cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On Blame and Punishment: Self-Blame, Other-Blame, Character and Suffering

Punishment should, at least normally, be reserved for blameworthy actions. But to make sense of that claim, we need an account of blame and of why it might license or even call for punishment. Doug Husak, in whose honor this paper is written, rejects quality of will theories of blame as relevant to criminal punishment—what I call ‘criminal blame.’ He offers instead a reason-responsive account of blameworthiness, according to which blame applies to wrongful actions chosen by agents who knew that what they were doing was or was likely to be wrong (they saw the reasons not to do it), and who nonetheless acted wrongly because of weakness of will. I agree with Husak about quality of will theories, but I argue that weakness of the will is often exculpating, and that when it is not it is because of normative negligence with regard to the reasons to steel one’s will. Thus, I argue his reason responsive account fails too. I offer instead an account of blame the key idea of which is that criminal blame is normatively appropriate as a way of communicating the importance of self-blame. Self-blame properly responds to normative negligence. Moreover, it comes with the emotion of guilt in which an agent experiences a kind of suffering for her unexcused wrongdoing. Punishment, based on criminal blame, reinforces the importance of guilt for maintaining a community of mutual respect.
Graft patency of a second conduit for coronary artery bypass surgery: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

It has been well documented that the use of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to graft the left anterior descending (LAD) artery has a significant benefit in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. However, what graft is the best as a second conduit to complement LITA-LAD anastomosis remains uncertain. We thus conducted a network meta-analysis of RCTs to compare graft patency of the radial artery (RA), the right internal thoracic artery (RITA), the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA), conventional saphenous vein (C-SVG), and no-touch saphenous vein (NT-SVG) as a second conduit in CABG. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through August 31, 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated graft patency of a second conduit in CABG. From each study, we extracted the incidence rate ratios of the outcome. A total of 13 RCTs were identified, including 3728 patients and 2773 angiographic results. The graft failure rates were significantly lower in NT-SVG and RA compared to C-SVG and RGEA. There was no significant difference among the other comparisons. A sensitivity analysis restricting trials with ≥3 years angiographic follow-up time showed the graft failure rates were significantly lower in NT-SVG and RA compared to C-SVG and RGEA, and a sensitivity analysis restricting trials with ≥5 years angiographic follow-up time showed the graft failure rates were significantly lower in NT-SVG and RA compared to C-SVG. In a network meta-analysis of the updated outcomes from RCTs, NT-SVG and RA have better graft patency compared to C-SVG and RGEA.
Why Did the Earwitnesses to the John F. Kennedy Assassination Not Agree About the Location of the Gunman

Earwitnesses to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy did not agree about the location of the gunman even though their judgments about the number and timing of the gunshots were reasonably consistent. Even earwitnesses at the same general location disagreed. An examination of the acoustics of supersonic bullets and the characteristics of human sound localization help explain the general disagreement about the origin of the gunshots. The key fact is that a shock wave produced by the supersonic bullet arrived prior to the muzzle blast for many earwitnesses, and the shock wave provides erroneous information about the origin of the gunshot. During the government's official re-enactment of the JFK assassination in 1978, expert observers were highly accurate in localizing the origin of gunshots taken from either of two locations, but their supplementary observations help explain the general confusion of the earwitnesses to the assassination itself.
Development and Spread of Firearms in Medieval and Early Modern Eurasia

Recent research has overturned the pre-existing understanding of the history of guns and gunpowder. This has invalidated the Military Revolution theory that argued that firearms revolutionized Europe warfare between 1500 and 1800, leading to the modern nation state. More research will be necessary to detail how and why gunpowder and guns spread throughout the world the way they did, and why Europeans were able to advance gun technology so quickly beginning in the 17th century.
Ground-Based Remote Sensing of Energetic Neutral Atoms in Jupiter’s Magnetosphere

Periods of in situ observations of the Jupiter system fall into four distinct episodes of satellite missions to the giant planet. The Pioneer 10 spacecraft flyby in 1973 initiated a period of discovery about particles and fields in the Jovian environment, including direct measurements of Jupiter’s magnetic field, and the detection of a substantial ionosphere around the moon Io. The Voyager 1 and 2 encounters in 1979 detected a heavy ion plasma within Jupiter’s magnetosphere, imaged volcanos on Io, and detected the effects of a million-amp current connecting Io to Jupiter’s ionosphere through Jupiter’s magnetosphere. The Ulysses spacecraft encounter with Jupiter in 1992 provided additional measurements of fields and particles at latitudes which were not accessible to the Voyagers. Several reviews (e.g., Dessler, 1983; Bagenal, 1989; Strobel, 1989; Bagenal, 1992; Spencer and Schneider, 1996) have given comprehensive summaries of the status of knowledge about Jupiter’s magnetosphere prior to the much anticipated Galileo mission of orbital reconnaissance and investigation. The new scientific results beginning to flow from the Galileo mission are the topic of some “special issues” of journals (e.g., Science, 1996) and, of course, the very proceedings of this conference.
The Schottky Barrier

