cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Global Right Wing and the Clash of World Politics: Shootout at United Nations Plaza

It was a warm evening in June 2006, and delegates to the Small Arms Review Conference crowded the narrow atrium at United Nations headquarters. An official had just dedicated the Five Year Report on the UN's Programme of Action to control the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons (SALW), a policy activists and diplomats had worked years to develop. Celebrating the fight against the global “gun crisis,” the throng of dark suits and knee-high dresses sipped drinks at the open bar and munched shrimp, cheeses, and petits fours. But just below the surface, things were amiss. The event's organizers had forgotten to check the recorded music track. As the delegates gobbled and gabbed, Bob Marley's “I Shot the Sheriff” blared – its refrain, “but I swear it was in self-defense,” sounding a consistent theme of the Programme's sworn enemies, the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the World Forum on the Future of Sport Shooting Activities (WFSA). For them, gun deaths were not one of the world's most pressing human rights problems. On the contrary: the real threat came from firearms control, undermining the most basic of human rights – preserving life, if necessary at the barrel of a gun. Thanks to the NRA and WFSA, the UN festivities were bittersweet. Despite high hopes, the Programme of Action had become, in the words of one early proponent, Human Rights Watch (HRW), little more than a “program of inaction,” its bland principles nonbinding. Much of the responsibility for this gutting could be laid at the feet of the gun groups, whose representatives sat in their own dark suits on the U.S. delegation.
Studies of magnetically and optically confined Bose-Einstein condensates

The study of Bose-Einstein condensation in DC magnetic traps has yielded a rich harvest of researches. By studying the process of condensate formation in a super-cooled atomic gas, one not only verifies theories describing dynamic properties of the condensate, but also discerns the stimulated character of collisions into the condensate from the surrounding vapor. Studies of sound propagation have explored and detailed the connection between Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute vapors and quantum liquids such as superfluid /sup 4/He. Further, the study of low-lying collective excitations, in particular their frequency and damping as a function of temperature have challenged pre-existing theoretical frameworks. These studies make use of repeated, nondestructive, in-situ imaging of Bose-Einstein condensates, and of optical and magnetic tools for manipulating cold atomic gases. Recently, the field of Bose-Einstein condensation has been widened by the successful transfer of a condensate into an optical trap. This trap enables much tighter confinement than that provided by existing magnetic traps, the confinement of arbitrary superpositions of hyperfine states, and tight confinement in the presence of a strong magnetic field. We will present recent results in these and other studies.
Temporal dynamics of soil moisture in a northern temperate mixed successional forest after a prescribed intermediate disturbance

Abstract Forested ecosystems may experience intermediate disturbances that involve changes of crown-scale canopy characteristics. When such changes occur, soil moisture under disturbed canopy may become either drier or wetter, depending on the interplay between small-scale hydrological processes, tree-scale vegetation function, and meteorological forcing. Understanding the contributing factors that impact small-scale soil water dynamics is vital for predicting long-term and larger-scale changes of forest hydrology following disturbances, succession, and management processes. In this study, we initiated half-hourly, three-meter deep measurements of soil moisture at four plots in a northern temperate mixed forest near the University of Michigan Biological Station. Two of the plots (one aspen- and the other oak-dominated) are located near the AmeriFlux tower; this forest area represents an undisturbed control site. Two other plots are located near the Forest Accelerated Succession Experiment (FASET) flux tower. An intermediate disturbance was prescribed in this area through stem girdling of all canopy-dominant, early successional aspen and birch trees to simulate the anticipated large-scale succession process in the Upper Great Lakes area. The data collected at the four plots provide observational evidence of changes in hydrological dynamics that were induced by species-specific crown-scale disturbances of the canopy structure. Data analysis reveals that the soil water storage under the girdled aspen was persistently higher, as compared to the undisturbed plots over the observational period of 2009–2011. The study argues that the larger water storage resulted from increased net precipitation and reduced transpiration during growing seasons following the girdling operation. These processes “outcompeted” the presumably enhanced interception and transpiration by understory plants as well as increased soil evaporation. Additionally, surface soil layer at the disturbed plot exhibited highest temporal variability among all monitored plots. The moisture profiles at the four plots were different, with the disturbed plot exhibiting relatively wetter shallow soil layers. Furthermore, water loss at the disturbed plot was concentrated in shallower soil layers, signifying a shift of uptake and/or change of dominant processes.
Inotropic effects of ethanol and dihydropyridines on the Guinea pig heart artrial muscle

Abstract The effects of ethanol and/or dihydropyridines (DHPs) on force of contraction of atrial muscle were studied. Guinea pig atrial strips superfused with Tyrode's solution (36°C) were driven (1.5 Hz) while recording muscle tension. Bay K 8644 (BAYK) increased, while nimodipine or ethanol reduced, the peak tension developed and the maximum velocity of development of tension. The effects of ethanol were readily reversible, but those of the DHPs were not. The combined actions of ethanol and DHPs were the result of the synergism or antagonism of the drugs tested. The shorter duration of the action of ethanol resulted in the effect of DHPs being still evident well after the exposure to the drugs ended. In summary, ethanol and nimodipine exerted depressant actions on atrial contractile force, while BAYK had opposite effects. The different mechanisms of action may explain the different duration of the effects of ethanol (physical agent) and DHPs (receptor-binding chemicals).
Biomass yield and composition, and winter survival of tall grasses in Alabama

