cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flight characterization of the NEAR laser rangefinder

On February 14, 2000, after a 4-year transit, the recently renamed Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) Shoemaker spacecraft entered a 300-km orbit around the asteroid 433 Eros. Onboard the spacecraft, the NEAR Laser Rangefinder facility instrument began operation providing high-resolution topographical profiles of Eros. Developed at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, the NLR is a bistatic, direct-detection laser altimeter. The transmitter uses a gallium arsenide diode-pumped Cr:Nd:YAG laser at 1.064 micrometer. This lithium-niobate Q-switched transmitter emits 15-ns pulses at 15.3 mJ/pulse (1/8 to 8 Hz), permitting reliable NLR operation at the required 50-km altitude. The separate receiver employs an extended infrared-sensitive avalanche-photodiode detector with a 7.62-cm clear aperture Dall-Kirkham collecting telescope. End-to-end calibration capability exists between the transmitter and receiver via a 109.5-m spooled fiber-optic. A fraction of each emitted outgoing laser pulse is sampled, optically delayed and injected into the receiver optics providing a 'fixed target' to the NLR. In preparation for sampling Eros, the NLR has been operated numerous times during the 4-year transit period. These 'post-launch tests' provided housekeeping and calibration data useful in characterization and verification of the NLR design. This article summarizes the design used, post-launch test results, and implementation details used to control the NLR illustrating the complexity of operating an instrument in deep space. Additionally, preliminary evaluation of NLR performance using preliminary altimetry data of 433 Eros is presented.
Empowering Culturally Diverse Families of Young Children with Disabilities: The Double ABCX Model

Many culturally diverse families and their young children with disabilities or delays are not provided appropriate early intervention/early childhood special education services, especially not in a culturally sensitive and meaningful context. Families with diverse backgrounds often feel helpless and stressful because their values are not respected, concerns are not identified, and therefore their needs are not met due to the lack of support from appropriate resources. The purpose of this article is to provide a positive strategy to empower families of young children with special needs and who are from culturally diverse backgrounds through a family-centered, strength-focused family system model: Double ABCX model. Procedures of implementing the double ABCX model was described and discussed. Supported by previous research and the current case studies, the double ABCX family adaptation model has found to be an effective approach to serving diverse families of children with disabilities.
SU-FF-I-98: Estimating the Volume of Dense Breast Tissue Using a Dual Energy Technique in Digital Mammography

Purpose: To investigate a method of estimating the volume of dense breast tissue using a dual energy technique in digital mammography.Method and Materials: Breast was modeled as adipose tissue + dense tissue. For a fixed thickness, Monte Carlo method was used to calculate ratios of the total logarithm attenuation at 17.5 keV to that at 20.2 keV for a breast of 100% adipose tissue (Ra), a breast of 100% dense tissue (Rd), and a breast with a few 100% dense tissue blocks embedded in a 100% adipose background (R). The thickness of embedded dense tissue blocks was then computed from the values of Ra, Rd, R and the total breast thickness. The effects of scatter and polychromatic beam were analyzed and the possibility of applying the method to the imaging systems with Mo/Mo and Rh/Rh target/filter was explored. Results: For thin breast phantoms and mono energetic beams, the estimated dense tissue thicknesses were within 10% of the true values. Conclusion: The volume of the dense breast tissue may be estimated based on 2‐D digital mammograms using the dual target/filter FFDM systems after the effects of scatter and polychromatic beams are properly corrected.
Oxidation of pteridine derivatives in mice

Abstract Studies were carried out of the metabolism of a variety of hydroxy-, mercapto- and amino-pteridines following i.p. injection (150 mg kg ) into mice. Urinary oxidation products were isolated and identified by a combination of thin-layer chromatographic and spectrophotometric techniques. Pteridine and its 2- and 4-hydroxy derivatives as well as 2,4-dihydroxypteridine (lumazine) were converted extensively to 2,4,7-trihydroxypteridine. When mice were treated with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol (20 mg kg ), formation of 2,4,7-trihydroxypteridine was sharply reduced (to about 25 per cent of its control value). Lumazine was detected in the urine of allopurinol-treated mice which received pteridine, 2-hydroxypteridine and 4-hydroxypteridine. Observations of hydroxypteridine oxidation in the absence and presence of allopurinol suggest that both xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase can play a role in pteridine oxidation, in vivo. The administration of 2-aminopteridine to mice caused severe kidney toxicity, apparently attributable to the crystallization of highly insoluble oxidation products of this pteridine within the lumen of renal tubules. 4-Aminopteridine did not show such a nephrotoxic effect, but was extensively oxidized in vivo to 4-amino-2,7-dihydroxypteridine. Lumazine was found to be a major metabolic product when both 4-aminopteridine and allopurinol were administered. The formation of lumazine from 4-aminopteridine may involve the intermediate formation of 4-hydroxypteridine catalyzed by adenosine deaminase. 2-Mercapto and 4-mercaptopteridines were oxidized in vivo to compounds tentatively identified as the 4,7- and 2,7-dihydroxy derivatives, respectively. An additional compound, possibly resulting from cleavage of the pteridine ring, was detected in the urine of mice treated with 4-mercaptopteridine and allopurinol. A crude xanthine oxidase preparation from mouse liver was able to catalyze the oxidation of a number of pteridines previously found to be substrates for milk or rat liver xanthine oxidase. Catalytic constants (Km and Vmax) using this mouse liver xanthine oxidase preparation were estimated for a number of pteridines. The patterns of substrate oxidation in such studies in vitro are consistent generally with those obtained following the i.p. administration of a number of pteridines to mice.
The vibrational spectra of several platinum-ethylene complexes: K[PtCl3(C2H4)]·H2O (Zeise's salt), K[PtCl3(C2D4)] · H2O and [PtCl2(C2H4)]2