The classical Schottky barrier is introduced. The Schottky approximation is initially used with parameters listed and F(x) and Ψ(x) are given. The zero current solution for n(x). Diffusion potential and junction field is given. The Debye length and barrier width are defined. The accuracy of the Schottky approximation is discussed. n(x) for non vanishing currents are evaluated. The Dobson integral is given. The Boltzmann term is shown to be independent of the current. Current voltage characteristics are calculated. A modified Schottky barrier is introduced. Schottky barrier with current dependent Interface density is identified. Metal/semiconductor boundary conditions are given. Richardson-Dushman emission is identified. Current voltage characteristic in modified Schottky barriers are computed. The ideal diode equation is given. The shape factor is given. DRO and DO ranges are identified. A modified Boltzmann range is shown. Electrostatic and electrochemical potential in the Schottky barrier are identified.
Lesbian Friendships at Midlife

Summary This article examines current patterns and future possibilities for lesbians' friendships at midlife. Drawing upon the particular historical and developmental experiences of white, middle-class lesbians at midlife today, three patterns of “friends as family” are identified and explored: (a) friends as substitute family members, (b) friends as a challenge to the core family structure, and (c) friends as in-laws. While each friendship pattern reflects a valuation of friendships among midlife lesbians, each also holds unique implications for the organization and prioritization of midlife lesbians' other relationships and life choices. The existence of these diverse patterns of friendship has important implications for lesbians themselves, as well as for researchers, theoreticians, and social service practitioners working with midlife lesbians.
Manufacturing planning and scheduling: where we are and where we need to be

The lack of robust geometric reasoning components in most current process planning expert systems is discussed. The lack of metaknowledge in most existing production-scheduling systems is examined. The large amount of effort required to bring a research system into daily factory use is detailed. Finally, the large amount of effort needed to integrate intelligent planning and scheduling is considered. >
Treatment of upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis.

Summary. Background: Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can result in fatal pulmonary embolism if not treated. Patients with malignancy may be at particularly high risk. Heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin followed by warfarin has been used as standard treatment for lower extremity DVT. However, a paucity of studies exist reporting the efficacy and safety of these regimens in patients with upper extremity DVT. We studied the effectiveness and safety of treatment with dalteparin sodium followed by warfarin and also dalteparin sodium monotherapy for 3 months in patients with confirmed upper extremity DVT. Methods: Consecutive patients with confirmed upper extremity DVT received daily dalteparin sodium for 5–7 days followed by warfarin therapy for 3 months (phase I) or dalteparin sodium monotherapy for 3 months (phase II). The primary outcome measure was the incidence of new symptomatic venous thromboembolism during the 3-month follow-up period. The outcome measure of safety was the incidence of major and minor bleeding. Results: Of 631 consecutive patients screened, 74 were eligible and 67 enrolled. No patients receiving either phase I (0%; 95% CI, 0–12%) or phase II (0%; 95% CI, 0–9%) therapy had venous thromboembolism on 3-month follow-up. One patient (4%; 95% CI, 0–18%) receiving phase I therapy experienced major bleeding. Five patients died during the follow-up period; none were attributed to pulmonary embolism. Conclusions: Patients with upper extremity DVT may be treated safely with either dalteparin sodium followed by warfarin or dalteparin sodium monotherapy for 3 months with a good prognosis.
From Ground to Distance: The Impact of Advanced Technologies on an Innovative School Leadership Program

An educational leadership preparation program for the 21st Century not only makes use of innovations in teaching and learning, but pushes the educational experience forward through the effective us...
A predictive biophysical model of translational coupling to coordinate and control protein expression in bacterial operons

Natural and engineered genetic systems require the coordinated expression of proteins. In bacteria, translational coupling provides a genetically encoded mechanism to control expression level ratios within multi-cistronic operons. We have developed a sequence-to-function biophysical model of translational coupling to predict expression level ratios in natural operons and to design synthetic operons with desired expression level ratios. To quantitatively measure ribosome re-initiation rates, we designed and characterized 22 bi-cistronic operon variants with systematically modified intergenic distances and upstream translation rates. We then derived a thermodynamic free energy model to calculate de novo initiation rates as a result of ribosome-assisted unfolding of intergenic RNA structures. The complete biophysical model has only five free parameters, but was able to accurately predict downstream translation rates for 120 synthetic bi-cistronic and tri-cistronic operons with rationally designed intergenic regions and systematically increased upstream translation rates. The biophysical model also accurately predicted the translation rates of the nine protein atp operon, compared to ribosome profiling measurements. Altogether, the biophysical model quantitatively predicts how translational coupling controls protein expression levels in synthetic and natural bacterial operons, providing a deeper understanding of an important post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism and offering the ability to rationally engineer operons with desired behaviors.
Stresses in case-bonded solid-propellent rocket motors under transverse body-force loading