The objectives of this study were to determine yield and composition of tall grasses grown in central Alabama and to determine winter survival and emergence of napiergrass and energycane planted in autumn at three depths in central and northern Alabama. Plots for the first experiment were established during summer, 1986, and were harvested every autumn thereafter for four years. Samples of napiergrass and energycane taken in 1990 were analyzed for nitrogen and several fiber components. Total yields varied among years, which differed in both moisture and temperature conditions. Yields ranged from 15.9 to 32.4 Mg ha−1 for energycane, 4.5 to 30.4 Mg ha−1 for N-51 napiergrass and from 1.4 to 22.2 Mg ha−1 for PI 300086 napiergrass. Sugarcane and sorghum yields ranged from 0 to 8.9 and 1.8 to 11.7 Mg ha−, respectively. Variation in dry matter composition was low, although N concentration of energycane was significantly lower than that of both napiergrass entries. The second experiment indicated that winter survival and spring shoot emergence from stalks planted in autumn appeared best at a 10-cm planting depth for all entries.
Curd Tension Test and Curd Number Test Applied to Market Homogenized Milk in Philadelphia—Definition of a Soft Curd Milk

Summary The curd tensions and corresponding curd numbers (curd sizes) of market homogenized milk in Philadelphia have been recorded over the period of one year. On the basis of this material, combined with experiences from baby feeding studies and more than 5 years of constant testing of curd tensions and curd numbers, it is suggested that a “soft curd” milk be defined as a milk with a curd tension of 15 g. or below. Since this corresponds to a curd number of 200 or above, it indicates a milk with both soft and small curds.
Effects of modeling and videotape feedback with knowledge of results on motor performance

Abstract On the basis of social learning theory it can be hypothesized that information acquired through model observation can provide as rich a basis for a cognitive representation as that acquired by means of the usual KR procedure. A source of external information similar to that of model observation is videotape feedback (VTFB). Therefore, it was the purpose of this study to test the potency of these two sources of information with KR. The design was a 4 (groups) × 10 (blocks) factorial ANOVA with repeated measures on the last factor. Both immediate transfer and 48-hr retention effects were assessed. The immediate transfer analysis indicated a significant main effect for group. This effect appeared to be due to the poor performance of the VTFB group. The same effect approached significance after the 48-hr retention. Subsequent variance analysis indicated significant differences between transfer and retention within all conditions except modeling.
Comparative studies on the effects of isoproterenol and glucagon on 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate metabolism in embryonic and newborn chick liver

Abstract 1. 1. The endogenous level of adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic-AMP) in developing chick liver was determined and found to be the highest at the earliest stage studied (6-day embryo) and to fall progressively to reach a lower plateau after about two weeks incubation. 2. 2. Isoproterenol or glucagon produce elevations in the cyclic-AMP content of 7–9-day embryonic liver in vitro but have little effect on the cyclic-AMP content of newborn chick liver slices in vitro . 3. 3. Kinetic plots of the phosphodiesterase activity in whole homogenates of embryonic or newborn chick liver are biphasic indicating the presence of 2 phosphodiestcrases. The activities of these 2 enzymes do not change markedly during development. 4. 4. The basal and fluoride stimulated adenylate cyclase activities of preparations of chick liver are lower than similar preparations of 7–9-day embryonic liver. Both types of preparations are stimulated by isoproterenol. 5. 5. The relationships between cyclic-AMP and the control of glycogen metabolism in the developing chick are discussed.
Manufacturing tracking system at Hewlett Packard Puerto Rico

Abstract This paper describes the process used to design, develop and implement a custom made modular client-server on-line transaction processing and decision support system used at Hewlett Packard Puerto Rico. This system is part of the corporate wide re-engineering effort. The purpose of this system is to enforce that the appropriate manufacturing processes are executed and to provide a container for quality and process data needed for analysis and management decisions including manufacturing performance measurements. The major benefit obtained is to provide a consistent framework to achieve customer quality expectations, shipment integrity, cycle time reductions and throughput increase.
Solution Improvement Heuristics for the Vehicle Routing and Scheduling Problem with Time Window Constraints

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACTBranch exchange techniques, such as the well-known 2-opt and 3-opt procedures, are among the most powerful heuristics available for the solution of the classic vehicle routing problem. The imposition of time window constraints on customer delivery time within the vehicle routing problem, however, introduces several complexities that can reduce the power of these techniques. In this paper, two test data sets for the vehicle routing and scheduling problem with time window constraints are studied. Initial solutions are obtained using a variety of heuristics. These solutions are then improved using branch exchange procedures modified to incorporate the time window constraints.
Sex as a factor influencing the responsiveness of arterioles to catecholamines.