Abstract Raman and infrared spectra have been obtained for K[PtCl3(C2H4)]·H2O (Zeise's salt), K[PtCl3(C2D4)]·H2O, and [PtCl2(C2H4)]2. The Raman results are for both solids and aqueous solutions, and include depolarizations for the latter. Infrared data cover the range 35–4000 cm−1, and are mainly for the solids. The C-C stretching frequency in Zeise's salt, which has heretofore always been taken as the weak infrared band near 1520 cm−1, is instead believed to be a strong, polarized Raman band at 1243 cm−1. It seems to be mixed with a CH2 scissoring mode, and as a result moves up by 110 cm−1 upon deuteration of the ethylene. The assignments, and the unusual shift on deuteration, are supported by a normal coordinate calculation for the a1 and b1 modes. The C2H4 group has many similarities to the C2H4 group in ethylene oxide. The two Pt-C stretches are thought to be 405 cm−1 (symmetric) and 493 cm−1 (antisymmetric). These results indicate that the ethylene is tightly bound to the Pt(II) atom, in sharp contrast to most previous conclusions. Assignments are suggested for most of the fundamentals of all three substances. Those for the dimer are only tentative.
Professional Identity, Practice, and Development of Kenyan Teacher-Counsellors: An Ethnography

Ethnography is used to explore the experiences and practices of teacher-counsellors (TCs; equivalent to professional school counselors) in Kenya. Thirteen participants were interviewed, each describing their experiences and perspectives as stakeholders working with TCs. Participants noted the strengths and challenges of TCs in Kenya and how counseling practices can be translated in an international context. The advocacy, mentorship, and leadership potential in international counseling work are discussed, and future research opportunities are explored.
Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction: an improvement in detecting mRNA levels in mouse cranial tissue.

Background: Quantitation of messenger RNA levels has traditionally been carried out by Northern blot analysis. While this is regarded as the standard method, it is time-consuming and requires large quantities of RNA. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction is a semiquantitative method that has been used as a more rapid and sensitive alternative to Northern blotting. Real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction is a quantitative technique that is gaining widespread acceptance as a rapid and reliable way of quantifying mRNA. Since both techniques are currently being used to evaluate gene expression in the murine cranial suture model, the present study was performed to compare the sensitivity and variability of real-time to conventional reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in this model. Methods: Mouse brain RNA was isolated and amplified using real-time and conventional methods. For the real-time method, a serial 10-fold dilution of RNA, ranging from 1 fg to 100 ng, was performed. For the conventional method, the minimum amount of RNA needed for consistent polymerase chain reaction amplification was determined. Transforming growth factor beta-1 and β-actin RNA transcripts were measured using both techniques. Results: One femtogram of RNA could be detected by the real-time method, although 10 fg were required to reliably detect differences; 500 ng of RNA was required for consistent polymerase chain reaction amplification using the conventional method. The variability of real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction when expressed as a coefficient of variation (SD as a percentage of the mean) ranged from 0.23 to 2.6 percent for all genes tested, as compared with 9 to 70 percent for conventional reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Conclusions: Real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used successfully to detect mRNA from different mouse genes. The real-time method is much more sensitive in detecting small amounts of mRNA than both Northern blot analysis and conventional polymerase chain reaction. The variability of the real-time method is more than 10-fold lower compared with the conventional method performed in the authors' laboratory for all genes tested.
Disease Etiologies in Non-Western Medical Systems

This paper argues that disease etiology is the key to cross-cultural comparison of non-Western medical systems. Two principal etiologies are identified: personalistic and naturalistic. Correlated with personalistic etiologies are the belief that all misfortune, disease included, is explained in the same way; illness, religion, and magic are inseparable; the most powerful curers have supernatural and magical powers, and their primary role is diagnostic. Correlated with naturalistic etiologies are the belief that disease causality has nothing to do with other misfortunes; religion and magic are largely unrelated to illness; the principal curers lack supernatural or magical powers, and their primary role is therapeutic. [disease, religion, and magic; ethnomedicine, medical anthropology, non-Western medical systems, shamans]
Sporulation on infected tissues, and presence of airborne Verticillium albo‐atrum in alfalfa fields in New York