Two dimensional plane stress photoelastic models of star configurations in elastic case bonded solid propellant rocket motors under transverse body force loading
Health, Identities, and Stress

In many ways identities can alter stress processes leading to differential health outcomes; and, less studied, identities also develop as the outcome of stress and health behavior. Stressors and the meaning of those stressors are often affiliated with specific identities. Therefore, identities also provide social support and buffering resources to reduce the stress processes on health outcomes. Keywords: coping; health behavior; identity; self; stress
The relative effectiveness of a peer-led and adult-led smoking intervention program

This study compared a six-session peer-led smoking intervention program for high school-age youth to the same program led by adults. Ninety-three students participated in the study and were divided into peer-led, adult-led, and control groups. Number of cigarettes smoked was assessed by self-report through pretest, posttest and one-month follow-up measures. Self-efficacy was measured post-and follow-up. Student feedback regarding the helpfulness of program components was also assessed. There was a significant difference in the number of cigarettes smoked by students in both peer-led and adult-led groups when compared to the control group (p = .0001). Smoking reduction continued to take place in both treatment groups at the one-month follow-up measure. Those students who were exposed to fewer smoking individuals in their daily lives were able to maintain a reduction in smoking when measured one month after completion of the program.
Is monetary policy non-linear in Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand? A quantile regression analysis

There is a growing literature on the linearity or otherwise of monetary policy in industrialised countries. The investigations have revealed that the reactions of central banks to economic variables depend on the level of the variables, confirming the non-linearity of monetary policy in these countries. However, research into whether monetary policy is non-linear in emerging markets has been hampered by the lack of data, as a stable, ‘modern’ monetary regime has existed in emerging markets for only a relatively short time. Employing quantile regression, which is not as constrained as other regression methods by the shortness of time series, we investigate the non-linearity of monetary policy in four emerging Asian nations: Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. Our results indicate that monetary policy in all four is non-linear. All display a ‘hump-shaped’ response to inflation across the quantiles—policy becomes tighter, going from lower to higher quantiles, reaches a peak, and then becomes looser. These results are similar to those found previously in Japan, and likely arise from a desire to limit exchange rate appreciation, as all four countries depend heavily on exports.
What editors want in an abstract

Themainpurposeoftheabstractis to provide a concise and accuratesummary of the research. Abstracts aregenerally written with the reader in mind, andrightly so. However, there is good reason for authorsto keep the editors and reviewers in mind whilewriting abstracts. First impressions are important,and to be a successful contributor to LaboratoryInvestigation (LI), an author should provide a well-written and accurate abstract that makes it clear tothe editors that a paper is within the scope of thejournal, contains a complete complement ofexperiments with cohesive results to stand as asignificant advance in the field, and is worthy of peerreview. Furthermore, the abstract, standing alone,must also be able to entice busy reviewers to acceptan invitation to critique the work.The purpose of this editorial is not to askauthors to choose between catering to the editorsand informing the end users; rather, it is to makethe point that an abstract that pleases the editorsand reviewers will also be appreciated by thescientists who see the final version of the paper.THE CONTENT OF AN ABSTRACTAn abstract must be ‘concise, lucid and wellorganized’.
Embryo and Baby Chick Mortality and Morbidity Induced by a Strain of Escherichia Coli

Abstract WITH expansion of hatchery operations for broiler chicks and resulting economic demands for increased efficiency, the causes of poor hatchability and early chick mortality are becoming more significant to the poultry industry. These hatcheryassociated losses have frequently been ascribed (Jungherr, 1935; Bierer, 1950; Watts and Rac, 1958) to so-called “nonspecific” bacterial infections. Mortality patterns similar to field outbreaks are readily induced in newly hatched chicks by yolk sac or subcutaneous inoculations of pure or mixed bacterial cultures (Harry, 1957; and Reid and Kleckner, 1958). Lorenz et al. (1952) experimentally infected market eggs using a dipping and chilling technique to study “Pseudomonas spoilage.” Shell penetration by Salmonella organisms has been demonstrated with turkey hatching eggs by Pomeroy and Fenstermacher (1941) and Gregory (1948). The importance of shell penetration in producing so-called nonspecific bacterial infections in commercial hatchery operations has not been extensively evaluated. In this report field outbreaks have been studied…
Academic performance as a perceived function of ability and effort

