cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SIR Epidemic Model under Mobility on Multi-layer Networks

Abstract We study Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) epidemic model under mobility on multi-layer networks. We consider a scenario in which each individual within the population belong to one of the multiple classes and the population is distributed over multiple environmental patches. Individuals within a patch interact according to the SIR epidemic model and move across patches according to a class-dependent continuous time Markov chain. This yields a multi-layer network in which each layer is associated with a class and the connectivity in each layer corresponds to the digraph and transition rates of the associated Markov chain. For this multi-layer SIR model, we establish stability properties of equilibria using Lyapunov techniques, and derive simple conditions for the epidemic outbreak.
Trigger Beliefs and Perceptions

To understand more about headache triggers, it is crucial to assess beliefs about triggers. While many studies are designed to elicit a person’s beliefs about whether certain factors are triggers, most do not include detailed assessments of the elements of these trigger belief systems. In reality, people may have complex belief systems that function as a means of control over the unpredictability of headache attacks. This chapter explores trigger beliefs and how their assessment can be used to understand their influence on the behaviors of individuals with headache.
Semi-aromatic biobased polyesters derived from lignin and cyclic carbonates

The synthesis of biobased aromatic polyesters from lignin-derived monomers has become well described in the literature, but robust extrusion, thermomechanical, tensile and degradation studies of these materials is lacking. In this work, we have systematically investigated the mechanical and biodegradation properties of semi-aromatic polyesters that can potentially be derived from lignin. AB monomers were synthesized from reduced analogues of coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids along with cyclic carbonates, where the synthetic methodology was assessed using E-Factor and EcoScale. Polymerization yielded both semi-crystalline and amorphous polyesters with mechanical properties varying over three orders of magnitude. Detailed characterization revealed a wide array of properties including a highly ductile thermoplastic, a strong and rigid thermoplastic, and an elastomer. Composting biodegradation tests showed both degradable and nondegradable polymers can be achieved in this class. This work demonstrates the versatility of this class of polymers and illustrates their potential to replace non-sustainably derived plastics.
Plant and Bacterial Cytochromes P-450: Involvement in Herbicide Metabolism

Although herbicides have been used in weed control for many years, our understanding of the biological chemistry involved in their metabolism and degradation is still in its infancy. These reactions take place both in plants which have been treated with herbicides, and in soil microorganisms.1–3 Metabolism in a soil microorganism can result in increased water solubility of the herbicide, with corresponding increased bioavailability and biodegradability ultimately leading to the complete degradation of the herbicide. Herbicide metabolism in plants can result in altered phytotoxicity providing a mechanism of crop selectivity based on the differential metabolism of a herbicide in crop plants as compared with weeds. This very common mechanism of selectivity, which relies largely on uncharacterized enzymatic pathways, is in stark contrast to the alternative and less common mechanism of crop selectivity in which the characteristics of the target site enzyme for the herbicide 4–7 are modified to a herbicide resistant form.8–12
Telomeres and Aging in the Yeast Model System

Telomeres are the physical ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes. In many organisms, including humans and yeasts, telomeres are composed of short repeated DNA sequences and their associated proteins. These repeats are lost gradually due to incomplete DNA synthesis of the chromosome end, or by degradation from nucleases, and can be resynthesized by the enzyme telomerase. Many human somatic cells do not express sufficient telomerase activity to prevent telomere repeat loss, resulting in cell senescence or death when telomeres shorten to a critical length. This telomere length checkpoint for aging and cell growth is also seen in yeast whose genes for telomerase components have been deleted, allowing yeast to serve as a model for telomere-linked senescence and aging in human cells. Telomeres also serve as a reservoir of bound proteins that are released as the telomere DNA shortens, and work in yeast has shown that these telomere-associated proteins play important roles in yeast replicative aging. The advantages of yeast as an aging model include rapid growth and aging, a small well-defined and well-annotated genome, powerful molecular genetics for modifying this genome, simple but robust assays for the activity and location of telomeric proteins, publicly available collections of mutants in every gene, and multiple assays for replicative and chronological aging. This chapter will describe how the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has contributed to our knowledge of telomeres and aging, and the emerging role of the evolutionarily divergent fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe as another important model system. The powerful genetics of these two different yeast systems should identify central evolutionarily conserved processes that control cellular aging.
$\sigma_{DIS}(\nu N)$, NLO Perturbative QCD and O(1 GeV) Mass Corrections

The deep-inelastic neutrino-nucleon cross section is one of the components of few GeV neutrino interactions. We present here our results for neutrino-isoscalar nucleon charged current scattering including perturbative next-to-leading order QCD corrections, target mass corrections, charm mass and lepton mass corrections.
Loss concentration based Controlled Delay: An Active Queue Management algorithm for enhanced Quality of Experience for video telephony