The phenology of Verticillium albo-atrum (Vaa) sporulation on infected tissues and the presence of Vaa in the air were investigated in alfalfa fields affected by verticillium wilt (VW) during the 1983/84 growing season. Few and scattered Verticillium conidiophores developed on stubble by the end of May, but abundant Verticillium sporulation was found on necrotic leaflets and petioles by the beginning of June at the first appearance of symptoms. Abundant conidiophores developed also on necrotic stems and leaf tissues sampled later. Sporulation was never found on entirely green stems. Concentration of airborne colony-forming units (cfu) of Vaa ranged from 0.0 to 15.3 cfu/m3 above fields with a VW incidence of 2.2-33.0% in June and August, and from 5.9-25.9 cfu/m3 during mowing of the crop in August. The ratio of Vaa to other airborne fungi above sampled fields was less than 5 x 10-3, Airborne fungi were even more abundant at the time of mowing. Our results suggest that airborne V. albo-atrum may not play an important role in the epidemiology of VW of alfalfa.
p − p Interactions at 3 Bev

Interactions initiated by 3-Bev protons of the Brookhaven Cosmotron were studied by photoemulsion technique. With appropriate criteria, 115 events are attributed to interactions of the incident beam protons with hydrogen nuclei (\ensuremath{\sim}55%) and with bound protons of other nuclei (\ensuremath{\sim}45%). A detailed analysis allowed the subdivision of the 115 events in categories, according to the number of $\ensuremath{\pi}$ mesons ($Ng~0$) produced in the collision. The ratio of elastic scattering to the total number of events was estimated to be $\frac{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{el}}}{{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{total}}}={{0.20}_{\ensuremath{-}0.07}}^{+0.04}$. The observed cross section for pure elastic scattering is ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{el}}=8.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0$ mb.
The relativistic symmetry group of spin and particle number

We suggest that spin and particle number are more naturally associated with the generators of a group than are spin and mass value (as is usually assumed). This is examined using the hypercomplex number formalism of relativistic physics.
Demonstration of distinct forms of testicular adenylate cyclases associated with germinal and Leydig cell fractions

Abstract Decapsulated testes from adult rats were digested with collagenase, and the fraction enriched in germinal and Leydig cells was applied to a 0–40% continuous metrizamide gradient and centrifuged. This leads to separation of a germinal cell fraction and two putative Leydig cell populations that bind human choriogonadotropin, but only one of which responds to the gonadotropin with a marked increase in testosterone production. Adenylate cyclase activity was present in these three fractions, and Mn2+ was more effective than Mg2+ as a divalent cation. The adenylate cyclase activity associated with the germinal cell fraction was just marginally stimulated by fluoride and by the non-hydrolyzable GTP analog 5′-guanylimidodiphosphate, while that associated with the Leydig cell populations was stimulated to a greater degree depending upon the type of divalent cation. Only the Leydig cell populations exhibited marked human choriogonadotropin-sensitive stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in the presence of 5′-guanylimidodiphosphate above that observed with the GTP analog alone. These results suggest the presence of distinct adenylate cyclases in adult rat testis and indicate that both populations of Leydig cells are capable of producing cyclic AMP in response to gonadotropins such as human choriogonadotropin.
Thermal conductivity of the vortex state of unconventional superconductors

Abstract Generalizing an early theory of thermal conductivity of the vortex state in clean type II superconductors for unconventional superconductors, we have studied the anisotropy of thermal conductivity in the vicinity of B = H c 2 ( T ). The result is compared with recent experimental data on a single crystal of UPt 3 . Among the superconducting wavefunctions belonging to D 6 symmetry and l ⩽3, both the axial (P-wave) and the hybrid (D-wave) states describe qualitatively the observed anisotropy.
Pressure-induced superconductivity in LaFeAsO: The role of anionic height and magnetic ordering

We have investigated the crystal structure and magnetic ordering of LaFeAsO at low temperature (∼10 K) and high pressures. The long range antiferromagnetic ordering is suppressed under pressure, and the structural parameters obtained show a close correlation between the anionic height (ha) and the transition temperature (Tc). An orthorhombic to tetragonal transition is observed above 30 GPa. Density functional theory calculations show that the shape of the hole surface becomes two dimensional under pressure. Our results demonstrate that the variation of ha and dimensionality play important roles in the evolution of pressure induced superconductivity in addition to magnetic ordering.
A Two-Fluid Model for the Transition Shape in Transition-Edge Sensors