Subjects made predictions of the grade point averages of hypothetical students who varied over complete continua of scholastic ability and effort. Subjects in Study 1 made their predictions on the implicit assumption that target students were drawn from a student body chosen via selective admissions criteria. Study 2 subjects assumed that the ability range was one resulting from a “first-come, first-served” open-admissions policy. Although the ability assumption inductions, as intended, led to performance level predictions that were differently dispersed, the basic patterns of subjects' predictions were essentially the same in both studies: For the overwhelming majority of subjects, ability and effort were perceived to affect scholastic performance additively rather than multiplicatively, thus contradicting the suggestions of previous theory. In addition, students with high ability were anticipated to perform reasonably well even when exerting practically no effort. Theoretical interpretations and practical implications of these results are introduced and discussed.
Education and support for scientists and elected officials in public policy decisions

This paper uses survey data from the United States to examine the relationship between education and public support for scientific experts and elected leaders in knowledge-intensive policy decisions. Results show that most individuals agree that scientists should have more influence than elected leaders over public policy related to global warming, stem cell research, genetically modified food, and nuclear energy. However, compared to those with less schooling, college graduates are up to nearly three times more likely to express the minority opinion that elected leaders should have policy priority. The analysis shows that this pattern results primarily from college graduates' increased support for elected officials rather than decreased support for scientists. Findings provide evidence for democratic theory, and more generally, highlight the value of incorporating political theory in empirical research on science and public policy. Copyright The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com, Oxford University Press.
l'imagination au Pouvoir

In May 1968, the Journal of Architectural Education published an essay by Philip Thiel titled “Our New Environment and Our Old Universities.” Professor Thiel argued that architectural education had...
Li adsorption on edge-oxidized graphene nanoribbons predicted by DFT calculations

Abstract Motivated by the increased interest in graphene oxide derivatives for Li-ion battery applications, the interaction of Li atoms and various oxygen-terminated graphene nanoribbons was studied using the spin-polarized density functional theory and periodic boundary conditions calculations. Li binding energies were calculated at the edge regions and on the basal plane considering zigzag and armchair morphologies terminated at the edges with different oxygen-containing groups, such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, and ether groups. A relation between the adatom binding energies and the electronic properties of the chemically modified substrate is investigated. The main factors contributing to favorable Li adsorption energies are edge morphologies and sites, electronic behavior, and the presence of ketone groups at the edge. This work suggests that the formation of covalent bonds within Li and certain group terminations could explain the much larger irreversible capacity found in experimentally oxidized carbon materials. Our calculations offer critical information to further optimize the structure of oxidized carbon materials for Li-ion battery applications.
“Reader Response” in the Nineties

What has come to be called reader-response criticism and theory was ascendant within literary studies in the 1970s and eighties but seems to have waned in the nineties. Edited collections such as Susan Suleiman and Inge Crosman's The Reader in the Text and Jane Tompkins's Reader-Response Criticism, both published in 1980, continue to be important references and are still cited frequently. Comparable edited collections published in the nineties, though, such as James Machor's Readers in History (1993) and Andrew Bennett's Readers and Reading (1995) have not received the attention of the earlier collections, and most of the essays in Readers and Reading are reprints of articles published in the eighties. Individuals associated with the reader-response movement such as Stanley Fish, David Bleich, Norman Holland, and Wolfgang Iser continue to publish books, although these books do not necessarily focus on reading. The journal that I co-edit, Reader, which originated as a newsletter in 1976 as a result of an MLA session on reading that attracted hundreds of people, continues. It remains, though, one of a small number of journals devoted to reading and readers aimed at a university-level audience.
Epidemiology and causes of preterm birth

Summary This paper is the first in a three-part series on preterm birth, which is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Infants are born preterm at less than 37 weeks' gestational age after: (1) spontaneous labour with intact membranes, (2) preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM), and (3) labour induction or caesarean delivery for maternal or fetal indications. The frequency of preterm births is about 12–13% in the USA and 5–9% in many other developed countries; however, the rate of preterm birth has increased in many locations, predominantly because of increasing indicated preterm births and preterm delivery of artificially conceived multiple pregnancies. Common reasons for indicated preterm births include pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction. Births that follow spontaneous preterm labour and PPROM—together called spontaneous preterm births—are regarded as a syndrome resulting from multiple causes, including infection or inflammation, vascular disease, and uterine overdistension. Risk factors for spontaneous preterm births include a previous preterm birth, black race, periodontal disease, and low maternal body-mass index. A short cervical length and a raised cervical-vaginal fetal fibronectin concentration are the strongest predictors of spontaneous preterm birth.
Chitosan processing: influence of process parameters during acidic and alkaline hydrolysis and effect of the processing sequence on the resultant chitosan’s properties