Abstract The present in vivo experiments on rat mesenteric arterioles, using a high magnification (up to 4000 ×) image-splitting television microscope recording system, demonstrate that dose—response curves for the constrictor catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine in female rats are significantly shifted in a parallel manner to the left of those obtained in male rats. The maximal arteriolar contractile (i.e., lumen diameter narrowings) responses to the catecholamines were, however, not altered by the sex differences. Dose—response curves for constrictions induced by dopamine or phenylephrine were not affected by a difference in sex. The sex-linked differences, observed in the present study, thus appear to be specific for catecholamine molecules exhibiting not only a catechol nucleus but an hydroxyl group on the β-carbon of the side chain. These findings could be interpreted as support for a role of sex hormones in control of blood flow.
Epidermal growth factor receptor in tumor angiogenesis

This article focuses on the preclinical evidence for activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in promoting angiogenesis and the efficacy of anti-EGFR agents in inhibiting angiogenesis and tumor growth.
Abstract 81: Differential metabolic and viability responses of the A549 and MRC-5 cell lines upon exposure to selective organic inhibitors of glycolysis

Lung cancer is a one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers in United States. Research has shown that cancer cells exhibit higher glycolytic rates than normal cells. Studies on the differential role of the interference with glycolysis/energy generation by cancer cells through the use natural glycolytic inhibitors were limited in the literature. Therefore, we hypothesize that exposure of lung cancer cells to natural inhibitors of glycolysis will negatively influence their metabolic activities as well as their cell viabilities due to the inhibition of substrate-level ATP generation, while differentially not affecting the normal lung phenotype. The human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5) was selected to represent the normal human lung and the human alveolar epithelial cell line A549 was selected to represent lung cancer in vitro. These cells were maintained and exposed to eleven different organic reagents including fructose diphosphate (FDP), sodium citrate, ascorbic acid, crude honey, sodium bicarbonate, D-glucose, oxalic acid, glycerol, zinc acetate, pyruvic acid, and sodium ascorbate at concentration levels ranging from 31.3-2,000 ug/ml for 24-72 hours in 5% CO 2 and 96 well plates using MTT, Alamar blue and the T4 cellometer assays as well as phase-contrast photo-imaging. Our results indicate that exposure of A549 cells to these organics resulted in concentration dependent differential cell destruction of the A549 cell line. Nine of the eleven organics used showed statistically significant (p 50 using MTT and Alamar blue assays ranged between 161-1041 ug/ml. None of the eleven chemicals used allowed for cell proliferation of the A549 cell line while showing no or minor effects on the MRC-5 cell line. We conclude that nine of the tested organics impaired glycolysis, which is crucial to the generation of cellular energy and survival of the A549 cell line. Supported by NIH-RCMI grant# G12RR13459 and NIH-RISE grant # 63228. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 81.
139 PLASMA PROSTAGLANDIN E AND F 2 a IN PREMATURE INFANTS WITH PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSIS

The aim of the project was to determine the relation between the level of PGE and PGF2α and the presence or absence of PDA in premature infants. In infants with clinical PDA, ages 1-26 days, the PGE and PGF2α were 1443.10±153.78 and 766.50±70.60pg/ml, respectively;statistically insignificant from cord levels of term infants previously obtained in this laboratory. After improvement of the ductal shunt, PGE significantly decreased (p < 0.01) to 297.57±60.14 and PGF2α (p < 0.01) to 164.66±54.53pg/ml. This decrease occurred spontaneously, with IndocinR administration or by surgical ligation, and is comparable to levels in term infants at 3 days of age without evidence of ductal shunts. Representative examples follow: Since catabolism of prostaglandins occurs in the lung with the majority being removed in a single pass, the high PG levels in premature infants with PDA may be due to continuation of in utero shunting of blood away from the lung and/or decreased catabolism. The decrease in PG levels with the decreased ductal shunt may be secondary to improved lung perfusion. These data suggest the patency of the ductus arteriosus may be the etiology of the elevated PG levels and not result from the elevated levels.
Sexual Risk Compensation and HIV/STD Transmission: Empirical Evidence and Theoretical Considerations

This study was conducted to answer the question, "Are sexual risk behaviors subject to compensation?" For example, do people who increase their use of condoms compensate for this reduction in human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted disease (HIV/STD) risk by engaging in more overall acts of intercourse or by having sex with more partners than before? Utilizing the HIV prevention literature, studies in which participants demonstrated sexual risk compensation were identified. A simple HIV/STD transmission model was applied to these data to determine whether compensation produced a net increase in HIV/STD risk, despite positive changes in one or more aspects of sexual behavior. Although a number of studies were found in which there were simultaneous increases in condom use and the overall number of acts of intercourse, in none of these instances was there an overall increase in HIV/STD risk. Moreover, none of these studies reported concomitant increases in the number of sex partners. Extensive modeling exercises also were conducted to determine the theoretical conditions under which compensation would produce a net increase in risk. The results of the modeling exercise indicated that relatively small increases in overall sexual activity could be sufficient to offset risk-reduction gains due to increased condom use in populations in which baseline condom use is very low. In sum, although sexual risk compensation occurs, no empirical evidence was found that this compensation is sufficient to offset reductions in risk due to greater condom use, despite the theoretical plausibility of this scenario.
Is air transport faster? A comparison of air versus ground transport times for interfacility transfers in a regional referral system