This paper presents an Active Queue Management (AQM) algorithm for improving the Quality of Experience (QoE) of video telephony over packet switched networks. The algorithm exploits the characteristics of the video coding structure, and builds on the Controlled Delay (Codel) active queue management algorithm recently proposed by Nichols and Jacobson to address the prevalent ‘bufferbloat’ problem in the current Internet. The proposed algorithm, Loss Concentration based controlled Delay (LC-Codel), maintains low queuing delay which is essential for video telephony, while using loss concentration to improve video QoE. Simulation results show significant gains in QoE with negligible impact on cross traffic.
Coproporphyrin content of amniotic fluid in normal and diseased infants

Abstract Coproporphyrin concentration has been determined in 207 samples of amniotic fluid obtained from 191 patients. Values of less than 3 μg per 100 ml. were found in all of 36 normal cases where fluid was obtained prior to the onset of labor. Slightly higher values were obtained during labor in normal subjects. Elevated values were commonly observed where the infant had erythroblastosis with significantly decreased cord hemoglobin levels. Elevated values were also seen in each of 12 cases of suspected fetal death where the infant was dead at birth but in none of 6 instances where a dead infant was suspected but not found. The procedure of amniocentesis was found to be a safe one.
Novel assay of 7-alkylation of guanine residues in DNA. Application to nitrogen mustard, triethylenemelamine and mitomycin C.

Abstract Release of tritium from DNA labeled at the 8-position of guanine residues was used as a test for the interaction of DNA with the bifunctional nitrogen mustard, methyl-(bis-β-chloroethyl)amine, the synthetic mutagen triethylenemelamine and the antibiotic mitomycin C. This method seems to offer a diagnostic and quantitative assay of 7-alkylation of guanine residues since alkylation experiments with nitrogen mustard showed a stoichiometric correspondence between the amount of guanine alkylated and the amount of tritium released into the medium. Triethylenemelamine caused substantial release of tritium. There was no detectable tritium release with mitomycin C under the optimal conditions for covalent binding of the drug to DNA in vitro . This finding indicates that, contrary to earlier suggestion, mitomycin C does not alkylate the N-7 position of guanine residues in DNA.
Reducing Leachability and Bioaccessibility of Toxic Metals in Soils, Sediments, and Solid/Hazardous Wastes Using Stabilized Nanoparticles

Toxic metals such as chromium and lead have been widely detected at thousands of priority sites in the United States. To mitigate the toxic effects on human and environmental health, it is essential to reduce the leachability and bioaccessibility of these metals. Although the concept of in situ immobilization has elicited great interest for decades, cost-effective in situ treatment technologies for reducing leachability and bioaccessibility of metals remain lacking. This chapter aims to illustrate the concept and promise of in situ metal immobilization using some newly developed stabilized nanoparticles that can be delivered and dispersed into various porous media and can bind these metals strongly. Two toxic metals including Cr(VI) and Pb(II) were selected as prototype contaminants, and accordingly, uses of two types of nanoparticles (zero valent iron (ZVI) and iron phosphate) are illustrated. Stabilized ZVI nanoparticles were prepared using a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a stabilizer, and in situ reductive immobilization of Cr(VI) in water and in a sandy loam soil was illustrated. Stabilized iron phosphate (vivianite) nanoparticles were synthesized with CMC as a stabilizer for in situ immobilization of Pb(II) in soils. The CMC-stabilized nanoparticles were shown to effectively reduce the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) leachability and physiologically based extraction test (PBET) bioaccessibility of Pb(II) in three representative soils (calcareous, neutral, and acidic). The stabilization of the ZVI nanoparticles is attributed to the adsorption of CMC molecules to the surface of the nanoparticles. This latest knowledge sheds light on developing alternative in situ immobilization strategies for remediation of contaminated sites with toxic metals using stabilized mineral nanoparticles.
Toward Cost-Sensitive Modeling for Intrusion Detection

Intrusion detection systems need to maximize security while minimizing costs. In this paper, we study the problem of building cost-sensitive intrusion detection models. We examine the major cost factors: development costs, operational costs, damage costs incurred due to intrusions, and the costs involved in responding to intrusions. We propose cost-sensitive machine learning techniques to produce models that are optimized for user-defined cost metrics. We describe an automated approach for generating efficient run-time versions of these models. Empirical experiments in off-line analysis and real-time detection show that our cost-sensitive modeling and deployment techniques are effective in reducing the overall cost of intrusion detection.
CURRENT STATUS OF THE STATISTICAL THEORY OF MASS SPECTRA

Since its inception, some ten years ago, the statistical theory of mass spectra has stimulated much lively discussion and critical examination both of the ionic decomposition phenomena occurring in the mass spectrometer and of the content, meaning and realm of applicability of the theory itself. Recent experimental advances such as photoionization and energy-modulated electron beams have led to new information of unprecedented detail and clarity which is serving as a new testing ground for the theory. It is the purpose of this paper briefly to review the principal features that have developed from this interplay of experiment and theory and to outline some of the new problems that have emerged.
An Analytic Hierarchy Process Based Approach to the Design and Evaluation of a Marketing Driven Business and Corporate Strategy

