information). Knowing that he was already nervous helping me, a foreigner, shop for Tibetan books, I considered just putting the book down and moving on. His helping me could have been construed as a politically dangerous act under government rules that condemned association with foreigners who stayed longer than the average tourist visit in Lhasa, especially Americans. In the government's view, one never knew which foreigners harbored anti-Chinese, splittist sentiment and might, secretly, be working to displace the existing rulers. But then he said, knowing the bookseller could not hear him, "The old books give us problems. They have religion." "But isn't this is an important medical book?" I asked in English, stressing the word "medical" and repeating the whole thing in Tibetan, "Sman gyi thep gal chenpo red pe ?"
SHORT COMMUNICATION: RARE ATTRACTION: EVALUATING MAGNETIC PRIMERS FOR MOUNTING TEXTILES ON RIGID BACKBOARDS WITH RARE EARTH MAGNETS

AbstractThe goal of this experiment was to evaluate the utility of magnetic primers for mounting textiles on rigid backboards. Magnetic paints and primers consist of iron particles suspended in a binder. When applied to a rigid board, these coatings create a magnetically attractive surface. Three different brands of magnetic primers were tested for three months: Magnetic Primer by Rust-oleum, Active Wall by MagnaMagic, and Magically Magnetic Paint Additive by David B. Lytle Products Inc. Magically Magnetic Paint Additive by David B. Lytle Products Inc. provided the best results. Magically Magnetic Paint Additive was mixed 25% by volume with a commercial latex primer. Three coats of this primer were applied to a mock backboard and then covered with two coats of a latex topcoat. Small textile swatches were then mounted to this prepared board using neodymium rare earth magnets. Weight was successively added to the lower edge of each textile swatch. This system held 75 g (2.65 oz.) for three months without ob...
In vivo imaging of zebrafish embryogenesis.

Abstract The zebrafish Danio rerio has emerged as a powerful vertebrate model system that lends itself particularly well to quantitative investigations with live imaging approaches, owing to its exceptionally high optical clarity in embryonic and larval stages. Recent advances in light microscopy technology enable comprehensive analyses of cellular dynamics during zebrafish embryonic development, systematic mapping of gene expression dynamics, quantitative reconstruction of mutant phenotypes and the system-level biophysical study of morphogenesis. Despite these technical breakthroughs, it remains challenging to design and implement experiments for in vivo long-term imaging at high spatio-temporal resolution. This article discusses the fundamental challenges in zebrafish long-term live imaging, provides experimental protocols and highlights key properties and capabilities of advanced fluorescence microscopes. The article focuses in particular on experimental assays based on light sheet-based fluorescence microscopy, an emerging imaging technology that achieves exceptionally high imaging speeds and excellent signal-to-noise ratios, while minimizing light-induced damage to the specimen. This unique combination of capabilities makes light sheet microscopy an indispensable tool for the in vivo long-term imaging of large developing organisms.
QUASIEQUILIBRIUM TREATMENT OF GAS--SOLID REACTIONS. III. RATE OF VOLATILIZATION OF TUNGSTEN BY HIGH-TEMPERATURE OXIDATION.

Theoretical predictions computed on the basis of the quasiequilibrium treatment of gas-solid reactions are compared with existing experimental data on the rate of volatilization (erosion) of solid tungsten by reaction with gaseous O2 at high temperature (∼ 1300° ≲ T ≲ 3600° K) and low pressure (4.5 × 10−7 ≤ $$p_{O_2 } $$ ≤11.5 Torr). The only unknown parameter in the analysis is the equilibrium probability, $$\zeta '_{O_2 } $$ , defined as the fraction of the impinging O2 molecules that attain thermochemical equilibrium at the tungsten surface rather than undergoing nonreactive scattering (e.g., reflection). An approximate expression for $$\zeta '_{O_2 } $$ is estimated by a straightforward empirical procedure that is consistent with the quasiequilibrium treatment. The theoretical results based on this expression for $$\zeta '_{O_2 } $$ T because appears to be an exponential function ofT; (b) In the intermediate region, the formation of volatile oxides decreases sharply with increasingT because atomic oxygen becomes the thermodynamically favored reaction product, thereby causing ΣW to decrease with increasingT; (c) In the highest region, ΣW again increases withT as a result of the formation of WO and the sublimation of W.
An analysis of the crystallization behavior of poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends by spectroscopic and calorimetric techniques