Abstract Introduction Helicopter transport is often considered in an effort to minimize time to critical interventions, such as cardiac catheterization or arterial thrombolysis in stroke patients. However, for interfacility transports, the extra time considerations for helicopter preparation, takeoff, and time to get to the transferring hospital may not offset the slower transport times for local ground ambulances. The purpose of this study was to compare transport times for helicopter with traditional ground ambulance for interfacility transfers within a regional referral system. Methods All patients transported from an outside hospital to the intensive care unit of the University of Wisconsin were eligible for this study. Equal numbers of patients transferred by ground and by helicopter from each facility were sequentially selected. The following intervals were compared: time from call to dispatch, time from dispatch to arrival at the referring hospital, time at the referring hospital, transport time to the receiving hospital, and total transport time. Results One hundred forty-five patients were included in this study, transferred from 20 hospitals within the UW referral system. Dispatch times and time at the referring hospital were location independent, and each was shorter for ground transport. Ground dispatch times were 5 ± 6 minutes, whereas for helicopter transport dispatch times were 17 ± 8 ( P P = .008). Other intervals were location dependent. Arrivals were much more variable for ground transport, reflecting the fact that private ambulance services may have to travel some distance to reach the referring hospital (helicopter 18 ± 8 minutes, ground 19 ± 18 minutes). As expected, transport time from the referring hospital was shorter for helicopter transport. From each of the hospitals, average helicopter transport was as fast as the best ground transport. Conclusion Helicopter transport was faster than ground transport for interfacility transfer of patients from all hospitals studied in our referral system. Under optimal dispatch and transport conditions, the time difference from several hospitals was minimal. For stable patients for whom the only issue is time to critical procedure, it may be reasonable for those hospitals to try ground transport first if timely service is available to transport in that way. Even for those hospitals, helicopter transport should be considered for these patients if ground transport is not optimally available, as well as for patients in whom minimizing time outside of the hospital is a significant consideration, or when transport of such patients impacts emergency medical services availability to the community for a significant time.
Rapid decrease of cosmic-ray intensity

A remarkable sudden decrease in cosmic ray mu meson intensity occurring in connection with the magnetic storn and anroral display of February 10, 1956 was investigated using a high-counting-rate, high timeresolution meson monitor employing large disks of plastic scintillator. The unit consists of three telescopes each of which counts coincidences between two layers of the plastic disks. A theoretical explanation for the phenomenon is sought. (T.R.H.)
Dispersive effects in pion-nucleus scattering.

The influence of dispersive, medium effects on pion-nucleus elastic scattering is investigated in a simple model. The pion-nucleus interaction in the impulse approximation is represented by an optical potential whose form is motivated by field-theoretic considerations and the properties of the ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{33}$ resonance. The intermediate ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{33}$ spectrum is described by a mean spectral energy, ${E}_{\mathrm{ms}}$, where the shift ${E}_{\mathrm{ms}}$ represents the average of the ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{33}$-nucleus mean field, ${U}_{\ensuremath{\Delta}}$, over the nucleon and pion wave functions. We calculate the real part of ${E}_{\mathrm{ms}}$ as a function of mass number A and pion energy \ensuremath{\omega}, assuming that ${U}_{\ensuremath{\Delta}}$ is numerically the same as the nucleon-nucleus shell-model potential. We compare our theory to more conventional ones, showing that the mean spectral energy is an important correction for pion-nucleus elastic scattering.
Anesthesia for laser transmyocardial revascularization