Abstract The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of reaction temperature, processing time, and mechanical shear on the depolymerization (DP) of chitosans and to evaluate the importance of the sequencing of the deacetylation and DP processes on the resultant macromolecules and their properties. Process sequence did not alter the degree of deacetylation (DD), the intrinsic viscosity, or the molecular weight (MW). Treatment conditions affected the properties of the resultant polymer: the reaction temperature and processing time had a significant impact on the MWs and DDs of the resultant polymer. Mechanical shear, however, did not significantly affect the above properties. Furthermore, polymer crystallinity was affected by reaction temperature but not by shear or processing time.
Deuterium nuclear spin relaxation in biological tissues

The deuterium nuclear spin relaxation times have been measured in tissues taken from rats given 20% deuterium oxide in their drinking water. The spin–lattice and spin–spin relaxation times were measured at 13.7 MHz by the inversion–recovery and Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill FT methods, respectively. The reciprocals of the spin–lattice (T1) relaxation times were found to correlate well with those of protons in similar nondeuteriated tissues at a similar frequency (13.6 MHz) measured in a separate study. A least-squares analysis of the data yields (I/Tl)II = (0.991)(I/T1)D – 3.48 for five tissues (standard deviations of 0.097 for the slope and 0.383 for the intercept with a correlation coefficient of 0.986). Implications with respect to relaxation mechanisms are discussed. 0_1987 Academic Press, Inc.
An Online/Offline Signature Scheme Based on the Strong RSA Assumption

We propose an efficient digital signature scheme, which is proved secure under the strong RSA assumption, and can operate in an online/offline manner, doing most of its work in the offline precomputation phase. The online phase, which is performed after the message to be signed is known, is very efficient, requiring only a single modular multiplication. Online/offline signatures are useful in settings in which signatures need to be produced quickly either when there is a large volume of requests or if the device performing the signature is not computationally powerful (such as a mobile device). Our scheme can be seen as an online/offline extension of the traditional signature scheme of Gennaro, Halevi, and Rabin (the GHR signature scheme) which did not operate in this two-phase manner, and required significant computation after the message was known. In contrast to another online/offline extension of the GHR scheme, our new scheme avoids the use of trapdoor hash/commitment primitives, allowing the use of a traditional hash function, improving the efficiency of the offline phase of the algorithm.
Characterization of the solvation environment provided by dilute aqueous solutions of novel siloxane polysoaps using the fluorescence probe pyrene.

Abstract Solubilization environment afforded by several of the novel allyl glycidyl ether-modified methylhydrosiloxane polymers are investigated using a common polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fluorescence probe, pyrene. The backbone of the polymer has been modified by the addition of an alkyl chain of varying length (either C8, C12, or C18) and to differing degrees of substitution. The nomenclature adopted for the purposes of these studies is as follows: “AGENT” represents the backbone polymer with no alkyl substitution, and “OAGENT,” “DAGENT,” and “SAGENT” are substituted with n-octyl, n-dodecyl, and n-octadecyl, respectively. The percentage of alkyl substitution is designated as 10, 15, and 20%. The pyrene polarity scale (defined as the ratio of the intensity of peak I to peak III) was used to determine the relative dipolarity of the cybotactic region provided by ∼1 w/w% aqueous polymer solutions compared to 10 mM sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) micellar solution. Results indicate that 10–15% DAGENT afforded the most hydrophobic solubilization site, followed by 15% OAGENT and 15% SAGENT. In addition, as the degree of alkyl substitution of DAGENT increased from 10 to 20%, the cybotactic region appeared to become more hydrophobic. Furthermore, a deeper investigation into the relative size of the solubilization site revealed that all alkyl-substituted polymers promoted excimer formation at relatively low pyrene concentrations, indicating the possibility of localized concentration enhancement within the solvation pockets and/or compartmentalization of the solute molecules. The pyrene fluorescence excitation data strongly indicates ground-state heterogeneity that is most prominent in AGENT and decreases as the alkyl chain length is increased. This provides a relative sense of the size and shape of the solvation pockets afforded by each polymer solution. An overall analysis of the collected data indicated that these alkyl-substituted polymers may provide a more selective and efficient pseudostationary phase in electrokinetic chromatography with better solvation capacity for hydrophobic compounds compared to SDS.
Tunable droplet momentum and cavitation process for damage-free cleaning of challenging particles

Particle removal without damage has been demonstrated for <60nm photomask sub-resolution assist features with droplet momentum cleaning technology that employs NanoDroplet TM mixed-fluid jet nozzle. Although 99%+ particle removal efficiency can be achieved for standard Si 3 N 4 particles with broad size distribution, there are some cleaning challenges with small ( 500nm) particles. It was found that tunable uniform cavitation can provide the additional physical assist force needed to improve cleaning efficiency of these challenging particles while meeting the damage-fee cleaning requirement. An integrated cleaning process was developed that combines both droplet momentum and damage-free cavitation technology. Cleaning tests were performed with different types of challenging particles. The results showed 5-8% particle removal efficiency improvement as compared to momentum based only cleaning. All masks were processed using the Tetra TM mask cleaning tool configured with NanoDroplet TM mixed fluid jet technology and full face megasonics.
Suppression of glutathione S-transferases in rat seminal vesicles or pituitary glands.