Superconducting microcalorimeters based on transition-edge sensors (TESs) are being successfully used in applications ranging from optical photon counting to gamma-ray and alpha particle spectroscopy. Practical instruments often require a complex optimization among speed, linearity and energy resolution. However, a lack of understanding of the superconducting transition limits our ability to predict the behavior of a new TES design. Specifically, there is an unmet need for a model that predicts the current and temperature dependent resistance surface that describes the transition: R(I,T). This paper describes the predictions of a two-fluid model for the resistance of a TES based on a Ginzburg-Landau form of the critical current. We compare the predictions of the model for the logarithmic derivatives of resistance with temperature and current (α and β) to measurements of TESs used in x-ray and gamma spectrometers. The model shows excellent qualitative agreement that provides useful insight into the dependence of α and β on the current density and bias point of the TES.
Wyclif on Rights

Analysant la difference entre les theories objective et subjective du droit dans le cadre des theories politiques du XIV e siecle, l'A. etudie la conception du droit objectif (ius) developpee par J. Wyclif dans le cadre d'une theorie politique progressiste, fondee sur les notions de vertu morale (iustitia), souverainete civile (dominium) et tolerance
Functional Properties of Chitin and Chitosan

Chitin (poly-β (1⇒4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine), chitosan (deacetylated chitin) and microcrystalline chitin (redispersible chitin powder) were compared with microcrystalline cellulose to examine the use of those cellulose-like biopolymers as functional additives for potential application in food formulations. Water binding, fat binding and emulsifying properties were studied. Baking tests were performed with 0.5–2.0% (flour basis) of microcrystalline chitin added to wheat flour bread or to potato protein fortified (8% potato protein concentrate) white bread. Water-binding capacity and fat binding capacity of chitin, chitosan and microcrystalline chitin ranged from 230–440s (w/w) and from 170–315% (w/w). Chitosan and chitin did not produce emulsions but microcrystalline chitin showed good emulsifying properties and was superior to microcrystalline cellulose. Increasing concentration of microcrystalline chitin (0.12–0.8 g/100 ml water) had a positive effect on emulsion stability. Addition of microcrystalline chitin increased specific loaf volume of white bread and protein fortified breads. Water addition of 65% (flour basis) was found to be optimum for “chitin breads.”
Prices, infrastructure, household characteristics and child height☆

Household survey data from Brazil matched with information collected at the municipio (county) level are used to examine the relation between parental characteristics (primarily education) community infrastructure and services and child height. Data are drawn from 2 sources: Informacoes Basicas Municipais (1974) is a periodic survey of 4000 municipios on infrastructure health and education services. Estudo Nacional da Despesa Familiar (1974-75) is a household survey covering 37000 children under age 8 on income expenditure anthropometry and socio-demographic characteristics. Local food price indices were derived from these data. Child height is significantly affected by local infrastructure particularly modern sewerage and piped water in urban areas and electricity in rural settings. These effects are stronger for children over 2 those of better educated mothers and those in households spending more. Higher prices for dairy products and sugar are linked to lower urban child height and higher fish prices to lower rural child height significantly for children of illiterate mothers. Higher prices for meat and rice are associated with taller height possible because men usually eat these foods. Mothers with elementary schooling can counteract the effects of food prices on child height. Number of teachers is positively related to height in rural children. Numbers of nurses and of hospital beds is associated with shorter children suggesting that large hospitals locate in poor urban areas. This study has succeeded in identifying some public investments that affect child health.
A way to wage war on ignorance and poverty

At last there's some good news to celebrate from the world of science, says Lawrence Krauss
Atypical presentation of an advanced obstructive biliary cancer without jaundice.

PATIENT Female, 60 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Cholangiocarcinoma Symptoms: Abdominal pain • abdominal discomfort MEDICATION - Clinical Procedure: - Specialty: Oncology. OBJECTIVE Unusual natural history/clinical course. BACKGROUND Cholangiocarcinoma remains to be a challenging case to diagnose and manage as it usually presents in advanced stage and survival rate remains dismal despite the medical breakthroughs. It is usually classified as intrahepatic, perihilar or distal tumor which can lead to bile duct obstruction causing sluggish flow of bile through the biliary tract and promoting increased absorption of bilirubin, bile acids and bile salts into systemic circulation accounting for the occurrence of jaundice, dark-colored urine and generalized pruritus. It usually becomes symptomatic when the tumor has significantly obstructed the biliary drainage causing painless jaundice and deranged liver function with cholestatic pattern. Jaundice occurs in 90% of the cases when the tumor has obstructed the biliary drainage system. A markedly dilated gallbladder as initial presenting feature in the absence of other typical obstructive clinical manifestations of an advanced stage of the cholangiocarcinoma is rare. CASE REPORT This case report presents an atypical case of an elderly woman who presented with advanced metastatic ductal cholangiocarcinoma with markedly dilated gallbladder and liver mass without other clinical manifestations and laboratory evidence of cholestatic jaundice. CONCLUSIONS The mere presence of Courvoisier's sign, even in the absence of other signs of biliary obstruction, could be suggestive of advanced neoplastic process along the biliary tract. Laboratory evidence of cholestasis might lag behind the clinical severity of the biliary obstruction in cholangiocarcinoma.
Feeding Practices for Infants and Young Children with Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract All aspects of diabetes therapy interrelate with diet. By understanding the total diabetic regimen and how it is complicated by stresses of growth and development seen in the very young child, the nutritionist can work toward establishing good feeding practices while eliminating undue stress. Standards of glucose control, the use of lucose monitoring, and timing of meals must be adjusted as the ckild grows. Coping with hunger, food refusal, and social development require an integration of knowledge of child development and diabetes management.
Broadband equivalent circuit models for canonical chiral elements