NAKE MYOCARDIUM receives its blood supply through a network of channels that communicate directly with the ventricle, rather than through epicardial vessels seen in humans. Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) is an experimental procedure that attempts to duplicate this anatomy in patients with diffuse distal coronary artery disease unamenable to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or angioplasty. For this reason, the procedure has been called the" snake operation" and was first attempted in 1965 by Sen et al, 1 who used needle acupuncture to create multiple channels through ischemic myocardium. Unfortunately, these channels fibrosed and closed within weeks, offering little long-term benefit. More recently, the carbon dioxide (CO2) and holmium:yttrium-aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) lasers are being used as an alternative to needle perforations in the hope that channels created by laser might epithelialize and remain patent longer. 2"4 If successful, this technique would provide an alternative treatment for patients with coronary artery disease refractory to conventional therapies. The following case is presented to illustrate the anesthetic considerations for such a procedure. A 49-year-old, 80-kg man was experiencing class IV (Canadian Heart Association) angina, despite a four-vessel CABG operation 5 years ago and maximal medical therapy. Medical history was significant for an inferior myocardial infarction, and medications included nifedipine (20 mg three times daily), metoprolol (50 mg twice daily), isosorbide dinitrate (40 mg four times daily), amiodipine (10 mg/day), and aspirin (375 mg/ day). Recent cardiac angiography showed small, diffusely diseased coronaries, occluded vein grafts, and a patent internal mammary artery graft. Ejection fraction was 40%, and mild pulmonary hypertension was noted. Persantine-thallium scanning showed, on poststress images, defects in the lateral and inferior walls of the left ventricle. Reperfusion of the lateral wall occurred, but the inferior defect was fixed. Wall motion studies showed good motion of the septum, but the other walls showed considerable dyskinesia. Because the patient was not considered an appropriate candidate for repeat CABG or angioplasty and his symptoms were persisting despite medical management, he was enrolled in a protocol for TMR treatment with the holmium laser. Inclusion criteria for the protocol were as follows: class IV angina (Canadian Heart Association); ejection fraction greater than 25%; greater than 10% reversibility in a myocardial defect located in the inferior two thirds of the left ventricle; and unsuitable for CABG or angioplasty. Patients were randomly assigned to either a TMR or medical treatment. In the TMR group, the entire left ventricle was treated with the laser, not just the areas of reversible ischemia.
Oligomers and isomers: new horizons in poly-anilines

Abstract The extraordinarily important potential role of isomers in determining the electronic, magnetic, optical, structural and mechanical properties of poly-anilines, including polyaniline is presented. It is based on a summary of known types of isomers—positional, cis/trans, rotational—and isomerism processes, some of which occur relatively slowly even at room temperature in solution. Possible general approaches for determining the intrinsic properties of polyaniline by isolating the polymer preferably in one isomeric form or as a mixture containing a smaller than usual number of different isomers, are outlined.
Modeling sources of self-report bias in a survey of drug use epidemiology.

Purpose Well-documented errors in the reporting of drug-related behaviors have been attributed to several sources. These include: 1) respondent difficulties in understanding survey questions, 2) problems in recalling the information necessary to accurately answer these questions, and 3) social pressures that discourage accurate reporting. We report covariance structure models designed to simultaneously evaluate each of these potential sources of error. Methods Data examined are from a community survey of 627 Chicago adults which collected drug use self reports (via ACASI technology), multiple biological samples (including hair, urine, and saliva) that permit self-report validation, and a series of probes designed to collect systematic information regarding respondent comprehension and memory difficulties and social desirability concerns. These three sets of information were employed to construct latent variable covariance structure models that enabled an evaluation of the effects of each potential source of reporting error on the quality of drug use reporting. Results Social desirability concerns were predictive of discordant drug use reporting and drug use under-reporting. Memory difficulties were predictive of drug use over-reporting. Differences in the predictive power of these variables were found across race/ethnic groups. Conclusions Both memory difficulties and social desirability concerns are independent sources of measurement error in surveys of drug use epidemiology.
Effect of Mechanical Alloying on Al6061-Graphene Composite Fabricated by Semi-Solid Powder Processing

Graphene is a promising material as a reinforcing element for high-strength, lightweight metal composites due to its extraordinary mechanical properties and low density. In this study, Al6061–graphene composite was investigated with 1.0 wt.% graphene reinforcement. The graphene was manufactured by the modified Brodie’s method. The Al6061 powder and graphene flakes were ball milled at different milling times (10, 30, 60, and 90 min). The composite was then synthesized by hot compaction in the semi-solid regime of the Al6061. Three point bending test was performed to characterize the mechanical properties of the composites. The ball milled powder and the fracture surfaces of the composites were investigated using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results were compared with a reference Al6061 without any graphene reinforcement. For the Al6061-1.0 wt.% graphene composites, a maximum enhancement of 47% in the flexural strength was observed when compared with the reference Al6061 processed at the same condition.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Pastoral counseling in Japan

T HE CULTURE of Japan is as complex as that of America or Europe. Modern Japan is a meeting ground of cultures from east and west. From Asia and the Pacific have come early streams of people and their ethnic culture. Then from China came Buddhist and Confucian waves of culture. And recently have come tidal waves of European and American culture. As these diversities mingle they enrich the surging life of the Japanese people and place their imprint upon the Christian movement in this changing society. Christianity has been welcomed and resisted, assimilated and modified, here as in every other country to which it has come. From the arrival of Portuguese and Spanish merchants, the Catholic missions founded by Francis Xavier in 1549 have nurtured a sturdy faith to meet the persecutions which for 200 years (1639-1859) prohibited their teachings. Protestant missions from 1855 have taken three forms: educational, evangelistic, and social service. By far the greatest response has come to the Christian work of education. Modern Japan from the Meiji Restoration of 1868 has been eager to learn. Christian schools from kindergartens to universities have pioneered the development of modern co-educaPAUL E. JOHNSON
Effective stopping-power charges of swift ions in condensed matter