The dramatic changes in the business environment, as highlighted in Table 11.1, suggest that the old and proven ways of doing business may not suffice in assuring survival and growth in the 1990s and beyond. Heightened environmental uncertainty and complexity calls for increased attention to creativity in generating strategic directions for the firm, rigor in evaluating the strategic options on multiple and independent objectives, and vision and focus to assure effective utilization of resources. Most managers could greatly benefit from a framework and methodology which would allow them to accomplish these tasks while at the same time assuring that the strategy is driven by the critical marketing considerations. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) provides such a framework and methodology.
Rogue Access Point Detection Using Innate Characteristics of the 802.11 MAC

Attacks on wireless networks can be classified into two categories: external wireless and internal wired. In external wireless attacks, an attacker uses a wireless device to target the access point (AP), other wireless nodes or the communications on the network. In internal wired attacks, an attacker or authorized insider inserts an unauthorized (or rogue) AP into the wired backbone for malicious activity or misfeasance. This paper addresses detecting the internal wired attack of inserting rogue APs (RAPs) in a network by monitoring on the wiredside for characteristics of wireless traffic. We focus on two 802.11 medium access control (MAC) layer features as a means of fingerprinting wireless traffic in a wired network. In particular, we study the effect of the Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) and rate adaptation specifications on wireless traffic by observing their influence on arrival delays. By focusing on fundamental traits of wireless communications, unlike existing techniques, we demonstrate that it is possible to extract wireless components from a flow without having to train our system with network-specific wired and wireless traces. Unlike some existing anomaly based detection schemes, our approach is generic as it does not assume that the wired network is inherently faster than the wireless network, is effective for networks that do not have sample wireless traffic, and is independent of network speed/type/protocol. We evaluate our approach using experiments and simulations. Using a Bayesian classifier we show that we can correctly identify wireless traffic on a wired link with 86-90% accuracy. This coupled with an appropriate switch port policy allows the identification of RAPs.
Fuzzy lexical acquisition of adjectives

This paper details a method for detecting senses (meaning) of entries for an English lexicon. The examples are based on size adjectives within a semantic-based natural language processing system such as the Ontological Semantic Technology system described in [1] and developed and improved elsewhere [2]–[6]. The method attempts to calculate the approximate meaning of unknown words. For the described case of adjectives, the system observes what properties the modified nouns have. Then, specific instances of the adjective are tracked via a set of determiners from [7] to find out whether the unknown adjective adjusts size to bigger or smaller than average. At the end of any step, a partially completed entry is created for the user to rectify and finalize. The method demonstrates its feasibility of generalization to other properties corresponding to adjectives and, potentially, other parts of speech.
Women's Access to Pensions and the Structure of Eligibility Rules: Systems of Production and Reproduction

Because many older women lack access to private pensions and rely solely on social security income, they are significantly more likely than men to have incomes below or near poverty level. Liberal ...
Analysis of VCO jitter in chip-package co-design

Performance of a phase locked loop (PLL) is very dependent on the jitter in the voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). Traditionally, the jitter is analyzed on the basis of the nonidealities at the chip-level. In this paper, we demonstrate that package design could significantly impact jitter. Further, a novel methodology for analyzing the jitter of a VCO in a chip-package codesign methodology is presented, with the aid of an example. This methodology could easily be extended to include other sources of jitter, since there is no correlation between power supply noise and other sources. Good agreement between the theoretical prediction and simulation results is demonstrated.
Folate Metabolism and Requirements

Folate functions in multiple coenzyme forms in acceptance, redox processing and transfer of one-carbon units, including nucleotides and certain amino acids. Folate-requiring metabolic processes are influenced by folate intake, intake of other essential nutrients, including vitamins B-12 and B-6, and at least one common genetic polymorphism. Estimates of folate requirements have been based on intakes associated with maintenance of normal plasma and erythrocyte folate concentrations and functional tests that reflect abnormalities in folate-dependent reactions. Dietary Reference Intakes for folate that have been developed recently are based primarily on metabolic studies in which erythrocyte folate concentration was considered the major indicator of adequacy. For adults >/=19 y, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 400 microg/d of dietary folate equivalents (DFE); for lactating and pregnant women, the RDAs include an additional 100 and 200 microg of DFE/d, respectively.
Reliability issues studied in Solid-State Drives