This article introduces broadband equivalent circuit models for both series-connected and parallel-connected canonical chiral elements. Each connection method results in a different terminal impedance behavior and therefore requires a different equivalent circuit model. These equivalent circuit models have a variety of applications including allowing for convenient analysis of chiral antennas as well as meta-materials composed of passively or actively loaded chiral elements. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 34: 181–183, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10410
Follow-up recommendations for patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer Stages I-III malignant melanoma.

BACKGROUND Guidelines for follow-up of melanoma patients are not established. In 1987, a follow-up protocol was instituted at the Yale Melanoma Unit to improve upon the detection of disease recurrence in patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer Stage I–III cutaneous melanoma. The follow-up protocol consists of a patient education program and a surveillance schedule based on stage of disease. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 373 patients who were seen and followed according to the surveillance protocol in the Yale Melanoma Unit between January 1988 and December 1994 to determine 1) the time interval between the initial visit and recurrence; 2) the most common method of detecting recurrences; 3) whether the surveillance schedule or the patient detects more recurrences, i.e., asymptomatic recurrences versus symptomatic recurrences; 4) whether there is any survival difference between asymptomatic and symptomatic recurrences. RESULTS The 5-year overall survival rates for Stage I, II, and III patients were 95%, 72%, and 52%, respectively. Of the 78 recurrences, 44 (56%) were detected by physician-directed surveillance examinations and 34 (44%) by patients. Most recurrences were found within the first (47%) or second (32%) year of follow-up. The estimated 6-month hazard rates for death or recurrence were 0.0044, 0.0088, and 0.0278 for Stage I, II, and III patients, respectively. The group of asymptomatic patients with recurrence had a survival advantage over the symptomatic recurrence group. In addition, patients with locoregional recurrence had better survival than those with distant recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Although many recurrences arise rapidly and are recognized early by patients, in this study more than half were found by surveillance examinations before symptoms were manifest. Based on the hazard ratio for recurrences, the authors recommend the following surveillance schedules in addition to the patient education program for detection of recurrences: 1) Stage I, annually; 2) Stage II, every 6 months for Years 1–2 and annually thereafter; 3) Stage III, every 3 months for Year 1, every 4 months for Year 2, and every 6 months for Years 3–5; 4) at Year 6 and beyond, all patients should have surveillance annually, due to the risk of late recurrence and/or metachronous multiple primaries. Cancer 1999;86:2252–8. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
Imbalance of the normal microbial flora: influence of strangulation obstruction upon the bacterial ecology of the small intestine.

Bacteria are present to varying degrees in the normal small intestine of dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and man. After strangulation obstruction of the small bowel, there is a marked increase in the bacterial population of the small bowel in all species studied. Different flora are normally present in the different species; following strangulation, similarities appear, particularly the uniform presence of clostridia as a dominant organism. Near-maximal bacterial counts were reached 6 hr. after strangulation. These studies have emphasized the importance of the intestinal flora in determining the outcome in strangulation obstruction.
Preroughening and reentrant layering transitions on triangular lattice substrates.

Recent ellipsometric and calorimetric studies of argon and krypton adsorbed on triangular lattice graphite substrates have found a novel sequence of apparent reentrant layering transitions between integer-plus-one-half coverages. Related behavior has been demonstrated in a Monte Carlo study by Phillips, Zhang, and Larese. In contrast to arguments made by these authors, however, we use solid-on-solid models that include a substrate potential to demonstrate that this behavior should be expected to arise out of the physics that produces roughening and preroughening of a bulk crystal surface, which then provides a unified picture of both the experiments and the simulation results.
Atomic and Molecular Adsorption on Re(0001)