Abstract We have studied the tissue-specific expression of GSH S-transferases in rat seminal vesicles and pituitary glands by in vitro translation and immunoprecipitation. The major GSH S-transferase subunit expressed in rat seminal vesicles belongs to the Y b mobility class whose expression diminishes when the rats are treated with pentobarbital. The pattern of GSH S-transferase expression in the pituitary gland is very similar to that of the rat brain with Y b size subunit(s) predominant. The Y β size subunit is also expressed together with the Y c and Y δ subunits. The expression of GSH S-transferases was drastically reduced in pituitary gland poly(A) RNAs from diethylstilbestrol-treated, ovariectomized female rats. Xenobiotics such as phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene, and trans -stilbene oxide induce rat liver GSH S-transferase activities, especially the Y a - and Y b -subunit containing isozymes. Induction of GSH S-transferases by a combination of the three xenobiotics is neither additive nor synergistic, however. Our results clearly demonstrate that GSH S-transferase expression in seminal vesicles and pituitary glands can be suppressed by phenobarbital and diethylstilbestrol, respectively. Our findings suggest that different GSH S-transferase isozymes respond differently to various xenobiotics. Both induction and suppression occur in rats treated with xenobiotics. This notion helps to explain the lack of additive or synergistic induction in rats treated with more than one xenobiotic.
Irreducible representations of the little groups of D144h

Abstract Little group irreducible representations of the space group D 14 4 h of the rutile structure are tabulated. The tabulation includes single- and double-valued representations at all high symmetry points of the Brillouin zone. For multi-dimensional representations, examples of the representations, as well as their characters are given. Compatibility relations connecting little group representations at different points in the zone are also tabulated.
Optical spectroscopy characteristics can differentiate benign and malignant renal tissues: a potentially useful modality.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Promising results of optical signals have been reported in the literature for the diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus, oral cavity lesions, brain tumor margins, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, skin cancer and bladder cancer. The potential usefulness of these techniques in renal tissues and neoplasms has not been described to date. This initial study examined the feasibility of using fluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to differentiate between malignant and benign renal tissues. Materials and Methods: An ex vivo study was conducted to identify optical characteristics of various renal tissue types. Pathologically confirmed benign and malignant renal samples were obtained from nephrectomy specimens from patients undergoing radical nephrectomy. Fluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectra were measured from benign and malignant renal tissues. Results: All renal tissues, malignant or benign, contain 2 primary emission peaks—a strong one at approximately 285 nm excitation, approximately 340 nm emission (Peak A), and a weak one at approximately 340 nm excitation, approximately 460 nm emission (Peak B). Peak A of normal renal tissue typically locates at the shorter excitation wavelength region than that of malignant tissue. The intensity of Peak B from benign tissues tends to be greater than that from malignant renal tissues. Diffuse reflectance intensities from malignant renal tissues between 600 and 800 nm are markedly greater than those from normal renal tissue. Empirical discrimination algorithms developed based on selected fluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectral characteristics yields accurate differentiation between benign and malignant renal tissues. Conclusions: Highly accurate differentiation between normal human renal tissues and renal cell cancers is feasible using combined fluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in an ex vivo setting. If successful in future clinical studies, optical spectroscopy could aid in margin detection and tissue discrimination while performing nephron sparing surgery.
A 243-GHz F/sub t/ and 208-GHz F/sub max/, 90-nm SOI CMOS SoC technology with low-power millimeter-wave digital and RF circuit capability

SOI CMOS technology offers low parasitic junction capacitance, and therefore provides speed and power enhancements to digital applications compared to bulk CMOS. It is also emerging as a good candidate for high-performance SoC, with integratable RF circuits that operate beyond 30-GHz already demonstrated at the 130-nm technology node. The digital aspects of the base 90-nm SOI technology were previously reported. This paper presents the RF performance of this technology, and shows that the capabilities of CMOS technology are expanding into the millimeter-wave regime.
Molecular thermodynamics of fluid mixtures containing molecules differing in size and potential energy