Solid-State Drives (SSDs) have impacted the computing platform and storage industry by providing substantially higher bandwidth random and sequential read write performance compared to Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). Due to these storage performance benefits, SSDs have also demanded more and stressed the NAND components beyond the typical usage models of removable storage media. In this work, several key SSD and NAND component reliability issues as the result of extra performance demands are examined in their respective forms. These include the effects of drive cycling with associated temperature bake, NAND component read disturb, NAND “XOR” (internal RAID), and SSD mechanical reliability issues. Data and results from these respective SSD reliability areas will be presented and discussed.
Henry Koplik, MD, the good samaritan dispensary of New York City, and the description of Koplik's spots

The field of pediatrics is literally filled with eponyms that both identify a particular disease (or sign, symptom, or anatomic structure) and pay homage to the person who first described it. Many of the eponyms we tend to cherish and use the most are connected to those individuals who were major and inspiring figures in their field at the time of the entity's description. After a period of many years, when the eponym becomes an established part of the medical lexicon, we may forget the people who inspired these enchanting labels, but we nevertheless cling dearly to them. One excellent example of this phenomenon is the life and career of Henry E. Koplik, MD, the New York, NY, pediatrician, author, teacher, and describer of the pathognomonic sign for measles—Koplik's spots. BEGINNINGS Henry Koplik was born in New York City on October 2, 1859. He received his undergraduate education at the
Discourses of Exclusion: Sexuality Education's Silencing of Sexual Others

This article begins with a broad historical overview detailing how school-based sexuality education has been taught from a specific kind of heterosexual perspective that has excluded lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified (LGBTQ) students as well as heterosexual students who do not fall along culturally dominant heterosexual lines. To illustrate such exclusionary sexuality education, we examine the discourses of exclusion in U.S.-based and international models of sexuality education. Then we turn to a continuum of sexuality education programs ranging from no sexuality education at all, abstinence-only, abstinence-based, to comprehensive, and anti-oppressive approaches. We conclude by offering ideas about the ideal characteristics or qualities needed for sexuality education to be inclusive of LGBTQ youth. This would not only stem the tide of the negative impact exclusionary sexuality education practices have had on these youth, but also such an educational experience—which would involve ...
A Locally Most Powerful Test for Detecting a Treatment Effect in the Presence of Nonresponders

A problem that frequently occurs in many biological experiments is when some subjects in the treatment group may be unaffected by the treatment. For this reason, the distribution of responses in the treatment group is expressed as a two-component mixture, where Lehmann alternatives are used to relate the distributions of affected and unaffected patients. A distribution-free approach is proposed for testing the hypothesis of no treatment effect against the alternative that a subset of the treated subjects respond to the treatment. The test is locally optimal and structured on the basis of the empirical distribution of the untreated subjects. The properties of the test are discussed and the power function is derived. It is shown that the power increases with the proportion of responders in the experiment.
Peptides derived from fibronectin type III connecting segments promote endothelial cell adhesion but not platelet adhesion: implications in tissue-engineered vascular grafts.

The development of a completely tissue-engineered small-caliber prosthesis suitable for incorporation into an in vivo vascular network is fraught with many challenges, including overcoming resistance to endothelialization and susceptibility to thrombogenesis. In this work, recombinant human fibronectin-derived low-molecular-weight peptide fragments were studied for their ability to promote cell type–specific α4 integrin-mediated adhesion. Two populations of primary human endothelial cells were examined and found to express α4 integrin receptors on their surfaces; on the contrary, human platelets were not found to be expressers of α4 integrins. A peptide fragment isolated from the variably spliced human fibronectin type III connecting segment-1 (CS-1) domain was determined to mediate statistically significant endothelial cell α4 integrin-mediated adhesion. In contrast, the fibronectin type III CS-1 fragment did not support human platelet adhesion under physiological fluid shear conditions, although fully i...
Progesterone Inhibits the Estrogen-Induced Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase→AKT→GSK-3β→Cyclin D1→pRB Pathway to Block Uterine Epithelial Cell Proliferation

The mammalian cell cycle is regulated by the cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma (pRB) family of proteins. Cyclin D1 with its CDK4/6 partners initiates the cell cycle and acts as the link between extracellular signals and the cell cycle machinery. Estradiol-17beta (E2) stimulates uterine epithelial cell proliferation, a process that is completely inhibited by pretreatment with progesterone (P4). Previously, we identified cyclin D1 localization as a key point of regulation in these cells with E2 causing its nuclear accumulation and P4 retaining it in the cytoplasm with the resultant inhibition of pRB phosphorylation. Here we show that E2 stimulates phosphoinositide 3-kinase to activate phosphokinase B/AKT to effect an inhibitory phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3beta). This pathway is suppressed by P4. Inhibition of the GSK-3beta activity in P4-treated uteri by the specific inhibitor, LiCl, reversed the nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1 and in doing so, caused pRB phosphorylation and the induction of downstream genes, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki67. Conversely, inhibition of phosphoinositide 3 kinase by LY294002 or Wortmanin reversed the E2-induced GSK-3beta Ser9 inhibitory phosphorylation and blocked nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1. These data show the reciprocal actions of E2 and P4 on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase through to the GSK-3beta pathway that in turn regulates cyclin D1 localization and cell cycle progression. These data reveal a novel signaling pathway that links E2 and P4 action to growth factor-mediated signaling in the uterus.
Organic Fouling and Chemical Cleaning of Nanofiltration Membranes: Measurements and Mechanisms