Cristallisation et changements microstructuraux du PEO dans ces melanges par spectroscopie IR et calorimetrie differentielle
“The stigmatizing effect of Goffman's stigma label: a response to John Flowerdew”

Abstract The way we use words to discuss complex phenomena such as writing for scholarly publication matters greatly, particularly if we are distinguishing between EAL writers and English L1 gatekeepers. In this response to Flowerdew, I argue that using Goffman's concept of stigma to discuss possible discrimination against EAL writers serves only to oversimplify complex issues and to obscure the great diversity within groups that get lumped under the labels of EAL scholarly writers (the “stigamatized”) and L1 writers, journal editors, and reviewers (the “normals”). The realities of scholarly publishing for all writers need to be addressed in less dichotomizing ways.
Elliptical Orbit ⇒ 1/r2 Force

Newton's proof of the connection between elliptical orbits and inverse-square forces ranks among the “top ten” calculations in the history of science. This time-honored calculation is a highlight in an upper-level mechanics course. It would be worthwhile if students in introductory physics could prove the relation elliptical orbit ⇒ 1/r2 force without having to rely on upper-level mathematics. We introduce a simple procedure—Newton's Recipe—that allows students to readily and accurately deduce the algebraic form of force laws from a geometric analysis of orbit shapes.
The Myth of Civil Society: Social Capital and Democratic Consolidation in Spain and Brazil

The Myth of Civil Society: Social Capital and Democratic Consolidation in Spain and Brazil. By Omar G. Encarnacion. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003. 244p. $55.00.When a Google search for “civil society promotion” turns up 847,000 potentially relevant links, it is time for a provocative book like this one. Omar Encarnacion takes on the prevailing wisdom that “a strong civil society lies behind successful democracies while a weak civil society is the root of failed or flawed democracies” (p. 3), arguing not only that strong civil societies fail to ensure democratic consolidation but also that democracies can be successfully consolidated without any civil society to speak of. Indeed, “a flourishing civil society can actually be a hindrance to democratization” (p. 5). Encarnacion is not the only scholar to raise doubts about the efficacy of civil society to promote a host of social benefits, but he is one of the few to do so in the context of the newly democratizing nations, where civil society promotion has perhaps the most currency today.
Scanning fluorescence detection in capillary supercritical fluid chromatography

Abstract The design and performance of a scanning fluorescence detector for capillary supercritical fluid chromatography are presented. On-the-fly spectra are obtained and stored using a microcomputer. A novel fiber optic-aided detector design eliminates most background noise, and quantities as low as 1 ng give rise to full spectra. Detector dead volume is also minimized when this configuration is used.
Organelle-specific zinc ATPases in Crustacean ER and lysosomal membranes

Abstract In crustaceans, the hepatopancreas is the major organ system responsible for heavy metal detoxification, and within this structure the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and lysosomes are two organelles that regulate cytoplasmic metal concentrations by selective sequestration processes. This study compares the physiological properties of purified membranes from hepatopancreatic ER and lysosomes for zinc uptake from the cytoplasm and its sequestration in these organelles. The endoplasmic reticulum is a cellular organelle that sequesters calcium in many types of cells through the action of a calcium ATPase transporter (SERCA), maintaining a low cytoplasmic activity of the cation as a result of this ATP-dependent carrier function. The present investigation showed that 45 Ca 2+ and 65 Zn 2+ were transported by the same ATP-dependent, vanadate and thapsigargin-sensitive, ER carrier system displaying substrate binding cooperativity. In contrast, lysosomes, known centers for metal and calcium sequestration and complex formation with a variety of inorganic and organic anions, transferred 65 Zn 2+ across their membranes by ATP-dependent, vanadate- and divalent cation-inhibited, thapsigargin-insensitive, carrier processes that illustrated Michaelis–Menten influx kinetics. These results suggest that two distinct types of carrier-mediated ATPases may be involved in the sequestration and detoxification of heavy metals in the two hepatopancreatic organelles.
Oxidative Addition Reactions of Silyl Halides with the (PNP)Rh Fragment