Abstract Recent computer-simulation work by Shing and Gubbins (1983) for binary mixtures has shown that common semiempirical models (van der Waals n -fluid models) are in error when the molecules of the two components differ appreciably in size; the error is most severe in the dilute region. While perturbation theories are much better, they (like computer simulations) are not as yet useful for engineering work because of prohibitive computer requirements. This work proposes an algebraic expression for the Helmholtz energy of a mixture which gives results in very good agreement with those reported by Shing and Gubbins. This expression, using the local-composition concept, is based on a simplified but realistic picture of a fluid mixture: short-range order and long-range disorder. The proposed expression uses the Mansoori-Carnahan-Starling-Leland equation for the contribution of repulsive forces. For the contribution of attractive forces, it uses a new expression based on not one but several radii for the first-neighbor shell, one radius for each component. With reasonable simplifications, the resulting equation for the Helmholtz energy indicates that the van der Waals “constant” a is a strict quadratic function of mole fraction only at very low densities; at advanced densities, there are small deviations from the quadratic mixing rule. For practical calculations, the computer requirements are nearly the same as those for conventional engineering models.
Effect of the Amide Bond Diamine Structure on the CO2, H2S, and CH4 Transport Properties of a Series of Novel 6FDA-Based Polyamide–Imides for Natural Gas Purification

A series of higher permeability polyamide–imides based on 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride with comparable plasticization resistance to Torlon were synthesized and formed into dense film membranes. Polymers possessing 2,4-diamino mesitylene (DAM) were stable up to 56 atm of pure CO2, which is due to enhanced charge transfer complex formation compared to polymers containing 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) dianiline (6FpDA) and 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (TmPDA). The new polymers containing DAM and TmPDA showed ideal CO2/CH4 selectivities of near 50 with CO2 and H2S permeabilities over an order of magnitude higher than Torlon. CO2 and CH4 sorption in the DAM- and TmPDA-based materials was reduced, whereas H2S sorption was enhanced relative to membranes containing fluorinated 6FpDA. Consequently, DAM- and TmPDA-based membranes showed increased stability toward high pressure CO2 but lower plasticization resistance toward pure H2S. These results highlight the difference...
High-Accuracy Miniature Dew Point Sensor and Instrument

This paper introduces a novel dew point sensor that is characterized by miniature size and accuracy that matches the well-known and much larger chilled mirror sensors. The new sensor is based on the beta voltaic principle, a relatively new principle of physics. It consists mainly of a radioactive beta-particle source and a silicon p-n junction. If no water condensation exists on the surface of the p-n junction, the beta particles enter the junction and generate a steady dc voltage. Once a condensed layer of water forms, the beta particles are blocked and the voltage produced by the p-n junction falls. The sensor will be very useful in new instruments and industrial applications that demand a miniature and highly accurate dew point sensor.
Off-Site Storage from a Cataloging Point of View

This article focuses on the challenges faced by the serials cataloging staff at Texas A&M University Libraries following a decision to move materials to an off-site storage facility. The process of cataloging review developed by serials cataloging staff to address these challenges is described in detail. More specifically, the process that deals with the preparation of the collections for off-site storage, with emphasis on the unique problems created by serials that have been cataloged under pre–Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition (AACR2) rules is described.
Impact of bronchial circulation on bronchial exudates following combined burn and smoke inhalation injury in sheep.

Abstract We previously reported bronchial circulation contributes to pulmonary edema and increases shunt fraction following smoke inhalation, and bronchial blood flow significantly increases in inhalation injury. We hypothesized reduction of bronchial blood flow reduces exudation to the airway and ameliorates lung injury from combined burn and smoke insults (BS (2) bronchial artery left intact and injured (injury + no ligation group); (3) bronchial artery ligated but not injured (no injury + ligation group) were subjected to a flame burn and inhalation injury under halothane anesthesia. Parameters were analyzed using Scheffe's post hoc test ( P Results Pulmonary gas exchange (PaO 2 /FiO 2 ) improved in injury + ligation group. Further, obstruction score, an index of airway cast formation, significantly changed between injury + no ligation group compared to both ligation groups. Conclusion Bronchial circulation plays a significant role in lung injury after B&S injury, and reduction of bronchial blood flow by bronchial artery ligation reduces bronchial exudates, resulting in improved gas exchange.
Information technology and business‐process redesign

Business‐process redesigns (BPR) and information technology (IT) are natural partners, yet this relationship has not been fully exploited. Those organizations that have used IT to reengineer processes have benefited enormously. This article argues that those aspiring to do business process redesign must begin to apply the capabilities of information technology. Process redesign is not always successful and almost always accompanied by pain or at least unpleasant side effects. Many companies have undertaken reengineering efforts only to abandon them with little or no positive result. How can you increase the odds for success? Here are a few lessons from the front.
Significance of epididymal and ductal anomalies associated with undescended testis : study in 652 cases