The effective charge of energetic ions as it pertains to the stopping power of solids is calculated in a dielectric-response approximation. The density distribution of $N$ electrons bound in an ion of atomic number ${Z}_{1}$ is given by a variational statistical approximation. The effective charge $Z_{1}^{}{}_{}{}^{*}e$ is always larger than the ionic charge ${Q}_{1}=({Z}_{1}\ensuremath{-}N)e$, because of close collisions. A comprehensive low-velocity formula predicts $Z_{1}^{}{}_{}{}^{*}e$ for given $Q$ as a function of the ratio between the ion size and the mean electron spacing in the medium. At high velocities one obtains a partition rule of stopping powers for the effective charge of ionic projectiles. The results are compared with new precision stopping-power measurements on C, Al, and Au with $_{7}\mathrm{N}$ ions.
Adh-negative mutants: detection of an altered tryptic peptide in a mutant enzyme of Drosophila.

Adhnll is an ethyl methanesulfonate induced mutant that lacks detectable alcohol dehydrogenase activity. A number of indirect lines of evidence have indicated that the mutation responsible for this loss in enzyme activity is locoalized in the Adh structural gene. We present more direct evidence for this hypothesis here. Utilizing a newly developed procedure for comparing tryptic peptides of Drosophila alcohol dehydrogenase obtained from different strains, we show that the alcohol dehydrogenase-like protein isolated from Adhnll exhibits an altered peptide profile when compared to that of wild type. The implications of this finding as well as the utility of the method for attacking other genetic and developmental problems are discussed.
Radical aortic root enlargement in the infant and child.

Complex multilevel left ventricular outflow tract obstruction includes some of the more challenging problems in congenital cardiac reconstructive surgery. Preoperative studies must carefully delineate the level of obstruction that may be entirely below the aortic annulus (i.e., subaortic stenosis), at the level of the aortic annulus (i.e., aortic annular hypoplasia), may be related to valve leaflet obstruction due to rigid or fused valve leaflets (i.e., aortic valve stenosis), or may be at the level of the tips of the commissures of the aortic valve e., supravalvar aortic stenosis). Frequently, variable contributions are present from all these potential levels of obstruction. An important underlying goal in planning surgical therapy should be preservation of the child's own aortic valve, whenever possible. Operative procedures should preserve growth potential and minimize the need for repeat surgical procedures. A number of surgical options that incorporate these goals will be described. (J Card Surg 1994;9[Suppl]:165–169)
Early cell-specific changes in nitric oxide synthases, reactive nitrogen species formation, and ubiquitinylation during diabetes-related bladder remodeling.

Background Urinary bladder dysfunction in diabetes is a well-recognized phenomenon but the mechanisms involved and initiating events are not clear. The physiological production of nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in bladder tone and local immune defense, and recent studies have shown that NO-derived reactive nitrogen species occur in many settings of chronic disease, including other diabetic complications. Here, we investigated the early time-dependent and cell-specific changes in the nitric oxide synthase isoforms (NOS1, 2, and 3), peroxynitrite, and ubiquitinylation in the well-documented streptozotocin-induced rat model of diabetes. Methods Immunohistochemical methods and automated digital imaging were used for the measurement of morphometric and histochemical analysis of the bladder tissue regions. Region-specific 3-nitrotyrosine (a biomarker of NO dysregulation and reactive nitrogen species formation) and ubiquitinylated protein prevalence (marker of proteasomal activity) were also investigated. Results Immunohistochemistry revealed early, time-dependent, and cell-specific alterations in the three isoforms of NOS. We also observed region-specific increases in protein nitration, demonstrating first-time evidence of reactive nitrogen species formation in this setting. The changes in nitration did not pattern changes in NOS2 induction or tissue ubiquitinylation, and these alterations preceded any detectable changes in bladder structure (3 days vs 2 weeks) in this same animal preparation. Conclusions These data demonstrate that selective and regionally distinct changes in nitric oxide production and impaired nitric oxide control are early events during diabetic cystopathy and that mechanisms leading to increased oxidative stress and proteasomal activation may be key participants leading to organ dysfunction in this setting. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Possible Reinterpretation of the Photoelectron Spectra of [CCl2]-•, [CBr2]-•, and [CI2]-•: A Role for Quartet Isodihalocarbene or Dihalocarbene Radical Anions?