The (PNP)Rh fragment, where PNP is the bis(o-diisopropylphosphinophenyl)amide “pincer” ligand, has been shown to undergo a series of silicon−halogen oxidative addition reactions. (PNP)Rh(SPri2) (1) reacted with certain silyl halides with formation of (PNP)Rh(Silyl)(Hal) and release of SPri2. The reactions with 1.1 equiv of Me3Si-I, Cl3Si-Cl, or MeCl2Si-Cl proceeded to completion, the reactions with 1.1 equiv of Me2ClSi-Cl or Me3Si-Br produced an equilibrium mixture of (PNP)Rh(Silyl)(Hal) and (PNP)Rh(SPri2) (1), and the reaction with Me3Si-Cl did not proceed at all. (PNP)Rh(SiMe3)(Cl) was instead prepared via the reaction of (PNP)Rh(Me)(CH2Ph) with Me3Si-Cl, which proceeds with concomitant elimination of ethylbenzene. The reaction of (PNP)Rh(SPri2) (1) with Me2SiHCl led to the exclusive formation of (PNP)Rh(SiMe2Cl)(H) (14), containing a borderline Si···H contact. (PNP)Rh(SPri2) (1) and (PNP)Rh(SiMe2Cl)(Cl) (7) displayed similar rates in the reaction with PhBr that results in (PNP)Rh(Ph)(Br), presumably vi...
Has exchange risk depressed international trade? The impact of third-country exchange risk

Abstract This paper argues that the effect of exchange risk on bilateral and aggregate trade flows should be analyzed by including the impact of third-country exchange risk factors in addition to direct bilateral or multilateral risk. After a theoretical examination of these effects, US bilateral export flow to its six largest trading partners are analyzed empirically. I find individuality and jointly significant third-country risk effects in most cases. In contrast to some recent bilateral efforts, I find a steadily growing negative impact on trade flows from exchange risk during floating. And in contrast to recent aggregate trade flow studies, I conclude that there was no temporary decline in exchange risk during the late 1970s.
Performance Evaluation of a Multi-Robot Search & Retrieval System: Experiences with MinDART

Swarm techniques, where many simple robots are used instead of complex ones for performing a task, promise to reduce the cost of developing robot teams for many application domains. The challenge lies in selecting an appropriate control strategy for the individual units. This work explores the effect of control strategies of varying complexity and environmental factors on the performance of a team of robots at a foraging task when using physical robots (the Minnesota Distributed Autonomous Robotic Team). Specifically we study the effect of localization and of simple indirect communication techniques on task completion time using two sets of foraging experiments. We also present results for task performance with varying team sizes and target distributions. As indicated by the results, control strategies with increasing complexity reduce the variance in the performance, but do not always reduce the time to complete the task.
Special Issue on Human Rights Rhetoric: Traditions of Testifying and Witnessing

Rhetoric scholars have developed approaches to both civil and human rights as political, ethical, and academic discourses. Such approaches include examining the development and reproduction of hierarchies, the politics of representation, and the relationships among symbols, audiences consisting of disparate communities, rights, and rights events. After an overview of rhetorical contributions, as well as risks and limitations of a rhetoric approach to human rights, this introduction turns to the focus of the special issue: testifying and witnessing as a way to scrutinize the roles of bystanders to rights atrocities and the responses of listeners who may be rights committed or not.
Pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone release and its regulation