Using periodic, self-consistent density functional theory calculations, the adsorption of several atomic (H, S, N, O and C) and molecular (CO2, N2, NH3, HCN, CO and NO) species and molecular fragments (NH2, NH, CN, CNH2, HNO, NOH, CH3, CH2, CH and OH) on the (0001) facet of rhenium at a coverage of 0.25 ML has been studied. Preferred binding sites with their corresponding binding energy and deformation energy of the surface, as well as an estimated diffusion barrier of each species have been determined. Atomic species and molecular fragments tend to bind to threefold sites, whereas molecular species tend to bind to top sites. The binding strength, with respect to the corresponding gas phase species and in increasing order for all species studied, is: CO2 < N2 < NH3 < CO < CH3 < HCN < NO < H < NH2 < OH < CH2 < CNH2 < CN < HNO < NH < NOH < S < N < O < CH < C. The vibrational frequencies of all species in their most energetically favorable adsorbed configuration have been calculated. Finally, the thermochemistry of adsorption and decomposition of NO, NO + H, NH3, N2, CO2, CO and CH4 on Re(0001) has been analyzed.
Atherosclerosis and leukocyte-endothelial adhesive interactions are increased following acute myocardial infarction in apolipoprotein E deficient mice.

Objective To determine the effect of myocardial infarction (MI) on progression of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE−/−) mice.
Are US state and local governments consumption smoothers

Purpose – This paper aims to reconcile conflicting findings in the literature regarding the extent of consumption smoothing of sub-federal governments. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses a panel of US state and local government data from 1973 to 2000 to find the extent of consumption smoothing among US state and local governments. Findings – It is found that about 30 percent of spending is determined by permanent resources. Additionally, states with more stringent balanced budget rules are found to smooth more than states with the least stringent balanced budget rules, which do not smooth at all. There is some evidence that liquidity constraints may cause the non-optimal behavior of the states with the least restrictive requirements as they have higher average net debt per capita and face higher risk premia than those with the most stringent rules. Research limitations/implications – Results differ from research using aggregate US data, where it is found that essentially all changes in state an...
On the thermal balance of a subduction zone

Abstract A novel solution is proposed to the problem of why subduction of cold lithosphere produces remarkably precise lines of volcanoes and dense concentrations of geothermal areas close to that volcanic front. It is that not only is the volcanism triggered by the release of volatiles from the slab, but that the upwelling of copious quantities of these volatiles actually provides most of the heat. The Wadati-Benioff zone is too shallow under the volcanic front (100 km) for asthenosphere to supply much heat, and frictional heating from the mechanical energy of the sinking slab is insufficient to do more than heat the upper crust to a moderate temperature (700°C). A pressure-induced dewatering of serpentine minerals would explain the similarity of the volcanic systems over both old and young slabs; if the 6-km-thick layer of partially serpentinised harzburgite exposed in Oman is representative of the pre-subduction sea floor, then the necessary quantity of subducted fluid could be supplied in near steady state. The hypothesis even has an explanation for the absence of volcanoes where aseismic ridges or major seamount chains are subducted; where the basaltic crust is thick, the serpentinised layer does not form or is destroyed during seamount volcanism. Insofar as the thermodynamics of these systems is known, it is consistent with the idea, although the near-isenthalpic rise of a mainly water fluid falls somewhat short of providing all the heat needed.
Oblique muscle surgery for treatment of nystagmus with head tilt

Background Patients with nystagmus may adopt an abnormal head posture if they have a null zone in eccentric gaze. These patients uncommonly present with torticollis due to a null zone when the head is tilted. We describe the results of surgery on the oblique muscles to improve the abnormal head posture in this condition. Methods This was a retrospective review of patients who had head tilts due to null zones of nystagmus. Surgery consisted of an anterior 50% tenectomy of the superior oblique tendon on one side and recession of the inferior oblique muscle to a position 6 mm posterior to the insertion of the inferior rectus muscle on the contralateral side. The patients' clinical histories and outcomes were reviewed. Results Six patients underwent the procedure. Of these, four had infantile nystagmus syndrome and two were born prematurely and had histories of intraventricular hemorrhages. Five of the patients had previous Kestenbaum surgery that corrected the horizontal component of their abnormal head postures. Age at time of surgery for the head tilt ranged from 3 to 13 years. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 1.5 to 3 years. The preoperative head tilts ranged from 25° to 45° (mean, 39°). The postoperative improvement ranged from 20° to 40° (mean, 28°). One of the patients with a history of intraventricular hemorrhage required additional surgery for strabismus unrelated to nystagmus. Conclusions Anterior tenectomy of the superior oblique tendon combined with contralateral recession of the inferior oblique muscle improved head tilts related to a null zone of nystagmus.
Environmental effects on variation and covariation in reproductive traits of Western Bluebirds

Environmental conditions can influence the expression and correlations of phenotypic traits. I studied phenotypic plasticity in reproductive traits of Western Bluebirds breeding in northern Arizona. Data collected over 4 years on two contrasting habitats identified significant spatial and temporal variation in bluebird reproduction. Clutch size was similar over different environmental conditions whereas timing of clutch initiation, percent fledging success, and frequency of second nest attempts were flexible. Correlations between traits varied widely—often changing sign—among samples from different years or habitats. Correlations of traits with reproductive success were also dependent on environmental conditions. Variation in traits reflected behavioral responses by nesting adults to differences in time for breeding and feeding conditions. Density of trees differed between habitats and had opposing effects on these environmental variables; breeding seasons were generally longer, but feeding rates to nestlings were lower on the more open habitat. Late Spring snows delayed reproduction and increased the importance of limited time for breeding; feeding conditions were more influential following a dry Spring. This and other studies illustrate that data on phenotypic plasticity are important when evaluating the ecological and evolutionary forces underlying life histories.
Sequential decomposition and policy iteration schemes for M -player games with partial weak coupling

Abstract We formulate two general classes of M -player deterministic and stochastic nonzero-sum games where the players can be placed into two groups such that there are strong interactions within each group and a weak interaction between the two groups. This weak interaction is characterized in terms of a small parameter e which, when set equal to zero, leads to two independent nonzero-sum games. Under the Nash equilibrium solution concept both within and in between the groups, we study the merits of an iterative method for the construction of the equilibrium by solving simpler problems at each stage of the iteration. In this iterative scheme, the zeroth order solution is the Nash equilibrium of the two independent games obtained by setting e = 0, whereas the higher-order solutions are Nash equilibria of quadratic games, even though the original problem may have nonquadratic cost functions.
Self-selection of natural and purified dietary protein.

Abstract Animals given the opportunity to select their diets from a protein fraction and a carbohydrate fraction selected a constant ratio of protein to carbohydrate regardless of the protein source. If the protein was in a natural form this ratio was such as to support growth at a rate equal to that of their controls, but if the protein was in the purified form the growth rate was depressed below even their controls. These data suggest that in the ad libitum-fed animal dietary balance as well as caloric balance appear to be the prime determinants of intake. Growth considerations do not appear to be the crucial determinants of dietary self-selection.
Liquid trapping after supercritical fluid extraction with modified carbon dioxide

A polarity test mix consisting of acetophenone, N,N-dimethylaniline, naphthalene, 2-naphthol, and n-tetracosane was spiked onto sand and extracted with carbon dioxide modified with acetonitrile, methanol, or toluene. The extracts were collected in chloroform, hexane, methanol, or a mixed collection solvent consisting of equal parts chloroform-hexane-methanol. The mixed collection solvent which showed excellent recoveries for pure CO2, had the worst recoveries of all the collection solvents with modified CO2. Overall hexane was the best collection solvent studied for these analytes under these extraction conditions.
Sign of slow non-linearities in non-absorbing optical media

Abstract It is shown, through a thermodynamic argument, that mechanisms producing a refractive index charge which is sensitive to energy density and takes many optical cycles to take effect, can only produce an increase in the index.
Free‐choice experiences: How do they help children learn?

Hunt's theory of intrinsic motivation and the open education movement suggests that student choice is an important variable in instruction. Piagetian theory emphasizes the importance of interactive experiences and exposure to materials as opposed to direct instruction. In this study, interactive free choice learning experiences are compared to and combined with the lecture-demonstration approach. The goal of both forms of instruction was to teach children to criticize and control experiments. The lecture-demonstration approach without opportunities for free choice was superior to free choice alone or free choice combined with the lecture-demonstration approach in teaching students to criticize experiments. Lecture-demonstration followed by free choice was superior to free choice followed by lecture-demonstration, and to free choice combined with lecture-demonstration in teaching students to design controlled experiments. Results suggest that the ability to criticize experiments is a necessary condition for acquiring the ability to design controlled experiments. Contrary to some of Piaget's statements and to recent research (Kuhn & Angelev, 1976), this study suggests that instruction combined with exposure to materials is more effective than exposure alone in fostering an ability to criticize and control experiments. Results suggest that free choice is an effective instructional tool only after students have some familiarity with the goals of instruction. That is, students who are able to criticize experiments can learn to design controlled experiments from a free-choice program.
Political competition and the Roman Catholic schools: Ontario, Canada