Fouling and subsequent chemical cleaning of nanofiltration (NF) membranes used in water quality control applications are often inevitable. To unravel the mechanisms of organic fouling and chemical cleaning, it is critical to understand the foulant-membrane, foulant-foulant, and foulant-cleaning agent interactions at the molecular level. In this study, the adhesion forces between the foulant and the membrane surface and between the bulk foulant and the fouling layer were determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). A carboxylate modified AFM colloid probe was used as a surrogate for humic acid, the major organic foulant in natural waters. The interfacial force data were combined with the NF membrane water flux measurements to elucidate the mechanisms of organic fouling and chemical cleaning. A remarkable correlation was obtained between the measured adhesion forces and the fouling and cleaning behavior of the membrane under various solution chemistries. The AFM measurements further confirmed that divalent calcium ions greatly enhance natural organic matter fouling by complexation and subsequent formation of intermolecular bridges among organic foulant molecules. Efficient chemical cleaning was achieved only when the calcium ion bridging was eliminated as a result of the interaction between the chemical cleaning agent and the fouling layer. The cleaning efficiency was highly dependent on solution pH and the concentration of the chemical cleaning agent.
Which physicians are affected most by Medicaid preferred drug lists for statins and antihypertensives

Background: To limit quickly rising prescription drug expenditures, many state Medicaid programmes have implemented preferred drug lists (PDLs) and prior authorisation (PA). Lessons from Medicaid efforts may be informative for Medicare, which started covering outpatient prescription drugs recently. Objectives: To examine how the cost of compliance with Medicaid PDLs for antihypertensives and statins varied across physicians, and to assess the effects of PDLs on physician prescribing patterns and access for Medicaid patients. Data and methods: An anonymous survey of primary care physicians and cardiologists in nine states with PDLs was conducted in December 2005 and January 2006. Survey responses were augmented with physician prescribing data, practice location characteristics, and publicly available information about state PDLs. We analysed six physician-level outcome measures: annual PDL-related costs; the proportion of Medicaid prescriptions covered by the PDL; the proportion of Medicaid prescriptions written for an alternative to a physician’s most preferred drug because of PDLs; the proportion of times no drug was prescribed to a Medicaid patient because of PDLs; whether they restricted their new Medicaid patient caseload because of PDLs; and whether they decreased the proportion of prescriptions not covered by the Medicaid PDL for non-Medicaid patients. We assessed how these outcomes varied with Medicaid caseload, physician practice size, and socioeconomic characteristics of the practice’s ZIP Code. Results: Costs from complying with Medicaid PDLs for statins and antihypertensives were greatest for physicians in solo practices with high Medicaid caseloads located in poor areas. Although all physicians’ prescribing patterns were influenced to some extent by PDLs, those with high volumes of Medicaid prescriptions were affected more. They more frequently prescribed Medicaid patients a less-preferred medication or nothing at all, and were more likely to alter their prescribing to non-Medicaid patients. Physicians with low Medicaid prescription volumes in areas with fewer minorities were more likely to limit their willingness to treat new Medicaid patients. Conclusion: The burden of Medicaid PDLs fell greatest on physicians in disadvantaged areas and their patients.
Insect chitinase and chitinase-like proteins

Insect chitinases belong to family 18 glycosylhydrolases that hydrolyze chitin by an endo-type of cleavage while retaining the anomeric β-(1→4) configuration of products. There are multiple genes encoding chitinases and chitinase-like proteins in all insect species studied using bioinformatics searches. These chitinases differ in size, domain organization, physical, chemical and enzymatic properties, and in patterns of their expression during development. There are also differences in tissue specificity of expression. Based on a phylogenetic analysis, insect chitinases and chitinase-like proteins have been classified into several different groups. Results of RNA interference experiments demonstrate that at least some of these chitinases belonging to different groups serve non-redundant functions and are essential for insect survival, molting or development. Chitinases have been utilized for biological control of insect pests on transgenic plants either alone or in combination with other insecticidal proteins. Specific chitinases may prove to be useful as biocontrol agents and/or as vaccines.
Self-organized critical behavior in pinned flux lattices.

We study the response of pinned flux lattices, under small perturbations in the driving force, below and close to the pinning-depinning transition. For driving Lorentz forces below ${F}_{c}$ (the depinning force at which the whole flux lattice slides), the system has instabilities against small force increases, with a power-law distribution characteristic of self-organized criticality. Specifically, $D(d)\ensuremath{\sim}{d}^{\ensuremath{-}1.3}$, where $d$ is the displacement of a flux line after a very small force increase. We also study the initial stages of the motion of the lattice once the driving force overcomes the pinning forces.
Ising transition in frustrated Heisenberg models.