We address a discrepancy between the large singlet−triplet (S−T) splitting values computed by advanced ab initio methods for three of the dihalocarbenes CX2 (X = Cl, Br, I) and the much smaller values deduced from photoelectron spectra of CX2-• ions. Our G3 calculations lead us to propose that the band of CX2-• (X = Cl, Br, I) that is presently attributed to the 2[X−C−X]-• → 3X−C−X transition is actually due to photodetachment from a metastable species, 4[X−C−X]-• → 3X−C−X or, less likely, 4[CX−X]-• → 3[CX−X] (and, conceivably, 2[CX−X]-• → 3[CX−X]).
Shell gland responsiveness to prostaglandins F2α and E1 and to arginine vasotocin during the laying cycle of the domestic hen (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract Contractile responses of isolated shell gland (SG) strips from laying hens displayed no significant differences 6 hrs before oviposition, at oviposition, and 6 hrs after oviposition when stimulated with arginine vasotocin (AVT), prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ), or prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ). Dose-response curves show that the sensitivity of the SG to these agents, in vitro , is: AVT > PGF 2 > PGE 1 . PGF 2α , however, produces the largest contractile response, while PGE 1 appears to be a poor agonist of contractile activity in vitro . These results are discussed in relation to the known hormonal patterns during the ovulatory cycle of the hen and the physiological roles attributed to these oxytocics in the control of oviposition.
Surgical Correction of Angular Limb Deformity of the Forelimbs of a 7‐month‐old Calf

Severe angular limb deformity of the forelimbs of a 7-month-old calf was treated by temporary physeal bridging of the distal radial physes using screws and wires. Marked straightening of the deformed forelegs and improvement in ambulation were noted when the calf was evaluated at three and nine months after surgery.
Effects of density change and subcooling on the melting of a solid around a horizontal heated cylinder

The unsteady two-dimensional heat-transfer problem of melting around a horizontal heated cylinder is studied numerically. The cylinder is heated isothermally. A physical model is introduced which accounts for the effects of density change upon melting and subcooling effect, as well as natural convection. Most previous work has assumed that the density number (ratio of solid density to liquid density) is unity. In practice, all solid materials exhibit some density change upon melting. If the density number is greater than one, this induces a blowing effect at the phase-change boundary. If the density number is less than one, a suction effect is produced. This study indicates that the density-change effect on heat transfer during melting is minor. Subcooling results when the solid is at a temperature below the melting temperature. When the melting process begins, some of the available thermal energy must be used as sensible heat, to raise the solid's temperature to the melting point. As a result, less thermal energy is available for melting. Subcooling effects are found to have a substantial effect on the heat-transfer process. The effects of natural convection have been clearly documented, and indicate that natural convection must be included in any realistic model of the melting process. Detailed predictions of the effects of density change and subcooling on the melting process are given. Information on the temperature and flow fields for representative values of Stefan, Rayleigh, Prandtl, subcooling and density number is given. Further results from the numerical solutions include information on local and average heat-transfer rates and sensibleheat gain as well as melt volume as a function of time. Comparisons are made with earlier numerical and analytical results.
Feature based recognition of submerged objects in holographic imagery

The ability to autonomously sense and characterize underwater objects in situ is desirable in applications of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). In this work, underwater object recognition was explored using a digital holographic system. Two experiments were performed in which several objects of varying size, shape, and material were submerged in a 43,000 gallon test tank. Holograms were collected from each object at multiple distances and orientations, with the imager located either outside the tank (looking through a porthole) or submerged (looking downward). The resultant imagery from these holograms was preprocessed to improve dynamic range, mitigate speckle, and segment out the image of the object. A collection of feature descriptors were then extracted from the imagery to characterize various object properties (e.g., shape, reflectivity, texture). The features extracted from images of multiple objects, collected at different imaging geometries, were then used to train statistical models for object recognition tasks. The resulting classification models were used to perform object classification as well as estimation of various parameters of the imaging geometry. This information can then be used to inform the design of autonomous sensing algorithms for UUVs employing holographic imagers.
Twenty-Four Hour Cardiopulmonary Stability in a Model of Assisted Newborn Fontan Circulation

Background Morbidity and mortality after stage-1 palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome is high as a result of adverse physiologic conditions imposed by the systemic-to-pulmonary arterial shunt. Conversion to a systemic venous source of pulmonary blood flow (Glenn/Fontan) substantially decreases instability and mortality risk. Cavopulmonary assist has the potential to eliminate critical dependence on the problematic systemic arterial shunt. We studied this support modality during a 24-hour period in a neonatal animal model of univentricular Fontan circulation. Methods Lambs (8.1 ± 0.9 kg, 8.3 ± 2.1 days, n=7) underwent total cavopulmonary diversion. A miniature centrifugal pump was used to assist cavopulmonary flow. Control animals (6.6 ± 1.0 kg, 7.3 ± 2.1 days, n=11) underwent placement of monitoring lines only. Hemodynamic and gas exchange data were measured. Within-group and between-group comparisons were made using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Results After an initial phase of reactivity, pulmonary vascular resistance returned to low levels and was not significantly different from baseline values after hour 13 or significantly different from control values after hour 4. Systemic venous pressure remained low. Oxygenation and ventilation remained normal with no histologic evidence of parenchymal lung injury. Conclusions Pump-assisted cavopulmonary diversion is well tolerated up to 24 hours in the neonatal period. Despite initial reactivity, pulmonary vascular resistance trended toward normal and approached control values. Cavopulmonary assist holds the potential to serve as a bridge to neonatal Fontan repair of single ventricle. Chronic studies are warranted to determine the duration and rate of weaning of support to transition to an unassisted univentricular Fontan circulation.
ELECTRONIC AND TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF THERMOELECTRIC Ru2Si3

We report calculations of the doping and temperature dependent thermopower of Ru2Si3 based on Boltzmann transport theory and the first principles electronic structure. We find that the performance reported to date can be significantly improved by optimization of the doping level and that ultimately n-type should have higher ZT than p-type.
In vitro elimination of oocyte melanosomes from the retinal rudiment of the frog, Rana pipiens.

Abstract The behaviour of oocyte melanosomes in cultured retinal rudiments of Rana pipiens embryos was studied with light and electron microscopy. Following isolation from stage 17 embryos, oocyte melanosomes are mobilized to the apical surface of the developing retinal cells and expelled during a period of nine days in culture. Electron microscopic observations of melanosomes in stages of elimination indicate that the perimelanosomal membrane interacts with the plasma membrane prior to exteriorization of the melanosome.
Cellular progesterone receptor phosphorylation in response to ligands activating protein kinases

Progesterone receptors were immunoprecipitated with monoclonal antibodies KD68 from lysates of human breast carcinoma T47D cells labelled to steady state specific activity with 32Pi. The 120 kDa 32P-labelled progesterone receptor band was resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and identified by autoradiography. Phosphoamino acid analysis revealed serine phosphorylation, but no threonine or tyrosine phosphorylation. Treatment of the 32Pi-labelled cells with EGF, TPA or dibutyryl cAMP had no significant quantitative effect on progesterone receptor phosphorylation, though the EGF receptor and the cAMP-dependent protein kinases have been reported to catalyze phosphorylation of purified avian progesterone receptor preparations in cell free systems. Progesterone receptor phosphorylation on serine residues was increased by 2-fold in cells treated with 10 nM progesterone; EGF had no effect on progesterone-mediated progesterone receptor phosphorylation.
Quantum swirling of superfluid helium films.

Circularly polarized third-sound resonances are used to drive up and drive down persistent flow states in the superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ film inside the resonator, analogous to swirling a classical fluid by agitation. The induced flow states involve vortex densities pinned by the roughness of the substrate which can include left and right circulating vortices present simultaneously within the resonator. Densities are measured to be on the order of ${10}^{5}$/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The peak flow speed of the wave oscillations necessary to swirl the film are near the critical velocity for dc flow dissipation.
Model membrane studies of spin-label probes Part I. Mixed monolayers of 12-nitroxide stearic acid and myristic acid

Pure and mixed monomolecular films of a cell membrane spin label probe, 12-nitroxide stearic acid have been studied where myristic acid was selected as the host lipid. The behavior of 12-nitroxide stearic acid at the air water interface is understood in terms of two molecular configurations: erect (with only the carboxyl group in the interface) and bent (with both the carboxyl group and the oxazolidine ring in the interface). In mixed films both of these conformations play a role at high surface pressures. At low probe concentrations, 12-nitroxide stearic acid is primarily in an erect conformation, while at high probe concentrations the reverse is true. This particular host lipid appears capable of erecting the probe molecule with only small concentrations of myristic acid. In a condensed host lipid, the probe is partially immiscible, and segregates to form a heterogeneous film from which it is readily collapsed. The probe is seen to perturb the molecular packing in this mixed system and the perturbation to be dependent on both the molecular shape and nature of the probe.
An essential role for IL-17 in preventing pathogen-initiated bone destruction: recruitment of neutrophils to inflamed bone requires IL-17 receptor-dependent signals.

IL-17 and its receptor are founding members of a novel family of inflammatory cytokines. IL-17 plays a pathogenic role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)–associated bone destruction. However, IL-17 is also an important regulator of host defense through granulopoiesis and neutrophil trafficking. Therefore, the role of IL-17 in pathogen-initiated bone loss was not obvious. The most common form of infection-induced bone destruction occurs in periodontal disease (PD). In addition to causing significant morbidity, PD is a risk factor for atherosclerotic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Similar to RA, bone destruction in PD is caused by the immune response. However, neutrophils provide critical antimicrobial defense against periodontal organisms. Since IL-17 is bone destructive in RA but a key regulator of neutrophils, we examined its role in inflammatory bone loss induced by the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis in IL-17RA–deficient mice. These mice showed enhanced periodontal bone destruction, suggesting a bone-protective role for IL-17, reminiscent of a neutrophil deficiency. Although IL-17RA–deficient neutrophils functioned normally ex vivo, IL-17RA knock-out (IL-17RAKO) mice exhibited reduced serum chemokine levels and concomitantly reduced neutrophil migration to bone. Consistently, CXCR2KO mice were highly susceptible to alveolar bone loss; interestingly, these mice also suggested a role for chemokines in maintaining normal bone homeostasis. These results indicate a nonredundant role for IL-17 in mediating host defense via neutrophil mobilization.