Some years ago George Stigler (1972) presented an argument that political markets have a competitive analog to private markets. The implication of such competition was that a minority position may yield a payoff from the political process even under a 'winner-take-all' election rule. More recently, researchers have been advancing the view that the political markets and the bureaus within are much more competitive than the traditional literature (as follows Downs, 1957; and Niskanen, 1971) had led us to believe (see, for example, Breton and Wintrobe, 1982; and Bagnoli and McKee, 1986). Since political competition is at the heart of the competitive view of the public sector, it is time to examine Stigler's work in some detail. The optimal majority is narrow (Riker, 1962). A large majority implies a smaller subset of the population that is available to be exploited, i.e., the losers. However, the market for political power is periodically contested, thus a weak majority may be easily overturned. It is in the interests of the incumbent political authority to provide policies which favor some minority interests; particularly where such minority interests are narrow since this characteristic implies more intense preferences as well as narrow range of public expenditures necessary to satisfy the demands of this minority. Stigler demonstrated several conditions which made the minority interests relevant to the political actor in power. Homogeneous minorities will be better represented, since their voting behavior will be more unified on a particular issue. Thus a smaller, more homogeneous, minority may be able to secure greater gains than a larger but heterogeneous group. Stigler's paper contains two related hypotheses. First, minority interests may be able to capture some returns in the political market despite not actually winning the election. Second, a group's influence over policy is a monotonically increasing function of its share of the electorate the game is not
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Are Potent Acute Pulmonary Vasodilators in Rats

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are promising for the treatment of severe pulmonary hypertension. Their therapeutic effects are postulated to be due to inhibition of cell growth-related kinases and attenuation of vascular remodeling. Their potential vasodilatory activities have not been explored. Vasorelaxant effects of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors imatinib, sorafenib, and nilotinib were examined in isolated pulmonary arterial rings from normal and pulmonary hypertensive rats. Phosphorylation of myosin light chain phosphatase and myosin light chain was assessed by Western blots. Acute hemodynamic effects of imatinib were tested in the pulmonary hypertensive rats. In normal pulmonary arteries, imatinib reversed serotonin- and U46619-induced contractions in a concentration-dependent and endothelium-independent manner. Sorafenib and nilotinib relaxed U46619-induced contraction. Imatinib inhibited activation of myosin phosphatase induced by U46619 in normal pulmonary arteries. All three tyrosine kinase inhibitors concentration-dependently and completely reversed the spontaneous contraction of hypertensive pulmonary arterial rings unmasked by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase. Acute intravenous administration of imatinib reduced high right ventricular systolic pressure in pulmonary hypertensive rats, with little effect on left ventricular systolic pressure and cardiac output. We conclude that tyrosine kinase inhibitors have potent pulmonary vasodilatory activity, which could contribute to their long-term beneficial effect against pulmonary hypertension. Vascular smooth muscle relaxation mediated via activation of myosin light chain phosphatase (Ca(2+) desensitization) appears to play a role in the imatinib-induced pulmonary vasodilation.
Treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia: is there a need beyond statin therapy?

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic lipid disorder that is characterized by severely elevated cholesterol levels and premature cardiovascular disease. Both the heterozygous and homozygous forms of FH require aggressive cholesterol-lowering therapy. Statins alone frequently do not lower these patients’ cholesterol to therapeutic levels, and some patients are intolerant to statins. Combination or monotherapy with other current pharmacotherapies are options, but even with these some FH patients do not meet their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol goals. In the cases of statin intolerance, LDL apheresis may be another treatment option. There are currently several novel therapies in development for LDL lowering that target either production or catabolism of LDL, plaque regression, and potentially gene transfer. We conclude that there is a need beyond statins for patients with FH, especially in cases of statin intolerance, and when even the highest doses of statin do not get patients to goal cholesterol levels.
Orbital susceptibility of the low density electron gas

Abstract The orbital susceptibility of the electron gas is calculated at densities so low that the ‘Wigner crystal’ picture is valid. These results are used to construct an interpolation for the orbital susceptibility which is exact in the high density limit and nearly exact at low densities.
Functional signal peptides bind a soluble N-terminal fragment of SecA and inhibit its ATPase activity.

The selective recognition of pre-secretory proteins by SecA is essential to the process of protein export fromEscherichia coli, yet very little is known about the requirements for recognition and the mode of binding of precursors to SecA. The major reason for this is the lack of a soluble system suitable for biophysical study of the SecA-precursor complex. Complicating the development of such a system is the likelihood that SecA interacts with the precursor in a high affinity, productive manner only when it is activated by binding to membrane and SecYEG. A critical aspect of the precursor/SecA interaction is that it is regulated by various SecA ligands (nucleotide, lipid, SecYEG) to facilitate the release of the precursor, most likely in a stepwise fashion, for translocation. Several recent reports show that functions of SecA can be studied using separated domains. Using this approach, we have isolated a proteolytically generated N-terminal fragment of SecA, which is stably folded, has high ATPase activity, and represents an activated version of SecA. We report here that this fragment, termed SecA64, binds signal peptides with significantly higher affinity than does SecA. Moreover, the ATPase activity of SecA64 is inhibited by signal peptides to an extent that correlates with the ability of these signal peptides to inhibit either SecA translocation ATPase or in vitro protein translocation, arguing that the interaction with SecA64 is functionally significant. Thus, SecA64 offers a soluble, well defined system to study the mode of recognition of signal peptides by SecA and the regulation of signal peptide release.