Abstract Objective. We have long been interested in epididymal and ductal anomalies associated with cryptorchidism in the literature. We decided to study their prevalence in our cases due to the significance of these anomalies in patients' future fertility. Methods. We studied six hundred fifty-two testes treated for failed descent in our department and evaluated the epididymal and ductal anomalies we observed intraoperatively. Results. Epididymal and vasal anomalies occurred with an overall frequency of 36 percent (235 of 652 cases). Flimsy attachment of the head of epididymis to the testis constituted the most common anomaly. Conclusions. The prognosis of future fertility should consider the epididymal anomalies detected at orchiopexy. Such anomalies may coexist with excellent testis histology so that fertility impairment may occur based on sperm transport, despite the preservation of germ cells by early orchiopexy.
Regulation of Development in Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus fumigatus

Members of the genus Aspergillus are the most common fungi and all reproduce asexually by forming long chains of conidiospores (or conidia). The impact of various Aspergillus species on humans ranges from beneficial to harmful. For example, several species including Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus niger are used in industry for enzyme production and food processing. In contrast, Aspergillus flavus produce the most potent naturally present carcinogen aflatoxins, which contaminate various plant- and animal-based foods. Importantly, the opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus has become the most prevalent airborne fungal pathogen in developed countries, causing invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients with a high mortality rate. A. fumigatus produces a massive number of small hydrophobic conidia as the primary means of dispersal, survival, genome-protection, and infecting hosts. Large-scale genome-wide expression studies can now be conducted due to completion of A. fumigatus genome sequencing. However, genomics becomes more powerful and informative when combined with genetics. We have been investigating the mechanisms underlying the regulation of asexual development (conidiation) and gliotoxin biosynthesis in A. fumigatus, primarily focusing on a characterization of key developmental regulators identified in the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In this review, I will summarize our current understanding of how conidiation in two aspergilli is regulated.
Activating PKC-β1 at the blood-brain barrier reverses induction of P-glycoprotein activity by dioxin and restores drug delivery to the CNS.

Upregulation of blood–brain barrier (BBB) P-glycoprotein expression causes central nervous system (CNS) pharmacoresistance. However, activation of BBB protein kinase C-β1 (PKC-β1) rapidly reduces basal P-glycoprotein transport activity. We tested whether PKC-β1 activation would reverse CNS drug resistance caused by dioxin acting through aryl hydrocarbon receptor. A selective PKC-β1 agonist abolished the increase in P-glycoprotein activity induced by dioxin in isolated rat brain capillaries and reversed the effect of dioxin on brain uptake of verapamil in dioxin-dosed rats. Thus, targeting BBB PKC-β1 may be an effective strategy to improve drug delivery to the brain, even in drug-resistant individuals.
VUV spectrometer- detector system calibration using synchrotron radiation

A method of absolute calibration of a VUV spectrometerdetector system is presented in which continuum synchrotron radiation is used. Calibration of the optical system is performed for the purpose of absolute measurements of electron impact photoemission cross sections for discrete atomic (molecular) transitions in the VUV wavelength region. A large computer controlled multiadjustable manipulator is used for positioning the spectrometerdetector system with respect to a beam of synchrotron radiation. The manipulator allows rotation with respect to two perpendicular axes, one collinear with the electron beam, and the other collinear with the spectrometer entrance slit. Using these rotations, a beam of synchrotron radiation is scanned across the grating surface resulting in a precise simulation of the source geometry encountered in the electron -atom collision source. In this way the absolute response of the spectrometerdetector system and the geometrical factors encountered in the electron -atom source are determined in an integral fashion allowing absolute photoemission cross sections to be determined with unparalleled precision.
Cholesterol Modulates the Binding and Subsequent Aggregation of Huntingtin on Lipid Bilayers

Huntington disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by abnormally long CAG-repeats in the huntingtin gene. This mutation encodes an expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) domain in the N-terminus of the huntingtin (htt) protein which directly leads to its disease-related aggregation. Htt is found highly associated with a variety of cellular and subcellular membranes, which are predominately comprised of lipids. The interaction of htt with lipid membranes is facilitated by its first 17 amino acids, whose secondary structure is an amphipathic α- helix. There are alterations in the relative amounts of specific membrane components in the brains of HD patients, and in particular, cholesterol homeostasis is altered. Here, we investigate how cholesterol modifies the interaction of htt with lipid bilayers. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we track aggregation of htt on supported lipid bilayer containing varying amounts of exogenously added cholesterol. As the amount of cholesterol in the bilayer increased, htt binding to the membrane, and subsequent aggregation, was reduced. This reduced lipid-membrane interaction was further validated using a colorimetric polydiacetylene (PDA) lipid binding assay. More interestingly, morphological changes on the bilayer induced by exposure to htt are significantly altered upon addition of cholesterol.