We derive scaling equations for a 2D square Heisenberg model where frustration spontaneously breaks the {ital Z}{sub 4} lattice symmetry. At short distances, the model behaves as two interpenetrating Neel sublattices. Short-wavelength fluctuations couple these sublattices, driving a crossover to single-lattice behavior at long distances and generating an Ising order parameter. When the spin-correlation and crossover lengths become comparable, there exists a finite-temperature Ising phase transition {ital independent} of the subsequent development of a sublattice magnetization.
The Two Worlds of Race Revisited: A Meditation on Race in the Age of Obama

Nearly fifty years ago, the American Academy organized a conference and two issues of its journal "Daedalus" on the topic of "The Negro American." The project engaged top intellectuals and policy-makers around the conflicts and limitations of mid-1960s liberalism in dealing with race. Specifically, they grappled with the persistent question of how to integrate a forced-worker population that had been needed but that was socially undesirable once its original purpose no longer existed. Today, racism has been discredited as an idea and legally sanctioned segregation belongs to the past, yet the question the conference participants explored -- in essence, how to make the unwanted wanted -- still remains. Recent political developments and anticipated demographic shifts, however, have recast the terms of the debate. Gerald Early, guest editor for the present volume, uses Barack Obama's election to the presidency as a pretext for returning to the central question of "The Negro American" project and, in turn, asking how white liberalism will fare in the context of a growing minority population in the United States. Placing his observations alongside those made by John Hope Franklin in 1965, Early positions his essay, and this issue overall, as a meditation on how far we have come in America to reach "the age of Obama" and at the same time how far we have to go before we can overcome "the two worlds of race."
High Rate of Obesity-Associated Hypertension among Primary Schoolchildren in Sudan

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) frequently has roots in childhood, including following childhood-onset hypertension. Incidence of CVD has increased in developing countries in East Africa during recent urbanization. Effects of these shifts on childhood hypertension are unclear. Our objectives were to (1) Determine the prevalence of hypertension among primary schoolchildren in Khartoum, Sudan; (2) Determine whether hypertension in this setting is associated with obesity. We performed a cross sectional study of 6-12y children from two schools randomly selected in Khartoum, Sudan. Height, weight, BMI, BP and family history of hypertension were assessed. Age-, height- and gender-specific BP curves were used to determine pre-hypertension (90-95%) and hypertension (>95%). Of 304 children, 45 (14.8%) were overweight; 32 (10.5%) were obese; 15 (4.9%) were pre-hypertensive and 15 (4.9%) were hypertensive. Obesity but not family history of hypertension was associated with current hypertension. In multiple logistic regression, adjusting for family history, children who were obese had a relative-risk of 14.7 (CI 2.45-88.2) for systolic hypertension compared to normal-weight children. We conclude that overweight and obesity are highly prevalent among primary schoolchildren in urban Sudan and are strongly associated with hypertension. That obesity-associated cardiovascular sequelae exist in the developing world at young ages may be a harbinger of future CVD in sub-Saharan Africa.
Studies of the effects of career interest inventories: Expanding outcome criteria to include women's experiences

Abstract It is proposed here that the goal of understanding individual satisfaction with work involves the perception of how work fits into a life pattern. This perspective should assist in explaining the occupational patterns and labor force participation of women. Current research on women's experience supports the need for expansion of outcome criteria in studies of effects. In particular, there is a need for outcome measures related to type of role explored (vocational, marital, parental) and decision area (occupation, marriage, and parent). Recently reviews of the effects on students of taking interest inventories and of the effects of career interventions more generally have derived primarily from views of the career development of men. Adding outcome measures in the roles and decision areas should increase the relationship between studies of effects and the experience of women.
THE INTRAOPERATIVE EVALUATION OF HEMOSTASIS

The inappropriate perioperative use of blood products results in stressing the limited national blood product supply, unnecessary increased cost to the patient from unnecessary transfusions and possible surgical delays to receive blood products, and patient-related transfusion complications resulting in both physiologic and psychologic costs. Evidence is also beginning to mount that transfusion of allogenic blood may adversely affect outcome as well. In a very recent publication, 21 mortality was significantly higher in patients receiving transfusions compared to nontransfused patients. Infections may be higher and at least one study demonstrates a higher infarct rate for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients with elevated hematocrits. 47 The use of nonspecific hemostasis monitoring may not clarify whether or not patients should receive blood versus blood products and may perpetrate inappropriate use of blood products. Recently, several authors have reviewed coagulation monitoring in the operative setting, including a review by Whalen, which is an excellent review of coagulation physiology and the scientific basis for coagulation tests. The intent of this article is to update these discussions. 14,34,45,54 Characteristics of currently available coagulation tests provide opportunities for making on-site intraoperative hemostasis evaluation attractive. These characteristics include the unsatisfactory, nonspecific nature of traditionally available tests, the time and cost of traditional laboratory-based hemostasis assessment contrasted with the dynamic nature of intraoperative hemostasis, and the evolving bedside or point-of-care testing (PCT) technology. The challenge of such intraoperative evaluation is increased by the complex nature of hemostasis itself with an interplay between endothelium; platelets; the coagulation cascade including the external, internal, common, and lytic pathways; and other protein systems involving complement and kallikrein.
Influence of the CNS Environment on Chromaffin Cell Survival and Catecholamine Secretion Patterns

: Chromaffin cells implanted into the CNS have been used as a potential source of sustained catecholamine delivery, although their survival and continued catecholamine secretion are controversial. In addition, chromaffin cells exhibit a high degree of neurochemical plasticity in response to environmental factors. The present aims were to determine whether the CNS provides a supportive environment for sustained catecholamine production in transplanted chromaffin cells and to assess whether this novel environment alters patterns of catecholamine secretion. Catecholamine release from bovine chromaffin cells implanted into the rat midbrain was determined in brain slices. In addition, alterations in catecholamine secretion patterns, particularly adrenaline/noradrenaline ratios, were compared in vitro versus in transplants. Results indicated that brain slices containing chromaffin cell implants released high basal and nicotine-stimulated levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline. It is surprising that although adrenaline/noradrenaline ratios steadily declined in culture, this did not occur when cells were transplanted to the CNS in the early postharvesting phases. However, if cells were transplanted following longer periods in culture, adrenaline/noradrenaline ratios remained low. Together, these results suggest that the CNS can provide a supportive environment for chromaffin cell survival and that the pattern of catecholamine secretion can be optimized by prior in vitro manipulation.
New, Possibly Extinct Lithogenine Loricariid (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from Northern Venezuela

Abstract A new species of the previously monotypic loricariid subfamily Lithogeninae is described from northern Venezuela. Lithogenes valencia is the first representative of the subfamily to be discovered subsequent to the discovery and description of Lithogenes villosus Eigenmann, 1909, from Guyana and extends the geographic distribution of the subfamily beyond the Guyana Shield region of northeastern South America. The new species shares several derived features with L. villosus that are not observed among other Loricariidae. It is diagnosed from L. villosus by the broader head, 27–29% SL (vs 22% SL), 25–29 premaxillary teeth (vs 9–10), the presence of nine (vs 8) branched pectoral-fin rays, anal fin rays ii,5 (vs ii,7), straight (vs sickle-shaped) lateropterygium, and by the presence of small plates in the dorsal and ventral series of the lateral trunk irregularly arranged and not contacting the plates of the median series (vs plates larger, regularly arranged in series, in contact with the median seri...
ACTIVATION OF CJUN NH2-TERMINAL KINASE/STRESS-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE BY INSULIN

One of insulin's many biological effects is the increased transcription of AP-1-regulated genes. cJun is the principal component of the AP-1 transcription complex, which is regulated by the newly discovered members of the MAPK superfamily referred to as cJun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs) or stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs). We show that insulin stimulates a dose- and time-dependent increase in JNK activity in Rat 1 fibroblasts overexpressing human insulin receptors (Rat 1 HIR cells). Using two different polyclonal anti-JNK antibodies, JNK activity was measured after immunoprecipitation from whole cell extracts by phosphorylation of GSTcJun(1−79). Peak activation occurred 15 min after insulin addition, resulting in a 2.5-fold increase in GSTcJun(1−79) phosphorylation over unstimulated controls. Maximal JNK activation correlated with the onset of AP-1 DNA binding activity. Both insulin-stimulated JNK activity and insulin-induced AP-1 transcriptional activity were found to be Ras-dependent. These data ...
Photosynthetic Marine Mollusks: In vivo 14C Incorporation into Metabolites of the Sacoglossan Placobranchus ocellatus

In seawater enriched with carbon-14-labeled sodium hydrogen carbonate the sacoglossan Placobranchus ocellatus when exposed to light incorporates carbon-14 at a rate 50-fold of that for animals kept in the dark. 9,10-Deoxytridachione, a secondary metabolite of the mollusk, undergoes a photorearrangement to photodeoxytridachione in vivo.
Stereospecific total synthesis of (+)-ε- and (-)-γ2-cadinene

Abstract (+)-e-Cadinene ( 1 ) and (-)-γ 2 cadinene ( 2 ) have been synthesized from the enol ether ketone 3 via the methylene ketone 4 . These two stereospecific total syntheses confirm the structures assigned to these sesquiterpenes and represent the first preparation by totally synthetic methods of any of the widespread group of cadinanes in their native state.
Net-waste-reduction analysis applied to zero-water discharge systems for chromic acid electroplating

Abstract Chromic acid recovery and treatment technologies were evaluated to determine total waste produced by alternatives that approach zero- or low-wastewater discharge systems. System boundaries were expanded to account for hidden waste produced by generation of energy required for operation of the recovery technologies. This type of analysis highlights the importance of expanding system boundaries when evaluating pollution prevention options, and demonstrates why zero-discharge electroplating processes may not be environmentally desirable.
Prediction of Pavement Distress Index with Limited Data on Causal Factors: an Auto-regression Approach

Prediction of the pavement distress index (DI) for different road sections on a network scale over an extended time horizon is necessary for efficient maintenance planning and resource allocation. In many cases, however, sufficient information on causal factors of pavement distress is unavailable. Nonetheless, models with sufficient reliability have to be developed in these situations. It is shown in this research that with suitable statistical models and application, sufficient information on missing causal factors may be accounted for indirectly by incorporating preceding observed DI values as an independent variable when predicting future DI values. Among different statistical modeling approaches, autoregression models with recursive applications were shown to produce reliable DI predictions. Extended future DI values were projected recursively by first predicting DI values for the immediate future interval based on current pavement age and DI value, and then using the new predicted DI value to predict...
Transglutaminases, involucrin, and loricrin as markers of epidermal differentiation in skin substitutes derived from human sweat gland cells

Background/Purpose In a multi-project research line, we are currently testing whether a morphologically and functionally near normal epidermis can be cultured from human sweat gland (SG) cells and be used as a skin substitute. The present study focuses on the stratum corneum of the epidermis that assumes a vital barrier function for the skin. The main process in the formation of the cornified cell envelope in human epidermis, i.e. crosslinking of proteins and lipids, is catalyzed by several transglutaminases (TG). Therefore, we compared the expression patterns of various TG and their substrates in SG-derived versus keratinocyte-derived epidermal substitutes.
The origin of the support effect in MgO-supported catalysts

MgO is an interesting catalyst support due to its ability to stabilize the metal in unusual oxidation states and to prevent sintering and volatilization. However, there are numerous examples where the reactivity of the metal is adversely affected when supported on MgO. In the CO hydrogenation reaction, MgO-supported catalysts exhibit a greater selectivity to long-chained hydrocarbons than SiO{sub 2}-supported catalysts. While this selectivity behavior is similar to that seen on TiO{sub 2} supports, unlike on TiO{sub 2} it is accompanied by a lower reactivity. The unusual properties of TiO{sub 2}-supported catalysts are believed to be caused by decoration of the metal surface by TiO{sub x} derived from the support and local electronic perturbation, but the origin of the MgO support effect is not well understood. A number of possible explanations have been proposed to explain support effects. These are the following: (i) alteration of the morphology and surface structure of the metal crystallites by the support, (ii) decoration of the metal surface by species derived from the support, and (III) electron transfer between the metal and the support leading to altered chemisorptive and catalytic properties for the metal. In this paper, the authors report their observations on the influence ofmore » aqueous versus nonaqueous impregnation on the selectivity of supported Ru in the CO hydrogenation reaction.« less
Effect of endotoxin on lipid order and motion in erythrocyte membranes.

Electron paramagnetic resonance employing a lipid-specific spin label has been used to investigate the molecular effects of endotoxin on the physical state of bilayer lipids in rat erythrocyte membranes. When added at a concentration as low as 40 μg/ml to whole blood (plasma plus leukocytes present), decreased membrane lipid motion was found in subsequently washed and spin-labeled intact erythrocytes (P < 0.02). However, if endotoxin were added to washed, plasma plus leukocyte-free intact erythrocytes, no change in the motion of the spin label was found, suggesting that plasma-soluble substances and/or leukocytes are required to produce the change in the physical state of lipids. The decreased lipid motion found in these studies is discussed with reference to the known decreased deformability of endotoxin-treated red cells and to the pathogenesis of sepsis.
Rheological behavior of Douglas-fir as related to the process of drying

ABSTRACT Large inelastic strain occurs inside a piece of lumber during drying. The strain consists of several components such as elastic, plastic, creep, shrinkage and mechano-sorptive effect. The drying behavior of the whole board is determined by the behavior of the individual components and their interactions. Whereas limited investigations have been made on those strains under moderate conditions, there is a lack of comprehensive research aimed to examine the behavior at elevated temperatures and to incorporate the various strain components into a process model. This research provides experimental data for various strain components of small wood samples and an analytical tool for evaluating the drying behavior of full-size boards. Small test specimens of Douglas-fir were loaded tangentially in both tension and compression under constant and varying moisture conditions at different temperatures. Experiments were conducted using a small testing machine contained within a pressure vessel. The strain fiel...