Several proposals have been put forward to explain the pulsatile pattern of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion form the hypothalamus, and the receptor-mediated modulation of such pulsatility. The mechanisms underlying these phenomena are not well defined, but the findings of intrinsic rhythmic activity of GnRH neurons, and the presence of autocrine GnRH action therein, have identified important elements in the episodic mode of neuropeptide release.
U(1) slave-spin theory and its application to Mott transition in a multiorbital model for iron pnictides

A $U(1)$ slave-spin representation is introduced for multiorbital Hubbard models. As with the ${Z}_{2}$ form of de'Medici et al. [Phys. Rev. B 72, 205124 (2005)], this approach represents a physical electron operator as the product of a slave spin and an auxiliary fermion operator. For nondegenerate multiorbital models, our $U(1)$ approach is advantageous in that it captures the noninteracting limit at the mean-field level. For systems with either a single orbital or degenerate multiple orbitals, the $U(1)$ and ${Z}_{2}$ slave-spin approaches yield the same results in the slave-spin-condensed phase. In general, the $U(1)$ slave-spin approach contains a $U(1)$ gauge redundancy, and properly describes a Mott insulating phase. We apply the $U(1)$ slave-spin approach to study the metal-to-insulator transition in a five-orbital model for parent iron pnictides. We demonstrate a Mott transition as a function of the interactions in this model. The nature of the Mott insulating state is influenced by the interplay between the Hund's rule coupling and crystal-field splittings. In the metallic phase, when the Hund's rule coupling is beyond a threshold, there is a crossover from a weakly correlated metal to a strongly correlated one, through which the quasiparticle spectral weight rapidly drops. The existence of such a strongly correlated metallic phase supports the incipient Mott picture of the parent iron pnictides. In the parameter regime for this phase and in the vicinity of the Mott transition, we find that an orbital selective Mott state has nearly as competitive a ground-state energy.
The toxicities of native and modified hemoglobins.

Abstract Recent research on the potential use of hemoglobin derivatives as a blood substitute has revealed that the administration of large quantities of free hemoglobin into the circulation results in a variety of toxic side effects. Because it has been well established that hemoglobin, like myoglobin, has considerable pro-oxidant activity, a number of studies have appeared suggesting that the administered hemoglobins may catalyze various oxidative and peroxidative reactions, which in turn, would cause the observed pathologic conditions. This occurs as a result of the in vivo formation of highly oxidized forms of the native and modified hemoglobins. In addition, it has been proposed that considerable amounts of free hemin and iron may be generated as a result of the catabolism of the injected hemoglobin. Hemin is known to be very toxic when present in large amounts, and iron could catalyze the formation of hydroxyl radicals via Fenton-type reactions. Thus, the toxic activities of catabolic products of hemoglobin could also be involved in all or part of the observed side effects. The purpose of this review is to consider the conditions under which reactive species of hemoglobin may be formed in vivo, their potential reactivity, and whether their individual or combined oxidative activities could account for the biological damage that is observed in vivo following hemoglobin transfusions. Copyright © 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.
On calculating the utility of acts

When a number of people cooperate with one another, by performing the same kind of act in order to secure a specific beneficial result, it sometimes happens 'that the production of the result is dependent upon that number exceeding a certain threshold. A clear example of this phenomenon is provided by the institution of elections. In a contest between two contenders, A and B, the best candidate is elected only in case a sufficient portion of the electorate votes for him. If n people vote, then A will be elected, under normal circumstances, just in case the number of people who vote for him is greater than n/2. In that case, we say the threshold for A's election is n/2 + 1, (or (n/2 + 1/2, if n is odd) which is exactly the number of votes needed to elect him. It has been held by some that cases such as these constitute counterexamples to Objective Act Utilitarianism. They believe that there are certain cases of obligation, e.g. one's obligation to vote, for which Objective Act Utilitarianism fails to give a satisfactory account. One such philosopher is Jonathan Harrison who writes: